How to Keep 20 Pounds Off Without Gaining It Back Again

Losing weight, especially as much weight as 20 pounds, can be difficult. However, keeping that newly lost weight off can present even more of a challenge. Many diets only lead to temporary weight loss, especially if you return to normal eating habits once you've finished dieting. The best way to loose 20 pounds and then keep the weight off is by making several permanent life adjustments. Incorporating healthy eating and exercise habits is vital if you want to permanent keep lost weight from coming back.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat a consistently healthy diet that you can maintain for more than just a few weeks. Incorporate fresh fruit, vegetables and protein into your meals. Make simple changes to your current diet to make the transition easier, such as replacing white bread with whole grains and white rice with brown and replacing butter high in saturated fats with conola or olive oil.

• 2

  Drink plenty of water. Aim for eight full glasses of water per day if possible. Keeping your body hydrated will help keep you stay healthy and can help flush away unwanted toxins in the body that can prevent you from keeping the weight off.

• 3

  Write down everything you eat and drink throughout the day. This will help you keep track of the calories you put in your body and can make you more conscious of breaking your healthy eating habits. This will also help you take a moment to think about what you eat before you put it in your mouth.

• 4

  Weigh yourself once a week to monitor any changes in your weight. If you see you've gained some of the weight back one week, you will be able to make adjustments to your diet and workout regimen before you unintentionally gain even more weight.

• 5

  Develop a regular exercise plan that you will be able to stick to consistently. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that cardiovascular exercise and strength-training exercise is required to weight maintenance. You should attempt to do at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity per day, and try to perform light weight-lifting and strength training exercises twice a week. If you are unsure of how to get started on this type of workout regimine, you can consult a trainer or specialist at a local gym for suggestions.

• 6

  Make sure to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can lead to exhaustion, making exercise difficult. Being well rested is essential to maintaining the overall health of your body, and the healthier your body is the easier it will be to keep lost weight from returning.

• 7

  Set long term goals for yourself. Make these goals for a year or more away to help keep weight off permanently. These goals can be a number, a size or the ability to participate in a certain athletic event or race. Whatever the goal is make sure it is realistic, and keep track of your progress as you attempt to reach the goals you've set.