So, you've completed the Weight Loss Challenge. You've achieved amazing results. You're back in dress sizes you haven't worn since you were 21. You're fitter than you've been since high school. Or, you've lost that weight you gained over Christmas holidays and a little more - great! But it came at a price. You eliminated those favourite foods. You woke up that little bit earlier. You ran that extra bit further. You have never been this focused before. You started saying no to that drink. You became slightly less social even. But you are at that goal weight. So what now?
This is just the beginning. One of the hardest things about weight loss is in fact the weight maintenance, keeping those habits up, having that motivation, staying this fit, staying this disciplined - and staying this lean. Long term weight loss comes down to a psychology. Not a science, not a miracle, not a diet, but a choice of lifestyle.
Eating smart, not eating less is the key to losing weight and keeping it off. It's all in your head. Being motivated to stick to a healthy diet is what drives results. Eating low in calorie density foods that are rich in water, such as vegetables and fruit, promotes healthy weight loss and prevents chronic illnesses. It also helps you control your hunger. You're eating more, but actually less in terms of calories. So really, by simply knowing and controlling what you put into your mouth is going to make losing weight an achievable task. The science is eating low in calorie density foods. The psychology is choosing to make smart food choices and sticking to it. And that's it! Combine the two rules and you're set for a healthy diet.
Your everyday lifestyle choices put you in your position 9 weeks ago, so why can't your new everyday lifestyle choices keep you in this position now? Sure, you don't have to do 2 accelerator days and 2 hours of extra training per week but making choices based on the principles you've learnt from your trainers can keep that weight off and save your life. There is so much more to health and fitness than the number that is on the scales! Your weight training will increase your lean muscle mass and give you greater glycogen (carbohydrate) storage and a higher metabolism. As a result your risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression and obesity will keep dropping. You will improve your posture and flexibility, prevent injury and get a better night's sleep.
Your health and fitness doesn't finish at the end of the 9-week Weight Loss Challenge, but will be a huge factor in the quality of your life for the rest of your days.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
