- If losing weight is unenjoyable it won’t be sustainable.
- Some hunger, especially at first, is expected, but there are ways to minimize pain, as I found when I slimmed down from 30{d9cf345e272ccae06ddf47bdd1d417e7fd8f81a9d196cc6ace4cb20fad8f4c22} body fat to 17{d9cf345e272ccae06ddf47bdd1d417e7fd8f81a9d196cc6ace4cb20fad8f4c22}.
- One trick that’s worked for me is to focus on high-volume, low-calorie foods, because it means you still get to eat a lot of food while reaching your goals.
- It’s important to work on your mindset, too, so try noting your wins every day.
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Losing weight is simple, but it’s not easy. Ultimately, it comes down to being in an energy deficit (taking in less energy, or fewer calories than you expend), but this needn’t be a painful experience.
If losing weight feels like punishment, chances are you’ll end up regaining any weight you lose. The secret is to make tweaks and develop a sustainable way of living that you can effortlessly transition into maintenance.
Two years ago, I began a six-month weight-loss phase in which I lost 35 pounds by working on my overeating habits and my relationship with food. Before that, I’d tried all sorts of different unsustainable diets, and my weight had yo-yoed massively as a result.
Since losing the bulk of my weight, I’ve continued working on my healthy habits and as a result have stayed the same size, going from about 30{d9cf345e272ccae06ddf47bdd1d417e7fd8f81a9d196cc6ace4cb20fad8f4c22} body fat in December 2017 to about 17{d9cf345e272ccae06ddf47bdd1d417e7fd8f81a9d196cc6ace4cb20fad8f4c22} at my most recent scan in September. I’m very happy gaining a little weight by enjoying, say, the holiday period or a vacation, because I know how to slim back down afterward if I want to.
When it comes to losing weight, you’re almost definitely going to experience a little hunger, at least at the start as your body adjusts. But it needn’t be horrendous.
We’re all different, and what works for me may not be what works for you. But I’ve learned that there are certain hacks that make losing weight easier, which I employ when I want to shed a few pounds while still enjoying my life.