Studies show that maintaining weight may be even harder than losing weight. According to a study done in 2016, over 80% of dieters regain their weight within two years after losing it. It can be so difficult to maintain weight loss because dieting is designed to produce short-term results. It takes a true lifestyle change to maintain successful weight loss.

Here are three tips for maintaining weight loss and transitioning to a healthy lifestyle after dieting.

3 Tips for Keeping Weight off After Losing it

1. Continue exercising. First, it’s important to continue exercising. Staying active is a key component in maintaining your weight, whether you enjoy lifting weights or high-intensity cardio. Working out helps you burn excess calories, regulate your metabolism, and reduce stress levels.
2. Get enough sleep. Next, it’s important to get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can significantly affect weight management. In fact, sleep deprivation can be a major risk factor for weight gain in adults and can interfere with weight management. Inadequate sleep leads to an increased appetite, and poor sleepers have a lower level of the hormone necessary for appetite control. Sleeping at least seven hours a night is optimal for weight control and overall health.
3. Treat yourself occasionally. Finally, maintaining weight loss shouldn’t be a struggle. It’s okay to treat yourself occasionally by having a dessert after dinner or a drink of wine here and there. It’s more important to control your portion size than avoid treats altogether. Plus, having a dessert when you want will help you feel less deprived and make it easier to stick to your healthy routine.

Another thing to be mindful of when trying to maintain a healthy weight is to avoid getting too hungry. When you get too hungry, you lose the ability to make healthy eating choices. For this reason, carrying a snack, such as Jawbox Jerky, can prevent you from turning to sugary snacks when you get hungry during the day. Jawbox Jerky is a high-protein, low-carb snack that is perfect for any point in your weight loss journey.