There’s a group of people out there who know the keys to losing weight and keeping it off. Lasting weight loss is about figuring out what works well in your life and making it into a habit. So who better to learn from than highly successful people who have lost 30 pounds or more and kept the weight off for at least a year?
Who Are These People?
The folks we’re talking about are real people who did real work to shed pounds — and now they’re willing participants in an ongoing research study that started in 1994. They lost the weight, kept it off for a year (or more), and then signed up for the National Weight Control Registry (NCWR), which aims to be the largest study of long-term, successful weight-loss maintenance.
The NCWR has registered 10,000 individuals since it began, and the average person in the registry has kept off 66 pounds for 5.5 years and counting. About half of them report having at least one overweight parent. Most are between the ages of 44 and 49, which could mean that it takes time to figure out just the right mix of diet and exercise habits.
What’s in it for participants? They get to help scientists figure out how they could escape the cycle of yo-yo dieting with which so many people struggle. While each person’s weight-loss journey is unique, there were seven common habits that worked for these weight-loss winners. Here’s where we think they got it right:
1. They eat fewer calories than the average American
Most of the registry participants ate a low-calorie diet — the average was 1,306 calories for women and 1,685 calories for men. For perspective, American women and men in their 40’s eat an average of about 1,873 and 2,520 calories, respectively.
The science behind eating fewer calories to lose weight is solid, but over the years, we’ve learned that a calorie is not a calorie. The quality of those calories matters significantly. That’s why 100 calories of fiber-filled apple slices can help you feel fuller longer than 100 calories of licorice.
Counting calories is helpful, but turning it into a habit can be a challenge. Calories do count, but you don’t always need to count them. You can achieve similar results (with less math) by learning how to control portion sizes. Something as simple as portion containers can help you learn what is the right amount of food (read: calories) for your body. And don’t forget about calorie quality: Aim for a balanced nutrition plan that includes plenty of fruits, veggies, whole-grains, lean proteins, and healthy fat.
2. They eat often, up to five times a day
The registry participants eat more frequently than people who are overweight. They generally eat five times daily, which breaks out to three meals and two snacks. Science has a tough time making the final call on whether or not eating more often will hurt or help your progress.
Sure, eating often can mean more opportunities to overeat, but it’s also a good strategy to deal with hunger. Grazing on healthy snacks like fresh fruits, veggies, string cheese, and Greek yogurt is a no-brainer. Just remember that there’s a fine line between a snack and a full-blown meal.
3. They stick to a consistent diet
Most registry participants eat a fairly consistent diet whether it’s a weekday, weekend, holiday, or vacation. Results show that those who ate a consistent diet the entire week were 1.5 times more likely to maintain their weight within five pounds over the course of one year compared with those who ate a healthy diet strictly on weekdays.
While there’s not a ton of research in this area, this habit makes sense. Eating the same foods every day can help with self-control and keep unplanned temptations to a minimum. Keep in mind it’s perfectly OK to indulge in a cheat meal once in a while, but keep it to that: once in a while.
4. They don’t skip breakfast
A whopping 78% of those in the registry report eating breakfast every day, which is consistent with the trend that people who eat a morning meal usually weigh less.
Bear in mind that skipping breakfast won’t entirely make or break your weight-loss efforts. In fact, a small number of folks will skip this meal to lose weight through intermittent fasting. Fasting isn’t for everyone, so if that’s not your cup of tea, keep calm, and join the breakfast club.
A breakfast with a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates (high in fiber) — like two eggs scrambled with vegetables and maybe 1/4 of an avocado, 1/2 cup of oatmeal, and one cup of fruit — can set the tone for the rest of day. I personally LOVE drinking Vegan Chocolate Shakeology blended with a banana, ice, and unsweetened almond milk. It keeps me full and energized all morning. And chocolate for breakfast…yes please!
A good breakfast may help cut down mid-morning hunger and decrease the chances you’ll be “hangry” by lunch. All this can build up to better food choices throughout the day, so you’ll be able to breeze by your co-worker’s batch of brownies.
5. They prioritize daily exercise
Almost all (90 percent) registry participants exercise for about one hour every day. This habit is especially effective because nutrition works hand in hand with exercise to promote weight loss. Additionally, working out can help build more defined muscles.
The most effective ways to change your body composition is to add strength training and/or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to your workout routine. Besides helping you slip into that little black dress, surprising exercise benefits include improvements in sleep, mood, and productivity.
6. They weigh in weekly
The scale can feel like a constant reminder that your goal weight is far away. People dread weighing in mostly because they don’t like the number they see. Yet, 75% of successful weight-loss maintainers weigh themselves at least once each week.
That number on the scale can be the motivation to implement healthy habits and stay focused on your goals. Hitting an “all-time high in weight” is a common trigger for someone to want to lose weight. Monitoring your weight weekly can catch a one- to two-pound weight gain, as opposed to monthly, where you could gain a much more significant amount.
While it’s a good idea to weigh in regularly, guilt-tripping yourself each time you step on a scale is a big no-no. Instead, think of that number as a valuable data point that can help you troubleshoot and plan for the coming weeks. Also focus on non-scale victories like how your clothes fit, how you feel with energy and confidence, and choosing well when tempted with treats that aren’t part of your plan.
7. They don’t binge-watch TV
If you’re juggling work, friends, and family, you know time is precious — and finding time for healthy habits can be a challenge. But unless you’re doing burpees while binge-watching HGTV, you’re not making much progress when you’re in front of the TV. And to add insult to injury, eating while watching TV can contribute to weight gain through mindless eating. This doesn’t mean you have to give up television to see success, but you should limit your screen time to about 10 hours a week. By limiting screen time, you can make more time for other activities (hint: exercise).
The Bottom Line
It would be nice to think that these people are privy to some super-secret way to lose a lot of weight and keep it off. But the simple truth is that there is no secret; it takes hard work, consistency, and patience to see results that last. There is no magic pill, patch, wrap, or chemical concoction that will get you long term, sustainable and healthy results. Eat right. Sweat often. Rest. Repeat. You can do this!
Many thanks goes to Trinh Le, R.D. and the Teambeachbodyblog for doing the heavy lifting on this article.
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