6 KEY SUCCESS FACTORS FOR SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS BY NICKY PERKS

Losing weight is challenging, and maintaining that weight loss is an even tougher battle.

- NICKY PERKS

Our biology, hormones and ingrained habits work against us, while tempting junk food promises quick gratification. The stress of modern life leaves us exhausted, making it easy to slip back into old unhealthy patterns. Before werealise it, the weight we worked so hard to lose has crept back on.

So what’s the secret to longterm success?

It’s not just about willpower or deprivation. It’s about creating a sustainable plan that addresses the aspects of weight loss that cause us to stumble. If you haven’t yet incorporated the following factors into your weight-loss plan, it’s time to get more tactical.

1 Prioritise protein

Eating sufficient protein is probably one of the most important strategies for weight loss and weight maintenance. When you fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods like red meat, poultry, seafood or eggs you’ll feel fuller faster and for longer. That’s because protein takes longer to digest and helps regulate hunger hormones, keeping cravings at bay. You will lose the need to snack throughout the day and be less inclined to overeat at mealtimes. Hunger is what trips dieters up the most, so prioritising protein will help make sure this doesn’t happen to you.

Protein also supports muscle growth, especially when combined with exercise. A well muscled body burns more calories at rest, accelerating your metabolism. The real point of losing weight is to optimise your body composition, increasing lean muscle mass while reducing body fat. This ensures ongoing metabolic health and prevents the undesirable ‘skinny fat’ condition. Having a good amount of muscle is also critical to ageing well and living a full and active life.