#TruthBomb: Losing weight is not the problem, maintaining your weight is

You know, weight loss is like that toxic DJ Ali from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, who makes Alizeh happy when he pops up suddenly. However, making him stay in her life takes way too much from her. After all, you can’t deny how that drop in the weighing scale–courtesy clean eating and killer workouts–lights up your face brighter than a 1000-watt bulb. But then, maintaining that weight can also make the bulb fuse.

But have you wondered why maintaining your weight is more difficult than losing it? Well, as always science has the answer

A lack of fat could make you fat

A review article published in 2010 has a complicated biological explanation for this. Let us break it down for you. Losing weight will also make you lose fat. As your fat reserves decrease, a hormone called leptin–which is produced by your fat cells–goes down with it. Unfortunately, this hormone curbs your appetite and obviously, the lack of it can make you feel hungry. Needless to say, you can’t exactly win over those hunger pangs every time with your will power. And you obviously know how not winning it can impact your waistline—negatively, of course!

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Additionally, the drop in fat reserves could signal your muscle tissues to burn fewer calories in order to compensate for the drop. This could worsen your situation further.

Your body hates the change you so deeply love

You love the fact that you’ve lost those extra kilos. But sadly, your body doesn’t agree. Perhaps, it was so comfortable weighing a certain amount that it keeps finding ways to get back to that number.

Your metabolism could be the traitor

Several studies have proven that weight loss can slow down your metabolism. Need we remind you that if your body starts utilizing fewer calories to perform basic functions, your weight will shoot up?

You’ve lost motivation along with weight

Weight loss has a lot to do with your mind. You start off with a lot of will power and self-control, but you can’t make it last for too long and that’s where the game goes out of your hand. 

You went in for the extreme

Restricting your calorie intake severely from the day you decide to get on the weight-loss bandwagon or working out in the gym for hours at a stretch—whatever it is that you did to get quick results will get back the weight even quicker when you stop exercising or slow down. 

“Adapting extreme workout and diet routines within a short period would result in the body going into survival mode and trying to gain it back,” warns Kamal Mujtaba, boxing coach at Cult Fitness Studio. 

Solution please?

Before you decide to let go of the lost weight or your motivation to maintain it, remember the fact that all problems in the world have a solution and so does this one. 

1. Start with breaking the monotony of doing the same workouts every day, girls! How about adding a Zumba session or a relaxing yoga class or some Pilates or a new dance form to your workout regime? Swimming, playing tennis, going out for a run—basically, whatever it is that keeps you interested to get off the couch is good.
2. In fact, if you’re looking to reignite your workout flame, you could involve your partner or your friend to make things interesting. After all, nothing beats spending time with friends while doing something constructive for your body, right?
3. Don’t fall for fad-diet scams or any supplements that claim to help you lose weight in a jiffy. Mujtaba says that the best approach to lasting weight loss is to lose it slowly and steadily.
4. Remember, keeping the weight off can only be successful if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Build habits that make you move around more often and keep you physically functional so that later when you decrease your workout frequency, you can still burn calories through your habits,” says Mujtaba. Not to mention, eating a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, waking up on time, and catching adequate sleep can help too.
5. Mujtaba also warns against becoming complacent and relaxed once your weight-loss goal is achieved and recommends regular workouts to keep the weight gain at bay.