Advances in Mental Health

For some people, the pounds seem to melt off. For others, though, losing weight is a huge challenge. If you have struggled to lose weight in the past, then you need to keep this in mind when looking for a new weight loss plan. Look for a plan with these elements, which tend to make weight loss possible even for those who've struggled to drop pounds in the past.

Flexible food recommendations

People who struggle to lose weight often assume that they need to look for an even more restrictive plan. But this actually tends to backfire. If you restrict your dietary intake too much, then eventually, you will end up bingeing or overeating to compensate — and this sabotages your weight loss goals. A weight loss plan with more flexible food recommendations will actually be easier for you to follow. Long term, you'll be less likely to fall off the bandwagon and more likely to lose weight steadily and slowly. 

What are flexible food recommendations? Well, a flexible plan will recommend something like "eat one serving of fruit and one serving of a protein-rich food." A less flexible plan — one to steer clear of — might say "eat an apple and two turkey sausages."

Weight training

There is a temptation to focus on cardiovascular exercise for weight loss. But if you are someone who has struggled to lose weight in the past, you should look for a weight loss plan that recommends weight training. Training with weights will help you build muscle mass, and muscle uses calories even as you are resting. So, as you continue with your weight loss plan, your body will burn more and more calories as time goes on, helping you to continue to lose weight rather than plateau after losing a few pounds.

Professional supervision

Finally, look for a weight loss plan that is overseen by a professional. Ideally, this should be a medical doctor, but there are also some good plans overseen by dietitians and personal trainers. People who struggle to lose weight sometimes have underlying medical conditions that make it harder for them to shed fat. A doctor is more likely to recognize if this is the case for you. And if you work with a dietitian or personal trainer, they can refer you to a doctor for closer analysis if they think there is reason for concern.

Losing weight is not always easy. If you've struggled with weight loss in the past, make sure the next plan you follow is professionally supervised, has flexible food recommendations, and relies on weight training. For more information, reach out to a local weight loss program, like Horizon Weight Loss.