There’s no question that losing weight is a challenge. But ask anyone who has lost a significant amount of weight and they’ll tell you that keeping it off is even harder.

Gaining weight is easy. Losing it is hard.

Whether you’ve worked hard to lose pounds or have always been at the ideal weight and want to know how to prevent packing weight on, keep reading.

Here are six tips that will help you maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to eat a balanced diet of foods that are rich in fiber, nutrients, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. Make it a point to cook healthy meals at home or do your research to know how to identify the healthiest meals on the menu when you dine out.  

Processed and packaged foods are generally high in fat and sugar, which will only make you gain weight. Rather than reaching for a convenient microwave meal or hitting the drive-thru, build your diet around:

• Fruits
• Veggies
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins

This doesn’t mean you can never enjoy a cookie or a scoop of ice cream again — you can. Just do so in moderation.

Keep an eye on portion sizes as well. When you indulge in a meal that’s not ideal, eating a smaller portion size can help with weight control.  

Drink More Water

Make water your primary beverage of choice. Water helps to regulate your metabolism, and if you drink a glass right before you eat a meal, you’ll feel fuller faster, which means you’ll be less likely to overeat.  

Drinking water also promotes better brain health and improves how every organ, tissue, and cell in your body functions. If you prefer a beverage with flavor, try infusing your water with fruit or adding herbs like basil or mint.

Exercise Regularly

Even with a healthy diet, the body needs exercise. Physical activity is key in maintaining a healthy weight, so carve out time to walk, run, dance, swim, bike, or lift weights. Any type of exercise is better than none, so find a fitness routine you enjoy and make it a part of your daily or weekly routine.

Improve Your Sleep Habits

Studies show that people with poor sleep habits have a higher BMI.

Adults should get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re getting less (or sleeping much more) try these easy tricks to improve your sleep patterns:

• Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
• Eliminating blue light exposure before bedtime
• Relaxing your mind before getting in bed
• Making your bedroom dark and quiet

If you’re prone to taking naps during the day, replace your naps with a bit of physical exercise. Daytime naps make it harder to sleep at night, while physical exercise improves your quality of sleep, so this approach offers double the benefits.

Limit Your Alcohol Intake

Many alcoholic drinks are high in calories and most have zero nutritional value, so limit your alcohol intake. Light to moderate consumption of alcohol (one drink per day for women, two drinks per day for men) is okay, but anything beyond that can make it more difficult to maintain your weight.

If you’re proudly “California sober” and have quit drinking in favor of using legal marijuana, be sure to keep that habit in check too.

Cannabis increases your appetite by tricking your brain into thinking you’re hungry, even when you’re not. The good news is that there are ways to stave off the munchies. Read this article to learn how to suppress your appetite after smoking marijuana and reset your tolerance level at the same time.

Reduce Stress

Many people eat as a way of coping with stress. And in stressful moments, people often reach for unhealthy, processed, comfort foods. Learning tips to manage stress can reduce the need to “stress eat,” which can help you maintain the healthy weight you’re at.

Know What Your Healthy Weight Is

Don’t assume that just because you feel good or like the way you look in your clothes that you’re at a healthy weight. You might be underweight or overweight and not even know it.

Before you attempt to maintain your current weight, make sure it’s a healthy weight for you. This easy-to-use BMI calculator from the CDC offers a quick and simple way to know what your ideal weight range is.

In Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for several reasons. It reduces your risk for developing serious health issues. It helps to combat a slowing metabolism, which naturally comes with age. It keeps your energy levels up.  

No matter what your ideal weight is, take the steps to maintain it now. With a few small changes to your daily routine, you can put yourself in a position to enjoy a happy, healthy, and productive lifestyle for years to come.