When you make the concerted effort to go on a diet, lose weight, and then slowly put the weight back on in spite of still closely following your diet and the same exercise regimen.
We have all experienced or know someone who has lost a lot of weight with dieting to then slowly, over time put it all back on plus a few pounds. It is not you or your fault. It is a physiological phenomenon called adaptive thermogenesis where your metabolism or the act of burning calories slows down and fights your body to maintain the previous weight. Scientists think that it is the body’s way of trying to preserve calories from starvation or sickness.
3 to 5 TIPS/STEPS TO ADDRESS THIS:
It is important to remember that you cannot resume your old eating patterns and diet that caused you to put on all of those extra pounds. You must make permanent lifestyle changes, changes in food choices and portions that enabled you to lose the weight. It is not exactly known how long this period will last after weight loss but be vigilant as your body will adapt to the new weight.
Increase your exercise routine with a variety of exercises including weight lifting and cross-training but not so much that you are hungrier and eat more calories than needed. Most people burn about 300-400 calories during an hour of exercise despite what the machine may show. The machine is not specific to each individual using it, therefore, may not be accurate.
HERE ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS:
Your body will naturally try and put the weight back on that was lost during a lifestyle and diet change.
It is not practical to think that you can go back to your previous eating habits and lifestyle after you have lost a significant amount of weight and not gain weight back.
It requires lifelong, lifestyle modification and adopting new ways of eating and living.
The period of time after a significant weight loss is critical so vigilance to the new lifestyle is extremely important.
Increase your exercise but not so much that you eat a lot more calories while sticking to your new, healthy lifestyle.
Over time, your body will adjust to the new weight and new way of living.