Addressing the Challenges of Maintaining Weight Loss Long-Term

Weight loss is often seen as the hardest part of the journey to better health but maintaining that weight loss can be even more challenging. While the initial excitement of seeing the numbers on the scale drop may be a source of motivation, the transition from actively trying to lose weight to maintaining weight loss long-term can present unexpected obstacles.

Unlike the structured diet plans and clear goals associated with losing weight, maintaining weight requires a shift in daily habits, behaviors, and mindset that can be sustained long-term. This shift often conflicts with the body’s natural responses, such as slowed metabolism and increased hunger. This can make maintaining weight loss over time feel like an uphill battle. Understanding how to maintain weight loss is crucial for developing realistic strategies that support success.

Identifying the Challenges

Excess weight can be caused by obesity. Obesity is characterized by the presence of excess body fat, hormonal disruption, and associated with many other health conditions. It can be more challenging to lose weight when you have obesity because your body fights the processes that aid in Keeping your body weight at a healthy level.

Healthy weight loss typically involves losing 1 to 2 pounds per week. Since healthy weight loss is a gradual progress, it can sometimes feel discouraging when the numbers on the scale aren’t changing quickly. Noticeable results early in the process are often a source of motivation to continue lifestyle changes. However, it is important to adopt lifestyle changes that not only lead to weight loss but can also health benefits that be maintained over the long term. Identifying some challenges associated with maintaining weight loss can promote a successful weight loss journey.

Challenge #1: Slowed Metabolism

After losing weight, the body often responds by slowing down its metabolism, which means it burns less energy ( or fewer calories).. This is a natural process but can make it more difficult to maintain weight loss because the body requires fewer calories to maintain its new weight.

Challenge #2: Increased Hunger Hormones

Weight loss can trigger changes in hunger hormones like leptin and ghrelin, which may increase appetite and cravings. This biological response can make it harder to stick to healthy eating patterns and can lead to overeating or weight regain.

Challenge #3: Mental Burnout

Sustaining the mental effort required for long-term weight management can lead to burnout. The ongoing work and effort needed to track food intake, exercise, and manage emotions around eating can be exhausting, leading some people to give up or revert to old habits.

Challenge #4: Environmental Pressures

Maintaining weight loss often requires resisting social pressures, such as eating out, overindulging in celebratory foods, high stress levels, and time constraints that make it harder to exercise or get enough sleep. Over time, it can become challenging to balance a healthy lifestyle with the demands and temptations of everyday life.

Each of these challenges requires ongoing effort, but with the right mindset and strategies, they can be managed effectively.

Four focus areas for obesity treatment that can sustain weight loss long-term include physical activity, behavior including mental health and lifestyle modification, diet, and medical

interventions such as prescription medication or bariatric surgery. or other treatments (if appropriate). Your healthcare provider or an obesity specialist can help come up with a comprehensive plan personalized for your needs.

Overcoming Challenges

Ready to take control of your weight long-term? You can overcome challenges to maintaining weight loss by taking actionable steps such as increasing physical activity, eating nutritionally balanced meals, monitoring your dietary intake by keeping a food diary, and seeking support from those around you.

Maintaining weight loss is a complex journey that often requires more than willpower alone. As highlighted in this article, the challenges of sustaining long-term weight loss can make it difficult to achieve lasting success without support. Treatment for biological causes of excess weight such as obesity may be needed.

For some, participating in clinical trials may offer an opportunity to access investigational treatments and interventions designed to support weight management. Whether you’re a patient or caregiver, consider talking to your provider about whether joining a clinical trial might be the next step in your weight management journey. Click here to learn more about joining a clinical trial.

References:

Hall KD, Kahan S. Maintenance of Lost Weight and Long-Term Management of Obesity.

CDC. Tips for Keeping Weight Off.

Obesity Medicine Association. (2023). Four pillars of obesity management. Obesity Medicine Association. https://obesitymedicine.org/about/four-pillars/