Like most people, your weight loss method may involve strict dieting. With this, you may lose a relatively large amount of weight in a short period of time.

And even if you know this may not be the healthiest way, the quick-fix appeal is hard to keep away from. They have amazing transformational before and after photos. But remember that every person is different. Also, fat loss vs. weight loss are two different things.

Real fat loss versus water weight loss takes time! One of the problems with quick-fix diets is that the faster you lose weight, the quicker you tend to gain the weight back. Maybe you were doing something wrong, lacked the willpower to continue, or just lost the motivation. These are the 3 primary reasons why so many people struggle to keep the weight off, based on research.

As you lose weight, your body starts to adapt by slowing down your metabolism. This means that your daily calorie expenditure i. the amount of calories you burn every day declines.

Along with this natural decline in metabolism, your body releases negative feedback circuits that increase food intake. When this happens, your body is trying to resist further weight loss by increasing your appetite and decreasing your satiety.

In other words, it tries to prevent further weight loss by attempting to increase your calorie intake. Even though so many people truly want to lose weight, we still live in an environment that promotes weight gain all around us.

We are surrounded by highly palatable ultra-processed foods that make us more hungry. To top it off, there may not always be many accessible opportunities for physical activity where you live. Despite these challenges, I promise you permanent weight loss is possible.

It all comes down to a few key habits that are practiced consistently , and this is what I teach my clients as well. Struggling to lose or maintain your weight? Here are the most common habits of successful weight losers. This is based on the research to date and my own personal experience of working with weight loss clients for over 15 years:.

They should be practiced one by one until they become an automatic habit, then you can move on to the next. I help my clients build these healthy habits until they become automatic, intuitive, and easy!

Foods that contain water-soluble fiber may be especially helpful, since this type of fiber can help increase the feeling of fullness. Fiber may delay stomach emptying, make the stomach expand and promote the release of satiety hormones 87 , 88 , This can help you eat less without having to think about it.

Many types of fiber can feed the friendly gut bacteria. Healthy gut bacteria have been linked with a reduced risk of obesity 90 , 91 , Just make sure to increase your fiber intake gradually to avoid abdominal discomfort, such as bloating , cramps , and diarrhea.

Many people brush or floss their teeth or use mouthwash after eating. Dental hygiene products can temporarily affect the taste of food and beverages, which may help limit the desire to snack or eat between meals Food addiction involves overpowering cravings and changes in your brain chemistry that make it harder to resist eating certain foods.

This is a major cause of overeating for many people, and affects a significant percentage of the population. Some foods are much more likely to cause symptoms of addiction than others. This includes highly processed junk foods that are high in sugar, fat, or both. Consulting with a healthcare professional can help.

Cardio has been shown to improve many risk factors for heart disease. It can also help reduce body weight 95 , Cardio seems to be particularly effective at reducing the fat that builds up around your organs and causes metabolic disease 97 , Loss of muscle mass is a common side effect of dieting.

If you lose a lot of muscle, your body will start burning fewer calories than before 99 , Resistance exercises, like lifting weights , can help prevent this loss in muscle mass , Most people get enough protein from diet alone. One study shows that replacing part of your calories with whey protein can cause significant weight loss, while also increasing lean muscle mass , Just make sure to read the ingredients list, because some varieties are loaded with sugar and other additives.

Mindful eating is a method used to increase awareness while eating. It helps you make conscious food choices and develop awareness of your hunger and satiety cues. It then helps you eat well in response to those cues Mindful eating has been shown to have significant effects on weight, eating behavior, and stress in individuals who have obesity.

By making conscious food choices, increasing your awareness, and listening to your body, weight loss should follow. Dieting is one of those things that almost always fails in the long term.

Instead of focusing only on losing weight, make it a primary goal to nourish your body with nutritious food and daily movement. Doctors recommend a weight loss of no more than pounds per week, so losing 20 pounds in one month is not a health goal and may be harmful, especially if you have any chronic health conditions.

Doctors recommend a weight loss of no more than pounds per week. Trying to lose 10 pounds in one week may be harmful to you, especially if you have any chronic health conditions.

Creating a long-term plan for reaching healthy diet and fitness goals may be a more effective way to reach your desired weight.

There are many natural methods that can promote weight loss and help you reach a healthy weight. Here are 29 science-back, natural ways to help.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article….

Patients with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide had a decreased chance of being diagnosed….

Some studies suggest vaping may help manage your weight, but others show mixed…. The amount of time it takes to recover from weight loss surgery depends on the type of surgery and surgical technique you receive.

New research suggests that running may not aid much with weight loss, but it can help you keep from gaining weight as you age.

Here's why. New research finds that bariatric surgery is an effective long-term treatment to help control high blood pressure. Most people associate stretch marks with weight gain, but you can also develop stretch marks from rapid weight loss. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 29 Ways to Lose Weight Naturally Backed by Science. Medically reviewed by Danielle Hildreth, RN, CPT — By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN Ice — Updated on January 8, Natural ways to lose weight FAQ Summary Eating fewer processed foods, drinking more green tea, and taking probiotics are just a few of the natural methods that can promote weight loss.

What is the easiest way to lose weight naturally? Add protein to your diet. Prioritize whole, single-ingredient foods. Limit processed foods. Stock up on nutritious foods and snacks. Then find a way to make sure that you can call on your motivational factors during moments of temptation.

You might want to post an encouraging note to yourself on the pantry door or refrigerator, for instance. While you have to take responsibility for your own behavior for successful weight loss, it helps to have support — of the right kind. Pick people to support you who will encourage you in positive ways, without shame, embarrassment or sabotage.

Ideally, find people who will listen to your concerns and feelings, spend time exercising with you or creating healthy menus, and share the priority you've placed on developing a healthier lifestyle.

Your support group can also offer accountability, which can be a strong motivation for sticking to your weight-loss goals. If you prefer to keep your weight-loss plans private, be accountable to yourself by having regular weigh-ins, recording your diet and exercise progress in a journal, or tracking your progress using digital tools.

It may seem obvious to set realistic weight-loss goals. But do you really know what's realistic? Over the long term, it's smart to aim for losing 1 to 2 pounds 0. Generally to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, you need to burn to 1, calories more than you consume each day, through a lower calorie diet and regular physical activity.

If you weigh pounds 82 kilograms , that's 9 pounds 4 kilograms. Even this level of weight loss can help lower your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

When you're setting goals, think about both process and outcome goals. It isn't essential that you have an outcome goal, but you should set process goals because changing your habits is a key to weight loss.

Adopting a new eating style that promotes weight loss must include lowering your total calorie intake. But decreasing calories need not mean giving up taste, satisfaction or even ease of meal preparation. One way you can lower your calorie intake is by eating more plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Strive for variety to help you achieve your goals without giving up taste or nutrition. While you can lose weight without exercise, regular physical activity plus calorie restriction can help give you the weight-loss edge.

Exercise can help burn off the excess calories you can't cut through diet alone. Exercise also offers numerous health benefits, including boosting your mood, strengthening your cardiovascular system and reducing your blood pressure.

Exercise can also help in maintaining weight loss. Studies show that people who maintain their weight loss over the long term get regular physical activity. How many calories you burn depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities.

One of the best ways to lose body fat is through steady aerobic exercise — such as brisk walking — for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

Some people may require more physical activity than this to lose weight and maintain that weight loss. Any extra movement helps burn calories. Think about ways you can increase your physical activity throughout the day if you can't fit in formal exercise on a given day. For example, make several trips up and down stairs instead of using the elevator, or park at the far end of the lot when shopping.

It's not enough to eat healthy foods and exercise for only a few weeks or even months if you want long-term, successful weight management. These habits must become a way of life. Lifestyle changes start with taking an honest look at your eating patterns and daily routine. After assessing your personal challenges to weight loss, try working out a strategy to gradually change habits and attitudes that have sabotaged your past efforts.

Then move beyond simply recognizing your challenges — plan for how you'll deal with them if you're going to succeed in losing weight once and for all. You likely will have an occasional setback. But instead of giving up entirely after a setback, simply start fresh the next day.

Remember that you're planning to change your life. It won't happen all at once. Stick to your healthy lifestyle and the results will be worth it. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

Click here for an email preview.