This is a sponsored post brought to you by Lean Greens. The opinions herein are completely my own and are based on my own experience. This post also contains affiliate links to products I use and am happy to endorse.
Want to know how to lose weight and keep it off? Here are some easy hints, tips, and resources to help you. They are all based on my own experience losing over 2 stone (30 pounds) and keeping it off for over four years now.
This post is for information purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before making changes to your diet or beginning a new exercise regime. Full disclosure policy here. This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated.
How To Lose Weight and Keep It Off
Eat Your Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are good for everyone and eating lots of them definitely helped me lose weight and keep it off. However, even if you love your veggies as much as I do, it can be hard to eat as many greens as you should.
I use Lean Greens super greens powder daily to ensure that I get enough of the good stuff. Lean Greens is the best tasting super greens powder I’ve tasted and it mixes easily with water or your favourite smoothie.
In my experience, Lean Greens helps keep my cravings under control, and it also banishes bloat. Let’s just say that if I go a few days without it, I notice! It makes me feel more energetic and it’s the best way I know to be sure I get a broad range of nutrients easily.
Lean Greens was a key player in my weight loss journey and it helps me to maintain my weight loss as well.
Be Sure To Get Enough Protein
In 5 Healthy Eating Tips That Helped Me Lose Over 30 Pounds, I discuss the importance of prioritising protein. From eggs and fish to chickpeas and nuts, I like to build my meals around protein. It helps keep me feeling full and energised.
When I’m working out and walking a lot (which to be honest is most of the time) I also use TRIM Formula lactose free whey protein isolate. TRIM is vanilla flavoured but it mixes into smoothies well too.
Exercise
While healthy eating is crucial to weight loss, exercise makes a huge difference too. Although recent research suggests exercise won’t help you lose weight, I’d argue that I’m the poster child for the opposite view. Without exercise there is no way I’d have lost this much weight or become so strong and fit.
Do a variety of exercise regularly. I work out with my trainer, practice Pilates, and take long walks with my husband. Find something you love and keep moving!
My favourite post workout treat is a smoothie made up of a bit of water, a frozen banana, a good scoop of Lean Greens, a packet of TRIM Formula and some ice. I just whizz it in the blender and enjoy.
Follow The 80/20 Rule
The idea that you could never have French fries or chocolate again is enough to make anyone rush for the nearest fast food joint or candy store. Everyone needs a treat now and again.
Lean Greens helps me to resist my cravings, but sometimes I allow myself to indulge. It’s much better to enjoy a reasonable portion of something you really fancy than eat something ‘low calorie’ that is designed to taste like it. Low calorie and low fat alternatives are often full of sugar and chemicals.
If you want a piece of cheese, have about 30 grams of a cheese you really enjoy, and savour every mouthful. If you are craving chocolate, have a couple squares of your favourite kind. Throw away the rest of the bar if you have to – although I find sharing makes me very popular! Just have one cookie, not the whole box. You get the idea.
Plan Your Meals and Snacks
Plan your meals ahead so that you know you have a healthy choice ready to go. There is something that is so reassuring about knowing what you are going to eat a few days in advance. It also helps you save money.
When it comes to snacks, have a few small containers for almonds or other nuts (20 grams is a good size serving) and protein bars on hand to take with you. At home, keep fresh fruit, small pots of yogurt, and some sliced vegetables ready for when hunger strikes.
It can be easier than you think to lose weight and keep it off with my insider tips, and Lean Greens.
More Healthy Living Inspiration
Why It’s Important To Take Time Out and How To Do It
Why Women Need to Ditch The Scales
Comments & Reviews
Very sensible, April – something lacking in so many slimming plans. And you look fabulous!
Thank you so much, Jean – and thank you for the compliment as well!
Very helpful, April. Right now I’m keeping a food record to help me pay attention to what I’m putting into my mouth, and can verify that it’s the veggies and the protein that require the most thought each day — which I need to commit to. Being intentional is the key (I guess?) to keeping weight off once it is gone.
Thank you, Michele! It really can help to be aware of what you are eating with a food diary. Being intentional helps as well. Equally you don’t want to have to think about it too much. I always try to consider what the food I am putting in my mouth does for me. Is it nourishing me, or is it something that is simply filling me up? For example, if I eat something that’s too sugary I know I’ll feel good for a little while, but then my energy levels will crash and I’ll feel tired afterwards. If it’s something I really, really want then I will treat myself, but otherwise, I tend to be able to let it go. It just takes time for your body to adjust, and you do have to be patient and kind to yourself 🙂
April, you look great: I will check out these products.
As for exercise, well, even if there’s no direct link to weight loss (it does make me hungry, after all), I am 100% convinced that exercise lifts your mood, makes you feel positive about yourself, and makes other healthy lifestyle choices easier. As you say, it also makes us stronger, and the same “weight” can be made up of very different body parts!
Thank you so much, Pauline! I totally agree with what you are saying about exercise too 🙂
Great article April. Thank you for sharing:) you look incredible and are definitely an inspiration xx
Thank you so much, Sonia 🙂 That’s so kind of you xx
As summer is approaching and our Covid pounds are weighing heavy on us, many of us are struggling to keep on our weight loss programs! Good to know about your daily lean greens drink! I’m going to have to try it! You look wonderful and are the perfect model for their product!
Hugs,
Tee @ Teediddlydee
Thank you so much, Tee! What a lovely compliment! Have a lovely weekend. Hugs xo