It is one thing to shred off the extra weight, but it is a whole different story to maintain the it! I have been approached many times in the past by different people because they are struggling with this very topic. So I thought what better way to answer this question then have Marshalee share her story of how she not only lost the extra weight, but her effective ways to keep it off.

Marshalee is the owner of Healthybymleee.com. Her focus is wellness, fitness, beauty and whatever tickles her fancy. Marshalee’s background is a mixture of few things, she was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica (the Island). But grew up in one of the best cities, New York City! She earned a degree in Biology and her career is in clinical research (cancer research). But her passion for wellness, beauty & fitness transformed her to a blogger by night and on the weekends. Healthybymleee.com is her tiny space on the web to log her healthy lifestyle and to inspire you to become more aware of your well-being.

Enjoy,

Anna

My health journey started 3 years ago. During the first 8 months of my health journey I lost 22 pounds. Its been 3 years and I kept it off and I do not plan on going back. So I know a little thing or two about the key to maintaining weight loss.

STOP TRAINING INSANE

Unless you are a pro athlete or preparing for a big race on that hand maybe you would not be reading this.  Here goes…..stop trying to kill yourself in the gym. I know so many people who go to the gym and spend 2+ hours exercising. It will not benefit you in the long run. Because working out for 2 hours everyday or 5 days a week for 1.5 hours is not realistic. If you want to get fit and stay fit, the fitness goals you set need to be attainable, something that you can stick to for months and years to come. It’s a process and a very long one. Yes you can switch things up to make it fun and different. But unless it’s your job do not train insane because unfortunately, you will quit before you see any results.

Trying to lose weight is extremely hard and you are making it harder if you are over working yourself. This is a lifestyle change, make it realistic. Hence you will never be able to make the gym a part of your lifestyle if you make unrealistic fitness goals. Eventually, it will become tiresome and boring. Go at your own pace and take it one day at a time, 15-20 minutes everyday or 2-3 days a week for 30 minutes. At least for the first two months of starting your weight loss journey. After that evaluate, analyze and increase your level of workout if needed.

When I started on my health journey I exercised for 45 minutes 2-3 days a week. Now I do 30-45 minutes 4-5 days a week but its been 3 years and I built my endurance up. What I am saying is do what is best for you in the long run and not what is best for today. Can you really go to the gym for several hours 4-5 days a week for the rest of your life? If you can that is awesome! But most people cannot maintain such a strict fitness regimen, including myself. I go to the gym to release stress and to stay lean but most of all I want to maintain my sanity and happiness .

Loosing weight is not a chore, do not make it something you have to do, it’s a hobby, you know, something you love to do. I fell in love with the idea of being fit and eating healthy.  Unless I am training for a 5K, I do not workout extremely hard because that is not something that I can maintain for the rest of my life. I am not saying do not take it up a notch just do not start at level 100 and fall to level 0 in a few weeks.

REMEMBER ITS WHAT YOU EAT THAT GIVES YOU THE RESULTS YOU REALLY WANT

DO NOT GO COLD TURKEY ON FOOD

Do not cut out all the foods you love once in for all. If you love to eat chocolate everyday try eating it 5 days a week. It’s important to connect your mind with the food you eat. Ask yourself why should I eat chocolate everyday? For example I always drink regular milk in my coffee (non-fat cows milk). Now I have connected my mind with soy milk, why I should drink it instead and knowing and understanding the health benefits. Basically, I did not stop drinking regular milk in my coffee because someone told me to. I developed a relationship with my body and the foods I put in it.

Do not cut out sugar, carbs, and fired foods. WOW! fried food? A healthy lifestyle equals balance. When I say fried food I mean once in a while and if you are at home then you can use olive oil.  Sugars like organic honey or agave which are natural sweeteners. Carbs like brown rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, vegetables, yams are all good to eat and they all contain carbohydrates.

“Start your weight loss journey with goals that you know you can achieve and maintain, so you can continue it for months and years to come.”

Thank you for stopping by my blog, until next time….

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This topic is open for conversation. What mistakes have you made on your weight loss journey and how can you fix it?

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Photo by Nelson Ramon Gomez