Slow and steady is the best way

Because of the potential dangers of getting stuck in a cycle of regaining weight after you’ve lost it, you might wonder if you’re better off just sticking with whatever you weigh, even if you are overweight or obese.

Experts say if you are carrying excess kilos, it is a very good idea to try to shed them as they’ll be causing a whole host of health problems, from putting excess strain on your joints through to increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. But it’s equally important to try not to regain those kilos once they’re gone because, as we’ve seen, that can also cause issues.

The best way to maintain a healthy weight is to lose it slowly by adopting healthy lifestyle changes that you can sustain, instead of going on a crash diet aimed at losing as much as possible as quickly as possible. So rather than living on next to nothing for a few weeks until hunger leads to a massive blow-out, gradually cut foods out of your diet that can contribute to weight gain, like those that are processed and sugary, and fill up on fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and good-quality protein.

Try to move more to help with burning calories and keep this up even once you have got to your goal weight. It’s important to get enough sleep and drink plenty of water. About half a kilo to a kilo per week is a good weight-loss goal to aim for.