I’m currently a lump of chocolate and cheese, but once the new year hits, I’m determined to make 2026 the year I finally get back to a healthy weight (I’ve lost about 20 pounds, with about 80-100 to go). I’m pretty good about exercising regularly, but, as they say, abs are made in the kitchen. Those who have successfully lost weight, is there anything you particularly recommend for maintaining a calorie deficit to lose the weight, and then avoiding gaining it back later on?
It’s easier to use your will power to not buy snacks at the grocery store than it is to not eat them once they are at your home.
Track your calories. Eventually you get skilled enough at it that you don’t necessarily have to journal everything to have a good idea of how many calories you are taking in. If you can eat the same things day after day without getting bored, that helps a lot.
Learn to cook well. Chicken breast doesn’t have to be dry and bad. Veggies can be dressed up and made tasty without adding too many calories.
Sugar snap peas are a tasty, crunchy snack and you can eat a lot of them without blowing out your daily calorie limit.
If you drink alcohol, stop, at least mostly. Even a shot of vodka with no mix is ~60 calories. In fact, try not to drink calories in general.
Also it’s probably better to not start with tossing all snacks out altogether, as your willpower can only take you so far. Can be easier to switch to healthier snacks, then start leaving them out once you figure how to eat well enough on meal times