The three stages of weight loss – and why you’re right where you need to be
You’ve made it through the early weeks of the TWC Weight Care Program, from getting started and setting goals to understanding your medication and building new habits.
All of that preparation has laid the foundation for what comes next.
Weight loss is different for everyone, but it generally follows the same three stages: preparation, progress, and maintenance.
Now, you’re firmly in the progress phase, the part where change happens and results start to show. Before you move on to the maintenance phase, it will be helpful to look at the full picture.
1. Preparation – done and dusted
The preparation phase was all about getting ready, mentally and practically.
You’ve already done the hard yards here: you’ve spoken with your healthcare provider or TerryWhite Chemmart Pharmacist about weight loss medication, set a clear, realistic goal, and started adjusting your routine.
You’ve created an environment and mindset that supports success, and that effort is what makes the next phase possible.
2. Progress – where you are now
This is where real momentum starts to build. On top of taking your medication, you’ve begun making changes that support weight loss, meaning you’re making healthier food choices, reducing your caloric intake and moving more.
This phase isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making consistent choices that support weight loss, including
- reducing portion sizes.
- choosing more nutrient-rich, lower-calorie foods.
- using tools like meal replacement shakes (if that suits your plan).
- creating simple, repeatable habits.
You don’t need to eliminate every treat, but it is helpful to cut back on hyperpalatable foods (those high in fat, salt, and sugar) like pastries, snack foods, and takeaway.
They’re easy to overeat and make it harder to stay on track.
Protein plays a key role, too. It helps you stay full and supports your muscles as you lose weight. Good options include
- lean meats
- tofu and tempeh
- low-fat dairy
- eggs
- seafood
- protein and meal replacement shakes or bars
3. Maintenance
Once you reach your goal weight, you’ll move into a new phase of maintaining the progress you’ve made.
It’s important to remember that now your body is at a lower weight, you won’t be burning as many calories as you were before.
This is simply because there’s less of you that your metabolism needs to provide energy for, so it doesn’t require the same amount of calories as it did before.1
You’ll need to establish your body’s new needs as you continue to follow the healthy habits you’ve built.
If you have questions about the weight loss stages or need support finding the right balance for your body, your Terry WhiteChemmart Pharmacist is here to help.
Sources
1https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508