No matter where you’re starting from, maintaining weight loss is a long-term commitment. It isn’t about losing a few pounds in the short-term, it’s about making lifestyle changes that will keep the excess weight off forever. But how do you stay motivated when it’s so easy to get off-track with maintaining weight loss. These six easy tricks will help you maintain weight loss so you can focus on the reward ahead and not get sidelined by temptation.

Get Rid of Junk Food to Maintain Weight Loss

It’s a little hard to be tempted by potato chips and candy bars when they aren’t within easy reach. Tear these stumbling blocks out by the roots. Empty your cabinets of snack foods loaded with sodium and sugar. While you’re at it, toss out the soda, chocolate milk, and juice. Even the diet varieties aren’t good for you. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown that people who drink diet sodas are just as likely to be obese as those who drink the regular variety.

Find New Snack Foods to Love to Maintain Weight Loss

The munchies can drive you nuts sometimes. Instead of living in that special purgatory of self-denial, give in, but with healthy alternatives. Explore recipes until you find something that hits the spot. Try steamed brussels sprouts tossed in grass-fed butter and sea salt, baked kale chips, or sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with salt and fresh basil. If you prefer sweets, make your own trail mix with raisins, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate chunks and banana chips. Indulge in a fresh peach, orange, mango or watermelon. Just remember that overindulging in calorie-dense foods, like nuts and dark chocolate, can still lead to weight gain. Keep it balanced to maintain weight loss.

Stay Active To Maintain Weight Loss

Watching the numbers drop just by changing your nutrition is like trying to watch a full movie at half-speed. Pick up the pace by adding exercise to maintain weight loss. According to WebMD, a blend of cardio and weight training (not necessarily on the same day) is the perfect recipe for setting fire to extra calories. Then, if you live a sedentary lifestyle, break up the monotony by getting up once an hour to stretch and move around to maintain weight loss. According to the Washington Post, this minor change can reduce your chances of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Tell People That Yor are Trying to Maintain Your Weight Loss

Shape recommends letting people know you’re making changes to maintain weight loss. Not only does announcing it makes the journey more real to you, it also holds you accountable. You don’t have to go into detail; just a simple, “I’ve decided to make changes so I can live a healthier life” is enough. Often, when people are aware of the effort you’re making, they’ll make changes to help as well. You know you’ve got good coworkers when they bring a fruit tray to the break room instead of the usual box of doughnuts.

Support Yourself When Maintaining Weight Loss

As hard as it is to believe, not everyone will be on board with you maintaining weight loss. Some people may be threatened by your progress, or resistant to change. Others simply won’t believe in you. Don’t let that impede your progress. Proudly let anyone know you’re committed to cleaning up your diet. Refuse offers of cheat food with a smile. Eat prior to attending gatherings where you know there will be plenty of tempting foods, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, and stick to the healthier offerings while you’re there. Don’t let anyone separate you from the healthy path on maintaining weight loss

When You Slip Up, Don’t Give Guilt Carte Blanche

Giving into a binge-fest can make you feel terrible, but don’t feel like all is lost to maintaining weight loss. According to Health, falling down on your diet is usually a sign of another problem. Take a step back and examine what happened. Did you overeat to cope with feelings? Were you bored? Did you put yourself in one tempting situation too many? Or were you genuinely hungry? Find the root cause and address it. Next time you’re in the same situation, you’ll recognize the warning signs and know how to avoid the hazards.

Maintaining weight loss and taking control of your health are excellent goals. Don’t let distractions make you lose focus on maintaining your weight loss. Follow these easy steps to keep your dreams in your cross-hairs and keep going!