How to lose weight effectively and sustainably

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Olivia Salter
March 26, 2025
4
min read
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How to lose weight effectively and sustainably

How to lose weight effectively and sustainably

Keeping an eye on your weight goes far beyond physical appearance – it’s about feeling your best, reducing the risk of chronic health diseases, and boosting longevity.

The trouble is, losing weight can be hard.

 

Plus, much of the narrative revolves around deprivation, body shaming, and feelings of guilt – none of which lead to lasting results.

 

From where we’re standing, the key to losing weight (and keeping it off) starts with small, sustainable lifestyle changes – not quick fixes.

 

Here, we take a look at how to achieve long-term, effective weight loss – and feel good in the process.

Think beyond calorie counting

Calorie counting is a big talking point in the weight loss conversation. And it’s a divisive one, too. 

If you find calorie counting helpful, that’s great. But it’s important to remember that while energy intake is important (ultimately, you need to enter a calorie deficit to lose weight), food quality also matters. 

For instance, an avocado has more calories than a Diet Coke. Can you guess which one is healthier?

Instead of obsessively tracking numbers – which can be labour-intensive and restrictive – try to focus on nutrient-dense foods that support weight loss. 

Consider building your meals around: 

Protein 

Protein keeps you full, provides energy, and supports muscle growth, which, in turn, boosts metabolism and weight loss (1). Good sources include:

  • Lean poultry
  • Grass-fed red meat
  • Wild fish
  • Eggs
  • Legumes and pulses (cannellini beans, pinto beans, and brown lentils)
  • Nuts and seeds 
  • Tofu and tempeh

Fibre 

Fibre supports gut health, balances blood sugar, and promotes satiety, meaning you feel fuller for longer – all of which are key for weight loss (2). Find it in: 

  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Whole grains (oats, spelt, and bulgar)
  • Legumes and pulses (kidney beans, butter beans, and peas)
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Herbs and spices

Complex carbohydrates 

Unlike refined carbs (enter white bread, white pasta, and white rice), complex carbohydrates provide lasting satiety and a steady release of energy, supporting your weight loss efforts (3). Great options include: 

  • Whole grains (quinoa, brown rice and whole wheat pasta)
  • Legumes and pulses (red lentils, chickpeas, and black beans)
  • Starchy vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, and beetroot)

Healthy fats

Yes, you still need fat if you want to lose weight. Studies suggest following a Mediterranean diet – naturally rich in healthy fats – can support weight loss, regulating hormones and controlling appetite (4). You can find them in:

  • Oily fish (salmon, anchovies, herring, and mackerel)
  • Avocados 
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Extra virgin olive oil 

Focus on moderation, not deprivation

Popular crash diets (baby food diet, anyone?) may help you lose a few pounds in the short term. But they’re rarely sustainable. And more often than not, you end up gaining more weight when you stop restricting your diet. 

Instead, focus on moderation – not deprivation. Enjoy nutritious food while allowing for the occasional treat. 

And if one day your eating habits aren’t nutritionally balanced, don’t stress! Be kind to yourself, and just make healthier choices the next day.  

Go for foods in their ‘whole’ form 

No diet is perfect. And sometimes, you just want the damn chocolate bar (and that’s okay!). But whenever possible, try to eat foods as close to their ‘whole’ form as possible. 

Think: real, simple ingredients your grandparents would eat – fresh, unprocessed, and straight from the earth. No additives, preservatives, and emulsifiers.

Choose exercise you enjoy 

Nutrition isn’t the only consideration when you’re trying to lose weight. Exercise plays an equally important role. 

To make movement a seamless, easy part of your weight loss journey, tap into the activities you enjoy. There’s no point dragging yourself to a Pilates class if you’re begrudging every second.

Thankfully, Mvmnt has hundreds of workouts to suit every mood, ability, and preference – so you’ll actually look forward to moving.

Move little and often 

If the prospect of a full 30 minute workout feels daunting, don’t worry! Consider breaking it up into shorter, bitesize Mvmnt snacks – for example, 10 minutes in the morning, at lunch, and after work?

You could even try workout stacking. Just start off with a quick session, then, if you feel good, add another. 

As always, Mvmnt has you covered with hundreds of short, sharp sessions under 10 minutes that get you moving and feeling great.

Add some strength

Strength training can be a game-changer for weight loss. 

Strength (bodyweight or weight training) boosts your metabolism. That’s because muscle tissue is metabolically active – meaning it burns more calories than fat, even at rest (5). 

Resistance training also triggers the ‘afterburn’ effect (or, as it’s scientifically known, Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption, or EPOC), which helps you burn calories for hours after a workout (6). 

Oh, and did we mention that strength training can improve your overall body composition, too? 

Explore strength workouts on Mvmnt to get you started.

Incorporate HIIT 

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another incredible tool for weight loss. 

While all forms of cardio are great, HIIT burns more calories in less time and boosts your overall metabolism (7). 

It also leads to the EPOC effect, meaning you continue burning calories after your workout session (8). 

Plus, HIIT releases feel-good endorphins that reduce stress and improve mood. And less stress = fewer cravings. 

Ready to break a sweat? Take a look at our HIIT workouts here.

Losing weight doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a gradual process. Be patient with yourself! The key is consistency and focusing on long-term habits – not quick fixes. 

One simple change? Just move more. 

Explore our workouts here and take the first step to a healthier, happier you. 

References 

  1. Drummen, M. et al. (2018) Dietary protein and energy balance in relation to obesity and co-morbidities, Frontiers in endocrinology. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6087750/ 
  2. Ma, Y. et al. (2015) ‘Single-component versus multicomponent dietary goals for the metabolic syndrome’, Annals of Internal Medicine, 162 (4), pp. 248–257.
  3. Raz, O. et al. (2014) ‘An eight-week high complex carbohydrate, energy restricted dietary intervention is associated with weight loss and a reduction of inflammation markers’, Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre, 4(1), pp. 93–99. 
  4. Mancini, J.G. et al. (2016) ‘Systematic review of the Mediterranean diet for long-term weight loss’, The American Journal of Medicine, 129(4). 
  5. MacKenzie-Shalders K, Kelly JT, So D, Coffey VG, Byrne NM. (2020) The effect of exercise interventions on resting metabolic rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sports Sci. 38(14): pp. 1635-1649.
  6. Farinatti, P., Castinheiras Neto, A.G. and da Silva, N.L. (2013) ‘Influence of resistance training variables on excess postexercise oxygen consumption: A systematic review’, ISRN Physiology, pp. 1–10.
  7. Falcone PH, Tai CY, Carson LR, Joy JM, Mosman MM, McCann TR, Crona KP, Kim MP, Moon JR. (2015) Caloric expenditure of aerobic, resistance, or combined high-intensity interval training using a hydraulic resistance system in healthy men. J Strength Cond Res. 29(3):779-85. 
  8. Schubert, M.M. et al. (2017) ‘Energy compensation after sprint- and high-intensity interval training’, PLOS ONE, 12(12). 

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