The Biggest Loser study, which weight-watcher doesn’t know of The Biggest Loser, the reality show that pushes contestants into being the biggest loser when it comes to weight?

A recent study of former contestants of the reality show has thrown some interesting insights into weight loss and the phenomenon of trying to stay in shape after undergoing a slimming programme.

The study of 14 contestants who participated in an edition of the popular reality show six years ago revealed that all of them had put on weight since the end of the show with the exception of one. The study also revealed a drop in the metabolic rate of all the participants as well as a significant fall in levels of leptin, the satiety hormone, which tells the body to stop eating once the stomach is full.

So what does this study mean for you? If you’re trying to lose weight this summer, the study holds several important lessons.

1. Don’t feel so guilty about regaining weight

A combination of declining metabolism and falling levels of leptin in people who have lost weight mean one thing: the tendency to regain weight. If you end up gaining weight after a slimming programme, don’t blame yourself for not trying hard enough. The body’s natural processes are just as much at fault.

2. Staying thin requires a lifetime of effort

Weight has a strong tendency to return. After undergoing a weight loss programme, an obese person needs to adopt an effective weight management strategy to ensure that the lost weight is not regained. Staying thin requires a lifetime maintenance plan.

3. A little weight gain isn’t always unhealthy

You can have high BMI and still be fit. Rather than obsessing over weight, the focus should be on overall health. A high BMI does not necessarily mean overweight or obesity. It’s possible to be healthy despite regaining some of that lost weight.

4. It’s best to nip weight gain in the bud

Once a person gains weight, the body gets used to it. In the period after weight loss, there is a tendency for the body to return to its old shape. This increases the chances of regaining weight. This fact makes it advisable for people to try and control weight gain in the initial stages to prevent the body from trying to put on weight after a successful weight loss programme.

5. Be positive and stay on track

Finally, it’s important not to lose hope. Don’t give up just because the chances of regaining weight are high. Don’t subject your body to yo-yo workouts. Persevere, sweat it out, stick to a disciplined lifestyle, embrace healthy habits and the rest will take care of itself.