From "Shape" magazine: Myth: Losing Weight is Harder than Keeping it Off FACT: More than 90 percent of dieters regain the weight they lost (or more) once they “finish” their plan, Rampolla says. If you resume eating the foods you ate before losing weight, you will gain the weight back—and maybe a few extra pounds. Here’s why: After weight loss, your slimmer body requires fewer calories to function. Plus, if your weight-loss plan does not include enough protein, you might lose muscle mass, in addition to excess fat. Why that’s bad: Muscle burns more calories than fat does, so losing muscle will lower your metabolism. Every day, make a positive decision to stay on track with your new healthy lifestyle. Maintaining healthy eating habits is a lifelong commitment and takes persistence, Rampolla says.