After losing a few kilos, the most complicated thing is not to gain them back. It is still necessary to spot the first signs before the situation takes hold. According to Jean-Michel Cohen, an indicator allows you to know where you are and to act accordingly.
In the summer, between meals with friends, endless aperitifs and small deviations from good habits, it is not always easy to know if you are simply enjoying yourself or if a few kilos are discreetly starting to come back. It is precisely on this subject that nutritionist Jean-Michel Cohen recently spoke on Instagram. In a publication, he reminds us that we should not wait for a significant recovery before reacting. According to him, the difficulty is not so much losing weight as avoiding gaining it back.
To help keep a reliable benchmark, the doctor insists on the need to observe changes on a regular basis. He notably reminds us that the body does not react in a linear way. From one day to the next, weight can fluctuate due to many factors: hydration, digestion, salt consumption, physical activity or even water retention. This is why he advises against stepping on the scale several times a day. A practice that can give the impression of gaining or losing weight when these are only normal variations.
The specialist, however, sets a precise benchmark. According to him, an increase of one kilo observed at two close checks already constitutes a warning signal to be taken into consideration. If this increase is confirmed several days later, he believes that it is time to resume good habits before the trend takes hold. The idea is not to panic over a few hundred extra grams but to remain attentive to a repeating development. Because when several kilos have accumulated, going back often becomes more difficult.
The way he considers to be the most reliable for detecting weight regain is ultimately very precise: weigh yourself once a week, always on Monday morning. In his publication, he writes: “This simple ritual is the only rigorous way to know if your body is gaining weight — and to intervene before it’s too late.” According to him, the weekend often corresponds to a period when we eat more freely. Monday therefore makes it possible to obtain a more realistic picture of the situation and to quickly identify any possible deviation.
Jean-Michel Cohen also highlights the importance of knowing your own functioning. Some people can indulge in more festive meals without observing any noticeable change in their figure. Others notice the effects of slacking off more quickly. There is therefore no universal rule valid for everyone. Each organism has its own tolerance threshold and its own rhythm. The objective is not to aim for perfection but to identify the moment when the situation really begins to evolve.
