With the Body Balance Journey now over, you’ve already shown yourself what’s possible when you commit to change. So, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for all the amazing work you’ve already put in.
You’ve built healthier habits, balanced your body and started feeling even better — but here’s the big question: How do you keep the momentum going?
The answer: transition into the maintenance phase of the Body Balance System… unless you want to keep going at the pace you’re currently on.
In the maintenance phase, you’ll shift your focus to actually listening to your body. Here are four steps to take to shift gears from transformation mode to thriving mode in a way that feels natural, sustainable and freeing.
Step 1: Stick to Whole Foods for Effortless Maintenance
The Approved Foods List from the Body Balance System is your best friend — like, forever. Your BFF, if you will.
Whole foods — such as lean proteins, fresh veggies, fruits and healthy fats — naturally help you maintain your body goals. They’re nutrient-dense, filling and far less likely to trigger cravings.
Here’s why this works:
- Fewer processed foods, fewer cravings: Whole foods keep your blood sugar steady, which means fewer “I need a snack now!” moments. It’s amazing how quickly you don’t crave unhealthy snacks once you switch to eating whole foods. Whereas, processed snacks are like trying to fill a leaky bucket; no matter how much you eat, you’ll still feel unsatisfied.
- Naturally satisfying: High-fibre veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats are shown to keep you feeling full longer, making it easier to stop when you’re satisfied. What’s also great about whole foods is you can eat MORE of them, not less. Just imagine how many strawberries you could eat that would equal the volume of a cookie.
- Better balance: Whole foods nourish your body, supporting the balance you’ve worked so hard to achieve. With vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, real foods fuel your body and mind, not just your appetite.
You’re probably familiar with the foods and portions you typically eat to hit your nutrition goals. By now, you can likely estimate serving sizes with reasonable accuracy. If you’re ready, start trusting your instincts to portion your meals. Items, such as eggs, often come pre-portioned, making this even simpler.
Remember, if you’re tuning into your hunger and fullness cues, slight variations in portions — whether you have a little more or a little less — won’t make a significant difference. Your body naturally adjusts your appetite and satisfaction to meet your energy needs over time. As a general guide, aiming for a portion about the size of your palm is a great place to start.
Action Step: Keep your kitchen stocked with System-approved staples to make healthy eating your new normal. Also, make sure those tempting processed snacks are out of sight. If your fridge and pantry are a treasure trove of whole food options, you won’t have to “willpower” your way to healthy choices.
Step 2: Focus on the Big Picture
Maintenance isn’t just about keeping the scale steady — it’s about living a balanced, healthy lifestyle that feels good every day. Ask yourself:
- How do I feel after meals? Energised or sluggish?
- Am I moving my body in ways that I enjoy?
- Am I giving myself grace on days that aren’t perfect?
Remember, health is wealth.
Step 3: Stick with What Works
The habits you’ve built during the Journey don’t have to end. Keep what works for you and adjust as needed. For example:
- Keep up meal prep: A little time upfront to prepare your go-to healthy meals saves a ton of stress later. It’s a game-changer for staying on track.
- Stay active: Whether it’s walking, yoga or hitting the gym, find or continue with activities you love and make them a regular part of your routine.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Keep sipping water throughout the day — your body will thank you.
Step 4: Give Yourself Grace
Perfection isn’t the goal. Consistency is.
There will be days when you eat pizza or skip a workout — and that’s okay. Everything you eat is a choice. Try to make choices that support your health and your goals most of the time but allow yourself the freedom and flexibility to make other choices, too.
What matters most is getting back to your healthy habits without guilt or stress. As you feel the benefits of eating more nutrient-dense foods, though, you’ll find that what you want to eat most of the time are foods that support your body.
Get Ready to Write Your Next Chapter
As you wrap up the Body Balance Journey, take a moment to recognise how far you’ve come.
You’ve done the hard part. You’ve proven you can do this. Now, make it stick. Because the best version of your life is just getting started.