A 45-year-old patient with a recent 30 lb weight loss struggles to maintain the new weight. Which evidence-based maintenance strategy should a clinician prioritize first and why, from an evaluation standpoint?

• A. Recommend immediate increase of caloric intake above pre-loss levels to 'reset' metabolic adaptations, because overfeeding quickly corrects any homeostatic drift.
• B. Encourage only very-low-calorie intermittent fasting on alternate days as the single strategy, since discontinuous extremes are the most sustainable long-term for all populations.
• C. Suggest abandoning any monitoring and letting the patient intuitively eat based on satiety because biological signals will naturally keep the new weight stable without structured plans.
• D. Prioritize establishing a daily routine that estimates new maintenance calories and pairs that with regular resistance training and behavioral supports (food logs, mindful eating), because this simultaneously addresses metabolic needs, preserves lean mass, and reduces environmental/psychological drivers of regain.

Answer: (D)