Many people go on diets to lose a specific amount of weight.
They may have a function or event to attend and they use that as the target.
Once the date is over they usually revert back to their old habits and ways of eating, having learned nothing about balance and sensible eating or how to sustain their slim, attractive, healthy body.
Here are a few pointers that can help: - Start as you mean to go on is a useful mindset to adopt.
Eating healthily means allowing a treat, a bar of chocolate, a meal out, cocktails with the girls, but not every day.
Budget for these treats like you would for a holiday or buying those expensive shoes or pair of earrings.
You cut back on spending beforehand so that you have enough spare cash to make the purchase.
Do the same with your calories.
- Make a note of what you eat and do it for a week.
Write down everything.
It can be a surprise to realise that the snacks are more frequent than we thought.
In many offices food trolleys come round and it can be very easy to buy crisps, muffins as extras and forget that we have done so.
If we buy them every day it can add up to hundreds of extra calories in a week.
- Plan to eat healthily.
This is often the best way to guarantee success.
Shop for the week ahead.
Plan menus and shop accordingly.
Organise healthy lunches to take to work.
Maybe batch cook at weekends so that healthy evening meals are prepared and simply need to be put into the oven each night.
This stops the quick visit to the sandwich shop or take-away.
- Use forthcoming holidays, nights out, weddings as markers, goals to work towards.
There will usually be something that can be used as a motivator.
Set mini-targets and use them to support towards achieving the desired result.
Use them to keep on track and disregard distractions.
- Exercise.
Get the family or friends on board.
Go for an evening walk or organise a game of football, rounders and get friends, neighbours involved.
Get off the bus a stop sooner, leave home earlier so you can walk, take the stairs instead of the lift.
It all helps to get fit and active, whilst burning off a few calories.
- Consider using a smaller plate.
Eat slower and sit when you eat your meal.
Really focus on enjoying every mouthful.
Only pick up your knife and fork when you have swallowed your food.
Slowing down eating enables your brain to register 'full' sooner.
And then be happy to stop eating.
Do you want to waste food or waist it? - Have other treats, like a lovely bath, or a relax in the garden with a book.
Take pleasure in non-food treats.
All these are positive ways to enjoy food well, and look after your body whilst achieving and maintaining your target shape and weight.
They may have a function or event to attend and they use that as the target.
Once the date is over they usually revert back to their old habits and ways of eating, having learned nothing about balance and sensible eating or how to sustain their slim, attractive, healthy body.
Here are a few pointers that can help: - Start as you mean to go on is a useful mindset to adopt.
Eating healthily means allowing a treat, a bar of chocolate, a meal out, cocktails with the girls, but not every day.
Budget for these treats like you would for a holiday or buying those expensive shoes or pair of earrings.
You cut back on spending beforehand so that you have enough spare cash to make the purchase.
Do the same with your calories.
- Make a note of what you eat and do it for a week.
Write down everything.
It can be a surprise to realise that the snacks are more frequent than we thought.
In many offices food trolleys come round and it can be very easy to buy crisps, muffins as extras and forget that we have done so.
If we buy them every day it can add up to hundreds of extra calories in a week.
- Plan to eat healthily.
This is often the best way to guarantee success.
Shop for the week ahead.
Plan menus and shop accordingly.
Organise healthy lunches to take to work.
Maybe batch cook at weekends so that healthy evening meals are prepared and simply need to be put into the oven each night.
This stops the quick visit to the sandwich shop or take-away.
- Use forthcoming holidays, nights out, weddings as markers, goals to work towards.
There will usually be something that can be used as a motivator.
Set mini-targets and use them to support towards achieving the desired result.
Use them to keep on track and disregard distractions.
- Exercise.
Get the family or friends on board.
Go for an evening walk or organise a game of football, rounders and get friends, neighbours involved.
Get off the bus a stop sooner, leave home earlier so you can walk, take the stairs instead of the lift.
It all helps to get fit and active, whilst burning off a few calories.
- Consider using a smaller plate.
Eat slower and sit when you eat your meal.
Really focus on enjoying every mouthful.
Only pick up your knife and fork when you have swallowed your food.
Slowing down eating enables your brain to register 'full' sooner.
And then be happy to stop eating.
Do you want to waste food or waist it? - Have other treats, like a lovely bath, or a relax in the garden with a book.
Take pleasure in non-food treats.
All these are positive ways to enjoy food well, and look after your body whilst achieving and maintaining your target shape and weight.
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