How come some people manage to lose weight and keep it off, while others continually yo-yo diet and get more miserable every time? Read the secrets of slimmers' success here.
The main reason people fail to lose weight is because they don't have the facts about the foods they put in their bodies. This lack of knowledge means half the time they are guessing whether they are making the best choice or not.
It can be depressing to get it wrong and see no improvement on the scales each day, but this situation can be turned around.
The simple truth about dieting is that you will only lose weight if you take in less energy in the form of calories and fat than you actually consume.
If you aren't sure about slimming choices, get hold of a calories counting book, start reading the labels on food before you buy and check out internet sites for the information you need. This will build your confidence straight away because you will feel more in control of what you choose to eat.
A second factor in losing weight permanently is forcing yourself to face up to the shape you're in. Buying bigger clothes, refusing to have photos taken and avoiding mirrors are forms of denial.
Take before and after photos so you can see how well you are doing and celebrate your success. The first photo you see will be painful if you have a long way to go, but it will force you to make a start rather than putting it off.
The next motivational technique successful slimmers use is telling everyone about their weight loss campaign. This means they get an automatic audience and a reason to show everyone they really can do it. Family and friends can be tremendously supportive and even if they aren't, you can still prove yourself to them.
Diets will work twice as fast combined with exercise and it's crucial to find a type you love and look forward to doing. Dancing round the house while you do the housework is as good as an aerobics class if you put your heart and soul into it!
It's important to realise that ridiculous targets will only set you up for failure, so take it really slow and don't aim for more than two or three pounds off a week. Avoid checking the scales all the time.
Successful slimmers sit down and eat slowly and deliberately, chewing everything properly and leaving food on their plate when they are full. We too often eat ''on the hoof'' and this spells disaster for weight loss.
Finally, once you've bought something naughty, remember it's still bought, whether you eat it or not. So if you ''accidentally'' find yourself with a bar of chocolate in your hand, God will not strike you down if you choose to chuck it in the bin or give it to a friend.
