Top tips for healthy weight-loss

Monday, 23 April 2012 3:12 PM

Losing weight is hard, there's no doubt about it. That's because losing weight takes more than just avoiding chocolate and cakes. It's a whole lifestyle change and many people feel it's too big a change to handle. But it can be done.

Indeed, with these simple weight-loss tips you can get on the right track to losing weight and feeling better about yourself. Good luck!

Drink water
If there is one key tip for losing weight it is to drink more water. Drinking water not only suppresses your appetite, helping to stop you snacking, but it can improve your digestive system, helping to flush out toxins and keep your bowel working efficiently. Aim to drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day. If you are not fond of water, drinking tea, coffee and herbal teas can have the same effect.

Don't cut out all your favourites
One of the mistakes many people make when they decide to diet is to be too extreme and cut out everything they like to eat. While it's a good idea to stop snacking and to avoid high-fat products, giving up everything you like is only going to make you more likely to quit the diet. If you tell yourself you can't ever have a square of chocolate or a small glass of wine they will be all you think about and before long you'll throw in the towel. Be sensible but allow yourself treats every now and again.

Keep a food diary
Keeping a food diary is a great way of making sure you stick to your diet. It's very easy to tell little white lies to ourselves when it comes to dieting. But if you record everything you eat and drink in your diary you will be able to see where you go wrong and recognise what you need to stop doing.

Have a goal
Having a goal to aim for is a great way of motivating yourself to stay on your healthy eating plan. If you have put weight on, try pinning a photo of yourself when you were slimmer on your fridge to remind you what you're trying to achieve. You could also buy yourself a new item of clothing that is just that tiny bit too small and make it your aim to fit into it.

Don't get disheartened
If you make a mistake and overindulge one day, it's not the end of the world. Don't get disheartened if you have a slip up or if you aren't losing the weight as quickly as you might have hoped. Weight-loss and healthy eating is a long-term process. Believe us, once the weight does start falling off you'll feel fantastic.

Top dieting tips

As the warmer weather starts making an appearance our thoughts naturally turn to the terrifying idea of skimpy summer dresses and tiny bikinis. After months of being able to wrap up in layers and hide any unforgiving lumps and bumps, the warm weather just reminds us that it’s time to get in shape for summer.