Slimming

Many people struggle with their weight management, but there are ways to make the fight a little easier.  Understanding how your body works and how it gains weight in the first place is the first step.  Once you have learned the basics, you will be able to set realistic goals, motivate yourself and make healthy lifestyle changes.

As a general rule, weight ...Read more loss is triggered by an imbalance between your calorie intake and the number of calories your body burns.  It is not always as simple as this though.  Body weight is determined by a number of other factors e.g. genetic factors, medical disorders, medication, inactivity, yo-yo dieting, stress, hormonal imbalances and poor eating habits.

It is important to watch your daily intake of saturated fats, sugars and salt.  These can cause weight problems and can increase the risk of health conditions such as diabetes and heart conditions.  Make sure you eat the right type of carbohydrates and ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet. 

Exercise is of course vital for good weight management. Try to do some form of exercise every day.  You are aiming for any exercise which raises your heart rate.

•    Choose low-glycaemic index foods – Diets that emphasise choosing foods with a low glycaemic index, such as vegetables and whole grains, have been shown to help control appetite in some studies.
•    Fibre – Fibre adds bulk to the diet and tends to produce a sense of fullness, helping people eat fewer calories.
•    Try a low carbohydrate, high protein diet – Low-carbohydrate, high protein diets are popular amongst people trying to lose weight.  Some research suggests that their effectiveness s due to the fact that people eat fewer calories while on them.
•    Cut back of calories – People who have successfully lost weight report eating fewer snacks of low nutritional quality and eating breakfast regularly.  They also report getting fewer calories from fat and more from protein.
•    Look out for food allergies – Chronic food allergy may lead to overeating, obesity, bloating and digestive disorders.

Weight management supplements can come in different forms.  Some may be appetite suppressors, whilst others may be fat blockers or carbohydrate blockers or healthy weight management plans.