How to find the right weight loss programme for you!!!

It's that time of year again when many of us have been thinking about needing to lose weight. Most of us because we look better and feel more comfortable in our clothes, which in turn makes us feel better, not only physically but mentally as well.

In this day and age when the NHS is talking about charging patients that go into hospital with weight related problems it is vital that we take charge of our life-style. Don't wait until problems occur, we have all heard the saying 'prevention is better than cure'.

What are weight related problems?

• joint aches and pains 
• diabetes (type 2)
• heartburn
• obstructive sleep apnoea
• high blood pressure
• eating disorders
• poly-cystic ovary syndrome
• cardiovascular disease
• high cholesterol
• varicose veins
• hemorrhoids

 These are the more common complaints, there are many more.

I am sure that you can see that by trying to keep your weight (or more importantly) BMI body mass index to a healthy level. Many nasty diseases and problems can be avoided.

There have been many diets advertised over the years do you remember:

•  Atkins diet made popular since the 1970's (stinky breath)
• Cabbage Soup diet
• Negative calorie diet
• Low Fat diet popular in the 1980's and 1990's
• Low Carb diet
• Zone diet
• South Beach diet
• Tapeworm diet (I can't imagine and definitely don't want to)
• Grapefruit diet
• Acai Berry diet

If the eating plan has the word diet in it then it is not sustainable for long and in my experience when you stop doing it, then weight piles back on and sometimes even more than the amount you lost.

There are several really sensible eating plans about and to be honest all of us know what needs to be done. Use more calories than we eat and drink. It is that simple.

Before you decide which eating plan to follow, you need to make a list of foods and drinks you really like and taylor the plan to meet your needs.

For instance if you really enjoy a glass of wine with your meal then there is no point in following a plan that says absolutely no alcohol.

If you are vegetarian then don't follow a plan that includes loads of meat.

As humans we really like to be told how to do something and a step by step plan of what to do and when to do it. And that if we do it then we will succeed. I know I do, but there is no point in making it more difficult and unpleasant than it needs to be.

Here are a few recommendations, but check them for yourselves and decide which to follow you may even decide to mix and match.

If you are one of the many women who are apple shaped then 'fat around the middle' by Marilyn Glenville is the eating plan for you. Check it out!

I recommend any book by nutritionist guru Patrick Holford but 'The Holford Low GL Diet Cookbook is excellent. If you are veggie then look at 'Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook' by Rose Elliot or 'The Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook' by Professor Jennie Brand Miller et al.

I came across this guy only a few days ago, he makes loads of sense to me 'The Weight Loss Miracle' with Dr. Ben Lerner, I have subscribed. At least watch and listen to the free video. this weight loss programme is written by a doctor so at least it should be safe.

Ben Lerner says you can do

too much dieting

too much exercise

you can eat too little fat

have too little sleep

have too much toxicity in you body

There are hundreds and probably thousands of dvds and books available, do some research and choose the right way to go for you.

Remember don't follow anything you can't or wouldn't want to carry on with, because when you stop you will put all the weight back on and probably more than you ever lost.

Is there a miracle weight loss programme that is safe and easy to follow? I don't know, but if you find one please let me know.