Don't give up today
With the 21st January tipped as the day when most people will slip up on their New Year resolutions, a leading nutritionist is urging people to give up on the diets and get smart.
Registered dietitian Priya Tew, who will be on Channel 4’s Embarrassing Fat Bodies tonight (Monday 21st) is encouraging people to step away from the diet videos and keep on track of losing their weight by following a simple three P-word rule: planning, preparation and positivity.
According to Priya, Blue Monday signals the difficulties people have of keeping to a restrictive diet or detox: “As many people begin the year with resolutions that are weight loss related, January is a punishing month. Blue Monday highlights that diets are easily broken and are only a short term fix. Diets that encourage you to cut out whole food groups or substitute meals can result in short-term weight loss but ultimately lead to weight regain.”
Priya’s tips for achieving a weight loss resolution revolve around a three P-word rule; planning, preparation and positivity. Priya adds: “Losing weight is simply about getting smart. My top tip is to cut out the dieting and set realistic, smaller lifestyle targets that are more likely be successful. Many diets can mean sacrificing your normal routine, but by sticking to my simple rules, you can lose weight and ultimately maintain your desired weight”.
Following Priya’s advice is full time carer Debbie Constable who is using the weight loss aid Slimsticks to keeping her motivation levels high:
“At the beginning of 2013, like everyone else I set myself the goal to lose more weight. By sticking to Priya’s rules and taking Slimsticks, I am working towards achieving my weight loss goal and will not end up breaking my resolution, like others on Blue Monday. In previous diets, I always felt hungry and unmotivated leading me to fall off the diet wagon. Slimsticks keeps me focused and ensures I plan, prepare and stay positive all week.”
Here is Priya’s Three P’s:
Planning
- Set realistic, measurable goals. How much would you like to lose and by when? Set a smaller, short term weight loss goal and then also a long term one. Aim to lose 1-2 lbs a week, slow and steady is the key.
- Set time goals. Have a monthly goal with a reward planned in to help you stay on track and motivated.
Preparation
- Meal planning is key to healthy eating. Plan out a week’s worth of meals, then shop accordingly. Think through what your week looks like. On days you have more time cook a double portion and freeze it. That means you have an instant meal on busy days.
- Be prepared for the slip-up. It’s ok to fall off the wagon. In fact this is a normal part of weight loss. Think about why it happened and what you could have done to prevent it, this can help you in future scenarios.
Positivity
- A daily food and activity diary will help you keep a close eye on your progress to lose weight. Write down what, when and how much you eat and how you're feeling. Look for patterns that reveal negative eating patterns and triggers.
- Exercise regularly and get adequate rest. Your mood is more manageable and your body can more effectively fight stress when it's fit and well rested. Exercise can give you a natural high and leave you feeling fantastic.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies