Lose weight with a healthy diet

Lose weight with a healthy diet


I am surrounded by friends and family members who have tried all manner of diets, eating just vegetables, only consuming foods of a certain colour on specific days, avoiding carbs and eating more protein- you name it and I have heard of it.


I'm not going to tell you that these diets don't work, as I'm not qualified to tell you that. However, I can tell you that although most of the diets will probably help you shed some weight, you are very unlikely to maintain the weight loss, and could even harm your health.


To lose weight and maintain it, you have to consume less calories than you are burning each day. In other words, stop overeating and move about more. I apologise if that sounds harsh, but I have learned the hard way that this is the formula to losing weight, maintaining your shape and being healthier.


Eating a healthy diet is the obvious way to lose weight and improve health, but what is a healthy diet? In an earlier post, I mentioned a new way of eating I had come across by accident, although it is more a way of life than a diet. I tailored the new eating plan to suit my busy life. In a nutshell, you eat anything which is natural, like fruit, vegetables and eat wholemeal and brown versions of food. For instance, out goes the white sliced loaf and in comes the wholegrain version. I am a vegetarian so don't eat meat or fish, but if you want to eat them choose organic free range versions which aren't pumped full of antibiotics, growth hormones and other harmful chemicals.


To start with, go back to basics and eat only fruit, vegetables, brown rice, wholemeal pasta, wholegrain bread, herbs and spices, including garlic. Eat just these foods for around six to eight weeks. This will give your body a chance to eliminate toxins. Introduce other foods, like eggs and dairy one at a time so that you can identify any reactions, which may include bloating or other symptoms. Throughout this time, avoid alcohol and caffeine, drinking water wherever possible.


This sounds completely boring and you are probably thinking that this way of eating is impossible, but once you have tried it, I can promise most people will notice a difference in their health and well being. Personally, I used to suffer from bloating, cramps, wind and alternate constipation and diarrhoea- possibly IBS but I didn't fancy having tests. After eight weeks of basic natural foods, my symptoms had reduced significantly. For the first time in years, I attended meetings at work without fear of my stomach making awful gurgling noises and needing the loo.


I did resort back to my old eating habits at Christmas and found it hard to get back to normal after the holidays. As a result, I regained half a stone and my old stomach troubles returned. I will write further posts which include various recipes which include normal ingredients you can obtain from a supermarket, and which are quick and easy to make for all those super busy people out there.


If you decide to give it a go, please contact me. I will be happy to give advice or hear your stories.