Losing weight is a long term plan- it’s a lifestyle change over to healthy eating and some exercise- that’s as simple as it gets really. It is nice to have things packaged up for you and plans to follow etc. but unless you change what you eat, the way you live, how much exercise you take nothing is going to be permanent. If you want to lose weight you need to eat a nutritionally balanced and varied diet with appropriately sized portions and burn off more calories that you consume. Anything which offers rapid weight loss is a short term potentially dangerous fix or a scam.

Successful weight loss is hard work and takes time. Learning how to lose weight is the easy part, but the hard part is finding a solid reason to get started and then following through. It takes a sustained physical and mental effort.

In summary- eat fewer calories, make better choices and move a bit more. Weight loss is not a product that can be purchased!

1. No more take aways- we know, we know- it’s so easy to pick up the phone to Pizza Hut- you’re tired!! This is where your Dubai stone has come from! Delete all numbers, throw away all menus and fill the fridge with healthy stuff!

2. Get moving- and we are not talking about exercise classes here- what we are lacking in Dubai is the many, many foot steps we would normally take walking in our home countries! So park further away than you need to and walk to your destination, walk to the local shops, use the stairs in buildings instead of the lift, go the long way round the mall or do an extra lap- it will make a difference to our somewhat sedentary lifestyle!

3. Do some proper exercise- whatever your age, shape, size there is something you can do to get some proper exercise and get that heart rate pumping- Dubai is full of gyms, exercise classes, groups, sports teams, personal trainers, boot camps- the list is endless- find something that suits you and get out there- or pop in an exercise DVD and jumping jack your way across your front room!

4. Lose the latte- we are a bit of a coffee shop culture here- all those moccachoccafrapucinnos add up you know! Switch over to tea and try to cut down how much sugar you put in and have it black if you can face it. And do not order the muffin on the side!
 

5. Be careful at brunch- we are probably eating a whole week’s calories at brunch! Really moderate yourself- make a conscious effort to choose the healthy options available...sneaky tip- have breakfast before you go so you are not in a food frenxy when you get there!

6. Experiment with fresh stuff- we are so lucky to have fruit and veggies from all around the world available to us here in the supermarkets- have fun with it- fill your fridge with wierd and wonderful fresh produce and google how to prepare it.

7. Water, water, water- we need to keep hydrated here anyway due to the extreme temperatures so make sure you are drinking at least 1.5 litres per day.

8. Have some goals- sign up for some of the charity marathons, walkathons and fun walks- there are many throughout the year and you don’t have to run- you can walk. This will give you an aim to get fitter and encourage you to get off your butt whilst doing some good for charity.

9. Don’t be obsessed with the scales- if you look at your diet as being a healthy eating plan instead of a slow moving obsession with numbers it will be better for you in the long run. You will be able to see and feel the changes of your healthy lifestyle- you’ll start to look slimmer and feel fitter.

10. Get support- it’s hard to do this on your own and good to have someone to talk to about it- come along to our ExpatWoman Coffee Mornings and you are sure to meet like minded new friends who will offer support and stop you ordering that double choc chip muffin!


How to Choose a Weight Loss Plan

When choosing a diet plan, be very cautious of diet programs that have any of the following six characteristics:
• They do not include an exercise regimen in the program.
• They leave out one of the major food groups e.g. No carb diets.
• They are calorie restrictive, meaning fewer than 1200 kcal per day.
• They make “fast” or “quick” weight loss claims.
• They make judgments about certain foods and label foods as being “bad” and prohibit their consumption.

• They make no mention of behaviour and/or lifestyle modification.


Popular diets for 2011

If you’re resolving to lose weight, you’re probably researching the best diets and which is right for you. Here are some of the ones that will be talked about in 2011- some have solid foundations like the Weight Watchers program others are more faddish/ not to be followed!

Weight Watchers PointsPlus

In November 2010, Weight Watchers unveiled the most significant change to its program in 13 years. Using the latest in nutritional science along with Weight Watchers’ nearly 50 years of expertise, the new approach allows for clients to make healthier, more satisfying choices. The new PointsPlus calculation includes protein, fibre, fat and carbs, instead of just fibre, fat and calories. You can join Weight Watchers online so you can join in from Dubai.

Jillian Michaels

The Biggest Loser trainer is on her way out of primetime, with season 11 being her last, but it is in no way her swan song. If anything, this is just her prelude. Men and women alike clamour to reap the benefits of her fitness empire that you’ll no doubt hear someone tell you that they’re using her fitness DVDs, using her online weight loss plan, or reading her books and cooking her recipes. We know a lot of you are Shredding as you are talking about it on our information board!

The 17 Day Diet

This one broke out on the scene with the book’s release in November 2010 on Dr. Phil. Dr. Mike Moreno wrote the book to help people kick-start their weight loss, re-learn how to eat via meal plans and 17-minutes a day worth of exercise, and then give them the information they need for on-going maintenance. It’s a cycled way of eating that keeps the metabolism from getting bored and settling in to a status quo.

The Mommy Diet

The host of Biggest Loser, Alison Sweeney, has just penned her first book, about a topic that women coast-to-coast need to hear – how to get fit before, during and after baby. The book is real and funny as it outlines guidance for fitness, fashion, food, and even sex for busy, harried moms who want to look and feel their best while raising happy, healthy kids.
 

South Beach Diet Supercharged

The low-carb craze is over, but there’s still an audible buzz and South Beach Diet is the go-to source. Dr. Agatston’s popular book, The South Beach Diet, was revamped in recent years and retitled The South Beach Diet Supercharged. The revised plan still focuses on a two-phased eating plan that has you eating lean proteins, low-starch vegetables and low-fat dairy, but now it puts greater emphasis on fitness, using a walking program and strength training to get you in shape.

The hCG Diet

It’s one of the most popular diets of 2010 and it will probably be at the top of the list again in 2011. This is the most controversial diet out there right now, because of the injection/ swallowing of the pregnancy hormone hCG and the 500-calorie-a-day diet. The fans rave about remarkable weight loss, the critics point to the dangerous and unhealthy protocol for giving people illusions of balanced weight loss.

Blood group diet

Cheryl Cole is apparently a fan of this diet, which is completely based on pseudo science. It claims that different nutrients are broken down in the body based on the body’s blood type. It involves eating no dairy products, or some, or only meat and no wheat or grains. Confused?

This diet could lead to calcium deficiency, which can increase your risk of bone fractures. If weight loss on this diet does occur, it is because it restricts calorie intake sharply.

Maple syrup diet

Reportedly favoured by Naomi Campbell, the diet involves drinking a concoction that consists of maple syrup, lemon juice, water and cayenne pepper - in half pint measures up to nine times daily.

This diet has no nutritional value, as it lacks proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals. It leads to weight loss only because it severely restricts the daily calorie intake.

It is boring and dangerous, and you would be unable to function while on it.

Cabbage soup diet

Allegedly favoured by Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame, it claims to burn fat, though this is not scientifically possible. It involves eating cabbage soup almost exclusively, which will give you wind and sap your will to live with its monotony.

While you might lose weight through water loss and calorie restriction, this diet is nutritionally limited and as such unsafe.

Baby food diet

Said to be followed by Jennifer Aniston, it involves eating up to 14 jars of baby food daily, supplemented by an occasional adult meal.

This diet relies on portion control and calorie restriction, as baby food has few of the latter. The food is pureed, which will keep you hungry, as chewing is associated with feelings of fullness and satiety.