First off, please don’t think that the site is not for you if you don’t need to lose weight. The recipes listed are great for someone looking for low fat, very tasty, food that won’t break the bank.
The "About" section gives you the brief history of the site and my reasons for setting it up. Here, I’d like to go into a bit more detail about how I lost the weight and a few tips and tricks that helped me along the way.
The first thing I would recommend is going to see your doctor and getting an overall check up. Get them involved and ask for information and assistance in your journey to lose weight.
I would also recommend getting in touch with an organised weight loss group like Weight Watchers for a steady rate of weight loss.
The rest: Get a good breakfast. Make sure you’re getting your ‘5 a day’. Drink water. Walk more. Sleep. Switch to whole grain/whole meal/whole wheat bread, cereal, pasta, rice. Reduce your alcohol intake. Use lower fat versions where available be it milk, butter or soft drinks. Weigh yourself once a week.
Good Breakfast
Start your day with a good breakfast. This site has great recipe suggestions for healthy alternatives that have given us a great start.
‘5 a Day’
To stay in good nick, you should aim to have 5 portions of fruit and vegetables every day. This doesn’t just mean trying to load main meals with lots of vegetables and hoping for the best. Be creative and try to add them to every meal. Have a glass of orange or fruit juice (with no added sugar) with your meals. Add some dried fruit such as raisins or sultanas to cereals or low fat yoghurts. Have an apple or pear after your lunch. They all add up!Drink Water
Most people are dehydrated during the day. Most afternoon feelings of hunger aren’t actually hunger and are your body trying to tell you it’s dehydrated. Find out how much water you need to drink for your size and weight and stick to it.Walk
To lose weight, try to add at least 30 minutes of walking into your day. (Start with two 15 minute sessions and work up if needed). Walking is low impact, doesn’t need any specific equipment (apart from decent shoes) and best of all is free. I’d recommend mapping a loop near your house or work and setting off. (The loop helps as it has a midpoint you can aim for. Once passed, you’re on your way back!) Try to rope in other family members or a neighbour dog into it. Alternatively, try to sneak extra walks into your day by taking the long way when going to the shops or hopping of a bus or train early and walking the rest of the way. As you feel more confident and able, add other aerobic exercises like cycling, swimming or even jogging. You should also consider adding a resistance workout using small weights or resistance bands. This helps you to tone up as you lose weight.
Sleep
Getting a proper rest gives you the energy to get through another day and helps your body repair after exercise. Make your bedroom as comfortable as possible and make sure you are getting enough sleep.
Switch to Whole grains
Fills you up, and then keeps you full for longer. They are better for you and taste better. (Just look at the pasta above!)
Reduce your Alcohol Intake
They don’t call it a beer belly for nothing! Alcoholic drinks contain lots of sugar and calories that you just don’t need. Also when you drink alcohol, your body diverts its fat burning resources to clear the alcohol out of your system. If you have to drink, I’d recommend a short like vodka or bacardi with a diet drink like Diet Coke or 7Up Free. Some light beers like Coors Light are good in moderation too.
Use low fat/low calorie versions where available
Milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, mayo, soft drinks, 1 spray oil, filo pastry, baked crisps, crème fraiche, Greek yoghurt. The list is endless!
Weigh yourself once a week
Get a decent digital weighing scales (or use the one in the pharmacy) and weigh yourself once a week. You’ll go nuts if you do it any more often!
