Bringing up kids...that’s easy! You should try dieting

OK, I’ve got my bag, keys, shopping list, 2 kids and more motivation than Anthony Robbins. I’m on my way out the door to do the weekly shop. This is going to be a new experience for me because as of 9.30 this morning (that’s after my coffee + 6 biscuits) I am on a DIET. rnOh yes, it’s time for change. I signed up last week for my new diet food program and whilst I am mildly excited, the email I got from the designers of my new diet plan said, “Well done Jean, you have done the hard bit and taken the first step...” The feeling in my stomach tells me that that statement belongs with the crisps, cakes and biscuits...in the bin. Signing up can’t be the hard bit, what about the pizza, fried chicken and my full fat mayonnaise, what about those bits. Anyway as I drive towards my local supermarket I glance at my shopping list again, it’s beginning to read more like a 1942 ration book, but it’s ok, I am motivated, determined and overweight. Nothing and nobody is going to stop me this time. The difficulty that I have had before when choosing a diet food program is that over the years I’ve had such conflicting advice from the various weight loss guru’s – between them they couldn’t agree on the colour of lemons but I suppose the fact remains that if you consume less calories than you burn, then you will lose weight. That short passage was a quick peek into my life several years ago. These days I run a weight loss retreat in Spain and I’m having the time of my life helping others to achieve their weight loss goals. I understand that keeping to a diet can be very difficult. We are surrounded by adverts, people and companies telling us to eat all the time and mostly it’s unhealthy food. So it should be looked at as more of a lifestyle change, with the view to increasing all round general fitness. If you are happy with your weight and fitness levels then that’s fine, my messages are for people who aren’t happy with their weight and the steps one needs to take are: rn1) Eat healthy food - As a starting point don’t eat anything you see advertised on TVrn2) Take regular exercise - Walking for only 30 minutes a day will do wonders for your figurern3) Get some sleep – You need to be well rested to get through the dayrn4) Drink more water - Not only will it keep you hydrated but you’ll feel fullerrn5) Keep a food journal – make yourself accountable for the things you eat The more you can do these things the easier it gets and the ultimate outcome is that you will reach your ideal weight. rnYou will look good, you will feel good and you will be in control. Take Care Jean Griffithsrn