WORDS CLAIRE HIGNEY AND NICOLA DOWN
HEALTHY BODY
Most of us have fallen into that New Year diet trap: starting a weight-loss plan full of optimism on 1st January, then by mid-February sitting down to a plate of mash instead of spending the evening at the gym. In fact, research published in The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition found only 20 per cent of dieters maintain weight-loss long term. So why is it so hard to do?
‘Most diets are too restrictive to stick to,’ says Bridget Benelam, senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation (nutrition.org.uk). ‘If you’re only allowed very small portions or certain kinds of foods, then hunger and boredom can drive you to give in to temptation.’
According to dietician Dr Sarah Schenker, strict diets and fitness regimes don’t fit into most people’s lives: ‘They’re not practical when you have to juggle social commitments and eat with others, cook for your family or go on holiday. You can’t stick to the same routine every single day.
‘Diets can be a great way of kick-starting weight loss, especially for people who are results driven and want to see pounds coming off in the first couple of weeks. But it’s what you do afterwards that’s really important. Use the weight loss as motivation to make changes that are ongoing, such as cutting out the muffin you buy every morning on your way to work and stepping up the amount of fitness you do. You need to have a follow-on plan.’
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Are you feeling good? Treat yourself to the February healthy magazine, focussing on how you can start the new year looking and being your best self ever. Find 25 nutritious recipes for real happy meals – including quick and filling, goodness-packed dishes. Plus, we investigate why having fun is actually good for yourself. Get #feelgood vibes for 2017 with the new digital edition of healthy.