Lose weight without losing faith. (General Weightloss & Healthy Eating Tips)

Name: Lunah_C

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Product:	General Weightloss & Healthy Eating Tips
Date:	02/01/07 (189 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lose weight

Disadvantages: None

It’s that time of year again when most people decide to make a change in their lives. It may be giving up smoking, or just cutting down, or perhaps a change in diet.

Like most people I always start of the year so well, and then by the end of January am really struggling and losing hope. But this year things will be different. I know it is easier to say that since today is only January 2nd but you see I have no choice as such.

It all started a few months back. My doctor was worried because my blood pressure kept rising. I was also continuously ill. So I was sent for blood tests. Anyway, to cut a very long story short it turned out my blood pressure was fine, in fact very good for my age; it was simply my doctor using the wrong sized cuff. The test results showed my Cholesterol level was also fine but the results did indicate other concerns. Concerns that I already knew about but having moved Doctor and my notes not being read by my new one, were yet to be picked up on. In fact had it not been for seeing another doctor one day I probably would still be waiting for him to realise.

Anyway, it was decided that I should go see the Dietician. Not only to hopefully lose some weight but also because food is having a rather bad effect on my body and making me quite ill, but I won’t go into that!!

I was dreading it and was so worried about being asked to follow a horrific diet of only salad and crisp breads for the next twenty years of my life. By which time I would have lost any life left in me.

After the half hour meeting though I felt somewhat better. A quick check of height, weight etc and a run through of what the diet, sorry, lifestyle change involved and I was sent away with an armful of info.

With Christmas coming it was decided best to wait till now to start and so today was my first day.


The idea is that for the first couple of weeks you keep a diary of what you are eating on two weekdays and one day over the weekend and then go back for advice and another weight check.

You then return every two or three weeks for checks, help and any advice or encouragement needed.

I really should have looked at the booklet before but have been too busy finishing off all the baddies in the cupboards. But I finally decided to sit down and look at exactly what I could and couldn’t eat.

The program has been set up by the British Heart Foundation. It is run along with the practice nurse who sees patients for a period of six months. In that six months hopefully they will learn to change their lifestyle and so after that time will be on the road to a much happier and healthier life, with a much healthier heart.

I got the impression that not all surgeries run such programs, but a copy of the booklet can be obtained for free from the BHF. Details at the end.

Although I have never tried Weightwatchers or similar dieting clubs, I got the feeling that the style of dieting was somewhat similar. The only difference being that it is free.

For a woman they allow 1500 calories a day and 1800 for a man. They also encourage you to do 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 times a week.

Unlike most diets I have tried, there is no calorie counting or weighing involved, which is usually what makes me give up in the end. There is no ban on sweets, chocolates or cakes; they must just be eaten in moderation, and no special low fat meals to buy.

The food is divided into groups, and you can have a certain amount of portions per day.

*Fruit and Vegetables*
From the fruit and Veg section it is more a case of a minimum rather than maximum. The minimum being the recommended five a day. However they suggest 7 (8 for a man) portions. As fruit comes in all shapes and sizes, each equates to a different portion. For example one banana would be a portion, as would 12 grapes. You can also have tinned fruits and stewed as long as you measure out the portions. All measurements are in tablespoons so very easy to do.

*Bread, Cereal and Potatoes*
Again you can have up to 7 (8 for a man) portions. This group covers the cereals you have for breakfast, any bread you have during the day. Rice and pasta for dinner and other things such as crackers and muffins. Like above each portion is different for each food. 1 portion of potatoes is two egg sized, whereas a portion of pasta would be 3 heaped teaspoons. Of course any sauce or butter added after would need to be counted too.

*Milk and dairy*
Two portions (3 for men) are allowed per day. This will be where I will struggle as I love cheese. Fortunately I drink only black tea so haven’t got to worry about a portion for milk (200ml) just a portion if I have any cereal. If I don’t have that then I could have a small yoghurt instead. As long as I get my cheese I’ll be happy!

*Meat, Fish and Alternatives*
This may be the hardest for some as you can only have two portions from this group. 3 slices of lean, skinless meat is one portion and whilst enough for me I am not sure most men would agree. Unless of course they are vegetarian in which case they could have 4 tablespoons of lentils instead as an alternative portion.

*Fats*
Two portions for both men and women. This would be covered by any spreads and sauces you have during the day. A portion of spread would be 1 teaspoon so don’t forget to add it if you like your potatoes drizzled in warm melted butter.

*Fatty and sugary foods and Alcohol*
These groups allow you one portion per day or seven per week. The reason being that the fat and sugar content is so high that you would be limited to say half a doughnut per day. So they suggest you save up and have a treat at the weekend. If you choose to have your daily portion then this could be made up of 2 plain biscuits, a small scoop of ice-cream or perhaps a packet of low fat crisps.

The same applies to the alcohol. If you tend to go out drinking at the weekend then save up portions throughout the week. However they do recommend that you try to go without and only drink occasionally as this would be even better for you. They recommend no more than 1 pint a day or a glass of wine which is way more than I would normally drink so I can easily stick to this one.



So, the question is how will I do? Well, as you can see it is pretty straight forward. You are advised to keep a note of all you eat, and to write it down as soon as you eat it, otherwise you may forget. I have printed out a table which I can keep a note of what I eat and how many portions this equals so that I do not go over.

I know today is only day one, and I have a long way to go but I felt that this was the simplest eating plan I have come across and with the support offered too it will be much easier to stick to. Even hubby has agreed to follow it as he can still have the food he wants as long as he records it, and sticks to the amounts allowed.

Hopefully I will make some progress and I can pop back to this review and update it and let you know how we are getting on. Of course if there is no update it means I have been very naughty and not stuck to it so I give permission for all the disappointed comments that will start appearing in my guestbook.

I also would like to say I hope whatever it may be that you have decided to work on this year that you will be successful in it and that you find all the help and support you need.


For more information or to order a brochure called So you want to lose weight……for Good, contact the BHF at

14 Fitzhardings Street
London
W1H 6DH

Or Telephone

0207935 0185

Or Visit the website

www.bhf.org.uk

Thanks for reading. Hope you have a good year!

Summary: A simple healthy eating plan to help you change your eating and gradually lose weight.