weight loss woes

I had a lady call yesterday at ABC Vitamins wanting some weight loss advice. She was desperate. Her mother died 5 years ago and her family have since abandoned her giving her no support. She has a sedentary job - works at home for a magazine, so this means sitting at a computer for hours, bad eating habits as junk food is at arms reach, alone, unmotivated and depressed (This suprisingly a common picture!).

I desperately wanted to help her. I listened to her talk. She sounded so alone so I suggested joining a support group or a gym or even weight watchers. But she lacked motivation. Then after 10 mins of listening to her cries for help I asked her about her diet...She says "my diet is fine" (a statement which always makes me cringe as I truly believe if you are carrying extra weight and you don't have an actual condition then your diet must not be fine). She tells me "I have 1 or 2 coffees per day but thats ok isn't it??" "and on weekends I have a few drinks to be social but thats ok isn't it??" to which I said "so having 1 or 2 tim tams is ok isn't it or 1 bottle of coke is ok isn't it" she thankfully got my point and said ok I understand but its not that bad is it? SHE WANTED ME TO SAY - "NO ITS NOT THAT BAD".  I ended the conversation telling her to write a food diary and start some exercise and join a support group (I even mentioned a counsellor as her weight gain is emotional as well as physical but she didn't like that idea).

My advice if you choose to take it....

1/ "a little bit is ok isn't it", its NOT ok. Its only ok when you have reached your goal weight. Otherwise you must be strict and stay strong. If there is a time where you may lack that inner strength then thats ok you just move on, NEVER say "oh well, I failed wheres that mud cake!" Instead you say next meal I am going to be good.

2/ Get up and move. Do NOT say I don't have time because we always seem to find time for everything else. Do things you enjoy - my favourite is walking along the esplanade at Cronulla rather than walking the streets of suburbia. Join a Zumba class or a spin class or get a treadmill and watch your favourite show while burning calories. skies the limit.

3/ Get some support. (and I'm not talking about Bras - eventhough thats important too!) Whether its a friend to walk with or a gym class or even a counsellor, Don't do it alone. Remember you are not alone in this battle, there are many people who are in the same position as yourself.

4/ Eat 5-6 meals per day. I know this is hard for some people to believe but its true. Eat good nutritious wholesome food 3 times a day and then have 2 or 3 snacks between these meals eg nuts, protein shake, fruit, yoghurt, tuna ...so many options!

5/ LAUGH! Its sooooooo important. If you have gone a few days without laughing then watch a good comedy or call one of your 'funny' friends, or go to the comedy store and watch some stand up comedy (those comedians may use some naughty words but geez they are bloody funny)

I hope these tips help, if you have anything extra to add please add a comment, I love hearing what other people think....and as far as that lady who called the shop, I hope she does find that support and finally do something about it. The first step is recognizing the problem then the second step is ACTION!!!