Effective dieting is all about changing long term eating habits rather than cutting down excessively on food in intermittent bursts.

As well as eating a healthy and balanced diet that is low in fat and refined sugar, there are a number of other things that you can do to help you shift those extra pounds and ensure that they stay gone for good.

Here are some top tips to help you do just that:

Avoid going shopping when you are hungry. When you go shopping write a list in advance and stick to it so that you do not buy calorific treats. Always eat breakfast containing complex carbohydrates to help fight mid morning sugar lows When you feel peckish drink a glass of water instead of reaching for a snack; you may find that it stops you feeling hungry. Avoid going shopping when you are hungry Watch fat content in prepared foods. Try not to eat food with more than 4% fat. Take some form of exercise every day. It is very easy to fit this into your daily routine by looking for opportunities to walk rather than drive. For the best results, exercise early in the morning (ideally before lunch). Aim to exercise

for twenty to thirty minutes at least three times a week. Ask friends to give chocolates a miss on your birthday or at Christmas. Alcohol is full of calories. You can try and limit your alcohol intake by interspersing alcoholic drinks with soft ones on nights out. Weigh yourself no more than once a week in the morning before eating or drinking. Avoid going shopping when you are hungry Take a Vitamin B complex as B vitamins are used for efficient fat metabolism. Don't set yourself unrealistic targets, they will only make you feel depressed. Stick to the weight height guidelines set out by the NHS. Watch out for food claiming to be fat free or virtually fat free. Although they migt not contain much fat they are often loaded with sugar.

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