Will February be fab for dieters?

Feb 7 2010 by Mieka Smiles, Sunday Sun

JANUARY has slipped away and, for many of us, so has the resolve to lose weight. But fear not . . . according to a study, February is the new month to shed those extra pounds. Here we road test three ways to get back on track and kickstart your weight loss. MIEKA SMILES reports.

FEBRUARY is officially the new January when it comes to achieving our fitness goals, according to new research.

The figures show 76% of people in the region who planned a new year’s health kick didn’t get it off the ground – with many blaming the delay on January’s cold weather.

Of those who planned a healthy start to the year, only 17% actually put it into action, says the research commissioned by Yakult.

February now marks the go time for resolutions with more than a fifth (22%) of those who had planned a health kick aiming to put it into action.

Here we try three ways that all claim they can help to get you back on the straight and narrow.

Slim.Fast
Slim Fast Price varies, available nationwide

I’VE always disliked the idea of the Slim Fast diet. As a bit of a foodie I’ve preferred diets which allow me to at least cook or prepare my own meals.

And frankly I haven’t wanted to diet. Life’s been too busy to deprive myself of my favourite foods or to have that lightheaded feeling which comes from losing weight. But after a disturbing encounter with the scales, I’ve decided to take the plunge. One of the bonuses with Slim Fast is I don’t have to think about what breakfast or lunch I’m going to have, which, with a busy job and young son, is alluring.

I pick two Slim Fast meals (shakes, meal bars or soups) and supplement that with three snacks, either Slim Fast bars, savoury snacks or fruit, and then a healthy 600 calorie dinner.

The first morning, a Thursday, I chose a raspberry smoothie. After the first couple of sips I decide it isn’t disgusting and finish it. An hour later I’m hungry and reach into my draw for a caramel chocolate bar.

It’s too early in the morning for chocolate.

I feel slightly nauseous. The rest of the day is OK and I really look forward to my dinner that evening, a jacket potato with beans and a sprinkling of cheese. I’m lightheaded when I eat it and it tastes brill.

The next morning, though, I’m depressed. My breakfast is a lemon meringue shake, nice in a sickly way.

But I’m starting to get a bit sick of sugar. I try one of the savoury snacks which are nice, if a bit salty for my taste, but I stick to them for the rest of the day.

By lunchtime I am a little in despair that I’ve got to have another shake for lunch, but I do, cafe latte. Again nice, but a bit sweet and by this point I’m sick of sweet.

I really should have bought some of the soups.

Friday night I lose it – I have a large glass of wine and eat whatever I want, lasagne with cheddar mash and I love it. I grudgingly resume the diet on Tuesday and then decide enough is enough and finish.

How much weight have I lost over the six days? Well this is what surprises me, 6lb, even with all the cheating. The diet certainly works but I couldn’t do it for the full week.

If you want to lose weight without thinking, and you have a sweet tooth, Slim Fast is for you. Next time, though, I think I’ll just eat healthily and lay off the chocolates.

Hannah Davies

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