Sainsbury's Finance explains that weight loss is one of the best ways of improving all round health and extending life expectancy. They offer some useful advice on how to get started
Losing weight is the one of those little challenges some of us give to ourselves from time to time - whether as a New Year's resolution, or simply because we catch an unflattering reflection in the mirror.
It is also acknowledged as one of the best ways of improving all round health and extending life expectancy.
According to the latest Health Survey for England, almost a quarter of adults are obese, while the majority (61%) of all adults are classed as obese or overweight - meaning most of us could stand to lose a little weight. Meanwhile, more than a quarter of children aged two to ten years old are classed as overweight.
And while a government-sponsored model looking at possible obesity levels in 2050 suggested that more than half of all adults would be obese, what can you do today to shed the pounds - and to keep them off in the future?
Exercise
Regardless of the rest of your weight-loss tactics, good old-fashioned exercise is likely to be essential in ensuring that you are successful in the long term.
While the amount you should exercise depends on your level of fitness - and what you ultimately want out of the process - those who haven't exercised in a while are advised not to do so on consecutive days. According to weightlossresources.co.uk, those who are accustomed to working up a bit of a sweat should slowly work up to exercising moderately for 30 minutes, five times a week, over the course of three to four months.
Meanwhile, the Diet Channel warns that a lack of time should never be an excuse for missing a workout - suggesting that three ten-minute bursts are as good as a 30-minute session. It recommends a 15-minute 'boot camp' workout which incorporates cardiovascular and strength training in one, by performing four routines back-to-back without any respite. And if you can't fit this in, there's even a ten-minute circuit, aimed at busy mothers.
In addition, some Primary Care Trusts and GPs offer referral schemes to Rosemary Conley Clubs, where there is dietary advice and optional exercise classes.
Diet
While losing weight takes willpower, the good news is that there is support available if you are committed. You may want to join a slimming club if you think this is the kind of motivation you need. There are many options, such as Slimming World or Weight Watchers - it may be an idea to take a look online to see what groups there are near you.
If you feel you can do it alone, then two of the most popular diets are the South Beach Diet, and the Atkins diet.
South Beach uses similar principles to the GI Diet - by carefully controlling carbohydrates which have a high glycaemic index, it claims to help users shed almost a stone in their first two strict weeks, before easing them back into something approaching normal - but careful - eating over the course of three phases.
Atkins remains a popular choice because it claims to offer success eating whatever you want - including fatty foods - provided it is very low in carbohydrates. While some question whether such an attitude can be good for long-term health, there are those who say it has helped them lose weight.
And while you are dieting, it can be helpful to keep a diary, noting what you eat each day, and how you felt about your diet - the idea being that it can help with self-awareness about any behaviour or emotions which can trigger over-eating, while helping you focus on your goal.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to lose weight, and however you go about achieving your dieting goals, you may find you can also benefit financially as a result – for example, lifestyle factors can be taken into account when applying for products such as life insurance.
Issued by Sainsbury's Finance
