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General

Can the Internet Help You Diet?

We all know that the Internet can help you find out about and actually do just about anything you can think of, but can it really help you diet and lose weight? Well in our own personal experience the answer to this is a very definite yes. There is an amazing amount of information and practical help that should be able to get even the most dedicated food fiend into shape - from recipes to online slimming clubs, from books to food supplements. Its all there and here is our guide as to where to find it.

In January 2004, we received a "mystery" envelope through the post containing information about the Atkins Diet    and some free samples.  I say mystery because we didn't know where it had come from and had never sent for such information.  However, we had both been thinking for some time that we needed to lose some weight so this was the spur that we needed.

We had  got into the habit of eating too much.  Neither of us really snacked much during the day, we just ate enormous meals and Robert had developed the habit of always finishing off anything are sons left (they had nicknamed him the waste disposal unit!) We had also developed a penchant for bars of chocolate in the evening!

Until fairly recently, I had always been slim - (size 8 or 10) but during the last few years I had steadily put on weight and inches and increased to 91/2 stones and size 12 - I am only 5 foot tall so can't really carry any extra weight. I had got to the point where I didn't feel I looked nice in anything and hated trying on clothes. So, when the package arrived, we both decided to give it a go.

We bought a recipe book and stuck fairly rigidly to the instructions.  For those who don't know, the diet involves eating only protein, very few vegetables and no carbohydrates for the first two weeks and then gradually adapting this to introduce other foods as the time goes on. (No alcohol or tea and coffee are allowed either in this introductory period)

I had an added complication as I am vegetarian so I did eat slightly more vegetables than recommended as sticking strictly to cheese and eggs would have been too difficult - luckily, I eat fish too. Robert thought it was great as he loves meat and a diet which requires you to eat as much meat including bacon and sausages as this was like the answer to his prayers, particularly as the weight just falls off!  The results are amazing in a very short time, and this diet certainly gives you a great kick start to dieting. Robert would have been quite happy to stick with this, but being vegetarian, by the end of the two weeks I felt I'd really had enough of this way of eating so we began looking around for something else.

What we found was Weight Watchers.co.uk®   Of course we had heard of them - who hasn't? but really didn't know anything about how it works. We bought some of their recipe books which are full of tempting, healthy recipes for all the family - recipes which you would never imagine are low calorie, low fat etc - in fact, I regularly use them to cook for friends who are always amazed when I tell them where the recipes came from! There is also an excellent range of ready meals and soups available for those times when you haven't got time to cook. Of course, there are also the popular weekly meetings you can attend where you will receive help and encouragement from a Leader and also the support of other members.  We didn't join but it is an excellent idea. We had the added bonus in that we were both trying to lose weight at the same time so we didn't need anyone else to encourage us but if you are the only one in your household trying to stick to a stricter diet it must be very difficult.

Another revolutionary idea for losing weight is Cafeslim .  This advertises itself as " the most personalised slimming plan in the world".  The idea is based on eating your favourite foods -you tell them what you like to eat and their nutritionists use that information to prepare an individual series of healthy meal plans for each day and every week. Like Weightwatchers, you pay a modest fee to join but there are no meetings to attend, instead you can access expert online help at any time, chat to other members via the message boards or find a buddy to team up with using their unique Meet a Buddy service. We have no personal experience of Cafe Slim but if you can eat the foods you like and still lose weight then it sounds marvellous and if we'd received a mystery package from them last year, we would have tried it straightaway!

Now, we have relaxed quite a lot really.  We're still careful about what we eat, generally going for the low fat option in the Supermarket and eating few potatoes, bread, cakes etc (and hardly ever a chocolate bar!) but we do go mad sometimes. We've managed to get through one Christmas, numerous birthday celebrations and several holidays and still haven't gained masses of weight!

While we were really trying, Robert lost over five stones and I lost nearly two.  I think we perhaps looked a bit too thin at first but now we have both stabilised, we look and feel much better and have much more energy.  I quite enjoy buying new clothes now and I know no-one can be thinking "Gosh she looks fat in that!" So, if you're not happy with your weight, don't despair, there are lots of diets to try and it's certainly worth the effort!

Useful Links:

Slimming Clubs / Slimming Plans

Weight Watchers.co.uk®

Get a personal weight loss plan from Cafeslim

Online Slimming Club 

e-diets  

Atkins  

GI Diet 

Dieting Books

  Use the excellent search on Pickabook to get books on the Atkins Diet, slimming and diets in general and recipes, or CLICK HERE to go directly to their "Diets & Slimming" section. A huge choice.

DVD's

Slimming Aids

• Slendertone Slimming Aids  

   

Slendertone offer the only clinically proven range of toning products. Choose from one of the abdominal toning belts, toning shorts for ladies or our new upper body muscle toner and strengthener -Fortex. The beauty of the toning belts and shorts is that you can be toning up whilst doing other activities around the house or in the office. The belts and shorts are designed to be used almost anywhere and you should see results in as little as 4-6 weeks and may see results in as little as 10 days. They are so sure that the Slendertone range of belts and shorts work that if you purchase from their website you get an 8 week money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.
Their new Fortex upper body unit is a compact lightweight piece of equipment that exercises the 9 main upper body muscle groups and is equivalent to 5 pieces of gym equipment. The beauty of Fortex is that it is completely portable and can be used at home, work or even on holidays. Simply using Fortex for 4 minutes a day, 4 days a week for 4 weeks should deliver toned well defined upper body muscles. As with all products purchased from the Slendertone web site Fortex comes with a no quibble money back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied return the Fortex unit within 14 days for a full refund.