| The number of clinically obese people in the western | | | | 2. This is perhaps counter-intuitive, but eat more |
| world has shot up over the last couple of decades. | | | | often. Five or six small meals a day are better for |
| Obesity is measured using Body Mass Index, BMI - | | | | you than two or three larger meals. If you eat more |
| this figure is the result of taking the weight of an | | | | frequently the blood sugar level is kept more |
| individual in kilograms and dividing it by the square of | | | | constant so that you feel less hungry, and your |
| that persons height in metres squared. If the result is | | | | metabolic rate tends to rise so that you burn calories |
| more than 25 then that person is obese. Obesity is | | | | at a faster rate. Many people skip breakfast when |
| one of the leading causes of death worldwide now. If | | | | they are trying to lose weight - this is a really bad |
| you are obese, then shedding some weight will | | | | idea. If anything, breakfast should be the biggest |
| definitely improve not just your quality of life but also | | | | meal of the day. Remember the old saying " |
| your self esteem. There are all kinds o f miracle | | | | "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a |
| cures, pills, potions and diets on the market but you | | | | pauper", there's a lot in it. |
| can lose weight without spending money. The most | | | | 3. Up your exercise level. This needn't mean taking |
| important thing is determination, a will to succeed. | | | | out a subscription at your local gym, just move more. |
| Here are four tips that should help if you are trying | | | | Try walking at least part of the way to work instead |
| to lose weight. | | | | of driving or taking the bus. Use the stairs instead of |
| 1. Drink more water. Water is calorie-free and great | | | | the elevator. Run up the stairs if you can! Gardening |
| at helping to flush toxins out of the body and move | | | | and playing with your kids also count. The main thing |
| food along the digestive tract. In individuals who | | | | with exercise is that it should be fun, it will make you |
| overeat massively their body can become confused | | | | feel good. |
| so that thirst is mistaken for hunger, and they eat | | | | 4. Finally, and this is probably the most important tip, |
| more when in fact they should be drinking. | | | | work out Why. Why do you want to lose weight? If |
| Dehydration follows, which is definitely not healthy. | | | | you have a firm goal in mind - it helps a lot if you |
| Drinking water often leads to clearer skin and helps | | | | write it down - this really will help. You will find it a lot |
| you to feel better about yourself, giving you | | | | easier to lose weight if you can visualise a positive |
| motivation to continue with a weight loss plan. | | | | outcome. |