What small changes could make a huge difference to your weight?

We’re constantly being told to exercise more and eat less (and better), but while a health kick is a great option, it’s often a short-lived change.

New research from the government shows that there are more than 100 internal and external factors influencing whether we lose or gain weight, meaning it’s far more complicated than we thought.

I’m looking to trim down a little in order to look better in some of my fab new summer dresses, so perhaps it’s time I tried a new approach to shifting those stubborn last pounds.

In January I joined the gym, and while I’ve still been going almost every week, my commitment has definitely waned recently.

I think in order to actually shift some extra weight there’s no point kidding myself that I’m going to radically become a gym lover and live off salads, so it’s best to try making lots of smaller lifestyle changes.

Bridget Benelam, senior nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, claims that one of the most important things is trying to be less sedentary and sitting down for less time.

“If you’ve got an office job think about how you can get up and move around at least once an hour and not spend hours sitting,” she advised.

I can definitely give this a go! As well as this, trying to be more active in the evenings and weekends should make a big difference.

Ms Benelam also recommended keeping an eye on what you eat and choosing foods that help fight off hunger pangs.

“For example, things that are particularly rich in water like fruits, vegetables and soups, and have relatively high protein and fibre content such as lean meats and whole grain foods,” can help stave off hunger and keep you feeling full for longer, she explained.

Well this sounds far more manageable!

I’m a bit hypocritical when it comes to being healthy, as Mark and I have tried to limit our son’s TV viewing time to only two hours a day at most, which is something maybe we should try out too.

This will give me more time away from the couch to spend with my family actually doing stuff and being more active – all of which sounds good to me!

How do you stay active during the summer?

Posted by Elsa Pienaar