It's not necessary to take fat burners, laxatives or diuretic to speed up weight loss (Photo: Kathy Chang)

Dear Pepper,

Please give me some of your tips on how to get and stay slim. Do I need to take fat-burning pills? I am a healthy 26 year-old woman but since my second child, who is now five years-old, I just cannot lose the excess weight (fat).

I have tried a lot of diets but am still not happy with my body. I don't even bother weighing myself anymore. I am truly a frustrated dieter! Why can't I get it right? Please answer me quickly!

Naudia

Dear Naudia,

A lot of women tend to blame weight gain on having children which is a normal occurrence that does not lead to weight gain in other women. Why? Sometimes parenting can disrupt eating habits and cause women to behave like dust bins - eating with the children in addition to eating up all the leftovers. This is a sure way for the fat to creep up on you. The key to this is to recognise the changes and seek help, which I think you have been trying to do.

I know quite a few persons who seem to enjoy following the most bizarre crash diets. They are always dieting for a specific event. The trouble with habitual dieting is that with each new diet tried, the weight is more difficult to lose and the amount of weight between each diet goes up.

Studies have shown that crash diets cause the metabolic rate to drop in order to conserve on energy as the body goes into a starvation mode. Weight will be regained more quickly as the body tries to replenish its energy.

Quick weight loss is what most persons with a weight problem would want but you have to think ahead - you need to re-train your palate, eating habits and to reassess your physical activity so that you can lose weight and stay slim.

Do not expect miraculous results in a few days but you will see positive changes within 4-6 weeks if you eat properly and exercise regularly. Read below a 'slimmers' tip. Keep strong!

"Slimmers" Tips

1. If you can, eat more at the beginning of the day so that you will have more energy and time to burn throughout the day.

2. Eat small meals (low in fat, sugar and sodium) throughout the day to stop hunger pangs.

3 Drink lots of water.

4. If you need to snack - keep a fruit or raw vegetables nearby.

5. It's not necessary to take fat burners, laxatives or diuretic to speed up weight loss. If you need to, consult your doctor first.

6. Exercise regularly - extra activities uses up calories which is essential to weight loss.

7. Do not give up if you had junk food or did not exercise, as long as you get back on track as soon as you can so that your hard work will not be in vain.

Pepper Dawson is a fitness professional & the owner of Sweat Shop Fitness Club in New Kingston. Write to Dear Pepper, c/o all woman at Jamaica Observer, 40-42 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5 or e-mail: sweatshop6@hotmail.com

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