I'm no expert but a very strong coffee in the morning is good for getting the mechanism going. Sluggish digestion swiftly out of the window

Hi Keilly,

Don't take too much notice of the negative comments- I've also been enjoying reading your posts and your exactly the kind of motivational person someone needs on their side if they are trying to lose weight.

In defence of the diet soft drinks post -I lost 6 stone a while back, and found that my 'treat' being a Diet Coke at 11am and in the evening, along with all the wholesome/ flavoursome foods I was eating gave me little landmarks in my day that I would look forward to. In the evenings I would sit down with some cashews and a Diet Coke and that would be a salvation for me! We all know they are laced with aspartame and phosphoric acid and bad for us- however it was more important at that time I got the weight off and it just hit the spot. I now drink sparkling water instead -which I have the same craving for and I enjoy a Diet Coke on nights out or at the weekend
if needs be, but at the time of cutting carbs and 'dieting' it was a nice treat. I think we all know the benefits of a healthy diet and exercise but it is easier said than done- I was a ballerina for years before I put a lot of weight on and previously a healthy, active and fit person and found it very hard to shift the weight once there. As a doctor and nutritionist said to me when I considered the Cambridge diet- "We don't care how you lose the weight, it's just more important you do lose it any way you can and then focus on nutrition after'. If you can do both at the same time- great! However this is where people fail... so all in all, I just wanted to say I completely understand where you are coming from!

I'm really enjoying all your posts so please don't stop!

For me the benefit of them is to stop and think about how I'm treating my body.

What I've got from this one is I need to drink more water and the tip before mealtimes is a good one. Will start tomorrow!

Thank you and keep posting please I've enjoyed them all so far.

Where is common sense gone?????

Sustaining weight loss?

1. Exercise more than you eat
2. Small portions no seconds
3. Balanced diet
4. No banned food
5. No skipping meals
6. Filling meals so you dont need to snack ie. Nutrients
7. Happy stuff: natural sugar is good ie. Fruits and dark chocolate
8. Choose the stairs, the bus, your bike
9. Ban the word diet
10. Reduce alcohol consumption

It is habits thay need changing and then sustain the changes.

Sorry. I will disagree with your views. Advocating diet sodas is just really wrong and irresponsible.

Unfortunately it's the carbonated part as well as the extra sugary calories which leads to conclusions of carbonated diet drinks are useless in diets.
The study found carbonated drinks increased production of appetite hormone ghrelin - this included carbonated water. That is it makes you hungry - which never helps if you are trying to lose weight.
This was all over press this week. Perhaps time to review your advice.

The issue is that what you say is scientifically incorrect and all evidence is the opposite.
Search google and this week a new report confirmed all carbonated drinks lead to weight gain including sparkling water and diet drinks. They should never be used as park of a calorie controlled diet and should be discouraged.

Hope this helps and feel free to ignore the scientific advice. However if you want to loose weight avoid all carbonated drinks.

Amd natural sugar in moderation and with exercise is important for the wellbeing of tge body.

The sugar in diet drinks is replaced with aspartam which - most people knows - is very bad for your health.

As a qualified nutritionist you should know that should you want to drink a fizzy drink, you should drink a full fat one rather than a diet one. But really you shouldnt.

Cant believe you call yourself qualified

No qualified nutritionalist would recommend diet drinks to aid in weight loss - especially fuzzy drinks.
They have the opposite effect.