More and more people are becoming very conscious of their own health and fitness. On the one hand, this is a positive trend, with many people eating more healthily and taking regular exercise. However, when taken to extremes, this can have negative effects on healthy and well-being. This is often the result of marketing, as advertisements for perfume, clothes, cars and a host of other products constantly tell us, indirectly, that we need to have perfect bodies to achieve the good life.

As a result of the increased focus on health and fitness, gyms, health clubs and other fitness centers have been set up all over the western world, raking in a huge profit in the process.

Celebrities are pictured on the front of magazines, looking young, slim and beautiful, with the hidden message that this is the path to happiness and wealth.

On cable TV, exercise machines, weight loss products, such as DVDs, videos and low calorie foods have pretty much taken over the airwaves during the commercial breaks and have consequently made their way into households all over the country.

Thousands of magazine, books and websites claim to provide the perfect diet. Dubious at best, with a new one on the market just about every week, but with so many different approaches on offer, which diet is most effective and which one should you follow?

Diet programs can be of use in helping you shed

excess pounds, but only if they suit your lifestyle, which means they must be doable. The most important factor is healthy eating and therefore if you do choose to follow a specific program, it is essential to ensure that you do not leave out important nutrients.

Next, you must make sure you have time to buy and prepare the food. If you run out, the temptation to eat forbidden foods will be enormous. It s also important that you don t feel deprived and so don t choose a diet plan which is inflexible or overly strict. It is possible to lose weight and still enjoy occasional treats.

You should also be able to follow an eating pattern which keeps

your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, ensuring that you don t experience hunger pangs which can lead to mini-binges, which in turn often causes people to give up the diet completely.

Whatever your lifestyle, exercise is important, but doesn t have to be excessive. Extra walking during the day and a couple of sessions of a favourite sport at weekends is enough to burn off some calories and help you achieve your weight loss goals. Of course, if you do want to look like someone on the cover of a fitness magazine, you ll have to work hard they do! To lose weight and improve your overall health, you should eat a healthy diet, reduce

intake of high fat and sugar foods and increase the amount of exercise you do.

Waller Jamison 2007

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