There are two schools of thought on how to monitor weight loss:
- Daily weighing
- The once-weekly weigh-in.
This is an individual issue. If you are the sort of person who needs a daily date with your weighing scales, then by all means do so. Keep a record of your progress using a chart like the one opposite. You may see weight-shifting patterns emerging and be able to isolate foods that have a negative effect on your weight. If you prefer the surprise-at-the-end-of-the-week, that is fine too. You should still keep a record and watch out for any plateaux where weight loss dries up, which may mean that you need to lower your carbohydrate levels or increase your physical activity.
Whichever your preferred monitoring method, keep a tight-fitting pair of trousers or other item of clothing and try them on regularly to establish how your shape is changing. Your weight may stabilize for a while, and if you are exercising regularly and increasing your muscle-to-fat ratio you may even may weigh slightly more for a bit, but you will be fitter and - in the end - leaner.
TOP ANTI-SNACKING TIPS
- Try not to snack while watching television, playing video games or using the computer. Eat meals and snacks in the kitchen or dining room, so that you are more aware of what- and how much — you are eating.
- When you feel a snack attack coming on, run a bath, go for a walk, ring a friend... Do anything that will keep you away from the refrigerator.
- Don't go shopping when you are hungry — it is then that you may reach out for that chocolate bar.
- If you are going to snack, make sure it is a protein snack.
Dietary demons - and how to beat them
- Not so well-meaning friends and family members: one of the mostdifficult things to deal with is the friend or relative who tries to sway you off-course. Don't be bullied into breaking your resolve. Decline politely andexplain that you are relying on them for support. If you are visiting them,take a whey-protein smoothie with you.
- Boredom: you shouldn't get bored following the plans,because there are so many different things to eat and ways to prepare your food. Even if you aren't a natural cook, experimenting in the kitchen willkeep you motivated.
- Alcohol: you are allowed a couple of glasses of wine when you start the
- Keep on Tracking Plan, but don't be tempted to have more. There is nothing like a little extra alcohol to persuade you that you'll start againtomorrow. Avoid the 'drunken munchies'.
- Snack attacks: the three dietary plans allow for a couple of high-proteinsnacks each day between meals, but you could easily undermine all your efforts by hitting the biscuit jar in a moment of weakness. Clear out anything vaguely tempting from your refrigerator and cupboards, and be very carefulat times when you normally seek comfort food.
Curb your cravings by curbing your carbs
When you start eating more healthily and reducing the amount of potentially addictive carbohydrate-laden foods, you should find that your cravings begin to diminish as your blood-sugar and insulin levels even out. This will usually take about 48 hours when you start the Fast-Track Plan. If you do get a 'snack attack', try making yourself a whey- protein smoothie; or keep a plate of cold chicken in the refrigerator for weak moments. You can't necessarily kill a craving, but you can wrestle it into submission.