I’ve tried all kinds of diets. What is so different about Lighten Up?
Lighten Up is a holistic programme that combines sensible eating with regular activity and, crucially, psychological support. We don’t advocate a particular diet, preferring to take a personal approach to each client in line with his or her preferences, personality and lifestyle. This, plus the fact that we support and mentor you every step of the way, enables us to deliver sustained support to people who have battled with their weight for many years.
Why don’t I just go on a strict diet guaranteed to lose weight in a short space of time?
Research – and probably your own experience – suggests that this approach only works in the short-term. Diets that reduce calorie intake to a very low level or that involve strange combinations or omissions of significant food groups, result in most people regaining the weight they lose, and more. This is due to the fact that they usually return to some, or all, of the bad habits that caused them to put the weight on in the first place. Having tried this approach several times, most people come to the realisation that they will have to change and STAY CHANGED to make long-term weight management a reality.
How much weight will I lose and how quickly?
It really is up to you – together we will choose the number of changes that you can effectively make and this will, to a large extent, dictate both your weight loss goal and the rate of loss. To give you an idea however, your expectations should not be any greater than about 1-2 kilos a month.
How long is the programme?
There is no fixed length of time. Some people become independent very quickly and use the help and advice that we give them to kick-start their weight loss programme, others use Lighten Up as a long-term support mechanism. That said, the minimum commitment that most people find they need is three to six months.
What records will I have to keep?
One of the key factors in successful weight loss is accountability, so we strongly advocate good record keeping. The phrase “what gets measured gets done” springs to mind here. This can be done on a simple Excel spreadsheet, old-fashioned pen and paper or via a very good web-based weight management programme that we use.
Do I have to exercise?
You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. However, the best combination for creating a calorie imbalance sufficient to lose weight is to reduce your calorie intake and increase your calorie expenditure. Increasing your calorie expenditure is the activity bit. Getting into the exercise habit is not easy, but the added benefits, for example better sleep, more energy, increased immunity, better digestion and improved mood, more than compensate for the time and effort it takes.
What if it doesn’t work for me?
Lighten Up will help you to make sustainable lifestyle changes that will facilitate long-term weight loss. That said, talk is cheap, so if you feel within the first two weeks that the programme isn’t going to work for you, we guarantee to refund the fees you have paid in full – no questions asked.