• Diet
• Weigh in
• Goal weight
• Cheating
• Get back on it tomorrow
• Start again
• Nothing works for me
• That diet is rubbish, it didn't work, I've put all the weight back on
• Go home via the takeaway on "weigh in" night (well, I've got a whole 7 days to get that off!)
• Oh well I've blown it today so I might as well finish the packet/bottle/fridge contents and get back on it tomorrow/Monday/after my holiday
• Been invited to a party on Saturday night, so I'll have that night off the diet - everyone else who's going says that's OK and that I won't be much fun if I'm dieting that night.
• Can't diet on Sunday, we're off to Mum's for lunch and she'll have done the whole works - don't want to offend her by not eating everything
• Diet on holiday? - you're joking!
• Weight loss is the only goal.
• Once I've lost the weight I'll be fine, I don't need to think after that, I just know I'll keep it off.

And then there are the behaviours:

• Obsessing with getting on the scales every day expecting them to show a weight loss even though you know you haven't been sticking to the latest diet.
• Starting a diet with great enthusiasm on day one and then coming off it three days later - but it's not your fault, it's that rubbish diet.
• Not exercising - it's boring.
• Planning the massive feast you are going to have once you are "off" the diet.
• Scanning the internet/magazines/newspapers for the latest sure fire way to lose weight - "this is the one that's going to work!"

Ring a bell?  They do to me.  I yo-yo dieted for 18 years before I came to LighterLife.  I was totally and utterly confused by all the conflicting "rules" from various diet clubs.  I was morbidly obese (BMI of 40+), had high blood pressure, and thoroughly miserable.

But, on the advice of a friend, I discovered LighterLife and their unique way of dealing with weight issues coupling a very low calorie diet with counselling/coaching, and this is how I now think:

• Weight loss and weight maintaining has little to do with food.  It is mainly to do with the emotion and behaviours you have attached to food.
• If you are carrying extra weight then it means that your relationship with food and drink has become out of balance.  LighterLife aims to help you get that balance back.
• Understand where your perceptions about your eating habits came from and that is the first step to changing them, i.e. did your parents tell you to "clear your plate"?  Are you still "clearing your plate" now you are an Adult even though your Adult self is telling you you are full?  Then that's an old outdated message to get rid of.
• You will need to change your relationship with food - but that will be empowering and enlightening
• When you think food is the only answer to the way you feel, stop for a moment and ask yourself what you really want?  It might be you just need someone to listen to the woes of the day and give you a hug.
• Other people's opinions about what you should be eating and drinking is exactly that - their opinion, not yours.
• Weight loss is only the start of the journey.  Weight maintaining is the main change and LighterLife supports you every step of the way from education about nutrition, GI principles, understanding the right portion sizes for your body, tasty nutritious recipes that ensure you never feel hungry, etc etc. to supporting you as you successfully make the necessary lifestyle changes to stay slim, fit and healthy.
• You are an amazing human being, you can do whatever you want to, you just need to choose to make a change.

If you are really ready for a change to the way you view food, as well as losing weight quickly in a safe, medically approved way using meal replacements then give me a call on 01509 234433 or email me at debbie.ford@lighterlifecounsellor.com or text on 07860 017700 (text only, this is not a mobile phone no.) and I'd be delighted to meet you and tell you more about the Programmes we offer in a relaxed environment with absolutely no "hard sell" involved.

I look forward to meeting you.