The Mail, Independent, Guardian and  FT report a problem with sustained weight loss, which Hypno-band clients encounter and overcome.  They point out that scientists at the US National Institutes of Health in Maryland realised standard weight loss advice – including its own – failed to account for changes in metabolism as people lost weight. This results in a “plateau” preventing the dieter from progressing further.  It often leads to them giving up on their diet.

There is no disputing the science.   So whats the answer then?  Well, as you lose weight your metabolism slows down and as a consequence the body burns less fat.  So you need to get your metabolism going again.  There are three simple ways to do this:

1. Vary your eating habits.  If you have been eating three small meals a day, stay with the same total amount, but change to five smaller meals, for a couple of days (take care not to eat more than you were before).

2. Change your exercise routine, do something different for a few days and try to do just a bit more.

3. Drink more water!  This can increase your metabolic rate by 30%, which should do the trick.  While you are at it, cut down on coffee and tea, or drink some water each time you have a cup of tea or coffee.

Hypno-band practitioners encounter this difficulty with clients from time to time and it’s easily overcome if they take the three steps detailed above

Of course, those following the Hypno-band program don’t really diet.  They have changed their behaviour.  They don’t snack.  They eat small portions and drink less alcohol.

In a very good item on Woman’s Hour today, three experts explain why Diets don’t work!

Dr Susan Jebb made the point that it’s a long term job.  Mindset and habits must change to achieve sustained weight loss.  She stressed the need for support over an extended period

Dr John Briffa made very good points regarding eating too many carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, pasta) and recommended meat, nuts, eggs, veg and fruit  He pointed out that it takes a lot of exercise to burn fat.

Sue Thomason, a life coach, said that weight was often bit of a distraction masking other issues.  She pointed out that diets fail as they trigger a survival instinct which prompts us all to eat.

None of them mentioned hypnotherapy, but there was a thread throughout around changing attitude to food, changing behaviour and dealing with bad habits.  The Hypno-band program deals with all of these.  And with the Hypno-band you’re not on a diet.  All the experts on the programme seemed to agree that Diets don’t work!

Ed, a new Hypmo-band weight loss client, had his first session on Tuesday evening.  He is a builder who frequents “The Caff”.  He didn’t go near the place on Wednesday or today, because he just didn’t feel hungry!

So his mind-set has been changed after only one session.  These are early days, but the change is remarkable.

So you started the year determined to lose weight, but it’s just not happening.  Well one of two things is wrong. Don’t worry.  You are either eating too much or not taking enough exercise.

OK, so the eating one first.  Bread, potatoes and pasta are the enemy.  Yes pasta! This supposedly healthy food is full of carbohydrates. You do need carbs in your diet, but if you are taking in a lot you will not lose weight.  You should never have two lots of carbs in one meal.

Now on to the exercise.  You need to get your heart rate up to burn fat.  20 minutes walk is not enough.  20 minuets walking up a steep hill might be!  You need to get your heart rate up.  You should be working at 70-80% of your maximum hear rate.  To calculate your maximum heart rate subtract your age from 200. So if you are 40 that’s 160.  Now you should only work at 70-80% of that, so 75% of 160 is 120.

You can buy a heart monitor to measure your heart rate while exercising.  It would be a good investment. Otherwise, exercise until you are breathing hard and take your pulse.  Do this a couple of times until you are getting consistent results.

Don’t worry if you are finding the exercise bit hard.  Have a go every day, for as long as you can manage, even if it’s only 10 minutes to begin with.  Make sure that you are breathing hard at the end.  Each day you will become stronger and be able to go on a bit longer.

So have another go at your diet and exercise plan.  Eat small portions of food (The Hypno-band Program really helps with this) and cut right back on bread, potatoes and pasta.  Your day will be ruined if you don’t eat breakfast. Any high in fibre cereal will do.  Have an apple in the middle of the morning to talke you through to lunchtime.

Is your summer holiday booked, or are you just making up your mind?

How did you feel on the beach last year?  Not so good?  Did you find yourself covering-up because you were carrying a bit too much weight?  Did that take the edge off  your holiday?  If it did, you should start your Hypno-band weight loss journey this month.

You could lose 12 pounds a month.  That’s 48 pounds form the beginning of March to the end of June.  How would you look that much lighter?  How would you feel?  And, if you changed your eating habits completely, which is what the Hypno band program helps you to do you, how would you look by Christmas?