Top 5 ways to lose weight for 2008!

Do you want to lose weight and look fantastic in 2008? Following extensive interviews with successful slimmers, we discovered the top five ways to lose weight.

1. Eat six times a day: It has been proven that regular eating will kick start your metabolism. Having three meals per day plus regular snacks can also help you lose a few pounds. By doing this, you can reduce your calorie intake and have less food cravings during the day. The main thing you need to do is plan healthy snacks in advance. If you plan your food a week in advance you can easily buy a wider variety of foods whilst shopping.

2. Fat Binders: Typically an adult will consume 40 per cent of their daily calories in the form of fat. With each gram of fat resulting in nine calories compared to four calories for carbohydrates and protein, you can see that by eating more fat you are more likely to put on weight.

Fat binders allow you to reduce your calorie intake from fat by up to 28 per cent, a massive reduction which will make your weight loss attempts a lot easier. It is important to use a fat-binder that is clinically proven and has sound medical backing.

Dr Adam Carey (ITV, Celebrity Fit Club), world famous fitness and nutrition expert suggests that the best fat binder to use is called Proactol™ (available at www.proactol.com): ‘Proactol™ can provide some initial support by binding dierary fat, decreasing food cravings, suppressing appetite and reducing blood cholesterol’.

Boxes of Proactol™ can cost from £22.14 for 120 tablets depending on package availability. Telegraph readers will receive a further £10 discount when quoting TELNY8.

Proactol™ (01159 79 8449; www.proactol.com/telegraphreaderoffer.html) is entirely organic, natural and suitable for vegetarians. It is made from dried cactus extract and is free from allergens, artificial colouring, flavours, salt, gluten and preservatives.

It is the market leader in the industry and has been clinically proven to help suppress your appetite and reduce food cravings, reduce your calorie intake and lower blood cholesterol levels. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, it accelerates weight loss.

3. Good online site: Scientific studies indicate that if you have lots of support and a weight-loss buddy, you are more likely to lose weight and keep it off. Internet programmes help you sustain weight loss better than those who met face-to-face in a support group. Look out for website that offers routines and online support.

You can share tips, success stories or lend support to other dieters using the interactive message board. Proactol™ offers free access to weight loss resources.

4. Eat Breakfast: By eating breakfast, you are less likely to snack on sugary and fatty foods later on during the day.

The best thing to do is overcome the reasons you have about not having breakfast and make it part of your day. If you're too busy in the morning, prepare as much as you can the night before. If you can't stomach anything first thing try just a glass of pure, unsweetened fruit juice, a banana, yoghurt or slice of toast.

Up to 33 per cent of adults in the UK miss breakfast every morning, meaning they may miss out on important nutrients. Many breakfast foods contain significant amounts of vitamins C and D, fibre, calcium and iron.

5. Realistic exercise plan: The best way to maintain a healthy weight and take care of your body is to exercise moderately. You definitely need to be realistic in your workout or exercise regime and not be over zealous to begin with. The best way to build fitness into your life is to plan ahead and get a routine going.

It is better to aim for 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. Realistically speaking, any thing that gets you moving about and warms you up will make a difference.

Remember that exercise can help you reduce cravings for sugar, nicotine and other drugs, as well as boost your brain power and immune system.

A top tip is to do exercise with a friend or relative, as you’ll be less likely to talk yourself out of it.