Three weeks into the New Year and I’m sure there’s a few of you who like me are trying to shed the few pounds we put on over the festive period.

I’ve never been a fan of fad, lose weight quickly diets, as once you’ve reached your ideal weight and stop dieting, the weight quite often piles back on, plus sometimes more. I’m more of an advocate of changing your life style and remaining healthy.

We are bombarded with adverts, especially at this time of year, by companies promising an easy way to achieve your goals. However a change of lifestyle requires determination, organisation and time, and there is not one size fits all, so it can be a bit of trial and error.

I have friends and family who have lost weight using various of the following. Some have put the weight back on, some have maintained the loss & managed the ups and downs of times like Christmas.

• Weight Watchers – Seems to be a points based diet. All foods and drink have allocated points and depending on the amount of weight you want to lose, your “consultant” advises you how many points you are permitted on a daily basis. There are lots of ready meals available that have the points pre calculated for you. You also have the benefit of weekly weigh ins to terrify you into sticking to the diet!
• Cambridge Plan – You are allocated maximum calorie intake per meal and encouraged to purchase their ready made meal replacements and smoothies. Yummy!
• Slimming world – Seems to be about a portion control and reduction of fat plan. It does encourage home preparation and cooking. Lots of family friendly recipes are available and like Weight Watchers weekly meetings and weigh ins to keep you on track.
• Low carb – As I described in my blog of 15th September, this is my preferred plan. Over approximately a year I lost almost two stone in weight. But more importantly I have more energy and feel less bloated (apart from over Christmas!). I have found it easy to maintain as I no longer crave carbs such as bread, potatoes, rice and pasta.
• Vegetarianism – Quite often a moral choice of diet. It is becoming more popular and most restaurants now offer flavoursome vegetarian options, other than the old favourite of nut roast. It can be difficult ensuring you maintain your protein intake.
• Veganism – This is very much the latest trend and I have seen advertisements for veganary (trying a vegan diet for January). Being even stricter than the vegetarian diet, with no eggs, milk, cheese or any products derived from animals.

I couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to maintain a vegan diet until I holidayed with my niece last year. She became vegan earlier in the year and finds it incredibly hard to find reasonably priced vegan products and eat out. She practically lived on chips when we ate out.   She has taken it upon herself to try to help other vegans by writing her own blog www.livetheveganlife.co.uk offering recipes, advice, links to products she has found online & recommendations of restaurants she has tried.

I have been back in my low carb regime since New Year and I have lost the Christmas bloatedness so feel better in myself, with more energy & less weary.

Life however is all about balance. If you want to lose a bit of weight try one of the diets, but don’t beat yourself up if you fall off track once in a while. Day to day enjoy what you eat, not necessarily eat what you enjoy, because eating what you enjoy probably means the naughty things that should maybe kept for special occasions.

But we are only here for a relatively short time so whatever you do, love yourself, love your food and love your life.