Losing weight permanently can be very difficult.  In fact most people who do manage to lose weight find that in less than a year they have regained all the weight they have lost and maybe a few more pounds as well.  This is because most diets are only focussed on the short term goal of weight loss and once that is achieved there is no plan in place to make sure that the weight stays off.

  To lose weight permanently it is not enough to simply go on a diet for a few months.  Long term changes need to be made to our eating habits, our relationship with food and our daily lifestyle.  This may sound quite daunting but it can be easily achieved by simply making a few small changes to our daily habits.

  By having a healthy balanced diet and by making some changes to the foods we eat and the way we eat them it is possible to lose weight without too much effort.  If you concentrate on having a healthy diet weight loss will naturally follow as you will be eating far less unhealthy and fattening foods.  A healthy diet should contain lots of fruits and vegetables as they are a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre as well as being low in calories.  It should also be rich in wholegrain foods such as brown bread, cereals, pasta and rice.  Wholegrain foods are better for you than their white equivalents as they contain more fibre, release their energy into the bloodstream at a slower rate and keep you feeling fuller for longer.  Having low fat dairy products and a regular source of lean protein is also essential.

  Try using some of these tips to cut down on the amount of calories you eat each day and prevent overeating.  Always eat your food at the table and never in front of the television or standing up.  Make mealtimes a special occasion and take the time to really enjoy your food.  It is too easy to sit in front of the TV and mindlessly fill your face with food.  When you are eating out at restaurants be aware that the portion sizes are likely to be much bigger and the ingredients much richer than the food you eat at home.  Don't be afraid to ask for a doggy bag if you find a huge plate of food in front of you.  Finally drink at least 8 glasses of water each day.  We often mistake thirst for hunger so the next time you get a hunger pang try having a glass of water, also replacing fizzy drinks and sodas with water is an easy way to save hundreds of calories each day.

  To lose weight permanently it is necessary to have a healthy relationship with food.  Comfort eating and emotional eating are problems for millions of people and losing weight will be hard unless the underlying reasons for them can be brought under control.  Dealing with emotional can be difficult as it can be an ingrained habit that is very hard to break.  Help is available from a number of sources such as food therapists and hypnotherapists.

  It is possible to lose weight without exercising but it will be harder and take longer.  Exercise helps to burn off excess calories and build muscle tissue in the body.  Muscle tissue is important because it burns calories at a rate that is 10 times higher than that of fat tissue.  The more active you are the better and if going to the gym is not for you there are lots of other ways to increase your level of daily activity.  Using the car less often or taking the stairs instead of the lift at work are two good places to start.

  The final thing we need to control to lose weight is our levels of stress.  The frantic pace of modern life can leave us permanently on edge with worries about jobs, money, children etc fraying our nerves.  High stress levels cause the body to release a chemical called cortisol which has been closely linked to abdominal weight gain.  It is important then to take the time to relax and to make sure that you are getting enough sleep each night as lack of sleep has also been linked to weight gain.

  So to lose weight permanently you need: a healthy diet, good eating habits, a good relationship with food, regular exercise and be able to control your stress levels.