Our bodies are amazingly complex. Evolution has imbibed a sort of self preservation into them. So try to starve it and what happens? The body thinks 'hello, foods a bit short here, lets slow down metabolism a bit to see it through'. After a while you think 'this diet is not working' so start eating more again. Body chips in 'I knew it wouldn't last, speed up again and for good measure, whack a bit of fat storage on the tummy in case they try it again'.

That is just what happens. Dieting leads the body to preserve energy during a diet and store more energy (fat) afterwards. You can't win. Dieting makes you fatter. There is plenty of proof for this phenomenon. Not least the personal experiences of nearly everyone. If diets worked well we would all be stick insects by now, not 'thin people' in pear shaped bodies!

But, I hear you say, everyone says to lose weight you have to diet. No, that is the standard patter given out by the doctors, nutritionalists, health workers and myriad others. All of whom have read the same books no doubt. Their idea is simply this: If you are eating more than you need you will put weight on. So eat less and you will lose weight. Simple.

For them. They've earnt their daily bread, where does that leave you?

Still overweight, feeling hungry, depressed and totally frustrated with not having a sylph-like figure.

Well, enough of this rubbish. Lets try to put things in perspective. And bear with me if you don't agree with every point, it's the overall picture that is important and will give you real results.

First, please don't give yourself false hopes and targets. We are constantly bombarded with images and videos of the movie stars and 'celebs' parading their new thin bodies in front of us. The magazines sell their clothes and cosmetics with the 'body beautiful'. Even the Government constantly pushes how we are all over-eating and will get this disease or that problem if we do not stop it. It all adds up to extra pressure. The average person is nothing like a celebrity. Have you noticed how they all make a fitness or weight loss video? I bet they don't mention how you need the cosmetic surgery as well to get 'the look'!. Have respect for what you are.

We all put some weight on as we get older and that is a fact of life. Accept that at least as a fact of life.

Next point is that whatever weight you are, you can lose some. More easily than you think. Without dieting. How?

You need to change you mind set. Your behavioural patterns. For instance, don't have that pack of crisps or chocolate from the petrol station on the way home. Dont think if the kids leave a bit that you will just finish it off. Don't go along with everyone else in the family - if they all want a chip meal, yoy may not. Stick up for yourself. If you feel like a salad or pasta, have one!

Current thinking is that there is a lot of additives in everyday food that cause a major amount of trouble for people. Additives that can be avoided. Chemicals and toxins from pesticides and fertilizers are a major hurdle to your health. Avoid them wherever possible. These chemicals in our diet make you fat and make you feel bad. Dump them and you will lose weight without trying. Think healthy and natural. My advice is to eat organic wherever possible. The supermarkets are now stocking a much wider range of organic produce than ever before.

Remember my earlier comments about your body altering to cope with low calorie intakes? Well, fool it! Eat your normal food (but organic), reduce quantities a little, balance it up by including some high fiber ingredients. Your body wont even realise you are cutting down.

In addition increase your mental and physical activity. You dont have to go weight lifting. Just walk instead of using the car sometimes. Climb the stairs a few times more. Play a round of golf. Walk the dog. It doesn't have to be a drag. Use you brain, occupy yourself. An active person with many things to do doesn't have time to think about food so much.

In summary.

Don't worry too much about dieting. Weight loss is more a state of mind. Get the right attitude and de-toxify your body by going organic. Natural weight loss will follow. Purge your old lifestyle and bring on the new you.