Most of us are in the process of reigning in our diet following the excesses of Christmas. While it’s not something that can be achieved overnight, scientists have uncovered a novel way to speed up your weight loss.
Apparently, setting yourself a lofty goal makes you more likely to achieve it.
A 12-month study of 24,000 dieters showed that those who set themselves the toughest ‘dream weight’ before embarking on a healthy eating and exercise plan lost double the amount of those who set a more realistic target for themselves.
All the participants in the study, carried out by a team at the University of Nottingham for Slimming World, were obese at the beginning. Those who set the bar high in terms of their weight loss goals lost an average of three stones – approximately 19 per cent of their body weight.
Meanwhile, slimmers who set the bar low had lost far less at the end of the year.
“January is the most popular time of the year to start a healthy weight loss programme and so it’s really important that people have the information they need to maximise their chances of success,” said study author Amanda Avery, Nottingham University Academic and Consultant Dietitian for Slimming World.
“We know that current NHS and NICE advice around realistic weight loss targets is designed to protect slimmers from disappointment.
“However, suggesting that people place limits on their weight loss aims could stop people from seeing what they’re capable of. It’s important that people have aspirations and can visualise themselves achieving success.
“This research shows that, when it comes to losing weight, it’s best to inspire people to set the weight loss target they would personally really like to achieve. This will help with their motivation as, if it is really their dream weight, they’ll be far more committed to achieving it”.
We’re off to pop a photo of Giselle on the fridge.
