Fad Diets Don't Work. Losing Weight Takes Time and Effort.

The food industry fuels our obsession with diets as do the large 'diet' companies such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, LitenEasy. There are literally millions of books about dieting and weight loss, as well as recipe books for losing weight or eating healthy. The industry is huge with many people spending big on trying to lose weight only to end up putting the weight (or more) back on once they stop paying for the particular regime they have chosen. Also, many people are just apathetic about how to start on a healthy diet regime.

Diet fads are another major problem for people who are serious about having a healthy lifestyle. Every decade seems to have its signature diet such as; The Atkins Diet, The Pritikin Diet, The Scarsdale Diet, The Hollywood Diet and so many more. With these diets you will lose weight initially but as these regimes are so hard to stick to there may be no long term benefits.

It is one of the major issues with any of the diet regimes offered by the weight loss industry that once you stop paying for their services you may lose the motivation to keep going and, if you managed to lose some weight quickly, there is a tendency to put it back on. Some of the weight you lose initially when you join up just is fluid, so unless you keep going for quite some time (at quite some expense), long term weight loss just doesn't happen. These diet regimes are set up so that you keep coming back each time you put the weight back on, therefore spending more money.

Somehow the 'eating the right food' message just isn't reaching some people, teenage girls in particular, will happily scoff down McDonalds or KFC, then just as happily throw it up. Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa are two conditions which may manifest in teenagers, especially girls obsessed with their bodies, although these conditions affect a growing number of teenage boys as well. However, eating disorders are a whole other story.

Getting back to the diet gurus and books, "The Clothesline Diet" by Karen Gatt seems to have some great tips about how to lose weight and actually keep it off (without going to too much expense). It comes down to balance.

Losing weight is not just about food, it is a combination of food, lifestyle, exercise and general well being. Oh, and quite a lot about self esteem, something that some teenagers either have way tooooo much of, or none at all. Self esteem is an issue with fat people who may use their lack of it to eat even more, also known as 'comfort eating'.

Self esteem is a big issue when you are overweight and it is one of the hurdles to overcome if you are going to be successful in keeping weight off. Understanding how to keep a balance between the calories you consume, the amount of exercise you do and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general goes a long way in weight management. Confidence and self esteem tend to increase with exercise as endorphins are released during exercise activities.

Here's some tips on how to start a healthy lifestyle -

• Make a plan and set aside time every day to exercise.
• If possible exercise with a friend, or if affordable, hire a personal trainer.
• Start with an easy exercise routine and increase slowly.
• Walk at least 20 minutes per day. Increase once you feel stronger.
• Join a gym only once you feel comfortable you will attend regularly.
• Yoga is a good exercise for body and soul without putting too much strain on muscles.
• Eat fruit or raw vegetables as a snack.
• Prepare meals yourself, have the family join in with healthy suggestions.
• Limit fast food to an occasional treat.
• Limit coffee and other caffeine drinks.
• Cut out soft drinks from your diet.
• Keep a food diary.
• If you're not comfortable exercising by yourself join a walking or exercise club.
• Think positive, you will succeed.

Be patient, it has taken years to put on the weight, it may takes longer to take it off. Be nice to yourself and if you don't feel like doing the whole routine one day, don't beat yourself up, tomorrow is another day. Remember to plan for the long term and change your lifestyle for the better at your pace.

"Kath and Kim" star, actress and comedian, Magda Szubanski, is a household name in Australia and a well-loved personality. Her many other achievements have been in theatre and movies including the family movies "Babe" and "Babe - Pig in the City".

In 2009 Ms Szubanski's well known weight problem was going to be addressed by Jenny Craig when she was contracted to be the face of the weight loss company. She succeeded in shedding 25kg and reaching the goal of a size 14 dress size and with this became the organisations's highest-profile client.

Fast forward to 2011 and the contract ends. The contract has now been passed onto another comedian, Rebel Wilson, a younger version of Magda. It remains to be seen what will happen to Rebel but Magda has begun putting on weight again after parting ways with Jenny Craig.

Weight loss companies can start you on a good weight program but it is up to the individual to keep things going once the program is completed. If high-profile clients can fall off the wagon it stands to reason that anyone will without the right motivation to keep the weight off.

The key to long term weight loss is finding the right diet regime for your body. How many stories have we heard of people 'yo-yoing' between fat and thin because of all the different diets they have tried to stick with? Most diets are difficult to keep up because the choice of foods is limited, they only offer short term solutions and really don't fit into a person's lifestyle.

Karen Gatt has written a book "The Clothesline Diet" about her struggle with weight. She took the sensible approach of starting slowly and gradually, as her body was able to handle more, she increased her activities. This book is about changing your lifestyle completely, halting negative thoughts and improving your self esteem. There are no 'overnight fixes' and this book does show some realistic results as long as you have the patience and determination.