From the Greggs diet plan to the cabbage soup diet, there’s no shortage of unusual ways to lose weight. However, finding a healthy and sustainable way of shifting the pounds can help you to keep the weight off in the long-term. How to Lose Weight Well star, Dr Helen Laval, has plenty of expertise in this area, what with her work with the NHS and at the OneWellness health centre in Harrogate, Yorkshire. So, what did she say was the most effective way to lose weight, during an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.
While it is different for everyone, Dr Helen advised that there are a number of steps that slimmers should follow.
“The first thing is to know what your goals are,” she said. “I think it’s important to have goals which aren’t just about looking different.
“It’s important to think about health, so to lose weight to be healthier, to have more energy.”
Dr Helen went on to discuss the motivations behind weight loss, explaining she often spoke to patients who wanted to shift the pounds in order to be able to enjoy more activities with their children.
“I think it’s really important to think about why you’re doing this, and what’s motivating you to do this.
“‘Am I doing this for myself, for my family?’ I think tapping into those things can be really helpful.”
According to Dr Helen, other things to focus on for your weight loss journey are ensuring you have a plan, as well as getting the right support.
She told Express.co.uk: “Having that support and accountability is essential and that’s why certain weight loss approaches which involve groups and group weigh-ins are often very helpful.
“It’s because you have the accountability of seeing people every week and knowing that you’re going to be asked about your weight.”
But that’s not all, as Dr Helen recommends having a holistic approach to weight loss.
The medical expert said: “It isn’t just about food and what you’re eating, it’s about lifestyle, addressing stress and sleep deprivation – because these are often the things that drive us towards certain eating behaviours.”
Last week, viewers saw the How to Lose Weight Well team take a look at various ways in which they could shift the pounds.
As part of the programme, one participant tried out the very unusual potato diet.
This involved eating nothing but potatoes throughout the week.
The strict rules state that a person must consume two to five pounds of potatoes on a daily basis, and flavour them only with herbs, spices, and only one tablespoon of oil.
But, this is not recommended as a long-term diet plan, with Caroline, who tried out the diet plan, branding it “boring”.
How to Lose Weight Well continues tonight on Channel 4 at 8pm.