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Click
here
for Georgina's latest news on her battle against weight!
If you dread stepping onto the bathroom scales for fear of what
they'll tell you, you're not alone.
The
statistics don't make good reading - a third of the middle aged
UK population is overweight
and hospitals are seeing more people with age onset diabetes, which
is primarily linked to having excess fat.
| "I've
been overweight for over four years - and for four years I've
made the New Year's Resolution that it's time to lose weight.
This year I want to succeed - so I've been on the search for
how to make it work - I've failed so many times before." |
| Georgina
Windsor |
Georgina
decided to film her quest for Southern Ways, which forms part of
BBC South's nightly programme, South Today.
If you missed her reports, you can view them here on the BBC Southampton
website using the links to the left of this page.
Talking
to the experts, she discovered that quick fix diets usually fail
- the weight often piles back on as soon as normal eating is resumed.
The lasting solution is painfully simple... cut down on sugar and
fat and eat plenty of fruit and veg.
To
find out about the health issues, Georgina went to Southampton General
Hospital, where The Welcome
Trust Clinical Research Facility is researching the link
between weight and diabetes.
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| The
Bod Pod |
Dr
Helen Holt weighed Georgina, then put her in a special machine called
the Bod Pod, which measured the amount of fat in her body.
The verdict... because of her weight, Georgina is at increased risk
of some diseases, including diabetes.
Next, Nutritional Therapist Emma Wells gave Georgina the facts of
food. Basically you need a bit of everything, because that's how
your body gets the nutrients it needs to function properly. Wholegrains
are good, like brown rice.
And the best thing is... it's ok to snack! As long as they're healthy
snacks. It's actually good to eat small meals and often.
For more information on healthy eating, download our factsheet
| "I'll
give myself some non-food treats every time I reach a milestone,
like losing half a stone. The first one is having a manicure!" |
| Georgina
Windsor |
Healthy
eating is one thing but what about the power of the mind?
Georgina went to see a Neuro Linguistic Practioner, Vanessa Turner.
According to Vanessa, it's all about visualisation. Her studies
have shown that it's better to think positive. Tell yourself "I
want to be slimmer", rather than "I don't want to be fat".
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| Vanessa
Turner told Georgina about the power of the mind |
If
you repeat these things to yourself they will form a habit in your
mind within 21 days, says Vanessa, and the more times you say them,
the more you will start to believe them.
You can find out more about Neuro Linguistics at Vanessa's
website
Of
course exercise plays a role as well. (Didn't you just know this
was coming?!)
Expecting to be hurled into a grueling regime of sit-ups, rowing
and jogging, Georgina sought the advice of personal trainer, Anthony
Brown.
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| There's
no easy way! |
Anthony
didn't disappoint. Within half an hour Georgina was working up a
sweat on the treadmills and even dropping for some press-ups. As
Anthony said: "Nobody else can do it for you and no money can
buy what you have to do for yourself."
In the end, Georgina received some simple advice which was much
less daunting than the gym... get out and walk. As simple as that.
Find a short route, time yourself walking it and then try to beat
that time. After a while, increase the route.
Remember, you should consult your GP before embarking on any fitness
programme.
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| Shelly
before her diet |
Shelly
Rivers lost nine stone and now feels healthy and energetic. Georgina
went to meet her, for inspiration.
Shelly had two young children and was very overweight. She joined
a slimming club and lost the weight in two years.
Shelly's advice? "If you could feel how I feel now, you'd lose
weight. I feel energetic, healthy and back to my old self."
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| Shelly
nine stone lighter |
"I
was getting very miserable and becoming bitter. But the only person
that can do this is you - it has to come from you."
Shelly cut out high fat and high sugar foods and took regular exercise.
She now works for the slimming club!
Taking all this advice on board, Georgina has cut down on animal
fat and reduced the amount of sugar she eats by half.
| "It
was very hard to hear that by carrying around three stone excess
weight I was increasing my risk of developing age onset diabetes
in the future by 50 times" |
| Georgina
Windsor |
She's
reduced her alcohol intake and is eating five fruit and veg portions
per day.
She's walking a mile several times a week and timing herself. Over
time she aims to increase the walk to three miles.
Also, she's using positive affirmations 10 times a day. "I
want to be slimmer, healthier and fitter."
You can follow Georgina's progress here on the BBC Southampton website,
and by watching Southern Ways, during South Today.
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