The Best Kept Diet Secrets
There are a number of well-proven, medically endorsed techniques, that can dramatically help someone to lose weight. But why are they not that well publicised? The reason is simple: it’s because there’s no money in it. They are the best kept diet secrets! It is a sad, but true statement, that the vast majority of the diet and weight-loss industry thrives globally by making a huge profit. Cash is the Driver. In fact, the industry has a reported value of around a staggering $270 billion dollars! So, what is the real secret to losing weight?
Best Kept Diet Secrets – it’s all about the Money!
The weight loss market comprises many components, including the extensive meal replacement market, bars, shakes and drinks. Hospitals provide an ever-growing assortment of weight-loss surgical interventions, along with the vast number of slimming clubs. As an example, in 2019, Weight Watchers alone made a massive gross profit of $786 million.
0ver two billion adults overweight
The World Health Organisation states that over two billion people are now registered overweight, with 650 million of them being obese. So basically we are spending over $270 billion, and the numbers just continue to increase, it’s all going backwards. So, what are the real secrets to losing weight, which no-one talks about? We have worked with clients like Sarah Hart, below, who lost 140 pounds. But many will never share the diet secrets…
Diet Secrets
So, let us share with you the first of a few of the little gems that are often kept hidden away from the dieter. Firstly let us confirm that with over 15,000 clinical hours working with overweight clients, we feel qualified to be writing this post. So, would you be surprised to know that the number one attribute of a successful dieter was simply to keep a food diary? Not go to a gym, nor follow a calorie deprivation diet, or attend weekly meetings in the local church hall.
Diet Secrets – The Food Diary/Journal
Harvard Health reported on a study of 1,700 people trying to lose weight. As a result, it confirmed that those who kept a food diary achieved double the weight loss of those who didn’t. Countless research studies at universities around the world have indicated similar results. We also asked a doctor what advice he would give to his daughter, or wife, if they wanted to lose weight. And, without prompting, he confirmed the same. Best Diet Secrets.
So what Are The Real Secrets to Losing Weight?
So, how can just keeping a food diary have such an effect? The answer needs a little explanation, but it is scientifically proven. The rules about keeping a food diary take some getting used to. Firstly, you must write down in your diary, (we are talking a paper diary, not an online version), everything that is about to go in your mouth, ahead of you eating it, never afterwards. So, if you are sitting at a bar and your fancy a few nuts, that’s completely fine. But first get out your little diary and write down ‘six peanuts’, then eat them.
Diet Secrets
In the restaurant, eat whatever you want, but as soon as you have ordered, record it before you start to eat. If, half-way through your meal, you decide to eat half a bread roll, fine. Just place your knife and fork on the table, and list the bread roll. If you decide to have a little taste of your partner’s meal, then log it. This will take some effort, but the outcome may just surprise you. You might also like to read our post: Best Diet Tips.
Make the List Bedtime Reading….
The only other rule is that every evening before you go to bed, or in the morning when you wake that you review yesterday’s list. If you want to take it to the next level, consider incorporating details of where you are eating. Also include with whom you are eating, and why… Just ask yourself: are you really hungry, or are you bored, stressed, lonely, or just a little depressed maybe…?
Diet Secrets – So Why and How Can This Work?
Psychologists know exactly why and how this works, but are continually baffled as to why more people interested in losing weight don’t use it. The main reason it works is down to a phenomenon called ‘delayed gratification’. Its opposite, of course, is ‘instant gratification’. Many studies have shown that individuals who incorporate an elevated level of delayed gratification in their lives are always high achievers, high earners, happy and healthy.
Using a Food Diary makes you delay….
If you are reading this thinking, no way…think again! Better still, commit to it for 30 days. Weigh yourself when you get up tomorrow morning and then start. Do it to the letter: write down everything that goes in your mouth, other than black coffee, water and herbal tea. List everything, every peanut, olive and breadcrumb. And importantly, it is vital that you list the items ahead of them going in your mouth. Your Diet Secrets.
So What Will Happen?
A number of things will happen. Firstly, by stopping for a few minutes, and delaying the eating experience, you will, without knowing it start to reduce the amount of completely mindless food you eat. Ask yourself just why you are reaching for food. For example, are you bored, lonely, sad, or simply eating to fit in with someone else? It will immediately make you more aware of the triggers that cause you to eat. We also have a post about how Drinking Water Will Help.
Diet Secrets
Our clients who took on the challenge of keeping a food diary reported that just the fact of having to physically get their diary out, sometimes in front of friends, or even worse in front of strangers, made them rethink if it was actually worth the effort. Some reported that when they reviewed the previous day’s list, they were horrified. Alison, photo below, lost 70 pounds with our treatment. Also on the website we have details of different weight-loss programmes.
Religiously keeping a food diary will prove to be an eye-opener. You will quickly identify triggers, the danger times and places, and possibly people too. You will find yourself questioning if you really are physically hungry. Finally, you may well find it such a chore that you decide not to have whatever the snack was. If you’d like to find out more about delayed gratification you should Google the term, because you’ll find thousands of links to research studies. Please check out our FAQ section.
In conclusion, the best-kept diet secrets are not hidden in the aisles of expensive meal replacement products, the doors of exclusive slimming clubs, or the operating rooms of weight-loss surgeries. Instead, the most potent weapon in your weight-loss journey is something that requires no significant financial investment – a simple food diary. It’s a concept so straightforward that many overlook its potential.
Despite a $270 billion industry thriving on weight loss, the key to success doesn’t come with a price tag. Research has repeatedly shown that those who diligently maintain a food diary achieve double the weight loss of those who don’t. The magic lies in the practice of delayed gratification, a skill associated with high achievers, happiness, and health.
By conscientiously recording everything you eat and analysing your motivations, you’ll uncover your triggers, danger zones, and potentially even emotional eating patterns. The simple act of having to write down each morsel of food before consuming it can make you question whether it’s worth it, leading to more mindful eating choices.
So, the next time you contemplate embarking on a weight-loss journey, don’t be swayed by the glitter of the diet industry. Start with a humble food diary, and you may find it to be the best-kept secret to a healthier, happier you. It’s a cost-effective and proven method that can genuinely transform your life.
Best Kept Diet Secrets Part 2: The Power of Sleep
Several articles have been published regarding research undertaken by universities into the effect that sleep has on obesity, and losing weight. The news was mixed, basically saying that if you slept for between 7 and 7 ½ hours a night, you could potentially save yourself from consuming 270 fewer calories than if you only manage 6 hours sleep per night. The not so good news was that if you sleep for more than 8 ½ hours a night, the opposite effect happens, and it has a negative impact on your metabolism.
Nothing New about Sleep
It’s far from a new revelation, however: we have been aware for a number of years that sleep plays a role in obesity. A study funded by Diabetes UK and UK National Institute of Health Research concluded that losing out on just 30 minutes of sleep per night can cause people to experience weight gain. Additionally, a more shocking, and unexpected consequence, was the potential metabolic changes caused, such as insulin resistance. An important factor for overweight individuals.
It is Scientifically Proven
There are so many proven reasons why sleep is so important for anyone who is serious about losing weight. Most dieters know of the critical part played in weight loss by the hormones, leptin, ghrelin and cortisol. But the effect of too much, or too little, sleep on those hormones can be a big problem for dieters.
Achieving quality sleep can be difficult, but it is crucial for weight loss. Getting enough quality sleep controls how you manage your feelings of stress and improving your cognitive function. When you don’t get enough sleep, your cortisol levels rise – elevated cortisol levels leads to an increase in appetite and inflammation. Another of our seven secrets of permanent weight loss…
Willpower is Replenished during Sleep
Some research has indicated that willpower is like a hormone, and its reserves evaporate as the hours progress. And only sleep can replenish it. This is maybe backed up by research which shows that people trying to stop smoking, or to lose weight, as an example, normally cave in during the evening, around 8.00pm. This is when they have expended their level of the willpower hormone. No one throws in the towel around stopping smoking at nine in the morning, and few dieters blow it at breakfast! Tiredness causes people to crave and consume more predominantly energy-dense, high-carbohydrate snacks. All carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream, raising your blood sugar.
It is believed that many of the normal lifestyle habits experienced by overweight individuals play a negative part in their sleep patterns. As an example they are often guilty of eating at irregular timings, they have excessive levels of caffeine intake, and their alcohol consumption is late at night.
A few tips for you…
Alcohol can disrupt your quality of sleep in many ways. Excessive alcohol results in you failing to achieve sufficient levels of REM sleep, which is vital for restoring bodily functions. This is why you can go to bed after a heavy drinking session, wake in the morning, after maybe 10 hours sleep, and feel just as tired as when you went to bed! Alcohol and a perfect night’s sleep do not mix at any level.
Best Kept Diet Secrets
Additionally, watching Netflix into the early hours doesn’t really help your sleeping habits. Late night viewing can awaken and sharpen your senses, rather than slow them down. So, instead of binge-watching until the early hours, try treating yourself to a soak in the bath with some scented candles. This will better prepare your mind and body for a good night’s sleep.
Stay Away from Late Night Snacking
Stop snacking in the evenings, especially if you are trying to lose weight. Try to resist eating anything after 8.00pm until your breakfast. This unintentional ‘fast’ of around twelve hours will deliver two benefits. Firstly, it will aid your weight loss directly, because in the fasted state your body will burn off more fat for energy. And secondly, it ensures that you achieve a much more restful and beneficial level of sleep.
Your Bedroom should be a sanctuary, your special place reserved exclusively for sleep, sex, rest and relaxation. Also, when the lighting level is low the Pineal gland will detect this and release melatonin, which makes you sleepy. And don’t forget to make sure the bedroom is at a comfortable, cool temperature.
Stick to a Regular Sleep Pattern
Always strive to establish a regular sleep pattern, going to bed at a set time each evening. You should strive to get close as close as possible to the recommended eight hours sleep per night. Research has shown that the best quality sleep takes place between 10.00pm and 4.00am, which is also in line with the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Best Kept Diet Secrets Part 3: De-Stress to Weigh Less
Another significant best kept diet secret is to lose the stress to help you lose the weight! Scientific research has shown that stress not only slows down weight loss, but can actually cause weight gain! It’s not surprising then, that so many people came through the Covid pandemic sporting a few extra pounds around their waistline!
Not all Stress is Bad
People often think of stress with negative connotations, but in reality, not all stress is bad. In fact, short bursts of stress are a perfectly normal, healthy, vital part of the way we function as human beings. Stress is our natural survival mechanism, and if it didn’t exist, we would probably have become extinct a long time ago.
When we’re stressed, the adrenal glands produce adrenaline and cortisol. Also, glucose enters into our bloodstream, to give us extra energy. This is the fight or flight response. It’s an inbuilt, physical response that causes certain physiological changes in our body, such as speeding up our pulse rate and breathing, directing more oxygen to the brain, and tensing our muscles. This all means that we are more aware, and able to react quickly in difficult, or dangerous situations.
Prolonged Stress Causes Weight Gain
In the 1990s, researchers from Yale University psychology department discovered that the “stress hormone” cortisol, triggers excessive abdominal fat deposits in the body. These findings showed, for the first time, that the secretion of cortisol was associated with both chronic stress, and an increase of abdominal “belly fat.” This abdominal, or visceral fat, is often referred to as toxic fat. This is because it surrounds the vital organs and increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Cortisol and Weight Gain
Cortisol also causes you to crave highly palatable foods that have an addictive combination of sugar, fat and salt. Eating these foods stimulates the brain to release the feel-good hormone, dopamine. This temporarily reduces tension, and counteracts the negative feelings associated with stress.
So, unfortunately, excess cortisol actually has a double whammy effect on your body! Firstly, by causing you to crave highly processed junk food. And secondly, by making it easier for the body to create extra fat in the abdominal area. And, just to add to this vicious cycle, a recent study found that our metabolism slows down when we are under stress! Over a period of 24 hours, women participants, who were experiencing one or more stressors, burned around 100 fewer calories than those who were not experiencing any stress.
Lose the Stress to Lose the Weight!
A group of obese adults took part in an 8-week long study to determine whether managing stress levels helps to improve weight loss. The results showed that the participants in the intervention group, who had attended a stress management programme that included breathing techniques, progressive relaxation and guided visualisation, achieved a significantly larger reduction in their BMI compared to the control group. The intervention group also had better depression and anxiety scores afterwards.
Lower Stress Leads to Lower Weight
The clinical evidence is clear: chronic stress definitely leads to weight gain, and increased belly fat. It also makes it harder for overweight people to reduce their weight and fat stores. Hypnosis and meditation are widely accepted as a beneficial way to alleviate stress. So, if you manage your stress levels, and use techniques to reduce your stress as much as you possibly can, it will definitely help you to progress along your weight-loss journey more easily.
Best Kept Diet Secrets
We have also found similar results from our own clients’ experiences, with regard to stress and their weight. When people are in the right frame of mind, their weight loss always seems to happen easily, but during particularly stressful times they often struggle to either keep losing, or maintaining their weight. Then, as soon as the stressful period has passed, the weight loss returns.
Best Kept Diet Secrets Part 4: “The French Paradox”
Skinny French Women and the Skinny Switch. Most of us that have an interest at some level about dieting or losing weight, will be aware of the mystique around just how, or why, French Woman seldom get fat. It is common knowledge that French Women love to eat bread, cheese and pastry. Most of them apparently love red wine, and visit restaurants, for lunch, or dinner, enjoying a three course meal. But somehow, they just don’t get ‘fat’.
The Lucky French
So how is it possible, and why can we all not be like that? In her book on the subject, author Mireille Guiliano unlocked the simple secrets of this “French Paradox”, explaining exactly how they enjoy food, whilst seeming to never put on any weight. Because of our work around obesity, and treating overweight clients, the French Paradox has been of particular interest to us for some time.
Only at the Table
Only at the table is their mantra apparently. The French do not react or become involved with anything to do with the word ‘SNACK!’ They can be observed eating multiple meals each day, spending hours in a restaurant, they like to spend time over their meals. It is said that each eating event is deemed to be something special, something to be slowly consumed. They adore sharing good quality, unprocessed food with friends, and a glass of fine wine adds to the occasion. However offer then a snack in between times and they just say: Non!
Enjoy your meal, not the Snack…
If you would like to lose weight permanently whilst enjoying an incredible social life then simply start to live a little more like the French. Just chill, really enjoy every eating occasion, along with the company of family and friends. Savour every mouthful, take your time. The outcome will be that you will eat far less, be more satisfied and have an increased level of self confidence.
ANSWER: These diet secrets are not well publicised because the weight-loss industry primarily thrives on making a profit, and simple, cost-effective methods like keeping a food diary do not generate substantial revenue.
ANSWER: Keeping a food diary helps with weight loss by making you more aware of what you eat and why. It encourages mindful eating, identifies triggers for overeating, and promotes delayed gratification, which can lead to better food choices.
ANSWER: Delayed gratification is essential in weight loss as it helps individuals make more conscious decisions about their food choices. It prevents impulsive eating and leads to better control over hunger and appetite.
ANSWER: Yes, there are rules for keeping a food diary. You should record everything you plan to eat before consuming it, including details like where and with whom you’re eating. Review the diary at the end of the day to analyse your eating patterns and triggers.
ANSWER: Sleep plays a crucial role in weight loss. Getting sufficient quality sleep helps regulate stress hormones, manage stress, reduce inflammation, and control appetite. Lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and poor metabolic function.
ANSWER: Yes, prolonged stress can lead to weight gain. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can increase abdominal fat and cause cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods.
ANSWER: French women maintain their slim figures by focusing on eating quality meals at designated times, avoiding snacking, limiting processed foods, and savouring their food. They prioritise mindful and leisurely dining over frequent snacking.
ANSWER: Yes, it is possible to adopt some aspects of the French approach to eating, such as enjoying food mindfully, prioritising quality over quantity, and avoiding excessive snacking and highly-processed foods, to achieve a healthier relationship with food and potentially manage weight more effectively.
Tired of Failed Diets? Discover a Proven Weight-Loss Solution!
Are you tired of trying countless diets that never seem to work? Frustrated with the constant cycle of losing and regaining weight? What if a medically endorsed solution was rooted in thousands of hours of clinical experience? One that didn’t involve restrictive diets, excessive exercise, or invasive surgeries? Sarah Hart, below, featured on UK television, lost an incredible 140 pounds.
A Psychological Approach to Sustainable Weight Loss
Consider a new psychological approach to weight loss, where you effortlessly learn to eat when you’re genuinely hungry rather than relying on emotions like tiredness, sadness, loneliness, stress or depression to dictate your eating habits. You can complete the whole My Weigh Less Master Class from the comfort of your own home. The course includes a PDF forensic questionnaire, 12 audio MP3 sessions, 9 different hypnosis sessions and much more. For more information, you can read our Course Details page.
Imagining a Healthier You
Picture yourself as a healthier, slimmer version of yourself, free from dieting fears and able to enjoy social events with boundless energy and boosted self-esteem. Meet the experts behind the success: Martin and Marion Shirran are clinical therapists with nearly two decades of experience in the weight-loss field. They are the creators of the globally acclaimed Gastric Mind Band Permanent Weight-Loss Treatment. Sharon below lost 60 pounds on the programme.
Celebrated in the Media and Beyond
Their ground-breaking work has been featured in prominent newspapers such as the Daily Mail, The Times, The Telegraph, and the Express. Leading magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, and Reader’s Digest have also recognised their contributions. The Shirrans and several of their clients have also made television appearances on both sides of the Atlantic.
A Diverse Clientele Achieving Success
Over a thousand individuals, including medical professionals, celebrities, and the general public, have travelled from around the world to experience their weight-loss treatment. Some sought to enhance their appearance, while others prioritised their health, successfully reversing medical conditions like insulin resistance, diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease.
A Continuously Evolving Approach
The My Weigh Less programme has undergone over fifteen years of research and development. Clients of various ages, from fourteen to eighty-six, have achieved remarkable results. Check out the many verified weight-loss success stories and before-and-after photos on this website.
Accessible and Effective
So are you ready to embark on your weight-loss journey? Martin and Marion Shirran, in the photo above, along with Oxford Therapeutics Ltd, have made their unique approach more accessible than ever. You can download their ‘My Weigh Less Master Class’ to your phone, tablet, or desktop computer today. You can complete the entire twelve-session course from the comfort of your own home.
Be the next My Weigh Less success story
Experience the ‘My Weigh Less’ downloadable treatment, a medically endorsed, proven weight-loss approach backed by over 15,000 hours of clinical treatment. Say goodbye to dieting struggles and hello to permanent results.
Ready to Transform Your Life?
Begin your weight-loss journey today. Discover how a psychology-focused weight-loss method that works will ensure you finally reach your goals. Visit the ‘Buy Now’ page to start your transformation.
–Permanent Weight Loss –
– No Diet or Exercise Required –
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Marion Shirran, as a director of Oxford Therapeutics Limited, is proud to be a registered Stakeholder in NICE – National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Additionally, she is involved in the government’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity.
We were proud to be nominated the ‘Most Innovative Obesity Psychological Therapy Service’ in the UK Mental Health Awards 2022.
We also appeared on the This Morning TV show, with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
In 2010 we travelled to New York to be interviewed on the Good Morning America TV Show.
We are also co-authors of two bestselling books on the topic of non-surgical weight loss, published by Hay House.
You can read a full breakdown of all the components included in the treatment package on the Course Details page. There is also an explanation of the treatment on the Does This Work? page. We look forward to working with you. Additionally, you can read reviews from medical and other professionals on the Medical Endorsement page.
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Click on the link below to listen to our short audio introduction of the weight-loss course.
You can download the complete My Weigh Less course, and start your weight-loss journey today.
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You can read additional information about us and our weight-loss treatment on the Gastric Mind Band website.
Although the weight-loss results and success stories shown on the site are typical, individual results will vary, and are not guaranteed. Weight-loss success depends on each individual’s level of motivation, commitment, food intake and metabolism. Read our full disclaimer in the Terms & Conditions.
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