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Our online weight loss service - top 5 questions

How does it work?

The services uses the tried and tested food diary approach recommended by dietitians and doctors. A food diary works by focusing you on exactly what you are eating and how much. It will show you where you are going wrong and the level of change you need to make to your diet in order to lose the weight. Sometimes this may only be a few small changes like switching the highest calorie and fat foods in your diet for something healthier.

Do you give me a special diet plan that I have to follow?

No - the food diary system is not about telling you what you should eat or setting a particular eating plan. For you to be able to stick with your new eating regime long term (and ultimately make a lifestyle change), you have to be in control of what you eat and start to make healthier choices yourself. This approach works because knowledge is power! You will be set daily calorie targets dependant on your weight loss goal and activity level, and then you start to record everything you eat and drink in your private food diary. You can choose what you eat - nothing is banned - however once you see how much of your daily target certain foods use up, it makes sense to make some smart changes and choose healthier alternatives. Think of your calories like money ad spend them wisely!

Once you have an understanding of the energy and fat contribution that certain foods make to your diet and you are managing your total calorie intake, you can then start to improve the quality of what you are eating. In fact you'll probably find that this is happening naturally. Fresh, organic produce, no added salt, reduced fat and sugar is the direction to be heading - less processed foods and more home prepared!

How much time does it take?

Typically members update their food diary once a day, but it's entirely up to you whether you log in after each meal occasion or save it for one entry. The key thing is that you record everything, so the more frequently you do it, the less likely it is that you will forget something.

And of course you do have the option to access your online food diary via your mobile so you can keep track when you're away from your PC.

What do I get?

• Private online food diary with 5-a-day fruit & veg tracker, alcohol monitor & water meter
• Access to a huge calorie directory of foods - over 35,000 food and drink products including all major brands, fast foods, takeaways, coffee shops and alcohol
• 'My Meals/Recipes' - a recipe calculator to work out the calories in home cooked meals
• Food Swap - a useful tool to help you find lower calorie options to your favourite foods
• Members' Forums - for encouragement support from other slimmers - swap recipes & tips
• Find a 'Diet Buddy' - a fellow dieter with similar goals as yours
• A Nutritionist and Fitness Expert to answer your questions
• Option to access your food diary via your mobile phone to keep track on the go - check calories in food, enter what you've eaten into your mobile and instantly update your online account

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