Nutritionalists work on a person's Body Mass Index when analysing weight questions. A healthy index is anywhere between eighteen and a half and twenty five. Above twenty five, and we have a problem with our weight. A BMI of more than 30 is considered obese. It becomes morbidly obese when the index goes over 40.

You can work out your own figure by doing the following: Using metric readings, take your current weight and height. Start with a multiplication sum - your height times itself. Then take that answer and divide it by how much you weigh.

So your figures might look something like this: You're 1.45m tall (1.45 x 1.45 = 2.10). Your weight is 68 kilograms (68 / 2.10 = 32.38). The above illustration plainly shows that with those stats you would be designated obese.

We can't lose weight if we continue to consume foods highly saturated in fats and sugars (save for the odd treat now and again!). We can lose weight by eating more healthily, and eating less. Then the fat that's previously entered our system will be converted into energy.

You should avoid crash diets which usually end up with you either feeling ill or giving up in desperation. Dietary regimes that propose a calorific consumption of no more than 1,200 a day are what we consider crash or 'miracle' diets. These 'quick fix' options are not real solutions. Weight that comes off quickly usually goes back on quickly as well.

There are no short- cuts to long-term healthy weight loss. Trimming a few hundred cals a day off what you currently eat will take a few pounds off each month. Clearly this isn't going to make an impact this month, but you will be healthier by this time next year.

Meals loaded with fat cause the most challenges for would-be dieters. It makes sense therefore to drastically reduce that type of food. Replace fatty food with more fibre, from wholegrains, fruit and veg. Making these changes will help to prevent any re-entry into the obesity category.

Trying to eat fewer meals to preserve calories doesn't work. (Snacks become too irresistible when the hunger really bites!) Really, you'll do yourself more favours if you have four or five little meals spread throughout the day. Starving yourself actually makes it more difficult to lose weight. Your metabolic rate (which affects your body's ability to lose weight) is assisted when you nourish yourself little and often.