Weight management is a simple mathematical problem, calories are a unit of heat, heat generated when you exercise or just exist and food that is consumed which when converted by the body generate heat. If you eat more calories then you burn in daily life then you put on weight, if you burn more then you eat then you lose weight. 3700 Kilo Calories is the equivalent of 1 pound of fat, by expending or eating 500 calories a day over a week can make the difference of gaining or losing that pound of fat.

Our grand parents didn't have to worry about over eating, food was rationed until the early 60's, their work was manual, and they didn't spend a lot of time sitting. Food was simpler, it was fresh and cooked when needed. They knew exactly what went into it because they cooked it. Today we have far too much choice where food is concerned; it is pre packed and pre cooked. The ingredients are on the packet but mean very little to most of us, it is high in salt, sugar and fat. It is easily available and very tempting. If that was not bad enough our work is no longer manual, even the traditionally physical professions such as engineers are now mostly office bound, house work is mechanical with the least amount of effort required and after a hard day at the office we arrive home to watch tele or play on the computer!

It is not a diet that we need but a change in lifestyle. A lifestyle that is more active with an understanding of what we are eating, making informed choices as to the quality and quantity of the food we ingest.