NW - Choose one thing to lose this week - Pg 70

In a magazine promising an 8 page expose on stars addicted to plastic surgery, it’s impressive to find an article on giving up something consumable for a week and losing weight. They’ve chosen things which are fairly unnecessary like butter, dessert and soft drinks, and the results are pretty amazing. If you gave up soft drink for a week and drank water instead, it equates to 5565kJ, or a 250g block of chocolate. Since those kJ’s are totally devoid of nutrition, it makes really good sense. **** good advice, easy to follow, and disturbingly understandable!

On the other page, there’s a small article on the value of walking - do it three times a week, has been shown to reduce abdominal fat more than dieting alone.

Famous

Famous follows last week’s trend from Woman’s Day with a free mini magazine - the “Famous Kick Start Diet - how to lose weight forever (celeb slimming secrets)”. Long title, big promises. Basically, it lists eleven stars and the “tricks” they use to stay slim. Ranging from exercise, diet or outside consultants, each snippet of information has a way that we, the humble every day person can use it to our advantage. There’s also a seven day diet plan, and a calorie counting guide.

Some of the advice from the stars is good. But heaps of it is far too extreme to be of any use. Up your exercise quotient (good), minimise fat in your diet (good), visit a nutritionist (good), but raw food diets, macrobiotic plans, etc - how many people can sustain these? Sorry to be boring, but being sensible about your diet is far more effective in the long run than any crazy plan you can’t adhere to for long. As far as a calorie counter goes - forget it. That way insanity lies. Fruit, veggies, good quality meat, legumes, pasta, bread - and occasional treats. No counter, just good sense. *** It’s okay, but nothing groundbreaking.

OK, Page 80 - Body Talk with: Hilary Duff

A whole lot of nothing. Oh, wait - she slags the Atkins Diet, but apart from that, nada.