Size zero celebrities drive dieters mad
Can you guess what links skinny celebs, stress at work and TV ads with fattening food and drink?
Stumped? So were we! It turns out they're the three things that are most likely to infuriate us when we're trying to lose weight - according to a survey carried out by new slimming programme Valueslim.
Valueslim quizzed 1,000 men and women about the factors that motivate and de-motivate them when they're on a diet. The results showed that the most frustrating external influences were:
- Images of ultra-thin stars - mentioned by 20% of respondents
- Daily pressure and hassle in the workplace - also cited by 20% of those surveyed
- Adverts for indulgent treats that are likely to make you pile on the pounds rather than help shed them - mentioned by 17% of people
With pictures of size zero icons like Cheryl Cole, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Alexa Chung seemingly everywhere we look, where do we go to find the inspiration to make sure we stick to our diet?
The answer is much closer to home than you might think. In fact, when Valueslim asked people who provided them with the best motivation to lose weight, 36% said it was their partner.
This was by far the most popular answer, ahead of friend (14%), family member (12%) and support group (7%). Interestingly, of the men surveyed, a whopping 49% said their wife or girlfriend was the person who most motivated them to lose weight. Good work, ladies!
Asked by Valueslim what made them want to lose weight, the largest number of people said an impending holiday (25%), followed a long way behind by getting married (only 7%) and a New Year's resolution (just 6%).
Dr Michael Green, PhD, MBPsS, Director, Aston Nutrition and Behaviour Laboratory School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, comments as follows:
"Since the 1950's, there has been an increasing disparity between what the media define as the ideal 'slim' female body shape and the actual average female body shape, with a consequent increase in anxiety and depression relating to body shape and weight. Research has revealed that 80% of women in the UK have attempted to lose weight by dieting at least once during their lives. Dieting is difficult, stressful and, more often than not, destined to fail in the long term. Research has also shown that dieting with support from other dieters or family is likely to increase the chances of successful weight loss and to reduce the stress associated with making substantial changes to one's normal eating pattern. Weight loss schemes which allow the minimum possible change to normal eating habits, whilst still reducing calorie intake, increasing exercise and allow for the occasional snack treat are most likely to achieve long term weight reduction."
Find more information at: valueslim.com
