I want to manage my weight

Some people forget about the calories they consume in alcohol but the empty calories hiding in drinks can often lead to unexpected weight gain.

Reduce the amount you usually drink each week by as little as one or two drinks a day can really reduce calories and help you lose weight. For example, for every large glass of wine that you don’t drink, you’ll save 235 calories, and for every pint, you’ll save 180 calories. Avoiding spirits and mixers can save you lots of calories too.

Eating too many foods that are high in fat and sugar combined with not being active can make you more likely to gain weight. This can lead to you becoming overweight or obese, which can increase your risk of cancer, type-2 diabetes and heart disease. In fact, being severely obese can shorten your life expectancy by 8-10 years.

Starting to pay more attention to what you’re eating is vital to staying on top of your weight. If you can start eating a healthier, more balanced diet you should start to see a real improvement in your everyday life; it will also increase your energy levels, improve your skin and help you lose weight. Things like trimming away visible fat from meat and opting for fish or skinless chicken can help you cut out unnecessary fat.

If you’d like to manage your weight or lose a few pounds, you should definitely think about being more active. In combination with a healthy diet and fewer calories, being active can help you stay on top of your weight and make you feel better and more confident about yourself.

Even if you’re not keen on the idea of ‘exercise’, it’s often a lot easier than you first think. There are lots of ways that you can fit being active into a busy life, for example reducing the number of hours you spend sitting down (at work, watching TV or playing computer games) can help boost your activity levels and help you feel good.