Lifestyle Advice

Congratulations! We’re delighted you've lost weight. You should be feeling great about yourself and your new-found figure. Now to make sure you don’t undo all your hard work, here are some inspiring tips to stay happy and healthy.

We’re probably all guilty of being too hard on ourselves when it comes to our size, but with your recent weight loss, you certainly shouldn’t be. So here are a few ways to give yourself the confidence boost you may need – and most definitely deserve!

Firstly, you need to try to accept the physical you with a positive attitude. You can decide to lose weight and try the Slim.Fast plan and as well as losing weight you can learn to make the best of your shape, by dressing cleverly and exercising regularly to keep toned. Take a look at our exercise and wardrobe tips for more on this.

There are also lots of simple things you can do to boost your confidence, like standing with a good posture – which takes pounds off instantly – or looking in the mirror and considering all your positive attributes. And don’t forget to refer back to the emails we sent you over the course of your diet, featuring expert tips and advice.

Your new body needs fewer calories to keep it going, so the rule of thumb is that for every stone/Kg you lose, you need to eat 150/25 less calories per day. If you simply return to your old eating habits you'll be eating too much for your new weight, and you'll regain the weight you have lost.

We recommend three ways to maintain your weight:

 1. Replace one meal a day (usually lunch) with a Slim.Fast meal.

 2. Weigh yourself regularly and if you gain a pound/Kg or two, simply go back on one of the Slim.Fast plans for a short time until you lose the weight again.

 3. Register for the Slim.Fast My Way plan and receive regular emails to encourage you to maintain your new healthy weight and lifestyle.

Exercise is an important part of any diet and a great way to speed the slimming journey along. Burning calories can help you lose weight and keep it off. It will also help to improve your body tone and shape. For example you can burn off the following calories by doing half an hour of the following popular and fun exercises:

Gentle Cycling               118 Kcals

Swimming at a moderate pace     236 Kcals

Walking the dog             103 Kcals

Aerobics class               179 Kcals

A lot of us don't like exercise but, like dieting, you need to think of it positively to get into the right frame of mind. So instead of turning it into something you dread, think of it as something you might enjoy, like 'going outside for half an hour to enjoy the sunshine' or 'going for a bit of a wander while listening to music'. You'll be surprised how taking the positive approach can actually make exercise appealing!

If you avoid going to the gym because you feel out of place, it’s a good idea to find a programme of classes that are specifically geared towards long-term weight loss where you’re likely to find like-minded women. And remember these sorts of classes won’t necessarily be at your local state-of-the-art gym – you could just as easily find them at your local leisure centre or village hall.

Wherever and whenever you exercise, you should always wear a well-fitting and supportive sports bra, and some good shock-absorbing cushioned trainers for any running or aerobic exercise.

Most importantly, be proud of yourself that you are motivated to exercise and make a difference to your life. And don't worry about how others perceive you.

- If you haven't done any exercise before, take it easy when you first start – if you start with something that is beyond your fitness level, you’re more likely to become discouraged and quit.
- Exercise doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym. Making small changes to your normal routine, such as getting off the bus one stop early and walking part of the way home, can make a big difference.
- You are more likely to stick with your exercise regime if you choose something you enjoy and that fits in with your lifestyle.
- Try to persuade a friend or family member to exercise with you. If you make a commitment to a friend you're less likely to back out.

You don’t have to get hot and sweaty at the gym to get lean. Increasing the amount of energy you use during the day can be just as effective. And a great way to do that is by cleaning.

Take a look at the energy used up by a 65kg woman during 30 minutes of the following activities:

- Scrubbing the floor - 188kcals - works upper arms, shoulder and stomach muscles
- Washing the dishes - 68kcals - works arm and shoulder muscles
- Sweeping floor - 78kcals - works arm and shoulder muscles
- Mopping floor - 146kcals - works arm and shoulder muscles
- Cleaning bath - 146kcals - works arms, shoulders and abdominal muscles
- Scrubbing shower- 146kcals - works arms, shoulder muscles
- Dusting - 78kcals - works arms, shoulder muscles
- Vacuuming carpets - 78kcals - works arms, shoulders, legs

Walking is excellent exercise. Just 30 minutes of brisk walking burns 130 calories. Do that every day for a week and that's 900 calories!

- Always wear comfortable shoes.
- Persuade a friend or family member to go for a walk with you - if you make a commitment to a friend you're less likely to back out.
- Invest in a pedometer so you can monitor your progress. 

Looking your best in your clothes is all about knowing what suits your figure and personality. And the better dressed you are, the more confident you’ll feel. Here are some tips to get you started.

- Always ensure your clothes are clean and ironed.
- Try not to wear the same thing every day – you’d be surprised how wearing varied outfits daily can make you feel revived and ready for the day ahead.
- Keep your clothes in order – having a nice wardrobe to choose from can inspire new outfit ideas.
- If there’s an item in your wardrobe you haven’t worn for more than a year, ask yourself why and consider removing it.

Whatever your size, shape or weight, good fitting underwear is all important – it can make you feel sexier, more feminine and confident. And together with good posture, it can make a real difference to how your clothes look on you.

- Your breasts should be well contained and sit comfortably in the cups.
- The under-wire should not cut in.
- The straps should not dig into your shoulders.
- A professional bra fitting can work wonders. Many women find they need a completely different size to what they’re wearing now.
- When you buy your bra, fasten it on the loosest hook. It will give after washing and wearing so you can gradually tighten it.

On the beach you may not be able to hide under clothes, but you can still dress cleverly and find swimwear to suit your figure.

If you’re straight up and down wear:

- Padded triangle bikini tops.
- Short style bottoms, high cut or tie sided.
- Swimsuits that have patterns or colour that draw the eye in (dark sides, light centre panel).

If you’re pear shaped wear:

- High legged bikinis or swimsuits.
- Padded tops with detailing or rouching to create a bigger bust and balance out the hips.
- Triangular cupped halter necks.
- A bigger bottom or hips does not mean that you have to wear bigger pants – a smaller shaped bikini can be more flattering.

 If you’re curvy or have bigger boobs wear:

- Wider straps for support.
- Underwired cups.
- Halter necks, never bandeaus.
- 50's styled swimwear.

If you’re apple shaped wear:

- A tankini.
- A swimsuit that has extra Lycra corset control to hold you in around the middle, such as the "Miracle swimsuit".
- Swimsuits that appear to wrap over at the front or that have detailing to give the illusion of a waist.

Whatever your shape:

- Try high cut legged bikini bottoms or swimsuits.
- Try lower cut backed swimsuits.
- Make sure that the bra cups fit properly.
- Wear non-shiny swimwear fabric.
- Don’t wear white unless you are under a size 12.
- Check transparency.

Finally, make sure you have prepared your beach body – not just with diet and exercise, but with hair removal on your legs and bikini line. And pedicured feet always look much nicer with sandals.

Now you are ready to step onto the beach with confidence. Walk tall – you will look pounds thinner. If you still feel uncomfortable you can always wear a sarong or pretty kaftan.