Mikey Moon's health and fitness column: 'Miracles' too good to be true

In a world of fad diets and quick fixes, it is very easy to become confused and a deer in the headlights.

There is always someone or some company promising to get you results faster than ever. You want results now, so their new product is obviously perfect for you!

You try the programme, drink the shakes, take the tablets for four weeks and the results are amazing. You feel great and can’t believe how much weight you have lost.

But the problems start when you complete the diet because you need to continue on your journey – and you haven’t actually learned anything to help you continue.

Typically, you go back to eating the way you were, the weight goes back on, you become unhappy in yourself and start another ‘miracle diet’.

The reality is that losing weight is very simple. You just need to be in a calorie deficit – burning more calories than you consume. It really is that simple.

However, a calorie deficit doesn’t sell as well as a miracle diet or shake.

All of these have amazing branding but they all promote the same thing – eating less. No matter how you dress it up – keto, intermittent fasting, shake diet, low carb, high carb – the principle remains the same.

However, the most important thing is how you keep the weight you have lost off in the long term.

The only way to do that is to learn how to eat properly.

How to factor in that weekend glass of wine, that chocolate bar or ice cream. All of these are possible if you know how. Take your time to learn how to track your calories and create a sustainable lifestyle for yourself that you can stick to long term.

If you do this, you will no longer be a yo-yo dieter. You will be able to enjoy your food and not worry about putting weight on the second you look at a cheeseburger.

Fortitude Fitness is on the Poulton Industrial Estate, Beacon Road. Visit www.fortitudefit.co.uk for more details.