Health experts issue warning as obesity figures continue to climb

“Move more and sit less,” is the message that diet and fitness expert, Dr Joanna McMillan is expressing to all Australians this New Year.  It comes as new figures on Australian obesity reach an all-time high.
According to the latest research, two thirds of Australians aged over 25 will be overweight or obese by 2025 if current trends continue.
“Australians are fat and getting fatter.  Eating is on the up and exercise is on the wane.  Simply put, the majority of New Year’s resolutions to lose weight are set to fail,” said Dr McMillan who is a nutritionist and celebrity weight loss consultant.
She points out that out of the 40 to 50 per cent of adults who make New Year’s resolutions, on average, 77 per cent will keep their commitment for one week, 55 per cent for one month, 40 per cent for six months and only 19 per cent for two years.
“Old habits die hard and the fact is that fad diets and crash diets just don’t work. These new figures clearly show that good intentions are laid to waste,” Dr McMillan said.
She said the challenge ahead for all Australians is to make healthy eating and exercise a part of our everyday lives, not something we do for two weeks every New Year.
Dr McMillan recommends that you walk or cycle to work, park further away or get off the bus a stop early; plan your daily menus ahead of time and shop accordingly; choose an exercise you love and make the time; and eat smaller portions.
“Aim for at least half an hour of activity every day. Walking is ideal and if you can, add some more intense exercise every other day, to lift your mood, boost your motivation and zest for life, and quite simply, make your body work better. This, combined with regular and balanced meal portions, can help maintain a good weight.”
When it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, monitoring calories in versus calories out is a very effective way of keeping track.
Dr McMillan recommends enlisting the help of a personal trainer or dipping into new technology.
“Many local gyms have great personal training programs and weight loss challenges that provide extra motivation.
“There are also many fantastic new hi-tech weight loss tools around, such as the BodyMedia FIT Armband, which tells you what your calorie balance is.
“It works just like a personal trainer and also has a free Smartphone App for at-a-glance calories, helping you make the right choices on the run,” she said.
“Whatever diet and fitness program you choose, make sure you can stick it out and incorporate it into your everyday life. Choose something that works for you and you will reap the rewards,” Dr McMillan said.