New Poll Reveals Australian Women Have Weight Loss on their Minds

Australian women surveyed in the The ULTRAslim Summer Weight Loss Index, released today, reveal they are more scared about wearing a swimsuit (46%) than sharks in the water (10%) or spiders and snakes in the garden (17%)*.

The ULTRAslim Summer Weight Loss Index surveyed 1,242 Australian women to reveal how they are feeling about the approach of summer. The survey found 82% of women surveyed always try to lose weight before summer with 61% of Aussie women surveyed expressing that they would be happier in their swimsuit if they lost a few kilos.

“A lot of women put on weight during the colder months, enjoying comfort food and lazy days inside,” says accredited nutritionist and exercise physiologist, Kathleen Alleaume who coaches individuals through her consultancy, The Right Balance, and via the ULTRAslim website.

The ULTRAslim Summer Weight Loss Index found that 84% of respondents put on weight over the winter months with most women (86%) saying they gained 1kg to 6kg (55% put on 1kg to <3kg; 31% put on 3kg to <6kg).

The major culprit for putting on weight according to the Index is women eating more and exercising less (43%) during winter, while 38% of women surveyed are at a loss as to why their weight fluctuates.

“Our index shows that many women (45%) struggle with snacking on food that’s not always healthy. With summer on the way there are many temptations including ice cream, fish and chip and summer cocktails and often these can be too hard to resist.”

“The road back to summer slim does not have to be as scary as you think. The key to success is finding a long-term solution that works for you, not just a quick fix. If women start now and adopt a smart and safe approach to weight loss, including healthy eating and exercise, they can lose around 0.5-1kg a week,” says Alleaume.

“Research** shows that meal replacements can be a useful tool in weight loss, however should be enjoyed with balanced, healthy meals, snacks and regular physical activity on most days of the week”, Alleaume says.

“This summer, kick start your journey to swim suit fabulous by combining meal replacements with a healthy lifestyle including physical activity and healthy eating. Meal replacements are an easy and safe way to lose weight this summer,” Alleaume says.

“The ULTRAslim range includes meal replacements of shakes, ready-to-drink products and snack bars. They’re easy to prepare, tasty and assist in healthy weight loss,” added Alleaume.

To help individuals incorporate meal replacements into their daily routine, Alleaume recommends trying an ULTRAslim milkshake and a serving of fruit for breakfast, a milkshake and salad for lunch and a healthy stir-fry for dinner so you don’t forgo dinner with the family.

ULTRAslim allows for a little indulgence within the calorie-controlled healthy eating plans too, that’s why ULTRAslim has delicious Dark Cherry Snack Bars in its range, so you don’t have to feel you’re missing out on the good life.

Alleaume recommends the following practical tips to ensure women reach their summer weight loss goals:

1. Replace meals. Need an extra kick start? Consider replacing one to two daily meals with a meal replacement such as ULTRAslim. It’s still important to establish other healthy lifestyle habits, such as a balanced, portion-controlled eating plan and regular exercise.

1. Ease off the alcohol. Not only is it high in calories, it also slows down the metabolism. Have no more than two standards drinks per day and aim to have two to three alcohol-free nights per week.

1. Fibre Up. Fibre is filling and satisfies for longer, it also helps cleanse the insides. Opt for fibre rich foods high fibre found in bran, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fruit and vegetables.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of Carbohydrates. Eating low GI (good) carbs will help stabilise blood sugar and controls cravings. Without carbs your blood sugar will go up and down like a yoyo and you will crave snacks high in sugar (bad carbs) and fat. A bowl of wholegrain cereal, one cup of brown rice or pasta or two slices of whole grain bread to accompany your salad are all good single servings of carbs.

1. Eat Good Fats. Don’t completely shy away from foods high in fat, just know that there are good and bad ones. Foods containing good fats include oily fish, nuts, seeds, avocados and olive oil. Good fats are your friends during weight loss and should be enjoyed in moderation. So spread some avocado instead of butter, use olive oil for salad dressings or eat a handful of nuts (unsalted) for a snack.

1. Water, water and more water! Drinking loads of water helps speed up the metabolism, so your waistline will thank you for it. Aim to drink eight to ten glasses of pure water everyday.

1. Get Moving. Schedule 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Remember you can accumulate bouts of activity throughout the day by combining a few shorter sessions of activity of around 10 to 15 minutes each.

1. Think Greens. Include green vegetables with most meals. Think spinach for breakfast, compliment lunch with salads and try broccoli, beans or herbs for dinner. You can eat greens to your heart’s content without the excess calories.

1. Size Matters. Decrease portion sizes if you want to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Research proves that avoiding large portions of food will cut back on unnecessary calories and add years to your life.

1. Protein Power. Include a palm-sized protein food in every meal such as eggs, low-fat dairy, tofu, lean chicken, nuts, meat and oily fish. Protein satisfies and helps you control hunger throughout the day.

ULTRAslim products are available from Woolworths, Coles and independent supermarkets nationally. For further information on ULTRAslim products or healthy eating meal plans visit www.ultraslim.com.au.

ENDS

Photographs of Kathleen Alleaume, eating plans, images and product for giveaways are available upon request. For media enquiries or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Laura Cario, IMPACT Communications Australia

T: 02 9519 5411, M: 0414 706 832, E: laura@impactcommunications.com.au

SOURCE:

*ULTRAslim research conducted online with 1242 responses. Research conducted on shesaid.com,au.  For a copy of the full results please contact IMPACT Communications. Poll  was conducted between September 22 – October, 20 2009.

NOTE:

• ULTRAslim meal replacements have been available in Australian for over 10 years. Its meal replacement range includes meal replacement shakes (chocolate, vanilla, cappuccino), ready-to-drink meal replacements (chocolate, vanilla) and snack bars (dark chocolate cherry).
• It’s important to seek the advice of an Accredited Practising Dietitian and get regular check ups with a GP while being on a meal replacement program.

**Reference

Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Volume 109, Issue 8, August 2009, Pages 1417-1421

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