The definition of a healthy balanced diet

Devoting every ounce of energy to deprivation, calorie counting and extreme exercise regimes in an attempt to lose and maintain a healthy weight is far from realistic or sustainable.

In fact, it resembles a miserable existence of fatigue, irritability and uncontrollable cravings that can quickly lead to additional weight gain when the overwhelming feeling of failure destroys your motivation, and leaves you bingeing on the unhealthy food and drink sources you've spent months struggling to resist.

Despite the misconceptions surrounding the definition of dieting, a healthy, balanced, and active lifestyle is all that is required to maintain a healthy body weight, shape and appearance. By eliminating deprivation and limitation, enjoying the occasional sweet treat and fuelling your body and mind with larger portion sizes - minute portion sizes and a restrictive caloric intake are only a temporary solution to weight loss - you are far more likely to sustain weight loss success - for life.

If you're yet to be convinced, the image above resembles a 'normal' portion size for me - a 5'6, 28 year old woman who is prone to piling on the pounds - but due to my physically active lifestyle, participation in regular exercise and ability to eat everything in moderation, I am able to enjoy carbohydrates, larger portion sizes and satisfy my sweet tooth whilst maintaining a healthy weight of 9 stone 9 lbs.

A 'diet' shouldn't leave you feeling exhausted, starving and craving carbohydrates. It should leave your body and mind energised, satisfied and reaping the results of a realistic approach to a healthy lifestyle.