TV doctor swears by 'belt' trick to make sure he's losing weight

16 August 2023 , 14:23

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Dr Michael Mosley tries to stay on top of things using various methods (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Losing weight and maintaining your goal weight are both very difficult things to do and with so many diet plans and conflicting information out there, it can be hard to know what's good for you and what isn't. And when you decide to treat yourself to an unhealthy snack from time to time, how do you know you're still keeping your weight goals on track?

Well, according to TV doctor Michael Mosley, all you need to ensure you're not slipping back into unhealthy eating habits is a "tight belt". The diet guru, who founded the Fast 800 diet, said that the simple hack is one he uses every day to make sure the weight isn't "creeping up" on him any time he indulges in a chocolate bar or a few biscuits.

The belt trick helps you keep track of your weight loss (stock photo) (Getty Images)

So what do you have to do? Simply wear a tight-fitting belt every day, so that when you put it on in the morning, you can easily tell whether it feels tighter or looser than the day before. If you've got to move to a bigger hole, then you'll know that you're putting on weight around your stomach area.

Speaking during an 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session held on Mumsnet, he said: "Sticking to a diet and maintaining a healthy weight is much harder for some people than others. You only have to look at a labrador and a greyhound to see that genetics play a big part when it comes to how much you weigh and where you put on the fat. I am a labrador while my wife, Clare, seems to effortlessly maintain the same weight she was when we met at medical school, more than 40 years ago.

"I lost 9kg ten years ago because I'd discovered I had type 2 diabetes, but it is still a struggle for me not to lapse. We have to keep things like chocolate and biscuits out of the house, or I will eat them. I also wear a tight belt so I know when the weight is creeping up."

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Dr Mosley also said he maintains his healthy weight by eating fibre-rich foods that help to "fill him up" and even cut his cravings so he resists the urge to reach for the biscuits. However, the diet guru acknowledged that keeping weight off is definitely "tough".

He added: "I eat a lot of fibre-rich food, and fermented foods, which help fill me up; there is some evidence that these foods also help cut cravings. I have written quite a few books, including the Fast 800, with the best science-based tips I could find on how, not only to lose weight but to keep it off long term. But there is no doubt that for many of us it is tough."

Zahna Eklund