How often have you started a diet with the best intentions? Your mind is focused, you have a goal, you know exactly how much weight you have to lose and by when. You've identified a healthy eating plan and all that is left is to start. Monday arrives, the first week or two, possibly the first month passes and you're on track. You're losing exactly the amount you need to in order to reach the goal you've set for yourself. You're feeling more confident. Your clothes are slightly loser. This time you're going to be successful!

Then.... something happens at work or at home, or you get bad news. You get busier, you're feeling incredibly stressed. You don't have as much time to see to things you need to for yourself. Everything else or everyone else's needs are taking up a large part of your day. You have more than enough on your plate (excuse the pun) and now you have to think about what to eat for every meal - you're tired and stressed and everything else is far more important. The last thing you have time for is thinking about what to eat and losing weight! You eat whatever is easy, quick and requires the least amount of thought. At least it's one less thing to get stressed about! Then you start to put on the weight you've lost and you get so frustrated that you go and buy a chocolate or start having second helpings. All your good intentions go out of the window ......again!

Anyone who has ever had a weight problem has experienced this and not just once either! So we all know the problem, but what is the solution? Draw up a menu plan.

A menu plan is a plan for the week, of all your meals, taking into account your social and business arrangements as well as your food preferences.

Lets look at why menu plans work.

Menu plans

• give you healthier options - they take away the temptations of unhealthy choices
• help you create new habits - its easier to stick to a plan when you're trying to learn new habits
• provide you with focus - particularly when you're busy and stressed
• make shopping easier - you know exactly what you need for the week
• take your lifestyle into account - each menu plan is designed around your unique lifestyle.
• take the thought out of what to cook / eat for each meal - members have access to recipes on the website.

With today's stressed and busy lifestyle I'm sure you often find that you don't have the time to think or work out what to shop for and what to cook. It is therefore imperative to draw up menu plans, particularly if you want to be successful and achieve your weight loss goals. There is no doubt that menu plans make it easier to lose weight!