Don't Lose Weight if These Apply to You

Although you don't want to gain too much weight when you're pregnant, it's definitely not a time to diet. Aim to eat a healthy diet that will give you enough calories to nurture your growing baby. And when you give birth, don't rush to lose your baby weight, especially if you're breastfeeding. It took time to gain the weight, so you should lose it slowly as well.

You may lose weight without trying if you've been ill. But it's not a good time to try to lose weight, as you need all your energy to get back to good health. Going on a diet will only suck out your energy and make you feel weak. Save the diets for later, and concentrate on building up your strength.

How many brides-to-be pick a dress that's too small, hoping to slim down in time for the wedding? Instead of buying a dress and hoping to slim into it, buy a dress that fits and flatters you. There's no sense in putting extra pressure on yourself and panicking if you don't lose the weight quickly enough.

Are you trying to lose weight because your partner tells you that you need to slim down? If they're encouraging you to lose weight because you need to for the sake of your health, that's understandable. But if they're telling you you're fat and ugly, then they're bullying you. You should lose weight if it's better for your health, not because someone else is criticising you.

Do you want to lose weight so that you can look more like your friend/sister/a celebrity? This is poor motivation for losing weight, because it sets up unrealistic aspirations. You are not someone else, you are yourself, and there's nothing wrong with that. Learn to be happy in yourself, and appreciate your own looks.

Stop right there. Models are generally not a good role model. They may not eat healthily and also promote an unrealistic idea of what women should be like. We're not all meant to be that slender. Be yourself, instead of trying to copy someone else's look; you can't look exactly like someone else, so you'll only be making yourself unhappy when you can't achieve the look you want.

Finally, if you want to lose weight because you think you'll be a happier person, you're probably wrong. There are plenty of people who found that being slimmer isn't everything they thought it would be. Happiness comes from being content within yourself, not from achieving your 'ideal' weight.

If you do lose weight, it should be for the sake of your health and done with a sensible approach. Take it slowly, and aim for a healthy weight. What do you think are 'good' reasons to lose weight?