Altogether too often we fall prey to all those gimmicks we see in the adverts that tell us we can lose ten pounds of fat overnight with nothing but a pill. If this were the case there would be no overweight people.

Unfortunately, to lose weight you need to eat less than the body burns each day and there is no easy way to get around that. We can make it easier by eating healthier foods and increasing our exercise but to think that a simple diet pill will help us shed the weight without making any changes to our lifestyle is ludicrous.

It is true that some herbal supplements can promote weight loss naturally but those capsules should be taken in combination with healthier foods and increased activity. However, it is also true that many supplements such as Acai Berry and Green Tea are wonderful antioxidants that are proven to cleanse the body of fat, toxins and built up faecal matter in the intestines.

In order to successfully take off between 1 and 3 pounds safely within a week, eat fewer processed foods, add whole grain, fresh fruits and veggies to your diet. An antioxidant can help flush the intestines clean to energize you but don’t rely on those ‘fad diets’ solely. As well, even if you don’t have time to make it to the gym or the weather is too chilled to take a brisk walk, do some indoor exercising.

If you have a stationary bicycle in your living room, get at least three hours a week on the bike. Some women prefer rowing machines because they get both a cardio and a total body regimen going. It is up to you what kind of exercise you choose, but make sure it raises your cardio and that you actually break a sweat.

In the end, there are no first aid kits to fix an overweight body. Losing weight takes some amount of self control and effort, but a sensible low fat high fibre diet along with increased exercise should do the trick nicely.