When it comes to weight loss you've got to be honest - you won't look like Nicole Kidman in a month if the scales are rolling past 100kg. The Kick-Start Hunger Buster diet can help you lose weight safely. Here are seven steps to get started.


1. Visit the doc

Before you start any new eating plan, talk it over with your doctor. That chat is important - even more so if you have an underlying health condition, are on medication or are seriously overweight.

2. Measure up

Drag the tape measure around your waist from the point of your belly button and record the measurement as you breathe out. If you're a woman and the measurement is greater than 80cm, or a bloke with a measurement greater than 94cm, then you're significantly overweight and you need to do something about it. Admitting that you have a problem is a good start.

3. Know your body mass index

Another accurate gauge of obesity is knowing your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. For example, 65kg divided by 2.89 (1.7m2) equals a BMI of 22.49. More than 25 is overweight. If you hit 30 you're medically obese and in real strife, with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

4. Nutritional C Spot

Carbohydrates give us up to 60 per cent of our fuel. All carbs are good, but some are better. The healthiest are those that are slowly digested and the glucose that is produced from them flows gently into the system. These low glycemic index (GI) carbs include grains, beans, cereals and most fruit and vegies. They take time to digest, keeping your metabolism on an even keel, and leave you feeling fuller for longer.

5. Building blocks

The Kick-start Hunger Buster diet will show you how protein can chase hunger away. If the idea of lean red meat, chicken, pork or even fish makes you squirmy, remember you can get loads of protein from eggs, beans and lentils, which are also slow to digest, making you feel fuller for longer.

6. Good fats

This diet will also teach you how to modify your fat intake. When cooking with oil, try using six parts water and one part olive oil (add the mixture to a cool pan to avoid splattering yourself) to reduce fat content dramatically. And while avocado, peanuts, pesto and mayonnaise are good for you, try not to exceed four teaspoons a day.

7. The G.O.Y.B. Routine

This stands for Get Off Your Butt. By getting active you'll burn fat and this is the other half of the Kick-start Hunger Buster diet. Like the eating plan, this focuses on a change in attitude. There are 1440 minutes in a day. If you use between 30 to 45 of them to move your muscles you'll change your life forever. With 30 to 60 minutes every day, you're well on your way to a slimmer, healthier you. Break it up into 10 minute portions if you don't have the time.