Engage Mutual
Written: Friday, July 23, 2010FADDY DIETS
Weight obsessed women will spend a staggering #25,233 on diets over their lifetime, it was revealed yesterday (Thurs).
Researchers found the average female will diet on three occasions every year, shelling out #180.81 a time on gyms, fitness mags, slimming clubs and exercise clothes.
That means they waste a total of #542.43 every 12 months. It also emerged each diet lasts just 19 days with chocolate, crisps and wine the most common diet breakers.
Tina Clare, for www.engagemutual.com, said: ''Women tend to go all out in an attempt to shed a few pounds - spending on magazine subscriptions, gym memberships, training clothes and slimming aids.
''In reality though, sticking to a restricted diet for any length of time, is extremely difficult, which is why it is better to introduce a more realistic routine involving regular exercise and healthy eating.
''Rather than embark on expensive diets and impossible fitness regimes which are hard to maintain, it is better to introduce long term lifestyle changes which will have lasting benefit.''
The study also found girls lose their enthusiasm just under three weeks into the diet, with gym visits ceasing and exercise clothes left in the wardrobe.
During the average 19-day-diet, women spend #6.06 on health and fitness books and magazines and a further #10.86 on joining specialist slimming clubs.
Gym memberships accounts for #18.90 while #18.98 is spent on exercise equipment for the home.
Another #36.38 will go towards new exercise clothes and trainers.
The bill for the supermarket shopping also soars to around #70.56 over the course of 19 days - as women spend an extra #43.16 on food and #27.41 on branded slimming foods.
It also emerged nine out of ten women admit they are 'enthusiastic' at the start of a diet.
Fifty eight per cent said they were investing their money by spending it on healthy food, equipment and exercise clothes to help them along the way.
According to the research, on average by the fifth day of dieting 67 per cent of women will have broken their diet.
For most women, critical diet danger times are 3pm and 8pm, with chocolate being the chief temptation for 58 percent.
Other diet breakers include crisps for 38 per cent, and wine and pizza for 31 per cent respectively.
Cheese, cakes, biscuits, pasta, chips and ice cream also prove irresistible for some wavering dieters.
Engage Mutual's Tina Clare added: ''We all succumb to temptation at one time or another, but following a balanced diet and enjoying regular exercise is a good start for those seeking a healthier lifestyle, or wanting to feel happier about their weight.
''Taking action to maintain health on an every day basis could help prevent some health problems developing.''
