Keep kicking on

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Paul Bee is the incredible shrinking man. He lost 8kg in a week thanks to the Kick-Start diet. But how can he make sure he maintains that weight loss and doesn't put it all back on?

Not one to stick to tradition, Mr Bee added his own variations on the Kick-Start theme, adding spices such as chilli, garlic or curry powder.

"Every meal is different because we're using spices to add to it," he said.

Christine Chandler says the diet is working for her, losing 2kg, but it hasn't worked as fast as it has for others such as her husband Gary.

But she shouldn't fret; everybody is different and it's all about the way your metabolic engine ticks over - some will lose more than others.

"The first two days I found it very difficult ... I do food for photography as well, so I've been taking my packets of soup with me every day," Mrs Chandler said.

Stage two of Kick-Start is the Glycemic Index (GI) Diet.

It's harder and less motivating but much more important.

So what exactly is GI and what foods can you eat at this stage?

The GI Diet

In low-GI foods the glucose in the carbohydrate goes slowly into the body, so it doesn't stimulate too much insulin and as a result you don't feel hungry afterwards.

The GI Diet is all about smarter shopping and making those simple switches to products with a low GI; foods that will take longer to digest and chase the hunger out the door.

When it comes to breads and cereals, high-GI varieties to avoid are white and wholemeal breads, processed breakfast cereals, plain biscuits and crackers, cakes and muffins.

Low-GI alternatives are wholegrain bread, rolled oats and untoasted muesli and biscuits full of fruits, oats and whole grains.

When it comes to rice, choose the low-GI Basmati or Doongara rice or stick with noodles.

Potatoes and plain flour also should be avoided; try a sweet potato instead.

The low GI foods you should be looking for include: dried pasta, dried noodles, kidney beans, baked beans, cans of fish, sundried tomatoes, fresh and canned fruit, Asian sauces, spices and herbs, low-fat milk, yoghurt and ice cream, eggs, low-fat cheese, berries, beans and peas.

The soup sisters, Sandy Wean and Merrick Mas, are well into the GI Diet.

While their weight loss has eased to a normal rate, they're as keen as ever.

The fact is you can still have the Kick-Start soup as a snack and there's loads of tucker you can get stuck into.

Low-GI meal planBreakfast options

• Porridge with raisins;
• Honey and banana smoothie;
• Untoasted muesli with fresh fruit;
• Buttermilk pancakes with glazed fruit;
• Sweet potato and corn hotcakes with grilled tomato.

Lunch options

• Minestrone or split pea soup;
• Pasta with pumpkin, capsicum and a white wine sauce;
• Marinated mushroom and cracked wheat salad;
• Tabouli;
• Vegetable lasagne.

Dinner options

• Spinach, fetta and bean omelette;
• Spicy beef ragout;
• Fish with sweet potato chops and roast tomatoes;
• Chilli chicken with sweet potato mash and stir-fried greens;
• Lamb and chickpea salad;
• Pork noodle stir-fry.

Desserts

• Fruit bread and butter pudding;
• Apple crumble;
• Yoghurt berry jelly;
• Fruit salad;
• Cheesecake.

Exercise

So why is exercise so important throughout program?

Exercise keeps the engine ticking over faster; you can actually lose weight while you sleep if you exercise regularly and the weight you lose is fat.

And try putting the scales away; if you're constantly weighing yourself you won't see a difference.

Before starting any new eating plan you should consult your doctor to see if it is right for you, particularly if you are taking any medication.The recipes featured in this diet are available in Losing Weight: The New Glucose Revolution by Professor Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell and Associate Professor Stephen Colagiuri, published by Hodder and available in major bookshops nationwide.For a list of low-GI foods click on the link below.For the first two stages of the Kick-Start Diet click on the links below.''Disclaimer
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