Another year, another diet, another failure. It’s a vicious cycle for many women trying to lose weight, but Kathy Bell claims to have the answer.

Following an 11-year career as a personal trainer, lifestyle coach training and a long history with food-related issues, she has devised Mind n Body Fitness, which not only looks at diet and exercise, but also people’s mindsets.

“I specialise in weight loss, food coaching and general well-being,” explains the 41-year-old, from Corfe Mullen.

“People will come to see me because they want to lose weight generally and they have done all the normal channels and they’re still overweight. They’ve probably lost four stone and then put it back on – it’s yo-yo dieters.”

Kathy’s programme has three integral parts – mind, diet and exercise – which she uses to help clients overcome their bad habits.

She claims it is the way forward for weight loss as generally, issues with food are related to emotions and self-esteem.

“I say ‘you’ve set these goals, but you’re not achieving them, what’s going on?’” she said.

Kathy also works with clients who have low self esteem, panic attacks, or even debilitating illnesses such as ME or fibromyalgia – a condition she managed to overcome with a positive mindset – but her main area of work is weight loss.

“The most common theme is a lady will sit here and say ‘at 8 o’clock I eat biscuits and chocolate, I just can’t stop myself’,” said Kathy.

“People follow a diet plan for a period of time, but they can’t sustain it, it’s just a novelty, it isn’t a true life change.

“I have to break that. The bottom line is that anyone who is not achieving goals is self-sabotaging, otherwise they would be doing it. Why?

“One – because they’ve got an unrealistic goal, two – because they’re just not aware of what they’re doing. My job is to get people to love themselves and to set realistic goals.”

Kathy herself was an under-eater as a child, then became a binge eater and developed bulimia, a condition which took her 20 years to recover from.

So she understands the emotions people go through when they struggle to lose weight.

“The mindset is: ‘I’ve failed now, I’ll go on a binge’,” she explained.

“People are overeating. The first mindset change is ‘this is a new day, this is a new moment. Love yourself, forgive yourself, but let’s start again right now.

“You can lose a round, but you don’t lose the fight.”

Of course, there is some diet and exercise included in Kathy’s programme.

She visits clients in their homes to teach her Fast and Fit exercise plan which is based on interval training and features 30-minute sessions. That is coupled with a diet plan, which Kathy has been following herself for a number of years.

“I never say to anyone you eat what you want,” she said.

“That’s encouraging emotional eating and lack of self-control. It’s “fast” as in fasting – it’s about cutting back some days and eating more normally the next.

“Put your dates on the calendar where you know you’re going out. In between, fast. It means cut back. It’s such a great diet. I’ve got away from scales, calories – that’s not healthy. I want people to get back to just wearing their jeans.”

Success story

Name: Sue Higbee

Age: 45

Height: 5ft 5in

Start Weight: 19st 7lbs

Weight now: 13st 3lbs

Weight Lost: 6st 5lbs

Time taken: 7 months

Sue Higbee has lost more than six stones since April following Kathy’s programme.

The 45-year-old, from Merley, said: “In my head I gave myself a year to lose weight and then carry on and try and maintain it.

“I had tried other slimming clubs, but hadn’t been to any for a long time. I just saw her advert and thought I would go and see what she said.

“Kathy’s triggered something in me and it’s worked for me and I’ve stuck with it.

“I go Monday evenings to her weight loss club in Wimborne and I’ve lost 6 stones 5lbs.

“It’s been quite steady, I’ve not done anything drastic. I try and think about what Kathy’s said. It’s been very emotional, but for me, that’s what’s worked.

“I would definitely recommend it.”

Sue’s dress - Irene, Broadstone; make up – The Beauty Salon,Wimborne; hair– Debra Miles, Wimborne

Prices:

Full MnB Programme (weekly for 9 weeks) £150

Mini MnB (weigh in and goal renewal weekly)£5

Exercise MnB Programme 1:1 home visit £45

Coaching MnB Programme 1:1 clinic or home visit £45

Weight loss club MnB Programme £4.50 weekly

Special offers:

Free 30 minute consultation 25 per cent discount for all new January bookings New Year party plan: New year, new you…

Why not invite Kathy to your home and host a MnB master class absolutely free! Benefit with your friends from an evening of mind, exercise and diet expertise to start your new year off as you mean to go on.