Dear Ms Thompson,

I am very interested your weight-loss programme. Can you send further information on it. I would be very grateful. Thank you.

- Maverine

Dear Ms Thompson,

I am in my 30s and I am overweight. I have taken off the weight before but it's back on again. Sometimes, I would work out for about two weeks and then stop. I would love to get on your programme.

- Carol

Dear Ms Thompson,

I just read an article in The Gleaner regarding Tanica Plummer and was rather impressed. I'm roughly the same weight as Ms Plummer when she started the programme and I have been fighting to lose it with no success. I have tried several weight-loss tablets including Hydroxycut but nothing seems to work. I am getting married soon and would really love to lose some weight. I am seeking your help. A response will be greatly appreciated.

- N. Williams

Dear Ms Thompson,

Good day. I read your article about Tanica Plummer and I am very impressed. I am trying to lose at least 20 pounds. I am a 35-year-old male about 5'5" and weigh about 220 pounds. I think my ideal weight should be about 180-190 pounds. Is it possible to give information on the different tactics that Tanica used or provide information on the consultants she went to. Thank you.

- Wilhelm

Dear Ms Thompson,

Good day. I am impressed with this weight-loss challenge and I am going to follow it to see the end results. I am struggling with my weight and my marriage is on the rocks because of the weight. My husband is not attracted to me anymore. I have started some exercising over the past two weeks. I do not have a lot of money but I will pay. I have tried Herbalife, body wraps, numerous tablets and teas but nothing seem to work. Can you advise me please.

- Struggling woman

RESPONSE

No Magic pill

Dear Readers,

Thanks for reading Health. We have been receiving a lot of emails in response to our special weight-management feature and, unfortunately, I can't publish all of them or respond to them individually.

There are common themes running through the emails. First, 'the type of weight-loss programme' which we have placed weight-management challenger, Tanica Plummer, on is not 'a magic pill'. Readers have actually been asking Tanica and me about this special pill. It does not exist. Tanica lost 34 pounds (and counting) over 12 weeks through regular and consistent exercising and physical activity; managing her eating (including watching portions, eating from the various food groups, eating smaller more frequent meals, etc) and being open to supportive counselling.

Second, Tanica had the support of a nutritionist, exercise physiologist and mental health experts but I think that one of the major reasons for her success was her own personality - she is highly motivated, self-directed, follows instructions and is determined to achieve her set goals. She, for example, sticks to her daily exercise programme without external prompting. Tanica also learnt to recognise that food is not her enemy and that losing weight is not about 'dieting' but about overhauling her lifestyle.

We have been publishing Tanica's nutrition recommendations, exercise prescriptions and journals every other week since March so that readers could also benefit from the expert guidance given to her. I hope that readers have been following these editions and patterning their behaviours on them.

Readers, I hope this summary was helpful and I will try to do an overview of Tanica's programme is the final edition of the weight-management feature on May 20. Don't miss it.

Cheers,

-Eulalee Thompson

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.