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Calories

DIETING on just 1,000 calories a day could actually harm your body. Few people can sustain such a strict regime and come off alleged ''rapid weight loss'' diets with a bang, resorting to binge eating.

On very low calorie, low fat diets, the body eats into its own fat stores. When high levels of food are consumed it prepares for the next ''famine'' by building up fat stores in unusual places. Often women who have been yo-yo dieting can develop rings of fat just above the knees or under the shoulder blades which are hard to shift.

Use the 'Calorie Calculator' below with one of the following options which best suits your lifestyle to work out how many calories you should take in each day.

Sedentary - Someone who has a desk bound job, drives or takes public transport to work, spends their lunch break reading a magazine or eating a sandwich at their desk. When they get home in the evenings will do some very light housework, make tea, watch television and perhaps later walk to the local pub for a drink.

Moderately active - Someone who walks or bikes to work, has a fairly active job where they are on their feet all day, like a teacher or nurse or who makes sure they get up and about during their breaks. In the evenings they will do formal exercise such as aerobics, swimming or football three or four nights a week, and at the weekend go cycling or walking.

Very active - Someone with a very active occupation such as an exercise teacher or who is serious about fitness and works out hard most days.

Make the best guesstimate of your own activity level depending on your lifestyle. Be honest!

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