There’s one tiny word which can make all the difference between a wrecked diet and a slimming regime that really works - and that’s the word NO!!

You use it to refuse food that you don’t want and don’t need. The trouble is, so many of us find it difficult - or even impossible - to say it when we should.....

When you think about it, the problem is not so much a matter of saying ‘‘NO’’, but a matter of saying what you mean and being taken seriously. Many slimmer’s find the process of trying to lose weight damaging to their confidence, particularly when they’re convinced that they could lose weight faster..

When your confidence is low, you’ll find it harder to say ’’NO’’ and mean it. But that’s often when you need to say it most! Lack of confidence and self esteem often prompts us to say ’’yes’’ to things that we don’t really want, or say ’’no’’ without sufficient conviction. Of course, there are always people who are determined to wreck your diet no matter what, and they won’t take ’’No’’ for an answer.

Here, the only way is to be brutally firm. Look them squarely in the eye as they try to pour cream on your fresh fruit salad and say: ‘‘No, thank you, I’m trying to lose weight so I wouldn’t enjoy it.’’

Diet wreckers are usually completely thrown by this unanswerable logic! One girl who had a lot of weight to lose did it successfully by being firm. Her tactic, when friends were pressing her to eat and drink fattening things, was to say, ‘‘No, I’ve told you once. It must be obvious to you that I’m trying to lose weight, and if you persist in offering me something to break my diet, I can only assume you’re not the friend I took you for!’’

While we don’t actually advocate saying this out load - you might just shed more friends than pounds! - You could always try saying mentally: REAL friends respect my need. And don’t forget - there’s nothing like being assertive for boosting your confidence. Saying ’’No’’ and meaning it - when usually you’re used to saying ’Yes’’ just keep the peace can do wonders for your self esteem. And confidence and self-esteem are a great part of what the joy of being slim is all about!

So next time you feel like saying ‘‘No’’ say ‘‘No’’ and not ‘‘Perhaps’’, or ‘‘Maybe’’.

Believe us, the only thing you’ve got to gain is confidence, and the only thing you’ve got to lose is your weight!

How to be strong minded.

In order to be assertive you’ve got to follow certain basic rules.

First.... Nobody will believe you if you don’t believe yourself.

You’ve got to convince yourself that you really don’t want a stodgy pudding at lunch or a box of chocolates for your birthday, before you can make other people believe the same! Believe that you’re going to stick to your diet, no matter what. So when the danger time comes and you have to say ’’No’’ - you’ll say it with conviction.

Second.... Put yourself first! You’re not going to lose weight by saying ’’yes’’ to things that pile on the pounds! So don’t imagine you’re saving other peoples feelings by eating foo you don’t want. You’ll be the only one to suffer when you get on the scales!

Third .... Be positive! This is probably the most important rule of all. So if you’re coming under pressure to have a cream-laden dessert, try saying: ’’No, I wouldn’t enjoy the Black Forest Gateau but I’d love a piece of fruit instead.’’

This trick also works at parties. Instead of saying ‘‘No’’ to a gin and tonic, try saying ‘‘I’d love a slim line orange with lots of ice!’’