Dieters can find advice in byte-sized chunks on a slimmers' web site.

The Online Slimming Club was set up by Telscombe-based husband and wife team, Kim and Ronny Burfield.

The site offers tailor-made slimming plans, diet information and exercise advice to registered users.

Mrs Burfield said: "I have spent 20 years in and out of various slimming clubs and I felt there had to be a better alternative.

"Many people feel uncomfortable publicly weighing in under the sometimes stern eye of a stick-like adviser.

"We set up our web site to help people determine, reach and maintain a target weight they are comfortable with in the most private, stress-free and personal way possible.

"The internet gets round many of the reasons people choose not to go to diet classes.

"It can be off-putting to be the odd one out at a slimming club. Only one to two per cent of slimming club members are male. Many want to lose half a stone rather than being very overweight and the open forum can be intimidating for shy people.

"The web site can't see any of these things and gives dieters the confidence to stick with the plan."

Brighton-based nutritionist Matthew Linder worked with Mrs Burfield to devise the diets for the online club.

Mrs Burfield said: "I have tried everything from the Cambridge diet, Herbalife, WeightWatchers, appetite suppressants and even crushed shellfish. I finally realised a combination of sensible eating and exercising was the only long-term answer.

"It was important the ideas we presented were backed by expert advice and all sections of the web site have been thoroughly researched by professionals."

Members fill in an online questionnaire and the answers are used to generate a report which is the basis for the diet advice.

Mrs Burfield said: "We provide the dieter with an ind-

ividual profile report, which includes a body-mass index ideal, weight ideal and an estimated date the target weight would be achieved.

"Dieters can follow their progress online by inputting their latest weight to find out if they are on track.

"The site includes calorie counters, which enable you to build your own meals, and a maintenance programme with a built-in alarm to show if you go seven pounds over your ideal weight.

"The site is not isolationist in its approach. A message board offers members from all over the world a place to chat together about their progress."

Brighton-based sales assistant Emma Dean registered with the site. She is 11 stone and hopes to lose a stone by December 14.

Miss Dean said: "I recently put on weight when I gave up smoking. Now I want to slim down in time for my firm's Christmas party.

"I don't have the time to attend conventional slimming club so this is perfect for me. I can weigh in when I want to without leaving the house."

The Online Slimming Club has been in development for 18 months and went "live" this month. There is a joining fee of £9.95 and membership is £5 a month.

The company used Brighton-based web company TiNiT to design and programme the site.

www.onlineslimmingclub.

com www.tin-it.co.uk
l See The Argus Woman on Monday for an update on how six readers' diets are getting along.