1. What is the most effective fitness program for losing weight?

Personally, I don't believe there is a one-size-fits-all program that works for everyone. I think the key thing is that you choose something you really enjoy doing, So, go for biking, swimming, or hula hooping, if it makes you happy! For me, slogging away at the gym is a no-go, I find it frustratingly boring! But, pilates and a little jogging works really well. Ultimately, for a fitness program to be worthwhile, it needs to be done on a consistent basis, and this is the real "secret." Your aim should be to workout for at least 30 minutes five days each week, and you should be working enough to raise your heart rate.

2. What do you think is the biggest obstacle that keeps women from engaging in a regular fitness routine, and from living a healthier lifestyle in general?

Without a doubt, it's time constraints. We are so busy these days. We look after our family, we go to work, we cook and clean, we socialize. Basically we try to have it all, but at the end of the day it's very easy for our fitness and eating to take a backseat in terms of importance. So, what's the answer? Well, I think it's difficult, but we need to start putting ourselves first once in a while, after all if you don't stay in good health, who's going to look after your family? It's about getting the balance right. Easier said than done perhaps, but so worthwhile in the end.

If you find this is a major problem, why not begin by setting aside 10 minutes each day to do something for you? Perhaps a short, high-intensity workout, or a brisk walk on your lunch break would do the trick. And, even though it's only 10 minutes, you'll feel so much better for it. Once this becomes a habit, you may be able to gradually extend the time to fit more in.

3. What are some of the medical conditions that can be improved when someone loses weight?

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide. But, weight loss of only five to 15% in a person who is overweight or obese, can help reduce the risk factors for diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, it can also hep improve breathing difficulties when sleeping, reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. Weight loss often results in reduced blood pressure levels, lower blood sugars, and improved cholesterol levels. So, basically it's win-win all round!

4. Can I still eat my favorite food and balance my calories?

Absolutely! What a boring life it would be without a little treat now and again. Chocolate is certainly a weakness of mine, but I don't deprive myself, or feel guilty when I have a little. Personally, I don't believe there are "good" and "bad" foods, but there are certainly foods to be avoided most of the time (for example, foods laden with trans fats). That said however, if you do eat the occasional donut, it's no going to kill you on the spot - just try to make sure your diet contains lots of whole foods in their natural form, most of the time, and allow for occasional treats.

5. One reason people gain weight is due to emotional eating. Does your diet address this, and do you have any weight loss tips to offer readers with regard to emotional eating?

Emotional eating is certainly a common problem, but it's definitely not impossible to overcome. There are a number of things which I find useful for people struggling with this:

1) Identify your eating triggers - try writing down what you eat, how much, when, and how you feel at that time. This can be a very useful exercise in helping you understand what triggers you emotionally, and will help you develop a plan to avoid/deal with these triggers in the future.

2) Eat a balanced diet. Remember that if you don't eat enough to meet your energy requirements, you may be more likely to give in to emotional eating.

3) Eat regularly - and don't skip meals. This will help you to avoid binging on unhealthy foods due to adverse hunger.

4) Tune into your body and become aware of how hungry you feel, and when it's time to stop eating.

5) Don't keep unhealthy food in your home - instead stock plenty of healthy food, also try not to shop when you're feeling down or hungry.

6) Learn to eat slowly - sit at the table, place your knife and fork down between mouthfuls, and enjoy each bite.

7) If you find yourself overeating, don't beat yourself up, but instead get back on track ASAP with a healthy diet.Emotional eating is something most people have done at some time in their lives. However, the problem comes when the behaviour gets out of control. If you do find yourself overeating, try not to dwell on the experience. Instead ask yourself "What can I learn from this?" and make a plan of action, based on what you've learned, so that you can better deal with it in the future.

6. Planning a healthy diet can be tough for a busy mom. Can you give some tips on how busy moms can manage their diet while dealing with their busy schedules?

I've just become a new mum myself, so I'm constantly learning how to balance my time better as I care for my new baby, look after my home, and also work from home. It's certainly a fun and interesting challenge! I've found menu planning has been the single most important thing to help me be more consist with a healthy diet during this busy time. This is the best piece of advice I can give in terms of my own experience. I find menu planning has helped me to be so much more organized in the kitchen, and at the supermarket, and on top of that, I also managed to significantly cut my food bill as a result.

7. Is being vegetarian an answer to losing weight and staying healthy?

The basics for being a healthy weight are the same for everyone. That is a diet focused on healthy foods, and balanced calories in relation to your energy expenditure. A vegetarian diet, just like any other diet, can be made up of poor food choices, which ultimately contributes to weight gain. However, research has shown that, on average, people who follow a vegetarian diet eat fewer calories and less fat than non-vegetarians, tending to have lower body weights than non-vegetarians.What you need to remember, however, is that switching to a vegetarian diet doesn't guarantee weight loss. If you choose to be vegetarian, your diet still needs to be balanced and healthy, low in fat, providing all of the nutrients your body needs.