If you have reached the end of your tether with diets that don't work, and are fed up with yo-yo eating habits, diet guru Pete Cohen may have the answer, writes GEMMA SIMMS.

The 28-year-old, who is currently moving to Oxford, has lectured in sports science in the UK and America and works with world class athletes and media personalities.

And as well as introducing Lighten Up classes in the area he has written a book called Slimming With Pete to solve the mysteries of the diet world.

The health and fitness professional has never had a weight problem himself but he does know exactly how it feels to struggle to overcome difficulties.

He left school with only one GCSE, having been told by his teachers that his severe dyslexia would make it impossible for him to achieve any academic qualifications.

This made him determined to prove them wrong, and Pete went on to gain degrees in sport science and nutrition and a masters in sports psychology. He used to work in the gym now known as The High, in Oxford, and once he is re-established in the city, he will start up his Lighten Up classes to show people how to be slim the healthy way without starving and putting the weight back on.

Pete said: "Food is not the enemy.

"So often dieters become embroiled in a battle with the scales, weighing themselves and every mouthful of food they eat, and can start to lose sight of what they are really trying to achieve.

"My advice is to throw away the scales, rediscover your natural relationship with food and start to really enjoy life."

He is extremely bubbly and full of life and energy - an ideal role model for those who want to be fitter.

He explained: "I'm good at being slim and I can help get people slim.

"People who go on diets never keep the weight off. Someone was telling me the other day that there are 330,000 different diets.

"When we lived in caves years ago, we didn't know where the next meal was coming from and we held on to fat. "It's possible to lose 13lb a week if you stop eating from now until next week, but the body is intelligent and it will store fat."

The diet guru has written a book with writer and consultant Judith Verity, called Slimming With Pete, which claims to take the weight off body and mind, and Pete thinks his philosophy is simple.

He added: "Of course, nothing works unless you do it for yourself. What I do now is give people the facts and then help them find the motivation to use them." said Pete.

And he has proof that diets don't work. "Thirty-six 36 men were monitored for 12 weeks to see what would happen if they cut their calorie intake in half.

"During that time, each man became so obsessed with food, each was either seriously obese, bulimic or anorexic and it took 14 months for their weight to return to normal."

Pete believes the key is to become more active and only eat when you are hungry, instead of nibbling when you are bored or watching television. He said: "Most people drive to work and sit at a desk all day without taking any exercise.

"It's important to be more active, but the fact is people don't like exercise and will do anything to avoid pain.

"People get pleasure from eating, drinking and smoking.

"Working in the fitness industry, I noticed people wouldn't be there the following week because being in a gym can be very boring."

*His book Slimming With Pete (Crown House Publishing) costs £9.99. FIVE HINTS ON GETTING A NEW APPROACH

1. Slimming by the rule book doesn't work so make your own rules. It means throwing away your scales (or giving them to someone you don't like) and enjoying life more

2. Get yourself a fat jar. Pete believes bodies were meant to move so put 5p into a jar every time you take 15 minutes' exercise - walking, cycling, housework, gardening or whatever. By the time you have enough to buy perfume, underwear or a new toy, you will probably also have lost a measurable amount of fat

3. Give your body more treats, but not food. Think of all the other possible sensations there are in the world from music and massage to cuddles and conversation. Be more imaginative than a bacon sandwich

4. Savour your food. Pete doesn't tell you not to eat chocolate, or anything else you fancy. The rule is 'enjoy' and really savour it. If you want some chocolate, buy your favourite kind and don't do anything else while you are eating it. Remember the girl in the chocolate Flake advert?

5. Stop thinking about how fat you are and have more fun. IT'S GOOD SCIENCE

*The Lighten Up method claims to have an 80 per cent success rate (compared to the standard five per cent)

*Pete Cohen uses his own blend of mainstream sports psychology, motivational and visualisation methods to help slimmers and athletes alike to achieve their goals

*It appeals to both men and women. There are almost as many men who worry about their weight as women but Pete's 'macho image' means men feel less worried about turning up at his classes

*It has a sound scientific basis. Pete is a qualified personal trainer, sports psychologist and nutritionist. Every piece of advice Pete gives is based on mainstream scientific facts about fat, metabolism and exercise. He always provides a physiological explanation before he goes on to teach people how to motivate themselves psychologically to make the life changes they need.

*Pete Cohen's next Lighten Up course is on Saturday, November 14, in Cheltenham. Phone 0181 744 9242 for more details.

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