WORK out what will motivate you. Are you unhappy with your appearance? Do you lack confidence as a result of your weight? Think about how these things make you feel and remember this when you need motivation. That will be your trigger to keep you going.

Be fully conscious of what you are eating. Eating just 500 calories more a day could result in a weight gain of 1lb a week. Over a year that amounts to nearly four stones. If you want to put a cream cake in your mouth you need to know there are going to be implications in terms of calories gained and that you are going to have to expend them or put on weight. Your shape reflects your habits and lifestyle.

Have breakfast. It really is the most important meal of the day. By denying your body food first thing in the morning it will go into starvation mode which means that when you do eat later on the calories will be retained, making it harder to lose weight. Over Christmas if you want to have a treat – mince pies, alcohol, big meals – then make sure you get some exercise first. You can still have that mince pie but make sure you’re in a deficit situation and that you’re not just taking in extra calories.

Learn about the calorie content of foods and when making a main meal ensure that at least half the plate is filled with fresh vegetables.