GYMS and slimming clubs across the area are bracing themselves for their busiest time of year as people say goodbye to their mince pies.

Health-conscious Huddersfield people, stuffed by Christmas chocs, puds and booze, are turning their backs on over-indulgence - for a couple of months at least.

Health club bosses say they expect hundreds of people to walk through their doors in an effort to shed the festive flab.

Bev Coates, manager at Fitness First in Lockwood, said that although they had had a number of new members the big influx would be next week.

She added: "When people return to work they have a bit of a culture shock after time off at Christmas.

"Now, when you look on TV, there are adverts promoting holidays and losing weight and being in better shape for summer.

"The mentality of many people going to health clubs has changed.

"A few years ago it was all about weight loss. But these days people are much more health-conscious and recognise the benefits exercise can bring."

Hilary Frayne, fitness service sales manager at the Galpharm Stadium Health and Fitness Club, Huddersfield, said everyone made new year's resolutions.

She added: "It is our busiest time of the year. A lot of people think about joining in the run-up to Christmas, then do something about it in January.

"The average member normally comes for about six months. However, over the first few months we try to make them aware of everything we do, booking them in for things and sending information out.

"If they are still coming regularly after three months it becomes a habit, which people continue."

A study by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has shown gyms in Yorkshire are over £30 a year cheaper than the national average of £367.

Grahame Pope, the society's chairman, said his members saw a rise in exercise-related injuries in January as people tried to shift the post-Christmas pounds.

Slimming consultant Lynda Thwaites said January was the busiest time of year.

Lynda, who now runs Slimming World classes in Newsome, Almondbury and Scissett, after joining as a member in 2002 and shedding more than two-and-a-half stones, said healthy eating was the key.

She added: "You don't have to cut everything out. You can still have chocolate - but it's all about moderation.

"We don't do exercise at the meeting, but we promote it. Obviously healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand."