In other words, good luck.

1. Sleep, sleep, sleep! Make this as much of a priority as you can. Easier said than done I know but not only does lack of sleep make you inclined to eat more poor-quality, high-energy foods, new research shows lack of sleep can actually impede fat loss. Our bodies repair most between 10pm & 2am, so the longer you’ve got your eyes shut during this window, the better.

2. Think single ingredient, whole foods as much as possible. No junk ultimately. Tonnes of leafy greens, fish, meat. Check labels – if you don’t recognise an ingredient / wouldn’t eat a teaspoon of it, don’t eat it. Time I know will be a huge factor here but cook in bulk, freeze as much as you can and generally make like as easy for yourself as you possibly can

3. Make active choices over unrealistic commitments. You’re not going to be able to bash out 5k, three times a week for the long term, sorry. Life gets in the way so much. But you can park the car as far away from the supermarket as possible; always, always take the stairs and bust out 10 squats every time you go to the loo. I’m always amazed on days I can’t make it to the gym, but make a conscious effort to just move more, how much I notch up on my Nike Fuelband

4. Treat Yourself – repeat after me “It’s a lifestyle, not a diet”. No quick fixes, just a commitment to being healthier and happier with the added bonus of shifting a few pounds in the process. So, don’t deprive yourself of an occasional treat. I tend to schedule one ‘Treat Meal’ a week. Sometimes a slap up Sunday roast; a Friday night fish & chip fest; a rebellious mid week burger – all washed down with plenty of Pinot or Sauv, of course. But savour this treat, use it as a means to stop yourself thinking you’re going without the rest of the time. Also, a treat meal can often be a brilliant way of jump starting your metabolism & helping the body to burn more fat

5. Eyes on the prize – when you think about reaching for the biscuits, stop for a second. Remind yourself why you’re doing this, remind yourself how great eating well is making you feel. And perhaps have a little goal in mind. Is it running a certain distance in a certain time in those new kicks? Slipping back into a pair of jeans? Treating yourself to a killer outfit for a special occasion? Set some goals, keep referring back to them and track your progress along the way

You’ve totally got this girlfriend… Enjoy feeling awesome about yourself again!