A first step is to ensure that you actually do need to lose weight for your health’s sake. With all the ‘thin is beautiful’ messages in the media it can be easy to get a distorted view about whether your weight is healthy or not.

It can also help to know that there is no single ‘ideal’ weight for anybody. In addition, modest amounts of weight loss can be very beneficial to health, and research shows they are easier to keep off. Therefore, health professionals now encourage you to aim for a weight loss of 5-10% over 3-6 months. The ideal rate of weight loss to remain healthy is 1- 2 pounds (0.5-1kg) per week – so around a pound a week is great progress. With support and the right eating and activity plan, this is a realistic target for most people.

The benefits of modest weight loss include:

• Reduced risk of developing heart disease, stroke and certain cancers
• Reduced risk of developing diabetes/ helping to manage diabetes
• Improvements in blood pressure
• Improvements in mobility, back pain and joint pain
• Less breathlessness and sleep/snoring problems
• Increased self esteem and control over eating
• Feel fitter and have more energy

Look better and feel more comfortable in clothes.