'I'm a nutritionist - my weight loss advice will make your slimming journey much easier'

Kerry Beeson, nutritional therapist at Prep Kitchen, warns that the desire for quick results often leads to disappointment.

"You can't lose weight overnight - it takes time, commitment, exercise and sticking to a balanced, healthy, (but totally delicious) diet," she explained.

The expert emphasised the importance of establishing clear processes to achieve health and fitness objectives.

She said: "Once you have decided on your health and fitness goals, I recommend setting out the processes in place that you need to achieve them. This could include lifestyle changes such as prioritising sleep, signing up to a gym, enlisting the support of family and friends, and considering using a healthy meal delivery service designed for weight loss."

To start a successful weight loss journey, Kerry recommended calculating your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). This calculation helps determine the calories needed to maintain current weight, forming a baseline for reduction.

The expert said: "Anyone can calculate their individual TDEE through a simple formula, which will then allow them to calculate how much they should reduce their calorie intake. For example, if you want to lose about a pound a week, try reducing your daily intake by around 500 calories per day."

To go with reducing your calorie intake, Kerry advised including more fibre in your diet and avoiding highly processed foods.

She added: "Stay hydrated, exercise regularly with a mix of cardio, strength training, and HIIT, and prioritise sleep. Take steps to be aware of, and minimise, stress, which can lead to patterns of erratic or comfort eating. Keep to a regular eating schedule, avoiding late-night snacks, and this will lead to gradual and sustainable results."

For those not undertaking dry January whilst trying to lose weight, Kerry recommended watching your alcohol intake.

She said: "Watch your alcohol intake, as you may be more likely to make poor food choices when you’ve had a drink or two, plus alcohol contains lots of calories."

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Consistency is key when trying to lose weight and the expert pushed people to focus on a long-term goal.

She said: "Don't look at your weight-loss journey as a short-term chore, instead view it as a positive turning point and long-term lifestyle choice that will lead to a new and healthier you.

"The permanent changes you make in this journey will become your future lifestyle foundation, so include creating processes and systems in your life to make things easier.

"If you find it hard to consistently cook healthy, delicious and low-calorie meals I suggest finding some really easy recipes that don't require a lot of preparation or washing up or just meal prep in bulk for the week."