'I dropped 4st 4lb - I have four rules for losing weight and keeping it off'

Overall, the dieter advised enjoying a balanced lifestyle with healthy foods and regular exercise to achieve sustainable results.

Where many people go wrong is going in to their weight loss journey with a defeatist attitude, she said on her YouTube channel Megan Lacoste.

The slimmer stressed she is not an expert, but in her experience, there are four things people need to know to see weight loss results, which she called "four secrets to lose weight and keep it off".

Have the right attitude

Firstly, she said dieters must stop believing people are "naturally skinny or naturally fat".

Doing this may encourage them to compare themselves to others, blame slow results on their genetics and ultimately give up quickly.

Of course, genetics can come into play with weight loss, but many people should still be able to achieve results if they have a healthy lifestyle, she claimed.

Avoid fad diets

Another thing Megan flagged was avoiding fad diet plans which are restrictive and difficult to stick to.

"Dieting does not work. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to make sure you are changing your lifestyle," she said.

Don't cut out carbs and fat

Similarly, she said the third secret to weight loss is to not cut food groups out completely, such as carbohydrates or fats, as these can often be healthy if opting for the right ones.

There are many low- and no-carb diet plans on the market and, while these can give good results initially, they can be almost impossible to stick to long term.

Many nutrient-dense foods are high in carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, so cutting these out could lead to a deficiency.

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Wholegrain carbohydrates are also a good source of fibre, which is important for staying full.

Healthy fats, such as eggs or nuts, are also good sources of nutrients and protein which can help with feelings of hunger when trying to lose weight. A nutritionist shared eight good sources of protein.

Avoid weight loss supplements

Finally, Megan said you can't "buy weight loss". While there are various supplements and products that promise quick results, she said many of these will not work. Instead, focus on lifestyle changes that will provide long-term results.