Tips to make for a successful New Year resolution

New Year leads to New Year's resolutions. Losing weight is top of many people's challenges for 2014, so thanks to community dietitian Cara Cunningham here's a few tips to make sure you are successful.

1. Don’t be too restrictive. Be realistic about changes in your diet. If you start to starve yourself your willpower will probably fail by the time lunchtime comes around. Make a plan of what you could modify about your diet, then pick three or four realistic changes that you could follow, like having 3 regular meals, substituting unhealthy snacks with fruit, or stop frying food and oven bake foods instead. Make changes that you will be able to sustain in the longer term, and remember the aim is to have a healthier overall diet not starve yourself!

2. Wave goodbye to Christmas goodies. This time of the year your house can be packed to capacity with chocolates, cakes, buns, biscuits all the high fat and sugary snacks. It may sound brutal, but it might be best to just get rid of them – that means either give them away or bin them. If you are trying to stick to a diet there is no point in having temptation lying around calling to you!

3. Recruit friends and family. It is always good to have a buddy to support you when times are tough. You should have no trouble finding a recruit. The more people you can get the more support you will have.

4. Get moving. Being more active is the key to successful weight loss. It is important therefore to choose an activity you like. Walking is great as you only need a pair of runners and off you go. But don’t forget swimming, cycling, dancing, yoga, pilates, aerobics…it’s good to mix different types of activities but make sure whatever you choose is accessible for you. Build up the amount of exercise you do too. If your aim is to lose weight it is best to try to go for at least an hour everyday.

2014 could be your year to make positive changes for your health, so best of luck!