Keep a bowl of raw vegetables and salad in the fridge to dip into when you feel the urge to eat.

Have a drink of a low calorie drink, squash, oxo, slim-a-soup, or water.

Clean your teeth, you won’t fancy eating something afterwards.

Yoghurt tastes good with many things that you are tempted to serve with cream.

Never eat while standing up or waiting for the kettle to boil. You will not feel full from eating things on the run.

Don’t shop while you feel hungry. You won’t be tempted then to buy the things you really shouldn’t have.

Buy a packet of boiled sweets or fruit gums or any type that takes a long time to eat. Keep these in the house for when you want something sweet, then just have one.

Don’t be a dustbin. Throw the family leftovers straight in the bin, quickly before you change your mind.

Tell everyone that you are on a diet. You’re less likely to cheat if there is a possibility someone might see you.

Whenever you have successfully resisted a temptation, a bar of chocolate or cake, try to put the money to one side until there is enough for a non fattening treat.

Don’t take more money than necessary with you when you go to the shops, avoiding last minute temptation.

Eat your food slowly, chew well, put your knife and fork down between mouthfuls.

Cut everything smaller.

Divide your meals into eight portions and eat at two hourly intervals. That way your stomach won’t have chance to tell you it’s hungry.

Prepare the evening meal when you are not hungry. Preferably after breakfast or lunch to avoid cheating.

Go and try on that dress or skirt you couldn’t get into and remind yourself how good it would be to wear it.

Don’t leave food around. Take the correct amount and put the rest away. Out of sight, out of mind and out of stomach!

Paint your nails; you can’t eat with wet fingers.

Get into the habit of eating in a particular room and only in that room - not in front of the telly.

The more we concentrate on pain, the more we feel it. The same goes for hunger. Do something else to stop you thinking about it.

Go through recipe books marking the foods you like that are low calories. Then when you want Something, pick something that will not damage your weight loss.

Plan ahead for leftovers. If they are going to make a meal set them aside for that purpose.

Try to avoid eating alone; people usually eat more when they eat by themselves.

Don’t read the menu when you go to a restaurant, make your mind up in advance.

Learn to regulate your eating habits. People who skip meals are more likely to eat more later on and gulp down food without tasting it.

Try serving yourself half the normal portion of pudding if you can’t resist altogether or leave some.

Don’t have the last meal of the day too early, around 6.00pm - 7.30pm is ideal.

If you are tempted by leftovers squirt washing up liquid on them before you change your mind. That way you can’t eat it.

If you have a social evening planned or are going out for an evening meal do not starve all day but have your normal meals. That way you are less likely to over eat later.

Eat your evening meal off a small dinner plate rather than a large one.