The following are some tips to help you think about your diet differently. In particular if you are a yo-yo dieter. Do not think about your diet as a temporary state to lose just a few pounds but as healthy eating for life.

1. Avoid cranky pills and potions. It may be tempting to give fat-burning 'wonder' pills a whirl but it's better for your overall well being and cheaper to eat healthily.

2. Never skip meals, especially breakfast. Keeping your blood sugar levels on an even keel is vital to avoid extreme hunger pangs that lead to bingeing.

3. Don't turn lapse into collapse. A one-off event of overeating is simply a lapse, don't try to compensate by starving yourself, just pick yourself up and get back on track.

4. Every time you do 15 minutes of continuous exercise put 50p in a jar. Your goal is to bank a couple of coins a day. Treat yourself to a non-food reward with your savings!

5. Take care with throat sweets. If you suck one every 4 hours, it can add about 100 calories a day. That's the same as 2 Quality Street chocolates!

6. Think ahead and carry healthy snacks with you. Swapping a bar of chocolate for an apple four times a week, saves 875 calories in total. A banana in your bag is always a good idea.

7. When a dish requires cream, swap for yoghurt, reduced fat fromage frais or crème fraiche instead.

8. Write down all the positive things you'll gain by eating healthily and losing weight. Put the list where you can see it every day.

9. Plan your diet so that you can eat a little of your favourite indulgence every day. It will stop you thinking of it as forbidden food.

10. Taste, don't waste your calories. Enjoy every mouthful of food. Sit down and think of what you are eating and savour every mouthful.

11. Buy individual, not family size packs of food as you're more likely to overeat.

12. Try a glass of water or a cup of tea if you feel hungry. It will fill your stomach and take away the desire to eat.

13. Find ways to tackle stress that doesn't involve food. Simply indulging in 10 minutes ‘ME TIME’ a day can help.

14. Don't drink alcohol prior to a meal, as it tends to increase your appetite. Just stick to a glass of wine with your meal, remembering to take it from your treats.

15. Go for the burn, a touch of spice adds interest to bland foods. Salsa transforms a baked potato but adds only 10 calories.

16. Take care with flavoured waters. Some are just water with a twist of lemon or lime. Others can contain up to 350 calories per 1.5 litre bottle. Read the label!

17. Instead of ice cream opt for eating frozen mashed banana, its fat free and delicious. Try it!

18. Stand tall. Slouching can make you look bigger than you are, so pull in your tummy, tuck your bottom under and hold your head high.

19. Enjoy life. Don't put your life on hold until you are slimmer, do everything you want to do now. If you continue to have fun your diet is more likely to succeed.

20. Don't use food to celebrate or commiserate. A better option is to buy flowers or pamper yourself with a relaxing bath. Anything that feels like a treat works.