MANY people will be looking to lose weight in 2022 and here are some top tips from local experts.

Louise Hough has a Slimming World group in Winsford at Wharton Trinity Church Hall on Thursday evenings at 7pm.

Here are her top tips:

  • Don’t go hungry

What you’re eating is much more important than how much.

Swapping high calorie, unsatisfying foods (think chocolate, alcohol, pastries) for foods that are lower in calories and more bulky, so they fill you up for longer, is key to losing weight.

Some quick and easy changes include using less fat when you cook, swapping full fat dairy products for low fat or fat free, ditching sugary drinks in favour of low calorie drinks and adding more fruit and veg to your daily meals.

  • It's OK to walk before you run.

Many people make the mistake of joining a gym, overdoing it in week one and quickly giving up, thinking ‘exercise isn’t for me’.

Finding an enjoyable, achievable, and sustainable way of building new active habits into your routine is key.

  • Be kind to yourself

A Slimming World survey of 1,700 slimmers showed that when they did have a slip up, being self critical was more likely to lead to comfort eating and giving up completely, whereas when they kind to themselves they got back to healthy eating more quickly.

  • Set a goal

It’s hard to achieve a goal if you don’t set it out clearly in the first place.

And when you’re thinking about your dream weight, don’t be afraid to be ambitious.

  • Don’t opt for a quick fix

To avoid becoming trapped in a yo-yo diet cycle, it’s important to approach weight loss as a permanent change to your lifestyle – and focus on developing new healthy habits that are sustainable for life, as well as getting support to make those changes.

  • Strike a balance

An all-or-nothing approach is rarely effective when it comes to weight loss.

A little bit of what you fancy is key!

That might be a Saturday night glass of wine or a bit of chocolate in the evenings.

  • You don’t have to go it alone

Studies show that embarking on your weight loss journey alongside other slimmers brings more success than going it alone.