Five ways to stick to your diet

Starting a diet is a time of hope and excitement but, unfortunately for so many, it is set to turn to disappointment and regret before the month is out. To ensure that this does not happen to you, here are five ways to make sure that you stick to your diet and see it through to the end.

1. Learn how not to give upThe first few days are great -you wonder what all the fuss was about - but then it starts to get hard and finally there's that day when you really can't stand dieting any longer and wonder why you went into this.

OK, everyone's been there and the main thing is not to panic. What you have to do is accept that it's going to happen and plan for it. Say to yourself that when this day arrives you'll try your best to stick it out but that if you give in then it's no big deal. Just accept that you had a problem but now it is over and you are back on your diet. The next day just carry on as if nothing has happened.

2. MotivationTo keep going you need to have a goal. Find something that you want (and make sure it is something that is not food based) and set a date three or four days away. Now, say to yourself that when you get there you'll treat yourself and, once that's over, set a new date for another three or four days and carry on with these short goals. Remember, short goals are easier to get to than long ones that take forever but, of course, you may need to set yourself smaller rewards!

3. Learn to stay away from temptationKnowing you're about to start a diet - you wouldn't take a job in a chocolate factory, would you? So think about the next week or so and try to avoid temptation. In particular, if you know that you have an invitation to something that is definitely going to be a diet-buster make plans before you go.

Alternatively, if you can't or don't have time to plan, ensure that you are prepared to say: "Thank you", and just take a small helping (this is what naturally slim people do). Afterwards, just carry on with your diet as if nothing had happened.

4. Variety, variety and yet more varietyOne thing guaranteed to totally torpedo a diet is the same mix of boring old food day after day after day; especially at a time when you can see all around you the food that you want and would like to eat.

So, before you even begin your diet, look over the food that you will eat and check that you can eat all, or at least, most of it and check, too, that there is a good variety. What you want is some change from one week to the next and some choice from day to day.

5. SupportAlthough last, this is really the most important part of dieting. If you can get someone or (better) a group of people to support you in your dieting then you are half way there. This really is true so, if you can, join a dieting group or, if that's not possible, try to find someone who will diet with you or, alternatively, someone who understands what it is to diet.

If you can't do any of these, advertise a new diet group; you will always find people in your area who want to diet as much as you do and who, like you, are looking for support.

To make sure you achieve success, follow these five tips as best you can and you will be set up to start your diet and follow it through to the end.