Cut out saturated fats

They do nothing for you, so avoid them completely. These are fats found in greasy foods, crisps, chocolates, pastry…

Reduce late carbs

Make it a strict rule not to have any of the following after 5 p.m.

• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Rice
• Bread
• Fruit

Cut out junk/fast foods

Yes they are convenient but they contain nothing but rubbish. They are ladened full of saturated fat and unhealthy ingredients. Eat crap and your body will look like crap. Why do you think so many people have such deep-rooted fat like cellulite? Stay away from junk food. If you see a fast food place, avoid it. Go to a sandwich shop instead and get a sandwich.

Eat only when hungry

This is really important. Why on earth are we eating constantly? When was the last time you let your body experience that hungry feeling? There is nothing wrong with having an empty stomach for a few hours. Get used to it. Eat only when you feel hungry.

Eat smaller meals

Don’t eat what is put on your plate for you. Fill the plate up only as much as you can eat without stuffing yourself. Eat more frequently but eat smaller portions. This is a good way of speeding your metabolism up.

Drink water

Yes you have heard it a million times. What do you think shifts the fat out of your body? Drink water throughout the day, every day. You must drink at least 2-3 litres a day, more if you are sweating or trying to lose fat.

Make CV a integral part of your every day life

Try and do 45+ minutes, 3-4 times a week on either the stationary bike, rower, stepper or go out fast walking. CV is the only guaranteed way of getting rid of the fat which you already posses.

Eat fibre

It is amazing to see just how many people are constipated. Why? It’s not rocket science you know! If you don’t exercise and you don’t eat fibre, chances are you will be constipated. Fibre ensures a healthy intestinal tract, less toxins and less fat. Eating fibre reduces food passage time and can aid fat loss. If you are confused, then get a packet of prunes and have some during the day.

Drink green tea

The wonder drink for relaxation and fat loss. They drink it in the Orient and you can’t deny that they are slimmer than most others.

Shop only on a full stomach

The classic mistake people make is to go shopping on an empty stomach. All that happens is you end up buying sugary foods to satisfy your hunger. Always always go shopping after you have eaten. You will amazed at just how wise you will be in your choices!

Get more active

Every little bit helps. Stay active. Use the stairs instead of the lift. Walk to the station instead of driving. Go out during your breaks. Make sure you are suing calories at every available opportunity. Remember, winning starts with beginning.

Drink caffeine

Caffeine is without a doubt a good fatburner. A cup of coffee in the morning followed by a cup of grapefruit juice (yeah it sounds disgusting!) can be a very good start to your fat-burning day.

Don’t get stressed – relax!

People who are too desperate to lose fat, usually put their progress back. Stress means the release of cortisol which destroys muscle and stores fat! So don’t get stressed and try to find ways of relaxing.

Lose the “fat” not “weight”!

Don’t get obsessed with the scales. How much you “weigh” is not the issue here. Your weight consists of fat, muscle, bones etc. It is how much “fat” you have which is important. Throw your scales out and make sure the mirror is your guide. How much you “weight” has NOTHING to do with how much fat you have.

Do weight training

Weight training builds muscle tissue. Muscle tissue ensures a steady fat-burning furnace is operating in your body. Don’t neglect bodyparts like the legs, which can burn a great deal of body fat.

Be persistent

Fat doesn’t appear overnight and it most certainly doesn’t disappear overnight. Be persistent and stick to it. The body is not a mystery. Start, stick to it and you will succeed.

Ingredients
1 onion, very finely chopped or grated
1 free-range egg, beaten
450g (16oz) minced lamb, extra lean
1 stick celery, very finely chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp dried mixed herbs
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
50g (1¾ oz) fresh breadcrumbs

This is a Grub Club recipe.

Method
1. Place all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
2. Divide the mixture into eight and form each portion into a ball. Using your hands, press the mixture together firmly. Turn each ball onto a lightly floured surface and press down with the palm of your hand to form burgers.
3. Grill or barbecue for 5-8 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Serve with whole meal bread rolls and salad.

Ingredients
3×125-150g/4½-5¼ oz chicken breast fillets, skinless
1 tbsp corn flour
¼ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
4 tbsp vegetable oil
125g (4½ oz) cashew nuts, un-roasted and unsalted
2 medium carrots, halved and cut into strips
4 spring onions, sliced diagonally
1 medium courgette, halved and cut into strips
125g (4½ oz) sugarsnap peas
1 ripe medium mango, stone removed, quartered, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp dry sherry
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
whole meal rice or Chinese noodles, to serve

Method
1. Cut each chicken breast in half lengthways, slice thinly and place in a bowl. Mix together the corn flour and Chinese five-spice powder. Sprinkle over the chicken and toss well together.
2. Heat 2 tbsp of the vegetable oil in a wok and stir fry the chicken pieces for 3-5 minutes until cooked and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
3. Add the remaining oil to the pan and quickly stir fry the cashew nuts until lightly browned. Add the carrots, spring onions and courgette and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the sugar-snap peas and mango slices and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
4. Return the chicken pieces to the pan and add the dry sherry and soy sauce. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes, then serve immediately with boiled rice or Chinese noodles.

Ingredients
450g/1lb medium new potatoes
a few tbsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
optional fresh herbs, such as thyme/oregano/rosemary, chopped

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. Place the potatoes into a glass dish, cover with cling film and pierce with a fork. Place into the microwave on a medium heat or until almost tender.
3. Cut the potatoes lengthwise into wedges and place into a roasting tin. Drizzle with the olive oil and season. Add the herbs if you like.
4. Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until golden-brown.
5. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper and serve.

Classic oriental ingredients – ginger, salad onions and soy sauce add a delicious flavor to simple steamed scallops – a great dinner party starter.

Ingredients
16 scallops in the shell
1 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger
120ml/4fl oz sesame oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
3 salad onions, finely sliced

Method
1. Fill the base of a steamer with water and bring to the boil.
2. Sprinkle the scallops with the ginger. Place in the steamer and steam for about 4 minutes until only just set.
3. Put the sesame oil and soy sauce in a small pan and warm through.
4. Arrange the scallops on four plates and pour over the sesame oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle on the coriander and sliced salad onions then serve.