As 2020 draws to a close, and we start thinking more about the new year ahead of us, many of us might plan to focus on our health and wellbeing a little more from January onwards.

Great British Life: The SkinnyJab programme 'naturally helps you to choose healthier options'. Picture: SkinnyJabThe SkinnyJab programme 'naturally helps you to choose healthier options'. Picture: SkinnyJab (Image: Archant)

Caroline Balazs, who launched the SkinnyJab weight loss programme four years ago and has herself lost three stone through its unique methods, believes a gentle approach is called for:

Q: What is the most effective weight loss plan for 2021?

Great British Life: 'Our highly trained patient advisors will support your weight loss through the January blues.' Picture: SkinnyJab'Our highly trained patient advisors will support your weight loss through the January blues.' Picture: SkinnyJab (Image: Archant)

Losing weight doesn’t have to be about heavy dieting or starting a punishing regime in January. Yes, we have all probably overindulged over Christmas, but why not approach losing weight more naturally in the new year? Our approach to weight loss at SkinnyJab – which includes the use of an appetite suppressant, administered via an automatic, pen dispenser – will still allow you to eat what you enjoy. You will just have less of it. And why not also choose to exercise in a more gentle and sustained way too? Many of us haven’t returned to the gym or to our exercise classes yet but we can still get out into the fresh air; take the dog out; go for a long walk with a friend or head off on a bicycle. We just need to try to do it more often, and for longer.

Q: How should I prepare myself to lose weight in the new year?

Definitely get all the festivities out of the way, enjoy Christmas as much as you can this year, then begin to focus. Start the new year with a plan but take it one step at a time. Give yourself four to six weeks to cut down – don’t immediately try to give up everything. It’s about starting 2021 with a positive mindset, not making unrealistic resolutions that you will give up on January 2. If you decide to start a SkinnyJab programme, remember our team is always there on the end of the phone. Having support is one of the most important things when you are embarking on a new weight loss regime and our highly trained patient advisors will support your weight loss through the January blues!

Q: Are weight loss injections safe?

The medication we use is a fully tested, prescription medication, which is licensed for weight loss – and the injection side of it is user-friendly and painless. It is the equivalent of what diabetics have to do every day of their lives. A tablet form has also recently come out and we are now offering that as well. We are specialists in obesity management and our programmes are tailor-made for individuals – we can discuss how to lose weight and the various options, then ask you what you would like to do.

Q: How can I maintain the weight loss?

It is so important to think about this if you want to retain your weight loss for the whole year and forever. I would say about 85 per cent of our patients have managed never to put the weight they have lost with us back on. The reason for that is the unique way the medication works – it doesn’t deprive the body, so when you want to eat normally again the metabolism stays level. People might put on a few pounds here or there if they go on holiday, for example, but very often they are amazed that they haven’t gained more. This is because they can keep it under control and don’t get the peaks and troughs they get with other diets. Putting your body through a punishing regime where you are absolutely starving throughout the diet and then you put all the weight back on – and more – the minute you come off it is not a healthy way to live. We encourage really good eating habits with this programme – it naturally helps you to choose healthier options. Our programme can have a positive effect on hormone cycles, which also makes everything feel a little bit easier, and it can help women who want to conceive to get into better shape. Whatever your plans are for next year, we all know that becoming healthier is the right thing to do, but sometimes working out how to lose weight can be hard and then actually doing it can be difficult. Sometimes we just need a little help – and SkinnyJab can offer that.

To book a consultation or to find out more, visit skinnyjab.co.uk or call the 24/7 call centre on 0800 955 6888 or 0161 907 6942.