Don't give up!

With the wedding date set, and therefore your target getting ever closer, perhaps some 'thinspirational' tips are just what you need. Here are our top ten...

1. Share it Why keep the fact that you're trying to lose weight a secret? By telling your fiancé, family and friends it'll help stop you from drifting off your path. And should they say, "you don't need to diet" just accept the compliment but stick to your goal. You're doing it for you and how proud and beautiful you'll feel when you step into your wedding dress.

2. Don't deny yourself There will be times – like your hen night for instance – when you just won't be able to (or want to) diet. It's a special occasion so don't beat yourself up about it, otherwise you'll grow to despise your diet and that could mean curtains for it long-term.

3. Get physical! Yes, we know you know that losing weight works quicker when a healthy eating plan is done in conjunction with exercise. But on top of the gym sessions, just making little changes to your daily lifestyle can make a big difference. For instance, get off the bus one stop early, park in the furthest space in the car park; take the stairs instead of the lift etc... You may find that wearing a pedometer and increasing your mileage every day will spur you on.

4. Shop smart Don't, whatever you do, go shopping when you're hungry. Follow a healthy eating plan as a guide on what exactly to buy, but if you're also shopping for your hubby-to-be, don't allow yourself to be tempted down the confectionary or cakes aisle. Have a snack before you hit the supermarket. Something small should take the edge off any hunger pangs and help you on your way to a safer shop!

5. Reward yourself Keep a chart (it'll help make your goals official and give you a real sense of achievement and purpose.) Every time you reach a goal, treat yourself. For instance, lose 5lbs = wedding shoe shopping; the next 5lbs = wedding make-up trial etc... It could be that these incentives are exactly what you need to keep committed.

6. Eat up If you think you feel hungry outside meal times drink a big squat glass of water – you could just be thirsty. Apparently our brains may think that a tall glass that can take the same capacity actually holds more water, but not so! If that doesn't hit the spot then eat something. These are the times when popcorn, low fat jelly or cereal bars are a lifesaver.

7. Picture perfect Some B2Bs may find that sticking a 'pre-diet picture' on their fridge will stop them from opening the door. If that works for you, then do it. But wouldn't a picture of your wedding dress boost your willpower even more? He's bound to spot it on the fridge door so slip it into your diary or under your dashboard, or scan it in as your screensaver at work, or welcome page on your mobile – somewhere you can keep looking at it – it’s your ultimate goal after all!

8. Location, location, location Eat slowly at the dinner table so that you're aware of exactly how much you're eating and aren't simply shovelling it down whilst driving, watching TV or working at the computer. Hunger spurred on by boredom or TV ads is a guaranteed eating plan killer. Put down your knife and fork whilst chewing every mouthful too and aim for 20 chews a time.

9. Be positive Feeling sorry for yourself could easily lead you to lose sight of your goal. Think positive. For instance:

• You used to say: I hate my body
• You now say: I can and I will improve it
• You used to say: Damn, I ate a flapjack
• You now say: So what? Tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to stick to my shape-up plan
• You used to say: My bridesmaids will look better than me
• You now say: Yes, they're beautiful but so am I – and it's me he wants to marry!

10. Be a cereal snacker Apparently in a test, people who ate the same cereal snack 90 minutes after dinner for a month dropped an extra 4lbs. What better reason do you need for a late night bowl or bar of something tasty?

Ultimately, remember that you want to change. Organising a wedding is a stressful business and at times you may think that a packet of biscuits is the only thing that'll get you through the seating plan. Don't let your wedding day arrive and feel unhappy or ashamed that you fell off your fitness plan or look back at your wedding photographs and regret that you didn't stick to your healthy eating plan. Make it the happiest day of your life - in every way possible!