Weight loss results are not easy to achieve but looking to those who have transformed their lives is a great way to get inspiration.
A grandmother shed nearly seven stone after turning 50 and shared the diet plan she used to help maintain her results.
Melanie Cameron, 53, from Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire, had struggled with her weight and yo-yo dieting her entire life.
The slimmer picked up bad habits when she was young, surrounded by unhealthy food such as sugary drinks, crisps and chocolate bars.
She dropped three dress sizes
WEIGHT LOSS RIGA
Melanie changed her diet plan
WEIGHT LOSS RIGA
By the age of 13, Melanie weighed in at 13 stone and was told to diet by doctors. She had tried various diets throughout her life to try and get results.
The mother-of-three had success with some diets but ultimately, she would fall off restrictive plans and the weight would pile back on. At her heaviest, she tipped the scales at 24st 11lb.
Melanie's diet during this time consisted of cereal for breakfast, carb-heavy lunches filled with bread and rolls and "man-sized" dinners of spaghetti bolognese, chicken curry and rice or pork chops.
But after turning 50, Melanie decided to make a change. She wanted to take up her old hobby of horse riding and worried about being around for her grandchildren.
She said: "I spent my whole life wanting to be thin, to look normal and not to worry about sitting in the aeroplane seat and things like that.
"When I started horse riding again I found it very difficult because of my weight, and I couldn’t even run after my grandkids. I needed to lose a couple of stone."
Melanie followed a healthy diet during her weight loss transformation. She also had gastric sleeve surgery at Weight Loss Riga in Latvia.
Gastric sleeve surgery can be used to help those who are extremely overweight but should not be done lightly. Britons are urged to consult with a doctor before making a decision.
The dieter overhauled her lifestyle and started to think of food as "fuel", opting for filling high-protein meals. Since losing weight, Melanie typically tucks into omelettes, soup and portion-controlled dinners, prioritising high protein foods like protein.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
She eats high protein meals and does regular horse-riding
WEIGHT LOSS RIGA
She will regularly exercise while horseriding and has noticed her fitness drastically improve while taking part in the activity.
Melanie added: "My horseriding has improved unbelievably. I’m not half as frightened either. I can ride for 45 minutes and not be puffed - and I barely sweat anymore.
"This isn’t a diet; this is a new life you get, and you've got to live it and enjoy it.”
This comes as experts share "surprising" cupboard staple foods that can help you add more protein and fibre to your diet.