But if you're starting to waver over your new healthy lifestyle for 2019, we hope these inspirational before and after weight loss pictures might help you.

We asked readers to get in touch with their weight loss stories in their own words and pictures to help give other residents a much-needed boost.

If you want to get involved, there's still time to send in your story. Just click on the form at the bottom of this page.

Ayesha Murray-Higgins' story

"I was a size 12 before I got pregnant with my daughter but during the pregnancy I put on a lot of weight and when I'd had her I was a size 18-20.

"After a year of being this size I decided it was time to change and started going to the gym.

"When I started going it inspired me to eat better and put good food into my body because there was no point putting in all the effort at the gym to come home and gorge on bad food.

"I was sick when I worked out at first because I was so unfit but I kept going because I knew what I wanted.

"It took me just over a year to lose the weight and reach my goal of a size 8.

"I still eat treats but I make sure that I don't go over my calorie limit.

"I used a site called calorie counter to find out what I needed to have daily and stuck to it.

"I'm proud of myself for doing this and I know others can achieve their goals too, you just need to want it more than anything and you'll get there.

"Stay motivated, stay strong."

Gemma Crocker's story

I had tried various diets over the years and considered myself a great yo-yo dieter!

"But before turning 40 I realised I needed to lose the weight so enlisted the help of a personal trainer (Hayley White at Pure Gym) who advised me to ditch carbs/sugar.

"I was apprehensive at first, eating steaks, full fat butter, cheese and dark chocolate, after you’re always told it’s fat that makes you fat!

"But I’ve lost 5 stone since March 2017 and I would never go back to eating carbs/sugar.

"I’ve got so much more energy and feel amazing eating foods I love.

"I own a cafe with my wife (Holly Crocker who has also lost more than 2 stone) and we serve some great low carb high fat options on our menu in Middlewich.

"It’s hard losing weight but it’s also hard being overweight - you’ve just got to choose your hard!"

Adrian West's story

"I’m 34 and a few years ago I decided that I needed to make a decision... get healthy, or lose control of my body weight.

"So, I decided to gradually change my diet, and slowly ease into exercise.

"I lost almost 2 stone in bodyfat in 9 months by cutting out sugar as much as possible, lowering my carbohydrate intake and increasing my protein intake.

"On top of that I took up weight training 3-4 times a week.

"It was a long journey, but the compliments I get from friends made it all worthwhile."

Louise Houlston's story

"I lost weight after a break up shedding over 2 stone.

"I'm happily married now and kept the weight off.

"I'm a mum of 4 boys and I always said I'd sort myself out once they were all in full time school.

"I go the gym 4 times a week and I love it. Sometimes break ups are a big blessing."