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A successful diet depends on a whole lot more than just cutting out fatty foods and running aimlessly in the park once or twice a week.

Shedding pounds - and keeping them off - takes careful planning and as with most things in life, preparation is key.

Failing to prepare your body and mind before embarking on a weight loss programme will only end in frustration and you might be put off dieting for life.

Remember, we are all different, so a winning approach to dieting for one person might not work at all for another.