A decade of diets (From Dudley News)

A decade of diets

7:00am Saturday 16th January 2010

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Looking to shed a few pounds, or get into shape? Here are some of the diets to look out for this year.

By Kate Hodal No January would be complete without a host of resolutions to exercise more, eat better and become more active.

In fact, the NHS reckons that some 7 million of us dedicate at least one New Year's resolution to getting our health back on track, whether that means eating more fruit and veg, quitting smoking or drinking less alcohol.

However freezing temperatures and snowy skies can weaken the strongest resolve, so here are a few fun diets and exercise plans to encourage you out of bed.

Whether it's indulging in Mexican-style dips like guacamole, feasting on diets boasting Italian pizza or doing pilates in your very own living room, now is the to turn 2010 into a year to remember.

:: Skinny Dipping diet Don't be fooled by the title of this diet. As arousing as it sounds, it has far less to do with swimming naked (let that be your end goal) than eating healthily.

The focus is on dips - from guacamole and salsa to sour cream and chives. Dieters are encouraged to snack healthily on fresh veggies and low-fat dips, rather than reaching for a bar of Cadbury's - all while eating nutritious meals, too.

You're still allowed 1,400 calories a day, and if you follow the diet, it promises to help people lose around 10lbs.

The 'Skinny Dipping' diet was devised by dietician Juliette Kellow, who explains: "Fresh dips can be a great choice for helping us to lose weight when they're included as part of a balanced, healthy diet that's lower in calories.

"For example, serving lower-fat dips like fresh salsa with vegetable crudités makes a healthy snack that helps you on your way to five-a-day."

The diet is supported by former Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon, who says that she tries to cook healthily to keep her weight in check.

"Instead of making rich cream and cheese sauces, I often just mix pasta with chicken or fish and veggies and then stir in a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream and chive dip.

"You get that lovely creamy texture without all the calories and fat of cream or cheese, plus it takes just a fraction of the time."

For more information on the Skinny Dipping diet plan visit www.lovedips.co.uk.

:: i Diet It's often said that Mediterranean women tend to keep the pounds off more easily than us North Europeans. But just how do they do it? Apparently, it's through a diet rich in lean meat, fresh fruit and veggies, and fish, all sprinkled with heart-healthy olive oil.

Italians are reported to have the lowest obesity rates in all of the EU, with lower combined rates of heart disease, cancer as well as lower levels of cholesterol.

This has inspired Italian master chef Gino D'Acampo to create 100 Mediterranean-based recipes as a "stress-free way of losing weight".

The resulting "i Diet" feels very indulgent and includes dishes such as spicy lamb meatballs with onion and rosemary for dinner, and roasted fruits with Grand Marnier for dessert.

Gino, who is a regular on Ready Steady Cook, devised all his recipes with the help of dietician Juliette Kellow, and believes that Italian specialties like pizza and pasta don't have to be cut out to lose weight. The long and the short of it is, if you're an Italian food lover, this is definitely the diet for you.

The i Diet, by Gino D'Acampo, is published by Kyle Cathie, priced £14.99. Available January 7.

:: Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD There's nothing like shaking your booty to lose those pounds - as long as it's in the privacy of your own home, and not under the garish lights of a gym!

After the success of her Dance Cardio Workout, which topped DVD fitness charts last year, personal trainer to stars like Gwyneth and Shakira, Tracy Anderson, has done it again - this time with a mat DVD workout that is sure to banish both fat and bad January blues.

The only requirements are a little enthusiasm and two 500-ml bottles of water (to work as weights in either hand).

Shakira has claimed that "Tracy can transform any woman", but you should know that to get that transformation, you're in for a workout that will get you more than just a little sweaty.

"The Mat Workout is an excellent way to re-engineer your muscular structure, wake up your accessory muscles and pull in your larger muscles," says Tracy. "It's perfect for any woman looking to achieve a lean feminine body type."

In other words, be prepared to sweat and scream. And love it, too.

The Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD is released by ITV, priced £19.99. Available now.

:: Beltdown Most dieters tend to be women. But what about the guys who want to shed some pounds? New website Beltdown.com answers that very question and is a weight-loss forum set up especially for men.

Based on the premise that men tend to be out of the house for longer, less likely to do big food shops, and not so keen to weigh or measure food, Beltdown.com helps men lose weight through expert help, an online community, healthy meals like mushroom omelettes, and a money-back guarantee.

And, at only £8 a month, it's a pretty good bargain, too. Visit www.beltdown.com for more details.

:: Online pilates tuition Madge might always have had a body to die for but, since she started pilates, her body has become toned than ever before.

Now's your chance to tone your own, through a series of downloadable pilates classes that you can access from the internet and practice when and where you choose.

The classes are available at Vitalflow.tv, which was set up by Kent-based Josie McKenlay, a pilates and yoga instructor with 25 years experience.

The online clips are downloadable to a laptop, MP3 player or mobile phone, with the Vitalflow six-minute tutorial having already attracted a five-star rating and some 27,000 viewers on YouTube.

"There is an increasing demand for an accessible and interactive form of exercise and health regime for those who either do not want to, are unable or can not afford to go to gyms, classes or have private trainers," explains Josie.

"The Vitalflow concept is to provide the convenience, affordability and privacy of a home health and fitness regime combined with the personal advice and community environment that you can get from a club."

Courses start at £15 for a series of six classes. See www.vitalflow.tv for more details.

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