The Biggest Loser returns to our screens next Monday and I for one cannot wait! Not least because the lovely Davina McCall will be presenting it. I got into this show quite late last time round because, not having Sky, I hadn’t seen the previous series. What I like about it is that is shows that there is no magic ‘quick fix’ for losing weight and getting fit. It’s about hard work and dedication. There’s too many fad diets claiming to help you lose weight fast that just won’t work for most people.

If you’re not familiar with the show here’s what you need to know…

Over eight weeks the series follows the progress of 14 seriously overweight contestants as they compete to change their lives forever by losing weight without any kind of surgery – just sheer sweat and hard work.

In this series the contestants weigh from just over 15st to an incredible 31st 6lbs and are made up of seven couples, including mum and daughter, best friends, fiancées, husband and wife, twin sisters, sisters-in-law and work mates. For seven weeks they will live together in a house in Leicestershire where they face intense physical challenges and exercises in a battle to lose weight and transform their bodies, their health and ultimately their lives.

Each week trainers Angie and Richard put the contestants through a gruelling weight loss programme. Their fitness programme and gym visits are in preparation for the all important weekly ‘Weigh In’ where Davina reveals just how well they have all done. At this stage the two couples who have lost the least amount of weight face elimination and the remaining contestants must vote out the couple that they want to leave the house.

I’ve never been overweight so my journey from couch potato to marathon runner has been a lot easier than many people’s. I have total respect for people that choose to change something in their lives that they aren’t happy about and stick to it, and losing weight and getting fit are right up there for me. It’s not just exercising or dieting for 10 weeks that will help you do this – it’s a lifetime committment.

Over the coming weeks you’ll probably see a lot of new faces in the gym and out running as the New Year, and possibly The Biggest Loser, motivates people to start exercising. Give them a friendly smile or a nod of encouragement. I read today that smiling can make you feel better and can make those you smile at feel better – so why not do them and yourself a favour and give your face a workout by smiling.

The Biggest Loser starts Monday 10 January, 9pm on ITV.

Janathon Day 4
Club session. 4.5 miles sprint intervals. Very hard.