Now you too could transform yourself in 2022 with our free WW magazine and series

unique personal points budget and a zero-points food list based on the food they love — they can eat as much of these foods as they like.’

Central to the success of the new WW programme is an award-winning app which replaces the need for the weekly or bi-weekly weigh-ins of old. It even has a scanning feature which calculates the points of foods in restaurants and supermarkets to make it easy for users to stick to their plan.

‘WW use an updated algorithm to guide members towards foods that contain healthy fats, fibre and protein which are low in sugar and saturated fat,’ explains Dr Lawal.

AstuDy by Kantar Health for WW shows that a third of people in the uK gained weight during 2021 — and yet obesity and obesity-linked type 2 diabetes are clear risk factors for becoming seriously ill if infected with Covid-19, as well as for other serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

‘We know that if you can lose weight and bring your BMI down to within the “healthy” range this can significantly reduce your risk of developing conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even some cancers,’ confirms Dr Lawal.

‘But for me, if you are embarking on a health journey, the key is to prioritise your happiness and mental health. start small and build up habits which support your sense of wellbeing.

‘the WW app can support you in doing this with guided meditations for sleep and ready made workouts to help you move more. Members also become part of a virtual community — and support and accountability are key factors in maintaining new healthy behaviours.’