For weight loss, take a detox day to purify your system

Before you start your diet for real, you need to rid your body of the toxins that are hampering it and kick-start your digestive system. This doesn't mean fasting! Starving yourself puts your body into a state of deprivation, which, instead of cleaning you out, actually makes your body produce more waste.

So have a whole day eating lots of natural foods which will aid the detox process, along with water to help the draining process and eliminate toxins.

Boost the cleansing process by drinking glasses of lemonade at room temperature throughout the day. To make your lemonade, mix 2tbsp freshly-squeezed lemon juice, 300ml filtered water and either 2 tsp quality (Grade B) organic maple syrup or a stick of cinnamon and a pinch of Cayenne pepper. You can also drink herbal or fruit tea and home-made vegetable soup.

At the end of your detox day, you'll feel light and energetic, and you'll have lost 500g to 1kg (depending on your weight and body shape).