I've read some things that make me want to shout very loudly today

It's silly season, when lots of people are either starting new diets or returning to the plan after a long time away.

So, that means lots of questions about the plan, but also lots of hand-wringing, recriminations, self-loathing, guilt and so on.

You know what? You aren't going to die of shame because you're six stone overweight. You might die of heart disease or some other obesity-related condition, but shame won't kill you. And to those of us who're down from 21 stone, or 24 and a half stone, or 28 stone, it's frankly a very silly thing to say and just a little bit insulting to others in the same boat as you or with a lot more to lose.

You may feel as though you want to die of shame, you may feel self-loathing, guilt, disgust and all manner of other things, but none of them is going to make you slimmer. They haven't so far, and I will bet my last farthing you've been feeling all of those and more for quite some time.

Better by far to put all of those redundant and negative feelings behind you; all they do is weigh you down and make you less likely to succeed at losing weight. Focus instead on what you can do to lose weight. Exercise, healthy eating based on whole grains, vegetables, lean protein and low fat dairy produce, fruit. Point and track everything you consume. Don't guess, weigh and measure everything. Point it before you eat it, not afterwards. You have to be in control of food, not allow food to control you.

I could say all of this until I am blue in the face, I suppose. Fact is that newcomers to the plan need to hear this as much as those who are already on the road. It's kind of hard to keep on summoning up the enthusiasm, though, some days.

Oh well. Onwards and downwards!