January is often the time when we are most open to change, especially after the festive season when we may have gone overboard on the cheese and wine.

We make various New Year resolutions- buy a gym membership, swear that we will eat ‘clean’, live our lives to the fullest or ditch the meat.

Along with the health benefits, resolutions could leave us better off financially, judging by figures published by the Office for National Statistics.

The average UK household spends £10 a week on takeaways, cigarettes and chocolates. Eating meat sets us back £15 a week and dry January could save us £60 on average.

But we all know resolutions are easier to make than to keep. The NHS estimates one in ten of us are successful in doing so.

Research by Private health company Buba provided a little more optimism, the findings showing that 63 per cent of British people failed in 2015.

Buba’s results are still not exactly an encouraging projection so how can we improve on them and keep our promises to ourselves?

Psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, has carried out extensive research into how to stick our resolutions.

Persistence is vital, he advises.

His study, which involved 5000 people who made resolutions, showed that the people least likely to succeed in sticking to their guns were those with a "fatalistic attitude".

Mr Wiseman said: "Failure is the main thing that stops people. If, on day one of their diet, they raid the biscuit tin, they think 'that's it' and give up. But persistence is the key. Start again the next day."

The psychologist also advises that telling your family and friends will help you continue with your resolutions and they offer support that you would not get going it alone.

Keeping a diary as a progress tracker can be beneficial as it will keep motivation up, reinforcing positive steps taken. So when you stop yourself from indulging in that chocolate cake, take note.

Being realistic and having achievable goals is very important. Saying you’ll be a body builder by the time February comes along will only lead to disappointment.

Finally, knowing what triggers urges is tantamount to keeping on the straight and narrow.

Dr Wiseman says: "It could be as simple as not having biscuits in the house so you're not tempted - or understanding the stress triggers that make you reach for a cigarette."

Stay strong!

If you have made any resolutions this year, let us know how you're getting on: grainne.cuffe@london.newsquest.co.uk