IF Christmas is traditionally the season of over-indulgence, then January is a great time to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Two out of five of us vow to lose weight each new year, so if you made a New Year's resolution to become fit and svelte this weekend, take inspiration from Russell Haywood and Chris Fellows who were named Man and Woman of the Year by a Worcester slimming club.

Mum-of-two Mrs Fellows, an opticians receptionist from Tibberton, started dieting in March, and has shed three stone and five dress sizes.

Mr Haywood, a kitchen fitter from Battenhall, has lost over four and a half stone since July.

They are members of the Lyppard Grange Slimming World group, and follow its weight loss plan, which offers dieters the choice of "green" meals (eating mostly carbohydrates) and "original" meals (eating mostly protein), and allows them to eat unlimited amounts of certain foods.

Both have successfully conquered the challenges posed by Christmas.

Mrs Fellows, aged 56, confessed: "I've had a few mince pies, but the Christmas dinner isn't a problem because you are allowed as much turkey and vegetables as you want. There was nothing I couldn't have - but everything in moderation."

Mr Haywood, 35, is following a low-carbohydrate diet, making it easy to avoid festive over-indulgence.

His one weakness is a pint of his favourite tipple.

"I've had a couple of nights on the beer because I feel it's a bit sad if you give up Christmas completely," he said. "You have the customary couple of glasses of lager, but because I'm eating sensibly it's not really dieting."

His weight loss means he can now get a good night's sleep. "Before I was very restless, but now I sleep for around seven hours straight through."

As for those men who think that dieting means starving themselves, he said diet clubs can help everyone regulate their calorie-intake.

"I never thought I could eat so much and lose weight - I'm six foot three so it's no good giving me a tiny plate and expecting me to be full up," he said. "But with this plan I can eat a big steak or a whole chicken."

For Mrs Fellows, the results have been internal as well as external. "My health was a worry before, I couldn't walk and talk at the same time. My knees were chronic and I had severe back pain," she said. "Now I feel great."