The most common New Year’s resolution every year is to lose weight and eat more healthily, especially in the aftermath of the Christmas pig-out that we all eagerly endure each year.

How to lose weight cycling, a comprehensive guide

As a regular cyclist though, it is important to eat well and to ensure that you consume enough calories each day to give you the energy to finish your rides, but also to make sure that these calories come from the right types of food.

Eat like a pro: Lizzie Armitstead shares her diet tips

Cyclists need a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, carbohydrates and vegetables. It’s also vital that you have three proper meals everyday, never skipping one even if you’d like to lose weight. Weight loss for cyclists needs to be achieved slowly and safely, crash dieting won’t do you or your cycling performance any good at all.

Set yourself a mixture of long and short term diet goals and keep a food journal to help track your progress. When you meet a target, treat yourself with a new cycling jersey or a trip to the cinema rather than a Big Mac or a takeaway curry and you’ll be seeing a difference and feeling healthier in no time.