GET in shape in 2009 with the Scunthorpe Telegraph's new slimming website.

Telegraph Slimmers is packed with great features to help you loose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

After indulging in plenty of food and drink over the festive period, joining our free new slimming website could be the spur you need to ditch those unwanted pounds and start feeling better about yourself.

Telegraph Slimmers is packed with features designed to offer a convenient route to living a healthier life.

Signing up for Telegraph Slimmers could not be easier.

All you have to do is log on to www.telegraphslimmers.co.uk and follow the instructions on the homepage.

By joining Telegraph Slimmers you will get:

Access to our easy-to-follow slimming plan, approved by nutritionists, tailored to suit five different lifestyles.

An online calorie counter for tracking your food intake.

The opportunity to create your own weekly food plans – and because no food is forbidden, you could enjoy your favourite treats now and again and even suffer a lapse without compromising your quest for weight loss!

Your own personal space to weigh in and log your progress.

Tasty, healthy recipes.

Top tips on eating out or at

home.

Expert advice online. You can email our experts for advice and support – answers within two days.

Exercise videos to follow in your own home – recommended by a qualified personal trainer.

The chance to talk to other local slimmers on the site's forum.

Five dedicated Telegraph Slimmers Champions have already signed up to help encourage and inspire men and women across the region to loose weight and tone up.

All five individuals have recognised they need to shed a few pounds and get in shape for 2009.

They have agreed to each try one of the five different diet plans and will attend a weekly weigh in session at Forest Pines Hotel, Broughton, and allow their progress to be featured in the paper and online.

The slimmers will also keep diaries on the website where you can follow their progress.

Sharron Lewis-Shores, of Bottesford, has signed up for the Family Friendly plan.

The bubbly 43-year-old mum said she does not want to suffer any heart problems in later life as a result of being overweight, making her the perfect candidate for this plan.

She has been counting down the days until the launch of the website.

She said: "Following the diet in the public domain will enhance my determination, as I don't want to fail myself or others who have taken the time and effort to sign up to the weight loss programme.

"I am just a normal mum and I want to show that by eating healthy and taking regular exercise and with the support of others we can lose the weight."

Wendy Swannick (60) of Luddington, has a very busy lifestyle travelling around but wants to loose around two stone.

She has volunteered to follow the Busy Bee plan, which is designed for busy people working shifts or long hours so no food is banned.

She said: "At 60, it's a feel good thing for me to do and will hopefully give me a lot of satisfaction.

"Not only do I want to feel good myself, but also encourage others as my motto is 'where there's a will there's an age'."

The Scunthorpe Telegraph's Rebecca Hargadon, who will be helping the slimmers said: "It's a fantastic opportunity as our slimmers will be in the spotlight so there will be that extra incentive for them to lose weight and there is the opportunity to win £1,000.

"There are also things like free gym memberships and other incentives along the way.

"It is not just about losing weight, it's also about lifestyle and making people feel good about themselves."

For the full story on the diet plans see today's Scunthorpe Telegraph or visit www.telegraphslimmers.co.uk