Dieting doesn’t have to be hard. No really, it doesn’t.

You see, you have two ways to start your diet for a slim summer.

The first is to ease into it slowly and gently. The other is to jump in with both feet and go at it hammer and tongs.

I’m the kind of person who likes to do something 100% so I’m definitely a “type two” person.

But if you’re not, fear not!

What can you do today to start an easy diet if you’re just taking your first baby steps?

Well consider your daily routine. Can you reduce the sugar you have in your coffee? Can you cut to an espresso from a latte? Have a small rather than a large cup? Leave the chocolate when you have a cappuccino?

Can you bake or grill or steam or boil your food rather than frying it?

Can you cut down on one takeaway a week?

Can you take something healthy to work to eat instead of going to the hot dog stand?

Can you walk to work, or the supermarket, or your friends rather than driving from time to time?

All these tiny things, plus dozens more you’ll no doubt think of can help you gently ease into a diet to get you slim for the summer.

You see, you don’t have to do it all at once - and any of these changes will have a positive impact on your life.

But for the greatest results I recommend you jump in with both feet.

In the summer of 2006 I lost 23lbs in around 3 months - and that included starting a new job, taking several weekends away, several parties and some crazy hours at work.

So there’s no reason why you can’t do the same or better.

The two biggest secrets to be successful at dieting that I’ve found are (1) make it easy and (2) keep yourself motivated.

We’ve discussed motivation elsewhere on this site so let’s take a little look at making your diet as easy as possible.

One way to make a diet as easy as possible is to go with a whole lifestyle change.

At first it may take some effort, but as you get into a habit it becomes so easy to lose weight I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Get used to buying only healthy food when you buy groceries. Find a small range of “staple” foods you enjoy and that are easy and quick to prepare.

Reach for a banana not the chips. Have a bowl of healthy cereal with skim milk or a fat free yogurt rather than reaching for a chocolate bar when you need a quick snack.

For me, staples include eggs on brown toast, turkey ham sandwiches, fruit, cereal and pasta with seafood (prawns, crab, salmon), vegetables and some soy sauce for flavoring.

I’ve made these dozens of times and each takes no more than 10 minutes to both prepare and wash up afterwards. Super simple.

And here’s another easy tip to make your dieting automatic.

Consider buying some meal replacement drinks from your local health food store. When you’re really in a hurry and it’s hard to eat properly or you’re having a problem controlling your sweet tooth and are lusting after chocolate one of these shakes can really help.

They’re an easy way to maintain your diet - and give you a healthy way to have something sweet as they often come in strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and a range of other flavors.

The ready-to-drink version can be slung into a bag or pocket as you rush out of the door to provide you with the correct nutrition later in the day. Infact, I always try to have one with me because if I miss a bus, or end up working late I know I won’t have to rely on eating crap or spending ages looking for some healthy food if I get hungry.

There you go - quite a few ideas for an easy diet for a slim summer.