During the first lockdown, I embarked on weight loss and exercise regime, losing over a stone in the process. However, during the second lockdown and then Christmas, a few of those pounds crept back on so, when M&S asked me if I would like to trial their new health range- I thought it would be a great way to kickstart getting my nutrition back on track for 2021.

For five days I ate exclusively from the M&S eat well and healthy food ranges, after being given a meal plan devised by Olympic diver Tom Daley.

I struggled to follow Tom’s plan exactly- mainly due to store availability- I had to substitute some meals for other choices, but with a huge variety in eat well meals, I found alternatives quite easily.

I was also keen to be strict with the structure of the meal plan, eating three structured meals plus snacks, I wanted to see if eating ‘properly’ would benefit my health in ways other than hopeful weight-loss.

What I ate in my week:

Toms meal planner included some make your-own meals, but I opted mainly for prepared, here is a round-up of my favourite foods of the week:

Buddha bowl with black rice, mushrooms, butternut squash, kale and turmeric. This was a great lunch on one of my busiest days, it was great to just open the fridge and a ready mad lunch was just there!

BBQ Chicken Cobb Marinated chicken, sweetcorn, boiled egg and roasted spiced almond salad with soured cream, garlic and chive dressing- again a perfect, speedy lunch, full of goodness and a great fuel lunch for my after work, run.

Aromatic Coconut Chicken Curry Creamy coconut chicken with spiced potatoes and cauliflower, this was my favourite dinner. I am a huge curry fan and this didn’t disappoint.

Ancient grains chicken and king prawn paella: this was fantastic. Perfect for a warm gilling tea and I thoroughly enjoyed it after a tiring boot camp session.

3 Seed Granola, I was only supposed to have this a couple of the days, and I was supposed to pour milk over it- however I found stirring a fruit protein yoghurt into it and adding some fresh berries, made it a great, filling start to every morning and something that I will continue doing, rather than skipping the meal altogether.

Was it worth the money:

I spent around £70 on my shop for the week, however following the review period, I still had an awful lot of food leftover- so I don’t think the figure is a true reflection of the cost for five days.

I would estimate each day cost me around £8, which isn’t a lot for the time it gave me back and for the benefit I saw from eating like this.

I have done every diet in the book, so have spent an awful lot of money on shakes, soups, bars, and memberships over the years, so I think for around £8 per day for three meals and snacks is actually fairly good value and not widely abreast of what one can spend eating ‘meal replacements.’

What happened to my body:

So, the question everyone asks when anyone tries a different way of eating is did you lose weight?

Yes, I lost around 2.5KG which is great, but moreover the other benefits I saw were so much more impressive, that I’ve decided to continue eating this way.

With the level of fitness training I complete in a week, I need to ensure I fuel my body properly. Following this plan has made sure I have eaten three times a day meaning I have not dipped my calories too low or binged and made myself feel awful.

I am not bloated, which is something I regularly struggle with. When I eat a meal, I usually have a pint of squash- so my hydration levels have gone up and I’ve slept better.

I feel healthier and have signed up with a nutrition coach to take me through a 12-week programme based on the principles I have followed this week, so hopefully I can continue this journey and finally get the right nutrition to match my training for my body’s needs.

I would advise anyone looking into weight loss plans to have a look at Tom Daleys Eat Well planner and try it for yourself.

I am not medically trained and all opinions are based on my own experience.