Goal To give up smoking How are you doing? Incredibly well. I haven’t smoked at all despite a steady flow of triggers that might have set me off again — big political occasions, hectic days, a local election campaign to fight. And I’m no longer on the patches either.

How have you stayed motivated? I’ve just got to the point where smoking isn’t part of my life. Having said that, there have been moments when I’ve thought about smoking — but it’s been more of a fleeting and wistful pang than a fierce craving.

How do you feel? I’m so pleased that I made the commitment in the new year and stuck to it. I feel healthier, happier and I don’t have that constant nagging thought about when I can have the next cigarette. Now, when I see people who smoke, I’m reminded of the hassle and unpleasantness of it. But I’m not complacent — I know that I’ve got to stay vigilant.

HANNAH BETTS

Goal To be less stressed How are you doing? Stress-wise, moving house was every bit as monstrous as I had imagined, but, hey, it got done. I did as my life coach Sue Tompkins suggested: planned; allowed sufficient time; and asked for help (all hail, my burly brothers). Cohabiting for the first time at 35 is a learning curve: I scream every time I catch sight of my partner, mistaking him for an intruder. Alas, on work/life balance I have achieved almost nothing. Still, hope springs eternal.

How have you stayed motivated? Drink. And continuing to lead entirely separate lives. And knowing that I can call my life coach should things get hairy.

Any slip-ups? A bout of Seventies feminism when I realised I was doing more domestic tasks than him.

How do you feel? Cautiously optimistic and evangelical about Sue Tompkins. Life coaching truly was life-changing.

SARAH VINE

Goal To lose weight How are you doing? Honestly? I’ve reached a plateau. I just cannot shift the final half-stone. It’s all lodged round my middle, which means I don’t feel comfortable in my clothes. I am entertaining tummy- tuck fantasies with increasing frequency and I have to keep watching Extreme Makeover to remind myself how awful the operation is.

How have you stayed motivated? By turning 39. Time isn’t on my side: if I give in now, I’m lost. And I don’t want to be fat for the rest of my life. Also, I still haven’t bought any new clothes. So either I lose the rest of the weight soon or I’ll start looking like a tramp.

Any slip-ups? The odd one but nothing drastic. I occasionally steal the children’s fish fingers. But the sweet cravings have stayed away.

How do you feel? OK, but frustrated that I haven’t done it. Need to step things up a level, either with exercise or a stricter diet. Maybe both.

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