Collette Walsh

Writer, broadcaster & social commentator

This year is set to be quite possibly the best yet and don't panic if you are not a veggie (yet) - everyone is welcome, say the lovely organisers. Come down, learn more about a meat-free lifestyle and just enjoy the fantastic programme of events.

Josephine A Boyce

Aspiring novelist and screenwriter living in London

Who were my thighs kidding? I haven't been inside my gym's hallowed walls in... 18... no, maybe 30 months... Some gyms just do not want you to leave, as soon as you try to cancel they look you up and down with judgement in their eyes and tell you all the reasons you should stay.

Deborah C Dooley

Journalist and owner of a writer's' retreat. www.retreatsforyou.co.uk

'Legs like lead, legs like lead,' I panted, like a sort of tortured mantra, as I pounded along the footpath, ducking under branches. The dog streaked ahead, loving the wind and the gentle rain, as light on its paws as I was heavy on mine. My legs, that is.

India Leigh

Allergy-friendly vegan food writer, making it mainstream

The concept hatched at the beginning of 2012, after Miriam was living in France for a while and not finding them particularly vegan friendly. Germany, in contrast has a wide vegan interest. It is where Miriams family hails so there she returned to build her dream.

Esther Rich

Oxford psychology student and ambassador for eating disorder recovery

Aptly, the theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is physical activity and exercise. As I've repeatedly stressed, exercise has been crucial in restoring my own mental health. The release of endorphins is undeniably beneficial for those suffering from depression and other disorders.

Bob Chaundy

Freelance journalist, ex-BBC News, who writes on news, history, travel, and the arts

Horsemeat in Spaghetti Bolognese, pig meat in beefburgers - the food scandals this year have been less about health, more about honesty. Consumers have been once again shocked at discovering that what they thought they were eating turned out to be something different.

Dr Paul Zollinger-Read

Chief Medical Officer of Bupa

I eat well, keep the unhealthy stuff to a minimum and exercise regularly. In fact, I'll say with confidence that I run at least three or four times a week, covering a couple of 5km runs during the week and longer ones at the weekends, when time permits. Therefore, as a dedicated runner, a recent study caught my attention, claiming that joggers live on average six years longer than non-joggers.

Sam Feltham

Entrepreneur & Health Activist

Our mission is to help as many people as possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle. So we decided to do some research to see if we could bust some myths regarding health, fitness, exercising, and eating well. As we've said many times before, a healthy lifestyle is all about balance. So it still seems funny that 46% of people still think that getting your 5 fruit and vegetables a day is the best way to enjoy a healthy diet

Natasha Corrett

Gourmet alkaline chef, author and entrepreneur

Spending time with my friends children, my nieces and nephews, makes me much more aware of the kinds of foods that are easy to prepare and that satisfy them, but the biggest question is are they nourishing them from the inside out?

Realbuzz.com

An inspiring healthy active living community

Fed up of fitness classes? Sick of salads? Healthy living doesn't have to be hard work! While we don't advise you cut out exercise and healthy eating entirely, for those moments when you just don't feel like being healthy, try these fun alternatives instead.

Judith Lewis

Judith Lewis judges & blogs about chocolate, is head of search at Beyond, & is the coordinator of London Girl Geek Dinners

Ben & Jerry, who were born and grew up close to each other without ever actually meeting before high school somehow, took a $5 course in ice cream making after realising their dreams of making it big in the world of bagels were unlike

Charli Cohen

Personal Trainer, Sportswear Designer and self-confessed Fitness Junkie

"I've been sticking to the diet perfectly for weeks, but I'm STILL not seeing any progress. What's wrong with me?" Sound familiar? It certainly does to me, ranking high in my top ten questions I'm asked on a daily basis. Nine times out of ten, this is down to one significant issue with said 'perfect' diet: you are eating more than you think you are.

William J. Furney

Journalist

An Oxford Dictionary definition of the word "abuse" is to "use or treat in such a way as to cause damage or harm." There is no mistaking the stark facts: childhood obesity leads to horrors such as various cancers, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, depression and many more.

Mette Poynton

Founder of www.TheOnlineMagazines.co.uk

Why? Because I HATE exercising! I absolutely HATE it. Yes, 'hate' is a strong word, but it's how I feel. I can think of so, SO many things I'd rather do than exercise, so those are what I've done! And not just this month or this year, no, no, it's what I've ALWAYS done!

Daniel Bartlett

Owner of Daniel Alexandra Holistic Health and Fitness

If you have opened this article hoping for a miracle one-step solution to long term weight loss which involves eating no carbs after 6pm, fasting twice a week or drinking a particular brand of shake, then I am afraid you will be very disappointed.

Dr David McNair

Head of Growth, Equity and Livelihoods, Save the Children UK

Despite malnutrition causing a third of child deaths, new research published this week highlights that nutrition programmes are chronically underfunded - with only 0.37% of total aid spent on basic interventions that are deemed to have huge benefits for children and for economic growth.