IT’S that time of year when we all dig deep to find out what areas of our lives we wish to improve, making a promise to ourselves that the next year will be one to remember.

From weight loss to quitting smoking, many of us look for ways to build on the year before to make sure the next 365 days are memorable for all the right reasons.

Around 75 per cent of Britons break their new year’s resolutions before the second week is over, losing momentum and motivation as the days turn into weeks.

The Warrington Guardian will be publishing a three-part series, crammed with advice and tips from experts about how to stick to your new year’s resolutions and some success stories too.

FINDING out she was pregnant was one of the happiest moments of her life but, for Carla Ogden, she was also hit with the realisation that something had to change.

The 25-year-old, from Bewsey, has been smoking since she was aged 13, lighting up to 15 cigarettes a day when she was at her highest.

But after discovering she was pregnant with her first child, she knew this time it was now or never.

Carla said: “I smoked my first cigarette when I was 13 and, by the time I was 15, I was addicted and have been smoking ever since.”

After several failed attempts of trying to kick the habit, Carla believed that she would never be able to give up.

Carla, who is now 19 weeks pregnant, said: “When I found out I was pregnant I knew I needed to quit - not just for me but for my baby.”

The kitchen assistant at Bewsey Lodge, who is due to give birth on May 18, knew she wouldn’t be able to do it alone.

Since enlisting the help of the Livewire Stop Smoking Team, Carla hasn’t smoked a cigarette in six weeks.

“I feel totally different now. I have my taste buds back and I feel like I have loads more energy even though I’m pregnant,” added Carla.

Every year millions of people make resolutions but many of us fail to achieve them.

Danielle Ramsey, Livewire stop smoking co-ordinator, is urging people who are looking to quit smoking in the new year to take advantage of the support available from the stop smoking team, which is based at the Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub.

Danielle said: “It’s a huge addiction and it’s something that needs to be explained.

“People don’t truly understand how serious the addiction it is but the key thing is that you have to want to quit.

“Smokers are also four more times likely to quit if they take advantage of the service rather than going at it alone.”

LiveWire offers 21 stop smoking drop-in sessions across the Warrington area, running from Monday to Saturday.

Visit livewirewarrington.co.uk or free phone 0300 0030818.

Top tips Prepare - Be positive and make sure you are ready to quit Support - Make sure you have the right advice and people around you who will keep you motivated Take one day at a time - Don’t set unrealistic goals. Set both short and long term goals to maximise your chances of success