TV Ad breaks...

Use the ad breaks while watching TV for a mini workout – the average break runs for only three minutes, so that allows you a short burst of activity and plenty of time to recover in between. Why not try 3 minutes of jogging on the spot or skipping? There is double benefit in this, as most people use the ad breaks to make tea or raid the fridge - this way you will not be able to!

Dance, dance, dance...

We all love music – so dance! Put your favourite CD on or turn on MTV and dance along. Most tracks are three to five minutes long, so you can get a pretty good workout if you really go for it. It will make you feel great, too!

Lunge and squat!

Lunges and squats are excellent for toning your bum and thighs.

Lunges: stand upright with your hands on your hips, step forward and bend the front knee so that you are lowering your back knee towards the floor at a right angle. Repeat 15 times for each leg.

Squats: stand with your feet wider than hip distance apart. Keep the weight on your heels and bend the knees like you are squatting down, pushing your bottom backwards. Repeat 15 times.

Stick to it!

Try to make these exercises part of your everyday routine. Even if it's only a single three to five minute dance, you will still be doing more than if you sit on your sofa watching TV. Little and often is better than nothing at all!

Ideally three to five (more if you want to) of these mini-workouts spread across the evening will bring the best results.

Get cleaning!

Trying to lose weight is also a good time to get into housework! As well as having a lovely spotless home, you’ll burn up to 150 calories by doing an hour of cleaning!

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of these ideas. They may not involve fancy equipment, but they really do deliver the goods if you stick to them - and they can be great fun!