The trick to losing weight without killing yourself is to make sure you get moving just to the point where you feel a little bit breathless for 20 minutes every day. It could be by walking briskly to work, doing housework, shopping or even gardening. But that will be enough to keep your body slim and toned – and reduce your risk of heart disease or stroke by 50 per cent.

Try a horizontal workout
A little bit of bedroom action can do wonders for your waistline. Research shows the average sex session burns 150 calories per half-hour. Varying positions will give different muscles a workout.

Be a telly addict!
For three evenings a week don't use the TV remote to change channels. Just getting up and down over a couple of hours can burn 100 to 150 calories. Plus squatting down when you switch channels is also a good workout for your legs and bum.

Hit the street
A trip round the shops with heavy bags will help tone arms and burn calories. However, make sure the weight is evenly balanced or you'll end up over-exerting one side. And don't be tempted to visit samosa shops for calorie-laden treats while you're out – take a healthy snack and nibble little and often to keep your energy levels up.

Be more house proud
Scientists say that dusting, vacuuming and scrubbing your home are just as effective at fighting flab as a gym workout. One study at the Berlin Health Education Centre found that cleaning windows for 30 minutes burns 250 calories, washing the car 330 calories, and ironing for an hour 210. To compare, 10 minutes on an exercise bike pedalling at a furious 70mph sees off only 60 calories. Now where did we put that polish…