Blast away the inches

This exercise helps create a girdle of muscle to support the spine as well as strengthen the stomach muscles.

Lie on your back on your sofa or sun lounger with knees bent at a 90-degree angle and with your hands on your stomach. Tilt your pelvis to press your lower back into the sofa's surface and suck in your abdomen. Lift your right leg up with the knee bent, keeping your back and shoulders on the sofa.

Then, extend your left arm across your body until it reaches the right knee. Push that hand against the knee, resisting the pressure. Hold for six seconds and release. Repeat three times and then change sides.