Top 5 products for longevity

Familiar products will help to look young and significantly improve your health.

Such products as nuts, turmeric and eggs that are familiar to us, if used properly, will help to look young and significantly improve your health.

The World Cup Workout!

Look as hot as an England pro with this shape-up plan from ex-Spurs player Paul Ellis.

By Helen Bownass, 30/05/2010

Buns of steel. Thighs that could crack a walnut if you need one reason to watch the World Cup it's for the beauty that is the players' bodies. But as much as we admire their toned physiques, there's a part of us that's a bit, well, jealous. If only we could look as foxy in shorts as them but wait - now we can!

We've called in a pro-in-the-know to get you footie fit in just two weeks. "Every footballer trains for a game with a full body workout," explains Paul Ellis, 28, a former Spurs and Wales player who now trains Joe and Carly Cole, Michael Carrick and he helped Jessie Wallace shed 2st.

 

"My exclusive workout for Fabulous replicates the training I did as a pro-footballer," he says. "It only takes 20 minutes every other morning (the best time of day to kick-start your metabolism) - and by the time our lads kick off you'll be a dress (or shorts!) size slimmer." Here, in Paul's capable hands, writer Helen Bownass gives his workout a whirl

1. The stomach shrinker

What is it? "These sit-and-throw sit-ups work harder than a crunch," says Paul.

Do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your stomach taut, then sit halfway up. You'll need a helper to stand a metre away and throw the ball to you. Catch it and lie back, keeping your stomach taut, and lift the ball over your head. Lift back up, exhale and throw the ball back. Do 20, working up to 30.

 

2.The bingo-wing blitzer

What is it? "This half-press-up move is probably the toughest in the workout, but worth it for defined upper arms," says Paul.

Do it: Put your knees on the floor, bend your legs behind you and push your arms out in front of you, shoulder-width apart. With a ball under one hand, push your body up and down, keeping your abs taut, working from the elbows. Do this 10 times on each side.

  

3.The butt booster

The secret to Carly Cole's bum!

What is it? "Nothing boosts problem areas such as butts and thighs like backward lunges -- it's how Carly Cole got such a great bum," says Paul.

Do it: Place your feet hip-width apart. Hold a football tight to your chest to help you clench everything in, then take a large step backwards with one leg, bending your knee down towards the floor. Hold for a couple of seconds, then tense your stomach and step back to the start position. Do 15 sets on each leg.

WORK IT GIRL!

If you fancy more of a challenge, swing the ball upwards and over your head as you bend. Increase to 30 repetitions on each leg.

4.The thigh trimmer

What is it? "Squats are great for an all-over leg workout, from your calves to hamstrings and quads," says Paul.

Do it: From a standing position (and holding the ball for extra tension), bend your knees and lower your body down as if to sit on a chair- stick that bum out! Then clench everything tightly and snap back up. Repeat 15-20 times.

5. The core cruncher

What is it? "The balance plank is an ab-solute marvel," Paul says.

Do it: Lie flat on your stomach with ankles together and forearms on the floor in front of you. Lift yourself up on your toes and arms keeping your back flat. Get someone to balance a football on your back - then hold the 'plank' position for 30 seconds, working up to 1 minute.

6. The lower-leg honer

What is it? "These pin-loving side jumps are great for a cardio workout," Paul promises.

Do it: Place a ball or cone on the floor. Jump over the top, moving from left to right, and keep jumping back and forth for one minute. Put three markers in a row and jump diagonally forwards and back. "Carly Cole's got so good at these she can text while she's at it!"

7. The co-ordination cure

What is it? "Sprinting between two cones boosts your speed and co-ordination and tones up those leg muscles," says Paul.

Do it: Put down two markers 10 metres apart and sprint between them, bending down to touch them as you pass. Start with three, 30-second sprinting sessions, build up to one minute with the markers 20 metres apart.

8. The all-over toner

What is it? "These jumps and kicks are a perfect workout finish," Paul says.

Do it: With hands behind you, kick your heels back to touch them. Repeat for 30 seconds. Then with arms out in front, jog on the spot, bringing your knees up to meet them for 30 seconds. Finish with 30 seconds of high star jumps. Add 10 seconds to each exercise a day.

HOW WAS IT FOR ME?

Helen reveals all...

"I'm fit - I cycle to work and go to the gym, but I avoid workouts where I have to repeat things or get shouted at, so I was ready to loathe Paul's session. But I didn't - being trained by a hunk was a motivator. I'll keep it up till June 11, when I can watch someone else put in the hard work."

9 Diet Tweakments

Make these blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em diet changes and drop a dress size without realising

By Helen Foster, 23/05/2010

Fact: most of us don't get fat eating hundreds of calories for a few weeks. Instead, weight gain creeps up slowly, with studies* revealing it can be attributed to eating as little as 50 extra calories each day - think nibbling a Jaffa Cake while the kettle boils. But fret not, the good news is that losing the added weight can be easy, too.

"When you integrate a small change into your diet it doesn't disrupt your life, it just modifies it in a tiny way," explains Dr James Hill, advisor to the American Small Changes Movement - an organisation that aims to get people to dump fad diets and focus on little changes to drop the pounds. "You don't notice a difference, but done day in, day out, the results of a small change really add up."

Small changes = smaller bikini, so here's how to tweak, like, now!

1.Take your time

Forget chewing your food till it's mushy. It might aid digestion, but Marco Morgenstern, the author of a New Zealand study, says it's a killer for weight loss. "The more that starchier foods like cereal or bread are chewed, the faster they're digested - and fast digestion triggers a rise in blood sugar," says Morgenstern. After a sugar rush comes a trip to the biscuit tin, as the sugar triggers cravings. Chew moderately and you digest up to three times slower, creating a gradual sugar rise that won't trigger cravings. Cut out the chocolate you would have eaten and lose up to 6lb in three months.

2.Stop the sugar

Dr Hill says sugar as a major weight-loss player. You can save 100 calories by cutting out those 6tsp a day you use in tea and on cereal. Instead, swap to natural sweetener xylitol, which is made from tree bark. "Xylitol is associated with reduced tooth decay as it seems to stop bacteria sticking to the teeth," says nutritionist Antony Haynes.

3.Get up, get on up!

Always barging on to the bus to get your bum on that last seat? Chill. Studies from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in the US have found that women who are 'naturally' thin stand for roughly two hours more a day than others. Why? More muscles are engaged when you stand, so you burn more calories - 100 an hour. Dr James Levine, author of Move A Little, Lose A Lot (Three Rivers Press, £9.08), advises you to get up on your feet for 10 minutes every hour. Do that each working day and that's 5lb gone in just six months.

4.Leave three bites behind

You may have been told to clear your plate as a child, but leaving just three bites behind will save precious calories. Try it with the average fast-food burger and you'll save100 calories a time. "Leaving food will help you become more aware of the quantities you're really eating," says nutritionist Mary Strugar (Eatertypes.co.uk).

5.Get your afternoon oats

This is just one secret of new book The Dukan Diet (Hodder & Stoughton, £12.99). "When oats reach the stomach they swell, making you feel fuller for longer," says Dr Pierre Dukan. Eating two Nairns Oatcakes instead of a chocolate bar will save 170 calories, which could help you lose 1/3lb a week.

6.Have a mushroom Monday

When a team of researchers from the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center in the US asked people to swap meat in just one of their daily meals for mushrooms for four consecutive days, they found the calorie savings added up to a whopping 420 calories less a day! If you can't live without meat for that long, then quitting it for one meal, once a week, could help you lose up to 6lb in a year.

7.Forfeit the fizz

Love a (non) Diet Coke break? Whether yours brings a hot man with it or not, if you sup one less fizzy drink a day (based on a 250ml glass - and no, not champagne!) you can save around 105 calories - and therefore lose a pound every 33 days. And that's just the start of the new, slimmer you. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US say that because liquid calories are less filling, you're more likely to crave food after fizz. Dump it altogether and you can say bye-bye to post-thirst cookie cravings. Huzzah!

8.Eat your steak rare

It's BBQ season - but this summer switch to eating your steaks rare rather than well done, as it will help your body burn more calories. Why? "Meat contains collagen fibres that our body finds hard to break down in their raw state, so we expend more energy eating it, meaning more weight loss. Cooking softens fibres so you use less energy eating it," explains Dr Stephen Secor from the University of Alabama.

9.Draw the curtains

Got a tubby tummy? Weight around the middle is linked to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which helps regulate blood sugar. Sunlight naturally increases cortisol production in your body, and too much exposure can send blood sugar levels soaring, causing you to pile on the pounds. Draw your curtains and try to get an early night, since sleeping more can help to encourage weight loss too - ever reached for a choccie bar when you're tired? In one trial, women who got at least 7.5 hours' sleep a night lost an average of 10lb in 10 weeks.

What’s your diet personality? Think weight loss is down to willpower?

Pah! It’s about tailoring your diet to who you are

By Jess Spiring, 16/05/2009

Being told what friends to have and what clothes to wear would be ridiculous, right? After all, only you really know what suits you best. And when it comes to dieting, the same rules apply. "Diets often fail as they don't match your personality or the way you live," explains Dr Kushner, co-author of Dr. Kushner's Personality Type Diet (St. Martin's Press, £11.95). "Rather than look at the diet itself, start by analysing your life patterns then find a plan that fits your nature."

Recent research* has found half of British women only stick to a new diet for a couple of days, and 63 per cent are so embarrassed by their failures they won't admit to being on one in the first place! But the shame stops here. Complete our quiz to discover what you should be putting on your plate to lose weight.

Section A

1. Who do you call most on your mobile?

Your best friend - you can't go a day without a good gossip (B)

Mum, or another family member (A)

The curry house (C)

2. If you were a Desperate Housewives character, who would you be?

Uptight Bree (A)

Flirty Gabrielle (B)

Feisty Lynette (C)

3. What's the most dominant colour in your wardrobe?

Black (C)

Pink (A)

One colour? It's a rainbow in there! (B)

4. What's your favourite Tom Cruise film?

Cocktail (B)

Top Gun (C)

Jerry Maguire (A)

5. What's on your iPod?

'80s classics (C)

Lady GaGa (B)

Westlife (A)

Section B

Select the following statements that most apply to you

I don't sleep very well (C)

I never say no to that last glass of wine (B)

I sometimes tell my friends I'm busy, then stay at home on my own (A)

I hate that my friend looks better in that Karen Millen LBD than me (B)

I think about food all day (A)

I put my work before everything else, including my health (C)

People say I'm a bundle of energy (B)

I wear my trainers at the weekend. Not for exercise - because they're comfy (A)

I can go for weeks without going to the supermarket (C)

Mostly As: You need portion control

You're a real homebody and comfort is king for you food-wise too - pasta, mash, cake - you can't resist stodge.

Start-now tip: "No exercise at all isn't good," says Angela. "But as you love being cosy, Bikram yoga (where the room you practise in is heated to 40°C to help loosen muscles and promote deeper stretching) would be great for you. And, as you can burn up to 600 calories per session, it will really contribute to slimming down."

And as exercise isn't your strength, you need a diet that won't deny you your favourite treats or demand much in the way of working out. The Diet Plate (£14.99 from Thedietplate.com) is the perfect solution. It's a nutritionist-designed plate that's decorated to show you how much of each type of food (carbs, protein and fat) you should eat at every meal. It's that simple - whenever you're dishing up, follow the plate's guidelines. "It's great for teaching portion control - used every day, you can expect to lose up to 2lb a week," says nutritionist Angela Dowden.

Mostly Bs: You need to alternate

You're super-sociable, which means late-night boozing and calorie-heavy suppers are your diet-downfall.

Start-now tip: "Have eggs for breakfast on your 'off diet' days," advises Gillian. "Studies show that those who do, actually eat 400 calories less a day."

The key to successful slimming for you lies in accommodating the thing you live for - being a girl about town - which is why hot-from-America diet book The Alternate-Day Diet by James B. Johnson (Perigee Books, £12.99) will be your skinny salvation. It recommends restricting calories one day and then eating what you like the next and promises a weight loss of 2.4lb a week. "When you're eating out, it's impossible for someone like you to choose something healthy," says food addiction expert Gillian Riley, author of Beating Overeating: The Easy Guide (Booksurge Llc, £9). "On this diet, you don't have to fight the urge to eat chips as you can just make up for it with healthy low-calorie meals the next day."

Mostly Cs: You need to be led

Stress is your middle name, isn't it? You're so strung out worrying about life - and spending all your time at work - that your fridge is always empty.

Start-now tip: "As you can be an insomniac, include more turkey and chicken in your diet," says Nigel. "It's high in the chemical tryptophan - an amino acid in the body which makes serotonin, otherwise known as the 'sleep-hormone'."

As you love your desk so much, an automated online plan like Fabulousdiets.co.uk or Tescodiets.com will suit you perfectly. Pick which type of diet you fancy (low fat, low carb, Mediterranean), type in your weight-loss goals then leave it to generate a weekly shopping list. You can opt for ready-meals if you're too busy to cook and could lose up to 8lb a month. One click and it can all be delivered from your local supermarket, too. "We're all either foodies or fuelies," says dietician Nigel Denby. "As you're more interested in fuelling up than eating, a regime like this is perfect as it takes charge, so you don't have to think about food and the pounds will fall off."

Photography: Alamy, Scope Beauty *by Nimble Bread

The bye-bye baby-bump diet

Given birth but no longer recognise your body? Snap back into shape with TV host Amanda Hamilton’s post-pregnancy plan

DURING PREGNANCY Weight: 12st 7lb Size: 14

By Anne Magee, 13/09/2009

Flabby skin and stretch marks - pregnancy takes its toll on your body, as new mum Amanda Hamilton knows all too well. The nutritionist of 10 years and presenter of BBC2's Sunday morning show Something For The Weekend gave birth to her second child, son Ruaridh, recently.

Already mum to Jana, five, it was after Ruaridh's birth that Amanda felt she really had to whip herself into shape.

"Being a new mum is difficult and while we shouldn't pressure ourselves to lose weight post-pregnancy, it's hard struggling to shift the pounds. And it's not made any easier with all the pictures of celebrity mums who just seem to ping back into shape the minute they've given birth!" explains Amanda, 35, who recently set up BabyToo BootCamp, where experts help mums regain their pre-baby figures.

"After giving birth to both my kids I was amazed by how little help there was for normal mums like me, so I decided to do something about it."

And indeed she has. Despite putting on 2½st while pregnant, Amanda, who's 5ft 7in, managed to get her fantastic figure back in just eight weeks.

"I used my local gym and devised my own diet to help me try and get back to my best," she says.

"It's taken motivation and dedication, but I feel absolutely brilliant!"

Here, Amanda reveals the exclusive eating plan that's got her looking hot today. First, make sure you've had your six-week post-natal check-up, then combine this with gentle exercise and say bye-bye to your baby weight too.

BYE-BYE BABY-BUMP RULES

The BootCamp diet is low in fat but rich in complex carbs, protein, dairy, fruit and veg.

1 Ban sugar Say goodbye to sugary cereals, white bread and sweets. They provide a quick rush, then an energy-slumping low.

2 Be prepared Get friends and family to bring you healthy snacks like fruit rather than chocolates, so you don't binge on bad stuff.

3 Treat yourself The early weeks of motherhood aren't easy, so be nice to yourself. My treats are a few squares of dark chocolate, a decaf cappuccino or a small glass of wine.

4 Don't scrimp! Fill up on fruit and vegetables. Unless stated, dairy products can all be full-fat.

5 Stop stressing over calories There's no need to count calories on my plan. Each day contains 1,600 (plus take 400 more in snacks if you're breastfeeding) which is the perfect amount for new mums to lose weight sensibly.

THE DIET

Have a breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks every day for eight weeks. You should also drink 2 litres of water every day.

BREAKFAST

* Porridge made with oats and skimmed milk or water, ½ chopped banana, plus honey to sweeten.

* 2 scrambled or boiled eggs with 2 slices of wholemeal toast thinly spread with butter and 1tsp tomato sauce.

* Fresh, chopped fruit topped with natural yoghurt.

* A grilled mackerel fillet with 2 grilled tomatoes, a handful of grilled mushrooms, and a slice of wholemeal toast thinly spread with butter.

LUNCH

* Baked sweet potato with a tin of tuna, chopped cucumber and natural yoghurt to taste.

* 4 oatcakes with low-fat soft cheese or Cheddar, a boiled egg and natural yoghurt.

* Greek salad in pitta pockets. Salad made from chopped fresh tomatoes, ¼ red onion, ½ cucumber, ½ green or red pepper, 4oz cubed feta cheese and 8 olives. Add lemon juice and black pepper to taste and stuff into 2 toasted wholemeal pittas.

* Spicy chicken ratatouille. Heat a little olive oil and stir-fry 1 diced chicken breast with ½ onion, 1 sliced garlic clove and 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped. Add lots of fresh veg, a tin of chopped tomatoes and a splash of Worcester sauce.

DINNER

* Baked sesame chicken with vegetables. Slice 1 chicken breast (or fish or tofu) into strips and marinade in low-salt soy sauce and honey. Roll in sesame seeds and bake in a 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4 oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, stir-fry vegetables in low-salt soy sauce and ginger. Serve together.

* Warm butternut and goats' cheese salad. Cut ½ small butternut squash into cubes and roast in olive oil. Add a large plate of salad leaves, one grated carrot and ½ chopped red onion. Top with 3oz of goats' cheese, ¼ pack alfalfa sprouts and tomatoes.

* Thai green chicken curry (serves 2). Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a hot wok. Add 1tsp of Thai green curry paste, 2 cubed chicken breasts, a lemongrass stalk and a lime leaf and cook for 4 minutes. Add 150ml reduced-fat coconut milk and 1 large chopped aubergine. Simmer until tender. Stir in 1tsp of Thai fish sauce (optional) and serve.

* Baked fish with rosemary roasted vegetables. Place a selection of chopped veg on a baking tray, drizzle with 1tsp olive oil and add a sprig of fresh rosemary. Bake for 10 minutes at 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Place the fish (salmon, sardines or mackerel) on top with a lemon slice and cook for a further 10-15 minutes.

SNACKS

* One boiled egg.

* 2 pieces of seasonal fruit.

* 2 oatcakes and sugar-free jam.

* 2oz reduced-fat cheese with ½ chopped apple.

* Small handful of cashew nuts and ½ banana.

TAKE IT EASY

* Don't do any strenuous exercise for the first six weeks. Once you've been given the all-clear by your midwife or GP, start a gentle exercise routine. Aim for a 15-30-minute brisk walk a day.

* Start pelvic floor exercises as soon as you feel ready. Do them wherever and whenever.

* Strap 2kg leg weights on your ankles while walking round the house to tone thighs.

* Remember, breastfeeding mothers must not consume less than 2,000 calories a day*.

How to get a Strictly hot body!

This dance gives your whole body a workout, but is great for shrinking your waist and toning your bottom. So put on your fave CD and get dancing!

By Claie Wilson & Abby Knight, 01/04/2009

This year we want a hot body like dancing queen Camilla Dallerup.

The 34 year old has a figure most of us would die for - yet she admits that she's always had her own insecurities. In fact, she reveals that this series of Strictly Come Dancing was the first time she's felt comfortable showing off her stomach on screen.

"I've finally got the confidence to wear a two-piece outfit," Camilla confesses.

"Although my stomach wasn't fat, it was never toned, so I didn't feel confident showing it. But now I've finally managed to get a six-pack and I'm happy for people to see!"

But Camilla's impressive abs aren't the result of hours spent doing stomach crunches. Life's far too short for that. No, all she did was perfect a dance routine that not only gives you a washboard tum, but is good fun to boot. And being the giving type, Camilla has agreed to share her six-pack secrets. Ladies, Christmas might just have come early!

"It's actually a full-body workout, but because I'm really toned all over apart from my tummy, I found it worked really well on my abs," she explains.

"Along with a healthy diet, if you do 50 minutes of my dance routines three times a week, you'll easily tone up and drop a dress size in a month." 

Dancing has been Camilla's life since she started lessons aged just two and a half, back in her native Denmark.

"My mum thought it would be a good way to build my confidence before I started school," she says. "And she was right! I loved it all - jazz, ballet, but most of all Latin."

By 13, she was winning national competitions, and when she and her dance partner and then boyfriend, Brendan Cole, 32, were spotted by Strictly Come Dancing scouts four years ago, they were considered one of the best 12 dance couples in the world. The rest is history.

And while she recently wowed us every week with her fancy footwork, partnering Holby's Tom Chambers, 31, Camilla is keen to point out that the dance routines on her new DVD aren't so complicated.

"Even if you have two left feet you can do it," she laughs. "It contains a warm-up, cool down and 12 different dance sections set to a variety of tempos such as the jive, mambo or cha-cha. This means your body is constantly working hard all over and burning calories.

"It doesn't matter if you never manage to master the routines perfectly, you'll definitely see results as long as you put the effort in. And if you haven't got time to do the full workout, just dip in and out."

Getting the chance to bring out her own fitness DVD is a dream come true for Camilla, who's currently dating actor Kevin Sacre, 30, who used to play Jake Dean in Hollyoaks.

"I used to work in a fitness centre when I was younger and loved watching the aerobics classes," she says. "I always thought it must be so much fun to do - and now I'm finally doing it myself."

One thing that really matters to Camilla is that her workout isn't about getting skinny.

"I think that women are beautiful whatever their shape. What's important is that they are healthy and toned," she says.

"Not everyone wants to be a size zero, but I don't know a woman who wouldn't like to lose their bingo wings!"

CAMILLA'S TOP WEIGHT LOSS TIPS

If you get hungry, eat - just make sure you choose the healthy option, likea handful of cashew nuts.

Exercise is the key to never g oing hungry. Don't deny yourself - just burn off the calories.

Have the odd glass of wine or chocolate bar - if you're eating healthily, it won't matter.

Cha-cha workout

1. STEP IT OUT

Stand tall with shoulders rolled back, arms loosely at your sides. Step left foot forward.

2. RAISE IT

Kick right leg behind you, keeping foot flexed. Stretch arms towards the ceiling.

3. WORK YOUR WAIST

Bring your arms down. Twist your waist as you kick right foot forward.

4. KICK IT ON THE RIGHT

Now reverse the move - walking forward on right foot.

5. STRETCH IT OUT

Raise your arms and kick left leg behind, feeling the stretch in your thigh.

6. KEEP IT LOW

Twist to the left, bringing your right arm in front. Repeat routine five more times.

WHAT'S YOUR FAT FATE? You don't need a crystal ball to discover whether you're going to struggle to stay in your skinny jeans

Life's full of surprises, but it would be handy to know a few things in advance, wouldn't it? Like, say, if your man is The One. And when it comes to your body, will you get fat?

"If you consider your mother and grandmother's weight, you can get a good indication of where you're heading," explains Dr Susan Mitchell, co-author of Fat Is Not Your Fate (Fireside, £10.09).

But don't hit the doughnuts in depair. "Those with high-risk genes can still resist their genetic fate," says nutritionist Dr Laura Johnson. "Taking your lifestyle and personality type into consideration gives you a clearer picture of how much weight you're likely to gain over the years. And by making small changes today, you can change your fat fate."

Read on to see if you need to start pound-proofing now, and what action you need to take...

SECTION A

Select which answers most apply to you:

1. When you were a child, you were allowed to leave the dinner table when:

A Everything was eaten, and not before

B Your favourite TV programme came on

C Everyone else had finished - you were always first

2. How much sleep do you get a night?

A Eight hours or more

B Between six and seven hours

C Less than six hours

3. You're thinking of ordering a takeaway because:

A You've been healthy all week

B You're tired, you can't be bothered to cook, and they taste great!

C You've had a terrible day and need cheering up

4. You're late for a meeting and stuck in traffic. You:

A Call your office and explain the situation

B Sigh, then turn up the stereo

C Honk your horn and then smack the steering wheel

5. The last time you did a workout:

A You put in 110 per cent effort

B Your friends forced you, but you had fun

C You left the class early because you had an appointment

SECTION B

Select the statements you most agree with

I always feel I've got too much to do [C]

Fitting exercise into my life is essential [A]

I like a man who can make me laugh [B]

My friends would say that I'm organised and practical [A]

I'm often quite tearful - I've even cried during EastEnders [C]

Catching up with friends is more important than going to the gym [B]

I'm competitive both inside and outside the office [A]

My home is cluttered, not clinical [B]

I often wake up feeling exhausted [C]

RESULTS

Mostly As - Your fat fate is: You could put on 5-10lb

You're cool, calm, sexy and collected and thrive on being in control. As a perfectionist, you won't settle for second best - and that goes for your body, too. Being on the go keeps weight off, but if you saw the pounds creeping on, you'd be quick to rectify it.

"Being a consistent weight, even if you're slightly heavier than you should be, is better than continually going up and down," says the British Nutrition Foundation's Dr Elisabeth Weichselbaum.

But as you get older it won't be so easy to stay slim.

"Most people, especially women, gain weight as they age," warns Dr Susan Mitchell. Your metabolism decreases and it takes less food and more exercise to stay at your current weight."

Fat-proof your future: As you're naturally proactive you don't need to change your ways dramatically. Instead, concentrate on keeping tabs on your body's natural tendency to gain weight as you age.

Fitness trainer Nicki Waterman suggests boosting metabolism by eating five small, healthy meals a day.

Low-GI (glycaemic index) foods like wholegrains, oats, nuts, beans and pulses release energy slowly, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Read Patrick Holford's The Low-GL Diet Bible (Piatkus, £14.99), for more tips.

"Aim to do a minimum of 20-30 minutes of exercise a day - try running, alternated with weight resistance training - six days a week. Being active will help preserve muscle while also maintaining a higher metabolic rate," says Nicki.

Mostly Bs - Your fat fate is: You could gain 1-2st 

You have a laid-back attitude to life and, dare we say it, can be a little lazy. You shy away from exercise, preferring to watch TV or catch up with friends.

However, while your lack of stress can prevent the pounds piling on (research by the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that stress releases cortisol, an appetite trigger in the body), your relaxed attitude may stop you from noticing when you're gaining weight.

"If you gain 2lb a year in your 20s it might not be that noticeable. But by the time you're in you're in your 40s, you'll have put on 3st," warns Nicki Waterman.

Fat-proof your future: Buy some accurate bathroom scales - now! "Weigh yourself once a month," advises Dr Elisabeth Weichselbaum. "If you regularly keep tabs on your weight, you're less likely to get a nasty surprise."

If you do find you've gained a few pounds, don't ignore it.

"Adjust how many calories you're consuming straight away," says Nicki. "It's simple - if you eat fewer calories, you'll have fewer to burn off."

And step away from the TV. Researchers at Harvard University in the US found that women who reduced their telly viewing to less than 10 hours a week and walked briskly for just 30 minutes a day cut down their risk of obesity by 30 per cent.

Mostly cs - Your fat fate is: You could gain 2st or more

While you always seem to be rushing around, underneath you're exhausted - it's anxiety that keeps you going. While this may be keeping your weight steady for now, it's unlikely to continue into the future.

"Food quickly becomes your best friend when you're stressed," says Dr Susan Mitchell.

If you feel a snack attack coming on, opt for 'good mood' foods such as asparagus, turkey and pineapple. They all contain tryptophan, which our bodies convert into serotonin - the chemical that makes us feel less fraught.

Fat-proof your future:Break negative eating habits now by keeping a detailed food diary. "Most people are surprised when they begin adding up the calories," says Nicki Waterman. "Also, by writing down what you eat and how you're feeling while eating it - for example, tired, stressed or happy - you'll be able to see patterns forming."

As for sleep, getting a good night's shut-eye is vital. Research by the National Sleep Foundation indicates that less sleep is linked to weight gain.

"This is because not getting enough sleep also releases the appetite trigger cortisol in the body," says Dr Susan Mitchell, who recommends getting seven to eight hours per night.

What's your DNA damage?

It’s not just good looks you inherit from your folks (if you’re lucky!). Health problems get passed on, too...

By John Triggs , 21/03/2010

From Brussels sprouts to lectures on the birds and the bees - not everything your parents give you over the years is welcome.

Take your genes: inheriting your dad's wonky nose can be bad enough, but scientists are discovering increasing numbers of health problems that can also be down to your family.

"Our genes can make us more susceptible to a huge range of wellbeing issues," explains Dr Anand Saggar, senior consultant in clinical genetics at the St George's NHS Trust in London.

"Diseases such as the neurological disorder Huntington's and cystic fibrosis are well known for being genetically inherited, but there are other conditions where, although no single gene might cause a problem, a combination of them might make you more susceptible."

It's not always easy to discover if it's your genes or lifestyle affecting your health. But if you think you may have been handed down a health problem, read on to discover how to escape your inheritance horror...

Unhealthy inheritance: Infertility

While there are no single, specific genes for fertility or menopause, research* has found that if your gran and mum had their menopause before 52, you may too. "You may have problems conceiving later in life if your mum did," says Gillian Lockwood, medical director of the Midland Fertility Clinic. "But if female relatives had babies later, you're also likely to."

Beat your genes: Quitting smoking is a must if early menopause is in your family. For a Fertility Age Test contact the Midland Fertility Clinic (Midlandfertility.com, 01922 455 911).

Unhealthy inheritance: a sweet tooth

Ever wondered why some people are nonplussed by pudding, while others dive right into the pavlova? Scientists at King's College London have found that genes are more responsible for the foods we like than was originally thought. Experts once believed our penchant for naughty foods came from being exposed to them as children. But when researchers looked at identical twins who'd had different upbringings, they found they often still had the same food fads. And that's not all. Boffins have also discovered that many of us inherit a gene from our parents or grandparents that means we don't realise when we're full - so we're more likely to overeat and put on weight.

Beat your genes: Override your sweet-tooth gene bit by bit. "If you're trying to give up sugar in your tea, reduce the amount you take each day until you no longer have any," advises Sian Porter from the British Dietetic Association. "In the same way, gradually reduce salt intake or change full-fat milk to semi-skimmed then skimmed."

Unhealthy inheritance: bad behaviour

American researchers have discovered that some shy people have inherited a gene that determines how you react to new situations and people. The gene makes them more inhibited. Similarly, men who are prone to angry outbursts may not be entirely at fault either. Scientists at Florida State University recently discovered what's been termed the 'ASBO' gene - known by scientists as the MAOA gene. Men who'd inherited it were more likely to be aggressive, join a gang and use a weapon.

Beat your genes: If you're shy, Philip Hodson from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapists says: "Smile - it really boosts confidence." Or if you're prone to aggression, Philip advises: "Go for a run or a bike ride to purge stress."

Unhealthy inheritance: An unsatisfying sex life

It won't help the frustration of the estimated 12 per cent of women who've never had an orgasm**, but a study by St Thomas' Hospital in London discovered that a woman's ability to climax was more dependent on her genes than anything else. But it's not just us girls who suffer. The bad news for boys is that genes can also play a role in how sexy you feel in the first place. For example the inherited condition, Klinefelter's Syndrome, can result in a testosterone deficiency in men and low libido. Luckily for us ladies, we can't inherit the syndrome and in fact there's little evidence that genes are related to female sex drive at all. Hooray for that!

Beat your genes: Even if you have a naturally low libido there's lots you can do to give your sex life a kick-start. Read A Little Bit Kinky by Natasha Janina Valdez (£7.66, Broadway Books) for tips on putting the thrill back into the bedroom. The Sh! sex shop in Hoxton, north London, not only sells a huge range of sex toys, books, clothing and DVDs to help get in the mood for lovin', but it even runs evening classes for those who'd like to improve their technique. And for those of us still too embarrassed to be walking out with a bagful of naughty goodies, it also offers a discreet mail-order and internet delivery service (Sh-womenstore.com; 0845 868 9599).

Unhealthy inheritance: Bad hair and skin

Rather than gazing at your dad's bald head and worrying about the fate of your own luscious locks, study old photos of your grandparents. "Women only need to worry about inheriting hair loss if both their grandmothers had thinning hair," says Keith Hobbs, a fellow of the Institute of Trichologists. "And because of the different way genes are carried between the sexes, men are most likely to go bald if their mother's father was bald." Spotty skin can also be blamed on previous generations. "Some people inherit greasier skin than others, so if either of your parents suffered from acne there's more chance you will, too," says Dr Puneet Gupta, dermatologist at Harley Street's Private Clinic.

Beat your genes: "For hair loss, try using a lotion called minoxidil, sold in the UK under the trade name Regaine (£24.99 for 60ml from chemists)," says Keith. "It causes hair regrowth in about a third of people, prevents further hair loss in another third, while the final third find it doesn't have any effect." For problem skin, stock up on zinc and vitamin A, which reduce sebum production. Apricots and green veg are good sources. Or if that doesn't help, see your GP for advice.

Unhealthy inheritance: A roving eye

We may tut over Tiger Woods' recent behaviour, but studies suggest a quarter of women might actually carry an inherited gene that makes us more likely to stray! "By studying twins, it seems there's a strong link between a woman's genetic inheritance and the chances that she'll commit infidelity," confirms Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at St Thomas' Hospital in London. And as for how many people we get it on with, research by the University of Western Australia has found that could also be down to Mum and Dad. Studies have found that some of the secrets of attraction are hidden in our immune system genes - which we inherit from our parents - and the more varied the genes are, the more boyfriends a woman will have.

Beat your genes: Tempted to stray? Never keep secrets from your lover - as soon as you start lying you're on the slippery slope to cheating, say relationship counsellors. All relationships are different so seek help from a therapist - call Relate on 0300 100 1234.