Look and feel thinner in seconds

Woman jumping on a beach wearing jeans and a jumper

Do the loo roll check

Standing up straight makes you look thinner, and this will help! Put a roll of toilet paper between your knees and push hard against it. Your body will straighten up, and that’s how you want to stand.

Do the figure-4 stretch

Another great way to help you stand straighter is to sit on the floor with your right leg stretched out in front of you. Bend your left knee so your left heel touches your right thigh. Then, slowly reach out your right arm to touch your right toe or ankle. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs.

Don’t smoke

You may think a cigarette makes you less stressed, but it can excite the nerves in your bowel, causing tummy cramps and bloating. It’s healthier to use deep breathing to calm down.

Beat belly bloat

Prone to bloating? Try this simple menu:
Breakfast Small pot of cottage cheese
Lunch Limit yourself to a palm-size portion of fish or chicken with salad
Dinner Two egg-white omelette accompanied by fruit.

Swap morning tea for coffee

If you’re not a regular coffee drinker, have one or two black coffees daily. They act as a diuretic, preventing puffiness.

Go on the T-plan

High-protein foods such as yoghurt, tuna, turkey and veggies contain lots of a mood-boosting chemical called tryptophan, so eat more of these.

Pop an Actimint

These mints contain bloat-busting peppermint and probiotics, plus they leave breath fresh, so that’s one less thing to worry about! They cost £5.99 for 60 from Holland & Barrett.

Try a tan

A fake tan makes you look slimmer in seconds but, in winter, don’t go too dark. Professional spray tans mean streak-free results but you can do it easily yourself at home with No7 Perfectly Bronzed Self Tan Quick Dry Tinted Lotion in Light/Medium, £12.95, Boots.

Tackle your tummy

If your tummy’s big after lunch, then nip to the chemist to pick up an artichoke supplement such as Cynara Artichoke, £14.75. It speeds up digestion and, within an hour, you’ll feel less bloated and more confident.