Credit crunch slimming

Savvy snacking

Create a nibble box by washing and chopping raw carrot, celery, button mushrooms and cucumber so they're ready to eat when you're feeling peckish.

Like most salad vegetables they've got next to no calories so it's a great way of getting more vegetables in your diet without any fuss.

Milk is a must

Experts say drinking milk helps burn fat. Rich in calcium, it plays a vital role in fat storage and breakdown.

You can also top-up your calcium levels by eating yoghurt, soya beans, spinach, eggs, cheese and dried fruit.

Boogie on down

Dancing for an hour burns the following calories:

- Ballroom - 200 calories

- Latin American - 300 calories

- Line dancing - 300 calories

- Ballet - 250 calories

- Belly dancing - 250 calories

- Pole dancing - 250 calories

Beat belly rumbles

Carry a bottle of water and a healthy snack like a piece of fruit or a couple of wrapped up crackers in your bag.

It'll stop you being tempted to buy sweets or crisps while you're out and about when hunger strikes.

Tea time

Drinking a cup of tea can keep your diet on track and help you look younger.

Tea contains antioxidants to fight the affects of ageing, and manganese, a mineral that reduces cravings by maintaining steady blood sugar levels.

Speedy slimming

Be realistic with your workouts. It's hard to squeeze in exercise with all the other commitments, so pencil in regular workouts you know you can do.

If you want to lose weight quickly then focus on jogging for 20 - 30 minutes three days a week.

It'll get you in shape fast because it's high-impact aerobic exercise which uses a lot of calories and burns fat very effectively. If you have joint problems, try swimming instead.

Sleep solution

Skipping shut-eye plays havoc with your weight. Lack of sleep interferes with a chemical called Leptin, which controls body fat and tells you when you're full.

Sleeping less than six hours a night will make you snack more (remember the longer you stay up, the more likely you are to eat).

Move in circles

Hula hoops were first introduced in America in the 1950s, but did you know they date back to ancient Egypt where they were first made from grasses?

Although they're popular with children the world over, adults are getting in on the action with hulaerobics classes and using hoops at home to tone waists and hips.

Start off with two-minute sessions and build up to ten minutes.

Walk it off

Hollywood star Demi Moore is a big fan of brisk walking.

It works wonders for weight loss and toning legs and bums. The recommended daily steps for health is 6,000, and for weight loss it's 10,000 steps.

Buy a pedometer, a small gadget you clip on your waistband, and aim for one of these figures.

Fit TV

Get a fitness DVD and workout from home as much as you like without paying expensive gym memberships.

Cheap titles are normally available in charity shops or on Internet sites eBay and Amazon. If not then rent them from your local library.

Check out the iVillage.co.uk selection of the best workout DVDs

Stairway to heaven

Next time you're faced with a flight of stairs, go up two at a time.

It's an intense toning treatment that targets your thighs and bum.

If you're new to exercise, start small and only go up two at a time for as long as it's comfortable.