Diet & Fitness 

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Swimmingly fit

Absolutely. Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise as it promotes strength, stamina and mobility, and improves cardiovascular fitness. To make the most of your swimming workout, try varying your strokes, but check with your doctor first about breaststroke, which may not be advisable due to your knee problems. To burn as many calories as possible, ensure that you swim intensely and get your heart rate up.

Also, why not do water aerobics and add some variety to your fitness sessions? Exercising in the water is safer than working out on land because water supports your weight and doesn't strain your back or knees no matter how hard or gently you work. For this reason, it's great for rehab as well as for elderly or pregnant women. Water workouts also provide great cardio exercise, and they are certainly not as easy as they look - you can burn up to 300 calories per class.

Why not chat to other iVillagers about exercise on the Shaping Up message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions happening now on the board:

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