Q: I have a BMI of 28. I'm currently eating better, cutting down on my sugar intake and exercising at home. Are there any exercises that can help me get rid of my tummy, thighs and cellulite?

A: Cellulite is just another word for ''fat''. A sensible, healthy eating plan combined with lots of water, regular exercise that includes fast walking or jogging, light weights and some pilates or yoga for variety will help get rid of it.

The fast walking/jogging burns calories and fat while the light weights will help to tone and target specific muscles. To get you started you may also want to consider doing a one - two week detox programme to cleanse your body.

Getting results is not just about exercises, it’s also about healthy eating, regular aerobic activity to get the heart rate moving and having fun! Below are a few exercises that will work your problem areas but try and combine them with a balanced, healthy diet and a good night’s rest.

For your abs:

Sit-ups: Do three sets of 20 repetitions. Lying on your back, put your knees up in the air so that your thighs are at 90 degrees to your torso, with knees bent. Put your hands behind your neck, then slowly raise your shoulders off the ground with the shoulder blades clearing the ground.

For your thighs and butt:

Squats: Do three sets of 25 repetitions. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, hands extended in front of the body and keep your chin up. Bend the knees to 90 degrees then extend up again. Alternate with step-ups onto a bench.

Running on the spot: Do three sets of one minute duration. Lift the knees high to work the butt. If running isn’t your thing try it with skipping.

For your arms:

Dips: Do three sets of 10 repetitions. Sit down with your back to a low bench or stair, with your legs slightly bent in front of you. Place your hands behind you on the bench or stair, with your elbows bent. Push yourself up to 5-10cm off the ground then return to position. You could also try using wrist weights to increase the intensity.

Push-ups: Do three sets of 15 repetitions. Kneel on the ground, and position hands shoulder-width apart on the ground. Bend arms at the elbow until chest is 5-10cm from the floor then extend upwards. Alternate with wall or bench push-ups.

Don’t like hand weights? Ankle or wrist weights are great pieces of equipment to include in your workout. They’re inexpensive, don’t take up much room, and you can use them for walking, and upper or lower body exercises to increase the intensity.
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