NO GYM REQUIRED!

Do the Toothbrush Squat Challenge, suggests dental surgeon Dr Guy Barwell from the Implant Centre in Hove, East Sussex. “During your twominute brush, aim to do 50 squats – or build up to that if you struggle at first.”

Place your feet hip-width apart, bend your knees and send your hips backwards, as though sitting in a chair. Then push up through your heels and squeeze to work the big muscles in the legs and bottom. Don’t walk down the stairs, says Damian. Instead, give your legs an additional workout.

“Sit on the top step, put your feet on the second step down, then stand up. Repeat until you’re downstairs. This sitting-to-standing move is great for working the legs,” he says. Give your neglected pelvic floor muscles a workout while waiting for the train or bus. Draw your pelvic floor muscles up and squeeze and release 10 to 15 times. Aim to hold each squeeze for 10 seconds.

If you’re driving, play the red light game, advises Vicki Anstey, founder of Barreworks. “Every time you stop at a red light, contract and slowly release your pelvic floor muscles to a count of 10.” Researchers at Geneva University Hospital found people who regularly took the stairs at work had lower blood pressure, reduced levels of cholesterol and decreased waist measurements than colleagues who took the lift.

So when you arrive at the office, head for the stairs, and as you walk up take two at a time. This engages the hip and buttock muscles more than taking steps one by one. Fancy a mid-morning cuppa? Then do some wall push-ups while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, suggests Damian.

“Stand with your hands straight out against the wall, arms shoulder-width apart. Bend at the elbows and lean in, as close to the wall as you can, then push back out. The further from the wall you stand, the harder it will be.” Reclaim your lunch break and go for a walk listening to your favourite tunes.

“Music is a great motivator and pace-setter for exercise,” says personal trainer Scott Laidler (scottlaidler.com). Studies show walking at around 100 beats per minute is the optimum pace, so make a playlist that includes Sweet Home Alabama (100 bpm) and work up to Moves Like Jagger (128 bpm).

Alternatively, visit an outdoor gym in your local park. Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, there are no membership fees to pay. Visit tgogc.com/gyms to see if there is one near you.

If you’re at home, get gardening. Researchers at Kansas State University found gardening can strengthen limbs, help the cardiovascular system and develop flexibility. No garden? Help out with digging, planting and path-clearing at one of 100 free Green Gyms, run by The Conservation Volunteers.

Visit tcv.org.uk/ greengym for more details.

7.35am: Work the stairs

8am: Activate your commute

Waiting for the microwave to ping or the washing machine to finish? “Challenge yourself to see how many press-ups or squats you can do,” suggests Elliott Upton, personal trainer at Ultimate Performance. “Keep a note of your score and try to beat it the next time.”

Do wall push-ups while you wait for the kettle to boil. The further away you stand, the harder it is

9am: Skip the lift

10am: The wall workout

1pm: Lunch with benefits

8pm: Ad break activity

Ad break? Get up from the sofa and sit back down without using your hands. This will work your abs. Repeat this 10 times. Then use the edge of a chair to perform tricep dips to banish bingo wings.

8pm: Do fitness with your friends

9pm: Bathtime biceps

Rather than going out for another dinner or drink in the pub, plan a fitness-based outing with friends. Try an evening at a health club, horse-riding or playing tennis or badminton. Then treat yourself to a post-activity drink. Hang a resistance band on the bathroom doorknob and use it to work your arms and shoulders while your bath fills.

10pm: Get set for tomorrow

Set your alarm – then put it out of reach for the night. Once you have got out of bed in the morning to turn it off, you might as well keep going and get up.