FIRM FAST

Want firmer thighs and a tighter rear end? Find a hill near your house and climb it. Exercise physiologist Dr Len Kravitz calls hill walking one of the best lower bodyfirming exercises you can do. “It really tones and strengthens your quadriceps and buttocks,” he says. No hills in your area? Hop on a treadmill and do the following workout on an incline.

Your firm-up workout at a glance

TOTAL 80 POINTS Find a hill that takes about five minutes to walk up at an easy pace. 10 MINUTES Walk up the hill at an easy pace. Come back down (20 pts). 10 MINUTES Walk up again, this time a little bit faster. Come back down at an easy pace (25 pts). 5 MINUTES Walk halfway up as fast as you can for about 2½ minutes. Come back down at an easy pace (10 pts). 10 MINUTES Walk briskly on a flat stretch (20 pts). 5 MINUTES Cool down and stretch (5 pts).

12-Point Coffee Substitute

When you hit a slump, try this for a latte-like lift without the kilojoules! 1 Stretch for one minute (1 pt). 2 Walk easily for eight minutes (8 pts). 3 Step on and off a curb 24 times (2 pts). 4 Stretch for one minute (1 pt).