Are you a...COUCH POTATO?

Sadly, ladies, sofa surfing doesn’t count as exercise. To shed pounds, you need to boost your calorie burn, and that means moving more than just your index finger to change channels. But don’t worry if you’re rather attached to your sofa, it’s easy to be more active – and you can even do exercises from your couch (yes, really!). Just follow these steps – trust us, your body will thank you for it.

✢ Try these moves...

We weren’t joking when we said you could start training from your couch. Sit to stand Go from sitting to standing to sitting again, 10 times in a row. Rest for a minute, then repeat.

Calf stretch Sit on the edge of the couch with feet flat on the floor. With one leg, keeping your heel on the floor, lift and point the toes toward the ceiling, so that you feel a stretch in your calf muscle. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the other leg. Tricep dips Sit on the edge of the sofa, then lift your toes so you’re balancing on your heels. Position your hands on either side of you, fingertips pointed forward, then lift your entire body off the seat.

Lower your body for two counts, until your bottom hits the floor, then rise back up to a full arm extension.

✢ Maintain your motivation

Keeping morale constantly high is hard. But preparing for this at the start, when your motivation is at its highest, will help you through rough patches. “Write or film a positive message for the ‘future you’, explaining why you’re fired up to get fit and state three reasons why giving up isn’t an option,” says Amy. Put it on the fridge and you’ll see it every day.

✢ Take the stairs one at a time

You may think bounding up them two at a time will blitz those calories, but according to the University of Roehampton, one by one is best. Researchers found ascending five flights one at a time torched

302 calories, compared with 260 calories going up two by two. w&h