Mood food

The sun is a natural mood booster, but why not help it along by eating things that improve how you feel emotionally? Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which increase levels of serotonin, the ‘happy hormone’. Yoghurt contains calcium which studies have found can improve your mood, and walnuts contain magnesium which regulates blood sugar levels, helps you to sleep, boosts your metabolism and enhances circulation.

A weighty subject

It’s been reported that many women avoid working out with weights because they (wrongly) assume pumping iron will bulk them up. This isn’t true. Weights are one of the simplest and most effective ways to tone up and slim down. Invest in a pair of 2.5kg dumbbells and do 30 ‘curls’ a day (simply pull the weights towards your chest from a starting position of your arms by your sides). If you don’t want to buy dumbbells, tins of beans are a good starting point.

Get summer-ready in five simple steps