Lucy Wyndham-Read's tips to help us all get into better shape

Lucy Wyndham-Read offers some useful tips to help us all get into better shape this summer.

• If you're new to exercise, start at home as you're more likely to stick to it. Try to get outside and make use of the facilities in your local park – doing press-ups against a tree, for example, or power walking.
• Power walking is the second most calorific-burning exercise after cross-country skiing and is very easy to do: just use your arms and walk faster than you would normally, so that you're feeling a little bit out of breath.
• Remember the three important factors for exercising efficiently: frequency, intensity and time. The core aim is to make sure you're taking exercise that makes you feel challenged three times a week.
• Walking is one of the best and most natural forms of exercise. Aim to walk for at least 20 minutes at a pace where you feel slightly out of breath. Do this three times a week, and after three weeks you should really notice a difference. If you're already fairly fit, choose a route with slight inclines, as walking up a hill is much more challenging.
• Seeing tangible results is a great motivator, so set yourself goals. These can be short-term (to complete three 20-minute exercise sessions in your first week, for example) or longer-term (eg to drop a dress size in two months).