Health gem

If you do one thing this week. . . strengthen your core muscles

If you have ever done Pilates, you’ll know all about your “core”, that supportive suite of muscles in your trunk. If your core is strong, it helps protect your lower back and improve your posture.

That’s why Pilates exercises focus on “zipping up” the muscles in your abdomen to build their strength.

But you can also help your core along even when you are not on a mat in the gym. Assuming you don’t have any injuries that indicate otherwise, you can zip it up during everyday activities – engage and hold those central muscles while you walk, watch TV, wash your hands or sit at your desk or in a traffic jam (just remember to breathe while you are at it).

It might feel strange at first, but with practise you may even manage it without changing your facial expression; and then no one will know you are squeezing in a quick workout.