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And now for something a little more energetic, even though we are starting gently. This section is for all you motivated types or completely crazy bods who want to get started while still on the delivery trolley. The exercises in this section are specifically designed so that they are safe straight out of the delivery room—but, of course, being sensible, you might want to check with your GP first.

Lucy has devised some really simple Pilates-type exercises for this section to knit back a few of those dodgy muscles that get roughed around a tad in pregnancy. Together with the nutrition tips, they are a foundation for what is to come later. This section isn’t so much a plan as an amble. It’s an introduction to sensible stuff about exercise and eating. The meat and potatoes of a kick-ass programme are in the nutrition and exercise bits, which you could start much earlier, should you want to, as long as you have your doc’s approval.

Get someone to go out and get the following kit for you:

* A Swiss ball. If you don’t know what this is, well, do you remember the Space Hopper of old? In short, this is a big bouncy ball, only minus the ‘ears’. It’s a great investment.

* A long piece of string—I am sure you are intrigued as to what you could possibly do with this, but it will get your waist back into shape (not on its own, obviously).

* A pack of coloured sticky notes.

* A mat for floor work or else a low-tech version: a towel

The following exercises—The Super Seven—are designed to work on your deepest muscles. You will be building your strength from the inside, concentrating on your core muscles first. They will draw in your waist muscles, tone up your pelvic floor and you will soon be laughing with confidence (I bet the doctors didn’t tell you about the ‘squeek and you leak’, did they?)—and we will get those boobs heading north again.

The exercises are also especially designed so that you can fit them into your new and ever-changing schedule. Divided into two groups—The Martini exercise plan and The Elvis (the King) lives routine—they target the specific muscles that have been affected throughout your pregnancy and delivery. Where the muscles have been stretched to the limits, we will get them tight and toned. You will be fit and strong in no time!