100 Ways to Fight the Flab

Author and womag writer Jane Wenham-Jones coined the term 'writer's bottom' to describe the inexorable spread of your bum which occurs when you spend hours at your computer, writing. Unfortunately it's a hazard of our trade, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Until now, that is! Jane has written an ebook, 100 Ways to Fight the Flab - The Wannabe Guide to a Better Bottom available for just 77p from Amazon. She was kind enough to send me a review copy, and I must say it's quite brilliant - full of tips which range from the madcap: Keep your crisps in the loft so every time you want a packet you get a workout for your thighs climbing the ladder, to the eminently sensible: Identify your food weakness then find a lower-calorie substitute.

Jane shows how you can improve your bum by dieting and exercise, or just make it look smaller by wearing flattering clothes. Her exercise tips include walking a dog (any dog, borrow one if you don't have your own canine companion); buy crap baking trays so you get a workout from scrubbing them; jump up and down on the kids' trampoline (obviously ensuring you've been for a wee first if you've had lots of children...)

Tip number 23, follow the C-plan diet, had me snorting Pinot all over my Kindle. You avoid all foods beginning with the letter C (cake, cream, chocolate, crisps, chips). Jane points out this one fails if you then pig out on gateau and french fries.

I loved tip number 27 - keep a magazine in the fridge so when you go there for something to nibble on to stave off boredom, you can peruse a mag instead.

And apparently, Rioja can help you lose weight. Happy Days! To find out more, buy the book, which I heartily recommend for all writers, both big and small.

Edited 9th Feb:  Helen pointed out I have forgotten to mention Jane's writing competition connected with this book. Write a 250-word flab-fighting tip, and you could win a week's writing course in France!
Details here on Jane's blog. That's got to be worth entering!