‘Define better’ says my daughter when reading the title of this piece over my shoulder. I will confess my Gen X lens means I define improvement as slimmer and more toned, but on reflection my body is also stronger and healthier. Plus I have an easier relationship with it.

My daughter won’t like it but let’s deal with the superficial first. Thanks to my frame and height I have always been slim(ish), but two decades ago I was a bit melted candle-like – think lumpen with a flat saggy bottom. Now I’m half a stone lighter with way more muscle. My hips measure 3 inches less, my tummy is flat and my love handles have dissipated. I actually now have defined abs and sculpted arms.

And the healthy aspect? I no longer suffer with back pain thanks to a stronger core. My body is capable of running faster, carrying heavier and bending further. And because of a dietary overhaul my skin is less reactive, with my rosacea and eczema now under control. My digestion is less sluggish and I don’t get ill as often. In short, I am in better shape mentally and physically that I was two decades ago.

And the good news is, whilst making these changes does require time (which I have much more of than I did when my kids were young) and effort, much of it is just simple tweaks and mind shifts. Here’s how I did it.

1. I stopped obsessing over sweating

My noughties self thought the only route to a lithe body was to beast myself until my heart rate was 150bpm and I was being sick in my mouth. I did sporadic spin classes and ran regularly, but still wasn’t seeing the results I wanted. My PT Jodie Brinson tells me that whilst that kind of high intensity exercise burns calories, it doesn’t build muscle – and with more muscle you will burn more fat at rest. Yes even whilst you are watching Bake Off. Which brings me to…

2. I do weights at least twice a week

Hour long sessions where you use your body weight (think planks, press ups) or kettle bells/dumbbells. I see my PT once a week (block booking to reduce cost and make myself accountable) and we do a mix of strengthening exercises (everything from squats to jumps to arm raises via sit ups often incorporating weights). I then do another session, sometimes two, with my friend Gemma in her unglamorous garage. We write a list of exercises – usually grouped in threes – think 12 squats, 12 lunges and 12 kettle bell swings, and work our way through for an hour.

3. I exercise every single day

Or at least six of them each week. It can be a brisk walk, it can be yoga, it can be a swim. I try and run with the dog three times a week. One day, after about six months of doing this, it became a pleasure rather than an effort. I often rise at 6am to make sure this happens.

4. Exercise is a non-negotiable

After my divorce I realised I needed to look after me. That the world will not end if I don’t answer my phone for an hour. If possible I combine seeing friends with a walk or a run. I ALWAYS take the stairs.

5. I’ve ditched breakfast cereal

In fact I’ve ditched breakfast altogether. The Shreddies I used to inhale daily were only filling me up for an hour or so and I realised they had little nutritional value. I found that fasting till 12pm (give or take a banana) and having an early lunch with protein (eggs/fish), vegetables/salad and wholemeal bread or pulses works for me. I’ve also sidelined those ‘health halo foods’. You know the ones that pretend to be good for you. High sugar smoothies, rice cakes, energy bars – the crutches we go to when we feel hungry between meals. Snacking happens much less now because my meals are balanced.

6. I’ve realised booze is loaded with calories

In my 30s I (purposely) ignored this fact and as a consequence drank way more. A bottle of wine a week at least. Now it’s more like a glass. I’m still partial to a gin and tonic, but I average five alcohol units a week rather than 15. I don’t drink by myself ever. And I’ve worked out that at a social event I can have a great time on two drinks so I don’t usually surpass that. (I said usually!).

7. I’ve pulled forward meal times

If it’s just me, or me and the kids, we’ll eat at 6pm. Then I’ll try not to eat again till the morning. In the 00s I would ‘backload’ – i.e. be abstemious all day then in the evening have a glass of wine and hoover every salty snack and sweet treat in the vicinity.

8. I have a zero tolerance for junk food in the house

Okay there are some Jaffa Cakes lurking around for the kids and some squares of dark chocolate for me, but there’s very little sugar. If it’s not there I can’t eat it. The kids call me an ‘almond mom’ and sneak off to my mum’s next door for their fix. This lack of sugar has retrained my palette. Now milk tastes sweet to me. As does fruit.

9. I’ve had some tweakments and I’m more diligent about moisturising

I’m a beauty editor so trying them out is my job. The most effective has been Coolsculpting – (uk.coolsculpting.com) – basically freezing the fat off my love handles. I’ve also had my varicose veins removed by Mr Constantinos Kyriakides at the London Private Clinic (www.theprivateclinic.co.uk) which means I’m much happier to bare my legs. When I had young children it was all I could do to brush my teeth before bed, now I body brush and use a body moisturiser on the daily. I’m not going to lie my skin quality was better in my 30s, but hydrating and exfoliating it goes a long way to counteract the ravages of time.

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I got the body of my dreams at 51 by following 9 simple rules, says beauty guru ROSIE GREEN. They’re easy, non-negotiable… and not what you expect. My tummy melted away and I feel amazing