I am not averse to a little cheating to hurry along the diet and exercise efforts. Recently I went to a clinic in London which uses ultrasound in a treatment called Ultra Shape. Unfortunately, I wasn't suitable for the treatment, but the doctor recommended I try something called RF (radiofrequency) with the new Accent laser. Now this has been around for years and available for the face, but only recently for the body. Thermage is another type of treatment which I was told doesn't get such good results. Accent is excellent at tightening the skin and its results are progressive because it stimulates collagen production. The doctor said his wife, in his 40s, had the treatment on her stomach and it significantly improved.

So on Tuesday I have an appointment at a Knightsbridge clinic for a consultation, and I'll keep you posted. I looked into two alternatives: Lipodissolve, injections which it's claimed remove fat (I'm a bit sceptical) and SmartLipo, which only seems to be offered at one clinic in London. Using a fine cannula, fat is loosened but not removed: it is metabolised and flushed through the system over a period of weeks. The benefit is that unlike normal liposuction, which hoovers out everything, this is more selective, and helps to stimulate collagen production so improving the appearance of the skin. I thought about this and didn't like the idea that results were long-term (how do you know it's going to work?) or the idea of fat swooshing around - surely it would re-adhere?!