You have 24 hours to squeeze into last year’s LBD, but there’s no way your summer exercise and diet plan has had any impact yet. Use these skinny-in-an-instant tricks and step out in confidence.

Avoid the bloat
Women who suffer from bloating may increase abdominal dimensions by 3–4cm. “Foods that affect one person will not necessarily affect another,” says dietitian Claire Julsing. Steer clear of strong-flavoured, smoked and highly-seasoned foods. “These include coffee, chocolate, chilli, curry and mint, and irritants such as alcohol.”

Take a walk
A brisk walk after a meal will improve digestion, says Dr Marjanne Senekal, author of Love My Body, Love Myself (available at Exclusive Books). Exercise also reduces anxiety, increases energy, burns fat and controls appetite. Take several 10-minute walks on the day of your date.

Be confident
Confidence is sexy! Being proud of your body will attract compliments. Look in the mirror, correct your posture and focus on the positive to build self-esteem. Use this checklist to activate your core:
- Tighten your tummy muscles every time you touch your keyboard.
- Keep your shoulders down and chest out.
- Stretch at your desk to release super-tight muscles.

Measure your breasts
Wearing the right-sized bra can take 5kg off your silhouette, yet seven out of 10 women in SA wear the wrong size. Wearing beautiful underwear can make you feel incredibly sexy too. Click here to find your bra size.

Create an illusion
“Shimmer down the front of your shins and a little darker bronzer down the sides will make your legs look slimmer”, advises Shape beauty editor Elsa Krtger. Use bronzer or a darker blusher to sculpt your cheekbones, create a firmer jaw line and hide a double chin.

Be fashion savvy
Freelance beauty and fashion editor Ryno Mulder suggests these small tweaks to take you from frumpy to fabulous:
- Make your neck disappear. Opt for plunging necklines, rounded V-necks or collars that scoop towards your cleavage. This will give your breasts a boost and help distract attention from areas you’re less keen on.
- Jackets must be single breasted; anything that creates a vertical line has a slimming effect. Better yet, wear your jacket open. The top layer should ideally be dark and the bottom layer in a lighter colour — this light panel contrasts with the dark jacket to create the illusion of a narrow waist.
- Wear heels that are proportionate to your shape. Avoid impossibly dainty ones on thick ankles — go for heels that can handle your weight. Height always helps balance your silhouette.
- Accessorise with long necklaces. Bold or layered chains falling from midchest to your waist pull the eye downward, making you look slimmer.

Cheat…
If it worked for Bridget Jones, it’ll work for you. Body sculpting underwear trims, lifts and flattens in all the right places.

Try:
- Trim and Lift, it flattens, lifts and firms wobbly bits (R139.90) Glomail
- Secret Slimmer, elastine and nylon high-waist, long leg underwear (R159.90) Glomail
- Chic Shaper, corrects your posture, enhances cleavage and flattens upper body flab (R249)Verimark
- Shelley Ladies Girdle (R139.95) Edgars
- Shelley Ladies Tummy Shaper (R99.95) Edgars
- Magic High Waist Shaper (R69.95-R75) Woolworths Magic Regular Waist Shaper (R69.95-R75) Woolworths
(Prices change according to size)