Stamina, strength and suppleness are all you need to maintain a healthy, fully functional body but if you?re one of those people who cringe at the thought of sporting Lycra leggings and going for a jog down the beach, fear not ? you don?t have to make that much of an effort!

For most of us, exercise can be a bit of a chore, but according to scientists at America?s space agency, NASA just 10 minutes of sustained exercise three times a week is enough to keep an astronaut in good shape, which means the same amount is good for those of us on the ground too!

Of course, that amount of activity won?t increase your stamina dramatically but it will help to retain it. If you want to improve your fitness but can?t bear the thought of flexing those muscles in a packed out gym, why not try doing things a little differently each day. Small steps can help you a lot and although you?ll hardly know the difference, your body will.

Leave the car at home and cycle or walk to the supermarket

If you do take your car to the supermarket, park it at the furthest end of the car park and walk

Rely a little less on power tools, particularly in the garden, do things the old fashioned way and burn some calories at the same time!

Use the stairs instead of the lift or escalator