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‘I’m proud of my flat tum!’

We may not have qualified for Euro 2008 this month but, for one Brit, our Footie team’s failure on the pitch has brought about an unexpected bonus.

Melanie Slade, 19, is looking forward to finally spending some quality time with her boyfriend of four years, England and Arsenal player Theo Walcott.

“I can’t wait – we’re going to New York and then on to Miami in a couple of weeks time. I’m looking forward to having plenty of time relaxing on the beach,” she reveals, adding that that’s why she’s in top shape for our shoot.

Holiday weightloss incentive

“Having a holiday booked is a great incentive to step up your fitness regime!

“Earlier this year, I’d been travelling in Thailand for a month and I loved the food so much that when I came back, my bum was spilling out of my bikini,” she says. “I blame the green curries and sticky rice!”

Keen to tone up for her holiday, Melanie joined a gym and made herself go three times a week.

She says: “When I stop exercising, I notice the effect on my bum and tum, so I targeted those areas. After two weeks I could really see a difference, which encouraged me to keep going.” 

90-minute workout sessions

With the occasional help of a trainer to motivate her, Melanie did 90-minute workouts, which included 10 minutes on the cross-trainer, lifting weights and doing lunges, squats and crunches.

“I’d do 15-20 repetitions of each exercise and three sets of each,” she reveals.

Melanie also made changes to her diet. “Eating fish is a great way to feel full and have healthy meals. It gets your skin glowing too.

“I also cut out all unhealthy snacks and my vice, which is Rice Krispie Squares. Stopping snacking is the best way to speed up results. I’d have my usual breakfast of fruit and cereal, then for lunch I’d make a chicken salad and for dinner I’d have tuna or cod with veg.”

“Theo loves my curves”

Melanie’s now a petite size 8. “I’m just under 8st now. It doesn’t sound very much, but I’m only 5ft 2,” she says. “If I lost any more I’d look way too skinny, and Theo likes me with curves.”

While she says Theo is always complimentary about her body, she admits that dating a sportsman comes with its own pressures.

“Theo works out for a living, so I have an extra incentive to get in shape. But ultimately I go to the gym because I want to look good, not because anyone tells me to,” says Melanie, who lives near Theo in Hemel Hempstead, Herts.

“We don’t live together at the moment and we’re not in any hurry to settle down. We’re only 19 and I haven’t even started university yet! I’m going to study physiotherapy at St George’s in London in September.”

“I feel so confident now”

Looking over her stunning bikini pictures for Closer, Melanie says she’s now determined to stay toned.

“I feel much more confident and my clothes fit better, too. Now I’m looking forward to showing off my abs and ditching my sarong when I’m away with Theo. I’m proud of my flat tum,” she says.

“I’m planning to keep working out when I get back and have signed up for a 10-mile race in October – raising money for the Hampshire Deaf Association where my sister Sarah works. It’s a great charity.

“I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity last October and I’d love to do it again.”

WORDS: Juliet Blank
 
Sponsor Melanie for her 10-mile walk at www.justgiving.com/MelanieSlade

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