Abs fab Samantha Cameron looks in her prime, unlike chubby hubby Dave… here we give you our top tips for a toned tum
OUR fitness expert gives her tips on how to make a splash on the beach like Sam, and how to avoid David’s belly flop
THOSE holiday snaps of the Camerons show the family having a whale of a time – especially David.
While wife Samantha looked lovely in her bikini — showing off toned abs and V-shaped muscle definition — former PM David was just blubbery.
Not only has Dave, 49, lost the campaign to remain in the EU, then lost the keys to Number 10, but it now looks like he is fast losing the battle against middle-aged spread.
Meanwhile, trim Sam, 45, is showing a V for victory.
Such a sculpted figure is rare in women, according to fitness experts, and is the result of hard work and a disciplined diet.
The Sun and YouTube fitness expert Lucy Wyndham-Read said: “Sam looks amazing.
“She’s got incredible abs and you can see that V-shape which is quite unusual for women. To get that sort of definition, you need to be carrying very little body fat, and that’s where a lot of women carry fat.
“I’d guess at Samantha’s body fat being something like 12-13 per cent, which is low. To do that you really need to cut out sugar and processed food from your diet.
“To get a V-shape, you can’t just do hundreds of sit-ups. Those only work the long muscles down the front. You need to get to the deep oblique muscles which means doing lots of different exercises.”
Lucy, who served in the Army for five years and has 20 years of experience in fitness, also advocates high intensity interval training (HIIT).
This involves quick bursts of high level exercise five times a week to help speed up your metabolism. And it helps to watch what you eat.
She says: “It’s amazing what you can achieve even a couple of weeks before a holiday by focusing on just eating clean, which includes some carbs and the right portion sizes.”
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Lucy also recommends cutting down on alcohol by replacing a glass of wine with a white wine spritzer or adding ice, and sticking to just one glass before going on to water.
Sun nutritionist Amanda Ursell adds: “To create sculpted abs you need to build muscle, but to show it off you need to burn off excess belly fat.
“To do this you need to eat the right kind of food packed with nutrients which will let you train efficiently and recover well in between sessions.
“Steer clear of empty calories from sweet treats, fast foods and sugary drinks.”
Samantha, who has had four children, looks in peak form, but the same cannot be said of David — despite him reportedly getting a big discount on 100 personal training sessions with celebrity trainer Matt Roberts.
Amanda warns: “Middle-aged spread isn’t just something to worry about when you’re in your swimming shorts, it’s about your health too.
“David needs to be aware that excess fat around the middle can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”
Lucy reckons his chunky tummy could also be down to a lack of quality shut-eye.
She says: “Men over 40 are likely to gain fat around their middle. I imagine he’s had a lot of sleepless nights recently which will add to the problem.
“Sleep affects the release of the hormone leptin, which affects your appetite, metabolism and calorie-burning.”
Lucy gives her tips on how to make a splash on the beach like Sam, and how to avoid David’s belly flop.
Get her beach babe look...
1. BURPEES: Begin in a standing position with feet shoulder-width apart, arms out in front. Jump straight up then crouch into a squat with your hands on the floor.
Kick your legs back so you’re in a press-up position. Lower your shoulders for a push-up then jump your legs back into the original position. Jump up to standing position. Repeat.
If you are new to burpees, start with five and add one more each day for the first week. On the second week, start with 20 on day one, followed by 25, then 30. You can omit the jump part at first.
2. AB TWISTS: Sit on the floor with your knees bent. Lean slightly back and stretch your arms out to one side and then the other. Do this 40-50 times. To make this exercise harder, lean back a bit more.
3. POWER-WALKING: By swinging through with the arms and keeping your core tight, you will engage lots of muscles – including those obliques.
4. WAIST PUNCHES: Stand with feet wide apart and your arms out to the sides. Punch out with your left arm first then your right. Repeat 50 times.
...and lose his beached whale look
1. PRESS-UPS: Do ten press-ups to start. Staying in the press-up position, start “running” with your hands still flat on the floor in the same position – these are called hill climbers.
Try doing 20 of these followed by another eight press-ups, and then another 20 hill climbers then six press-ups, then 20 hill climbers and four press-ups and 20 hill climbers and two press-ups to finish.
2. PRISONER SQUATS: Stand with your feet wider than hip width apart, with your fingertips by the side of your head and your elbows out to the sides.
Simply squat low, hold, then come straight back up. Aim to do 20.
3. SINGLE LUNGES: Start in a split stance with both arms extended out in front.
Now lower one leg behind and bend the other leg in front coming into a low lunge, and at the same time pull one arm back so your hand is by your shoulder.
Hold then return to start position.
Do ten on one leg then change to the other.
Other tips include: Incorporate some bursts of HIIT (high intensity interval training) into a running routine.
Do 20 seconds of faster running then 40 seconds of jogging, keep repeating.
Mix your running with other HIIT exercises. There are loads of these demonstrated online, including free videos on my YouTube channel. And remember to keep changing your exercises about for the best results.
Try to get seven to eight hours sleep a night.
And when it comes to food, watch your portion size. Portions are often twice the size they should be and that means you’re consuming twice the number of calories.
Cam's trunks DIY kit
DAVID splashed around in a pair of £225 Orlebar Brown trunks decorated with a scene from the South of France.
But we’ve made our own version – using a photo of 1980s Butlins in Skegness.
Here, SIOBHAN O’CONNOR shows you how to make posh trunks for a fraction of the price.
All you need is a pair of £3.50 Primark shorts, £7.49 transfer paper from WH Smith and our DIY guide, below.
