Whether it’s due to the heat, holidays, or simply having less time with children and grandchildren home, summer can be a time when many of us struggle to keep up our exercise.

Time, then, to take inspiration from Amanda Holden, who at 55 has got her summer fitness routine sorted. The Britain’s Got Talent judge has previously shared that despite a full diary, she still carves out time for exercise, as well as rest, relaxation and enjoying life… and perhaps one of her secrets is a very early start.

‘I am healthy by default because I’m a vegetarian,’ she told the Daily Mail. ‘I have two coffees a day and I have them before 9am. I drink water all day long, by 1pm I have drunk the amount you’re supposed to drink but I am up at 5am.’

So what does Amanda focus on in the summer months? She told TV Times: ‘I am not a slave to any beauty or fitness regime because I love food too much.’ Instead, she aims for a balance of Peloton workouts, running and Kundalini yoga help her stay fit – but perhaps her real secret lies in her dedication to the Viking Method.

Created by trainer Svava Sigbertsdottir, the Viking Method is made up of principles from a range of sports: football, handball, ballet, contemporary dance, yoga and kickboxing. Viking Method workouts train the whole body, with a focus on strengthening core muscles. Founder Sigbertsdottir told Women’s Health: ‘You don’t train because you lack a “look”, or because you are not good enough, you train because you are adding things,’ she explains. ‘Adding strength, health, stamina, flexibility, skills, power, capability, confidence and contentment.’

So what does GH fitness expert, personal trainer Natalie Shanahan, make of Amanda’s routine? ‘A combination of both cardiovascular and strength training is particularly valuable in midlife, when declining oestrogen levels can accelerate losses in muscle mass, strength and bone density,’ she says. ‘Strength training is one of the most effective ways to maintain and even improve bone density, while impact activities such as running can further stimulate bone growth.

‘Amanda also seems to have a sensible attitude towards nutrition, allowing herself to enjoy food and the occasional glass of wine without taking an overly restrictive approach. Drinking plenty of water and limiting caffeine to before 9am is a positive habit. Caffeine has a half-life of around 5–6 hours and a quarter-life of approximately 10–12 hours, meaning that if you have two shots of coffee at 9am, you may still have the equivalent of around half a shot in your system at 9pm. Finishing caffeine early in the day support sleep quality.’ Something we all need in the summer heat!