'We get paid to look this good'

'I'm at my happiest when I'm exercising'

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Natalie Bee, 27, is a personal trainer at Fitness First and a world champion kick-boxer. She lives in Dorset with her partner.

"I took up kick-boxing at 19 and have since won 14 out of my 16 fights. It's given me incredible fitness and a six-pack, but also a huge confidence boost. For my pre-training diet, I'll eat five small meals daily, with complex carbohydrates - like brown rice, potatoes and cereal - for energy, along with lean protein, fruit and vegetables, and I steer clear of junk food. I'm happiest when I'm exercising, which is lucky because I train six times a week."

Diet rule "I'm not going to jeopardise winning for a chocolate bar. But between fights I give myself a break for a few weeks and eat pizza (my weakness!) and KFC before I start training again."

On-the-go breakfast "I get grumpy without breakfast, which is always a large bowl of Kellogg's Fruit 'n' Fibre cereal with skimmed milk."

Instant pick-me-up "Lucozade Lemon. The sugar hit lasts long enough to get me started, then natural endorphins take over and I want to keep going."

Winning secret "At least once a day I will visualise the referee turning to me and shouting: 'Yes! Natalie Bee is still the world champion kick-boxer!'"

Favourite vice "Galaxy chocolate. I never drink alcohol during training, but a block of that and a glass of champagne is the first thing I have after I win. I've earned it."

BODY STATS

Size: 8-10

Height: 5ft 8in

Weight: 9st 7lb

'Getting fat is not an option'

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Lilia Kopylova, 30, is a professional ballroom dancer and star of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. She splits her time between London and Sheffield with her husband, dancer Darren Bennett.

"I've always felt ongoing pressure to stay slim, small and fit - and now being out of shape is not an option. During the Strictly season, we dance for eight hours a day in rehearsals - and nobody could do that on a diet! I keep my energy up by eating every four hours, replacing sweets and chocolates with bananas, berries or grapes, and avoiding heavy carbohydrates such as potatoes and wheat breads. I also hit the gym at least three times a week."

Diet rule "Offset eating with exercise. As a dancer, I need energy and power, so I'd rather exercise more than starve myself."

Fast body shaper "A year ago I bought a Power Plate - a vibrating machine you exercise on that works to burn fat faster. It's expensive (they range from £970-£7,995), but if I do 30 minutes on it, it's the equivalent of an hour without it."

Body cheat "It's all about great posture. By standing upright, you can trick people into thinking you're taller. I also think that the confident signals it gives off makes you more attractive."

Sexy secret weapon "A tan makes everyone look better - fake, of course. I love St Tropez or Flash-Tan by Dancelife for dancers (from Danceshopper.com )."

Favourite vice "When we're not dancing the next day, Darren and I treat ourselves to a curry. Not good for the figure, but good for the soul!"

Lilia and Darren's show Latin Fever is at London's Peacock Theatre, May 27-June 28.

BODY STATS

Size: 8

Height: 5ft 3in

Weight: 8st

'I can't resist chocolate'

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Annette Bette Kellow, 23, is a burlesque dancer. She's single and lives in London.

"As a kid, I'd eat everything and people still thought I was anorexic. But when I turned 21, I started to put on weight around my waist, hips and thighs, so I replaced dairy with soya products, cut back on red meat and stopped eating wheat. I now also jog every other day for 45 minutes, swim once a week and walk everywhere. It's hard work, but in burlesque almost every inch of you is on display, so it's the price I have to pay."

Diet rule "Everything in moderation. I can't resist chocolate so I follow Audrey Hepburn's rule and have one piece of good quality stuff, like Hotel Chocolat."

Super-quick dinner "Sometimes my show won't start until 11pm, so I eat a light dinner, like steamed salmon or prawns, a few hours before that."

Instant body shaper "A corset! People say: 'Oh that's something my granny would wear,' but I think they're saucy. I love the ones from Whatkatiedid.com ."

Body cheat "Agent Provocateur Glamour Sauce, a moisturiser with light-reflecting particles to give skin a sheen that looks great on stage."

Favourite vice "A posh afternoon tea."

BODY STATS

Size: 8

Height: 5ft 7in

Weight: 8st

'I treat myself to cake'

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Jeanette Kwakye, 26, is a professional sprinter set on winning gold in 2012. She's single and lives in London.

"I was good at sport when I was growing up, but three years ago I took up sprinting professionally and the training has transformed my body. I train hardest from December to February, when I work out twice a day for three hours, six days a week. On Saturdays I'm up at six for a long run, whatever the weather."

Diet rule "Follow a low GI diet. By eating small amounts of low-GI foods - which release energy slowly - like wholegrains and lean protein, I keep my energy levels stable."

Super-quick dinner "Sprinkle barbecue seasoning on a chicken breast and stick it under the grill. Then just add wholewheat pasta and steamed vegetables."

Craving fix "Remember your goal. If I want junk, I think about myself standing on that podium accepting a medal."

Favourite vice "Cake. I treat myself to a piece once a week."

BODY STATS

Size: 10

Height: 5ft 3in

Weight: 9st 7lb

'I beat bulimia to become a model'

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Lucy Clarkson, 26, is a top lingerie model who has worked for Vivienne Westwood, La Senza, Diesel and Chanel. She lives in London with her partner.

"I've always been curvy, but from day one my agent told me to lose a few inches off my bum. Ironically, despite my curves, I was always in demand from lingerie companies and men's magazines, while the fashion world pressured me to be skinny. By 23, it had got too much and I was smoking, drinking, and spending £60 a day on junk food only to make myself sick up to 30 times a day. Through therapy, antidepressants and healthy diet and exercise, I eventually got better and now I love my body and working as a lingerie model."

Diet rule "Try to burn off at least one of your meals a day. I try to hit the gym four times a week."

Super-quick dinner "I love Steam Cuisine from Marks & Spencer."

Body cheat "My black skinny jeans from Topshop. Nothing can suck in butt, hips and thighs as fast!"

Sexy secret weapon "Liz Earle's Energising Body Scrub and Revo-lotion (from Duwop.com) to cover up blemishes on legs and arms."

BODY STATS

Size: 10

Height: 5ft 11in

Weight: 10st

Photography: Lancton Hair & Make-up: Alice Theobald at Joy Goodman using Estée Lauder and Label.M hair products, Caroline Piasecki Styling: Lucie Clifford Underwear by Primark

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