Ignore the Bacofoil, check out the ankles. Gwyneth Paltrow’s recent appearance at a New York gallery set tongues wagging about the slenderness of her lower limb joints. Since cankles — lack of definition at the point where ankle meets calf — began to concern the body-conscious, celebrities seem to have worked out how to reduce their ankles from an average 23-28cm to the circumference of a cotton reel.

So what’s her secret?

Paltrow is known for her preoccupation with killer workout regimes under the guidance of Tracey Anderson, the trainer who until recently also advised Madonna. For two hours a day, six days a week, Paltrow does a combination of Pilates, 45 minutes of dance aerobics and weightlifting (no more than 3lb weights but up to 200 repetitions per exercise). If she feels a tad overweight, she also embarks on a three-week detox regime that involves eating just one solid meal a day and no processed foods, dairy, sugar, shellfish or sweets.

What you can do:

Shedding a few pounds is the first way to get rid of fat ankles. Power walking, running or swimming will reduce the weight and fluid retention that can cause them. But other things can help. Ankle flexion moves — place your hands on a table and raise yourself on your toes for six seconds, lower, then rock back on your heels — are helpful. But ankle circles will make a difference within two months if done several times a day as well as the aerobic activity. Sit straight with your back firmly against the back of a chair. Slowly circle your left foot clockwise six times, then repeat counter-clockwise six times. Then repeat the exercise with the right foot.

Explore Health

• Expert Advice

• Health Features

• Mental Health

• Alternative Medicine

• Child Health

• Health Club