Women's Fitness February 2015

Much as we love a good party, the festive season leaves most of us craving some serious R&R. No time for a spa break? No problem - you can start restoring your body and mind today with this special feel-good Issue of H&F. Feeling jaded after one too many Indulgent festive dinners or drinks parties? Turn to ‘Overindulgence 101’ (page 58) for a damage-limitation plan that will get your body back on track pronto. Been burning the candle at both ends? Learn how to catch up on shut eye and lose weight while you do It, by reading ‘Burn fat while you sleep’ (page 16). If you’ve been working and playing too hard, turn to ‘Tired but Wired’ (page 54) to learn how to stop burnout In Its tracks. Then…

SUPERSTAR BODY When you see photos or videos of Hollywood superstars such as Kate Hudson, they always have a slim silhouette. I’m sure I’m not alone In wondering just how they stay so lean or, Indeed, snap back Into shape after pregnancy so easily. That’s why It was very Interesting getting an Insight Into how Kate, for one, does It. Eating right, regular exercise - the truth Is you do have to work hard at It. I’m going to steal Kate’s workout Incorporating Pilates moves, as the moves work the abdominals and boost circulation, co-ordination and detoxification. These are great reasons to keep exercising and will help give me the motivation to get Into tip-top shape. Amelia Barnes, Denbighshire HEALTHY ATTITUDE I’ve suffered with anorexia and body image for the…

1 DANCE FEVER The UK’s biggest dance event, Move It, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year in London’s Olympia, February 13-15. Showcasing the A-Z of dance, the event will offer 240 dance classes, exhibitors from dance schools, fitness interviews and a host of celebs, including professionals from Strictly Come Dancing and Flawless. Tickets from £15 for adults, visit moveitdance.co.uk for more information. 2 BRING STYLE TO THE SLOPES Net-a-sporter, the activewear category of Net-a-porter, has launched a winter sports section. Featuring brands such as Lija, Canada Goose, Sorel and Pyrenex, it’ll tempt you to pile your basket high (prices start from £25; net-a-porter.com). Keep your eyes peeled for the House of Holland x Roxy capsule collection launching at the beginning of 2015.. 3 THE POWER OF PURE Formulated using ayurvedic…

Go for goal! Is your mind playing tricks on you? Our advice: when it comes to walking, running or cycling, you might want it to. Researchers from New York University’s department of psychology recently found that focusing on a set target – a tree in the distance or a half-mine marker – can make distance seem shorter, help walkers move faster and also make exercise seen a whole kit easier. Hurrah! The experts claim that, by changing your perception of distance (known to the scientists as ‘attentional narrowing’), you get to experience distances in ways that super-fast people see them. In other words, time flies by. Sounds good.…

SIMPLE SCIENCE High-intensity exercise is like gold dust for your body. It strengthens your heart, bolsters your lungs, banishes blubber and now research says it could reduce your breast cancer risk, too. According to the latest Oxford University research on post-menopausal women, 15 minutes of vigorous exercise (activity that causes you to sweat and breathe quickly) every day could cut breast cancer risk by a whopping one fifth. How so? It could be down to how it affects your hormones, say researchers. ‘What’s really interesting about this study is that this does not seem to be solely due to the most active women being slimmer, suggesting there may be benefits for women of all sizes,’ says Professor Tim Key. MOVES TO BANISH BLOATING From Vinny Lewis-Jamerson at TenPilates (tenpilates.com) ROTATIONAL…

A longer life, better memory, bigger brain, happier outlook and greater energy levels - with rewards like these, it’s no wonder exercise has gone from being tiresome to trendy in the past decade. So trendy, in fact, that the latest fitness apparel recently hit New York Fashion Week, and Barclays has estimated a 50 per cent rise in the US athletic apparel market by 2020. But behind the hype and high-shine workout wear is one patent fact - we need to do more exercise. According to a recent Bristol University study, 80 per cent of the British population is failing to hit physical activity targets. Not good news. So, attempting to rouse public interest in exercise is an increasing amount of data from sports scientists across the world, touting the…