Women's Fitness May 2015

Spring is in the air, bringing with it the promise of summer days ahead. Before you can say ‘bikini body’, it’ll be time to swap winter layers for shorts and ditch the gym for fresh-air workouts. So this year, we’re starting the summer-body prep early. Whether you want to be your fittest for active summer holidays or look your best on the beach, turn to our fat-shredding, body-sculpting workout ‘Mission bikini body’ (page 102) and beat bikini panic for good! A great way to shape up for summer is to sign up for a triathlon. Often called the ultimate workout, the swim, bike, run combo is shaking off its hard-core image with new entry-level and female-only events. One of the many thousands of women signing up for the challenge is…

* STAR LETTER BACK ON FORM For the past 10 years I’ve suffered with chronic back and neck pain. After numerous trips to the hospital, seeing GPs and orthopaedic specialists, I was diagnosed at the age of 31 with degenerative disease of the spine and severe prolapsed discs of the neck and lower back. I was told a fall or sudden jolt would leave me paralysed. During my long recovery period from multiple surgeries, I started reading H&F and decided it was time to start exercising. I hired a wonderful personal trainer and began running. A year later and I’ve just entered my first 5k race with my husband. After being told many times I’d struggle to ever walk again, being able to do this is incredible. Thank you for…

‘Seabass, steamed tender-stem broccoli and asparagus with a little couscous. Cooked and ready to eat in 10 minutes!’ @NathanTowlePT ‘Prawns, baby tomatoes and avocado with green salad leaves...’ @ChristineTeanby ‘My freezer always has a selection of homemade soup. Can’t beat it, especially on a cold day!’ Karen Woodly ‘Eggs, tomatoes and crushed avocado (with some garlic and pepper) on toast. Easy, nutritious and it tastes so yummy.’ Jessica Bernardy…

WORDS: Becky Fletcher 1 FIND YOUR FITNESS FEET To kick-start the summer fitness drive, Ramblers Cymru is encouraging anyone in the UK to take up its Big Welsh Walk Challenge, which involves walking 80 miles throughout the month of May. To take part, sign up to the Wales Pedometer Challenge on walespedometerchallenge.org.uk and pick the Big Welsh Walk challenge. 2 HIGH-FASHION FITNESS The latest Aussie export to hit the UK with full fitness force is We Are Handsome ( wearehandsome.com ). The new Active range, available online and in selected stockists, is made with technical features, including breathable, quick-drying fabrics and concealed panels, offering support in playful and exotic prints – stock up for summer! 3 UPDATE YOUR SPRING SCENT With warm, sunny days finally on the horizon,…

Could a sports drink really boost your race performance? In a word: yes. According to the latest research into the effectiveness of salt on athletic performance, any old energy fluid just won’t do – electrolyte drinks (with sodium and chloride) are a must. The scientists put two groups of triathletes to the test over a half Ironmandistance triathlon. Half rehydrated with normal drinks plus 12 salt capsules, replacing 71 per cent of the sodium (salt) they lost through sweat. The others made do without the salt, replacing 20 per cent of lost sodium. Turns out the salt-fuelled triathletes finished, on average, 26 minutes before the control-group. Wow!…

THE ULTIMATE WARM-UP Training your upper body? Don’t forget to warm up! Readying the body for exercise is a crucial part of any workout, but fitness experts have long debated the best way to warm up. Now, experts from the University of Sydney may have the answer. The Australian scientists recently discovered that intense but dynamic moves that work several muscle groups at once are best for upper-body warm-ups. Compared to low-intensity stretches, high-intensity moves such as push-ups, dumbbell back flys or resisted lateral raises boost strength and flexibility, as well as delay post-workout muscle soreness. This is great news for serious fitbies. {CELEBRITY QUOTE} ‘I’ve really embraced my body and who I am. I think it’s more beautiful and powerful when you carry yourself with confidence.’ Skechers ambassador Demi…