Women's Fitness Summer 2015

Counting the days to your holiday? It’s the annual event we all look forward to – finally, a chance to kick back, switch off and enjoy precious time with friends and family. Yet, according to research, a shocking 40 per cent of holidaymakers return home less relaxed than before they left. Not good! Too often, pre-holiday stress, travel bugs and arguments conspire to sabotage our annual escape. So, this year, ensure you have the relaxing time you deserve by following the expert tips in our ‘Healthy holiday special’ (page 59). We’ll show you how to pack like a pro, beat jet lag, stave off illness and ensure the feel-good effects last when you get home! If beach-body panic is setting in, turn to ‘Bikini Bootcamp’ (page 100) for some last-minute,…

STAR LETTER GENETIC TESTING Flicking through July issue, ‘Is your DNA making you fat?’ caught my eye immediately. I’ve been trying to lose weight and had no idea genetics could play a part. It made me realise that diet and exercise aren’t the only influences. My friend and I spent the weekend chatting about and looking into genetic testing to see if we could find somewhere to get it done near us. We found a few options and are going to give it a go. Hopefully we’ll learn which foods compliment our DNA best for a healthy life. Thanks for your help! Charlotte Yunk, via email YOGA FOR ATHLETES I really enjoyed July’s ‘Find your flow’ piece. I’m a long-distance runner and often have aches and pains. I’ve been doing…

This month Charlotte wins a pair of Brooks Glycerin 13 running shoes, worth £130, and a Moving Comfort UpRise or UpLift Crossback bra, £36. The enhanced 3D Fit Print technology and the Super DNA midsole of the trainer provides superior comfort and fit. Paired with the lightweight, compression/encapsulation sports bra, with cool technology, you’ll be set for your runs. Visit brooksrunning.com/uk for more information on Brooks and Moving Comfort.…

1 LOVE YOURSELF! Do you ever give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back? We’re guessing not. It might not be so easy, but studies show it’s definitely worth it. The Society for Personality and Social Psychology recommends a dose of self-love for calming jitters, boosting confidence and better performance. Try Crazy Sexy Love Notes (£12.99; HayHouse.co.uk), a 52-card deck by Kris Carr for gentle, yet powerful reminders of your self-worth. 2 GET YOUR GROOVE (& FOOD) ON Calling all super foodies! The place to be from August 28-30 is The Big Feastival, the brainchild of Jamie Oliver and Alex James. Blending the best in music (Groove Armada, Paloma Faith, Rae Morris and the Cuban Brothers) with the best in food – this year features a Healthy Living Zone –…

It’s a no-brainer – cycling is cheaper than travelling by car. But how much cheaper? Experts from Copenhagen’s Lund University have discovered that it’s a whopping six times less expensive. And it’s not just healthier for your bank account, but also better for society on the whole. After analysing how much cars and bikes cost in terms of air pollution, climate change, travel route, noise, road wear, health and congestion, the researchers report that bicycling wins hands-down. While the car costs the general public 11p per kilometre, the humble steed earns them an impressive 11p. Ready for a spin?…

BOOST YOUR BRAIN Can you perform when it matters? A new study from University College London, commissioned by Dunlop Tyres, reports that extreme athletes perform 82 per cent faster than average Joes when under pressure. According to the researchers, the professional sportspeople – a free climber, a motorcar driver, a wing suit athlete, a skeleton bob athlete and a motorcycle racer – did three times better than the public in tests that used the parietal cortex, an area of the brain that controls how fast your reactions are. Do high-pressure activities more regularly to boost your reactions. CELEBRITY QUOTE ‘I promised myself I wouldn’t let exercise be the first thing to go when I got busy with Girls Season 5 and here’s why: it has helped with my anxiety in…