Women's Fitness February 2018

We’re so inspired by this month’s cover model Amanda Byram! Strong, toned and glowing with vitality – the embodiment of our new year goals – we can’t think of a more perfect cover star to kick off 2018. In ‘I feel the most balanced I’ve ever been’ (page 52), the energetic TV presenter, model and now activewear designer talks about how letting go of perfection helped her find health and happiness, and shares some of the moves that keep her so fit. Want to get your body back after all the Chistmas excess? Turn to ‘Bounce back to Fitness’ (page 94) for the first in a three-part shape-up plan from Rochelle Humes’ trainer, Peter Mac. Just like having your own PT, for the next three months, Mac will kick-start your…

STAR LETTER SPEEDIER SWIMMING I was most interested in your inspiring article ‘Shape up for 2018’ in January issue. Taking on a new sport and training like an elite was not as difficult as I first envisaged, thanks to the top tips from your panel of Olympians. I’ve always thought elite swimmers were superhuman. They can swim 50m in less than 26 seconds can’t they? Amazing. But I realise now the key to being a good swimmer is to get stronger so you have more power in the pool, and also to stay as lean as possible so you’re not pulling excess weight and bulk. I’m taking your training on board and hope in the near future to be a faster, fitter, slimmer swimmer. Thank you for spurring me on!…

‘I take mine along to the local junior 2K parkrun on a Sunday morning – check out parkrun.org.uk for a venue near you.’ Kirsten Byfield, London ‘I’m a fan of activity trackers (try Suunto’s ReimaGo or Garmin Vivofit Jr) – they’re such a motivator and my six-year-old loves to collect credits and climb up the levels in the game.’ Louise Barrow, Brighton ‘My husband and I try to be good role models and do plenty of exercise ourselves so it becomes a way of life for us all.’ Ingrid Foster, York…

1 PERFECT YOUR SKIING If you want to make the most of your ski holiday, book a lesson beforehand at a dry ski slope or indoor slope in the UK and reap the rewards up the real mountain. Or take it a step further and go on one of the Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre’s new ski & snowboard trips to Switzerland, which include coaching from its own instructors. Try the confidence-boosting Cruise the Blues trip to Thyon, March 18-24 for £1,050pp. Visit thesnowcentre.com for more information. 2 TAKE A CHILLY PLUNGE Fancy a northern lights experience with a difference? Then this is it. Arctic travel company Off the Map Travel has come up with the novel combo that is the Aurora floating experience in Finland. You’ll don a rescue suit…

‘We recently cast and booked all 125 dancers for the MTV EMAs’ ‘I try to have a work/life blend rather than a work/life balance – you can’t do it all equally.’ ‘I wake up at 6.15am every day. My two-year-old daughter comes into my bed and drinks her milk, and my husband gets our 13-year-old son up and they have breakfast together. While everyone’s getting ready, I like to roll out my yoga mat and spend a few minutes on a mix of yoga, stretching, core work and calisthenic (bodyweight) exercise. Next, I set an intention for the day. Then I make a smoothie with spinach, pineapple or mango, ginger, coconut oil, spirulina and a splash of apple juice and water – and I have this in a bottle on…

Busy workers who say they have no time to exercise should cycle to work, say researchers. According to a study of 131 people by the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen, those who rode a bike to and from work (an average of 14km a day) lost nearly as much weight over six months as those who did high-intensity exercise (around 35 minutes a day, five days a week) in their leisure time, and a lot more weight than those who did moderate-intensity exercise (about 55 minutes a day, five days a week) in their leisure time. Go treat yourself to a shiny new bike!…