Women's Fitness March 2019

When we first met this month’s amazing cover star Gemma Atkinson, she was training like mad to get back to fitness after her success in Strictly Come Dancing 2017 (yep, only mega-fit Gemma could lose fitness doing gruelling Strictly!). Since then, the multi-talented star has had a whirlwind year launching a fitnesswear range and inspiring legions of fans with her motivating workout posts on social media. Now, Gemma has written her first book The Ultimate Body Plan, sharing her down-to-earth philosophy and workouts for a healthy, happy body. ‘Feeling strong and comfortable in your own skin is more important than fitting into size 8 jeans,’ says Gemma. Exactly! Turn to ‘What a Gem’ (page 48), to try Gemma’s super-effective workout plan. Whatever your goals for 2019, we’ve packed this issue…

STAR LETTER NEW YEAR FITNESS For some time, my friend has been trying to get me to join a women’s netball team. We played netball together at school and I used to love it, but since I’ve had a family and started working full-time, I’ve hardly exercised. Your article ‘Net gains’ (February issue) reminded me not only how much fun netball is, but what good exercise it is. Your article also highlighted the fact that those who are physically active, including those who play team sports, have a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, depression and low-self esteem. It gets you out of the house and away from screens. Thank you for the nudge in the right direction – I’ve now enrolled and my teenage daughter is joining too. Gillian Hollands,…

This month, Gillian wins a Camelbak Sequoia backpack worth £144.99. It features a women-specific s-curved harness, independent suspension with Slider sternum strap and a groundbreaking NV Back Panel, for great cross-ventilation. Designed to comfortably carry gear and hydration all day, it comes in three colourways. Gillian will also receive a 1L Camelbak Chute Mag double-walled vacuum flask, worth £17.99, with integrated magnet that keeps the rapid-flow drinking cap out of the way as you tip to drink. Choose from white, red, olive, blue or black; camelbak.com.…

In our article, ‘So you want to be a PT?’ in our February issue, we advised you to look for a personal training course that’s accredited by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity; cimspa.co.uk) to give you a recognised professional qualification, and stated that CIMSPA has taken over from REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals; exerciseregister.org). We’ve since been informed by REPS that this is not the case. Look out for our update in a forthcoming issue.…

1 HEAD TO A SHOW Head to Live Well London at Old Billingsgate, London from March 1-3, to help keep abreast of what’s going on in the world of health and fitness. The show has four key areas: Well Moved, Well Balanced, Well Nourished and Well Restored, and is aimed at people of all ages, genders and abilities. Adult tickets cost from £35; find out more at livewelllondon.com. 2 SIGN UP FOR A CHALLENGE! It’s the time of year to get an event or two in the diary to give you something to aim for. We fancy new adventure race Quest Wales (June 8) in Snowdonia National Park. Run, cycle and kayak your way round a 25km, 42km or 53km route, then enjoy the after party. Prices start at £68;…

‘I usually wake up early around 7 am, make myself a cup of warm water and have a special moment with my dog, Stip. He’s the sweetest thing early in the morning and it always puts me in the right mood for the day. When my husband gets up, we’ll meditate together: either a guided meditation or doing our own thing. If I feel quite calm, I’ll just sit with what is and leave a space for breathing and deepening the sense of being. But if I have a busy mind, I might do a clearing meditation. The clearing meditation is the basis of my philosophy for daily life – I check in and sit with whatever is there; I don’t distract myself from it. ‘I don’t always have breakfast…