Women's Fitness September 2019

If you’re reading H&F, chances are you care about what you eat. Perhaps you’ve switched to a plant-based diet, you swerve carbs or you’ve ditched dairy. But just how nutritious are your eating choices? According to a new report, many women following supposedly healthy diets are missing out on vital nutrients, risking their future health. In ‘Mind the nutrient gap’ (page 36), we reveal the key nutrients you could be missing, and how to plug the gap to safeguard your wellbeing. One of the quickest ways to boost your nutrition is to ditch calorie counting and crash plans. Instead, turn to ‘The sunshine diet’ (page 50) for the latest science-backed, eat-smart strategies to fuel your body and keep you healthy while you get in shape. It’s just one highlight of…

WORKOUT TO GO I’m obviously not alone in gaining a few pounds during a summer break. So it’s good to read ‘Come back fitter’ (August issue) and find that I don’t need to undo all my hard work – I can stay in shape and still have fun in the sun. Lucy Mecklenburgh and Cecilia Harris’s workout looks realistic to achieve (even though I’m in holiday mode!). I’ve been practising the jumping squats and high-knee jogs, and I’m sure I’ll be able manage a 10-minute workout as part of my holiday lifestyle. I think I’m going to enjoy my meals on holiday more knowing that I’m going to be doing exercise. What a great idea. Thank you! Michaela Byron, Liverpool MORNING MAGIC I’m glad I read ‘Reclaim Your Mornings’ (August…

This month, Michaela wins a Yamamay Swift One Piece Swimsuit and Bikini Set, worth £102.85. Yamamay is the one-stop shop for all your holiday and lingerie needs, with a huge range of flattering swimwear, beach clothing and accessories, as well as lingerie and nightwear, whatever your size or shape. The collection also includes cover-ups, summer dresses, hats and beach bags. Yamamay wants every woman to look good and feel great so they can holiday with confidence. Check them out at yamamay.com.…

1 LEARN TO KITE SURF! Fancy trying an exhilarating new sport? KiteWorldWide’s new destination, Djerba, the peaceful island off the coast of Tunisia, is the perfect spot for it, thanks to a huge, shallow flatwater lagoon. When you’re not kiting, you can do horse and camel riding, stand-up paddle boarding, shopping in the souks, or yoga, or enjoy a massage. Seven nights’ half board with 12 hours of tuition costs £885 per person based on two sharing, excluding flights; kiteworldwide.com. 2 IT’S FESTIVAL TIME! We like the sound of the relaxing Wellbeing by the Lakes festival, in the 26-acre Sculpture by the Lakes park in Dorset, September 19-21. There’ll be yoga and Pilates workshops, sound baths, qigong, meditation and mindfulness sessions, plus acoustic music and delicious healthy food. Speakers include…

' I wake up at 7am, and walk or cycle from my home in Clapham, London, to the Tough  Mudder offices in Brixton. The office has a big dining table, so the whole team sits down and eats breakfast together before discussing strategies, running through feedback from past events and planning future events. We run 11 events a year in the UK, plus four in Germany, so there’s a bit of travel involved in my job and no two days are ever the same. Our races, obstacles and customers are constantly evolving, and I love seeing an initial idea for an obstacle translate into part of an event that keeps customers inspired.’ PERFECT JOB ‘Having previously worked in Olympic events, handling sponsorship, when I saw an advert for an events…

It’s something yogis have known for years and now research proves it’s true – yoga helps keep your mind and body young as you age. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh analysed findings of 22 clinical trials on the physical and mental benefits of yoga in healthy, older adults. Results, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, showed that yoga not only improved limb strength and flexibility, it also improved sleep, reduced depression and boosted energy. Yoga was found to be more effective than other light exercise, such as walking, at increasing lower-body strength and improving mood. Start today and protect your future health!…