Women's Fitness Issue 9

It’s often said by coaches and mentors that we can’t control what happens to us but we can choose how we respond. With the pandemic still prevalent, we still face challenges, but we can all choose to take care of ourselves. Did you know that just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise can boost your immune system immediately? Apart from reducing your risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia, it can also improve your mental health. The charity Mind says that regular cardio exercise can be more effective at treating mild depression than antidepressants and can reduce depression risk by 20 per cent. During lockdown, a third of the population said they did more exercise. Keeping it up now that restrictions have been eased can be a challenge. Time pressures can…

EDITORIAL EDITOR: CHRISTINA NEAL ART EDITOR: JENNIFER RATCLIFF SUB-EDITOR: CLAIRE CHAMBERLAIN THANKS TO: EVE BOGGENPOEL, JOANNA EBSWORTH, SARAH SELLENS ADVERTISEMENT SALES TANDEM MEDIA MANAGING DIRECTOR: RICHARD ROWE 01233 228750 RICHARD@TANDEMMEDIA.CO.UK ACCOUNT MANAGER: HANNAH LEES 01233 555737 HANNAH@TANDEMMEDIA.CO.UK AD PRODUCTION MANAGER: ANDY WELCH 01233 220245 ANDY@TANDEMMEDIA.CO.UK MANAGEMENT  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: STEVE WRIGHT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: PHIL WEEDEN MANAGING DIRECTOR: KEVIN MCCORMICK RETAIL DIRECTOR: STEVE BROWN AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: ANDY COTTON SUBSCRIPTIONS MARKETING DIRECTOR: GILL LAMBERT SUBSCRIPTIONS MARKETING MANAGER: NICK MCINTOSH HEAD OF EVENTS: KAT CHAPPELL PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER: GEORGINA HARRIS PRINT PRODUCTION CONTROLLER: KELLY ORRISS…

Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author and keen runner. She runs online programmes and works with athletes.christinebailey.co.uk Ian Gardner Ian is a personal trainer with over six years’ experience. He has interests in Olympic weightlifting and ultra-marathons. Visit igptcoaching.com Louise Pyne Louise is a qualified nutritionist and freelance health writer.›She specialises in women’s health and wellness, and children’s health.louisepynenutrition.com Eve Boggenpoel Eve has practised yoga and meditation for 25 years. She trained as a yoga teacher at Triyoga, and is a qualified homeopath.findingstillness.uk Dr Juliet McGrattan Juliet is a former GP and author of Sorted: The Active Woman’s Guide to Health. She is the Women’s Health Leader for the 261 Fearless running network.drjulietmcgrattan.com Sarah Sellens Sarah is a leading health and fitness writer, and a REPs-certified personal…

MORE FITNESS, MORE WEIGHT GAIN I have been exercising for years and during lockdown, I got fitter than ever as I have been working out every day. However, I’ve been eating chocolate and I’ve put on half a stone. It’s frustrating because I’ve worked out regularly, so I do think that I should have been able to relax on the food a bit. Has anyone else had the same problem? Andrea Jewell, London WF Editor Christina says: I can relate! I’ve been doing more exercise, but the scales haven’t moved. Check out our four-week fat-burn guide on page 57, which will help. ON TARGET FOR A MEDAL I was meant to be doing a local 10K in May and when it was understandably cancelled, I signed up for a virtual…

HOME WORKOUTS I have been going to the gym for 25 years six days a week. When I got the message that I knew was coming – that the gym doors were closing – I panicked. I decided the best way to keep my fitness going was to have the same plan but adapt. And I did – better than I could have imagined! I searched the shed and found two sets of dumbbells, two kettlebells and an old camping mat. My garden has become my gym. Lunges up and down the lawn get the neighbours’ curtains twitching! The stretching and abs exercises I found boring are now enjoyable as I can look at the sky while I do them. It’s even relaxing. No fancy new gym gear needed. The…

‘Our gym has new hand-washing facilities outside, equipment sanitising and outdoor classes with fewer people, so I’m not nervous.’ Helen Reardon ‘Ecstatic, I have gained 3kg during lockdown while I was trying to lose 7kg, so now I need to lose 10kg!’ Harriet Kubheka ‘I’ve got a good routine going at home, so I’ll hold off until next year.’ Anna Holly Miners ‘I’d love to go back, but I am anxious. I do practice good hygiene, but not everyone is on the same page.’ Aura Norman…