Women's Fitness January 2021

Sometimes the best thing to do is look forward and leave the past where it belongs. 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but as we move into the new year, let’s hope for better things. With 49 per cent of women saying they feel anxious, our mental resilience has been tested more than ever before. Fortunately, we can still get our exercise fix – some of us even prefer the convenience of home workouts. Our HIIT session on page 48 requires no equipment, while all you need for our workout on page 54 is one kettlebell. Running is one of the best ways to get fit and burn calories. Our beginner’s plan on page 62 will get you up to 20 minutes quickly, or maybe you…

Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author and keen runner. She runs online programmes and works with athletes.christinebailey.co.uk Elle Fox Elle is a Naturopath, a College of Naturopathic Medicine graduate and microbiome specialist with 30 years’ experience in complementary medicine.naturopathy-uk.com Stuart Mailer Stuart is a consultant physiotherapist who graduated in Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy. He specialises in knee, foot and ankle injuries.stuartmailerphysio.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. She also practises tai chi. Gemma Hurditch Gemma is a Naturopath and lecturer at the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Gemma is also a Medical Herbalist and Nutritional Therapist. Naturopathy-uk.com Josephine Perry Josephine is a sport psychologist. She educates those who want to…

SOBERING THOUGHTS I was interested to read your article Alcohol & You: Are You Too Close? (Winter issue). A former work colleague once commented that we fall into two categories – being either a “drink” or a “food” person. I think there is some truth in that. I have seen a number of colleagues buy cakes for the office for no other reason than they fancied a “treat”, whereas others would prefer a glass of wine. We can eat or drink too much for something to do. If you find yourself reaching for wine or biscuits, ask yourself if you really want it. Completely cutting out sweet stuff may be unrealistic, but having smaller portions can work, or try having one less drink a week for several weeks, then two…

‘I used to do it more for physical reasons, but this year exercise is important for my mental wellbeing.’ Joanne Miller ‘I started out for physical health, but I keep going for mental health.’ Kate Wood ‘Both. One definitely leads to the other. I feel much happier and more optimistic when I’m moving.’ Dawn Moore ‘Both, but mental health is slightly overtaking this year. I am lucky as I work for the NHS, so I still have a work routine.’ Anne-Marie Lord…

NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR Wearing new fitness kit can help you ‘get into character’ so you feel more mentally prepared and focused for your workouts. So why not invest in a few pieces from Tide + Seek’s new activewear collection? Launching on January 1, you’ll find leggings, crop tops and matching hair scrunchies in vibrant prints, all made from recycled plastics. The shape-enhancing, fast-drying fabric also offers UPF 50+ sun protection and is 100 per cent chlorine, saltwater and sunscreen resistant, to take you from yoga and running to stand up paddleboarding in style. • Choose sustainable gym kit to do your bit for the planet. • Opt for seamless styles to avoid chafing and rubbing. • Remember that compression fabrics sculpt your body and help with recovery. TRY THIS...…

Andrea created Xtend Barre in 2008 in order to combine the benefits of dance with Pilates and cardio for a heart-raising, core-improving diverse workout. Xtend Barre for Openfit is a 30-minute stream-at-home version of Xtend Barre, her popular studio class. You can sign up to the whole programme at openfit.com/p/xtend-barre. Q FIRSTLY TELL US WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING RECENTLY TO KEEP IN SHAPE AND STAY LEAN AND TONED? I’ve always found that leaning into a community of like-minded people makes exercising more gratifying. It also provides accountability when I’m lacking motivation. So I’ve been participating in our Xtend Barre Challenge on the Openfit platform, which is part of our Xtend Barre Openfit Facebook group. These monthly challenges help our members stay engaged and supported in their fitness goals and, during…