Women's Fitness March 2023

Plummeting temperatures, teamed with rising fuel prices and the dreaded ‘twindemic’ of ’flu and COVID-19, have made this winter somewhat testing for the hardiest of us. So I don’t think I’m alone in saying, ‘Good riddance’ to it, and welcoming the warmer weather with open arms. Because there’s something uplifting about the change of seasons. And springtime, more than any other time of year, seems to cry out for folk to get outside and start moving. It’s not just about getting fit, it’s about feeling good. Feeling the warmth of sunshine for the first time in months, seeing the blooms as they begin to bud… it’s enough to get even the most reluctant of exercisers on an outdoor adventure. That’s why it’s so easy to relate to cover model Laura…

Suzanne Baum Suzanne is a celebrity interviewer and lifestyle editor. She has written on fitness and wellbeing for over two decades and also reviews beauty products. @suzanne_baum Eve Boggenpoel Eve is a yoga teacher, counsellor and author. Her work is grounded in a deep appreciation of inner stillness as a pathway to transformation. @eveboggenpoel Joanna Ebsworth A qualified Level 3 PT and fitness instructor, Jo has been combining her love of exercise and writing for 15 years, and is keen to inspire others to be active. @joglows Lucy Miller Lucy is an ex-national gymnast and qualified PT. She is also a nutritionist and life coach who loves nothing more than to go for a run or do a gym session. @lucycmiller Christine Bailey Christine is a performance nutritionist, chef, author…

STAR LETTER INSPIRING READ Thank you for your article A healthy body is the one that makes you happy (February issue), featuring fitness superstar Krissy Cela. She shares her empowering, no-nonsense approach to leading an active, healthy and happy lifestyle, with the aim of giving people the skills to be strong and confident. I read the feature with great interest and found it quite inspiring, and it made me more determined to get fitter and healthier. Krissy had some great tips for smashing goals – such as relying on discipline, knowing that mindset is everything, and doing one thing at a time – and she had many more motivational suggestions. I’m working through her good advice and hope to make that change, whatever it takes, by committing myself…

Suit up! Sustainable swimwear brand Davy J (davyj.com) makes bikinis and one-pieces built especially for the wild. Designed to survive a dive, handle a waterfall and pull off a cliff jump, the new line of winter water suits are comfy enough to swim in. We love the range, including this Long Sleeve Reversible Suit (available in sizes 6 to 20; £160). Made from a luxurious thick-bonded fabric using regenerated fibres, the ‘surf-suit’ design features long arms with built-in thumb holes, an easy on-off zip front and a flattering mid-high leg. Less weighty than a wetsuit, but thicker than a swimsuit for extra warmth, it’s destined to become your favourite cold-water companion. WEAR THIS… Fit for all According to a new global consumer survey by Adidas, 92 per cent of women…

COVER INTERVIEW Finding time to get to interview Laura Whitmore is tricky. Not because she is a difficult person – that couldn’t be further from the truth – but because her work schedule is so jam-packed she has little time outside of it to chat. And that strong, warm Irish voice is one so familiar with her army of fans, it’s no surprise she is one of the most in-demand women in the industry. The 37-year-old is absolutely no stranger to the limelight, of course, as she has been a familiar face on the TV and radio for the past decade. Having fronted numerous shows, including ITV2’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Love Island, as well as hosting her own Sunday morning radio show on BBC…

Q What are the best exercises to choose for a good night’s sleep? Joey Bull says: ‘We know exercise helps us in many ways, not least our ability to recover faster from stress, accidents or sickness, but since heart rate monitors are more accessible to us all, we now have more data available to support our choices. ‘The body benefits from going through high levels of exertion to exorcise pent up stress, which probably, for most, is chronic stress. Off-loading this stress allows for better processing and recovery during sleep and, looking at heart rate variability data, it is very evident that recuperation is heightened by explosive bursts of exercise. But what kind? ‘Firstly, it needs to be done at threshold level, something that leaves you quite breathy. A form…