Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2024 i Women's Fitness

I love this time of year, when sport on TV and in real life (should you be lucky enough to watch any of it in person) becomes a mainstay. From Euro 2024, to Wimbledon, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, and now the summer Olympics and Paralympics, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to watching those at the pinnacle of their sporting careers – and this does everything for our workout motivation! While you might not be planning on making a career out of your fitness ambitions, seeing others who have done so may really fuel your workout mojo. Whether you get a buzz from hitting that dance class every Thursday, or are determined to train properly for the half marathon you signed up for, or…

PENNY WESTON Weston is a wellness, fitness and nutrition expert who also runs Moddershall Oaks, an award-winning health spa, and MADE, a leading wellness centre complete with a boutique fitness gym, studios, treatment rooms, retail shop and health café. Find out more at pennyweston.com Q I struggle to find the balance between relaxing on holiday and maintaining my health and fitness, and I tend to feel guilty if I overindulge on food or drinks! Do you have any advice? A Firstly, I would stress that you shouldn’t feel guilty about indulging on food and drink while on holiday. Relaxing every so often is completely fine – balance is key! However, if you’re wanting to maintain your health and fitness while away, you can do a few things to find that…

Imagine going for a pre-breakfast run with Paula Radcliffe; rowing with husband-and-wife team Ric Edgington and Vicky Thornley; improving your backstroke with Rebecca Adlington or doing HIIT circuits with a dream team of Dame Denise Lewis, Colin Jackson CBE, Daley Thompson CBE and Jamie Baulch. Even one of these would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, let alone getting to do all the above, and more, over just one weekend. But that’s what a lucky group of journalists and members of the public are doing for the opening week of Anda Barut Collection in Didim, the latest offering from the Turkish-based five-star hotel group. Also on the packed three-day itinerary are yoga classes with former diver Leon Taylor, who won a silver at the Athens Olympics in 2004 (he turned to yoga…

STAR LETTER ‘I TURNED MY FITNESS AROUND IN MY 50S!’ It was fantastic to hear Dame Kelly Holmes’ insights into exercising in your 50s (June issue). In the build-up to turning 50, I was overweight, out-of-shape, unhealthy and miserable. I wasn't sure if I could turn it around, and someone even suggested that I was too old to change. But with the support of a couple of lovely PTs, I managed it, and with 52 now on the horizon, I’m a healthy weight and the fittest I’ve ever been. This was through taking a sensible approach to weight-training, cardio, nutrition and some lifestyle changes. My next challenge? I’m now training for my first HYROX! Kate, Scotland Congratulations Kate, you’ve won our star letter prize: any pair of trainers from Vionic…

If you thought Ellie Simmonds would be swapping life in the fast lane for a slower pace when she announced her retirement from competitive swimming three years ago, you’d be mistaken. Because, according to the 29-year-old multiple world record breaker – who captured the hearts of the British public back in 2008 after winning her first Paralympic gold at the tender age of 13 – she’s not ready to slow down yet. In fact, she’s just getting started. ‘To be honest, I think I’m busier now than when I was as an athlete’, exclaims Simmonds, who won an incredible five Paralympic golds, eight World Championship golds and 10 European golds before hanging up her professional swimming goggles after the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. ‘When I was an athlete, my life was…

Many of us are well aware that we ought to be reducing the amount of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in our diets, but in our busy lives, they can be hard to avoid – after all, they’re fast, affordable, familiar and heavily marketed. When you’re feeling time-poor and uninspired, cooking nutritious meals from scratch can feel like an unattainable feat. Luckily, these simple, doable and delicious recipes from Melissa Hemsley’s new cookbook Real Healthy are here to help. With options for meat-eaters, veggies and vegans, each of the following recipes make for a hearty lunchtime feast, packed with tasty, real food – and zero UPFs. TAKE-TO-WORK WHITE BEAN CHICKEN CHILLI From speedy sandwiches to fast-food chains, the average lunch hour is often packed with UPFs. This hearty chilli is a great…

For a lot of professional sports people, there’s a point when you wake up one morning and just know – maybe because your body’s made the decision for you and it’s not a decision that you’re mentally or emotionally ready to make – physically, your time’s up. I had a plan and, when I retired I was relatively young (I was 30) but I had enough energy and enthusiasm to try my hand at something new. That was quite important because I could have gone on for another Olympic cycle. It would’ve taken me to 34 and, by then, I probably wouldn’t have started my family or done a number of different things. So, actually, it was the right time for me. I still train as regularly as I can,…

BEAUTY BAG Beauty editor Lauren Maybank curates the essentials that’ll be a HIIT in your summer beauty bag – from eco-friendly SPF and multi-tasking make-up, to hydrating hair heroes. Find her at instagram.com/laurenpatriciamaybank Margaret Dabbs London Miracle Foot Cream (£22, margaretdabbs.co.uk) If your feet have taken a pounding this summer, try this overnight treatment balm which offers hygienic pampering for sporty feet. With antibacterial and antifungal tea tree oil, it helps to alleviate symptoms associated with athletes’ foot, while also controlling odour from excessive sweating, and protecting damaged skin and nails. Simon Ourian M.D. Skin Perfecting Tint (£49, simonourianmd.com) When you’re not feeling your most skin confident, this skin tint has adaptive pigment technology to provide lightweight, buildable coverage for an even skin tone and uniform complexion. With vitamin C…

REAL LIFE 'When I was growing up, exercise was never sold as something that could make me feel good, energise me, improve my longevity or make me more mobile. It was solely seen as something that you did when you wanted to change your body and lose weight. ‘Women are constantly fed the idea that thin is best. It doesn’t even need to be overtly said – although it often is – as it’s so apparent from the messaging that exists all around us, whether in the media, online or in celebrity culture. There is also so much expectation placed on us as women. We are expected to be homemakers, career women, stay looking as young as possible for as long as possible and never change body shape, even as…

Growing up, Ecclestone regularly joined her dad and brother when they went to play at their local cricket club. Then, at the age of seven, she decided to pick up the sport herself. ‘My family have played a huge part in me being able to play cricket for a living,’ she explains. ‘I still want to do them proud every time I go out in an England shirt.’ Her rise to the top began when she made her England debut aged 17, eventually becoming the number one ranked bowler in the world. The Ashes last summer was a momentous point in her career, with the England squad securing a series draw against Australia – one of the best sides in the world. ‘To play like we did at home and…

Dive in! Speedo has teamed up with D+ lingerie specialists Bravissimo to create a range of high-performance sports swimwear featuring built-in bra-sized support for fuller-busted women. Available in band sizes 30-40 and cup sizes D-K, you’ll find a range of wired and non-wired designs with adjustable straps for a perfect fit – including this Speedo Iris Sports Swimsuit, £70, with a high-neck mesh panel for stylish coverage – all made from 100 per cent chlorine-resistant recycled fabric. Lightweight, breathable and quick drying, the styles are a game-changer for busty ladies who haven’t been able to benefit from the technical properties of Speedo’s regular dress-sized swimsuits. Prices start from £40, bravissimo.com WEAR THIS… Pedal power As a part of its new This Is How We Ride campaign to inspire women to feel…

Blending ballet, Pilates and cardio training, Barre is a low-impact way to get your sweat on and sculpt those muscles. This series of dynamic exercises is designed to inspire your summer movement goals, whether you are at home or travelling. In as little as 10 minutes, you’ll experience focused and effective training that will leave you feeling strong, confident and motivated. All you need is a mat, chair and optional hand weights (500g or 1kg). WARM-UP SECOND TO LUNGE WITH PUNCH This exercise works your quads, glutes and core. • Stand with feet in a wide second position (A), then bend your knees into a plié (B). • Rotate your left foot into a lunge position while reaching your left arm across your body (C). Ensure your arms are held…

Raising the bar Upgrade your usual chocolate bar to Happi Cacao Nibs Crunch Oat M!lk Chocolate (£7 for four bars, happichoc.com). The vegan treat is made with 47 per cent single-origin chocolate, sourced directly and ethically from farmers and growers, and high-quality oat milk. It’s lower in sugar than most mainstream brands but the scrumptious texture and flavour profile will satisfy hardcore chocoholics. Zesty twist Fhirst Lemon Lime Living Soda (£2.20, fhirst.com) provides sugar-free refreshment to help you cool down after a sweaty workout. Specifically designed with two million active cultures and 5g plant fibre to support gut health, the gorgeously tangy flavour also works beautifully as a mixer for summery mocktails, so it’s a win-win on all accounts. Mineral rich Sidestep summer dehydration and sail through your workouts feeling…

We all want to look and feel our best in summer, and what if we told you that you can kickstart your body goals in just two weeks? It’s all down to planning and prepping your own meals – but we’re talking speedy meals that offer maximum nutrition to nurture your body with all the right ingredients needed for optimal health. We know that figuring out what to put on your plate is half the battle when it comes to trimming away body fat. If you don’t know your macronutrients from your micronutrients, you’ll love our diet, as we’ve put together a menu that’s simple yet effective. Our 14-day plan is based around protein-rich dishes which are super-satiating so that you’re less likely to be hungry in between meals. We’ve…

SAM QUEK MBE CLAIM TO FAME After making her international debut in 2007, the former field hockey player helped Team GB win their first-ever women’s Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016. ‘My mantra for sporting success, and even in life, is “tough times don’t last, tough people do”. It’s literally the story of my Olympic career, considering I got my first cap in 2007. And it was helpful when I felt like I was letting everyone down and wasting my time – especially during those moments of pressure, sadness, injury and deselection, when you feel you’re going nowhere because it seems like other people are in control of your dream. Until the latter part of 2013, I had some very tough times mentally, and was very much in my own…

Imagine lying in a hushed forest, the soft mossy earth cradling your body and distant birdsong drifting slowly towards you. As you lift your gaze, you lose yourself in the pattern of a thousand sun-drenched leaves dancing in the canopy above. It’s a timeless image, and you wish you could bask in the moment for ever…. Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, has been growing in popularity in recent years, with the winning design at the 2024 Chelsea Garden Show being inspired by the Japanese practice. But what exactly is forest bathing, and how can it help you? GRASS ROOTS ‘Our definition of forest bathing is “spending mindful time under the canopy of trees for wellbeing”,’ explains Gary Evans, director of the Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI, tfb.institute). ‘Usually, nature is a backdrop…