Innholdsfortegnelse for 31-Jan-2022 i Woman's Own

Who’s still on the 2022 health-kick wagon? I have a friend doing a juice diet and others cutting back on booze and snacks (although not quite managing to turn down a party egg – but then who can?). I’m doing my best too, but it really can be hard. To make things easier, this week we’re offering you a free Slimming World membership (p27) and the good news is you can eat plenty. I’ve tried some of the new Slimming World foods available at Iceland and they definitely get a thumbs-up from me. I’m looking forward to emerging like a butterfly in a few months. Watch this space! On the subject of food, where do you stand on eating in bed? It’s our big debate this week (p43) and people…

WHERE ARE OUR PUSHY DADS? Women are so often lumbered with the label, while men get a pat on the back for their supportive parenting. Ladies, did you know there’s something only men are allowed to be and you’re definitely not? No, not a blithering idiot – though that, obviously, is mostly rather accurate too! Yes, there’s another somewhat cocky answer there too, but this is a family magazine I’ll have you know! It’s to do with your kids. Or even your grandkids or nephews and nieces. And ambition. ‘BOTH MUMS AND DADS CAN GO TOO FAR’ As supermum extraordinaire Judy Murray pointed out recently, while a man ‘enthusiastically’ encouraging his children to do well is dubbed ‘supportive’ and ‘ambitious’, a mum doing the same is seen as a nightmare pushy…

Quilted coat It’s been the must-have style of the season and this coat is a no-brainer. Less bulky than other padded cover-ups, this lightweight version means you can easily wear it over jumpers. Wide-leg trousers Comfort and style? We’re sold! These stretch wide-leg bottoms sit high on the waist and fall to the floor without clinging to thighs. Team with your best Breton T-shirt and trainers. Sleeveless jumper When you’re after extra warmth without the bulk, a knitted tank top is the answer. Perfect for in-between weather, wear over a thin shirt or even a printed midi dress for extra style points. Floaty frock Suitable for most body shapes, this loose-fit midi dress with sleeves skims over your frame effortlessly. This style comes up larger than usual, so you may…

She has no self-control over food Q My daughter is in her 20s and has had a weight problem for years. I try to be sympathetic, but get frustrated by her lack of self-control. She goes on a crazy diet, binge eats (then sometimes makes herself sick) and gets very depressed. How do I help her to control her eating? A Controlling your daughter’s eating is not the issue. Emotions and feelings are at the root of her erratic eating behaviours, not food itself. What will help is for her to get expert support with her eating disorders. Try Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk), who can help her access treatment and also give you more information on what’s actually happening to your daughter. IS HE HAVING AN AFFAIR? Q I have been married…

Med veg soup Preheat your oven to 200C/Gas 6. Arrange 1 deseeded and chopped butternut squash, 2 chopped red peppers, 1 sliced red onion and 2 chopped tomatoes in a roasting tin. Scatter over 2 crushed garlic cloves and squeeze over some lemon juice. Spray with low-cal cooking spray and bake for 30 mins. Scoop the flesh from the squash, discarding the skin, and put in a food processor with the other vegetables. Add 450ml veg stock and blend until smooth. Put the mixture in a large pan and stir in another 450ml stock. Heat for 5 mins until piping hot and serve with a large salad. Bento box on-the-go Pack a lunch box with lettuce leaves, lean ham slices, cherry tomatoes sliced cucumbers and a hardboiled egg. Serve with…

‘I WANTED TO BE AROUND FOR MY KIDS’ Donning a 1950s-style red velvet flared dress, I stepped into the hall, excited for the night of dancing ahead. It was April 2019 and I’d taken up swing jive six months before, and now I spent my weekends going to dance socials, where I got to show off my moves. Just two years earlier, I could never have attempted dancing as I’d been dangerously overweight and walking just five minutes down the road would leave me breathless. Now, though, since shedding the pounds, I felt better than ever. ‘I HAD TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY OF A CAR’ Throughout my adult life, I’d always weighed around 11st, and at 5ft 7in, I felt good. As a stay-at-home mum, my days were…

‘I BOUGHT THREE LOOS BEFORE I FOUND THE ONE’ Before I moved from Nottingham to Plymouth, I’d already found a house in a lovely area but ended up in a long chain and had to pull out. I knew I wanted a period property and, as luck would have it, this house became available on the same street. STARTING WORK As soon as I moved in I ripped it all out and had the house rewired and re-plastered, which took six months. I wish I hadn’t done everything at once, because I rushed too often into making decisions and I feel like I’m still patching up bits now. REJIGGING THE SPACE I was originally going to leave the bathroom as it was, as I couldn’t afford to tackle it. The…

✣ Istanbul is three hours ahead of UK time. ✣ The currency is the Turkish Lira. ✣ Going for a long weekend? A lot of museums are closed on Mondays. ✣ Around 15 million people live in the greater Istanbul area and that can mean traffic jams. Take public transport – the underground, buses and the old-fashioned trams on İstiklal Road – for some great photos. If you grab a cab, make sure you agree to a price first. ✣ April is a fantastic month to visit, when the gardens are full of beautiful tulips, which originated here before they were exported.…

CRIME THRILLER THE SECOND CUT by Louise Welsh (£14.99, Canongate Books, HB) When auctioneer Rilke gets a tip-off about a lucrative house clearance from his old friend Jojo, it seems too good to be true. Business has been slow at Bowery Auctions and this could be the break he’s been waiting for. True, the house is full of genuine antiques. But when Jojo is found dead on a Glasgow doorstep, it becomes apparent that dark forces are at play. The police won’t investigate, perhaps due to Jojo’s lifestyle of casual hook-ups and drug use. It’s down to Rilke to uncover the truth in this stylish, intricately layered detective story from award-winning author Louise Welsh. TENSE TALE BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED by Lisa Gardner (£12.99, Cornerstone, HB) Frankie Elkins dedicates her life…

THE WAITE IS OVER… Strictly pal Ian Waite will start touring again in April in Act Two, a reboot of his popular variety show featuring fellow hoofer Vincent Simone. Fans will know that this is a Strictly spin-off show with a difference – with plenty of goofing about. ‘Of all the shows, this is the one the husbands love as much as the wives who’ve dragged them along,’ Ian reckons. SILVER LINING! This month marks the 25th anniversary of my first-ever appearance on breakfast telly. It coincided with the announcement that ANOTHER Richard Arnold would be taking over as CEO of Manchester United, prompting some to speculate I’d swapped sides – literally – into the world of sport. Even pals Amanda Holden and Keith Lemon got in touch to congratulate…

The woman who TAMED SIMON He’s famously dated, and stayed friends with, a harem of beautiful women – Sinitta, Page 3 models Louise Payne and Georgina Law, Jackie St Clair, Terri Seymour and, briefly, Danni Minogue to name a few – but after years and a child together, Simon Cowell, 62, has finally put a ring on Lauren Silverman’s finger, and reportedly plans on downsizing his company, Syco, to focus on his family. Despite previously stating, ‘I don’t believe in marriage, certainly not in this business,’ Simon got down on one knee on Christmas Eve in Barbados in front of their son Eric, seven, and Lauren’s son Adam, 16, from her previous marriage. But how has the American socialite finally tamed the renowned bachelor? The couple began their relationship…

TUMMY TRIMMING The perfect day-to-night top. Top, sizes 6-18, £36, River Island GEO WHIZZ Add a touch of luxury with velvet home accessories. Cushion, £18, Dunelm OVER THE MOON Send your succulents to outer space. Planter, £14, sassandbelle.co.uk CHOOSE TO DIFFUSE Introduce a home scent on a budget. Diffuser, £6, Primark FEELING BLUE Keep the cold out with this cosy scarf. Scarf, £12.50, M&S SLOGAN STYLE Make a statement with this supermarket jumper. £13, sizes 6-22, F&F Clothing EYE SPY Swipe on for extra shimmer. Lottie London Palette Mix, £4.95, lookfantastic.com MAKE IT MINI Spritz on some luxury. Versace Women’s Miniature Set, £27.50, feelunique.com EXTRA PADDING Take a walk on the wild side with this animal print jacket. Jacket, sizes xs-xl, £34.99, H&M CARRIED AWAY A stylish striped tote that…

WILL I GET BREAST CANCER TOO? Q When she was in her 40s, my mum died of breast cancer. Now that I’m a similar age, it’s really starting to play on my mind. My sister, who’s older than me, paid to be tested for the breast cancer gene mutation. Could I get this test on the NHS? A Your GP may be able to refer you for genetic counselling and testing on the NHS. You’ll need to give a detailed family history, so find out as much as you can about any cancer in your relatives. A specialist will talk you through the implications if you test positive for the gene mutation. Some women, for example, consider having a prophylactic double mastectomy if their genes show they are significantly at…

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF 1 PUT YOURSELF FIRST It’s not selfish to carve out some time every day for yourself or say no because you have too much on. Practise prioritising your needs now and again, and you will feel better. 2 CONFIDE IN SOMEONE YOU TRUST Talking about how you feel on a regular basis is one of the healthiest coping mechanisms for looking after your mind and body. 3 DOWNLOAD THE HAPPIFY APP As the app’s name suggests, its purpose is to promote simple, happiness-boosting activities you can practise. The aim is to increase your ability to manage your stress levels and look after yourself. Free on iOS and Android; in-app purchases available.…

So sleek Great on wet or dry hair, Noughty Frizz Magic Anti-Frizz Serum, £8.99, justmylook.com, is perfect for eliminating unwanted flyaways. Use sparingly, as a little goes a long way with this serum. Add hydration Great hair starts at the scalp, so use a scalp serum regularly to keep your hair healthy and free from unwanted texture. We love the effects of Umberto Giannini Banana Butter Nourishing Superfood Scalp + Hair Oil, £8.25, lookfantastic.com. Intense moisture Apply The Inkey List Shea Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment, £7.99, Boots, to damp hair to lock in moisture before styling. It will keep frizz from forming and leave hair with incredible shine. Restore and repair Bond repairing treatments don’t need to be expensive. Revolution Haircare Plex 7 Bond Restore Styling Spray, £8, revolutionbeauty.com, is…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr Expand your connections through family and listen to your inner voice. You will hear some superb news this week. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May Keep an open mind when someone tells you they want to move next year and wants you to go with them on an adventure. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun Chiron is direct for the entire month, urging you to prepare your food in advance as though you were a professional chef. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul You’re surrounded by good people, make the most of it! Allow chemistry to flow and you could be surprised where it leads. LEO 23 Jul – 22 Aug That moment you put the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle into place…

When Paddy met Christine back in 2007, he was a rising TV star known for Phoenix Nights, while she was a lesser-known model and one-time Miss Liverpool winner. Their lavish wedding in 2011 had some 200 guests, including Paddy’s best man, the comedian Peter Kay, who has been his friend since childhood. ‘CHRISTINE’S CAREER HAS TAKEN A FRONT SEAT’ Fast-forward more than a decade and the couple, who have three children, are now red-carpet regulars, with the cameras catching their every move. As well as hosting BBC1’s Top Gear, Paddy, 48, also fronts Question of Sport. But far from still being in the shadow of her husband, Christine has now carved out a successful career in the spotlight and could soon be set to eclipse her other half. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS…

Dancing on Ice is figuring (geddit?) large in our Sunday night telly viewing habits, with judge Holly Willoughby constantly looking like she’s auditioning for the latest Disney princess role and new judge Oti Mabuse heating it up with her pure sass. What really shocked me though was that Corrie Star Sally Dynevor revealed she has never, ever worn fishnet tights before taking part. What? How on earth has she got to 58 without once donning a pair of the only leg coverings that are not only comfortable but don’t ladder after one day?…

Have you heard about? ALCOHOL REALLY CAN MAKE YOU SEE DOUBLE It’s not just a myth! ‘Drinking alcohol slows the communication between the eyes and the brain, which can then lead to blurred and double vision, eyelid twitching and can impair your ability to see certain colour shades,’ says optometrist Roshni Patel. ‘Long-term excessive drinking can include a decline in your overall sight, and can even lead to cataracts.’ It worked for me Shelley Jolliffe, 40, Wiltshire ‘I was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) last March. It’s a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which affects around 5-10*% of people in the UK. One of my symptoms is extreme fatigue. But since drinking antioxidant-rich Exhale Coffee (£7.95, exhalecoffee.com ), I have more energy, and can keep up with my…

TEMPTED TO SKIP MY SMEAR TEST Q During my marriage to my ex-husband, he repeatedly cheated on me. I left about 10 years ago and, for two years, I’ve been dating a woman who I know to be faithful. I’ve been called for a routine smear test, but do I need it now I’m in a monogamous lesbian relationship? A Changes in the cervical cells can happen very slowly over a number of years. No matter what your sexual orientation, you could be at risk. The smear test looks for changes in the cells which, if left untreated, could become cancerous, so I strongly recommend that you attend.…

Is one of your goals for the new year to get healthy? Yes? Then look no further. We’ve teamed up with Slimming World, the UK and Ireland’s leading weight-loss organisation, to create this healthy and flexible eating plan. Fill up on your favourite foods, without ever feeling hungry or guilty – you could lose up to 7lb in two weeks!* How it works ❉ Choose one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner every day. Feel free to repeat meals you enjoy and you’ll find more ideas at slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie. ❉ Slimming World’s eating plan, Food Optimising, is based on the scientific principles of appetite regulation and helps members to reduce their energy intake and lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived. It’s based on an understanding of how a…

Ten-minute late-night kebabs SERVES 4 These kebabs are effortless but utterly satisfying. You can serve them in wraps with chips or on their own. However you choose, they will be delicious. YOU WILL NEED 500g minced lamb 1 fat green chilli, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped Juice of 1 lemon 1 clove garlic, crushed ½ tsp salt 2tbsp ground cumin Small handful fresh coriander, leaves finely chopped 1 red onion, halved and finely sliced, to serve 4 tortilla wraps, to serve FOR THE MINT YOGURT: 100ml Greek yogurt 2tbsp mint jelly HOW TO DO IT 1 Preheat the grill to high and line a grill pan with foil. 2 Put the lamb, chopped chilli, onion, lemon juice, garlic, salt, ground cumin and 2tbsp of the fresh coriander in a…

Film FLAG DAY Out 28 Jan, cinemas/digital Based on Jennifer Vogel s memoir about her real-life fractious relationship with her counterfeiter father, this drama stars Sean Penn and his actual daughter Dylan. Following Jennifer from child to traumatised adult, Flag Day grapples with themes of abandonment, family loyalty and the psychological marks parents leave on their kids. Music YEARS & YEARS Night Call (Polydor Records) Out now Night Call is Years & Years’ third studio album and the first since the trio split, making it the solo project of vocalist and It’s a Sin star Olly Alexander. Taking inspiration from disco and French house music, the album has a rejuvenated sound compared to the prior indie pop releases. DVD GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE Out 31 January 2022 The latest instalment in the…

Lily James ‘I’VE NEVER WORKED SO HARD!’ The star on playing Pamela Anderson in a new biopic… Best known for starring in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Downton Abbey, Lily James is unrecognisable in her latest role as Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson. ‘PLAYING PAMELA WAS THRILLING!’ Lily plays the Canadian-born actor in eight-part drama Pam & Tommy, which tells the story of her ill-fated marriage to Tommy Lee (Sebastian Stan). It begins with the pair’s whirlwind romance in 1995, which saw them tie the knot four days after they started dating, then follows the fallout from their honeymoon sex tape being leaked and the legal dispute that followed. To become Pamela, Lily did her research by reading the star’s books and looking at her interviews. She also spent…

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY’S BIG NIGHT OF MUSICALS, BBC1 Jason Manford hosts this one-off celebration of musical theatre to celebrate how National Lottery players have helped to support theatres via the £228 million of funding. The extravaganza at Manchester’s AO Arena features performances from West End musicals including Dreamgirls, Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and School of Rock.…