Innholdsfortegnelse for January 20, 2025 i Woman's Own

I think it’s safe to say we’re all pretty much hooked on our phones, aren’t we? I know I certainly am – endlessly scrolling Instagram (I haven’t quite got into TikTok), apps that measure this and calculate that, online shopping, step counters and countless notes (I’d be lost without them), heck, even the calculator comes in handy! It’s embarrassing to admit but it feels like a real wrench when you have to go without it. That’s why I salute writer Jo Dunbar who switched to a ‘dumbphone’ (a new word for the simpler mobile we all used to know and love) for a week. She’s a braver woman than me! Find out how her challenge went on p38 – and ask yourself the big question: how would you fare? Be…

It’s no secret that Alison Hammond has always struggled with her weight. But while the popular presenter has always been a proud curvy girl, a couple of years ago she realised she needed to do something about her increasing waistline for health reasons, admitting at the time, ‘I laugh about it and make jokes about it but it’s getting serious now. I am over 20st, it’s not funny any more.’ ‘I WAS DYING, I REALLY WAS’ Now, Alison, 49, is entering 2025 a new woman, having lost an impressive 11st – going from 28st to 17. From cutting out sugar and fatty foods to working out twice a week with a personal trainer and lifting weights at home, Alison, who’s dating 27-year-old Russian masseur David Putman, has managed to reverse…

WHAT MEN THINK ABOUT OUR BITS When it comes to our body parts, us women don’t need any more hang-ups Girls, are any of us OK with the way our bodies look at this time of year? The sparkly overindulgence of Christmas is a distant memory, even the last most-hated Quality Street has been eaten and the remaining crumbled mess of the Stilton somehow still at the bottom of the fridge now resembles a chemistry experiment gone horribly wrong. As do your thighs. And tummy. And your bum probably, too, but you haven’t been quite brave enough to look. Show me a woman who comes through the festive period lighter, brighter and tauter and I’ll show you someone who has spent Christmas in a cosmetic surgery clinic. So, what do…

Mexican-style chicken PREP TIME: 20 MINSCOOK TIME: 1 HR 20 MINSCALS: 370 FAT: 7.5GSAT FAT: 2.5G CARBS: 46G SERVES 6 Chilli con carne fans will love this rich stew. Don’t skip the chocolate, it really adds depth to the sauce. YOU WILL NEED 1tbsp vegetable oil8 skinless chicken thighs1 onion, roughly chopped3 garlic cloves, crushed1-1½tbsp dried ancho chilli flakes½tsp allspice2tsp coriander seeds, crushed1tsp fennel seeds, crushed¾tsp sweet smoked paprika1 cinnamon stick200g passata300ml chicken stock2tbsp raisins30g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa content), chopped Juice ½-1 limeLarge handful fresh corianderCooked rice or soft tortillas, to serve HOW TO DO IT 1 Heat the oil in a heavy-based casserole over a medium heat, brown the chicken thighs on all sides and set aside. 2 In the same pan, cook the onion for…

MURDER MINDFULLY by Karsten Dusse (£9.99, PB, Faber & Faber) Björn is a late-in-life murderer, having only begun to kill at the age of 42. That said, he has taken to his new hobby very quickly. With his relationship on the brink of collapse, stressed-out lawyer Björn reluctantly attends a mindfulness class to get his life in order. He was not expecting the new techniques to have such a huge impact. Finding himself more focussed and in touch with what really matters, Björn seeks inner peace – by violently murdering those who stand in the way of his newfound serenity. Karsten Dusse spins a darkly humorous and highly original tale of a spiritually awakened serial killer. LIFE BEGINS by Kate Eberlen (£10.99, PB, Orion) Jessica has planned a dazzling getaway…

Lorraine UNDER FIRE AGAIN! Lorraine Kelly outraged fans after failing to host her ITV daytime show over the festive period, including its first episode of the year, which aired on 2 January. Fans flocked to social media to complain about her absence, with one writing, ‘Starting the new year off with 0%. What a strong start Lorraine,’ while another commented, ‘Might as well call the show “occasionally featuring Lorraine” at this stage.’ A third said, ‘This is embarrassing even by Lorraine’s standards.’ This isn’t the first time viewers have noted Lorraine’s absence, with Woman’s Own previously reporting that fans were calling for the star, 65, to be permanently replaced by regular stand-in host Christine Lampard. In fact, in 2024 Lorraine, who is paid £568,000 for her presenting gig, only hosted…

MADE YOU BLUSH Pretty bow details make this a winner. Blouse, £25.99, sizes xs-xl, Zara CLEAN UP Brightens and hydrates skin. Frank Body Scrub + Cleanser, £7.95, lookfantastic.com ON THE GO Stay hydrated with this large travel mug. Cup, £10, Primark HAND WARMERS Designer-inspired at a high-street price. Gloves, £20, River Island SMASH KNIT Cosy and glamorous. Dress, £39.99, sizes xs-xl, Lindex TAKE IT EASY Embrace cosy nights in and time for yourself. Small candle, £3, large candle, £5, journal and pen, £3, cosmetics case, £4, all B&M CANDY STRIPES Cute purchase for green-fingered friends. Plant pot, £8, M&S PEACH FUZZ Scallop detailing for a contemporary look. Cushion, £9, George Home PAINT THE TOWN Vegan formula with a glossy finish. Polish, £12, londongrace.co.uk CHIC ACCESSORY Classic arm candy to go…

Staring at me, eyes wide, as we cuddled up together, my daughter Isla, then six, looked worried. ‘Why is Mum having so many appointments with the doctor?’ she asked. I’d been dreading this moment for weeks and, now it came to it, I was struggling to find the words. I said, ‘Mummy’s got cancer and it’s making her feel really poorly…’ It was August 2018, and a few months earlier my wife Laura had been diagnosed with CALR-positive primary essential thrombocythemia, an incredibly rare blood cancer generally diagnosed in people aged over 60. It felt particularly cruel because, seven years earlier, Laura had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She’d had the tumour removed and had been given the all clear. So it was agonising to see her struggling again, and…

CAN I STOP MY STEROIDS? Q Last year, I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica (a chronic inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulders, neck and hip), and have been on steroids ever since. I am currently taking 10mg of prednisolone every day and am keen to reduce my dose. My doctor told me I would have to reduce the dose slowly, but how slowly? A If you have been on steroids for more than three weeks, it’s important to wean down to give your adrenal glands a chance to ‘wake up’ and produce your own natural steroid. Speak to your GP before reducing, but as a rough guide, lose 1mg a day every two to four weeks. Statins make me feel sick Q After my GP found…

Complexion perfection A green-tinted primer will balance out any redness in your skin to leave your face looking fresh and clear – with or without make-up. B. Enhance Colour Corrector, £14.99, Superdrug, will instantly perk up your face. Animal magic Hair accessories aren’t just for party season! A stylish headband like Leopard Print Knot Headband, £12, Accessorize, will hide a multitude of hair sins, including unkempt roots, greasy locks or flatness. Wear with your hair down or with an undone bun for an easy, fun look that takes seconds to create. Fruity fix Barry M That’s Swell Fruity Extreme Lip Plumper in Cherry, £4.99, Superdrug, will gently plump up your lips while painting them with a wash of cheery pink colour. This shiny gloss and the joy-sparking shade will banish…

Cost cutters Try these simple but effective ways to reduce food waste… 1 LABEL EVERYTHING Store sauces, marinades and leftovers in clearly labelled containers with the contents and date it was made. That way you’ll know what you’ve got and can prioritise what needs using first. 2 PLAN A FRIDGE RAID Choose a day every week to clear out your fridge. Look at what needs to be used and plan your meals for the following week to use it up. This will reduce your food waste and your shopping bill. 3 USE FROZEN AND CANNED You won’t have to worry about using these up quickly due to their long shelf life. Plus they usually work out cheaper than their fresh equivalents. Add a tin of chickpeas to bulk out curries…

Pretty pink Chic white Scandi green…

CLUES & ARROWS Fill in the clues in the direction of the arrows Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Wordsearch Which of these terms is also a common name for the South African plant Crassula capitella? The answer is the one missing from the grid. BLANKETCAMPFIREGUY ROPEKETTLEMALLETMATCHESNATUREPEG PICNICPITCHPOLESTOVESUNCREAMTENTTORCH CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 2023 canine comedy film starring the voices of 11 Across, 26 Across, 9 Down, and 25 Down (6)4 Vocalist (8)10 Horn of Africa country (7)11 Will __, star of films Anchorman and Blades of Glory (7)12 Sicilian volcano (4)13 Kitchen appliance (10)15 Tyrant (6)16 Sixth NATO alphabet codeword (7)20 __ Creepers, 2001 horror film starring Gina Philips and Jonathan Breck (7)21 Work history…

SUSANNA REID Good Morning Britain’s Susanna gave up alcohol in 2018 after suffering from ‘hangxiety’ and being told by doctors that it would help clear her skin, and enable her to shed a few pounds. ‘When you’re getting up early in the morning you really need a clear head. I just found even if I had a drink at the weekend, it was taking longer to flush it through my body, and I didn’t like that feeling of ‘hangxiety’ – that slightly tense feeling,’ she explained. ‘I stopped enjoying it. I prefer life alcohol-free.’ Speaking about the benefits of being sober, Susanna, 54, continued, ‘I feel clearer, sharper and more energetic than ever.’ ANNE HATHAWAY A-lister Anne decided to ditch booze when she became a mum, saying she didn’t have…

Concern was etched across my client Steven’s* face as he explained how his father, Frank*, 92, a former medical professor living alone, was struggling with mobility issues. ‘Dad’s brain is sharp but he can’t make a cup of tea,’ he sighed. ‘I’ll find your dad the perfect match,’ I reassured, and days later, in 2018, I had just the person - medical PhD student Jessica*, then 26. ‘She’s applied to be your dad’s housemate,’ I smiled, and hearing the relief in Steven’s voice was what I wanted as a professional matchmaker. I know what you’re thinking – this doesn’t sound like the matchmaking you’ve heard of before, particularly matching people in their 90s with 20-somethings. But that’s because I’m a home-share matchmaker, connecting younger people looking for somewhere to live…

My husband Gareth clutched my hand as we watched the fuzzy blob moving around on the monitor. ‘You’re having a little boy,’ the sonographer smiled, as Gareth and I shared an emotional cuddle. ‘Congratulations.’ It was July 2021 and we were at my 20-week scan. After two years trying to conceive, this was our first baby and we already felt so in love with our precious son. The next few months of my pregnancy were spent planning for his arrival, organising his little blue sleep suits in his wardrobe and putting fresh bedding in his cot. ‘I COULDN’T MOVE MY LEGS TO GET UP’ WORRYING SYMPTOM But fastening my maternity bra one morning, in early November 2021, I winced as my fingers traced a painful lump under my left breast.…

My son is struggling Q My ex-husband and I divorced two years ago. We were still friends, but knew our marriage was over. Our son was 25 when it happened, and he still can’t cope with it. He has a good life, but constantly tells me I’ve ruined his childhood. A While it’s important to support your son, protecting your own emotional health is also crucial. You need to set boundaries with your son about how you discuss the divorce. Be clear that he can’t take all his anger and emotions out on you. He’s obviously struggling, so I also suggest that he talk to a counsellor who can help him cope with what he’s been through. Go to relate.org.uk. HE KEEPS COMING BACK Q I caught my partner having…

If you have an older home or work in a hospital, school or council office, the chances are you’ve been in a building containing asbestos. The material, made of silicon, hydrogen, oxygen and other metal ions, was once used to make everything from insulation to brakes. From the 60s onwards, the UK was one of the biggest importers of the cheap, durable material and it was used to make countless buildings. In fact, it’s thought that 75% of schools in the UK still contain asbestos. If asbestos isn’t disturbed, it remains relatively harmless, but when it is disturbed, fibres can get into the air and human lungs, and can cause deadly illnesses, which can take decades to develop. In 1999, it was finally banned in the UK, but by then…

READER QUESTION Q I’d like to pay some of the cost for my daughter to learn to drive and buy a car. How much should I be budgeting? A While it will vary widely, research by Go.Compare Car Insurance found the average cost of getting on the road in 2024 was £7,100 – a jump of 19% on 2023 when the figure was £5,947.40. The report considered the overall costs including driving lessons, a car and insurance. Find more info, including tips on saving on car insurance, at gocompare.com. Get green rewards With John Lewis’ FashionCycle scheme, when you take five or more pre-loved clothing items to a fashion till and show your My John Lewis loyalty scheme card, you’ll receive a £5 off* voucher for its Fashion Rental service.…

YES ‘She might inspire him’ Catherine Lofthouse, 43, lives in Loughborough, Leicestershire with her husband, 50, and three sons My husband and I are a prime example of how successful age-gap relationships can be. We met when I was 19 and he was 26. At the time, I was still a student while he had a stable career. We had a similar outlook, even though we weren’t going through the same stages of life. If my 25-year-old stepson brought home an older partner for us to meet, I’d be delighted, not disgusted. As far as I’m aware, he’s only ever dated women his own age or younger, which hasn’t worked out for him so far. So maybe getting involved with a more mature lady would be a massive bonus. An…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr As a Fire sign you sometimes try to do a million things in a day. This week, take it easy. Ensure you make time to smell the flowers and count your blessings. TAURUS 21 Apr – 20 May You generally have a methodical approach to life, but with the Sun moving into an Air sign on 20 January, you may feel overwhelmed. Take it a step at a time. GEMINI 21 May – 20 Jun It’s important to recognise your capabilities. So take the time to consider what’s most important to you and then take action to move towards your dreams. CANCER 21 Jun – 22 Jul If you would like to attract more abundance, try saying this daily affirmation: ‘I am worthy of…

Film A COMPLETE UNKNOWN In cinemas 17 January Timothée Chalamet (Wonka, Dune, Little Women) stars as Bob Dylan in this electric interpretation of the story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in music history. Also starring Elle Fanning (All The Bright Places, Maleficent) and Edward Norton (Fight Club, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery). Performance STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE 17 January to 9 February, multiple locations including Nottingham, Newcastle and Glasgow, tickets from £42 It’s time to dust off your glad rags as the hit BBC show comes to a stage near you. Join judges Craig, Motsi, Anton and Shirley, plus a selection of celebrity and professional dancers, for a night of glitz, glamour and incredible moves! Tour THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN UK TOUR 14…