Woman's Weekly Living Series September 2020

Who could argue with Kate Humble? In our celebrity interview she explains the benefits of her outdoor lif e and says a morning walk sets her up for the day. What a great start. Or end – I finish eac h summer’s day with a sunset walk (or jog). The wellbeing benefits are huge – discover all about t hem on page 24, where you’ll also find some useful kit, tips on walking styles and how to get started if you ’re not a regular walk er. Step this way……

FORGET 10,000 STEPS Aim for 7,500 a day instead. Health benefits appear to tail off after that amount, according to recent American research of older women (aged 62-plus). The 10,000-step target isn’t based on science but believed to stem from a marketing campaign for pedometers, say researchers at Harvard School of Medicine. Health experts argue it’s an off-putting figure. WHAT IS THAT? It’s a great way to help keep the environment as clean as your hands. Bower Collective natural household products are delivered to your door, so you can empty the contents into reuseable pump dispensers or bottles, before sending the empty pouches back to be cleaned and reused. It eliminates the need for single-use plastics and can save each customer up to 100kg of plastic waste a year. Bower…

1 FIND THE RIGHT HOOP Use one for your height and size, as it makes it easier to learn. ‘If you want a challenge, use a weighted hoop once you’ve got to grips with the technique,’ says fitness coach Steven Virtue from Total Fitness, 2 WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES Avoid baggy and oversized clothing which will get in the way of the hoop. ‘Tight-fitting clothes allow you to move your hips easily and maintain a steady motion,’ says Steven. 3 KEEP THE RIGHT POSTURE Keep a strong, upright posture and lengthen your spine as you start to move. Avoid hunching your back or bending at the hips. Take it slow and steady, at a pace that’s comfortable for you.…

1 Understand cholesterol Too much of this fatty substance in your blood raises your risk of heart disease, stroke and vascular dementia. There are two main types – the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol fights the ‘bad’ non-HDL cholesterol,which sticks to blood vessel walls, clogging them and leading to heart attacks. Lower cholesterol by exercising, not smoking and reducing the saturated fat you eat. Steam or grill food instead of frying. Your GP may suggest medication. If you’re worried, talk to your doctor or call the British Heart Foundation heart helpline on 0300 330 3311. 2 Eat smart A healthy diet helps your heart. Eat plenty of wholegrain cereals, brown rice and grains, as fibre can help reduce cholesterol. And get your five-a-day of fruit and veg. Oily fish (salmon, mackerel) contains…

WOMEN’S HEAL TH Check your vitamin D levels ‘Low levels of vitamin D are incredibly common, especially during winter. Around 40-50% of women of reproductive age have low levels, yet it’s essential for women’s health – in bone health, fertility and foetal growth, if you do become pregnant. Deficiency can also be responsible for minor health problems, like fatigue, muscle pain and poor sleep. Get tested.’ Narendra Pisal, Consultant Gynaecologist, london-gynaecology. com YOUR HEART Be risk aware ‘Many women have no idea of their risk of heart disease. Ask your doctor about your risks, and try to change any aspect that needs alteration. That might mean reducing your weight, stopping smoking, tackling raised cholesterol or blood pressure, and doing at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. If there’s a…

As the presenter of some of our favourite farm animal shows, like Animal Park, Springwatch and Lambing Live, it’s no surprise Kate Humble is a keen lover of the outdoors. ‘I’m one of those people who needs to be out and about and moving’ But the 51-year-old TV presenter –who lives with her husband Ludo Graham on a farm in Monmouthshire – has now revealed just how much she enjoys going outdoors to exercise, and credits it with the reason she feels ‘very healthy’ at the moment. ‘I spend a lot of time outside, I always do,’ she tells us. ‘I have three dogs, and they need lots of exercise, and I need lots of exercise, too! ‘I’m just one of those people who needs to be out and moving,…