Innholdsfortegnelse for 02-Dec-2019 i Woman

KATE SHEDS 2st in pre-jungle diet Kate Garraway slimmed down by cutting down on sugar and caffeine ahead of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Despite the fact she’ll be living off of rice and beans on the show, Kate, 52, wanted to look her best from the start. Although the presenter has shed 2st, she still isn’t willing to bare it all in the famous jungle shower. ‘I’ve got lots of swimming costumes,’ she said. ‘It’s hard as I’ve got bits of my body that I’m trying to cover up.’ Speaking about her health kick, Kate said, ‘I tried different popular diets and realised, because of the crazy shifts I do, I regulated my energy with sugar bursts. I didn’t think I ate lots of sugar but…

‘I’LL ALWAYS BE AN ESSEX GIRL’ A few months ago you probably knew Megan McKenna best as the mouthy one from The Only Way Is Essex. But the 27-year-old has reinvented herself as a classy country music act, all thanks to a very successful stint on The X Factor: Celebrity. The Essex girl’s appearance on the show came after she released debut album Story Of Me in 2018, but she had her eye on something much bigger – a record deal with none other than Simon Cowell! With her beautiful voice and a catalogue of heartfelt, original songs, it’s no wonder Megan was favourite to win the ITV show. Here she opens up to Woman about discovering a new fan base and why she turned her back on reality TV…

Samantha Brick, 48, is a writer who lives in Monpazier, southwest France with her husband, Pascal, 58. I completely understand why Ruth and Stacey informed their other halves within a few dates that they wanted to be mums. I felt the same – I just wish I’d followed suit. I was so wrapped up in my version of the future that I hadn’t thought to discuss it in any detail with my boyfriend. ‘I WANTED TO BE NEAR MY FAMILY’ Jack and I were on-off throughout our 20s. We wanted to get married, but hadn’t discussed our lives beyond ‘I do’. He lived in my home city of Birmingham, I was based in London and working in television. I was looking forward to moving back and having my sisters and…

‘I REALISED MY BODY WAS DIFFERENT’ When most people find real love for the first time, having sex is a natural and intimate next step in their burgeoning relationship. When I met my husband, Joe, then 34, in April 2014, our chemistry was electric, yet I’d pull away whenever things between us started to get heated. ‘I want to wait,’ I told him, ‘I only have sex with people I love’. Joe  was a gentleman about it, but in reality, I was lying. Because how could I tell him I was a 30-year-old virgin, not because of any self-imposed vow of purity, but simply because I couldn’t have sex? I was 14 and had just started my periods when I first realised my body wasn’t like my friends’. ‘I’ve started…

We all want to enjoy the festive season without piling on the pounds, but with calorific canapés and delicious buffet spreads to enjoy, it can be a struggle. ‘Part of the problem is that party food is often not that healthy and after a few drinks it’s easy to start grazing. And because the food is on display, it’s tempting to pick at it and eat more than you normally would,’ says nutritionist Rob Hobson. Here, Rob shares his top tips and clever canapé switches to keep your waistline in place. SWAP SALMON VOL-AU-VENT, 160 Cals FOR MINI THAI FISHCAKE, 50 Cals CALORIE SAVING: 110 ROB SAYS: ‘The creamy sauce used for the classic salmon vol-au-vents makes it rich in saturated fat. Thai fishcakes are a more modern option and…

‘DIET AND EXERCISE TAKES MONTHS – SURGERY DOESN’T’ Lydia Smith, 40, lives in Surrey. She has three children, aged 22, 16, and nine – and spent £3,000 on liposuction to look good for her office Christmas Party I was doing brilliantly at work and had a great contract with a marketing company. At the end of the year, I had their work Christmas do coming up. The boss had splashed out on a weekend away at a hotel. They looked after us at Christmas and I wanted to have a good time and look my best! While I’d slimmed down as much as I could after my babies, there were still love handles and pockets of fat around my tummy that wouldn’t shift. As a mum and a businesswoman, I…

Man’s best (health) friend Research* has found that having a dog was associated with a 24% reduced risk of ‘all-cause mortality’. It also found that having a four-legged friend as a pet helped lower the risk of death after a heart attack or stroke by 31% compared to non-owners. What a good boy! Nip your cold in the bud… …with a high dose of vitamin C and zinc. ‘At the first sign of a cold, take at least 500mg of vitamin C and 20-30mg zinc daily until the symptoms disappear,’ says nutritionist Dr Emma Derbyshire**. And wrap up warm. Try high-oleic peanut butter Whole Earth’s Dark Roasted Peanut Butter (£3.40, Tesco) is made with a slow-roasting technique and packed with healthy hi-oleic peanuts, containing 30% more good fats than normal.…

Wegasms aren’t easy Men and women experience different timings, and if you’re trying to climax through intercourse alone, where only 35% of women typically make it, it’s more difficult still. Wegasms take education You need to read each other’s signals and patterns, to work together speeding up and slowing down. If you’re falling short, don’t worry. Instead, take time to learn and practise. Wegasms can miss out Aiming for simultaneous orgasms can mean you’re not fully feeling the pleasure. Taking turns to climax, focusing on one partner at a time, can mean a total of more fun.…

Earlier this year, in June 2019, my husband, Paul, 49, and I were heading to Weymouth for one of our regular weekend jaunts with our dogs, Topsy and Pirlo. I’d had my little car for a while and was excited about getting a new one. I hadn’t got around to it yet, as most of our spare time was spent doing up our house. A few days after our trip down to Weymouth in June, I decided to log into Woman Bingo on my phone. I’d signed up back in 2012 and have always really enjoyed the fun and entertaining community that the site has, as well as the variety of games. I went into the Sapphire Bingo room, and played a couple of games and messaged the other players.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr A fine mist is covering reality, so don’t get too carried away with the spirit of the season or misinterpret someone’s actions or statements. Look twice before you leap, then look again. For your reading ☎ 09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Magic moments are wonderful when they come along, but there’s just as much chance you’ll suffer a misstep or have too much of a good time and pay for it later. For your reading ☎ 09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun Don’t put off dealing with a problem in the belief that you’ll handle it better later. That’s not the case. Deal with it now. Leave the sticking plaster in the first-aid box. For your reading ☎ 09058…

Let’s ban the song Rule Britannia, says overgrown teenager Lily Allen. It’s a relic of a bygone age that celebrates the nasty British Empire and has no place in our ears. Lily picked out the following lyrics of the rousing anthem on Instagram: ‘Britons never, never, never shall be slaves. The nations, not so blest as thee, Must in their turn, to tyrants fall, While thou shalt flourish, shalt flourish great and free.' She then posted the whole song, saying, ‘Sorry what? Britannia rule the waves… I think we should not read this song any more.’ Where to start? First of all, what is the point of banning a song? How often do you hear Rule Britannia? It’s a while since I’ve listened to Radio One but I doubt it’s…

‘SHE’S A PRIMA DONNA’ It’s long been claimed the Duchess of Sussex and the Duchess of Cambridge don’t see eye-to-eye, and Meghan Markle’s uncle isn’t at all surprised by the rumours. Mike Markle, 80, the elder brother of Meghan’s father, Thomas, has opened up about his relationship with his niece Meghan, 38, and reveals why her childhood may be to blame for her clashing with both royals and staff alike. ‘MEGHAN HAS LEFT US BEHIND’ Speaking from his home in Palm Bay, Florida, Mike – who helped get Meghan an internship as a junior press officer at the US embassy in Argentina when she was 20 and considering a career in international relations – tells Woman, ‘Meghan has climbed socially and left us behind, that’s how I feel. I think…

DAVINA MCCALL She normally flaunts her incredible abs, but daring to go bright, Davina, 52, looks radiant in this luminous yellow dress. She is a star, after all... HOLLY WILLOUGHBY Keeping it simple and classy in this black velvet dress, Holly, 38, ensures all eyes are on her. She always makes us want to deck the halls with boughs of Holly! SUSANNA REID Forget ho, ho, ho, Susanna, 48, looks woah in this red dress, complete with beautiful bow sleeve detail. She’s definitely on Santa’s nice list. GEMMA COLLINS The TOWIE star is giving us Christmas tree vibes with this fern green dress and, instead of an angel on top, Gem, 38, has opted for what looks like a Dolly-inspired wig. CHARLOTTE HAWKINS The Good Morning Britain star, 44, appears…

Woman’s agony aunt, Suzie Hayman, says: ‘It’s crucial you make sure that you and your partner are on the same wavelength. Relationships can begin to flounder messily if you discover too late in the day that you have fundamentally different values, beliefs and life goals. You don’t need to leap in and ask how many kids you want on a first date, but it is possible to introduce into the conversation the “getting to know you” gambits that would make it obvious if you have opposing views going forward. Once you move towards making a bigger commitment to each other, like living together, that’s when you should calmly but firmly ask, “Shall we have a chat about some things?” Make a list of all the things that are important to…

Ted Baker Sweet Treats Ella Eau de Toilette, £18, Boots If you weren’t sold on the gorgeous bottle alone, let the romantic scent sway you. With top notes of bergamot and cassis and a heart of orange blossom, jasmine and rose it’s a grown-up floral without being too sugary. Vanillary Perfume, £25, Lush Like a hug in a bottle, this powdery caramel fragrance with just a hint of spice is subtle enough to wear all day. Spritz straight onto your skin or onto your favourite scarf to keep you cosy when you’re out and about. Avon Maxima For Her Eau de Parfum, £20, avon.uk.com Not willing to give up your summer perfume? Enjoy the sweet scent of nectarine and florals all year round with this long-lasting fragrance. Great…

Early detection is key to successful treatment. But unfortunately liver disease can be a silent killer, as there are often no symptoms in the early stages. Because of this, three quarters of people are currently diagnosed with liver disease during a medical emergency, which Professor Ryder says limits the options for intervention. ‘By this point it’s often too late and very costly to treat people – for some the only option is having a liver transplant.’ However, the British Liver Trust now has a simple test you can take to determine your risk. ‘Everyone should take our quiz [at the link below],’ says Pamela. ‘If the damage is caught early, lifestyle changes can reverse damage to the liver, or play an important part in slowing down disease progression.’ ✱ britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener…

DAZZLING DESSERT For a stunning showstopper pud, make sure you pick up an M&S The Collection Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream Gateau, made with chocolate ice cream, morello cherry parfait, chocolate and nut sponge and topped with cherry dusted meringue. Amazing to look at and fabulous to eat, it’ll feed a crowd easily and zero effort is required. That’s the sort of Christmas food we love! £15, serves 10. CUTE COOKIES Get creative with some retro cookies this year – lovely for presents, tree decorations and personalised place settings. Lakeland has a great selection of cutters, including a Christmas Truck, Christmas Dachshund and Christmas Jumper, from £4.99 each. DON’T MISS HESTON’S FIG & PORT CHEESECAKE – IT LOOKS JUST LIKE CHEESE ON A BOARD, BUT IS IN FACT A SWEET…

Urgent: for anyone aged 16+ who has never owned a home Read on for saving tips… This is a clarion call for urgent action to anyone age 16+ who has never owned a home. There’s thousands of pounds of free cash available for first-time buyers towards a new home, yet the easiest, simplest way to get this – a Help to Buy ISA – closes to new applicants on 30 November. So put £1+ in now or risk missing free £1,000s. If you’re a parent or grandparent of someone who may fit this category, then spread the word as it’s especially tough to get this message across to young people. There are actually two ISAs that give first-time buyers free cash – the Help to Buy ISA (H2B ISA) and…

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Real winners My couple of the week has to be David and Lynne Price. Not only did they win £1m on the National Lottery, but just 10 minutes before David announced their big win, Lynne received the four-year all-clear from cancer. Incredibly, just a few days later, David won £500 in the local rugby sweepstake. Talk about a lucky streak! Now if David and Lynne could just choose a horse for me… Coronation Week I love Corrie as much as the next Brit, but I’m worried we might be getting too much of a good thing. If rumours are true that the soap opera is to be broadcast seven days a week, it will stretch my patience as thin as the storylines.…

She may have a figure that defies her age, but Shirley Ballas has opened up about her crippling battle with her appearance, and revealed that her insecurities got so bad she started ‘starving’ herself to compete with Darcey Bussell on Strictly. Speaking about joining the show as head judge in 2017, Shirley – who has previously admitted to weighing herself everyday – confessed, ‘For my whole life I’ve never felt, as a female, [that] I was up to scratch. ‘When I first went on Strictly I had a little phase at the beginning, you know, when I was sat next to this really beautiful lady, Darcey Bussell – this ballerina, this Snow White beauty – that I stopped eating until I looked at myself and realised I looked so gaunt.’…

When Ruth Langsford admitted she brought up the prospect of children on her second date with Eamonn Holmes, we were shocked. Mentioning marriage and kids that early would send most of us bolting for the door. Surely, the honeymoon period is for getting to know each other, not planning the future? Or is it? What if you’re twice divorced with two teenagers at home, while he’s a confirmed bachelor ready to settle down? Wouldn’t it be risky not to discuss the ‘big stuff’ before you fall in love, discover he wants marriage, three kids and five dogs, and it all ends in heartbreak? When Ruth, now 59, met Eamonn, 59, in 1997, he already had three children from his first marriage – but, for her, not having children was a…

My friend tears open the shiny wrapping paper and a huge smile appears on her face as she registers what the gift is. ‘I love these lotions and bubble baths,’ she squeals, delighted. Seeing how thrilled she is not only makes me feel happy, but also chuffed that I’ve managed to be so savvy. Because not only have I saved myself a shopping trip, I’ve also saved a perfectly decent gift from going to waste. ‘IT’S NOT THAT I’M UNGRATEFUL’ I first started re-gifting my unwanted presents a few years ago, after my 40th birthday. I’d received an endless stream of fancy toiletries, including from my husband Paul, then 44. But with twin daughters, Frida and Rae, then seven, to take care of, as well as my job as a…

1 Don’t overdo acids Different types of acid promise to banish dryness, plump lines and wrinkles, and erase pigmentation. But what happens when you use too many? One of the first side effects is skin irritation with stinging and burning. Skin may appear red, flaky, tight, painful, itchy and become overly sensitive, as well as more prone to sun damage. So what should you do? Stop and let your skin recover! Simplify your regime, by just cleansing, toning and moisturising. Then slowly reintroduce acids in small doses. We rate the skin-refining benefits of Superdrug Me+ AHA Fruit Acid Booster, £7.99. When skin has recovered, introduce a night-time toner like Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid, £33.50. Start using it twice a week and slowly build up to no more…

Cauliflower soup with brown butter and cheesy toasts SERVES 4 ✱ 2 tbsp olive oil ✱ 20g butter ✱ 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped ✱ 2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced ✱ Small handful of sage leaves ✱ 1 x 800g cauliflower ✱ 500ml chicken or vegetable stock ✱ 200ml whole milk ✱ 200ml double cream ✱ Sea salt and freshly ground pepper FOR THE BROWN BUTTER ✱ 40g butter ✱ 1 tbsp truffle oil ✱ Handful of sage leaves FOR THE CHEESY TOASTS ✱ 4 slices of baguette, finely sliced on the diagonal ✱ 120g grated cheese mixture (mozzarella, Cheddar, blue and Gruyère, or a combination of whatever you have in the fridge) 1 Preheat the grill. Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add the oil…

What are the signs of an infection? QI get a terrible reaction to insect bites, but I never know if they are infected or not. How can I tell the difference? Philippa says A The reaction to insect bites can look pretty similar to that of a skin infection, in that the skin surrounding the bite becomes red, hot and often swollen. However, this reaction develops and then doesn’t tend to worsen, before improving over days. If there was an infection, the area of redness tends to get bigger and bigger, become more painful and tender, and there may also be some crusting or oozing from the bite. If the wound is infected you may also develop a fever. If you aren’t sure, then see a pharmacist or doctor, and…

My friends don’t support my dating life Q I’m going through the most terrible divorce and the thing that’s helped me most of all is my great group of long-time friends. Only, now I’m hitting the dating apps and have met a great guy I’m keen to have sex with, more than one of my friends are warning me to slow right down and take it easy. I don’t understand. What’s happened that they’ve suddenly stopped being so supportive? I feel judged. Susan says A I don’t think your friends have stopped being supportive. I think they still care for you. You’re likely still rocked after your break-up and vulnerable to making wrong choices. You’ll lose nothing by slowing down. If the guy’s decent he’ll wait for you, and if…

Looking down at my dressing table as I spray on some perfume before going to work, I catch sight of the photo of me and my granddaughter, Aubrey, then 11 months, and smile. It’s had pride of place in my bedroom ever since it was taken on Christmas Day 2018. Wearing matching red Christmas outfits – me in a Mrs Claus top and Aubrey in her little Santa dress – we’re both happily staring at the camera. You’d never guess that earlier that day I’d been so frail, my husband, Martin, 54, had to carry me into the house, or that as we’d posed for the photo I was so weak, I hadn’t been able to lift Aubrey onto my lap. ‘I’D HAD THE SYMPTOMS FOR YEARS’ Hospital dash A…

A time for escape The Christmas Invitation by Trisha Ashley, Bantam Press, HB, £12.99 This cosy, heart-warming read will get you in the festive spirit. Invited to spend the run-up to Christmas in the snowy countryside, Meg grudgingly accepts. But could the beautiful setting melt her heart? Romance, friendship, goodwill and Christmas spirit? This book has it all! Festive discovery A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley, Avon, PB, £7.99 Scarlett wants to discover her father’s identity and it seems like Porthmellow might hold the key, though a chance meeting with a handsome local and an invite to the Christmas Festival are a distraction. A transporting romance with real warmth and quirky characters. Community matters Snowed In At The Practice by Penny Parkes, Simon…