My weight stood in the way of me starting a family” “

Transcription

Real people, real support, real results.®
Winter 2011
£1.50
Find the perfect jeans
for your body shape
Dating in the 21st century –
the struggles of finding Mr
Right in the modern world
Help and advice on staying
fit and healthy, and beating
those winter blues
Give yourself a helping hand –
follow our guide to preparing
for the New Year ... new you!
www.cambridgeweightplan.co.uk
Read all about Jessica’s challenges
“My weight
stood in the
way of me
starting a family”
Winter 2011 Inspiration 1
The Programmes
Step 1 is called the Sole Source Programme® because whilst
you’re on Step 1, Cambridge Weight Plan products provide
your only source of nutrition. It really is as simple as that.
What is
Cambridge
Weight Plan?
Since the 1980s, millions of
people around the world have
successfully lost weight and
kept it off with Cambridge
The secret of our success? Not only is Cambridge Weight
Plan nutritionally balanced, but it also gives you much
more flexibility and choice than other weight-loss options.
The Plan comprises a six-step programme that combines
an easy-to-follow eating plan and some realistic and practical
lifestyle changes, with the ongoing advice of an accredited
Cambridge Consultant.
Cambridge Weight Plan is about more than just losing
weight – it’s also about helping you reassess your future
approach to food. By making small, simple changes and
sticking to them, you can completely change your life.
And we’ll be with you every step of the way.
All six stages of Cambridge Weight Plan have been devised
to help you to develop a healthy relationship with food, freeing
you to achieve the body, as well as the confidence, you desire.
We’ll get you there – and help you stay there!
To help you reach your goal, we’ve put together a tried-andtested eating programme that’s nutritionally balanced and
expertly designed to give you a clear and easy plan to follow.
Maintenance
1500+ kcal
1500 kcal
1200 kcal
1000 kcal
810 kcal
Sole Source:
415 – 554 kcal
Sole Source Plus:
615 kcal
1
STEP
STEP
On Sole Source you will:
• Eat three or four Cambridge Weight Plan meals per day
(according to height/gender*).
• Drink an extra four pints/2.25 litres of fluids over the
course of the day.
Sole Source (415–554kcal) and Sole Source Plus (615kcal)
are Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCDs) and are designed to
achieve fast and effective weight-loss together with nutritional
assurance. Sole Source Plus is similar to Sole Source, but you
can include some conventional food to increase your
calorie intake.
Step 2 is a Low Calorie Diet (LCD) of 810kcal/day, which
combines the convenience of Cambridge Weight Plan
shakes, soups, bars and porridge, together with a little extra
conventional food.
Step 3 is similar to Step 2, but also incorporates some fruit
and carbohydrates to bring your total to 1000kcal/day.
You still have the convenience of two Cambridge Weight Plan
shakes, soups, bars or porridges, but with the added variety
of a breakfast, a lunch with salad, plus a high protein, low GI,
low carbohydrate dinner. There’s even a daily fruit and
milk allowance.
Step 4 increases your daily calorie intake to around
1200kcal/day. Again, you still have the convenience of two
Cambridge Weight Plan meals and in addition you’ll have a
breakfast, a lunch, plus a high protein, low GI dinner, which
incorporates some healthy carbohydrates like pasta and
potatoes. You also enjoy a dessert and daily milk allowance.
Step 5 is the penultimate step to long-term weight
management. At Step 5 you’ll be consuming around
1500kcal/day. You’ll only have one Cambridge Weight Plan
meal each day, and your conventional food will include a
300kcal breakfast, a 350kcal lunch, 50kcal of fruits, 100kcal
of healthy snacks, a dinner of 350kcal and a dessert of 150kcal.
Step 6 or Maintenance is where your weight-loss is sustained
long term. By now you should have learnt what your body
does and does not need to maintain a healthy weight.
From now on you can have 1500kcals a day or slightly more,
and you can also incorporate one Cambridge Weight Plan
meal per day. And don’t forget, your Consultant will still be
on hand for regular weigh-ins and advice.
It’s important to note that certain medical conditions may
mean that some of the Cambridge Weight Plan Steps are not
suitable. If this is the case your Consultant will explain which
part (if any) of Cambridge Weight Plan you can use.
You’ll also need to take into consideration your lifestyle
and any medical conditions or medication you are on.
Your Consultant will be able to explain in more detail.
To find your local Consultant visit
www.cambridgeweightplan.co.uk or call 0800 16 14 12.
2
STEP
2 Inspiration Winter 2011
3
STEP
4
STEP
5
STEP
6
*Women below 5’8”/1.73m have three Cambridge Weight Plan
meals per day; everyone else has four.
Contents
4
My weight loss has inspired me
to get back in the saddle
5
Because I’m worth it
6
Colds and Flu
8
New Year blitz
10
Fashion: winter warmers
12
Book review: Valentine’s special
13
Beauty’s best-kept secret
14
Jessica’s weight-loss story
15
Strictly Come Zumba
16
Out and about with Kerensa:
Ultimate Bootcamp
18
21st century dating
20
Slimmer climbs every mountain
21
Food: winter warmers
22
Get moving with Brake
23
Center Parcs winner and competition
24
The best ways to get the brightest smile
26
Sunbeds: the facts!
28
Fashion: Jean Genie
30
Inspiration winner Ria Croot in Sicily
32
Master plan for life
34
Walking in a winter wonderland!
36
Beauty: Winter SOS
37
Slimmer Grace Hackman drops four dress sizes
38
Metabolism: the truth behind the myths
40
I halved my body weight for 2011
41
Bariatic surgery pros and cons
Inspiration Men
2
Looking back on 2010,
I achieved so much
3
Winner takes it all for Mark
4
Running a marathon –
it’s a metaphor for life!
6
After a health scare, I got the
wake-up call I needed
7
To my Valentine with love
8
BMI – is it the best men’s indicator?
10
Inspiration winner Stuart Green
in Pompeii
12
Winter knits for men
14
Man management: get a move on!
COVER CREDITS:
Chloe Wood – Stylist
Lorna Kings – Make-up artist using Dermalogica
Photos – Stewart Williams
Hello
from the Editor
New Year, New You
I know, I know, it is such a cliché and the cynical amongst you might
say: “What else would a diet magazine talk about in the first couple
of months of a new year other than weight loss?”
Well, it’s true, we will be talking a little bit about weight-loss in this
edition, primarily because that’s what people want to know about at
this time of year. We recently studied web-traffic habits on Google for
the term ‘diet’. Interestingly, there is a steady decline in searches for
this word in the last couple of months of the year, culminating with
probably the lowest day of the year being (not surprisingly) the 25
December. Then, on the very next day (Boxing Day), there is a huge
surge of interest, which is sustained well into the New Year. Like it or
not, this is the time of year most people think about losing weight.
So New Year, New You? Definitely. However, the Inspiration team
always try not to be too predictable. But as life isn’t all about losing
weight, Inspiration is also packed full of features and articles not
related to weight-loss. There’s a story on Zumba™ dancing, a feature
on colds and flu, a boot camp special, fashion features, walking
advice, book reviews and beauty tips.
This time last year, tens of thousands of people started losing weight
with Cambridge. Most of them were successful and approached 2011
thinking not about weight loss or even weight maintenance,
but simply living a new life with Cambridge as part of it. This time
next year that person could be you.
New Year, New You ... darn right! Now is the moment to take that first
step; now is the moment to believe that you can; now is the moment
to change your life; now is the moment to do it for you.
Enjoy the journey. There’s a good chance we’ll meet somewhere along
the way.
Follow me on twitter at: chrismc1492
EDITOR:
Christopher McDermott
t: 01536 748 633
e: [email protected]
DEPUTY EDITOR:
Kerensa Preedy-Houston
t: 01536 748 630
e: [email protected]
© 2010 Cambridge Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Cambridge Inspiration is published by Cambridge Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Stafford House,
Brakey Road, Corby, Northants NN17 5LU. All rights reserved. The Cambridge logo, Cambridge Weight Plan and Cambridge Consultant are
either trademarks or registered trademarks of Cambridge Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
MAG105
Success Stories
My weight loss
has inspired me
to get back in
the saddle
Danielle has ridden horses since well before she can
remember and, naturally, she went on to buy her own horse,
Mirko, six years ago. She was very active throughout school,
participating in sports and riding Mirko in the evenings.
After finishing her GCSE’s, Danielle started to study for
her A-levels. Her lifestyle changed during this time and she
became stuck in a routine of attending college, working parttime and taking care of Mirko – often eating her dinner as late
as 10pm some evenings. Because of her busy lifestyle, other
sports or general activities didn’t feature. Inevitably, Danielle’s
weight started to go up and by the time she reached 20, she
was wearing size 18 clothes.
Danielle got tired of not being able to dress nicely for
her age and the simplest of tasks started to become difficult.
She said: “I liked to be sociable, often enjoying days and
nights out with friends. The only problem I had when I was
overweight was that finding pretty clothes to wear was a
real challenge.
“Since losing weight with Cambridge, I can shop with my
friends and take pride in my appearance. I’ve even noticed
that Mirko can move and run faster now that I’m slimmer.”
This has inspired Danielle to begin to enter riding
competitions with Mirko and she is looking forward to the
New Year as a fantastic size 12.
Danielle’s stats
Age: 21
Height: 5ft 4ins
Start weight: 16st 4lbs
Previous dress size: 18/20
Current dress size: 10/12
Plan: Sole Source
Danielle (above) after her
amazing weight loss, and
(left) before she undertook her
Cambridge experience.
Success Stories
Because
I’m Worth
It! What do Claudia Schiffer, Davina McCall and
Cheryl Cole all have in common? Apart from
being beautiful women with glamorous lifestyles ...
they all regularly tell us “You’re worth it”. But what
exactly makes us worth it? And what is IT?
Having a sense of self-worth doesn’t
always come naturally. Sometimes we
all feel less or more ‘worth it’. In this
feature we look at things that can lower
self-esteem and also how to rebuild
self-worth.
Learning to like yourself
Let’s face it, we ALL have insecurities
about some part of our life, even
beauty queens, actors and actresses,
popstars and sportsmen and women!
Hating yourself because of your
weight can create a vicious cycle ...
you feel upset about your weight so
you comfort-eat, you put on weight,
you feel upset about your weight so
you comfort-eat – get the pattern?
Continuing to comfort-eat and
put on weight just makes you feel less
worth it. But you can change your
mindset by focusing on the positive
things you do. If you can tick any of
the items opposite, consider yourself
very much worth it!
Did you drive safely today? Success!
Did you tick something off your
‘To Do’ list this week? Yay! Another success.
Had a great family day? Success (indeed!)
Have you got friends? Do you
receive Christmas/birthday cards? More success!
Got all your jobs done on time?
Well done you!
Smiled at a stranger? Fantastic.
Done a kind thing for somebody?
Awesome.
External influencers
We all come across people who seem to
enjoy denting our confidence, usually
bullies who lack confidence themselves.
If someone in your office, for example,
makes comments about your weight,
remember that bullies really are
cowards. Ignoring or confronting
them is easier said than done, so it’s
probably best to have a discreet word
with a manager instead. Remember,
no one can make you feel anything
without your permission and that you
are in control of your own feelings.
Depressed and emotional –
What are the signs?
Clinical depression is an illness, not a form of weakness.
Many famous leaders, such as Winston Churchill,
Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi, all experienced
periods of depression.
It’s important to recognise whether you’re simply
fed-up or clinically depressed. According to NHS
Direct, if you feel extreme sadness that can last a long
time and is severe enough to interfere with your daily
life then you are probably clinically depressed and
should seek help from your GP. Clinical depression
can last for weeks or months, rather than days.
Emotions are the mind and body’s responses to
what’s going on around us. In an event like redundancy
or divorce, for example, it’s perfectly natural to have
feelings of lowered self-worth. These emotions can all
change our relationship with food.
Cambridge Weight Plan Consultants have a
plethora of experience in helping people re-establish
their relationships with food and build relationships
with their own self. To feel really worth it, you have to
stop and take stock of what is making you feel fed-up.
Humans have a fantastic capacity to find happiness even
in the toughest times. Your emotions are yours to use
positively and no matter what your age, body size,
or shoe size, you are always worth it!
Wellbeing
Colds
and Flu
Unfortunately, we have reached that time of
year when coughs, colds and the flu virus leave us
reaching for the tissue box!
by Beckie Lee RGN/RMN
Wellbeing
“Prevention is
better than cure.”
Feeling unwell, especially over the winter
period, can be a huge challenge when trying
to lose weight. Hopefully these tips will
keep you motivated and have you feeling
better quickly.
There are so many strains of colds
and flu virus around that the likelihood of
catching one of them is quite high, especially
if you work in enclosed office environments,
schools or hospitals. Of course, there is also
the potential of children coming home from
school or nursery with various viral conditions
ready to pass on.
Sadly, no pharmaceutical company
has been able to find a cure for the
common cold or for the majority of flu
viruses. There are vaccines for the prevention
of some strains of influenza but these are
generally offered to those with certain
medical conditions.
So … you may be wondering how to best
manage feeling unwell whilst on Sole Source
or Sole Source Plus. Here are some basic
remedies that may ease your symptoms.
Firstly, ensure you follow the basics.
• Frequent hand washing and basic hygiene
can help prevent the spread of germs. This
can reduce the risk of picking anything up.
• Try to ensure you’re having adequate
sleep. When our sleep suffers, so does our
immune system and this makes us more
susceptible to picking up bugs.
• Ensure you keep up your fluid intake. It’s getting cold and cold water can send
a chill through you just thinking about it!
How about drinking hot water? It will
warm you up! Or have some herbal tea?
However, no root, fruit or flower teas!
Just leaf teas. As it gets colder, hydration is
something we seem to forget about, so you
need to remember how important your fluid
intake is. Try one of your shakes made as a
hot drink; it can be a warming, refreshing
change. If your symptoms are mild,
remaining on Sole Source or Sole
Source Plus should not be a problem.
• For a blocked, stuffy nose and blocked
sinuses, you can try steam inhalations.
Sometimes a hot bath or shower with the
doors and windows shut can be adequate.
Alternatively, buy some menthol crystals
from your local pharmacy and add them
to a big bowl of hot water. Then pop a
big fluffy towel over your head, position
your head over the bowl and breathe.
A recommendation: don’t use boiling
water as this may be too hot!
If you don’t like the thought of steam,
try some Karvol to try and unblock that
nose. These are either capsules or a plug-in
format. You can purchase this product from
supermarkets and chemists. Paracetamol and
ibuprofen can be used to help the symptoms
of colds and flu, and can be useful in bringing
down temperatures.
If you feel your symptoms are worsening
or you aren’t starting to feel any better, it
would be beneficial to step up to a higher
programme: 810kcal or 1000kcal should be
sufficient. By stepping up, your body will be
in receipt of the extra protein and energy it
needs to mend. Once you are feeling better,
you can move back down the steps.
If you are run down or unwell and
decide to step up to a ‘with food’ programme,
you can make best use of all of those low
calorie immune-boosting fruits and veg.
Make yourself a smoothie or fruit juice.
You could make a delicious soup for the
whole family.
If your GP prescribes you any medication,
especially antibiotics, you should ideally
always use a Cambridge ‘with food’
programme until the course of tablets
is complete.
Remember to look for over-the-counter
remedies such as sugar-free throat lozenges,
cough medicines and hot lemon drinks.
As the old saying goes: “Prevention is
better than cure.” Gentle exercise, relaxation
and adequate sleep can all help to improve
your immune system. Many people use
garlic capsules, which are believed to stave
off infections (and vampires!)
Prepare your body to keep fighting
against those bugs.
So, wrap up warm, drink plenty and sleep
well. Hopefully, this will reduce your chances
of becoming unwell.
Have a good winter and before you know
it, all of those beautiful spring flowers shall be
coming back to cheer us all up!
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While it’s still frosty outside and cosy under warm,
fleecey jumpers, it won’t be long until the holiday brochures
arrive and it’s time to don the old bikini.
The Inspiration guide to ‘getting back on track after the
festive season’ begins here:
• Throw away those chocolate tins with only
the flavours you don’t like left.
These may not be your favourites, and are easy to leave
when there’s loads of choice, but left hanging around,
they will become more and more tempting and at some
point you will eat them!
• Remember, you can’t hide under baggy
jumpers and fluffy coats for much longer –
it’ll soon be summer.
Start your bikini-body blitz now, instead of leaving
it until the week before your holiday. One minute
it’s snowing, the next it’s spring and then before you
know it you’re on a beach – pina colada in hand!
• Remember, you don’t have to start your
‘healthy eating plan’ on 1 January.
It’s important to start at the right time for you!
Worrying about healthy eating when trying to get
back to work and the kids back to school is probably
not ideal. However, don’t put it off either. Decide a
time to start and stick to it. If you prevaricate,
there’s a good chance you’ll still be doing so this
time next year.
• Throw/give away all leftovers –
bits of Christmas cakes, mince pies,
Stollen cake, etc.
Many Christmas goodies have long shelf lives.
Clear out your cupboards to avoid temptation.
• Stop thinking, ‘Oh well, it’s Christmas’
because it’s not anymore! Christmas
doesn’t go on until late January!
We all have festive treats and use the line, ‘Oh, ok then,
it’s Christmas’ and that’s fine. However, Christmas has
been and gone and it’s time to get your mince pie belly
back under control or (if you didn’t gain weight) a nice
healthy detox is probably still in order.
Our New Year
‘weight-loss’ resolutions
changed our lives
It may be a cliché, but the New Year
did prompt a new me and a new life
Christmas 2008 for Claire was a depressing time: she weighed
over 17 stone, her grandfather had passed away and she was
insulted about her weight at his funeral. Over Christmas,
Claire thought about what she ultimately wanted in life and
decided that weight loss would be the first milestone she
would achieve.
Claire called Cambridge Consultant Katie Perks and
explained that she had put on weight through pregnancy, that
she was ready to turn her life around and Cambridge was the
answer. Katie started Claire on the 1200kcal plan and as Claire
adapted to a reduced calorie intake, she moved down the Steps.
Each week she achieved excellent weight-loss, reaching her
target weight by mid-2009.
Since losing weight, Claire has been inspired to set up her
own business, specialising in nail art and beauty. She said:
“I’ve come a long way from the frumpy mummy I was a few
years ago to the determined, business-minded woman that I
am today. My husband and I moved to Spain for a few years
and at the time I was almost at my largest. Unfortunately,
the shops in Spain only stocked clothing up to a size 12 –
so I would find myself making additional trips to the UK just
to buy clothes. I have maintained my weight for 18 months
now and couldn’t be happier.”
Claire’s stats
Height: 5ft 1ins
Previous dress size: 18
Current dress size: 10
Plan: 1200kcal, 1000kcal
and 810kcal
I lost half my body weight to prove that
New Year’s resolutions do work
Wendy had battled with her weight since
college. She ate all the wrong foods and wore
baggy tops to hide her larger frame. Twenty
years later, Wendy, now married to Adrian,
was wearing size 28 and was so worried about
her health that she thought she was heading
towards an early grave.
Luckily her sister, Lynn, was losing weight
with Cambridge and this inspired Wendy to
try the Sole Source Plan, using New Year as a
starting point. Wendy said: “I had tried to diet
on various programmes, but Lynn was proof
that Cambridge works and I knew it would
work for me. Starting at New Year meant
that I could get Christmas out of the way and
begin afresh with no big events to deal with.
I felt motivated and ready to change my life.
I actually stuck to my New Year’s resolution
and it worked for me.”
As part of Wendy’s maintenance plan,
she incorporates exercise on a weekly basis.
She said: “Swimming used to be embarrassing
but now I don’t worry about it. I feel fit and
ready to take on more challenges. I would like
to thank my Cambridge Consultant, Debbie
Smallman, who has supported both Lynn and
myself on our weight-loss journey.”
Wendy’s stats
Height: 5ft 7ins
Start weight: 21st
Plan: Sole Source
Apples
Fashion
Winter
warmers
By Chloe Wood
Comfy and cosy doesn’t always lend
itself to being flattering and stylish.
It’s tempting when the temperature
drops to hide under unfashionable
and slouchy knits that do nothing
for your figure.
Boyish/athletic
Get yourself in the wrong chunky knits and you will definitely
end up looking … well, chunky. The shops are packed full of
knitwear at this time of year and, as it is such a huge catwalk
trend, it’s time for some lessons in how to wear the new
season’s knits. As long as you know what to look for, you can
still look svelte in knits. Just have a look at the ‘Knit Wits
Guide’ to shopping for woollies below.
The Knit Wits Guide
Pear shape
Apples who have a bigger top half and tummy go for shapes
that create a waist, like a wrap or belted cardi. Cute cable-knit
dresses with pocket detail will balance your top half. Keep it
fitted and v-neck where possible. Take a tip from the designers’
top-to-toe knits and try a fine knit, slinky dress with a chunky
cardi on top.
Boyish/athletic figures who have fewer curves should try the
huge selection of knit dresses and skirts on the high street. Cosy
goes feminine this winter and stripes will also add curves so get
with the nautical trend and create a waist with belted styles.
Go bold with print and patterns if you have a slender frame.
Pear shapes who are bigger on the bottom half should try
catwalk-inspired wintery patterns – just make sure they are on
your smaller top half. Go for knit dresses that are fitted to the
waist, then looser on the bottom to show off your shape. Big
roll necks and chunky waistcoats will balance you out on top.
Stick to darker colours in longer styles to keep attention
away from your hips.
Hourglass and super-curvy figures: waterfall styles that don’t
cling to lumps and bumps are great for layering. Loose-knit
dresses with a gathered waist are the perfect daywear option
with tights and boots – super-flattering too. Stick to dark,
plain colours and nothing too chunky for the most flattering
looks. Team fine-knit tops and dresses with a colourful scarf
for a stylish finish.
Hourglass and
super-curvy figures
Fashion
From left: Wrap cardi with belt and
corsage, £45, Olivia Rubin at Oli.co.uk;
Khaki chunky knit dress, £25,
Apricotonline.co.uk; Long grey cardi,
£120, Marks & Spencer; Chunky funnel
neck cardi, £89, Phase Eight; Fine knit
dress, £29.99, Republic; Dress with
shoulder detail, £35, Simply Be.
From left: Lace/knit dress, £95, House
of Fraser; Knit skirt, £12, Florence +
Fred at Tesco; Stripe maxi dress, £28,
Next; Stripe long jumper, £80, French
Connection; Knit mini dress, £35,
Littlewoods; Aztec knit cardi, £49.50,
Marks & Spencer.
From left: Camel pattern jumper,
£80, Esprit; Navy knit dress, £75, Mint
Velvet; Cream chunky roll neck dress,
£50, Monsoon; Fluted cardigan, £65,
Monsoon; Chunky knot waistcoat, £60,
Next; Knit dress, £95, People Tree.
From left: Snood, £22, Marks & Spencer;
Roll neck dress, £60, Great Plains;
Grey sleeveless waterfall knit, £35,
Marks & Spencer; Gold cardi, £16,
George at Asda; Pompom dress, £40,
Simply Be; Brown cardigan, £75, East.
Review
Book
reviewSpecial
Valentine’s
In this edition we bring you three books to satisfy your ‘inner romantic’ this
Valentine’s Day. Snuggle up with these tear-jerkers on a cold winter’s night:
Days to Remember
Author: Rachel Moore
Publish date: 2008
Retail price: £6.99
A wartime tale of love and loss between Breda
– a woman desperate to marry her childhood
sweetheart – and Warren, a naval officer
fighting for his country.
Set in a quaint Cornish village in 1943,
Breda throws everything into planning her
big day, while Warren leaves for the Navy.
Only days before the wedding, Breda receives
the dreadful news that Warren had been lost
at sea and is presumed dead. Heartbroken and
distraught, she vows never to love again.
When Warren’s cousin, Max, presents
a second chance to love again, will Breda
take the chance? Does she find her
happily-ever-after?
A Walk to Remember
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Publish date: 2000
The narrator’s voice really brings this story to
life, giving it real emotion as he recalls sadness
and joy in 1958.
In a traditional fishing village in North
Carolina, two teenagers from very different
backgrounds fall in love. Landon and Jamie knew each other,
but never really noticed each other, until now.
Jamie, a caring but shy girl with an overprotective religious father, falls for drama
partner Landon, a sports-mad boy next door.
Little does he know that Jamie’s hiding an
awful secret that will hurt him so deeply,
he won’t be able to breathe.
This is a heartfelt novel that demonstrates
the power of love no matter what your age or
position in life. A beautiful story for anyone
searching for a tale of helpless romance!
Other books by the author: The Notebook,
Message in a Bottle, Dear John – are all
available from www.amazon.co.uk.
Prices from £3.99–£6.99.
The Splendour Falls
Author: Rosemary Clement-Moore
Publish date: 2009 and 2010 (this edition)
“A heroine who will steal your heart. A house
that will haunt you. A love story that will leave
you breathless.”
Sylvie, born and bred in Manhattan, is
the teenager who dreams of being a dancer.
But fate has other plans for her when she falls
and breaks her leg. A dramatic chain of events
changes her course in life and after a traumatic
time at home, Sylvie is uprooted and moved
to Alabama. The story couples the prospect of
falling in love with two completely different
guys (lucky her!), with staying sane – literally.
Is it all in her mind?
Wellbeing
Beauty’s best kept
secret for 2011
Hemp – the skincare
ingredient
secret
Moisturising is vital for winter and with the cold
dominating at least four months of the year, it’s a
stressful time for skin. Cold temperatures cause poor
blood circulation, causing skin to crack, become dry
and, in some cases, sore. Luckily, The Body Shop has
developed a clever solution to get us through,
so there’s no need to panic!
Their new hemp skincare range is specifically
designed to moisturise effectively and includes:
lip, face, body, foot and hand care – ranging from
£4.00–£12.50.
Pressed from the seeds of the hemp plant,
hemp oil is rich in Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids,
which are great for restoring the body’s natural
balance. Hemp also contains vitamin E and necessary
antioxidants, giving skin a glowing complexion and
helping to keep it hydrated throughout the day. The range is affordable and is a great base for
foundation. The smell, which is quite grassy/nutty,
is the only negative with this product and it isn’t
creamy – more like a smooth balm. It feels a little
unnatural to rub it onto the face but the outcome
is refreshed, non-greasy, healthy skin.
Overall, this product is well worth every
penny, and is ideal for people with dry skin
and eczema sufferers.
Winter’s essential tips:
• When purchasing products for winte
r, look for
the following vitamins and minerals to
help
keep your skin healthy: vitamins C, B, E
and zinc.
• The hands are one of the first areas to
show
age, and the best way to keep them looki
ng
healthy is to moisturise daily and more
frequently in winter. The Body Shop’s
Hemp Hand Protector feels wonderful
and a tiny amount goes a long way.
• If hemp’s not your thing, try shea butte
r
and jojoba butter instead.
• Don’t use products that are past their
use
by date.
• In winter, it’s suggested that exfoliating
the
face is kept to a minimum – perhaps 2–3
times per month is ideal.
• Moisturise 30 minutes to an hour befor
e
braving the cold outdoors to ensure the
moisturiser is fully absorbed. Moisturisi
ng
in the morning and before bed will help
rejuvenate the skin.
visit:
For more information
.uk
co
p.
ho
www.thebodys
Success Stories
Jessica’s stats
Age: 30
Height: 5ft 5ins
Previous dress size: 20
Plan: Sole Source Plus
“My weight
stood in the way
of me starting
a family.”
Weight-loss was a huge priority for Jess after she married Ian in 2004 as
she was excited to start trying for a baby. However, this wasn’t as straight
forward as she had hoped. In 2003, Jess was told that she had a condition
called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and conceiving naturally would be
quite difficult.
Knowing the challenge they both faced, the couple were referred to
an IVF clinic. On the first appointment, Jess was told that her BMI was
far too high to start the IVF process and that she needed to get her
weight down before commencing treatment. Despite yet another obstacle,
the couple were determined to have children and they sought the help of
their local Cambridge Consultant Claire Ferrari.
As Jess’ weight dropped each week, the couple began their IVF
treatment. During treatment they faced the devastating news that a
brain tumour Ian had been diagnosed with 10 years ago had now turned
cancerous. Any thoughts of conceiving were put on hold while Ian went
ahead with chemotherapy.
Jess said: “I started on Sole Source Plus and for once in my life, I was
actually able to control something. At times being on Cambridge simply
kept me going, especially with Ian’s condition. I could see the weight
falling off and this was something positive for us both to focus on. I had
tried to diet before but nothing worked for me until I found Cambridge.
Starting a family was something that Ian and I wanted so much and it
was this that has been my main motivation to succeed.”
Jess is now at her target weight and maintaining it. The couple also
had great news – Ian’s treatment was successful and they are hoping to
restart their IVF treatment very shortly – good luck to them both.
Exercise & Fitness
Strictly
Come
The new dance and fitness revolution that’s
sweeping the nation
Inspired by Latin music and dance,
Zumba is a dance-come-aerobics class
with a difference. Whilst performing
exhilarating, easy-to-follow dance and
fitness moves, Zumba invigorates your
body, delights the senses and blasts
those pounds away.
Pulsating sounds and sensually
slow rhythms tone your body and
colourful outfits (not compulsory)
add Latin flair. Millions of people
all over the world use Zumba to
boost their fitness and change their
body shape. Even Jennifer Lopez
allegedly recommends Zumba and
she certainly knows how to keep her
‘bod’ in shape.
How it all began
Colombian Celebrity fitness trainer,
‘Beto’ Perez, created Zumba in the
mid-90’s, after forgetting his aerobics
music. He improvised using his
favourite salsa and meringue music and
the class went down a treat; Beto called
this new craze ‘Zumba’ (a Colombian
word, meaning buzz like a bee and move
quickly). His students loved it and, right
there and then, the Zumba Fitness Party
was born!
The Zumba class
Zumba is an hour of calorie-burning aerobic
dance that works almost every muscle in
your body. It feels more like you’ve been to a
party than a workout! The moves come from
dances like the cha-cha-cha, salsa, meringue,
flamenco, rumba and hip-hop mixed with
fitness moves. If you dream of taking to the
dance floor (and dropping dress sizes), Zumba
is for you. Zumba classes are rumoured to
shift between 300 and 1000 calories a session,
depending on how much you exert yourself!
Are you a Consultant with
Zumba skills? If yes, let
us know, because we are
looking for help with a
project in 2011.
Email: cmcdermott@
cambridgeweightplan.co.uk
What do I wear?
Wear any kind of fitness clothing or, if you
really want to get Zumba-stylish, there’s
funky clothing on www.zumba.com. Most
importantly, you’ll want to be comfortable and
cool; wear supportive, flat footwear (trainers
or dance shoes) and if you plan on shaking
your booty to the max, a towel is a must!
I’m ready to Zumba! Where’s the party at?
Zumba classes are spreading like wild fire so
finding a local class is a cinch. You can buy
‘Zumbawear’, music, fitness DVD’s (so you
can do it at home too) and accessories online
at www.zumba.com, as well as finding local
classes. There’s all fitness levels, abilities, ages
and sizes, and you’re sure to have the time of
your life.
So, if you want a bootilicious workout –
wiggle, gyrate and shake your way to a
Zumba class near you. Go join the party!
Kerensa
Out and
about with
Kerensa ootcamp
Ultimate B
“Well, having had it relatively easy in this column over the past year,
I decided to seriously put myself to the test and spent three days
being run into the ground (quite literally) by Royal Marine types at the
Ultimate Bootcamp. My schedule and bank balance wouldn’t permit
me to do the whole week, so I opted for the three-day weekend
session in Devon.”
Day 1
One wet and windy autumn day, we all met in a pub
car park at 1pm before making our way to base camp
(OK, so it was a luxury collection of barns with the most
comfortable beds in the world)! Once there we had a
comprehensive briefing about what to expect over the
next few days and met the team – 14 other bootcampers,
Becky (nutritionist) and Baz (ex-Marine).
We were then shown to our rooms – both single
and twin beds available, and given 15 minutes to change
and be ready for our fitness tests. These consisted of a
variety of bleep tests such as running, sit-ups and
push-ups. Everyone was also weighed and
measured (eeck).
It was then on to a nearby hilly field for a variety of games
(running around on all fours, sprints, squats, etc.) and
a mini circuit class. We were then given 10 minutes to
change before it was on to a 30-minute ‘bums and tums’
class. Thankfully it was then dinner time before heading
out for a night hike.
Donning our high-vis vests and head torches, we all
headed out for a team-bonding hike, including a period of
walking in complete darkness and silence, communicating
via touch signals only. This was an excellent exercise and
certainly good for the group to get to know each other
and to build up some trust.
Day 2
The next day was our first full day and it was certainly
challenging. Up and ready at 5.45am, the day consisted
of a hill sprint session (or jog / fast walking session in my
case), a boxercise class, field games (with the losing team
doing hill sprints with weights as a forfeit), a hike around
the nearby Marine training ground, circuits on the beach
and stretching classes. We were all tucked up in bed by
9pm ... and asleep by 9.02pm!
Day 3
The following day we once again had an early 5.45am start
and all felt a little sore, even getting up off the sofa was a
challenge! We again had a full day of activities including
self-motivation circuits, a team-bonding exercise through
a mine field, a game of crazy cricket, rugby and netball,
a legs, tums and bums class and a lovely yet challenging
bike ride through the forest – where some of us spent
more time pushing our bikes than actually riding them.
We literally ended the day on a high by climbing to the
top of a nearby cliff with stunning views.
s
“On reflection, I realised that thi
e
was as much a mental challeng
an
as it was a physical one – and
amazing experience.“
Kerensa
Reflection of the bootcamp
On average we were doing at least eight hours of
exercise a day but the experience was truly amazing...
albeit on reflection. Baz and his team made sure that
everyone worked to their own ability while also ensuring
you were challenging yourself. They were excellent at
judging the mood of the group and adapting activities
accordingly to keep spirits high and to take into account
individual injuries.
All meals were fixed and prepared by the designated
nutritionist Becky and I can truly say that the meals and
snacks were outstanding and I never once felt hungry.
The facilities were excellent and when not being used
as a bootcamp are in fact luxury holiday homes.
In all honesty I left early Monday morning feeling
rather emotional – I had physically pushed myself beyond
my perceived capabilities, spent most of the last three
days being muddy and wet, ached like never before and
yet felt full of energy! Better still, in the two-and-a-half
days (3 nights) I had been at the bootcamp, I’d lost 4lbs
and 9 inches!
On reflection, I realised that this was as much a
mental challenge as it was a physical one – and an
amazing experience.
However, I’m off to find the latest in spa treatments
for my next article, I feel I deserve some pampering after
all that!
www.ultimatebootcamp.co.uk
21st century dating
– not as easy as
you think it is!
Inspiration writer and hopeless romantic Hannah Jones brings you the low-down
on new dating crazes and a personal insight into a single girl’s dating challenges.
Dating in the 21st century should be easy
– shouldn’t it? With the world at your
fingertips, meeting people should be pretty
straightforward. Little did I know that dating
has been revolutionised and the internet is
playing a big part in this because we’re now
dating on it too.
But what’s the easiest, most convenient
and fun way to score a date? We sent
Hannah to find out and report back:
On writing and researching for this feature,
my star sign read: “Single? Casual dating is
your best strategy at the moment ... romantic
surprises are likely.” So naturally I felt a little
bit smug and I thought I had hit the jackpot
with this feature. Plus, if I can be honest,
I thought this would be the easiest piece
I would have to write this year. How very
wrong both me and my star sign were!
Dating can be quite intimidating
for someone who has come out of a
long-term relationship or a person who has
lost weight and not dated in a while. As a
20 something, newly-single girl (well, as of
March 2009 – it takes a while to adjust!),
I was on a mission to see what I may have
been missing on the dating scene. So I threw
myself into this challenge. I was optimistic,
enthusiastic and excited.
Blind dates
I started by asking my nearest and dearest
friends to set me up on a blind date. The
criteria was simple; I wasn’t to know him or
know anything about him. I thought the
names would come flooding in, but it turns out
there was only one guy willing to meet me and
he was three years my junior – not my cup of
tea and, therefore, the date never went ahead.
Number of dates: 0
*Name has been changed for identity purposes.
Online dating
Second on my list was to sign up to an online
dating website. Punch online dating into
Google and you’ll be overwhelmed with the
choices. After four cups of tea, I eventually
decided to add my details to www.match.
com. I was slightly taken aback by some of
the good looking men on there but decided to
play it cool and let the men come to me. Some
emailed requesting current pictures and more
information on the type of person/relationship
I was looking for. By the time I decided to
respond, www.match.com wanted me to pay
to be a member – it wasn’t cheap at £29.99
per month! So, yet again, I was dateless and
getting a little annoyed that getting a date was
proving to be so hard (and potentially costly).
Number of dates: 0
Dating facts:
•Plentyoffish.co.uk is free to use and view
your messages.
•According to lovegeist.uk.match.com,
men on average spend £55 on a first
date, so if he takes you out – make sure
you get your money’s worth!
•When speed dating, make sure you’re
happy with your chosen age group.
I went with age group 25-45 and I
actually believe I was the youngest there!
Speed dating
A sure bet had to be my last option – speed
dating! Dating 15 guys in one night, cocktails
and witty conversation – sounded perfect. I
was lucky enough to have a single male friend
and we decided to go together for support.
I booked online for a Milton Keynes-based
event on a Thursday. It was £22.00 and
organised by www.Xfactordates.co.uk (and no,
it’s not one of Simon Cowell’s next big
money spinners).
On arrival, the 30 singletons had the
opportunity to mingle. Then, the ladies took
to their own tables. My night didn’t start
off great as my first ‘date’ didn’t even show
up and I was the only speed-dater without a
date – typical! Thank goodness the allotted
four minutes went by quickly. I chatted to
two, three, four, five guys and realised I was
repeating the same thing over and over again,
which got quite tiring. It is thought that a
person can tell if they like someone within
the first five minutes – I disagree. All I got
out of these guys were whether they had been
married, what job they did and what they liked
to do for fun – hardly the material that would
determine a great relationship.
Then I met Mr Hannah! A police officer
whose surname was the same as my first
name – unfortunately, we didn’t spark but
the humour was great. Again, I found myself
dateless and running out of options.
Number of dates: 0
I had no choice; my girlfriends had failed
their task so it was after-work drinks and
dinner at nice restaurants in a bid to find me a
potential date. Persistence finally paid off and,
hallelujah, I got myself a date. I met
‘Brad Pitt’* in a swanky hotspot in London
and we seemed to share some interests,
so a week later we met up again. We visited
a museum, had lunch in the park and drinks
with his friends – a perfect day all round.
Unfortunately it didn’t last.
So dating in 2011 is still as hard and
as random as it has ever been, and this
Bridget Jones continues to look for her
happy ending ...
Success Stories
Slimmer
climbs every
mountain!
Julie Laughton (44) is climbing every mountain
after dropping five dress sizes.
The mum of two said: “Over the past few
years I steadily gained weight to the point
where I stopped getting weighed and looking
in the mirror. I was very home-based and very
inactive.”
However, after reading an inspirational
story in a newspaper, Julie decided she was
going to try and diet for one last time and
contacted her local Cambridge Consultant
Yasmin May. Julie went straight on the
810kcal programme and dropped from a
size 18 to a size 8!
The weight-loss gave Julie a huge confidence
boost and much more energy – which she now
burns off by mountain climbing!
So far she has climbed Snowdon by
herself last April, Ben Nevis in August and
is planning on tackling Kilimanjaro later
in 2011. This will not only be the ultimate
personal challenge for her – but will also
raise funds for Cancer Research!
Food & Health
Food:
winter
warmers
Tis the season for warm, comforting, stodgy food ...
but it doesn’t have to be calorific.
Soups are perfect winter warmers and are
easily included in a healthy eating plan.
The trick is to pick wisely and read the labels.
At first glance, most would probably steer
clear of Creamy Mushroom, and Broccoli and
Stilton soups. But surprisingly neither
of these feature in the 300kcal category like
the Cumberland Sausage and Vegetables or
the Pork and Stuffing soup – both of
which sound like they would be heavy on
the calories.
This highlights the importance of reading
the labels! On the plus side, you would be
pleasantly surprised to discover that most
soups have a perfectly reasonable calorie
count, but how this is shown on the label
can be confusing. Some give the calorie
content per ‘pot’ or ‘can’, whilst others are
‘per serving’ and there are often two, if not
three, servings in a pot or can.
So, it also depends on what is important
to you as an individual – some will not mind
that the calorie content is over 300kcal
because they are higher in fibre or protein
and lower in fat than some of the lower calorie
soups. However, others can go for the low
calorie options, but know they are not losing
out on taste or flavour. The choice, as always,
is yours!
On the plus side, you would be
pleasantly surprised to discover
that most soups have a perfectly
reasonable calorie count,
but how this is shown on the
label can be confusing!
Get moving
for safer
communities
Last year Cambridge Weight Plan started a
new partnership with the road safety charity
Brake – working together to promote the
importance of good health and driving safely.
Brake is now appealing to Cambridge Weight
Plan customers to get involved and support its
work towards safer communities.
When we think about major disasters,
we tend to think about terrorist attacks,
or natural disasters like earthquakes that
devastate people’s lives. But Brake is working
to raise awareness about the part we can all
play in preventing a disaster that happens
daily in communities across the UK.
Every day six people lose their lives and
70 more suffer serious injuries on UK roads.
That means by the end of today six families
will have opened the door to a police officer
bearing the heartbreaking news that a loved
one has been unexpectedly killed. And 70
families will be learning to cope with a serious
injury – many of them life-changing injuries
like paralysis, limb loss and brain damage.
Brake provides care services to these
families, including a helpline, support
literature and face-to-face support – often
serving as a lifeline to people who are trying
to deal with unimaginable trauma. And at
the same time, it works to put a stop to
these tragedies.
One of the most important aspects of
Brake’s work is engaging schools, companies
and communities to help them raise awareness
about road safety. Brake’s school programmes
provide guidance, resources and training to
educators and community leaders, enabling
them to teach children and young people
about staying safe. Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum
advises and supports companies to
educate employees about safe driving.
And Brake’s annual flagship event,
Road Safety Week (21-27 November 2011,
see www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk) involves
thousands of schools, communities and
organisations getting the message across
about how we can all make roads safer.
Brake runs national campaigns raising
awareness about the road safety issues that
affect us all, but it also helps communities
to take action on road safety. Brake’s mascot
Zack the Zebra regularly visits towns and
villages where local people are calling for
measures like safe crossings or 20mph zones
around schools, and helps them achieve their
goals. Zack’s hotline, 08000 68 77 80, takes
calls from people concerned about children’s
Go to www.brake.org.uk/fundraise for Inspiration, or contact Lisa Kendall on lkendall@
brake.org.uk or call 01484 683294 – stating that you’re a Cambridge Weight Plan customer
wanting to Get Moving for Brake. This time next year we’ll give an update on how much has
been raised for the charity by you, so good luck with your Get Moving event!
and other residents’ safety on local roads,
and sends them advice on what they can do.
So if you have concerns about road safety in
your area, get on the phone to Zack!
Brake is very much dependent on the
support of individuals and companies like
Cambridge Weight Plan to run its life-saving
campaigns and care services. That’s why
Cambridge Weight Plan is challenging all its
customers to Get Moving for Brake in 2011!
You can work towards your healthy living
goals and support road safety at the same time
by signing up to run, walk or cycle in aid of
Brake. Whether you sign up to take part in a
big running event next year, or get a group of
friends together for a short local walk or bike
ride, you can make a real difference to Brake’s
vital work.
Center Parcs
competition
winner
Sarah Gandy and family
In the summer 2010 issue, Inspiration gave
away a fantastic family break to Center
Parcs. Super slimmer Sarah Gandy, from
Hertfordshire, was the winner and this is what
she had to say about her trip:
“I was so excited to win the competition
and couldn’t really believe I had won it.
During our stay my husband, our two boys
and I spent a lot of time outdoors as the
weather was good. We had a lovely time
riding our bikes and we spent a lot of time in
the swimming village, particularly enjoying
the rapids and slides. My nine-year-old son,
Lewis, had a fantastic time quad biking and it
is now something he would love to do again.
The best thing about our trip was
spending quality time together. It was also
really important to me that I was able to join
in with the family activities and feel confident
in the swimming pool – I was able to do this
due to my big weight loss.”
We had a brilliant time at Center Parcs –
thank you, Inspiration magazine!
WIN
After a hectic festive season, treat
yourself and a guest to a luxury spa
weekend. Relax, unwind and enjoy.
To win this amazing prize, simply send your full name, address
and contact email, along with the reason why you deserve to be
pampered, to: [email protected]
Kerensa Preedy-Houston, Hatton House, Hunters Rd, Corby,
NN17 5JE
Closing Date: 31 March 2011
Subject to availability. Suitable for over 18’s only. Cannot be used during public holidays. Must
be used before December 2011. Prize is for two nights’ bed and breakfast (two people sharing
Winter
a twin/double room) with one spa treatment per person. Transfers
and2011
extrasInspiration
at own cost. 23
Food & Health
The best
ways to get
the brightest,
whitest
smile
If you’ve ever considered getting your teeth whitened,
this feature is for you. Read on to discover some of the
tricks (and traps) of the trade.
“Every tooth in a man’s
head is more valuable
than a diamond.”
Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote, 1605
What’s to blame?
Before we get into teeth whitening, let’s take
a quick look at the causes of teeth ‘darkening’.
Number one on the list is something none of
us can prevent and that is genetics and ageing.
Both are THE most common cause of our
teeth becoming discoloured. Like most things,
our teeth do deteriorate with age.
Next to blame is something we can
moderate and that’s the consumption of
coffee, tea, red wine and colas (the worst
offenders) with smoking not far behind. By
cutting down on these we can help prevent
our teeth becoming stained.
So, how can you go about improving the
colour of your teeth?
The most common solutions are:
• porcelain veneers
• abrasive cleaner like Pearl Drops or Eucryl
• an over-the-counter kit containing gel
or paste
• laser treatment
• teeth whitening toothpaste like Arm &
Hammer or Colgate
• housewives’ tips like lemon juice,
strawberries, hydrogen peroxide or wearing
a coral-coloured lipstick!
It’s claimed that teeth whitening treatments
are second only to Botox in popularity for
non-surgical cosmetic enhancements. As with
most cosmetic procedures, a convenient ‘in
your lunch hour’ solution is now available too
with the arrival on the high street of ‘tooth
whitening booths’.
Until recently most tooth whitening was
carried out by dentists, but you can now have
your teeth whitened on the high street or by
yourself at home. Of course, the price reflects
the level of expertise, and whilst qualified
dentists charge an average of £500 for the
procedure, a high street outlet or booth will
charge around £150 and home kits can be
purchased for around £20.
As with all cosmetic procedures, it’s a good
idea to go on personal recommendations and
make sure you ask questions like “what’s the
active ingredient?” or “will it make my teeth
sensitive?” and “what colour should my
teeth be?”
Whitening toothpaste can remove stains that
are on the surface of the teeth. However,
whitening toothpaste and professional dental
cleanings will not radically change the colour
of the teeth. That is why tooth whitening
procedures (sometimes called tooth bleaching)
Food & Health
have become so popular – because they
can literally lighten the teeth by two or
more shades.
suntan. Some people get great results in one
or two days, whilst others need considerably
more time to see a visible result.
Tooth whitening works by initially fitting a
tray or mould over your teeth. The mould
is filled with the whitening substance,
usually in gel form. As the active ingredient in
the gel (carbamide peroxide) is broken down,
oxygen enters the enamel and bleaches the
darkened teeth. The structure of the
tooth will not be changed and fillings and
crowns will remain unchanged in both
colour and structure.
The fit of the tray or mould is critical
to the success of the treatment. If this is
being carried out by a dentist, he will make
impressions of your teeth and then create a
custom mould that fits exactly.
A word of warning
Some solutions contain sodium perborate,
which could be toxic and have a harmful effect
on reproductive health and the development
of unborn children. The European
Commission is working on a proposal to ban
sodium perborate for consumer use – and that
includes its use in teeth whitening products.
Another chemical, chlorine dioxide,
can apparently damage the enamel of the
teeth, the same way that household
bleach would.
Be wary of the word ‘laser’ too. Research
has shown that some ‘lasers’ are actually blue
LED lights and not very effective at all.
It is also important to check that there
will be protection for the rest of the mouth
during the whitening process. With the use
of substances such as gels, you need to
ensure it does not get on your gums or be
accidentally swallowed.
Remember, choose whatever treatment
you are comfortable with but bear in mind
that your teeth will eventually become stained
and discoloured again.
Laser whitening works by the application of
a hydrogen peroxide bleaching solution onto
your teeth by a dentist. A laser light is then
shone onto your teeth and the solution.
This effectively speeds up the chemical
reaction of the hydrogen peroxide to
bleach the teeth. The downside is that this
can cause teeth sensitivity in some people.
Teeth whitening is almost like getting a
For more information see
The British Dental Health
Foundation website:
www.dentalhealth.org.uk
Food & Health
Sunbeds:
the facts!
The popularity of having tanned, golden skin has increased
dramatically during the last 20 years. Because we live on
a rather wet and cloudy island, we can’t be on foreign
holidays all the time topping up our tans.
This hasn’t stopped many people in the UK
still wanting to look tanned all year around
and this has meant a big increase in people
using sunbeds.
However, celebrities and certain
publications have recently begun campaigns
against the use of sunbeds in the UK,
particularly by those under 18 years old.
Despite opposing claims from the medical
and beauty industries, tanning salons are
neither 100 percent good, nor 100 percent
bad, which is why it is so important to consider
both sides of the argument before making
your decision. Although, if you really want a
tan but don’t want any of the risks associated
with sunbeds (or the sun!), then get it out of a
bottle (or treat yourself to a spray tan).
Some people in our society feel that having
pale skin is unattractive and sunbeds offer
us a quick and relatively cheap way of
achieving perceived beauty.
How many of us have arrived on holiday
with our pale skin and felt a bit self-conscious
during the first few days by the pool? This has
led some to have a few sessions at the salon
before flying out – the idea being that it makes
them feel much more attractive, confident and
even – for some people – slimmer!
Using sunbeds is convenient and dedicated
tanning salons are available on most high
streets and in the majority of health clubs.
Many hairdressers are also now offering
tanning facilities.
Getting a tan is also pretty easy. You can just
pop along in your lunch hour, or a few evenings
a week and in a couple of short sessions you will
have the skin colour you desire.
As well as the convenience, you can use
the time spent to take some much needed time
out. Lifestyles today are so hectic; this short
session on the sunbed can give you a chance to
really focus on unwinding and relaxing.
Tanning also provides you with vitamin D,
which is vital for the absorption of calcium in
your body, keeping bones, teeth and joints
very healthy.
However, many of us don’t realise
that in order to receive enough vitamin D,
the average person has to expose their body
(or part of their body) to sunlight for just a
few minutes. This is normally achievable in
the exposure to the sun’s rays that we get
every day (even in winter).
Some experts say sunbeds are in fact the
safer alternative to the harmful effects of the
sun. The time spent being exposed to UV rays
is far less on sunbeds than would be needed
to achieve the same effect when sunbathing.
Research even suggests that because sunbeds
filter out some of the UVB rays that cause skin
burns, you are more likely to get a tan instead
of burning.
So you may be thinking: “Great, where
is my nearest tanning studio?” However,
there are equally as many negative issues
surrounding sunbeds as there are positive.
Different research has shown that the use
of sunbeds can have a harmful effect on your
vision because the rays can damage the retina
and cornea of the eye. In normal conditions to
sunlight exposure, your eyebrows, eyelashes
and brow ridge partially protect the eyes.
When you use a sunbed, the UV levels are
100 times stronger than direct sunlight and
some research suggests that the goggles
provided may not be enough to protect
your eyes.
Sunbeds can also lead to a number of
skin problems, such as premature wrinkling
and skin rashes. So while you may strive to
look beautifully tanned today, think of the
damage that you are doing to your skin in
the longer term. Tanning can cause age spots,
loss in thickness and elasticity of the skin and
also the weakening of connective tissues.
And now for probably the most worrying
statistic (and one which most of us have
already heard) – a strong correlation has been
found between the use of sunbeds and skin
cancer, including the deadly melanoma, which
is the third most common cancer in 15 to
39 year olds. The World Health Organisation
categorises sunbeds in the highest cancer risk
category (Group 1 – Carcinogenic to humans).
As always, the choice is yours. There are both
Food & Health
Skin cancer: early detection
positive and negative sides to sunbeds, as there
are with normal tanning in sunlight. If you
want to stay completely safe, why not follow
in the footsteps of beautiful people like Nicole
Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and
Gwyneth Paltrow, whose porcelain (relatively
untanned) skin is one of the reasons why
people love them.
If you do choose to use sunbeds, please remember they
can be dangerous for the following groups of people:
• People who have very fair skin
• Under 16’s
• People who burn easily or tan poorly
• People with lots of freckles or moles
• People who have had skin cancer or who have a family
history of the disease
• People taking medication that could make their skin more
sensitive to UV light (such as tetracycline, chlorpromazine,
amiodarone and quinolone drugs)
• People who already have extensive UV radiation damage
Check your skin once a month. This only takes five
minutes and has been shown to increase your chances
of finding a melanoma early. This self-examination is best
done in front of a full-length mirror. A hand-held mirror
can be used for areas that are hard to see. Remember
to check all areas, including the palms of your hands
and soles of your feet, between your toes, your back,
the backs of your legs, neck and ears, the sides of your
body, your genitals, face and scalp. In men, melanomas
are most common on the back. In women, they are most
often found on the calves and the back.
The simple way to spot melanoma:
• Asymmetrical skin lesion
• Border of the lesion is irregular
• Colour: melanomas usually have multiple colours
• Diameter: moles greater than 6mm are more likely
to be melanomas than smaller moles
• Enlarging: getting bigger or evolving
Remember, when melanoma is found early, it is usually
much easier to treat. When melanomas are still in the
early, flat stage, almost 99 percent of them can be cured
with a simple surgical incision. A melanoma which has
bled needs urgent attention.
Fashion
Jean
Genie
4
By Chloe Wood
JEANS are an everyday fashion essential, but as your shape
changes it is essential you update your denim friends. A good
fitting pair of jeans is like a good fitting bra – they will take
inches off you. Don’t assume you can just tighten your belt on
an old pair, or, shock-horror, ‘wear them baggy’. Baggy jeans
are a definite no-no for any shape or size.
Jeans need to be comfortable, of course, but they do need
to be a good fit. Denim, by nature, loosens as you wear it,
so almost expect those new jeans to feel a little tight when you
first put them on. Buy them too big and you’ll have a saggy
bottom in no time. Not a good look.
Here’s a few tips on what to look out for according
to your size.
2
3
Pear and hourglass shapes
1
The classic denim solution to a curvier
bottom half is bootcut jeans. They will
balance you out with the wider ankle.
Also, high-waisted cuts look great on
hourglass shapes. But don’t rule out tighter,
slimmer styles, which just keep the shade of
denim dark. Even skinny jeans can work with
a longer top that comes to the thigh.
1. £38, Jane Norman
2. £50, Great Plains
Fashion
8
6
7
5
Apple shapes
Boyish/sporty shapes
Super-curvy shapes
Generally apple shapes may have a bigger
tum but good legs, so this is when to show
them off. A great pair of dark, skinny jeans
will work best for you. Also, patterns and
embellishments can work to show off your
pins. Just make sure they aren’t too
low-waisted as without a prominent waist,
apple shapes tend to find they can sit on
the hips and give a ‘muffin-top’ effect.
If you have a slightly more athletic, less curvy
shape, stick to a really great pair of straight leg
jeans. Keep the fit of the leg slim to show off
your slender physique. Boyfriend styles
can work if you are very slim, but remember
to team with a feminine top if you go for
this style.
A narrow bootcut with a slim leg will
work best if you are super-curvy or a smart
straight leg. Don’t think ‘the looser the
better’ – keep it structured. The darkest
denim you can find, or even black will
work best, and go for smarter washes and
cuts rather than casual, paler styles.
5. £35, Marks & Spencer
6. £20, Yogoego.com
7. £22, SimplyBe.co.uk
8. £35, Wallis
3. £39.99, River Island
4. £12.50, George at Asda
Inspiration winner
Ria Croot
in Sicily
Inspiration
ly
i
c
i
S
n
i
winner
Ria
Croot
When Ria gained six stone while pregnant with her son in
2007, she never realised how hard it would be to lose the
weight and that it might even cost her career.
Ria would be the first to admit that her weight
has always gone up and down a bit, but being
a weapons engineer in the Royal Navy, she
was always fit and active and her weight was
never a real issue.
However, after having her first baby,
things changed. She said: “I was surprised at
how hard it was to lose my baby weight and
when I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries
and an underactive thyroid, I knew losing
weight would help ease these conditions.
Type two diabetes runs in my family and I
also knew that my weight was dangerously
close to affecting not only my career but
also my health.”
Upon finding her local Cambridge
Consultant, Jenni Sugrue, Ria set mini
goals to keep her going. The first of which
was to lose three stone to greet her husband
Dave, who is also in the Navy, when he came
home after a tour of duty. However, she had
been so successful that at first Dave didn’t
recognise her!
However, Ria’s main goal was to save her
career. Being part of the forces means that
her job includes having a compulsory annual
fitness test that she must pass.
Having failed the first two tests due to
her weight and lack of fitness, Ria was only
given a third and final chance to pass because
they could see that she was improving with
each attempt.
She said: “To think that I could lose
my job due to my fitness was unbearable.
Here I was, a new (ish!) mother with health
issues and the possibility of leaving the Navy,
all due to my weight. I was determined to
lose the weight and pass the test before
Christmas 2009.”
And on her third and final attempt,
Ria did just that and secured her career!
However, she will soon be on maternity
leave once again ... because, thanks to the
Inspiration trip last year, Ria and her husband
Dave went on the cruise as a couple and came
back as a trio! Congratulations!
“Type two diabetes runs
in my family and I also
knew that my weight
was dangerously close
to affecting not only
my career but also
my health.”
Inspiration winner
A master
plan for life
Now that the New Year is well under way, why not consider giving yourself a life
plan? This year, rather than making New Year’s resolutions (along with the other
20 million or so people in the UK) isn’t it about time you tried something a little
more meaningful?
On 2 January, millions of people began
their quest to give up vices like chocolate
or smoking; millions more took a long look
at their finances, jobs, relationships and habits.
But how many people actually did something
about them? It is a well reported fact that
by 2 February most people have started
smoking again or have cancelled their
gym membership and gone back to their
old ways.
If you really want 2011 to be a new
beginning, then forming a life plan may be
the answer for you. A life plan can increase
the likelihood that your desire for change
will actually translate into positive,
permanent, change.
Re-inventing the wheel
First of all, let’s look at why New Year’s
resolutions are so easy to break. New Year’s
resolutions are negative because they tend to
equal deprivation – that means they usually
involve something you have to stop doing or
something you have to give up. Any prolonged
physical deprivation can lead to discomfort or
unhappiness (even though it is probably doing
you some good in terms of health).
Life plans are positive. They are not about
giving up; they are about starting something
new. Life plans are about making some simple,
small changes to enhance your life for
the better.
Probably the most common desire is the
wish to improve oneself. This needs to be
tackled on three levels:
• To improve physical image
• To improve psychologically, emotionally
or mentally
• To improve status (e.g. job, finances,
home and friends)
A life plan can provide the path you need
to reach these goals.
So, grab yourself a pen and some paper
and jot down what you want to change
about yourself.
Next, decide what period of time you
want to make your change over (e.g. within
one year, three to five years or by 2021).
Putting ideas into action
Brenda, an Inspiration reader from Woodford
Green, decided that by 2018 she wanted to
pay off her mortgage. She needed to work
out how! Short of robbing a bank or winning
the lottery, Brenda needed to find a way to
improve her financial situation, so that paying
off her mortgage became a viable plan.
Brenda split her plan into three sections:
Short-term actions
Over the next year, Brenda will clear her
house and sell unwanted items.
Medium-term actions
Once her house is clear, Brenda will dedicate
her spare bedroom to starting a dressmaking
business and she will begin to advertise.
Long-term actions
Brenda will build her business and plough
all the money she earns into paying off her
mortgage. She has calculated that she will
be able to do this in seven years.
Is weight loss a part of your life plan?
Cambridge Weight Plan works particularly
well if weight loss is part of your life plan.
Comprising a six-Step programme that
combines an easy-to-follow eating plan and
some realistic, practical lifestyle changes,
Cambridge Weight Plan includes the
ongoing advice of an accredited Cambridge
Consultant. It is about more than just losing
weight – it’s about helping you reassess your
future approach to food. By making small,
simple changes and sticking to them, you can
achieve the body (as well as the confidence)
that you desire and deserve! And we’ll be with
you, every step of the way.
Cambridge Weight Plan can get you there
and help you stay there. Cambridge Weight
Plan is not only nutritionally balanced, it also
gives you much more flexibility and choice
than other weight-loss options, making it
easy to fit into your everyday life.
We asked some Cambridge Weight Plan
Consultants what life plan tips they would
recommend and here are their answers:
Top five tips for a successful life plan
• Set realistic and achievable goals
• Map out your journey in stages
• Decide on your action items and give
them deadlines
• Think about how you can get help
and support
• Approximately halfway through your journey,
reassess your progress and if changes need
to be made – make them
Finally, as ‘Inspiration’ is the name of the
game (and our publication), here are some
wise words to motivate you, whatever your
life plan.
Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924), an
American writer associated with the
New Thought Movement, said:
“When we are sure that we are on the right
road there is no need to plan our journey too
far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with
doubts and fears as to the obstacles that
may bar our progress. We cannot take more
than one step at a time.”
Exercise & Fitness
Why Walk?
Walking is good for your health. It is a near
perfect exercise that can be enjoyed by almost
everybody, almost anywhere. Other than
supportive footwear, you do not need any
special equipment, and best of all – it is free!
Regular brisk walking provides many
health benefits including:
•reduced risk of heart disease
•reduced risk of stroke
•reduced risk of diabetes
•reduced blood pressure
•reduced risk of osteoporosis
•reduced high cholesterol and improved
blood lipid profile
•enhanced mental wellbeing, improved
self-esteem and making you feel good!
Walking also plays an important role in
helping to fight obesity and in weight
maintenance.
How far do I have to walk to see
the benefits?
To achieve health benefits through regular
physical activity, you should aim to do at least
30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise
on at least five days of the week. The good
news is that you can break this down into
two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute
sessions throughout the day, and remember
that any exercise is better than none!
Walk as much as possible –
every little counts!
How do I start?
•It’s important to wear comfortable,
supportive footwear to help to avoid blisters
and injury. If you are planning on walking
regularly, it’s worth investing in a good pair
of walking shoes or boots
•Wear suitable, loose-fitting clothing. If it’s
cold and wet, wear several light layers and
waterproofs to stay warm and dry!
•Drink plenty of fluids and stay hydrated
•Don’t forget to wear suncream and
sunglasses if it’s sunny
•Start gently and build up slowly as your
fitness improves. If you’re not used to
walking, start by doing ten minutes twice
a day
Top tips to increase your walking levels
•Exercise psychologists have found that the
best way of sticking to a training routine is
to put it in your diary
•Park further away – if you park 15 minutes
away from your work, you will walk 30
minutes every day
•Take the stairs whenever possible
•Keep your car keys under your walking
shoes so you ask yourself if you could walk
the journey instead
•Avoid sitting for long periods at work – take
a break at least every half an hour and walk
around the office
•Build a walk into your journey to work –
re-plan your route so that you take more
scenic routes for variety
•Walk the children to school – this will save
you the expense of driving or catching buses
and is good exercise for your children as well!
•Plan a walk with a friend instead of just
meeting for a coffee – keeping each other
company can keep you both motivated
•Involve the whole family – walking is a
good form of exercise for everyone, and is
a great way to explore the countryside and
surrounding areas
•Revel in reading time – why not borrow or
download audio books from the library and
listen to them while you walk?
•Wear a pedometer to see how many
steps you have taken and try to walk
further each day
Are there any classic walking routes
around Britain?
Britain is a fantastic place to go walking, with
a network of walking routes that run through
some stunning scenic areas. Rights of access
across private land is secured along public
footpaths and bridleways, and land owned by
the National Trust, including National Parks,
are freely open to the public, meaning there
is somewhere within every walker’s reach.
Getting out there on foot is the best way to
explore the Great British Outdoors!
Why not have a day out and explore some
of Britain’s National Parks?
There are 15 of them located around
Britain, providing some of the country’s
best walking routes.
•Ten in England – The Broads, Dartmoor,
Exmoor, The Lake District, The New
Forest, Northumberland, The North York
Moors, The Peak District, The South
Downs and The Yorkshire Dales
•Two in Scotland – Cairngorms, and Loch
Lomond and The Trossachs
•Three in Wales – The Brecon Beacons,
Pembrokeshire Coast and Snowdonia
National Parks generally provide a network of
well-developed footpaths as well as interesting
and varied scenery. Park rangers run guided
walks and events, which will allow you to
discover new areas, highlight points of interest
and learn about local history and wildlife.
For further details, visit the National
Parks website
www.nationalparks.gov.uk/visiting/
outdooractivities/walking.htm
What about Nordic walking?
Across the world millions of people have taken
up Nordic walking to improve their walking
workouts. Nordic walking uses two specially
designed poles to work the upper body whilst
walking. Like cross-country skiing, the poles
are used by the arms to match each step that
you take whilst walking.
What are the benefits of Nordic walking?
Nordic walking provides many benefits,
including:
•promoting a longer arm swing and stride
•improving posture, encouraging you to walk
upright and not bent over
•adding stability and balance
•involving up to 90% of your body muscles,
compared to just 70% with regular walking
•burning up to 46% more calories than
regular walking
•reducing impact on joints
How do I find out more?
Nordic walking classes are run throughout
the UK. For further details, please see
www.nordicwalking.co.uk
Useful websites:
The Ramblers Association
www.Ramblers.org.uk is Britain’s leading
walking organisation, providing details
of walks throughout the country.
Walking for health
www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk
encourages more people to become
physically active in their local communities.
Walking in Britain
www.walkingbritain.co.uk provides
over 11,500 pages of walking routes
around Britain.
National Trust
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
has a comprehensive list of
downloadable walks.
If a member of your family has
mobility problems and uses a
wheelchair, this needn’t be a barrier.
www.walkswithwheelchairs.com
provides details on walks around
the country that are suitable for
wheelchair users.
Exercise & Fitness
Walking
in a winter
wonderland!
by Penny Porter
Now that the nights have drawn in and the winter weather
is upon us, many are tempted to hibernate inside.
However, the cold weather should not be an excuse to stop
exercising – a brisk walk is just the trick to warm you up!
Wellbeing
by Lorna Kings
Winter
SOS
Winter can be particularly harsh
on our skin, so here are a few tips
to help soothe, revitalise and
brush away those winter blues.
Shu Uemera face oils are the perfect way
to cleanse the skin. Massage Shu Uemera
enriched high performance balancing oil
into the skin before a hot shower and watch
it turn into a milky cleanser. It nourishes
dehydrated skin left behind after the winter
weather. After drying the skin, work in
Dr Hauschka’s Rose Day Cream, subtly
scented with rose oil and praised for its
healing properties. It’s perfect for calming
and soothing.
Keeping the skin as natural as possible is
important, particularly as it has so much to
contend with throughout winter. So focus on
bringing out the best of your natural features.
Tidy any unruly hairs from your brows –
I find Tweezerman tweezers to be the best
for grabbing the most stubborn of hairs.
Use a brow gel, such as Bobbi Brown’s
Natural Brow in either clear or a shade similar
to that of your natural colouring. This will
not only help define your natural brow,
but it will keep every hair under control.
No need to lavish on a layer of
foundation, stick to a tinted moisturiser,
which moisturises while giving you a light
coverage. Nivea does a great one, which feels
rich and creamy on the skin. Not only does
it even skin tone, giving a natural glow, but it
has 24-hour moisturising protection. If you do
Shu Uemera Oils, Nars, Dr Hauschka,
Tweezerman tweezers and Bobbi Brown
products can all be found in large
department stores, or online.
Nivea, Gosh and Vaseline can be found
in Superdrug branches nationwide.
find you need a little extra help with any
redness, be it around the nose or the odd
blemish, try Touch Up 5 by Gosh,
this neutralises any redness allowing you
to conceal it easily if needed. Finish off your
natural look by giving your cheeks an instant
winter flush, with a touch of blush on the
apples of your cheeks. If you are used to
bronze, try Nars Blush in Angelika. With its
candy-cotton pink shade blended with
gold particles, this will give you that extra
glow, similar to that of bronzer in the
summer months.
Give eyes an instant glimmer with some
refreshing eye drops, which will not only
wake you up but give an instant eye whitening
effect. Add a good helping of mascara. Gosh’s
‘Show Me Volume’ lengthens and volumises
lashes, giving that great eye opening effect.
We all suffer the effects of chapped lips,
which can be painful. So ensure you carry a
pot of lip balm wherever you go and dab it
on throughout the day. Try Vaseline Cocoa
Butter for keeping lips conditioned when you
need it.
Lastly, a lot of us forget the importance of
a nurturing skin routine, which is helped
by drinking plenty of water to rehydrate.
You will really need to plan for this because
lots of us lack a healthy water intake in the
summer, let alone the winter.
Success Stories
Slimmer drops
four dress sizes
after refusing to
buy any bigger
clothes!
Earlier this year Grace Hackman was fed up. She said:
“I refused to buy size 18 clothes even though I was easily
that big. I would buy size 16’s and leave the buttons undone
and cover them with a baggy top!”
With her weight problems beginning from the age of
eleven when her parents got divorced, Grace spent most of
her teenage years on and off diets with varying success.
However, when she started university the weight steadily
piled on. She said: “I was cooking for myself for the first
time so everything was done for ease – the typical student
diet of rice, pasta, etc. And also the odd Lambrini!”
Grace then noticed that a friend was losing a lot
of weight following a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD).
She did some research and found her local Cambridge
Consultant Helen Jay.
Starting in April 2010, Grace admitted she was frustrated
at first as she wasn’t achieving the weight loss she expected.
She said: “I was feeling better but only lost 5lbs in the first
month, which was very annoying knowing that many people
lose that in a week! However, I did feel better and was
determined to stick with it to the very end.”
She moved up to the 810kcal programme and her
determination has been rewarded because recently she
managed to easily fit into a size 10 dress! She said: “I felt
amazing and could finally wear the clothes I liked and feel
good in them. I don’t have to hide bulging buttons with
large baggy tops anymore. What an empowering
experience this has been.”
Grace’s stats
Age: 20
Height: 5ft 5ins
Plan: Sole Source
Winter
Winter2011
2011 Inspiration 37
Wellbeing
Metabolism:
the truth
behind the
myths Is a ‘fast metabolism’ an urban myth or can it
really help you burn off calories? This feature
explores the metabolism.
Your metabolic rate dictates how quickly
your body burns calories and is linked
to weight loss. The main components of
metabolism are: basal metabolic rate (BMR)
and resting metabolic rate (RMR).
Your BMR represents the minimum
energy required to keep you alive.
An average woman spends 1,400 calories a day
just fuelling her body’s cells. Whatever your
calorific intake, 70% keeps your body ticking
over. Think of a car engine – it needs fuel to
sit at traffic lights. This energy maintains a
warm temperature, keeps your brain working,
your heart pumping, your hair, nails and
skin growing.
RMR includes your BMR plus some
additional energy required for light activity,
including waking up, getting dressed and
walking around.
Generally, the heavier you are, the higher
your metabolic rate – think of a Land Rover
compared to a Mini – the former uses more
fuel much quicker.
Wellbeing
Myths
For starters, hot and spicy foods don’t increase
your metabolic rate by a noticeable amount.
There are many pills, supplements and foods
that claim to speed up metabolism and burn
fat. These claims are generally unproven; if
they sound too good to be true, they
usually are!
Nicotine and caffeine do have a small effect
but any increase in your metabolism may be
accompanied by an increase in your heart rate
and other side-effects, so aren’t recommended
in cases of obesity.
The fact is no single ingredient will melt
body fat away without some effort on your
part to reduce the amount of calories you
eat and to increase the amount of exercise
you do.
Truths
Dieting works by maintaining activity levels
and reducing the amount of calories that you
consume; fewer calories = more fat burned
= weight-loss. That’s why Very Low Calorie
Diets are so effective.
The way that your body is made up can
have an effect on your BMR. A 12-stone
man who has lean muscles will have a higher
metabolic rate than a 12-stone man with a
high proportion of body fat. That is because
muscle is metabolically active and, compared
to body fat, burns more calories.
Exercise – it is definitely true that if you
exercise and reduce your calorific intake
you will lose weight. This is because you
are burning more calories so less can turn
to or remain as fat.
During exercise your metabolic rate increases
as your body heats up. When you have rested
and cooled down, your metabolic rate will
return to normal.
There is no such thing as a super-fast
metabolic rate but you can make your
metabolic rate more efficient. Taking exercise
can increase the number of calories that you
burn, although it will not burn them quicker.
So can ‘good metabolism’ be genetic?
The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. If you have
inherited a naturally lean and athletic frame
then the answer is yes. However, with age our
bodies slow and so do our cells. Think how
much easier it is to put on weight in your 40’s
than it was in your 20’s.
We need to produce less internal energy to
keep ticking over because there is less going
on – our metabolic rate slows about five%
per decade, so it’s important to stay active
in old age.
Metabolism clinically explained
The thyroid gland produces hormones that
are released into the bloodstream to control
the body’s growth and metabolism. They
affect processes such as heart rate and body
temperature, and help to turn food into
energy to keep the body going.
Normally, the levels of these hormones
in the blood are carefully controlled, so that
these processes happen at a stable rate.
However, on rare occasions, when the thyroid
gland does not produce enough thyroxine,
the body’s metabolism slows down and this
may lead to weight gain. If you do think that
you have an underactive thyroid gland, then
your GP will be able to help you.
Metabolism case study
Sarah is a 41-year-old woman who has
always been very slim. She says she can
eat anything without putting on weight
(how annoying!). Sarah says: “I have a fast
metabolism so I can eat what I like.”
In actual fact, if you watch Sarah’s eating
patterns over 48 hours, you will see that:
a) she is physically very active and
b) a lot of the time she is too busy to eat,
or eats very little indeed.
Simple steps to weight-loss
• Reduce your calorific intake
• Reduce your food input so you
stop when you are satisfied
• Increase your energy output
• Eat a healthy and varied diet,
which is low in saturated fats,
salt and sugar.
Sarah regularly skips breakfast in favour of
a coffee, has crisps and chocolate for lunch
on the go and doesn’t find time for dinner
until 9pm when she has a light bite like
a chicken salad. In total, Sarah probably
only consumes about 1,200 calories a
day. The fact is, she is not eating enough
and not eating nutritious food. Yes, she
does eat what she wants (including wrong
foods), but does not put on weight because
she eats too little – nothing to do with
her metabolism.
Success Stories
I halved my
body weight
for 2011
Emma Jones earliest memory of having an unhealthy
relationship with food was when she turned six.
Her parents decided to move house and Emma
started a new school, leaving her friends behind.
This was a stressful time for her and to
comfort their daughter, her parents allowed
snacks and treats. At this time she was
carrying a bit of ‘puppy fat’, but her weight
continued to balloon and at nine years old,
Emma was wearing clothes for fifteen
year olds.
Emma said: “When I was 14 I went on
my first serious diet; I was 15st 4lbs and only
5ft. I did really well and lost some weight but
the weight loss was slow and boredom crept
in, resulting in me slipping off the plan and
putting even more weight on.”
Sadly, Emma’s mother passed away
during Christmas 2005 – they were both out
Christmas shopping when her mum collapsed
on the street – Emma was just 16 at the time.
Her mum was overweight and suffered with
diabetes and this made Emma worry about her
own health. Over the months and years that
followed, Emma continued to eat and ‘graze’,
until she weighed nearly 20 stone.
Then a customer at the supermarket
where Emma works got chatting with her and
recommended Cambridge. After a couple of
months of research, Emma concluded that
the Plan could work for her. She went ahead
and called her nearest Cambridge Consultant
Helen Jay, and quickly started Sole Source
Emma’s stats
Age: 21
Height: 5ft 5ins
Plan: Sole Source
in October 2009.
And it did work. In fact Emma was so
successful on Cambridge that she halved
her body size and weight. She said: “I feel so
much healthier now and I can do all the things
I couldn’t do before I lost weight, such as ride
the rollercoasters at theme parks and swap
clothes with my friends. I even lost weight
over Christmas last year when I stepped up to
the 810 Plan. When I want to emotionally
eat, I try to find other things to focus on or
occupy myself with – I usually go to the
gym or indulge in some retail therapy.”
Emma is now maintaining her
weight and training to be a
mechanic – a career she
thought she would never
have been able to even
consider 18 months ago.
Wellbeing
Bariatric
surgery: pros
and cons
by Rebecca Robinson RMN/BscHons
So what do we mean by bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery, or weight-loss surgery, includes a
variety of procedures performed on people who are
obese. Weight-loss is achieved by reducing the size
of the stomach or by re-routing the small intestines
to a small stomach pouch.
The report ‘Shedding the Pounds’ by the Office
of Health Economics (OHE) details trends in
obesity. It states that the UK ranks fifth for rates
of obesity and that one quarter of the population in
England is obese. It also says that the Department
of Health estimates that obesity costs the NHS
£4.3bn per year.
Who is eligible for bariatric surgery?
The National Institute for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE) recommends that patients with
a BMI of 40+, or over 35 plus an associated condition
like diabetes, should be considered for bariatric
surgery. It also advises that dietary interventions
should be attempted first.
However, the OHE report found that local NHS
provision for obesity will be reduced and the NICE
guidance will be applied more stringently.
Very Low Calorie Diets (VLCD’s) may be an option?
VLCD’s are acknowledged in NICE Guidance and
for many are an option for losing weight without
going down the surgical route.
The pros:
•Effective and substantial weight loss
•Non-invasive
•May be beneficial in Type 2 diabetes
•Reduces hypertension and other weight
co-morbidities
•Patient ownership and success
•No cost to the NHS
•Low cost to customers
The National Institute
for Health and Clinical
Excellence (NICE)
recommends that
patients with a BMI of
40+, or over 35 plus an
associated condition
like diabetes, should
be considered for
bariatric surgery.
The cons:
•Involves a cost to customers
•Does depend on engagement and motivation
from individuals
•Some customers may have conditions which
mean that VLCD’s are contraindicated
Bariatric surgery pros:
•It is an option for obese individuals resistant to
weight loss through dietary methods
•Studies show that it causes significant longterm loss of weight, recovery from diabetes and
improvement in cardiovascular risk factors
•It can be a long-term solution
•There are long-term savings for the NHS
Bariatric surgery cons:
•The surgery is largely non-reversible (with the
exception of gastric banding)
•There are strict criteria for eligibility
•Individuals may need routine nutritional
supplementation (especially after bypass)
•There are general risks to having any form
of surgery
•There is an expensive initial outlay for the NHS
•Paying for treatments privately can leave patients
without long-term support
Cambridge Weight Plan has a range of calorie programmes, including VLCD
options, to suit many. Why not speak to your local Cambridge Consultant
today, if you feel this may be the choice for you in your weight-loss journey.
Real people, real support, real results.®
Winter 2011
£1.50
Valentine’s day gift ideas
for your loved one
Read all about our
Inspiration winner
Stuart Green’s
trip to Pompeii
Look stylish and
warm this season –
check out our great
range of winter knits
BMI – what does it all
mean? We explain
www.cambridgeweightplan.co.uk
The Men are on top!
Successful weight-loss
stories from some of
our male slimmers
The wake-up call
Matt needed to
start his new life
SUCCESS STORIES
INSPIRATION MEN
Mark’s stats
Start date: March 2010
Previous chest size: 47ins
Current chest size: 40ins
Plan: Sole Source
Winner
takes it
all for
Mark
Mark Free, a father of three, weighed 12 stone in his
twenties. Over the years the weight just seemed to
creep up on him, until he was just over 16 stone and
had a BMI of 36.
Worryingly for Mark, who was by then a black
belt in Tae Kwon Do, he started to suffer
from aching knees when training. He said:
“I knew straightaway that my aches and pains
were down to my weight gain and that losing
weight would help ease the problem. It was
my friend who introduced me to Cambridge,
as he had lost weight and looked fantastic;
it literally seemed to take years off him.”
“I’ve never tried to diet before and
therefore had no real expectations; I just
thought that it was worth trying and I would
see how I got on. I started on Sole Source
and soon I was wearing a 34 inch waist. I
think I was in the right frame of mind to lose
weight, not only because I could see my health
suffering, but also for my family. My children
need a happy, healthy dad to play around with
and as part of my job I would like to stay trim
and in shape.”
In 2000 Mark started work as a personal
butler for ABBA legend Frida Lyngstad; a job
that keeps him busy. On seeing each other
for the first time after his transformation,
Mark said: “Frida was so pleased but didn’t
recognise me at first. That wasn’t the biggest
problem though. I had to buy new butler and
chauffeur uniforms because of the weight loss
and they don’t come cheap.”
Since losing weight, Mark told
Inspiration that his life had completely
changed. “I feel more energised and confident
now. Since returning to my Tae Kwon
Do lessons, I feel much more confident to
train harder than before. I am even up to
eight lessons a week now with not a single
ache or pain. People have paid me so many
compliments; saying how much younger I
look, which is great. What’s really impressive
is that I also feel it too,” Mark added.
Mark’s plans for maintenance include
weighing himself weekly, so that he can
detect signs of weight gain immediately.
He also plans to see his Consultant
Nicki Richardson regularly for support. Winter
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INSPIRATION MEN
SUCCESS STORIES
Looking
back on
2010, I
achieved
so much
Growing up, Simon ate a lot of carbohydrates
and at 19-years old weighed close to 17 stone.
On moving to France to study for his degree,
Simon lost a few stone through healthy eating,
which he believes was down to the good
food and lifestyle in France. As part of his
degree, Simon returned to the UK to finish
his final year and again his weight shot up.
By graduation, he weighed 19 stone 7 pounds.
After graduation, Simon started his first
job in London. The long commute from
Buckinghamshire meant that Simon would
regularly snack when travelling, pushing his
weight up to its heaviest of 21 stone.
In July 2009, Simon set himself a
challenge – his 30th birthday in May 2010
was creeping up on him and he wanted to be
slim for it – so he decided that he would lose
weight using 17 stone as a benchmark for his
target weight.
After losing a few pounds through
willpower, Simon contacted South Londonbased Consultants Laurence Brown and
Sharon Myrie for help and he started on
Sole Source. He took his soups and shakes to
work with him and his colleagues were very
supportive. He found the first two weeks
easy, experiencing much slower losses
towards the end of his weight-loss journey.
Nevertheless, he continued to lose weight
over Christmas and into the New Year 2010,
until he felt he was at a healthy, happy weight.
He reached his target three months before his
birthday and smashed his original weight-loss
goal.
Simon’s birthday came and went and he
was soon looking for a fresh challenge.
During summer 2010, he and his friends
raised almost £5000 for charity by taking
part in the Mongol Rally. This entails driving
10,000km to the other side of the world
(Mongolia, just north of China) in a clappedout banger (in this case, a Vauxhall Agila
worth £1000) without a SatNav! Simon said:
“I would never have achieved something as
fantastic as this when I was at my largest. The
trip, at times, was quite physical and required
me to be fit and to have lots of stamina and
energy. I’m pleased to say that out of the 359
cars that attempted the challenge (some of
which didn’t make it to the finishing line), we
came fifth!”
Simon was a keen diver during his
twenties, and dived all over the world.
Following his weight gain, he was unable to
continue as regulations advise that morbidly
obese people should not dive for health and
safety reasons. Since losing weight, Simon
is now looking forward to a well-earned
diving holiday in Egypt this year. He has also
maintained successfully for 10 months.
For more information on the Mongol
Rally Challenge, please visit:
www.mongolrally.com
If you would like to read more
on Simon’s challenge, please visit
his team’s blog page:
www.tinyurl.com/teamgbu
SIMON’s stats
Height: 6ft 3ins
Previous waist size: 46ins
Previous shirt size: XXL
Current waist size: 36ins
Current shirt size: M
Start date: July 2009
EXERCISE & FITNESS
Running a
marathon
– it’s a
metaphor
for life!
INSPIRATION MEN
by Chris McDermott
Running a marathon (or half-marathon) will be, for most people,
the hardest thing they will ever do. It’s not just the physical pain
on the day (which I understand can be substantial to put it
mildly), but it’s more the mental battering you take while training
for such a momentous event.
I am training to run my first marathon in May
2011 (Edinburgh, in support of Brake) and the
thing most people ask me when I tell them I
am doing this is … why?
Until very recently my response was
usually something to do with raising money or
getting fit (both of which are valid). However,
the real reason is very selfish and, therefore,
one that I have shied away from when trying
to answer in the past – the real reason I am
doing it … is for me.
Now, don’t laugh but this is where the
similarities between weight loss and running
a marathon are surprisingly similar. With
both activities you can read and study as much
as you like, be cajoled by family and friends
to succeed (or sometimes fail), make scores
of resolutions, but if you don’t stick to your
diet when things get tough or go out training
when it’s dark, cold and raining, you will fail.
Ultimately, it is up to you and no one else.
For all the support and encouragement
from others, no one can actually run a single
step of the marathon for you, just as no one
can really force you to eat what you shouldn’t,
when you shouldn’t.
So you have to do both things for the
right reason – and that reason is you!
As I began to think about how on earth I was
going to attempt to run 26.2 miles, I naturally
looked for help because I don’t think you can
succeed with Cambridge or run a marathon
without it. My guide over the next three
months is: The Non-Runner’s Marathon
Trainer by David Whitsett, Forrest Dolenger
and Tanjula Kole – £6.95 from Amazon.co.uk.
It was the title that grabbed me because
although I have run three half-marathons in
the past, I still view myself very much as a
complete beginner.
The book is based upon a now famous US
university course originally called: A Seminar
in Fitness and Mental Health, but which
became known as ‘The Marathon Class’!
The aim was to take 14 students with no
running experience, and in two classes per
week over 15 weeks, turn them into people
who can, and do, run a marathon. Of the
253 students who have taken the course
(with ages ranging from 18 to 55), all but
one finished the marathon.
The book is broken down into 16
chapters (with the 16th being the actual
week leading up to the marathon). As my
Edinburgh Marathon is on 22 May 2011,
my first week begins on Monday 31 January
2011. Each chapter starts with the number of
miles you need to run that week and then a
detailed breakdown of the issues you will face
during that particular week, as well as general
discussion about what you are attempting
to do.
As the book progresses, so the number of
miles per week increases, along with analysis
of various issues that normal non-running
people will have to face and overcome. This
is training for people with jobs, families and
obligations. The book is very explicit about
what it is aiming to do: ‘If you are able to
complete the entire program, you will be
able to complete the marathon.’
What I like about it is the simple focus
on ensuring you get the required mileage
under your belt, whilst discussing the mental
preparation required – not just for training
– but also to deal with the actual marathon
event.
So my odyssey to Edinburgh begins
in a couple of weekS’ time. Follow me
on Twitter (chrismc1492) and my blog
(chrismcmarathon2011@wordpress.
com) to keep up with how I am
getting on.
CHRIS MCDERMOTT
Winter
Winter
2011
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INSPIRATION MEN
EXERCISE & FITNESS
“the real reason
is very selfish and
therefore, one that
I have shied away
from when trying to
answer in the past –
the real reason I am
doing it … is for me.”
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INSPIRATION MEN
To My
Valentine,
With Love
Valentine’s Day ideas that will knock her socks off!
Guys, this is the answer to your prayers. We know that you’re always asking yourself
(and worrying) about what to buy or give your loved one on Valentine’s Day.
Don’t panic. Inspiration has done all the hard work for you so you’re guaranteed
to raise a smile on her face with these perfect gift ideas. Small budget / gifts
£30 and under
• You can’t go wrong with flowers – a big
bunch or single rose. www.interflora.co.uk
has a great selection of beautiful flowers,
starting at a pocket-friendly £20 – and for
an extra cost, same-day delivery is available
(just in case you forget). Sending flowers
to her workplace may score you even more
brownie points! • If your partner is an avid reader then
literature and books are a great small gift
option. Autobiographies and novels (see
Book Review for some great romance titles
– don’t worry you won’t have to read them
as well) would be perfect.
www.amazon.co.uk is a great place to start.
• For diaries, journals, stationery and trinkets
visit www.OhSoCherished.co.uk
Prices vary.
• Yes, you’ve seen it in the movies and it looks
a doddle, but creating a relaxing, romantic
evening could really do the trick. Give her
the night off (from kids, cooking, washing,
etc.) and treat her to a warm bubble
bath with a glass of wine, a selection of
magazines and then a great movie (but not
The Dirty Dozen). Bigger budget / gifts
£60–£100
• Spa days for her may not make sense to
you but these are a must for lots of women.
You can pick up a day package from:
www.lastminute.com or
www.redletterdays.co.uk from around £60.
These spa day packages will probably
include full use of the venue’s leisure
facilities and one or more spa treatments.
With venues across the UK, it’s the perfect
gift for her.
• Treat her to the theatre – 2011 hit musicals
include the classic Patrick Swayze
romances – Ghost and Dirty Dancing,
Billy Elliot and The Wizard of Oz. Visit
www.londonnet.co.uk for inspiration.
• Capture that perfect moment with a
professional portrait/photo shoot – ideal for families, friends, singles and couple
shots. Grabbed your attention? Then visit
www.image1st.co.uk for more information.
Prices from £49.00–£385.00.
• Could do with a weekend break? This
doesn’t have to be a surprise or paid for
out of one wallet, you could plan it together
(and share the costs). For some inspiration
try: www.cottages.co.uk – who provide
stunning log cabins and cottages all over
the UK. Weekly and short-break rates
apply and vary.
P.S. Valentine’s Day is on Monday 14
February!
INSPIRATION MEN
SUCCESS STORIES
Matt’s weight had fluctuated since childhood until he started working
at his local leisure centre in 1999. He enjoyed sports and frequently
participated in badminton and swimming. Matt worked at the centre until
he was 21 years old, but once he left he started to notice more and more
weight creeping on until he finally reached his heaviest at almost 18 stone.
During 2008, Matt suddenly began to suffer with a painful stomach
ulcer and was admitted to hospital, spending almost three weeks there to
recover. During this time, he lost a little weight – partly due to being fed
through a drip.
Matt returned home on Christmas Eve, at which point he realised
that he had just had the biggest wake-up call of his life. He decided that
from then on his health should be his priority and right at the beginning
of 2009 he decided to try a selection of well-known diets. None of these
worked for him and left him ‘very demotivated’. However, that March
Matt spoke to an old friend who had lost weight with Cambridge Weight
Plan – and he thought that this could be the answer he was looking for.
Matt said: “At first I didn’t have faith in Cambridge. I had negative
experiences before with dieting so my expectations were very low.
How wrong I was when I called Consultant Rose Woodward
and got started on Sole Source. My first week weigh-in was a
fantastic result but I’m not going to lie – it was hard, but hard
work does pay off!”
2010 was a very tough year for Matt, but despite
the many obstacles and events the year presented, he has
continued to maintain his weight. He pursues sports and
embraces holidays. He said: “At times in the past I felt too
embarrassed to go on holiday and, one year I recall actually
wearing trousers in the Canary Islands when I should have
been wearing shorts. These days I never feel too
embarrassed to do anything, I just wish I could find
the time to go on more holidays!”
“My advice to other people reading this and thinking
about weight loss is: ‘Yes, you CAN do something about
your weight and there is always someone to help you’.
In my case it was Rose, my partner and my
supportive family.”
Matthew’s Stats:
Age: 27
Previous waist size: 53in
Current waist size: 33in
Previous shirt size: XXL
Current shirt size: M/S
Start date: March 2009
Programme: Sole Source
50Inspiration
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FOOD & HEALTH
INSPIRATION MEN
Winter
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INSPIRATION MEN
FOOD & HEALTH
BMI – is it the
Best Men’s
Indicator?
When it comes to measuring a healthy weight, BMI is often hailed
as the measure to use. But is it really the best way of determining
the healthy weight for a man?
Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most
popular methods of estimating a healthy
body weight, based on a person’s height.
It can be used to indicate potential health
issues, or identify a sensible target if
weight-loss is required.
But people come in all different shapes
and sizes and BMI has its limitations. So
although it is useful to have a standardised
body weight measure as a reference tool, it’s
never going to be accurate for everyone and
the physical differences between the sexes
make BMI particularly inaccurate for men.
sets them apart. Muscle is more dense than
fat meaning that it occupies less space per
gram, which allows muscular men to carry
more weight without looking (or in fact
being) overweight.
Of course, knowing what your weight
should be and how to manage it is important
for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having
a high BMI shouldn’t just be written off by
saying, “I must be more muscular than
I thought!”
So what is the solution? What is a better
way of measuring a healthy weight for a man?
So why is this?
Waist to height ratio
Men typically carry more muscle than
women and BMI doesn’t differentiate between
muscle mass and fat, it simply measures
weight against height. Therefore, healthy and
fit individuals with more developed muscles
can often register as overweight, or even
obese, according to the approved weight
bands. Consequently, those who train hard
– such as athletes and gym enthusiasts, or
people with very physically demanding jobs –
are more likely to receive a misleading
BMI measurement.
Take the England rugby union team for
example – the BMI indicator classifies the
majority of the elite players as overweight,
with the props registering as obese. In reality,
they have a very high level of muscle mass and
are lean in terms of fat – hardly overweight,
just really big!
Research has shown that measuring your
waist to height ratio can give a much more
reliable indication of whether you are within a
healthy weight range. Carrying excess weight
around the abdomen increases the risk of high
cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
To work out your ratio, simply take your
waist measurement and divide it by your
height – make sure you use the same unit of
measurement for both! Ideally, your waist to
height ratio should be 0.5 (half).
This measure is particularly important
for men because, unlike women, who tend to
carry fat deposits around the thighs and hips,
the abdomen (or belly) is where excess weight
is typically stored.
The fat that is causing the problem is
found deep inside the body, surrounding
the internal organs, and is called visceral
or intra-abdominal fat – not to be confused
with subcutaneous fat, which is stored on
the outside of the abdominal muscles.
When too much visceral fat is present,
the function of the internal organs is
So which weighs more, muscle or fat?
Contrary to popular belief, muscle doesn’t
actually weigh more than fat. Gram for gram
the weight is the same; it is the density that
adversely affected and the health risks start
to increase rapidly. The body can become
resistant to insulin, reducing its ability to
burn fat, and leading to diabetes, high blood
pressure and so on.
The Ashwell Shape Chart
(www.ashwell.uk.com) provides an alternative
but similarly visual representation of healthy
weight categories to the BMI chart by using
waist measurement in relation to height.
Using the chart you can identify your body
type and any associated potential risks.
The chart categorises body types into
fruits. ‘Pear’ shapes tend to carry fat around
the bottom, hips and thighs – women are
typically this shape. Men are more likely to
be classed as ‘apple’ shaped as their fat is
more often stored around the stomach area.
Knowing your shape will help you to be
aware of whether you are at greater risk of
developing health problems and what your
ideal waist size should be.
So how big is too big when it comes to
waist measurements?
Guidelines indicate that for a man a waist
measurement in excess of 97cm (37 inches)
puts him at much greater risk of serious health
issues. As a general rule, if a man’s waist is
from 94cm to 102cm, his risk of developing
cardiovascular disease increases by 1.5 to 2
times. A waist measurement of more than
102cm increases the risk by 4.6 times!
So guys, size really does matter!
INSPIRATION WINNER
INSPIRATION MEN
n
o
i
t
a
Inspir
r
e
n
n
i
i
e
wi
p
m
n Po
i
STUART
GREEN
In June 2009, Stuart Green embarked on the final part of
a journey that began three years earlier. Then, Stuart was
about to start six months in rehabilitation for drug and
alcohol addiction. It was a desperate time in his life; he
had lost his family, his home, his job, and nearly himself.
However, rehabilitation was a success. Stuart
came out of the clinic sober and drug free for
the first time in 15 years. But in the process he
had switched addictions and in the final three
months had put on three stone in weight.
He believed it was fine, he was dealing
with other more damaging issues – or so he
thought!
He left rehab in jeans three sizes bigger
than he had come in with. He set up his own
support group for other addicts like himself
and went to college to study counselling.
As his confidence grew, so did his waistline and he came to understand that his
relationship with food was fundamentally
damaged because it was built around his
emotions and feelings. He ate for a variety
of reasons, but rarely because he was hungry.
In June 2008, Stuart completed his
counselling course and started working in
the same rehab unit he had attended. In 18
months he had turned a lot of things around
but was the heaviest he had ever been and in
total denial about it.
Then he met an old friend he hadn’t
seen for a while who had lost weight with
Cambridge and she looked fantastic. Stuart
couldn’t believe the transformation and this
inspired him to consider taking on the last
manifestation of his addictive personality –
his weight.
As a qualified counsellor he was, initially,
embarrassed about visiting Cambridge
Consultant Sophie Melling. Stuart said:
“I had learnt so much about counselling but
when it came to dealing with my own weight
issues, I couldn’t have done it without seeing
Sophie. I saw my weight-loss as a life-anddeath issue because I understand now that
addictions can kill you.”
Stuart knows he is fortunate. His children
are back in his life and his health has greatly
improved, but he is in no doubt about how
hard it was for him to lose weight.
He said: “For someone like me, going
on the diet and losing weight was harder
than giving up the alcohol and the drugs.
However, with the help of Cambridge and
my Consultant that is exactly what I have
been able to do. I am thankful every day for
the life that I now have.”
INSPIRATION MEN
INSPIRATION WINNER
Stuart’s prize for being our
Inspiration winner was a
Mediterranean cruise, which
stopped off in Pompeii.
FASHION
Colour…
Okay, so we all know darker clothes can
make you look slimmer, but keeping
warm has never been more colourful
and if you can get away with a bolder
choice and have a relatively lean top
half, go for winter’s opulent jewel
shades. Dark purple is a slimming
winner and jade green works perfectly
with denim. For those gents with a
bigger belly or fear of bright colours,
try casual stripes or a more traditional
Argyll design to liven up your outfit.
INSPIRATION MEN
Men’s Winter
Accessories Checklist
Now you’re all cosied up in warm knitwear,
it’s time to complete the outfit …
Men rarely think of accessorising and yet do
it as a matter of practicality all the time without
a second thought: a belt to keep up the trousers,
a hat to look smart or keep warm and a bag if you
have things to lug around. But a little extra thought
and these accessories can really make an outfit.
Be functional (but mainly fashionable … )
with these ultimate stylish add-ons …
1.Check scarf, £40, French Connection
2.Trilby, £15, Marks & Spencer
3.Watch, £15, George at Asda
4.Cap, £12, Marks & Spencer
5. Gloves, £6, Matalan
6. Bag, £75, Next
Purple v-neck
£60, Viyella
1.
Cut…
It’s important not to buy a knit just
because you like the look of it. Look for
the cut and shape before buying, as what
suits you best may well depend on your
body type. Bigger bellies should go for a
V-neck to slim the top half (darker colour
round the belly is an added bonus). For
a more on-trend look, a button-through
funnel neck is an instant slimmer. To
lengthen shorter top halves, go for a
classic high crew neck, and if you are a
dedicated follower of fashion, try a slouchy
roll neck for something a bit different.
2.
3.
4.
Slouchy roll neck
£29.99, Republic
Cardigans…
Pocketed cardigan
£25, Matalan
They’ve been on-trend for a few years now
but still so many men associate the cardi
with schoolboys and grandads. Actually,
they are now for the fashion-conscious
man, so snap one up to wear over shirts or
tees this winter. Cardigans look smart and
trendy and are often more flattering than
your average jumper. It’s important to get a
great fit – make sure it does up comfortably
but is never too baggy. A double-breasted
cardigan is particularly flattering, and if
you go for the patterned, chunky styles that
are everywhere, choose a funnel neck to
lengthen your body. Oh, and if you’ve been
wearing cardigans a while, update it with
belted and military styles for this year.
5.
6.
Winter
Winter2011
2011 Inspiration
Inspiration 45
13
INSPIRATION MEN
FASHION
WINTER
KNITS FOR
MEN
By Chloe Wood
Any fashion-savvy fella knows that an old grey marl V-neck just
won’t cut it in the fashion stakes this winter. Men’s knitwear
is more varied than ever with styles, colours and patterns that
may take you out of your (oh-so-comfy) comfort zone, but will
keep you ahead of the fashion pack.
If you need a winter warmer, do it in style and don’t stick
to what you think you know – look out for the new knitwear
trends and remember the three C’s…
Grey cable knit roll neck
£39.99, Republic
Double-breasted cardigan
£34.99, TK Maxx
Chunky red pattern knit
£80, Debenhams
Dark purple funnel neck
with double collar
£22, Matalan
Red Aztec cardigan
£75, French
Connection
Argyll jumper
£35, Marks & Spencer
Oatmeal crew neck
£39.50, Marks & Spencer
Chunky snowflake cardigan
£125, Superdry
Green crew neck
£16, Matalan
Tri-colour V-neck
£75, French Connection
Red cardigan
£14, Tesco
Exercise & fitness
INSPIRATION MEN
Man
Management:
Get a Move on!
Government guidelines state that as part of a healthy lifestyle we should all aim to
take at least 30 minutes of exercise, at least five days a week. But research shows
that exercising just once a week is sufficient to reduce the risk of heart disease or
stroke by almost 40% in men. So how do you fit it all in?
The good news is that you don’t really have to
take the prescribed 30 minutes of exercise as
one big block each day. Splitting it into fiveor ten-minute bursts throughout the day can
be just as effective.
The trick is to improve your level of
cardiovascular fitness because this is what will
improve your general health and wellbeing.
But without creating extra time in your day to
devote to exercise, how can you possibly raise
the bar when it comes to working out?
When you do anything to increase your
heart rate and sweat a little, your heart and
lungs will be working harder and faster,
which will be contributing to your overall
level of cardiovascular health. The more
often you do that, the fitter (and leaner) you
will become.
Get up, stand up
Maybe you need some inspiration for
exercising without the strain? Here are some
tried-and-tested tips on how you can find
easy opportunities to workout without really
knowing it...
• Go to a concert where you can stand or
dance for an hour or two
• Challenge your mates to a game of football
in the park
• Buy a second-hand bike on eBay and get
out on two wheels instead of four
• Enjoy an early night with your ‘Other Half’
(nudge-nudge, wink-wink)
• Volunteer to do something for the
community – like litter picking, wall
building or painting
• Don’t send emails to work colleagues in
your office – walk over to their desk and
talk to them instead
• Park in the farthest corner of the car
park at the shops (not the space nearest
the entrance)
The trick is to improve
your level of
cardiovascular fitness
because this is what
will improve your
general health and
wellbeing.
housework and decorating will be beneficial to
your body if you use some elbow grease. Not
to mention your house will benefit and you
will win brownie points too.
It is claimed that if you do anything once a
day for a month it will become a habit, so let’s
say you use the stairs at work instead of the lift
– after a few weeks you won’t even think twice
about doing it.
The trick to keeping motivated seems
to be to do something that you actually enjoy,
so if you are thinking of taking up a new
sport make sure that it is something you love
watching or talking about.
Get a Natural High
And some wilder ways to exercise ...
(if in doubt about how much exercise to
take, please ask a medical expert).
• Swim across a lake
• Do a pub crawl with a difference – jog to
each pub and fill up on soft drinks (maybe
raise money for charity at the same time)
• Dig a hole – seriously. Digging uses as
much energy as swimming
• Visit your nearest city and climb the steps
of the tallest monument or building
• Ride a camel, well OK maybe a horse will
be easier to find
Remember, your body does not know whether
you are sweating it out in a gym or running
round a muddy field.
Non-classic exercise is definitely just as
effective as classic workouts. Even chores like
The endorphins produced during exercise act
as anti-depressants and can produce a natural
high feeling – ask any runner and they will tell
you how effective that natural high can be.
Once you are in the swing of things with an
enjoyable exercise routine, you can start to
work on improving your muscle strength,
which when combined with your weight-loss
on Cambridge Weight Plan, will lead to a
more toned body.
Improving muscle tone will not only
improve your posture but will also reduce the
risk of causing damage to your joints whilst
you exercise. (That’s why swimming is a good
starter for ten – because all your joints are
supported by the water).
Before beginning any new physical activities,
always consult your GP or medical expert.
INSPIRATION MEN
Exercise & fitness
42 Inspiration
14
Inspiration Winter
Winter 2011
2011

My weight stood in the way of me starting a family” “

Transcription

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