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22 octubre Morbidly obese double standardsRegular readers of the Life & Style blog will know that when it comes to the issue of obesity, I don't like to mince my words. So what am I going to write about today? You guessed it - the UK's fat future. In particular, there was a story that was widely reported in the press (two stories, in fact) last week that really pushed my buttons, and not in a good way.
At the start of the week we were told that it is England's middle-class social drinkers, rather than large-it-up at the weekend binge revelers, that are the countries most 'hazardous' consumers of alcohol. So have a good think about that next time you reach for a bottle of Pinot Noir and a corkscrew after a hard day at the office. 'It's an outrage that's been going on for far too long' screamed various health experts.
Then, the following day, there appeared the most ridiculous news story on obesity I have read in a long time. The report stated that an obese person living in the UK today cannot be blamed for their weight. It is our modern lifestyles, the sedentary nature of our jobs, the barrage of tempting advertising and the ready availability of junk food that is really responsible.
So what are we to deduce from this - that middle-class people who enjoy alcohol (as opposed to abusing it, though they should perhaps cut back a bit, if the report is to be believed) should be held responsible for their actions while those who are needlessly obese should not?
Give me a break!
Ross 15 octubre Hello to Imogen Lloyd WebberAuthor and fashionista Imogen Lloyd Webber (the daughter of Andrew) is today launching her fashion and beauty blog exclusively to MSN.
In between mingling with the stars, sourcing the best beauty spas for a good pampering, or hunting down fabulous boutiques and clothing lines for the latest must-have items, Imogen will be sharing her top tips and gossip with everyone online. Currently in NYC promoting her latest book, Imogen has already discovered that when it comes to top notch pampering, New Yorkers have got what it takes.
Read Imogen's Blog here and add it to your favourites!
11 octubre Being a bit differentYou've got to respect women who go that extra mile, who refuse to conform to 'the norm' and dare to be a bit different. We started thinking about these inspiring individuals when word reached us that Dawn French was celebrating her 50th birthday today.
I haven't come across many people who don't think Dawn is absolutely gorgeous (although I may about to be proved wrong). At school my mates and I used to describe beautiful big women as sassy in that 'Dawn French' way. For us that meant a smart and sexy woman who embraced her size, rather than hid from it - and felt sexy. Dawn has since launched a clothing label designed for the sixteen-plus figure to help women do just that.
Today for the younger generations Beth Ditto is the larger lady who everyone loves. Speaking out against size zero, Beth (who was nominated for Sexiest Woman of The Year at the NME Awards earlier this year) said: "The biggest thing in your world is to be a nothing? That is so intense." Today Beth is campaigning to have size zero removed from clothing labels and replaced with a number, even a small one, so that women who wear it are no longer just 'a zero'.
But daring to be different isn't all about being happy with your body no matter what your size, it's about your attitude, beliefs and your desire to make life a little bit more interesting by being yourself.
Check out our gallery of women who have done just that here.
Nic 05 octubre September: Your FeedbackLast month many of you were sad to see the passing of Jane Tomlinson, the cancer fundraiser, who died seven years after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. We had a lot of emotional tributes from you all, including:
Lilly: "Jane was a great example of just getting on with it. We all need a goal in life, something to keep us going, something to work towards. If there's such a place as heaven, then Jane will be cycling her way around it already. And the rest of us have to make our choice about how we live our lives today." Karen: "Gone but not forgotten a truly remarkable lady an inspiration to us all. She has done so much for charity to help others and to put her troubles to one side. Her family must be so proud of her to have known and love this woman. Goodnight and god bless you Jane. Rest in peace now there will never anyone else like you. God must have thought it was time for you to leave us." Gorgeous Dave: "I will never forget the name Jane Tomlinson, nor how much she did for others. Whenever I have a bad day, I will think of her and remember 'There but for the grace of God, go I'. Bless you Jane x" Earlier in the month, Ross posted a comment about pending publication of pictures on cigarette packets, which will show diseased lungs, hideous tumours, that sort of thing. “I for one think it's about time. There is only so much the 'smoking kills' labels can do - after all, most smokers were aware of this already,” he said. Which got many of you fired up – both for and against the idea. One anonymous reader commented: “Just think how much tax you would be paying if we weren’t paying so much tax on our cigarettes - has anyone actually thought about that? They would lose millions in revenue if everyone stopped smoking. They would then have to recover the money from elsewhere such as your council tax or fuel etc!” But Michaela, whose boyfriend smokes, had this to day: “I think the images are a good idea as they might shock people into realising what it actually does to your body. I know smokers feel that non-smokers have no right to tell them what to do, that you can do what you want, bla bla bla. But face facts; smoking does kill you, it's not healthy in any way and it affects others too! When I've gone out with my boyfriend or friends, I've come home stinking of smoke and also I've been breathing it in all night. I'M MEANT TO BREATHE AIR, NOT SMOKE. “The only positive thing to happen so far is making smokers go outside of pubs/clubs, so you can all breathe it in together. Maybe the pictures are another step forward to making you all realise that you should try and cut down and eventually quit. Yes: it's a habit. Yes: it's hard to quit. It's like any drug. But surely you don't want your life cut short with you struggling to breathe because of lung cancer...And also, smokers are NOT being victimised. Nowadays, we know all the health risks and want as many of you to try and make you're lives healthier. That's all.”
John Joe managed to quit the habit after losing his mum to cancer, and had some encouraging words for smokers: “On my mum’s hospital bed I promised that I would stop smoking but it still took me another three years after she died to quit. I still get to odd craving but I have been off them three years now and to tell you the truth I found it very easy to stop. But that was after about 20 attempts before. I do believe that most people who smoke would rather not but until you as a smoker decide that enough is enough then you will never stop. GET YOUR HEAD BEHIND THE IDEA AND YOU CAN DO IT. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE TRYING AND JUST REMEMBER IF YOU FAIL YOU CAN ALWAYS WIN.” And finally, us Brits do love to discuss the weather and after a few too many cold rainy days this summer, poor Dizzy Lizzy had this to say: “I wish I could hibernate and not wake up till March. I hate the cold, frost and long dark evenings.” Lizzy, we feel your pain. But another more optimistic reader added: “We wouldn’t have all this fabulous scenery if it wasn’t for our climate, just think of the awful extremes of weather some countries have to put up with. I think we are fortunate in Scotland.” Hmmm... definitely food for thought! 03 octubre A fitting legacy for a remarkable personIn case you missed it, The Great North Run took place at the weekend. It's one of the biggest races in the world with over 50,000 runners lining up to tackle the 13.1 mile course. In there somewhere were 190 friends and family of Vicky Buchanan, who died last October after being knocked off her bike on the Fulham road while cycling to work at Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea football ground, where she worked as an event manager. She was just 28.
Vicky was due to marry her fiance, Adam Chataway, on September 22, to be followed by a honeymoon in Africa. Instead, the huge group of almost 200 people who knew and loved Vicky were preparing to gather in Newcastle for the half-marathon and to raise money for a cause that was close to her heart.
While studying for her Master of Philosophy degree in water development in 1999, Vicky had spent time in Ethiopia working for the charity ActionAid. "Water is a basic right of every human being," she said. And so Adam set up Vicky's Water Project, which aimed to raise the £226,000 needed to bring fresh water to thousands of people in Lera Town, Ethiopia, a country where 78% of the population do not have access to clean water.
So far the charity has exceeded its target, raising £403,000 and bringing fresh water to thousands more than they could have originally hoped. The first money to be donated was the £10.88 Vicky was carrying on her when she was needlessly struck down on her way to work. Chelsea and England captain John Terry has also lent his support to the cause (see picture). Terry described Vicky as " a treasure we all loved."
Adam told the Daily Telegraph in an interview: "It's almost as if Vicky's life was taken from us on October 17, 2006, but two year's down the line in another corner of the globe which many of us will never see, there will be this equilibrium in the universe as it were. Through Vicky, life and energy will blossom in others..."
The race may have taken place at the weekend, but the fundraising efforts continue and it's not too late for you to donate. To find out more, go to www.vickyswaterproject.com or www.actionaid.org.uk Glossy locks: Lily AllenI was at a secret gig in deepest Soho to see the lovely Lily Allen last night (get me). Dressed up to the nines in Louboutin heels and a gold antique-style shimmering dress, she looked gorgeous as she smiled her way through her songs.
Ah yes it’s a hard life quaffing free champers, tucking into tiny salmon and cream cheese bagels watching Lily perform from a front row seat in a swanky nightclub. No really, it is. Lily was there to promote Braun’s Satin Hair Care range, and her locks looked as smooth as a shiny little mink’s. Feeling a bit tiddly, she giggled: “Shame I’m not as straight as my hair,” glass of bubbly in one hand, mike in the other. After apologising that her voice might not have been on top form (it was) Lily explained she was feeling a bit out of practice, after her American tour was cancelled last month because of visa problems. Still, she’s not bitter. And I’m quite glad as she made our night. If only all Tuesdays were that good. To find out more about Braun’s new range check out www.braun.com/uk/satinhair 02 octubre Why we love TrevorSometimes interviewing someone who’s at the top of their game can be a pretty nerve wracking experience, but when I met Trevor Sorbie the other day I was truly humbled by how warm and kind he is. Despite earning megabucks tending the tresses of the rich and famous, taking part in multi-million pound shows by the likes of L’Oreal and having a hair product line worth more than most of us will earn in a lifetime, Trevor is one of those almost slightly nervous people that it’s impossible not to like. I spent an afternoon with him while he was looking after a group of young trainee hairdressers from across the country. He was inspiring, approachable and had reams of tips for them all about how to do well by working hard. But the most amazing thing about Trevor is that these days, he prefers to spend his time trimming perfect-looking wigs for cancer patients, so that they can feel confident and feminine once again. This he does entirely for free and has set up a charity devoted to the cause. To find out more about Trevor’s work, read our interview here. Nic 28 septiembre California dreamin'I've just come back from two and a bit weeks in California and, you know what, those Beckhams might be onto something. I absolutely loved it. I've been to LA before, but driving over 2000 miles from LA up the Pacific Coast Highway and onwards to Big Sur, San Francisco, Napa, Yosemite (where I came face to face with not one, but two black bears, but that's an entirely separate story) Death Valley and Las Vegas opened my eyes to what a completely fabulous and fascinating place it is.
What I found really interesting is the, ahem, widening gap between the overtly healthy and the disgustingly obese. Americans are well known for their supersized waistlines and I read recently that the average American now eats around 3,600 calories a day, which is, well, a lot. But what I noticed was that in California many people seemed to be either one or the other. Everywhere I went I saw people running, cycling, surfing, roller-blading (why is it that California is the only place on earth where it is possible to make rollerblades look cool?) or taking part in some form of physical exercise. I admired their love of working out and coveted the fine weather and fresh food on offer. How could you not be healthy in a place like this?
But for every health freak there was a blob walking down the street in the other direction. In an attempt to feel like a five year old, I spent a day in Disney Land (which is still, like, the most totally awesome place ever) and was shocked at the number of clinically, morbidly, disgustingly obese people I saw. And when you see what they eat, it's not surprising that obesity is a major problem in America. But what really got me was the way in which many Americans are willing to view being so obese you can barely walk as an acceptable lifestyle choice.
At Disney, for example, I gradually began to notice that there were many, many people getting about on those electrically powered devices that look like a cross between a wheelchair and a golf cart. Nothing unusual about that, I hear you say, but then I realised that most of these people were connected by one thing - they were all obese. And rather than choosing to walk off some of the sugary, trans-fat coated foods on sale at the resort, they had elected to take advantage of Disney's wheelchair rental service so they didn't have to do any walking at all.
And there they were, zooming about between the various attractions, parking their electric carts and alighting to enjoy Space Mountain or whatever, before jumping back on and moving on to the next ride that takes their fancy. I was dumbfounded. And what genuinely disabled people must think, I can only guess.
The UK is apparently four years behind the US of A when it comes to obesity statistics and I know I bang on about this all the time on this blog, but we really need to do something about it. The answer? Who knows, but rather than accepting the obesity epidemic, maybe we should make it antisocial.
Well, it worked for smoking, didn't it?
Ross 24 septiembre Stars shun London Fashion WeekSo London Fashion Week has happened. But where were all the stars? We scoured show after show for a glimpse of A-list status in the crowds and were left a smidgeon disappointed.
London Fashion Week is often labelled the ‘worst’ of the four fashion weeks (the others being New York, Paris and Milan of course, dahlings). So is this why the likes of Victoria Beckham, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher crowd the runways State-side, while the celebs shun them in Britain? OK, so Peaches Geldof and Lily Cole were there, but they were being paid to be, as models at various shows. And no offence to the girls, but they’re hardly ‘Joan Collins’ status in the celebrity stakes. The total lack of star power wasn’t because the celebs were all in hiding either, for when Isabella Blow’s memorial service took place, the event was so jammed to the rafters with celebs there was barely room to swing a cat. So we can’t help but wonder, is London Fashion Week just a bit of an embarrassment that the stars want to avoid at all costs? And if so, why are the Brits so far behind the Americans, Italians and the French in the creative stakes? 12 septiembre Just get me to the church on time!I’ve done it, I’ve married the fella! After 18 months of planning, discussing, shopping, meeting people, more shopping and planning, I’ve had the big day. It was, of course, the most wonderful one of my life. The sun was shining, all my family and friends looked beautiful and everyone cheered us in church, then as we sat down to dinner and as we had our (rather raucous) first dance. (Well, if you’ve heard With You by The Subways, you’ll know what I mean. Not the easiest one to leap about to in a floor-length corseted wedding gown, but it was worth the craic, and well, the words mean a lot to us *blush*). But I have to tell you (because I can laugh now) that if you’d been with me on the morning of the wedding, it was a very different story. And one thing I learned from it and would advise all future brides to do, without question, is to rehearse everything you’re planning for the day least ONCE. The afternoon before the wedding was blissful. My dad, who’d been terrified of giving a speech, came to see the venue and thought it was beautiful. It made him more relaxed, just to see it first (and on the day his speech went down an absolute storm). We had the rehearsal with our bridesmaids, best man and readers at the church (who were all a tad nervous too) and they too felt more relaxed because they’d had a chance to see it first. Everything was going swimmingly, and everyone was in a buoyant, excitable mood. My mum came over to stay with me in the evening and we shared a glass of wine before I was safely tucked up at 11pm. The next morning I woke up at 5.30am and watched the sunrise, feeling so happy it was sunny and really excited. Mum and I had a cup of tea or two in the garden, then by 10am I was driving to the hairdressers to meet my four bridesmaids. But here’s the thing: I hadn’t had a ‘hair rehearsal’. Now you may think this is silly, but the man (who has cut my hair a few times before) wanted to charge me £80 for the rehearsal, as well as £80 on the day – even though I was bringing my four bridesmaids to have their hair done with me. Well, with costs mounting up, I thought I could do with saving that £80, so I took a picture in and went for it. Ninety minutes later when I was left looking like something across between a pantomime-dame and a drag queen, it was a decision I’d regretted. Stuck in my seat feeling terrified I was just wondering how fast I could get out of there to take out the 200 hairgrips he’d backcombed my hair around out. I was in sheer panic-stricken hell. Before I’d got back into my car his work was undone. And I don’t know if any of you have seen that YouTube video, but I can’t tell you how similar I felt to that bride. I got home realising it was too late to wash my hair so I did a quick self-fix with two clips, before one of my old friends, Matt, came round to do my make-up. He calmed me down and made me feel beautiful as the bridesmaids and I enjoyed champers and the sunshine in the garden. All was going well again, so we popped our dresses on. Then the zip on my size eight bridesmaid’s dress went. From top to bottom. We didn’t know what to do. It was 1.15pm and the cars were due any second to get us to the church for 2pm. My wonderful supermum came to the rescue: “I’ll sew her into it!” she said. Genius. With an experienced hand, no one could see the tacking on the side of my girl’s dress – and by a stroke of luck, it was down the side, right under her arm – and we had shawls so now one would know. Phew! Then I noticed that the two black London hackney carriages I’d booked hadn’t arrived. And it was getting on for 1.30pm. I called to find out where they were. As I’d given my credit card details and had reference numbers, I wasn’t too worried. Then I was told “No drivers have picked up the job.” I called again two minutes later – “But I’M THE BRIDE!!!” I squealed, in true bridezilla fashion. It didn’t seem to have any effect. I just couldn’t believe it. We’d been recommended this major London firm by a very experienced London cabbie friend. And I had no idea when I booked that there was a slim chance the drivers might not arrive. Fortunately, my parents – God love ‘em, came to the rescue and offered to take us there. As we jumped into their cars with our flowers, I looked up our street and saw two little girls leaning out of an upstairs window. “Good luck!” they yelled. It was really sweet – and by now I really needed some of that luck. Then, something happened when we got to Chelsea, a blissful moment of magic: our luck began to change. First, we found free parking spaces. And as me, my mum, dad (in his mourning suit) and my five bridesmaids tottered across Sloane Square (me looking slightly panicked, everyone else just relieved to be there) everyone started looking and smiling at us from the pavement cafes. Despite all the panic, we must have looked quite a party. Our wonderful Bishop managed to stop me hyperventilating as I started to walk down the aisle with dad and as everyone turned and smiled I just knew this was already going to be the best day of my life. I won’t bore you with the rest of that magical day. But I just wanted to say to all brides to be: do try everything once. And don’t panic if things go wrong – they will. Whatever happens, you will still have the time of your life with your new husband. Have you ever experienced a near wedding-day disaster? Talk about it here. 04 septiembre August - your feedbackWhoop whoop! It's monthly mailbag time again! You know, that time of the month when we jump headfirst into the enormous amounts of feedback we get from our users (that's you folks) and do our best to answer your questions/complaints/queries and, every so often anyway, bask in the warmth of your generous praise.
It's a particularly exciting mailbag this month, as it's the first time we'd done it since the launch of our super-duper mega-channel, Life & Style. We've separated the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and combined the best bits from our Health and Lifestyle channels and come up with this far superior offering.
And you seem to like it, so far anyway. Here's the pick of your comments from the last four weeks.
First up, alternative therapies: do they work? Our article didn't work for all of you, however. Karen said: "My main point however with regard to these therapies is that many, many people benefit from them, where is their voice? No one drug will suit every person, every symptom, every time. This applies to complementary therapies too."
I agree with your point Karen - we are all different and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else. All we can do however is provide people with an introduction to what these therapies do and how they work and tell them what the general consensus is among the scientific community. I also hear what you're saying about the comfort these therapies provide to people, some of whom may be very ill, and this is something I should have made reference to in the article.
Richard, on the other hand, said that we could have gone into more detail when describing the therapies, in order to "give people a better understanding so they can decide if they want to try them out." Sorry if you felt we weren't thorough enough, Richard, but we like to keep our features to a certain length so that people don't get bored! If you need any more information, however, just Windows Live Search it and I'm sure all your questions will be answered.
Now, moving on from that shameful plug: 30 things to do before you're 30 was always going to be controversial, wasn't it? Affy said it "trivialised sex", presumably one of the entries was 'have sex.' Believe us, Affy, we'd never do that, sorry if that upset you. Always practice safe sex people!
Cameron liked the article, however, saying it was "fun and nostlagic". Glad to have been of service, Cameron. Matt, however, took positive feedback to new levels, sending us a great email which included his response to each entry. Glad to see you've managed to do 26 of the things on the list, Matt, sorry I can't print your email in full (it's too long!).
Beck felt compelled to write to me following my blog entry below (August 29) regarding the horrific images of diseased organs the government is planning to put on cigaretter packets. She said: "I've been a smoker for 30 years and three months ago I finally kicked the habit mainly for health reasons. So I think that the pictures will help smokers to stop and think about what they are doing to themselves. So let the government print the horrible pictures because it may be the wake up call that some smokers need."
Me and you Beck, all the way. And that, as they say, is that.
Until our next jolly meeting,
Ross Jane Tomlinson: gone but not forgottenThe mood on the Life & Style desk this morning can only be described as 'somber', with the news that Jane Tomlinson, the cancer fundraiser, has died, seven years after being diagnosed with advanced metastatic breast cancer.
Despite being told she only had just six months to live, Tomlinson decided to take up running and completed a full ironman (4km swim, 180km bike ride and a full marathon), two half ironmans, three London Marathons, three London triathlons and the New York Marathon, raising £1.75m for several charities along the way.
Tomlinson was the only person known to have ever taken part in a marathon while on chemotherapy, of which she underwent four courses. These treatments, combined with an intense drug regime, meant she also suffered from chronic heart disease.
Perhaps Tomlinson's greatest achievement, however, was a gruelling 4200 miles bike ride across the US. She set off from San Fransisco in June 2006 and arrived in New York City on September 2006. She also completed two other long distance bike rides, Rome to Home and John O'Groats to Land's End. Tomlinson was awarded a CBE in the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours List and received numerous other awards in the years before her death, aged 43.
Unfortunately, not everyone was such a big fan. Tomlinson received abusive phone calls from several people who accused her of lying about her terminal illness - something which is no longer open to debate. Others complained she was spending too much time away from her children in her final precious years, a claim strenuously denied by her family.
Who knows how she did it. It may have been the fact that she kept her body strong throughout her illness. It may have been her positive attitude. Maybe she was just lucky. Whatever it was, she deserves to be remembered not just for the way in which she defied the doctors' predictions for so long, but for her selfless dedication to raising money to ease the suffering of others.
The great Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor, once said: "Fall down six times, get up seven." Tomlinson must have felt that she was knocked down countless times, but still she refused to give in. And for that, Jane Tomlinson, we salute you.
Ross 29 agosto Picture perfectI've just been reading that cigarette packets sold in the UK will soon carry pictures which highlight the dangers of smoking. You know, diseased lungs, hideous tumours, that sort of thing. I for one think it's about time. There is only so much the 'smoking kills' labels can do - after all, most smokers were aware of this already. Images such as these are already on cigarette packets in other countries, and reports suggest that they have inspired people to quit. No doubt there will still be a hardcore of people unbowed by the graphic images, and pro-smoking lobby Forest have already said that this is further evidence that smokers are being 'victimised.' Puh-lease.
Anyway, I'd be interested to hear what our readers think - are the images a good idea? Would they convince you to quit? Be sure to let us know.
Ross 22 agosto Rainy days are here to stayYou know, sometimes I really hate this country. On my way to work this morning, it started raining so hard that my umbrella was rendered completely useless. Then the wind picked up, and ruined my brolly altogether. My usually pleasurable stroll to work was totally depressing.
It really brings home the impact weather has on our general mood and overall wellbeing. When the sun was out, just briefly, a couple of weeks back, I couldn't have been happier. I spent a whole day in a hammock one weekend, looking up at the sun. This weekend I imagine I'll be sat indoors staring out at the rain. Humpf. There really is something to this SAD thing, isn't there?
Thankfully I'm off to California for a holiday in a few weeks - if it's not sunny there I may as well just give up now.
cheers,
(a rather soggy) Ross 14 agosto I'm in charge nowHello. Is it me you're looking for? Well, even if it isn't then I'm afraid you don't have much choice. Nic, my gorgeous, glamorous partner on the Life & Style channel has just signed her life away and is currently on honeymoon somewhere exotic south of the equator.
So you're stuck with me for the next three weeks or so, I'm afraid. But nevermind, your favourite lifestyle destination on the web is safe with me.
To help me out, it would be great to hear what our users, ie you, think of the new channel. For those of you who haven't been paying attention, what we did was take the best bits of our lifestyle channel, mixed them up with the most popular parts of our health pages, added a splash of our editorial magic, stood well back and watched as KABOOM! our new superchannel was born.
Things are going great guns so far, but if there is anything in particular you like, dislike or would like to see on the Life & Style channel, then please let me know.
I'll be back soon with some more twaddle.
Ross 08 agosto Welcome to Life & Style!Welcome to the brand new Life & Style section at MSN. Our motto here is Look Good, Feel Great, so we’ll be doing everything in our power (editorially, of course) to help you do just that. We’ll be bringing you the very latest fashion, beauty, health and wellbeing news and gossip. From what’s happening on the catwalks to what’s new in stores, as well as the latest pots of goodness and make-up products to make you feel fabulous. We’re also launching a new Men’s Style section so we’ll have the latest trends and grooming products to get the guys feeling on top of the world too. Over in wellbeing, we’ll have well-researched advice on eating healthy, plus there’s a new section called the Treatment Room, where we’ll be bringing you spa, massage and facial reviews. Now the hard work will all be done for you, as in an instant you’ll know the most idyllic places to go to sit back, relax and enjoy a good pampering. To help you get that perfectly toned beach body, look no further than our Get Fit section, where we’ll be showing you how to lose ten inches in ten hours, plus look into alternative ways of getting the figure you’ve always wanted by climbing, Pilates, or even using different running techniques (who’d have thought there were any?). So that’s left for us to say is take a look through, we hope you enjoy it and come back and see us tomorrow! 07 agosto Health issues: your feedbackTime again for me to dive headfirst into the buckets of feedback you have sent to us during the last four weeks. Not surprisingly, this July you have been mostly talking about The Smoking Ban, or the Big Bad Ban (BBB) as I like to call it. It's always good to kick things off on a positive note, so here's a word of complaint from Sebastian. "On your site you describe smokers who smoke less than 10 cigarettes as being 'light' smokers. This is very inappropriate, smoking leads to a higher risk or morbidity and mortality, whether you smoke 1,5,10 or 20. Please can you change your article immediately - otherwise it is tantamount to suggesting that smoking 10 or less is not bad for your health." No can do, Seb, though please rest assured that we at MSN Health & Wellbeing would never suggest that smoking 10 fags a day or less is not bad for your health. I'm 100% with you on that one. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who smokes, regardless of how little or how much, may as well cut out their lungs, cook them up and eat them with some flava beans and a nice chianti. Moving on, and Reno has this bit of advice for the 70% of smokers who claim they want to give up. "When your desire for a cigarette is intense, have an orange. It worked for me and it's the fifth year since I stopped." There you go, easy as that. Want to stop smoking? Eat an orange. Jean, on the other hand, thinks the ban is: "Ludicrous. Pub in general are places where people go to drink, chat and smoke. Bit by bit this country is becoming communist. We are being told what we can eat, what we can or can't do in schools and in the workplace and now it seems in our homes too. I remember years ago watching a film where all books were banned and anyone having a book in their home was arrested and all books burned. I can't remember the name. We people of this country need to stand up now and say ENOUGH is ENOUGH." Well, first of all Jean, the film you're talking about was probably the screen version of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. But I don't think we can really compare the the BBB to the burning of books, can we? I think we need to put this ban into perspective - smoking hasn't been banned, it's just been banned in places where the smoke can damage the health of other people. How can anyone argue with that? As Karl wrote in to say: "Why take the chance?" Right on brother. Right then, on to other things. John, it seems, enjoyed our article about the benefits of taking a regular siesta. He says: "I discovered in my early 20s that a nap after lunch was beneficial. I tend to only do it now if I actually feel sleepy and in my working days if I was in the office I would find an empty interview room and book myself into it for 30 mins to have a nap! I found I was more productive after that than I was if I spent the next two hours trying to keep awake and get on with my work!" I'm all for it John. In fact, now that the sun's out and it's lunch time, I may just take you up on that advice. Before that, however, James has a suggestion. "I read MSN Health & Wellbeing to learn more about health. On several occasions I have written to you regarding Tai Chi and the lack of articles [on this subject] on the channel. I feel strongly that Tai Chi is a hugely misunderstood subject and I wish to bring a clear understanding of how Tai Chi can benefit to people. Practically everything else except Tai Chi is mentioned - boxing, yoga, but Tai Chi is absent." We take your point James, consider it in the plan for the next few weeks. End of. Ross July Mailbag: what you've been sayingWe’ve had some great discussions on the lifestyle message boards this month, with many of you feeling really quite angry that the likes of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan are given so much publicity. Stuart Fitzgerald summed up his views in this nutshell: “These drunk tarts should be locked up. I don't want my wife or members of my family killed in a road accident with some drunk bimbo who has the cash for a cab home or a personal driver all night. If you're going out to drink bubbly and do coke all night, why on earth would you drive? Their irresponsible attitude sickens me. Throw the key away!!” While Sue Hurst added: “I think the real root of the problem is this celebrity culture that has been created. It must be handy for the governments and so on - if the public is occupied with such gossip, they will be too distracted to protest about real issues like the war in Iraq, civil liberties being eroded, medical staff working long hours for the sort of annual wage that these celebrities could spend in a single shopping trip. “My only hope is that human beings will wake up one morning and realise they don't need this celebrity gossip, then maybe we will not end up with a future where thousands of words are devoted to someone like Paris Hilton who is famous for being famous.” So enough of negative role models, we asked you what you thought about the launch of a new model agency that plans to buck the size zero trend and only employ girls with curvier frames. Fierce Model Management is looking back to the days when the most beautiful people were the likes of Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington, women with more shape than the likes of Kate Moss and Lily Cole. Binifer definitely liked the idea, commenting: “Seems to me a positive step! It’s about time that models started looking more like real women. There are plenty of gorgeous women about that would inspire other women, without looking like stick-thin under-developed 10-year-olds. Good Move!” But Mags UK had felt a bit more cynical about the idea: “Well I hardly think a new model agency is the answer!! For a start the media should STOP promoting looks as the be all and end all of what a woman is! They seem to have forgotten we have a brain and are more than able to use it! The media is stuck somewhere in another time....it certainly isn't the 21st century!!! ” On Looking Good Naked, a thread that remains hugely popular on the boards, Mustangsalb added her experiences into the mix: “I hate my boyfriend seeing me in the buff!” she said. “BUT only because past boyfriends have put me down & called me fat! I’m a 14/16 and I know I’m not huge but I have wobbly bits. My boyfriend encourages me to love myself and says I look great but unfortunately nasty comments have stuck!! So he now has to pay for someone else's horrible attitude!! I’m coming round though ;)” Fortunately Finditlaughable had some brilliant advice in one of our favourite postings this month: “Know what ? If any guy makes a negative comment to me or about my friends or just in general ... I just say "Bloody hell, who christened you Brad Pitt today?" It soon shuts them up. I have to laugh at people who are so far up their own ass and think they are perfect! None of us are perfect, the only woman that is truly perfect is a fake... she' s photographed and it's touched up beyond belief. Love your body, fat, thin scarred or pasty... it's your body and it's totally unique... just like you.” On the subject that 40 has become the new 30, Rosyprospects posted this lovely comment to warm our cockles: “I belong to a ‘wrinklies club’. Our oldest member is 91 - I am the third oldest and I'm six years younger than our nonagenarian. Most of the others are what I call "sweet old dears" but they make me feel young and carefree. I have ENJOYED getting old. Each decade has brought its differences along with the ability to go on enjoying what remains the same.” And on the ‘men and women getting sexier with age’ debate, Blues Baby commented: “I think women get sexier because they get more confident with themselves as they get older, a lot of people who are older have natural beautiful anyhow. Today the urge to have plastic implants and silicone has gone a bit too far and looking at some of the people who have had surgery, they seem to have made themselves worse rather than better. As the saying goes beauty is only skin deep. Most people would agree beauty comes from within. ” While Tom Barton added: “I think women get sexier because they get more confident with themselves as they get older, a lot of people who are older have natural beauty anyhow. Today the urge to have plastic implants and silicone has gone a bit too far and looking at some of the people who have had surgery, they seem to have made themselves worse rather than better. As the saying goes beauty is only skin deep. Most people would agree beauty comes from within. ” Thanks Tom! And finally, one of our most touching posts came from Sue617 this month, under the heading, disabled and bored: "I'm disabled and very bored. I've 2 lovely daughters and a great husband but I'm still bored! I'd love it if there was someone who shared the same interests as me:- rock n roll (Eddie Cochran, Elvis, Richie Valens etc), drawing, photography, a good laugh, films (thrillers, war, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood) and my 2 Labradors - Jack and Max. I used to have loads of pen friends but nobody puts pen to paper now, do they? Mind, we only seem to talk to other via the internet or if we're shouting abuse at someone! “Anyone out there fancy having a moan about anything and everything? I love having a good talk about anything (and a good moan). At the mo' hubby's watching Jethro (or rather, he's doing a good impression of it through closed eyes!) the dogs are chasing one another around the kitchen, and my stepson and his fiance have dropped in for supper. They're going to help me plan a surprise party for hubby's birthday. I love planning and giving parties, especially themed ones. Hope this wasn't too boring and I look forward to reading those moans ans whinges!” You can join the thread here. Thanks for all your great postings on the message boards this month! We'll aim to come up with some more hot topics to debate in August. Nic 23 julio The big wedding expenseThe average cost of a wedding is now £20,000. So it comes as no surprise to discover that the number of marriages in England and Wales is at its lowest since 1896. The fear of getting into horrendous amounts of debt may well be putting people off.
And with celebrities rubbing our faces in it by spending a million quid or more on their big days (knowing it will all be paid for by some glossy magazine) potential brides-to-be are left feeling like they can’t possibly compete. Take Alex Curran for example. She reportedly wore a £60,000 dress to her wedding, where the cake alone cost £20,000. Her marriage to Steven Gerrard was estimated to have cost a cool £1million, £800,000 of which was stumped up by OK! magazine. Still, that’s nothing compared to Liz Hurley and Arun Nayer’s nuptials. They spent a whopping £1.25 million getting hitched (twice!), while Paul McCartney and Heather Mills forked out £1.5 million. But it’s Liza Minnelli and David Gest who top the bill for the most expensive celebrity wedding on record. How much did they spend? £1.75 million. They divorced four years later. Us Lifestyle Editors wanted to put things in perspective and take this whole wedding madness down a notch. Sarah Stone got married in London earlier this month in a lovely but intimate ceremony without breaking the bank, while Nicole O’Neil is holding a bash for well below the national average. Find out more here. And to all brides-to-be, lots of luck on your big day. It doesn’t matter how much have to spend, as it will still be one of the best of your life. Nic x Chasing the pelotonFor most people who are into cycling, their interest in the sport seems to stem from a childhood fascination with the Tour de France. I, on the other hand, have only recently discovered the event, but have been captivated by the race for the last couple of years and was delighted to see it weave its way through London and the Kent countryside. It's undoubtedly one of, if not the, most gruelling sporting events in the world, lasting 22 days (with only two rest days for riders) at a distance of 3,550km. I have also been drawn into the sport after reading the great Lance Armstrong's two autobiographies, which not only tell the story of his record seven consecutive Tour de France wins (from 1999 to 2005) but also describe his battle with cancer, which occured before he had won his first Tour. In fact, the main focus of the books is not his success on the bike, but his defeat of a disease which very nearly took his life. One doctor gave him less than a 5% chance of survival. Without doubt they are the most inspiring, unputdownable books I have ever read. "Fall down six times, get up seven," as the great man himself says. Anyway, I'm lucky enough to be heading out to France tomorrow to watch stage eight of the Tour as it the riders race from Le-Grand-Bornand to Tignes against a stunning Alps backdrop. We'll be watching the peloton (the name given to the main group, or 'herd', of riders) close up, and I can't wait. I'll have a glass of red wine in my hand at the time, if I have anything to do with it anyway, but rest assured I'll be 100% behind them... Then I'm off for a week's holiday in Provence, so I'll tell you all about it when I get back (the Tour, not my holiday). Ross |
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