Woman's Weekly Living Series

Just make sure that you pick up the pace to boost the health benefits. You’re more likely to die from a heart attack or cancer if you are a dawdler, according to a study at the University of Leicester. Researchers there found that sticking to a brisk

At age 90, Dame Joan Collins is still fabulous. In fact, during her recent BBC interview with Louis Theroux, she said, ‘I don’t feel my age. I don’t talk about it, I don’t even think about it!’ But how does she stay so youthful? ‘There is no particul

Follow the diet for at least two weeks – or longer if you wish – and make sure you drink plenty of water and green or herbal tea. This diet is flexible, too, meaning you can mix and match the meals from different days if you feel like it. BREAKFAST D

We’re a nation that likes to snack, so it’s no surprise that most of us end up putting on some weight as we get older. ‘Hormonal changes mean it’s normal for women to gain weight around their abdomen during the menopause,’ says Simon Wilkinson, from

There’s no dairy needed for this quick lunch. SERVES 1 PREP 5 mins COOK 5 mins ✱ 2 slices bread✱ Vegan butter or spread, for spreading✱ 1-2tbsp tomato purée✱ 1tsp dried mixed herbs✱ 25-50g vegan cheese (see tip), grated✱ Extra pizza toppings you enj

Stress and poor posture are two of the main causes of back pain. ‘People have also been spending less time exercising and more time sitting,’ says physiotherapist and osteopath Tim Allardyce*. ‘With poor dietary habits and weight gain adding to the n

Have you recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? Or have you been living with it for years? You’re not alone. In the past 25 years, the number of people diagnosed with the condition has more than doubled in the UK, from 1.4 million to 3.9 milli

Get your diet on track for the new year with some healthy choices to boost your brain. Research shows that what you eat, and how you eat it, can have an impact on your brain health. Crucially, the wrong type of diet can increase your risk of memory p

Brushing curly hair when it’s dry creates a ball of frizz. But a brush-through just before you step into the shower is a good thing, according to stylist Neil Moodie. ‘We lose around 120 hairs a day to make way for new ones to grow,’ he says. ‘If you

This quick salad is filled with fibre-rich grains and beans – great for a packed lunch or light dinner. SERVES 4 PREP 15 mins COOK 5 mins ✱ 150g edamame (soya) beans✱ 250g cooked, mixed grains (we used a pouch of Merchant Gourmet Quinoa, lentils and

Pressure sore severity ranges from discoloured skin patches to open wounds exposing underlying bone or muscle. They develop when large pressures are applied to the skin over short periods, or less pressure is persistently applied, disrupting the flow

Think it’s trickier now to stay slim than it was in your 20s? Sadly, you’re right. But you can still turn things around if you discover what’s derailing your diet. ‘Yes, it’s harder to lose weight after 50,’ says nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, au

Brilliant for balancing blood sugar, the basmati rice is digested more slowly than other types of rice so it helps keep blood sugar levels stable. SERVES 4 PREP 5 mins COOK 25 mins ✱ 2tbsp olive oil✱ 2 onions, sliced✱ 250g basmati rice, rinsed✱ 2 ba

If you want to boost your wellbeing, timing is everything. ‘Whether it’s having a set bedtime, or knowing exactly when you’ll eat your lunch, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that doing certain things at certain times of the day can be better fo

Simple, full of cream and a bit lemony, this cake is hard to resist SERVES 6 PREP 20 mins COOK 30 mins ✱ 4 medium free-range eggs✱ 300g caster sugar✱ 100g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing✱ 50ml neutral oil, such as sunflower, vegetab

Putting on weight for no apparent reason? Suddenly got an outbreak of spots? Can’t sleep? Your hormones might be out of sync, says consultant endocrinologist Dr Mary Ryan. Find out how to restore the balance through diet, sleep, exercise and HRT in h