Table of contents for 01 - 2023 in Best

As well as making tweaks to her diet, Gemma also shares details of her exercise routine with her loyal social media following. After ice-skating kickstarted her weight loss and gave her a new love for training, the Diva Forever star has taken up power walking more regularly. She also takes part in personal training sessions, doing both cardio and kettlebells, and shares videos to her Instagram to give her followers motivation.…

Davina McCall believes in love and laughter as much as she believes in staying in shape. Even her TikTok strap says ‘Just trying to make people laugh and smile’. And she does (check out the ‘Doing her best’ TikTok with daughter Tilly). She has three beautiful children – Holly, 21, Tilly, 19, and Chester, 16 – and a partner – celebrity hairdresser Michael Douglas. Despite losing her ‘legendary’ dad, Andrew, last March to Alzheimer’s, Davina is always looking for positives. Her dad, she says, taught her to love, live and laugh – and do what you can to stay healthy. ‘It’s a lottery… but I don’t drink, don’t smoke…’ she shrugs. Whatever ups and downs life throws at her, Davina tries to see the funny side. ‘Laughter is so important,’…

Flicking through the dating app, I stopped short. Him! The man I’d spoken to for a whole month, the man I’d had the perfect first date with, wandering around Bath hand in hand, sipping hot chocolate, talking about the future. Yet, after we’d kissed goodbye and I’d text him to say I’d had a wonderful time, I’d heard… nothing. I was so shocked that, yes, I admit, I was one of those women who presumed something terrible had happened. But no, here he was, perfectly healthy, back online dating. I let out a sigh of frustration. And disappointment… For a long time, I thought I’d never have to deal with the highs and lows of dating again. I’d fallen in love, completely and utterly, with an incredible man – then…

Want gorgeous locks in 2023? We’ve got proof that it doesn’t have to cost the earth to have healthy hair. Michael Douglas, who has Davina McCall and Dawn French on his client list, reveals how to tackle your tresses. From busting shampoo myths to the £2.99 must-have styling product, he’s got every hair dilemma covered… FAKE IT YOURSELF Super savvy swaps Some beauty products work well if you’re strapped for cash before payday. As an alternative to serum and texturisers, a 5p sized piece of Vaseline (pick up a small tub from Superdrug for £1.50) rubbed between palms and squeezed onto hair gives it that styled, ‘lived in’ look. To fill curls with moisture, a 10p amount of conditioner is a good curl creme substitute. You’ll find some of the…

MINDFUL MOISTURISER Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Nourishing Moisturiser, £19.95, is said to be a celeb secret weapon. This simple, soothing lotion is great for all skin types. CHILL-OUT CLEANSER Q+A Grapefruit Cleansing Balm, £9, nourishing and gentle, this melts away make-up thanks to its cocoa butter quota. TOP TIP Meditation has been shown to lower cortisol levels and help people sleep more deeply. If you need guidance, try an app like Calm, available on iOS and Android. SOOTHING SERUM Aveeno Calm+Restore Triple Oat Serum, £15.79, smoothes and fortifies the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving you looking rested and your complexion restored. CALMING FACIAL MASK Simple Hemp Ultra Calming Sheet Mask, £2.99 Formulated with organic hemp seed oil, vitamin E and omegas, this sheet mask will calm skin, whilst intensely moisturising it.…

Cheesy Nacho Burger There’s no need to pick up the takeaway menu – these Cheesy Nacho Burgers have got everything you’re craving! Takes 20 mins Cook 12 mins Serves 4 FOR THE BURGERS • 250g 5%-fat minced beef• ½ tsp smoked paprika• ½ tsp chilli powder• ¼ tsp garlic granules• ¼ tsp onion granules• ¼ tsp ground cumin• ¼ tsp dried oregano FOR THE GUACAMOLE: • ½ avocado, stone and skin removed, mashed with a fork• 3 cherry tomatoes, diced• 1 spring onion, trimmed and finely sliced• 1 tsp lime juice• ¼ tsp sriracha sauce• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper TO ASSEMBLE • 40g lightly salted tortilla chips• 40g reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, finely grated• Low-calorie cooking spray• ½ red pepper, deseeded and finely sliced• ½ green pepper, deseeded and finely sliced• 4 reduced-fat…

DEALING WITH THE FALLOUT Christmas was a total disaster and ended with a blazing row between one side of my family and the other. It all got ugly, and things were said on both sides that can’t be taken back. The worst part is, we haven’t spoken since, and everyone is being stubborn as to who will make the first move. I want to sort things out but don’t know where to start. Any advice would be much appreciated. Shanelle, Coventry Why don’t you opt to be the bigger person and set the ball of reconciliation rolling? You definitely don’t want to be estranged from your nearest and dearest forever so take control and start playing the pipes of peace. Falling out over the festive season is a national cliché.…

‘Happy New Year, everyone,’ I smiled into my camera. ‘If you’re looking to save money, why not start the penny challenge today? Save one pence today, two pence tomorrow and carry on adding a penny every day. By the end of the year, you’ll have £667.95. And if you’re looking to spread the cost of next year’s Christmas, start putting away £2 a day – or whatever you can. It’ll really take the pressure off.’ As I posted the useful video to my Instagram page, MoneyMumOfficial, I couldn’t help but feel proud. I was using the financial tips and tricks I’d picked up over the years to help other people manage their money at a time when, quite literally, every penny counts. I’d always been good with money, ever since…

WEST END MUSICAL BRUNCH, LONDON Ready for some feel-good fun with the girls?! In a secret London location, this West End Musical Brunch will have you revelling in five hours of stunning performances, as you tuck into a bottomless meal. Tickets from £69.95, designmynight.com/london/event-space/secret-london-location/west-end-musical-brunch-58 LUCKY VOICE, UK-WIDE They say singing is good for the soul, so get ready to warble and wait for the endorphin rush! Promising some of the best girls’ nights out, Lucky Voice has all you need: two hours in a private karaoke booth, alongside quirky props, signature cocktails and plenty to eat. For more info, see luckyvoice.com BLUE DOG, GLASGOW A veritable Glasgow institution since it opened its doors in 2013, keep the Winter chill at bay at this classy, New York-style piano bar – which…

There’s no denying it, as the New Year begins: times are tough. But actress and activist Joanna Lumley – famed for telling it like it is – thinks her generation is equally equipped to deal with it, ‘Sweetie darlings!’ Talking recently, the 76-year-old voiced the opinion that women were once made of sterner stuff: ‘If someone whistled at you in the street, it didn’t matter,’ she said, harking back to her early modelling days. ‘If someone was groping, we slapped their hands. We were quite tough and looked after ourselves.’ Toughness takes many forms and people will differ on what harassment is and how it should it be dealt with but, whatever else, her attitude shows a resilience and self-reliance that many older women will recognise. As for money worries,…

Read her book, Lessons I’ve Learned and Davina McCall will make you laugh and cry in equal measure. At 55, Davina is unapologetically ‘bad ass’. She’s been through a lot – early addictions to drugs and alcohol, estrangement from her mother, the death of her beloved elder half-sister Caroline in 2012, and dad Andrew last year as well as a divorce from TV vet Matthew Robertson. Her advice for those divorced or divorcing? ‘Don’t waste time on regrets.’ On raising kids: ‘I have to embarrass them a bit… I do feel it’s in my job title.’ On ageing: ‘It’s nothing. It’s just about confidence. And laughter? Describing herself as ‘half nun, half wild child,’ she says: ‘Always laugh, it’s so important!’…

Our skincare routines are an ideal opportunity to de-stress and lift our spirits. A little self-care can help us all feel so much better, and far from being a self-indulgent luxury, is a proven way to boost our wellbeing. Here’s how to turn your regime into a mindful experience to give you a glow inside… and out. STEP ONE A calming cleanse Swap wipes for a cream, oil or balm-based cleanser. Apply to your face, neck and décolletage using your fingertips. Rub in circular movements for 60 seconds on each area. This action will increase blood flow, which immediately plumps and rejuvenates. Rinse after one minute with a wet washcloth, then pat dry. The end result should be comfortable, dewy skin without feeling too tight. STEP TWO Feel good with…

SOFA SAVIOURS MONHOUSE HEATED THROW FROM £69.99 This has comfort and convenience in one product. Its generous size covers your whole body, with nine heat settings to get your ideal level of warmth. The soft fleece holds in the heat and, with a nine-hour timer, it works just as well on your bed too. RATINGS ★★★★☆ NECK WARMER £10, WILKO A hot water bottle that’s shaped to fit around the neck and shoulders, it sits where you’d normally wear a scarf, reaching an area often missed by blankets. The warmth also soothes any tension in this area. RATINGS ★★★☆☆ THINGS2KEEPUWARM HEATED FOOT WARMER £20.99, AMAZON If you use a hot water bottle on your feet, this has the added benefit of fixed slippers on top. It feels like a waterbed…

Diving down into the sea, I finally felt at peace. The sounds from the surface became muted and my body felt weightless as I used my tail fin to push me down to the seabed. Wearing my silicone tail and a sparkly bikini – designed with two shells and a starfish in the centre – I somersaulted back to the surface, flicking my long blonde hair. ‘Wow, it’s a real-life mermaid!’ a child said, open-mouthed. I swam in Cornish waters all year round, while free-diving to depths of 65ft and holding my breath for up to four minutes at a time. Mischief the Mermaid is my alter-ego and she reminds me that anything is possible. The world is my very own oyster… Growing up, I’d been obsessed with the water,…

TIME TO KICK THE HABIT! I have decided 2023 is going to be the year that I stop smoking for good – or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. As much as I’m tempted to go cold turkey, I know it’s not for me. Any thoughts on the best route? Corrina, Glasgow DR HILARY SAYS: Keep telling yourself ‘this is the year!’. Tobacco smoke contains over 5,000 chemicals, many of them poisonous and 70 of which can promote cancer. Smokers on average live 10 years less than non-smokers and smoking is the biggest avoidable cause of disease and premature death in the UK accounting for about 80,000 deaths per year. Remind yourself of these facts and if cold turkey is not for you think about nicotine replacement therapy, which…

Boiling the kettle, Hester flicked on the radio. ‘It’s New Year’s Day!’ trilled the upbeat DJ. ‘If you’re waking up with a sore head from last night’s celebrations, here’s Elvis to get you rocking!’ Hester didn’t have a sore head – not from over-indulging, anyway. She’d stayed in and counted down the chimes of Big Ben. Then, just as promised, her son Aaron had FaceTimed from Australia. They’d had a lovely chat and he’d turned his phone around to show her the family in the garden enjoying the sunshine. It had been 11am on New Year’s Day over there. She’d ached to reach through the screen and give him a massive hug. If anyone had hummed Auld Lang Syne at that point, she’d have been reduced to a puddle. Smiling…

SLEEP WITH ME Insomnia? Mind racing? Worries keeping you up? Tune in for a bedtime story – borne from creator Drew Ackerman’s childhood insomnia – which lets you forget your problems and gets progressively more boring, until you drop off! FOOD FOR THOUGHT A great one-stop shop for all your nutrition know-how, Food for Thought, with UK-based nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, equips you with all the evidence-based advice you need to live and breathe a healthy lifestyle. WALK TO WELLBEING In each episode of this wellness and walking podcast, you’ll join a celebrity who takes you on one of their favourite walks, sharing their wellness journeys as they go. Expect little tricks, big life lessons and a few secrets.…

CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January Capricorns like the Princess of Wales, and Whiplash actor and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons should trust their intuition when it comes to overhauling a big project. Diversifying their interests will protect them from and prepare them for any unexpected changes to come in the future. ARIES 21 March – 20 April A new personal journey is underway for you now. You will be filled with anticipation of what the year ahead might bring. It may be a while yet before it is in full swing, but arrangements are already underway that will bring big changes into your life. Now that these have begun, there will be no turning back. CANCER 22 June – 23 July The New Year sees you looking to take a…

Gemma Collins has always been very open about her struggles, sharing her various ups and downs, especially when it comes to her weight. And it seems the GC might have hit on a food plan that works – for she has reportedly shed a whopping three-and-a-half stone and is looking more confident than ever. As we go into 2023, the 42-year-old reality star has revealed how she’s hoping to continue with her health kick with intermittent fasting and following a more vegan-friendly diet. The former TOWIE cast member took to her Instagram and said that she is keen to try more plant-based food and snacks in the future. ‘I want to try more vegan treats, the GC is going VGC,’ Gemma told her followers as she uploaded a video of…

Their warm, laughter-filled friendship has melted hearts of viewers across the land – but not only are This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson best buds, they’ve also seriously slimmed down and are looking fabulous as they head into 2023. In a gorgeous backstage snap taken at last November’s ITV Palooza event at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the glamorous pair – both in black – looked like shadows of their former selves. Alison, 47, looked chic in a pair of statement sequin trousers, which she teamed with a black blouse and matching sequin jacket, while Josie, 37, looked equally showstopping in a black velvet dress that clung to ` her gorgeous curves. Captioning the snap, Josie wrote: ‘With my girl @alisonhammond55 look how smokin hot she is’ – speak for yourself,…

‘My New Year, but this week marks the first column of 2023, and I’m still celebrating. No, not Christmas or third birthday of the podcast I do, What’s Your Problem? With Nick Abbot and Carol McGiffin – which we started in January 2020 just before the whole world went bananas. We are two shows shy of 150 episodes, which in the podcast world is a bit of an achievement because, although there are millions of them, not many survive the course – and thanks to our many thousands of subscribers for that. In case you’ve missed out, in it, we “help” people with their dilemmas, conundrums and problems in, shall we say, a slightly less than serious way. I mean, we try, but mostly flippancy rules – but the listeners…

‘I’ll still shop – but second-hand!’ LINDSAY EDWARDS, 37, FROM BIGGLESWADE, BEDFORDSHIRE ‘I love your jumper,’ a friend commented recently. Stroking the silky soft wool, I beamed. ‘It’s Ralph Lauren,’ I confided. ‘I picked it up for £18 in a charity shop. It’s still on sale now for £150!’ As my friend gasped, I smiled with pride. I’d always loved shopping, riding on a dopamine high whenever I bought a new dress or top that promised to upgrade not just my wardrobe but my life. I became a stylist and, as I spent hours trawling the shops for my clients, my love of blouses, bottoms and everything in between grew. I could easily spend over £100 every month on my addiction. Then, I did a course on sustainable fashion and…

● Think positive and look at day-to-day problems as challenges, rather than threats. Focus on the moment instead of multi-tasking. Say no sometimes and set realistic goals, so you’re not trying to do everything. If you feel stress levels rising, smiling can help override the stress response. ● A balanced routine is essential for your wellbeing and will have a knock-on effect on your skin. Make some time for relaxation every day, in order for you to feel and look your best. ● Exercise for at least 20 minutes daily to release endorphins, which can banish anxiety and boost circulation. A fast walk in the fresh air is just as beneficial as the gym.…

HOW IT WORKS 1 Prioritise a good night’s sleep! Lack of sleep plays a huge role in how the reward centre of your brain functions, meaning it’s more difficult to resist unhealthy food. Sleep deprivation may also increase ghrelin (a hunger-inducing hormone) and a decrease in leptin (the hormone that signals fullness). Aim to get an earlier night twice a week. 2 Pre-pack your lunch. A 2015 study found that fast food consumption and our eating behaviours outside our homes are risk factors for a lower diet quality, with higher fat and calorie intake. Eating on the go is convenient but often results in poor food choices. Pack your lunch ahead of time to avoid sugar crashes. 3 Staying hydrated by drinking water (and lots of it) is vital to…

I knew that my husband, Anton, was just excited for me but every time he mentioned my impending 40th birthday, I felt sick to my stomach. ‘What’s the matter?’ he eventually asked, his voice full of concern. ‘Let me help.’ His words were to kind, I burst into tears. It may have sounded silly, but I couldn’t face starting another year looking the way I did. At 39 and size 20, I was overweight and painfully aware of it. I’d always been that way… Even when I was just eight years old, cheeks and tummy rounded with puppy fat, my self-confidence and self-image were rock bottom. Aged 12 and an adult size 14, my mum took me to a weight-loss group, but, as the youngest person there, I just felt…

While Pete famously met his ex-wife Katie Price in the Aussie jungle, he’s got a brand-new Queen to team up with – last year’s champ, Lioness Jill Scott. Pete recently invited Jill, 35, to join him on stage, after she sang one of his songs on the show. ‘We’ve spoken and she said she’ll do it,’ Pete tells us. ‘She’s on it!’ But it turns out Pete and Jill’s budding friendship started way before I’m a Celeb: ‘It’s a really bizarre thing. I’d been speaking to Jill for about a year on Instagram and I didn’t know it was the same person. I got a direct message from someone called Jill inviting me to her coffee shop. I knew she played football, but it didn’t click until she came out…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your story –…

MINIMAL AND MARVELLOUS With just a cream sofa, coffee table, a few books and views for days – this stylish sitting room is the epitome of less is more! For a similar style coffee table, we found this bargain one on Amazon – the Bravich Modern retro marble effect coffee table, for just £87. FRESH FINISH The LA kitchen is simple and stylish. From looking at how clean it is, we wonder if it’s actually ever used?! ROOM WITH A VIEW We’ll just leave this here… The star’s beautiful balcony view is out of this world! HIGH-HEEL HEAVEN Surely a shoe closet is every woman’s dream? Not only is each pair clearly well looked after, it looks like the Pussycat Doll has even colour-co-ordinated her fabulous footwear…. BARE IT ALL…

GREASE Available on Netflix The musical classic, set in an American high school, is the perfect flick to put a smile on your face. Starring John Travolta and the late, great Olivia Newton-John as on/off and then on again lovers Sandy and Danny. JERRY MAGUIRE Available on Netflix An oldie, but a goodie. Tom Cruise stars as a top sports agent for a big company who is fired and decides to go it alone, when he has a moral epiphany. But does he have what it takes to win the big contracts? JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION Available on Amazon Prime from Friday A Hollywood megacast, including Chris Pratt and Laura Dern, star in the final instalment in the Jurassic World trilogy. Dinosaurs are now roaming the Earth, while a genetically engineered…

Perfect podcasts GET MOVING Radio 1 Motivate Me Mix Sit back, relax and listen to inspirational tracks and mindfulness tips from a host of famous faces. VIPs – including EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, boxer Josh Warrington and England Lioness Ella Toone – take it in turns to introduce their favourite hits and other things that keep their mind in the game. Not only do the half-hour episodes feature toe-tapping tunes that can become your best friend during workouts, they’re also mood-boosting and get you pumped. bbc.co.uk/sounds KEEP SMILING Susan Calman Sunny Side Up The Scots comedian and broadcaster is on a one-woman mission to banish negativity and turn Great Britain into a nation of, if not exactly optimists, but those who see the bright side of life. Setting out to…