Innehållsförteckning för HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2019 från Chat Specials

Sometimes all we need to get ahead in life is a little motivation, something that Aggie (pg32) proves. She never imagined what a cold would do to her little boy, but with a little motivation from his loving family, he performed a miracle. For years, Laura (pg40) was in denial about her weight, and never had the time to do anything about it. In the end it was her mum’s last words that motivated her to make a big change, and now she’s a completely different woman. Nothing will stand in the way of Melissa (pg10) doing whatever she can to give her little boy the life he deserves. He may be small, but he’s certainly proved that he is mighty. Even our pets need a bit of motivation at…

Melissa Harris, 41, Macksville, Australia Most parents feel excited as they wait for their children to take their first steps or say their very first words. But I was just happy to know that my son would make it past his first birthday. I had been with my partner Nik, 39, for two years and we had been trying to have a baby. With a daughter, Asha, 16, from a previous relationship, I thought I knew what to expect. During both pregnancies, I was hit by terrible morning sickness, and instead of gaining weight, I lost 3st 2lbs while pregnant with my second child. ‘He’s just letting you know he’s there,’ Nik laughed. ‘Well, I’ll be having words with him when he’s born,’ I joked. In January 2014, at eight…

Charlotte Sanderson, 24, Peterlee Slumping down on my bed, I stared in awe at my little sister, parading around in her new outfit. ‘I love that dress,’ I gawped at Jasmine, then 16, who was strutting her stuff in our shared bedroom. ‘You can borrow it if you want,’ she said, as she admired herself in the mirror. ‘Thanks, but I’d never be able to fit into it,’ I scoffed. At 17, I was already a size 18, and I’d always considered myself a ‘big-boned’ teenager. Especially compared to my slender sister, who was just a fraction of my size. Although, I was never particularly jealous. Jasmine had been born with a hole in her heart and the condition made it difficult for her to gain weight, so her size…

Janine Daw, 46, Widnes Scraping the food from my daughter’s untouched dinner into the kitchen bin, I dumped the plate in the sink and sighed with defeat. Why won’t she eat!? I thought. Grace, 12, was still sitting at the table, her legs dancing off her seat. ‘Can I go to my room now, Mum?’ she asked me. Although I hated letting her go to bed on an empty stomach, I knew there was no point starting an argument about dinner again. Not today. I didn’t have the energy, neither did Grace. But, watching her slink down the hallway, her tiny frame more like that of a 6 year old than a girl on the verge of her teens, my heart broke. Ever since she was a baby, Grace had…

Stefan Willis, 45, South East London Taking off my helmet, I shut the door behind me. ‘Dinner’s ready!’ my wife Jemima, 37, called. It was a Friday evening in October 2016, and I’d just returned from a long trek on my bicycle with the lads. Ever since the London 2012 Olympics, I’d had the cycling bug. Fully kitted out in all my gear, I loved the thrill of pedalling as fast as I could. I’d joined a cycling group, the Foxgrove Cycling Club, and I went out with them often. We went on all kinds of tours across Europe, clocking up about 1,000km a month. I went to sleep and ‘died’ ‘Looks delicious,’ I smiled, dishing out a large helping of lasagne and taking a seat. With my job as…

Aggie Roguska, 36, Bristol Stepping onto the scales, I knew I was overweight, and was getting close to 22st. ‘My weight isn’t going to help me fall pregnant anytime soon,’ I cried desperately to my partner Tomasz, 33. We had been trying to have a baby, but after having my son Oliver, 11, I had developed polycystic ovary syndrome. Getting pregnant wasn’t easy, and with each failed pregnancy, our dreams of a brother or sister for Oliver were dashed. I comfort ate to deal with the disappointment, and lived off a diet of sausage rolls and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bars. But enough was enough. So I joined a Slimming World club and lost a whopping 12st! And losing the weight seemed to do the trick – I was pregnant. In…

Words by Hattie Bishop Abigail Barry, 44, Herne Bay, Kent Walking to the shops with my kids Cassia, now 10, and Tom, now 13, I suddenly had a funny turn and wandered off the pavement. Completely unaware of what I was doing, I’d ended up right in the middle of the road. ‘Come on, Mum!’ Tom called. If my partner Lee, now 43, wasn’t about, they’d have to keep an eye out for me. Sometimes I just happened to lose myself and wander off. I wished I could stop it. But that wasn’t the only bizarre symptom I had. For nearly five years, I had been battling a merry-go-round of unpredictable habits. My weight was up and down, and I’d have memory loss and blurred vision. I was exhausted all…

Golden oldies According to new research, over 65s are the most physically active age group in the UK, with 44% of them taking part in sport eight times a month or more compared to only 29% of 25-34 year olds. The top sports for over 65s included swimming, cycling and going to the gym. The study by Decathlon found the second most active age was also the second oldest with 41% of 55-64 year olds doing at least eight rounds of exercise a month. Avoid the sting Bite prevention expert Howard Carter shares his advice on how to avoid those pesky mosquitos. Follow the C.L.O.A.K method to escape the sting. Cover up your arms and legs with long clothing Light coloured clothing is best. Odours are strong attractants. Wash thoroughly…

Family fun! Ellie’s Christening and first birthday with brother Ben Jenny and Mark, Buckinghamshire Say cheese! Bunny ears all round when I took my kids Sam, 9, and Savannah, 7, to see Detective Pikachu recently! Amanda Vlietstra, Bristol When in Rome My sisters Emily and Grace with our mum Melanie, whizzing around the streets of Rome on a four seater bike! Harriet Rose-Gale, Bristol Hakuna matata When I worked in a lion sancutary travelling South Africa. Aimee Williams, Yeovil Shake it My son didn’t know where to look in this belly dancing restaurant. Christina Kendall, Hertfordshire Lift off! Tipsy lift selfie with my friends Claudia and Natalie from London. Hattie Bishop, Bristol Sister, sister! Ivy and Rose loving their first holiday together! Stacey Moxham, Bristol Cheers! On the bev’s at…

PALMERS COCONUT WATER HYDRATING FOOT CREAM, £4.00, SUPERDRUG Transform rough and calloused feet. This indulgent formula will hydrate, soothe and soften feet as it penetrates extra dry, cracked feet. An affordable pedi, from the comfort of your home. For the best results, use with the foot scrub and foot oil. BODY SHOP SPECIAL EDITION GINGER BODY SCRUB, £15, THE BODY SHOP Enriched with ginger root extract, all the way from India, this gentle exfoliator will leave your skin soft and silky. Refreshingly zingy, you’ll be whisked away to an exotic world, leaving you confidently gorgeous. VENUS PLATINUM EXTRA SMOOTH RAZOR, £11.99, BOOTS Give yourself a boost of confidence in your shaving regime, with this beautifully designed metal handle. Made with a diamond-like coating and five-blade technology, you can glide over…

Standing at the kitchen window, I watched as my beloved pup Bertha ran around outside. ‘Yay, Bertha!’ I cheered, tears rolling down my cheeks as she jumped up the stone steps. It might have seemed like an overreaction, but it hadn’t been an easy journey to get here. Just a few months before, Bertha couldn’t even walk. I adopted Bertha back in October 2017, and she weighed 11lb 6oz. Almost triple the size of the average Chihuahua. I hadn’t intended on adopting a dog, but she just kept coming up on my Instagram feed. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue were trying to find a new loving home for her, after her previous owner had died. She needs a workout buddy, the advert read. And her story touched me. Bertha had been…

FILM AND TV 1 Which female singer plays Nala in the 2019 remake of The Lion King? a Beyoncéb Lady Gagac Rihanna 2 Which British celebrity featured in Season 7 of Game of Thrones?a David Attenboroughb Ed Sheeranc Phillip Schofield 3 What is the new Avengers film called?a Avengers: The Finalb Avengers: Endgamec Avengers: Age to End 4 Which celebrity wore four different outfits to the Met Gala this year?a Kim Kardashian Westb Lady Gagac Cara Delevingne 5 The BBC series Killing Eve is based on a series of short novels. Which British author wrote the novels in which the show is based?a Luke Jenningsb Charlotte Brontëc George Martin 6 Who was crowned the winner of Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins 2019?a Wayne Bridgeb Jeff Brazierc Heather Fisher SHOWBIZ 7…

INTERNATIONAL BEER DAY 2ND AUGUST 2019 International Beer Day is a global celebration of beer, taking place in pubs, breweries and backyards all over the world. Whether you fancy going out for a snakebite, a shandy or you want to brew it at home, the 2nd August is your best excuse to neck a pint. Firebox have tracked down the ultimate goodies to accompany your golden bev. Let’s cheers to drinking, eating and even wearing beer this month… RAIN OR SHINE Reading and Leeds Festival will take place on the 22nd to 25th August across the bank holiday. Write down the dates, circle it in your diary and get it tattooed if you have to. The headliners this year include The 1975, Post Malone, Foo Fighters, Bastille and Twenty One…

Nikki Bell, 29, Sydney, Australia Easing myself off the sofa, I shuffled to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea. ‘Not long now love!’ my husband Michael, 30, said, passing me on his way out the door. ‘The sooner the better! I feel like a whale!’ I told him. Pregnancy had definitely been harder for me the second time around, so I was taking it easy. To top it off, my doctor had found a blood clot in my leg, so I was in and out of hospital and on strong blood-thinning tablets. I’d been having a rough time with hugely swollen legs, general exhaustion, and I was more than ready to meet my new baby. I felt like such a whale ‘At least the new kid won’t…

Never forget When staying in a hotel, keep your shoes in the same place as your jewellery and passport. That way you won’t be able to leave without them. Jess McGirr, Cardiff Top point Use hairspray on the end of your sewing thread to help it slide through the eye of your needle. Theodora Christou, Bristol Lint roller Use a lint roller to clean the bottom of your handbag. Harriet Wood, Salisbury Clip it Use a toothpick or a hair clip to prevent tape ends from sticking back to the roll. Lauren Cordy, Bristol Ready to go Organise scarves by tying around hangers to store in your wardrobe. Lia Pilias, Hertfordshire All in one I always store my matching bed sets in the pillowcases so that I never lose full…

Ruth Beaman, 44, Doncaster Waving over the fence, my friend Nichola beckoned her neighbour as we sat in her back garden. ‘I just wondered if you’d like to go on a date with one of my friends?’ Nichola asked, playing the matchmaker. Her handsome neighbour grinned over. ‘With who?’ he laughed. ‘Ruth,’ she said, pointing to me. My cheeks flushed crimson. We’d been celebrating Nichola’s 30th birthday and I’d spotted her next door neighbour, Pete. ‘He seems lovely,’ I had whispered to Nichola. ‘I’ll set you up,’ she told me and before I could stop her she’d arranged for us to go out on a date. Pete was funny, handsome and charming and as we sat across the table from each other in a pub, his warm smile put me…

The British Heart Foundation funds life-saving research into heart diseases, which 4.7 million people in the UK are currently living with. Each year, nearly 170,000 people die from these diseases. One such condition is cardiac arrest, which is a critical medical emergency, where the heart stops pumping blood around the body, usually because of an issue with electrical signals in the heart. Unless it is treated immediately, it leads to death within minutes. In the UK, there are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year, and the overall survival rate for someone in the UK having a cardiac arrest outside of hospital is less than one in 10. Performing CPR can more than double the chances of survival in some cases. Find out more about CPR and how you…

Laura Raines, 40, Warwick Walking into the hospital room where Mum was laying, I leaned in and gave her a huge hug. ‘Thank you for coming,’ she said, as I held her tightly. ‘I wouldn’t be anywhere else,’ I replied, relieved that she seemed OK. She had something to tell me Just minutes before, I had received a call from the hospital telling me that my beloved mum Mary had fallen over. I raced to the hospital as quickly as I could, my hands trembling as I walked into the ward. I was so worried about her. At the hospital, doctors explained to me that as Mum had fallen over, she’d landed awkwardly on her arm and it had broken. Nurses had patched her up, but doctors explained that they…

Pasta making classes Whether it’s penne, ravioli or spaghetti, everyone has their favourite type of pasta. So, why not learn how to make your own from scratch at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School? Learn just how easy it is to make the perfect Italian pasta dough with this cookery course. Cut and shape your own carby treats, before whipping up a deliciously creamy sauce that caters to your taste buds. Sit down and relax with your peers as you devour your very own masterpiece. Whip out your new skills at the next family dinner and you’re sure to be the talk of the table. • £49pp with Buy a Gift • www.buyagift.com B Bakery’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tour Designed for both afternoon Tea enthusiasts and British connoisseur’s, this guided bus…

Stepping into the cubicle, I carefully took off my clothes and changed into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I was 16 years old, and had been roped into taking part in my school’s sports day. But, far from excited, I was dreading the whole thing. Not because I didn’t like sports, but because of the horrible red patches that covered my entire body. Normally I would be able to hide most of them under my school uniform, but now there was no chance of that. ‘Eew, what’s that all over you?’ one of my classmates said, pointing at me. As a teenager, there was nothing worse than being teased, but sadly, there was nothing I could do about it. Born in 1989 at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, I…

Are you an over-packer? Does your makeup run during the flight? Have no fear, here are some handy tips to help get you through check-in! • Transfer lotions and creams into a contact-lens case. • Place clingfilm onto open liquids before sealing with the lid to stop spillages. • Place a cotton pad on top of pressed powders before sealing with the lid to prevent it smashing. • Wrap your hair tongs in an oven mitt and slide down the side of your case. • Stock up on your favourite brands in duty free by making the most of the samples. They cost nothing! • Don’t bother packing a compact mirror, just use the selfie-mode on your phone! • Pack your makeup in the middle of the suitcase for extra…

Colin Jarvis, 55, Newton Abbot, Devon Sat at the dinner table with my fiancée Catherine, 54, tucking into a roast dinner, the atmosphere was tense. ‘You don’t even care about this wedding,’ she huffed. The food got stuck in my throat as I tried to swallow. She’d been off on one for the past few weeks and I was beginning to dread our special day. ‘Of course I do, love, please, let’s not get into another argument,’ I pleaded. ‘You’ve done absolutely nothing to help!’ she shrieked. She was getting herself more and more irate. I knew what was coming – she was about to snap. She picked up the bowl of roast potatoes and flung them at my head in fury. ‘I’m marrying a complete buffoon!’ she yelled in…

Meet the adventurous moggie who loves going walking with her owner. Charlie the cat has just started to be let off the leash by owner Fiona Milne, 50, when they go for long hikes together. Fiona introduced two-year-old Charlie to hillwalking slowly, first of all using a lead, but now lets her run free, picking her up if they see dogs on the path. Fiona, from Glasgow, says: ‘I started taking her out on a little harness, and we only take her to safe areas. ‘We tend to take her to places which are quite open, so we can see if there’s a dog coming and pick her up. ‘People stop us and say that they’ve never seen anything like it. ‘Being off the lead, she sticks by us. ‘We…

We’ve all got that one pair of small jeans stashed in our drawers that we’ve promised ourselves we will fit back into. And we’ve all got that one item of clothing that your mum persuaded you to buy, but you’ve never actually planned on wearing. We constantly convince ourselves to hoard unwanted clothes with fear of future regret. From the ‘It might come back into style one day’ excuse to the ‘But I could need this for fancy dress’ excuse – we’ve made them all! It’s time we emptied our wardrobes of items that we never wear and don’t need and put them to good use. In 2017, an estimated 235 million items of unwanted clothing went to landfill. Decomposing clothing releases harmful greenhouse gases, and the dyes and chemicals…

WHERE TO STAY If you’re planning a weekend away to this charming city, look no further than Jurys Inn. Located on Western Way, it’s just a 10-minute walk from Exeter Cathedral and St James Park train station. It’s also close to the High Street shops, restaurants and bars – perfect for exploring the city on foot. SIT BACK AND RELAX The hotel’s 170 bedrooms have recently been refurbished, and now include a large work desk with an ergonomic chair, flat screen TV, and spacious bathroom. Not to mention the hotel’s own DREAM bed! EAT UP The on-site bar is the perfect place to unwind – they’ve got a wide range of drinks on offer alongside tasty bar meals. The hotel also has an in-house contemporary restaurant and a Costa Coffee…

Walking into Target, 19-year-old Kelsey Smith was on her way to buy a present for her boyfriend, John Biersmith. The pair had been together for six months, and they were due to celebrate at a nearby restaurant, after stopping off at their friend’s pool party. As Kelsey walked into the store, she rang her mum, Missy, to ask where the photo frames were located. She wanted to get the perfect present for her boyfriend. Kelsey picked out her gifts, and after paying for them, headed back to her car. However, she never made it back home. John was waiting for Kelsey at her family home. When she failed to return, he and the Smith family grew increasingly worried. Kelsey grew up in a loving home, but as her father, Greg,…

Katharine Hill, the UK Director of the national charity Care For The Family (www.cff.org. uk) answers your questions. Family divide QI dislike my mum’s new boyfriend and he’s driving a wedge between us. I don’t even want to go and visit anymore. How can I make her see sense? Jen, London A You don’t say why you dislike your mum’s new boyfriend. Assuming he isn’t mistreating her or other family members, then part of showing love and support to your mum will be trying to get on with him. Don’t let the boyfriend drive a wedge between you both. Maybe think about how you can meet up with your mum when he isn’t around. Could you plan a regular shopping trip, a walk or other activity that would give you…

Ask our doc Dr Louisa Draper, Medical Director at Zava UK, (www.zavamed.com)answers your questions Tummy troubles I'm going away soon and worried about travellers' diarrhoea. What can I do to prevent it? Helen, London Travellers' diarrhoea affects many people going to destinations like Africa, Asia, and South America. Being careful with food and drink can help prevent it. Avoid tap water and ice in your drinks, and make sure your food is always piping hot and hasn’t been sitting out in the warm air. Avoid uncooked fruit and vegetables, and only go for fruits that you can peel yourself. It’s also essential to keep your hands clean to prevent the transmission of the infection. If you’re travelling to an area where the risk is high, you can prepare by getting…

DON’T FORGET... Many of us are increasingly aware of the damaging effects the sun can have on our skin, with the risks ranging from premature aging to melanoma. And despite lathering on the SPF, there are still some areas that we often neglect. Whether you’re enjoying the great British summer or jetting off to sunnier climes, here are five forgotten ways to stay safe in the sun… • SHIELD YOUR EYES Your sunglasses shouldn’t just be used to complete your holiday look – they are also essential for protecting your eyes from UV rays. Without them, you could contract photokeratitis, which can feel like sunburn in the eye! When picking your holiday shades, go for a pair that lets through no more than 1% of UVA and UVB rays. •…

Whilst us Brits love soaking up the sun, it’s a recipe for disaster for our creamy makeup. Talk Radio beauty expert, Lauren Naylor, is here to help your makeup stay in place all day long. 1. ORIFLAME THE ONE A-Z BB CREAM, £12, ORIFLAME Switch your heavier formulations for BB and CC creams. You’ll still get coverage, alongside an array of beauty benefits including SPF protection. As the temperature rises our makeup bags should lessen to prevent slips! 2. INGLOT UNDER MAKEUP BASE SPF20, £19, INGLOT COSMETICS However, if you insist on wearing foundation, prep the skin with a long wearing primer before application. It will fight against oil, keeping your makeup firm in place. Try to find one with UVA and UVB protection. 3. COLLECTION LASTING PERFECTION CONCEALER, £4.19,…

A MILLION MOTIVES Henri van Breda, 20, stabbed himself to cover what he’d done… The emergency call came from a gated-housing estate in South Africa. ‘My… my family and me were attacked,’ Henri van Breda, 20, stammered. ‘By a guy with an axe,’ he continued. First responders raced to the luxury home and found a messy bloodbath. Henri’s wealthy parents and his older brother had been hacked to death, while his teenage sister was fighting for her life. Henri was alive, too, with superficial chest wounds. It was 2015, and the van Breda’s were living on the De Zalze Golf Estate in the scenic wine region of Stellenbosch. They were worth an estimated £12 million. Dad Martin, 54, had made his fortune in real estate, over in Australia. However, he…

As I chatted with colleagues at my Christmas party, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit distracted. Waiting for me at home was a six week old labrador puppy and my childhood dream of getting a dog was finally coming true. I was itching to leave. Have you got her yet? I text my boyfriend Adam, 25. I’m sat in the taxi with her now, he pinged back and sent over a photo our new puppy Belle, nestled in his lap. When I walked through the door later that night, I couldn’t wait to get a cuddle with our new addition. ‘Hello Belle,’ I cooed. She was tiny and her little body could fit perfectly in the palm of Adam’s hand. ‘She’s adorable!’ I cried to Adam, as I…

THE WORLD’S END We’re in 2019, but wait, wasn’t the world supposed to end in 2012? The Mayan apocalypse was the biggest doomsday the world has had to date. The Mayans predicted the planet Nibiru would crash into Earth on the 21st December 2012 and end the world. And yet the sun rose and set, like any other day. Another prediction that never came true was Y2K in 2000. In the years leading up to the millennium, computer programmes only used two digits to represent years. It was theorised that when the clock struck 12:00 on 1st January 2000, the machines would not be able to read the year ‘00’. Newspapers warned that the glitch could spark a nuclear war. But 1999 passed into history with barely a whimper and…