Innehållsförteckning för TAK2342 från Take 5

I can’t remember what possessed me, maybe the impending summer and threat of flesh on display, but one winter I signed up to the gym, taking out a year-long membership. It was close to work, and I vowed to attend classes in my lunch break. But then me and a few of the girls in the office got really close, and instead of the gym, my lunch breaks were spent at the local cafe eating bacon, egg and beans, gossiping. Then I got a call from the gym. “Did we do something wrong?” they asked. “Is there anything we can do better?” I was confused. “No, why?” I said. “Because you’ve only been once in a year,” I was told. I gulped. “How much did that cost me?” I asked,…

I spent 31 days unable to move at all Christian McDonald, 49, Herberton, Qld. Sitting on the couch, I was shocked to discover I couldn’t lift my arms above my shoulders. “Something’s not right,” I told my wife, Tamara, 47. Earlier that morning in January 2020, after visiting a lake with my sons, Luke, 18, James, 16, and Timothy, 13, I’d struggled to lift our jet skis onto the trailer. My strength continued to deteriorate throughout the day. I was 46 and had never struggled like this before. “I think I need to go to emergency,” I told Tamara. Alarmed, she agreed. At the hospital, I could barely walk. What’s going on? I thought, terrified. The doctor said my symptoms were likely a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune…

While the cost of living has skyrocketed, the average wage has failed to keep up – so even if you haven’t actually had a pay cut, it might still feel that way. If that all sounds familiar, it’s likely you’re feeling ready for a pay rise. But how do you actually go about asking for one? Roxanne Calder, recruitment specialist and author of Employable: 7 Attributes to Assuring Your Working Future, says it’s easy to see why many of us avoid these conversations. “It is a delicate negotiation and, like any event significant to us, requires effort, thought and practice,” she says. Here, Roxanne shares five ways to help you out... 1 KEEP CALM Roxanne says keeping calm means maintaining a positive outlook. “Feeling disgruntled because you have not had…

My fondness for cake nearly killed my hubby Glenda*, 70, Perth, WA. Shovelling a forkful of cheesecake into my mouth, I quickly chewed and swallowed. Then I placed it back into the fridge and sat down at the kitchen table. Guilt immediately rushed in. “Why did I just do that?” I said, and was shocked when tears filled my eyes. “It was just a nibble,” my husband, Barry, said soothingly. “But I’ll never lose weight before the holiday if I keep getting tempted by things in the fridge,” I said. Barry and I had saved up to go overseas to meet up with our daughter Britney, who was living in London. We were going to France together and I wanted to look my best in all the photos I planned…

I gave birth as my fiancé fought for his life Skye Nykamp, 28, Aldgate, SA. My fiancé, Josh, grabbed his helmet and keys then headed for the door. “See you later, babe,” he said, smiling. “Enjoy your last ride before becoming a daddy,” I joked. It was 2021, and, at 36 weeks’ pregnant, Josh and I were on the final countdown before I was due to give birth to our first baby. Josh, 29, who worked as an electrician, was a keen motorbike rider, and although I’d always worried that biking was dangerous, I could understand his desire to join his mates, Jon, 29, and Levigh, 27, on a ride around the area. Three hours later, I was trying to nap to combat my nausea and diabetes when the phone…

I know why our love has lasted Louise Schofield, 52, Tairua, NZ. Walking along the road, my friend Katie grinned at me. “One drink in the Mon Desir?” she suggested, referring to the local pub. “You said we were going shopping!” I cried. It was December 23, 1990. I was a competitive swimmer so I didn’t tend to go out drinking like my fellow university students. Katie, 19, had invited me out, supposedly for latenight shopping, but on learning her hidden agenda I relented and was quickly glad I did. In the pub, I spotted a good-looking psychology student called Grant, 22. “I hear you’re a swimmer,” he said. “I’m training for a triathlon, maybe you can give me some pointers.” I hadn’t even thought about having a boyfriend at…

Between work, family and other life commitments, finding the time to exercise can often fall by the wayside. But being busy shouldn’t come at the expense of your fitness. All you need is a spare five minutes to squeeze in a workout. Yes, really. Here are five exercises you can do in just five minutes. Do each exercise for one minute, and if you feel you can go for more, then do it all over again! LUNGES Begin your basic lunge with your feet together before taking a big step forward. Once you step forward, bend both knees so that your back knee bends towards the floor. Stay in that position for a few seconds, then step your front leg back and repeat on the other side. PLANK Planking burns…

I knew something was different down there Evelyn Miller, 32, Gold Coast, Qld. GRAPHIC CONTENT Alone in my bedroom, I tried again to insert the tampon. It was 2003, and, aged 13, I had recently started getting my period. “It won’t go in,” I moaned to my mum. “It will, Evelyn,” she responded. “You mustn’t be doing it properly.” As much as I tried, I couldn’t get it to insert. I was 16 when I got my first boyfriend, but when we attempted sex for the first time, it was incredibly painful. “I feel like I’m hitting something,” he explained, as he tried to enter me. Something was abnormal about my anatomy, but with only dial-up internet on our property outside of Adelaide, I couldn’t search for answers easily. I…

Heather Mack was destined for a life of privilege. Her dad, James Mack, was a famous jazz composer and her mum, Sheila von Wiese-Mack, was a socialite and publisher, who was part of an elite social circle. The family lived in an opulent home and Heather was set to inherit millions of dollars, thanks to a generous family trust fund. But, in 2006, when Heather was just 10 years old, her dad died from a pulmonary embolism at age 76, while the family was on holiday in Greece. Her entire world imploded and with her grief, she set off down a path of destruction – drinking, taking drugs and going to wild parties. It strained her relationship with her mum, and they fought often, with police being called to their…

Jamie McInerney, 29, Mount Gambier, SA. Kids chatted cheerily around me as we tucked into sandwiches during lunchtime. I wanted to say something, but my brain didn’t let me get the words out. Frustrated, I stayed silent. For the past three years, since I was five years old, my days had been filled with hospital appointments, after I’d been in a car crash. I had no memory of the incident but my mum, Briony, explained it to me. “We were pushed into oncoming traffic by a car that hit us from behind, and then we were struck again by another car,” she told me. The force of the crash had caused my brain to shake violently, fracturing my skull from inside and causing me to have a severe closed head…

LIBRA Sept 24 – Oct 23 A solar eclipse in your sign is twofold. On the one hand, it’s a brilliant new beginning. On the other, you have to give something up. Hint! It’s the fears, worries and rent-free thoughts on your mind. ★ This week, find your sense of peace. CAPRICORN Dec 23 – Jan 20 Is the career ladder you’re climbing the one you really want to be on? This is the question you’ll be pondering this week. While new opportunities are likely to open up, others may close. It’s a catch 22. ★ Decide between what you want now and what you want most. ARIES Mar 21 – Apr 20 You would do anything for love – but you won’t do that? That song could be your…

Living in my pink house has been a dream come true Dena Danielle, 54. Browsing the shelves of the op shop, I turned around and let out a gasp. I’d just spotted what could be Barbie’s dream mansion. “I have to get that,” I said to myself. It was 2020, but the plastic doll’s house looked like it was from the ’90s and was in terrible condition. At the time, I’d been creating miniature paintings that I sold online. I thought the doll’s house could be used as a fun prop. I could hang my tiny paintings up in it, take photos, then put them online to help me sell them. Back home, I painted the outside walls of the doll’s house pink and the roof grey. It looked magnificent.…

I thought my life was ending, but then Grandad came to the rescue Jasmine Molyneux, 26. Drying myself off with a towel, I noticed my partner, Nathaniel, watching. “You smell nice,” he said. “What’s the occasion?” “Nothing,” I replied. “I just had a shower.” It was 2020, and I was 23 and living with Nathaniel. We’d met the previous year. Back then, he’d been quiet but very protective and caring, always making sure I got home safely whenever we went out. But as our relationship grew serious, Nathaniel revealed a darker side. “Don’t cheat on me,” he said repeatedly. It seemed an odd thing to say as I hadn’t given him any reason not to trust me. “I’d never be unfaithful,” I assured him. Then he started complaining whenever I…

My dog is the talk of the town! Anne Hewson, 68, York, WA. I opened the door to find my son, Callum, standing there with a six-week-old Border-Collie-cross puppy. “For you, Mum,” he smiled. “I found him advertised on Gumtree.” It was 2018, and I’d been grieving the loss of my rescue dog, Toby, who had passed away six months earlier after being with us for 12 years. “He’s so cute,” I said, taking the new little bundle of fur into my arms. My spirit was immediately lifted by his warm personality. After a long discussion, we eventually decided to call him Baxter. As he got bigger, Baxter proved to be very energetic. My youngest son, Chris, and I took turns flinging balls for him to chase on our five-acre…

Bold brows For natural-looking brows in a flash try Rare Beauty’s Harmony Precision Pencil. With a fine angled tip for seamless hair-like strokes, and a lush spoolie brush, simply apply, blend, buff and say hello to defined brows. Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Pencil, $34 Pretty in pastel Mecca Max have added six pastel hues to their range of eyeshadows. From soft lilac to baby blue, the lightweight formula is highly pigmented, easy to blend, and offers a flattering matte finish. Mecca Max Zoom Flex Fluid Liquid Eyeshadows, $22 each Protect your pout Our favourite Fresh product just got a snazzy update. The iconic Sugar Lip Treatment is now available in three limited edition shimmer shades – Lily Luster, Radiant Rose and Dewy Daisy. Perfect for softening post-winter lips, the…

Dear Take 5ers, My partner has a drinking problem, but he refuses to admit it’s an issue. He drinks a bottle of wine most nights and even more at the weekend. His habit is costing us a fortune and I hate it when he starts slurring and behaving erratically. I love him, and he’s the loveliest person ever when he’s sober, but whenever I try to talk to him about cutting down, he dismisses me and says he’s just winding down after work and could stop if he wanted to. What should I do? Tanya*, 41. Give him an ultimatum. You or the booze. If he chooses the booze, which he will, you need to walk away now. I was married to the exact same type of person. He chose…

Pet’s revenge  I had workmen at the house so locked our two cats in the bathroom to keep them safe. They were furious and yowled for almost an hour. I knew they’d get their revenge and they sure did, somehow managing to press the lock. I couldn’t access the only loo in the house! I had to suffer the indignity of relieving myself in the back garden while I waited for my husband to get home and remove the door handle! Charlene Mason, Gawler, SA. Missing the personal touch I might be showing my age, but I clearly remember when petrol stations had an attendant who would come and pump your petrol – but that type of customer service is disappearing. We have ATMs instead of bank tellers, machines in…