Innehållsförteckning för May 2025 från Top Sante

May is National Walking Month and we’ve got some exciting walking holidays to tempt you (page 26), tips for turning your walk into a workout (page 64), and stretches to do before and after your walk (page 76). Plus, travel writer Mary Comber heads to Austria (page 68) for a walking/spa holiday – what better place to visit for hiking with such gorgeous scenery? When it comes to fitness, I do love a good walk, but dancing is what does it for me (plus some weight training – got to look after those bones and prevent muscle loss). I made it my intention this year to do more dancing, in a variety of forms, and so far I’ve done pretty well. I’ve done salsa in London, partied with Dame Kelly…

Lifestyle beats genes Get exercising as your lifestyle has a greater impact on your health than genetics, says the University of Oxford. Researchers used data from half a million UK participants to assess the influence of 164 environmental factors and genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases on ageing. Less than two per cent of the variation in risk of premature death was linked to genetic predisposition. Smoking and lack of physical activity were among the factors that most impacted biological ageing. Professor Cornelia van Duijn said: ‘Our findings highlight opportunities to mitigate the risks of chronic diseases of the lung, heart and liver which are leading causes of disability and death globally.’ WELLNESS CAPITALS OF THE UK The best cities for wellbeing have been ranked* by factors such as…

CAN I ASK YOU AN ENORMOUS favour? I know you’re already busy with a to-do list as long as your arm… but this might just save your life or the life of someone you love dearly. I mean, no biggie. Every single group of women and girls needs one – JUST ONE – person who has done her homework. And I am asking you to be that person. And it will take a grand total of roughly 20 minutes to BE THAT PERSON. I promise if you finish reading this piece, I’ll also give you the best beauty hack I’ve ever been told. It’s really simple. All you need to do is to simply learn the main symptoms of the gynaecological cancers. That’s it! And you will, essentially, be a…

Q It feels as though my skin has changed overnight, becoming much drier and more lined, and I’m wondering what’s going on and if there’s anything I can do? A One major factor is hormonal changes. Declining oestrogen in midlife can lead to reduced collagen and elastin production, which are the proteins that keep skin plump and firm. Without them, skin becomes thinner, drier and less resilient, which can make wrinkles more noticeable. Another issue is hydration. As we get older, our skin produces less natural oil, which is why it can feel so much drier. Environmental factors such as central heating in winter, sun exposure, or harsh skincare products can worsen this dryness and accelerate visible aging. What can you do? Focus on hydration and nourishment. Use a richer…

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS long navigated the labyrinth of weight management, my journey is uniquely challenging. Balancing perimenopause and type 1 diabetes feels like walking a tightrope. Every insulin dose, an indispensable yet powerful fat-storage hormone, turns weight loss into an uphill battle. Health retreats have become my sanctuary, offering a vital escape from the relentless routine of blood glucose monitoring. Yet, they are far more than mere getaways; they are essential pit stops on my ongoing journey to wellness and weight loss. Reducing my Mounjaro dose from 12.5mg to 10mg proved to be more complicated than anticipated, rekindling the relentless “food noise”. Like many others, I see Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro as revolutionary tools for maintaining a healthy BMI and balanced blood sugar. But they are just that: tools.…

ORDER TODAY! APRIL 2025 COVER STORY Zoe Hardman INSIDE A special gut health focus with expert advice, plus 8 new beauty trends MARCH 2025 COVER STORY Davinia Taylor INSIDE Special sleep section, plus veg-packed meals and a toning workout FEBRUARY 2025 COVER STORY Kate Ferdinand INSIDE Expert tips for a healthy heart, better brain and boosted libido JANUARY 2025 COVER STORY Lorraine Kelly INSIDE Thrive in 2025 with expert health, fitness, food and beauty advice CHRISTMAS 2024 COVER STORY Lisa Faulkner INSIDE Have a healthy, happy Christmas with recipes, wellness and beauty tips DECEMBER 2024 COVER STORY Anthea Turner INSIDE Immune-boosting advice, plus how to get stronger and quit sugar NOVEMBER 2024 COVER STORY Cherry Healey INSIDE Midlife health hacks, high-protein recipes and 5 steps to declutter OCTOBER 2024 COVER…

BREAKFAST SAUSAGE MUFFINS Use any leftover vegetables that you have in the refrigerator instead of the list below. This is based on an American breakfast casserole often baked in cake tins and cut into wedges. I like to make mine in muffin moulds, as they cook quickly and come out easily, so are perfect for taking to work for breakfast or lunch. If you are keeping your carbs very low, substitute the squash for cooked and well-squeezed spinach instead. ■ 3 high meat content sausages■ 75g frozen or fresh red peppers, chopped■ 75g cubed butternut squash or cooked and squeezed spinach■ 2 spring onions, roughly chopped■ 75g frozen or fresh broccoli florets■ Pinch of chilli flakes or a little chopped fresh hot chilli■ 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)■ 2 tsp…

We believe every woman has the ability to maximise her health and beauty at any age, regardless of health history. With a balanced diet, effective exercise and a positive mindset, you can stay younger for longer, inside and out. We’ll bring you the latest information on wellbeing, fitness, food and beauty, empowering you to make informed choices now and for your future health. What’s gone before can’t be undone or redone, so let’s leave it in the past and focus on what can be changed today! We’re here to help you, one small step at a time.…

I was so busy being a mum in my 40s, I didn’t exercise as much as I possibly should have. After retiring from athletics and having my baby breaks, I was so done with routine and discipline. Also, everyone was talking about exercising for 30 minutes, but I was used to doing longer training sessions and didn’t see the point of working out if I couldn’t do it on my own terms. Naturally, I put on some weight, and I was cool with that. But, eventually, not exercising started to take a toll. I didn’t feel like me and I didn’t feel well. Our bodies are amazing, and we can get away with most things, but that crunch moment will come where you start to feel tired, and things hurt…

• Be a more confident you! • Tips to overcome phobias • Three ways to boost energy • Cherry Healey’s midlife hair hacks …Pluslots more! DON’T MISS IT! The June issue – on sale May 9! 4 WAYS TO GET YOUR COPY… 1 Head to frontline-group.co.uk/store-finder and select Top Santé from the drop-down menu. Input your postcode to find your nearest stockist. 2 Ask your local newsagent to reserve you a copy – they’d be happy to do so. 3 Subscribe so you never miss an issue! See page 32 for details or visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/TSA. 4 Buy single issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/TSA – scroll down to “Buy single issue”.…

‘Makingchanges’ ‘Your article on ditching bad habits in the March issue was intriguing. Since I’ve started leading a more sustainable lifestyle, I have noticed the changes I want to make have a lot to do with habits, both old and new ones. I’ve always been a creature of habit, learning what I see around me and therefore adding to those practices. These learned behaviours I repeat over again sometimes even without thinking about them. To break the cycle, I am taking on board all the good advice from your three wise women, picking one habit at a time. If I take on too much at once I fear it might be too much. For instance, I bought loose fruit and veg at the supermarket today, instead of ones wrapped in…

CLEANING COMPANION Suitable for carpets and hard floors, the Hoover HG4 Robot Vacuum Cleaner (£249, hooverdirect.co.uk) uses advanced laser navigation to map your home in under 10 minutes before eliminating dust and dirt from each room quietly, efficiently and methodically. When it’s finished, it automatically returns to its base to recharge. You can even use the HG Robots app to automatically set your vacuum’s cleaning schedule. Perfect for keeping on top of dust, allergens and everyday dirt! CANDLE CORNER Inspired by the wild and beautiful Hebridean landscape, the ishga Hebridean Aura Candle (£39, uk. ishga.com) combines natural soya wax with a blend of red mandarin, rose geranium and patchouli essential oils. Certified organic by the Soil Association, there’s also a sprinkle of Hebridean powdered seaweed that emerges as the wax…

@thehealtheditor REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE: • Hair story welcome gift worth £46 • Enjoy home delivery of each issue • Pay just £28.99 for your first 6 issues • Never miss an issue • Receive our newsletter for free EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBETODAY: ORDER ONLINE at SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/TSHAIR CALL NOW ON 01959 543 747** Quote ref: TSHAIR SCAN THE QR CODE – THE EASIEST & QUICKEST WAY! **Lines open Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5.30pm. Calls are charged at your standard network rate. New Wash by Hairstory is the shampoo alternative you didn’t know you needed. An all-in-one cleansing cream suitable for all hair types, this biodegradable formula cleans without stripping and without disrupting the scalp’s natural protective barrier. Free from parabens, phthalates and sulphates, as well as detergent (the stripping ingredient found in shampoos), New…

‘I danced to express my pain, my sadness, my anger, my hopelessness–toalleviate their crushing impact’ I WAS ON THE FLOOR, CRUMPLED IN a pile of despair. Wracking sobs coursed through my body. Though it was hard to breathe, loud wails escaped me. I was grateful at that moment that no one was around, that it was just me. That I was in solitude, feeling no urge to suppress the expressions of fierce pain that had overtaken me. Slowly, I picked myself up, pushing myself into something resembling a standing position, and turned on my speaker. I pressed play on my “dance to” playlist and started swaying slowly. I allowed the music to enter my ears and then my body, and move me the way it wanted to, with no thoughts in…

● FATIGUE Do you feel tired, even after a night’s sleep? ● NEEDING CAFFEINE Is it unthinkable to get through the morning without coffee? ● BRAIN FOG Do you find it impossible to focus or concentrate? ● WEIGHT GAIN Have you gained weight around the middle that’s hard to shift? ● DIZZINESS When you get up, do you feel light-headed, especially when getting up from lying down? ● OVERWHELMED AND DOWN Are you more teary, reactive and less resilient when stressful things happen? ● SORENESS Do you have sore muscles and achy joints? Are you slower to recover after exercise? ● ENERGY CRASHES Do you find your energy bottoms out in the afternoon? ● CRAVING SALTY AND/OR SWEET FOODS Are you unstoppable around crisps and nuts or cakes and chocolate? ● LOW IMMUNITY Are you getting sick more often?…

JUST A LITTLE BLUSH Doll Smash Devotion Blush Stick in Bloom (£24, dollsmash.com) is a must-have! This buttery-soft formula glides on effortlessly, blending seamlessly for an airbrushed finish. Infused with camellia and rosehip oils and squalene, it hydrates, soothes, and leaves skin glowing. To apply, add a line up towards the tips of your ears, avoiding the apples of the cheeks for sculpted definition. Buff in with your fingertips or brush. ACE YOUR BASE Katherine Daniels Pure Pigment Foundation Drops (£42, katherinedanielscosmetics.com) work wonders! Only the smallest drop is needed to create a flawless base that covers up any problem areas. Bonus points for being hydrating, nourishing and rich in antioxidant oils. Use a soft brush for best application. I’m really impressed this lasts all day and it makes my…

Sunshine in a bottle Get your hit of vitamin C with Rebel Kitchen Camu Berry Shots (£1.95, rebel-kitchen.com). With a minimum of 351mg of vitamin C per dose and no added sugar, you can support your immune system with this great-tasting drink. Camu camu berries grow in the Amazon Rainforest and the high vitamin content reduces fatigue as well as aiding collagen production. Also available as bigger dosing bottles (£5.95, available on amazon.co.uk). Pizza for everyone! White Rabbit Italian Sourdough Pizzas (from £5.75, whiterabbitpizza.co.uk) taste so authentic, you’d never know they’re gluten free! Made with gut-friendly grains and 24-hour slow-proved sourdough, roasted tomato sauce and Mediterranean herbs, they’re topped with dairy, meat or plant-based ingredients. We love the Vegana Pizza with dairy-free MozzaRisella, red peppers, mushrooms and wild garlic. LOVE…