Most people leave their hobbies behind when they finish school and start working, but these five women have continued to do the sport they love and have never looked back. The footballer ‘I always play to win’Preeti Johal, 31, a human resources consultant, from Heston, London ‘I always enjoyed football and other team sports at school. And I’ve always loved watching the footie on TV, too – particularly the a ...

Learn what keeps these healthy athletes and celebs trim and toned. What the athletes say… Usain Bolt, sprinterWhen Usain’s coach, Glen Mills, first met the 100m superstar, he wasn’t able to hold the sprint position during maximum speed running. Working on an intense programme developed his core strength. ‘You should work on your core a lot,’ says Usain. ‘It’s vitally important. Work on a few exercises when ...

Our guest editor reveals her fitness and food habits and why educating your family to be healthy is vital. Friends for lifeWhen you are at the top of your athletic game, travelling away from home for most of the year must, at times, be a bit lonely. Luckily, Sally had the support of her two great friends. ‘Linford Christie (winner of the 100m at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992) and Colin Jackson (silver in t ...

A furry friend can be more than just a great companion Desperate for a dog? A man’s best friend requires feeding, training, exercising, grooming and, of course, its poop scooping. But devotion is hard to beat and your dog will always love to see you. What it costs: From around £500 per year. Food: From around £1 a day for a small dog to £3 plus for large breeds. Grooming: The sky’s the limit for a cut ...

They lurk everywhere and can cause serious illness, but simply washing your hands can stop nasty viruses spreading. The biggest health message being bandied about is that washing your hands is key to stopping the spread of viruses from the relatively benign, like the common cold, to superbugs like MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus), that have been the curse of the country’s hospitals nationw ...

There are areas of your life – career, money and relationships – that can be improved, making you feel back on track again… What makes up you? Your partner, your children or your job? The one thing many women forget about, while trying to keep on top of the daily rush that is their life, is themselves. You are the most important person in helping yourself to be who you want to be. Some easy changes to your ...

Eating healthily and exercising is still a way of life for the ex-athlete. The former Olympic gold medallist blew her chance to be world champion in 1991, stormed back to win Olympic gold in 1992 and defied incredible odds to become world champion in 1993, setting a new world record in the process. She contended with injuries, athletes that she saw as more naturally gifted and a relatively modest suppo ...

Follow our top ten ways to ensure grilling brilliance: 1. Chill outKeep all your food in the fridge until you are ready to put it on the BBQ. If food has been frozen, make sure you defrost it thoroughly, and don’t leave uncooked meat out in the sun before cooking, as this will leave it prone to salmonella and other bacteria that can make you ill. 2. Fishy businessFish and seafood are good alternatives to me ...

Seven women reveal how they try to juggle work and life commitments – with varying degrees of success ‘I am the master of multitasking’Joanne Dewberry, 31, business owner and freelance writer ‘I have three children (aged four, three, and 10 months), and run my business from home, so I tend to work from 7.30pm to 11pm and do odd bits during the day when the children are at school, nursery or asleep. ‘I used ...

There’s nothing quite like a British barbie (weather permitting!), so here are some tasty recipes to get your mouth watering and the BBQ juices flowing... These delicious, simple herbed chicken skewers are the perfect meal to eat fresh off the BBQ while you enjoy the warm summer sun. Serves 4 You will need:● 1 large bunch of mint● 1 large bunch of dill● 1 large bunch of oregano● 100ml Greek olive oil● Juice ...