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| Company life guide |
| The rules to live your life by |
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Be your very own body doctor |
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Body indicator: Ridges on your nails
What they mean:
Don't just pop on some nail varnish and forget about it - this could be a sign of an iron deficiency. And, if they're accompanied by white spots, you may be lacking in calcium or zinc, too.
Body fixer: Fill up on pumpkin seeds, whole grains and meat for calcium and zinc; eat red meat, dried apricots, green leafy vegetables and eggs for iron.
Body indicator: Hair loss
What it means: Burning the candle at both ends? This is usually a sign you are feeling very stressed and aren't looking after yourself properly - maybe by not eating the right foods, working too late or not sleeping well enough.
Body fixer:
Rest and relaxation! Take a vitamin-B complex, eat foods with plenty of protein and iron, like fish, chicken, beans, lentils, eggs and nuts. And sleep...
Body indicator: Tiny bumps on your arms.
What they mean: If you've got what look like goose bumps and dry, flaky skin at the tops of your arms, this could be a sign you are running low in essential fatty acids - particularly omega 3.
Body fixer: Eat lots of oily fish, nuts and seeds to give your body more omega 3 and essential fatty acids. That should help clear them up.
Body indicator: White tongue.
What it means: If you get a white patch towards the back of your tongue, this could indicate you have too many toxins in your colon. No, not a pretty subject, but it can happen to us all if we're not eating properly and are taking too many trips to McDonald's!
Body fixer: Alfalfa sprouts, live yoghurt, linseeds, oat bran and brown rice should all help to clear you out...or colonic irrigation for the more daring!
Body indicator: Bags under your eyes.
What they mean: Loads of sleep, but still looking tired? You might be allergic to the environment around you - namely pollution, pollen, dust or food.
Body fixer: It's a good idea to go to a nutritionist for a food-allergy test, but it's also worth building up your immune system to avoid developing allergies in the first place. Fill up on fresh fruit and vegetables.
This list is meant as a guide only. Always contact your doctor if you have any worries about your health. For general health information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk and, for more on nutrition, visit www.optimumnutritionists.com
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Live your day-off dreams |
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'I'd go horse-riding on the beach with my boyfriend - we'd pack up a Champagne lunch and everything. He's never ridden before, so that would be really funny!'
Charlotte Ringwood, 29, a personal assistant from Essex
'I'd take a bunch of mates to an amusement park. We'd go on the biggest roller coasters and just have a real laugh all day long. I'd definitely be daring when it came to the scary ones.'
Kim Reid, 26, a personal assistant from South Africa
'I'd stay in bed all day long with my boyfriend, watching funny DVDs and not leaving our bedroom for anything. We'd order pizza in, too.'
Belinda Sprules, 24, a conference exec from west London
'I'd take my friends on a day trip to a town we had never been before. We could explore the shops, do lunch and drinks in the evening, and stay in a nice hotel.'
Caroline Aristides, 20 an assistant PR from Essex
'I'd take my friend, Rachel, to the zoo - we'd eat the biggest ice creams they have and we'd find the meerkats because I've heard they're the new penguins. Oh, and baboons are quite mesmerising, too, aren't they?'
Ellen Jones, 23, an editorial assistant from Cambridge
'My perfect day off would be skydiving, I've done it before and it's the most exhilarating feeling in the world. The rush is incredible and I'd be able to completely forget about work!'
Georgina Vere Nicoll, 25, an advertising exec from West London
Stuck for inspiration? Check out 132: Seize The Days by Amelia Thomas (Lonely Planet, £5) |
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Get a virtual fitness trainer |
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www.onlinepersonaltrainer.co.uk
What is it? Qualified trainer Robert Fiteni emails a perfect, tailored-for-you fitness programme. He also sends you photos and clear instructions for each exercise so you work each part of your body perfectly!
What you need: Internet and email.
Best bit: For a bit more cash (£47.50 to be exact), you get unlimited email access to Fiteni, so you can bug him endlessly about why your bum still wobbles and your legs still resemble cheese graters.
How much? From £25.
Rating: 8/10.
www.virtual-fitness.co.uk
What is it? Whatever your fitness needs, the online personal trainers can provide the exercise programme to help you achieve your goals, and it won't cost the earth! Whether you want to lose weight, tone up, build muscle, prepare for an event or just increase general health, www.virtual-fitness.co.uk is the perfect way to get those muscles moving.
What you need: Internet and email.
Best bit: You can work out at home or in the gym, as all of the exercise programs are customised to each individual's goals, fitness level, medical history, available equipment and time constraints.
How much? Less than £1 a day.
Rating: 7/10.
EyeToy:Kinetic (including EyeToy USB camera)
What is it? Let either virtual Brit trainer Anna (the encouraging, persistent one) or Yank trainer Matt (the bossy, harsh one) transform your body into eye candy. The cunning motion-sensitive camera picks up your image, so you see yourself on screen with your new cyber friends. Master every exercise routine, from running to combat training, all with the help of Anna and Matt.
What you need: PlayStation 2.
Best bit: Being a character in a computer game. Plus, is it wrong to say Matt is actually quite hot?
How much? £30, from www.amazon.co.uk
Rating: 9/10.
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Fix your posture |
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Dear Lucie,
'I spend hours sitting at my desk every day and I tend to slouch, so my posture isn't great. I've recently started getting sharp pains in my lower back and it seems to be getting worse. I do a lot of mountain walking and would hate to give it up - is there a solution?'
Maddy Butcher, 24, an account executive from Edinburgh
Lucie says:
'I know exactly what Maddy means, because, a year and a half ago, I started to get shooting pains in my lower spine. I put it down to sleeping awkwardly and thought nothing more of it. But, then, they started to get worse and I felt a strange, itchy sensation in my legs and hips, too. That's when I went to see a doctor, who diagnosed me with sciatica, which is usually caused by a trapped nerve in the spine. I was advised to see a chiropractor, but, unfortunately, that seemed to make things worse and, after my first appointment, I was laid up for two weeks. It was an awful time and the pain had such a big impact on my life. I had to cancel gigs and tours because I was in too much pain to fly or sit at the piano, and my social life was ruined because my back hurt too much to sit in restaurants.
I tried everything from super-strong painkillers to an alternative treatment, called The Bowen Technique, which uses light pressure and touch to ease pain. But nothing helped. In the end, seeing a physiotherapist was what worked for me. He told me my alignment was skewed and my posture was bad. I underwent a few physiotherapy sessions and learnt some stretching techniques. I also mastered some simple yoga moves, like stretching both arms above my head, or lying on my front and pushing up on my hands.
My physio had some great advice on posture, telling me to always bend from the knees when lifting. And, when I sat at a desk or piano, he told me to sit on the edge of my seat and stay as upright as possible. Within six weeks, I'd noticed a huge difference and after a few months, I was back to my normal self.
I never realised how important it is to look after your back until I had sciatica, so I'd advise anyone who has twinges to see their doctor or physiotherapist straight away. Just being aware of how you're sitting and standing makes a huge difference. It worked for me and Ive never felt better.'
Lucie's top five tips:
1. Never leave back pain to worsen. Visit your GP, physiotherapist or chiropractor. Different treatments work better for different people.
2. If you have back pain, avoid intense exercise, but try gentle yoga or swimming to keep yourself moving.
3. If you sit at a desk all day, get up and walk around regularly.
4. Be aware of your posture at all times, stay upright, try not to curve your back and keep feet on the floor.
5. For some, lying with a pillow under your knees helps; for others, it's flat on your back, so find what works for you.
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Decode your dating disorder |
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When was your last hot date?
a) What's a date?
b) Last Thursday and hopefully again this Thursday
c) Last night and it didn't finish until this morning!
What's your typical post-date etiquette?
a) An in-depth analysis with your housemate on whether he's The One
b) Cheeky snog in a cab
c) Clearing the way for the next date with the next man
What's been your biggest dating disaster?
a) Telling him you love him...On the second date
b) Drinking too much and embarrassing yourself on the dance floor
c) Bumping into last night's date while out with the present one
Where's your favourite date venue?
a) Anywhere: a date's a date
b) A buzzy bistro with plenty of atmosphere
c) Paris at sundown or Champagne at Claridges
Which of the following have you tried?
a) Dinner and drinks with a guy you really fancy
b) A blind date and speed dating
c) All of the above, plus online dating, singles parties, sleeping with a colleague, dating a mate...
If you chose...
Mostly A's
You've got manorexia
Being man-starved isn't good for your health or your wellbeing. It's easy to forget how much fun dating can be when you're too busy worrying about finding Mr Right or getting nervous at the mere prospect of a date. Make a pact with yourself to accept every invitation that comes your way, no matter whether you think he's The One or not.
Mostly B's
You're a well-balanced dater
Rather than overindulging on sexy-but-no-good-for-you bad boys, or wasting time with nice-but-bland dates, you've got your date-dar set right on target. If you haven't already found your Mr Right, you soon will, because you've learnt to control your inner manaholic without going hungry. And the results will always be more satisfying.
Mostly C's
You're a man-overeater
You're getting your five-a-day, and then some. But could it be time to curb that boy binge? You know it's time to cut back on your dating when your mates can't remember the name of your latest boyfriend (well, you have had five in two months!). Dating at this rate will give you a serious case of indigestion and a craving for something more fulfilling. Sit down and work out exactly what you do and don't want from a man and make wiser choices to help you find that perfect match
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