Home Page 5321

Avoid the diet traps

The path to good dieting intention is paved with dangerous temptation.

It seems that for every garden salad you fix yourself, there is a doughnut waiting for you around the corner.

When you’re turning the page of your eating habits and trying to change your lifestyle, the default option at a cafe or restaurant will often be “salad”. But the word can be deceptive as some salads are loaded with high-fat cheese and topped with delicious but unhealthy dressing.

More video: lose 50kg in 50 easy steps

Take a look at how you can make sure you’re giving yourself the best chance to stave off sneaky, detrimental salads.

Nutritionist Kristen Beck explains how to make sure you’re not eating salads that will do your weight-loss effort more harm than good.

Your say: What diet traps do you find yourself falling victim to? What are your best dieting tips?

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Hugh jackman helps out cancer patient

Hugh jackman helps out cancer patient

It’s the video that has moved hearts the world over – a loving tribute from a Sydney cancer patient to his devoted wife.

For cancer patient Kristian Anderson, a straightforward “I love you” wasn’t enough to express his gratitude to Rachel, his wife of seven years. She had been his “rock” since he was diagnosed with cancer last October, and she deserved something extra special for her 35th birthday on August 22.

So Kristian aimed high, asking hunky Wolverine star Hugh Jackman – Rachel’s favourite actor – and New Zealand prime minister John Key to help make a heartfelt video birthday present.

“Hugh Jackman certainly gave the clip some Hollywood glamour. He’s got millions of fans, not just Rachel, so everyone who’s seen his movies will be amazed to see him in my video, for sure,” says Kristian. “It’s certainly taken its popularity to a whole new level.”

Kristian, 35, has been having chemotherapy since being diagnosed nearly 12 months ago with bowel cancer that has spread to his liver. Until last week, he and Rachel were effectively fighting their cancer battle alone; now their plight is being tracked by millions around the world.

“Rachel has had so much on her plate,” says Kristian. “She’s been looking after me and our boys and working, too. The video was a special way of thanking her and showing people what we were going through.

Related stories


Home Page 5321

*Junior MasterChef* judge Anna Gare: 10 things you didn’t know about me

Junior MasterChef judge Anna Gare: 20 things you didn't know about me

The new Junior MasterChef judge dishes up some morsels about herself

  1. When I was little I wanted to be a member of ABBA.
  1. My favourite cooking ingredient is lemon.
  1. I love listening to Ry Cooder when I’m cooking.
  1. I can’t cook brains – they gross me out!
  1. At school my favourite subjects were cooking and copper enamelling.
  1. I have two Rottweilers, called Nelly and Leroy.
  1. My parents were hippies in the 70s.
  1. Freida is one of my favourite movies.
  1. I love collecting art, vintage dinner plates and recipes.
  1. My favourite colour is emerald green.

To find out more about Anna Gare, pick up this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale Monday September 13, 2010.

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Oprah: Why my show is over

Oprah: Why my show is over

After a quarter of a century as queen of daytime TV, Oprah reveals the reason she’s calling it quits.

After 25 years of groundbreaking interviews, emotional revelations, multiple awards and the best giveaways ever, Oprah Winfrey is finally shutting up shop on her TV talk show. Arguably the most influential TV personality of all time, Oprah has helped sell millions of books and launched a myriad of successful careers. Her next venture is OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, but for the moment her talk show is still her number one priority. “My intention is to be fully present this season,” says Oprah, 56. “To take in every experience and allow myself to feel it all.”

Why did you decide to end your show after this season?

It just feels like the right time. I always wanted to leave when I felt the platform was still vital and held some kind of meaning in the hearts and minds on the audience.

The Oprah Winfrey Show has been a major part of your life for 25 years. Will there be a lot of tears?

I don’t intend to be crying the whole season. The only time I get really emotional and nostalgic about the show is when I think about the viewers. It will be bittersweet because it’s bringing this chapter to a close. The show hasn’t been a big part of my life. It’s been my life. I didn’t have children. I had the show. And I have created a family of support from my staff and the audience that really has had a huge impact on my life.

How will you top last season’s kick-off – the Black Eyed Peas’ concert with half of Chicago dancing in a choreographed number?

We’re not closing down any streets and I don’t know if there will be dancing. But it will be meaningful in its own way. And I absolutely can’t tell you what it will be.

Related videos: The best of Oprah

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Man-eater Jen! 2 men, 2 days!

Jennifer Aniston seems to be auditioning for a new leading man.

Sexy and single Jennifer Aniston had a busy schedule last week, flirting up a storm with two bachelors – Cougar Town star Josh Hopkins and entrepreneur Harry Morton – at successive dinners in Los Angeles.

As our exclusive photo reveals, the 41-year-old actress left in Josh’s car after a romantic rendezvous at ritzy eatery Madeo. Jen, who was introduced to the hunky actor by best friend and Cougar Town star Courteney Cox, arrived at the popular Italian restaurant for dinner with Josh at about 7.30pm before settling in for three hours.

Read the full story in this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale Monday September 13, 2010.

View our gallery of Jen’s many men.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston co star in Cougar Town Josh Hopkins

Jennifer Aniston’s many men: Gerard Butler

Jennifer Aniston’s many men: Brad Pitt

Jennifer Aniston’s many men: Vince Vaughn

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Karl Stefanovic on love, family and why I got the snip

Karl Stefanovic on love, family and why I got the snip

The popular Today show host and doting dad shares his secrets to a happy marriage – and a few uncomfortable facts.

Karl Stefanovic’s children are clamouring for him to join them on the trampoline. Despite some unconvincing protests about why he shouldn’t, it doesn’t take them long to persuade him to roll up his jeans and climb on.

As they bounce in unison, his children, Jackson, 11, Ava, 5, and four-year-old River, are delighted. They can’t stop giggling at their dad’s childlike enthusiasm, and the more they laugh, the more Karl laughs. Soon, all four are bouncing and falling about hysterically.

The giggles are infectious, and as Cassandra, Karl’s wife of 15 years, watches on from the leafy garden, she’s laughing too. It’s clear that the Stefanovics are one very happy family. Whether it’s blowing bubbles with Ava, jamming with Jackson – Karl on the guitar, Jackson on sax – or running around with the baby of the family, River, it’s obvious there’s nowhere Karl would rather be than at home among the chaos of family life in a friendly Sydney suburb.

Despite Karl’s incredibly successful TV career working as a reporter and now co-hosting Today with Lisa Wilkinson, it’s his role of dad and husband he’s most proud of.

“I have three beautiful children,” he grins, as the family squeeze onto the plush sofa in their cosy home. “We’re having a great time.”

Related Video: Karl impersonates Tom Cruise’s, Les Grossman

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Tamara Jaber exclusive: Why we split

Tamara Jaber exclusive: Why we split

She stayed silent when tawdry revelations about her estranged husband’s love life were revealed, but the singer wants the world to know she is stronger for surviving the pain, and hopes Kyle finds love again.

Tamara Jaber is far more beautiful in the flesh than the young woman with the gleaming smile, big hair and sequins we came to know and love on hit TV show Dancing With The Stars.

Her skin is flawless and you could drown in her huge, emerald eyes, but scratch beneath this glamorous façade and you will find a down-to-earth Aussie chick with a great sense of humour and an endearing ability to laugh at herself. It’s this ability to see the funny side of life that she’s had to increasingly rely on this year, as her marriage to shock jock and The X Factor judge Kyle Sandilands fell apart just weeks before she made her debut on DWTS.

“I think I have lived a lot for my age,” says 28-year-old Tamara in an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day. “I’ve been married, I’ve been in a relationship since I was 19 and for the whole of my twenties – and I loved it and that was my life. But now it is very, very different.”

Tamara looks uncomfortable when asked if she still loves Kyle, who has made no secret of the fact he is also moving on.

“I’m not going to answer that,” she says, with a wry smile. “I don’t hate him. Hate is a very strong word, and I don’t hate anyone. There is no way you could be with someone for 10 years and … I still believe in love and I don’t rule it out for either one of us. I hope Kyle does find love again.”

Related video: Kyle’s denial

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Libby Trickett: I’m swimming to save my marriage

Libby Trickett: I'm swimming to save my marriage

The Olympian is back in the pool, and beating the blues.

It’s early morning and the water is cold, but Libby Trickett dives straight in, without hesitation or much of a splash. Back in the pool again after quitting the sport last December, swimming’s golden girl is on a mission, determined that with every stroke she will lift her mood, brighten her life – and heal her three-year marriage.

The 25-year-old’s bond with husband Luke has been under strain during her months of battling the blues, say friends, who reveal Libby’s retirement from her glittering career took a heavy toll on their relationship.

“When she gave up swimming, Libby thought she’d instantly feel more carefree and less stressed, but it wasn’t like that – instead, the feeling of loss was devastating for her, and also for Luke,” says one fellow Aussie swimmer.

“Neither of them understood just how entrenched the sport was in their life together. It’s how they met, as teenage swimmers representing Australia, and they married just as Libby’s fame was taking off, so it’s always been an intrinsic part of their lives.

“You can joke that there were three of them in the marriage, but swimming is at the very heart of their relationship. Without it, something seemed to be missing.”

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Meet the man making the Irwins smile again

Meet the man making the Irwins smile again

Meet the man making Bob and Bindi smile again! “Briano” has become a father figure for the Croc Hunter’s kids.

A knockabout bloke whose idea of a good time is surfing or jumping on the back of a croc is making the Irwins smile again – especially young wildlife warrior Robert.

With his father, the late Steve Irwin, not around to guide him, and his granddad Bob no longer a big part of his life, Robert has found a father figure in Brian Coulter. The Australia Zoo employee, known as “Briano”, was a great mate of Steve and loves to spend time with six-year-old Robert.

“It’s great to see Briano take little Robert under his wing … he is almost like a father figure to him. All the staff at Australia Zoo love to fuss over Robert and Bindi, but Briano’s relationship with Robert is just that little extra special,” says an insider at Australia Zoo.

“Robert has a special relationship with a lot of the men at the zoo, but none more so than Briano. Robert probably sees a lot of his dad in him.”

Just like Steve, Brian is a fearless croc hunter and deep-sea diver. Steve’s widow, Terri Irwin, has enormous respect for him, and regards Brian and his wife, Kate, who also works at the zoo, as family.

Related stories


Home Page 5321

Survey reveals most people think they’re better looking than the average

Despite being confronted by unrealistic images of beautiful people in the media and the fact obesity is a very real and rising issue, a US survey has found most people reckon they’re hotter than average in the looks department.

The online survey of 26,000 people aged between 18 and 75 was commissioned by MSNBC and Elle magazine, and conducted by researchers at UCLA and California State University, Los Angeles.

Sixty percent said that although they wouldn’t describe their bodies as “ideal”, they were quite satisfied with the way they looked. A majority said they were better looking than the average person, putting themselves between a six and a seven on a 10-point scale, MSNBC reported.

The most confident group were those people younger than 30, with 28 percent of young women and 30 percent of young men rating themselves between an eight and a 10. Sixty-six percent of young women and men said they were “somewhat” to “very satisfied” with their appearance.

This level of satisfaction drops slightly in women older than 50, with only 55 percent of older women stating they are happy with their appearance, compared with 63 percent of older men.

Depressingly, but not surprisingly, 62 percent of women said they felt pressured from magazines and TV to have more attractive bodies — compared to just 29 percent of men who said they felt the same way.

But a study published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior earlier this year, showed that teenage girls tended to compare their own bodies to their schoolmates’ rather than models in magazines or celebrities on TV.

“Most people aren’t of that, ‘Oh my god, I have to be a size two [Australian size six] or I look terrible!’ [mindset],” New York City psychiatrist Dr Gail Saltz told MSNBC. “Most people look … and see who’s around them. And most of the people around them aren’t models.”

With the help of revealing photos published online and in magazines it seems people are becoming more aware of the prolific use of airbrushing to obtain the “impossibly beautiful” effect and that these ideals are just that for the average person — impossible and unrealistic.

Related stories