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Courteney’s marriage crisis

Courteney Cox’s marriage to David Arquette is once again on shaky ground, this time over her close friendship with her hunky younger co-star Josh Stewart.

According to sources, tensions between the couple hit breaking point when Courteney, 42, and Josh, 30, were spotted together at a Hollywood bar last week. The two laughed and chatted as they played pool and drank beer during the afternoon-long session, before leaving together later in the night.

“There’s definitely an attraction and chemistry between Courteney and Josh,” says an insider on the set of her new TV show Dirt.

For the full story see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale February 19).

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Oprah: My fat misery

The talk show queen is embroiled in a shock surgery scandal as her addiction to food spirals.

Oprah Winfrey has hit a devastating new low and is so depressed over her rapid 25kg weight gain she booked in for secret stomach surgery to control her ballooning figure.

Sources reveal Oprah, 53, was so desperate to be thin again that she scheduled the lap-band surgery away from the spotlight at a clinic in Phoenix, Arizona.

Feeling miserable after piling on the pounds following a series of devastating setbacks, the self-confessed “comfort eater” couldn’t see any other way out.

“In the past Oprah has ruled against any type of stomach reduction surgery as the coward’s way out,” says a friend. “But she was determined to go ahead with the surgery.”

For the full story see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale February 19).

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Susie’s baby tragedy

Just weeks ago a jubilant Susie was celebrating New Year’s Eve with the knowledge she was pregnant ? happy news she and hubby Robert Daniels had been hoping for.

With so many triumphs under her belt, motherhood was to be her ultimate conquest. However a sudden bout of severe pain followed by bleeding only weeks into her pregnancy left Susie fearing the worst.

“At first the ultrasound didn’t reveal anything,” she says through tears. “So all the while I kept hoping my baby was going to be all right. It was a nightmare. Like it wasn’t real.”

For the full story see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale February 19).

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Aussie air hostess tells: My wild fling with Ralph Fiennes

Lisa Robertson couldn’t be more ecstatic about joining the Mile High Club with Hollywood heart-throb Ralph Fiennes.

The statuesque stewardess and former undercover cop says her sexy mid-air romp with Ralph was so good they couldn’t wait to continue their lusty tryst back on the ground.

In an exclusive interview with Woman’s Day a very candid Lisa says the encounter was well worth being suspended from her job over.

For the full story see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale February 19).

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Hamish and Andy take the plunge

They’re bachelors no more but radio duo Hamish Blake and Andy Lee had fun playing up on a visit to Sydney.

What makes you laugh?

Andy: The people in our lives that make us laugh are our housemates and our friends.

Hamish: I am looking for new friends though. I have a space for two.

Andy: So if you could put in some kind of advertisement for him. Is that possible?

What kind of friend are you looking for?

Hamish: Casual, once to twice a week contact. Very platonic. I don’t have a vacancy for a best friend but each year I do a review. Once you’re in the group you’re a real chance to get there.

Andy: I’ve got no vacancies whatsoever. There’s a huge waiting list and I’ll have to let one go.

Do people ever get you confused with each other?

Hamish: Of course, and we get mistaken for Merrick and Rosso from time to time.

Who is the funniest one?

Hamish: Hamish by a mile. No, Andy is one of the funniest guys in the world. Having said that, we do keep a joke scorecard and it’s 98 to 95, that’s over 7 years!

What would your profiles be on a dating web site?

Hamish: Andy Lee’s friend!

Andy: You lie on those things, that’s the beauty of those things. I’d say 6-foot five, buff, full beard, short shorts, run marathons, can benchpress a car.

Hamish: I’d make up an obscure fact they could never check.

Andy: Like being in the NASA secret division so don’t ask me about it.

How did you become an entertainment duo?

Hamish: We met when we were 19 at uni. We were mates before we decided to go into radio and it’s turned out to be a living, which is great. That’s why we’re having so much fun doing it because first and foremost we’re mates. It’s the most important thing to us.

Do you give each other advice?

Andy: Sure, we do all that.

Hamish: You just hope that he doesn’t use it against you on air. But you know he secretly will.

Do your girlfriends worry you’ll do the same to them?

Hamish: I’m lucky enough that I’ve been with my girlfriend for two years so when we started doing the show she became part of it.

Andy: Both our girlfriends are very down to earth and enjoy listening, and us taking the piss out of each other. Both girlfriends help the other guy bring down each other. Anna’s always on the phone to Andy telling him things I’ve done which is annoying because I live with a spy.

Andy, how do the Italians feel about you dating Megan?

Hamish: They call you “il devillo”, the devil! You stole their favourite daughter. No, I really I have no idea. I would love to get an Italian person on the show to tell us what they thought. It’s like Kylie Minogue going out with some slouchy guy. I love you mate!

Andy: When she comes to and leaves me I can go back to you Hamish.

For more of this interview, see this week’s issue of Woman’s Day (on sale Feb 19).

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Does pilates have a place in your fitness routine?

Pilates mat

Pilates is the people pleaser of today’s workout world. There are classes available at every gym and health professionals — such as physiotherapists and osteopaths — are setting up combined practices with pilates studios. Madonna and Gwyneth may swear by the total body benefits, but is pilates your best bet for exercise? Let’s take a look at some interesting research that says pilates has a place in your fitness routine.

The importance of three types of exercise

To lose weight (or to be effective at managing a healthy weight) there is no denying the power of exercise. The best approach is to achieve significant energy and fat-burning benefits from regular aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. For best results, you should also add in strength and flexibility training. Pilates certainly builds a strong core and increases flexibility, but despite participants feeling they are working hard, the cardio portion of the workout is often missing.

Huff and puff to blow the weight away

One study looking at the intensity of different levels of pilates classes measured heart rates and oxygen consumption at each session. The data as reported in Nutrition Today showed that the average percentage of maximum heart rate was 54 percent with the advanced class eliciting a higher response of 62 percent — both below recommended levels. Target heart rates for fitness and health gains are between 70 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate is calculated as 220 beats per minute (bpm) minus your age. A heart rate monitor is an easy way to keep track of your heart rate while you’re exercising.

Mix it up

The take-home message is that pilates is a valuable and popular form of exercise, but you need to consider the power of three for all-round fitness, good health and weight management. When you combine your weekly pilates sessions with brisk walking or other gym classes that work you at a target heart rate, you’ll be well on track.

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Dressing your age

One of the most challenging fashion dilemmas for women over 40 is how to dress appropriately for their age.

Style expert Kim Johnson Gross explains “our bodies are in transition. Our lifestyles are changing. We may be becoming empty nesters, divorcing, starting new jobs.”

As your bodies are changing, so must your clothes, it’s important to learn how to flatter your body without doing a style overhaul.

The key to looking your best and dealing with these changes is about refreshing your look.

The AWW fashion team recommends starting with shoes and bags, as this is the fastest and simplest way to update your look.

Women over 40 need to learn how to adapt the season’s trends to suit them. For example, a key trend this winter is plaid — instead of dressing top to toe in plaid try a plaid skirt with a black sweater and black opaque tights.

Most of all, you need to learn not to hang on to what worked before; undergo what Gross calls a ‘Style Evolution’ and learn to dress for your new assets.

Fashion don’t’s for over 40s

  • Don’t dress too young. The worst thing you can do is to dress younger than you are. It can make you look older.

  • No miniskirts — regardless of how great your legs are.

  • Avoid baggy clothes and look for pieces that flatter your shape.

  • Don’t follow the ‘trend’ of the moment. Instead, find a print or a bold piece of jewelry and develop a signature look.

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Home Page 5633

Does pilates have a place in your fitness routine?

Pilates is the people pleaser of today's workout world. There are classes available at every gym and health professionals — such as physiotherapists and osteopaths — are setting up combined practices with pilates studios. Madonna and Gwyneth may swear by the total body benefits, but is pilates your best bet for exercise? Let's take a look at some interesting research that says pilates has a place in your fitness routine.
Pilates mat

Pilates is the people pleaser of today’s workout world. There are classes available at every gym and health professionals — such as physiotherapists and osteopaths — are setting up combined practices with pilates studios. Madonna and Gwyneth may swear by the total body benefits, but is pilates your best bet for exercise? Let’s take a look at some interesting research that says pilates has a place in your fitness routine.

The importance of three types of exercise

To lose weight (or to be effective at managing a healthy weight) there is no denying the power of exercise. The best approach is to achieve significant energy and fat-burning benefits from regular aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. For best results, you should also add in strength and flexibility training. Pilates certainly builds a strong core and increases flexibility, but despite participants feeling they are working hard, the cardio portion of the workout is often missing.

Huff and puff to blow the weight away

One study looking at the intensity of different levels of pilates classes measured heart rates and oxygen consumption at each session. The data as reported in Nutrition Today showed that the average percentage of maximum heart rate was 54 percent with the advanced class eliciting a higher response of 62 percent — both below recommended levels. Target heart rates for fitness and health gains are between 70 and 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Maximum heart rate is calculated as 220 beats per minute (bpm) minus your age. A heart rate monitor is an easy way to keep track of your heart rate while you’re exercising.

Mix it up

The take-home message is that pilates is a valuable and popular form of exercise, but you need to consider the power of three for all-round fitness, good health and weight management. When you combine your weekly pilates sessions with brisk walking or other gym classes that work you at a target heart rate, you’ll be well on track.

Related stories


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Anti-anxiety supplements: which ones work?

Anxious?

About 1.3 million Australians suffer from serious anxiety conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and social phobia, and virtually everyone else deals with less debilitating but still harmful levels of anxiety. While severe cases require medical supervision, herbs and other natural supplements can provide safe and effective relief for short-term anxiety, such as the type related to an exam. Regular exercise and good food also soothe a troubled mind.

  1. Bet on B

The B vitamins are essential for stress management, energy production, and neurotransmitter health. Look for a supplement containing at least 50mg each of most of the B vitamins, plus 400mg of folic acid.

  1. Add magnesium

This essential mineral helps ease muscle tension, anxiety, and stress. A study published in Current Medical Research and Opinion found that magnesium was safe and effective for patients with anxiety disorders.

  1. Sip passionflower tea

This herb has sedative and calming qualities. In a study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, patients taking passionflower noted a significant reduction in symptoms, without the ‘brain fog’ associated with conventional anti-anxiety pharmaceutical drugs.

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Four ways to detox your home

Cleaning supplies

Natural foods and pure water help detoxify your body — but that’s only half of the story. Many contaminants come from household products that you use every day. Send pollutants packing with these four easy steps.

  1. Lose toxic trash

Paint, oil, and batteries contaminate soil and ground water, as well as old computers which contain lead. Take them to your local collection centre.

  1. Avoid ammonia and chlorine

They have been linked to cancer, hormonal problems, and brain, nerve and liver damage; even small amounts can irritate skin and lungs. Buy natural cleaning products based on citrus peel extracts; or, make your own all-purpose cleaner: 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, juice of 1 lemon, and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle.

  1. Purge pesticides

A little jam laced with borax makes an effective ant poison; place on a dish near trails. (Note: Borax is poisonous, so keep it away from food, children and pets.) Make a cockroach trap by half-filling a jar with beer. They’ll die happy. If you must use an insecticide, buy one based on natural pyrethrum. Fit fly-wire screens and grow pest-repelling plants such as mint near doors.

  1. Prevention is better than cure

Planning to renovate? First identify toxicity problems — e.g. asbestos, old fibreglass insulation, or lead paint — that you should fix while you’re tearing things apart. Make environmentally friendly, non-toxic choices, such as milk and lime-based paints for walls, and ceramic tile, slate, hardwood, bamboo or plantation cork for floors. Get rid of old vinyl flooring: the manufacturing process requires vinyl chloride, a carcinogen, and it can gas off phthalates, troublesome chemicals that disrupt hormones. If you’re set on carpet, go for wool or cotton with a natural backing, and ensure no insecticide or mothproofing has been added. Plywood and particleboard, which are used in nearly all kitchen cabinets, contain formaldehyde, a volatile organic compound (VOC) which is thought to cause cancer in animals. Applying a VOC-sealant can help, or ask for solid wood or low-emission materials. In the bathroom, insist on solvent-free, low-VOC sealants, adhesives and caulks.

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