I hope you have had a lovely Christmas and received lots of nice presents. Once I take the decorations down the house always looks so bare and I usually decide that one room or other needs a bit of sprucing up.

The same can be said of me. I always think January is a good month to take stock of my life and think about ways of improving it. There is a whole year ahead what can I do in that year that will enhance my life.

Magazines are full of ideas on how to look better and feel better and sometimes we need a little nudge to make changes that will improve our lives. One of the changes I am going to make is to make a date with myself to go for a walk at least three times a week. I love walking especially out in the counrty lanes near where I live. Not only is it healthy and makes me feel good I also find it is great thinking time.

Happiness is being a size 14

According to a poll of 3,000 women those having a size 14 figure are happier than women of any other size. This is followed by those who are a size 12. The curvier size 14's seem to be more comfortable with their shape and have a happier outlook on life.

For those of us who want a sleeker looking figure there is a website called www.yummietummie.co.uk which sells tops with a minimising panel that appears to iron out those bulges. There are 8 designs to choose from and they come in a variety of colours. Prices start at £59.

www.johnlewis.co.uk has a fantastic
range of shapewear at more affordable prices but they are more practical than glamorous. The thigh slimmer here is £16.00 and is unusually comfortable for control underwear according to Good Housekeeing magazine. It will give a smooth outline under clothes and can trim off an average of 2cm off each thigh.

There are plenty of websites selling pretty underwear but it is very difficult to get the fit just right. I would always advise getting yourself measured by a bra fitting adviser but have come across this nifty tape measure to help you find your correct size. Originally designed to allow untrained retail staff to offer a quick and reliable bra fitting service, the stores soon found that customers were able to accurately measure their bra size for themselves. The tape measure costs £7.50 and can be found at www.brameasurement.co.uk

Wardrobe audit


Now that the shortest day has passed we have Spring to look forward to. The new spring stock will soon be arriving in stores to replace all the tired and weary sale items languishing on the hangers.

Before you rush out and start buying take time to do a wardrobe audit and save yourself lots of money by only buying what
you know will suit you.

Start by sorting out all your clothes; get them all out and put them on the bed. It is easier if you do either your summer or your winter wardrobe.
Try on each item and take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror. Ask yourself:

Do I actually like it? If not, charity bag.
Does it fit properly? If not, charity bag.
How many times was it worn last season?
Is it worn, stained or torn?
Does it make me feel good? If not, it has to go.
Is the colour right for me? If not, it has to go.
Do not keep clothes that you may or may not slim into. If you do lose weight then reward yourself with some new clothes. You deserve better than clothes that have hung around for a few years. Anything you are hesitant about should go into storage for six months. Then it should be brought out and reassessed.

Once you have a trimmed down your wardrobe so that it only contains clothes you love to wear you can then make a list of what you need to buy to fill the gaps. For more tips on Wardrobe Weeding and how to have a wardrobe that suits your lifestyle see my e-Book. http://www.whatcaniwear.com/product/what_can_i_wear_ebook_pdf/


What I am Loving this Month

Paul McKenna's tv programme 'Think Yourself Thin' on Living tv every night this week at 8pm. It is based on his best selling book and is a revelation.

He starts by saying eat when you are hungry and eat what you like. Say goodbye to diets. But, and this is the part I find fascinating what you must do is once you have cut up your food and put it in your mouth you then put down your knife and fork while you chew and take plenty of time to chew each piece of food.

You need to think about what you are eating and have no distractions such as the tv, radio or magazines. He says we all eat too fast and our bodies have forgotten how to recognise when we are full. We need to chew for longer and stop eating as soon as we are full. Sounds too simple doesn't it. To find out more read his book 'Think Yourself Thin'. You can buy it on www.amazon.co.uk for £5.49 which includes a cd.


Quote of the month

'Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.'
William James

On these long winter nights take time to pamper yourself and create your own mini spa. Light some candles and fill a bath with your favourite bath product. My personal favourites at the moment are from Origins. Either the Ginger Burst collection or the Lavender and Vanilla
range, each smells absolutely wonderful.

Lilian

Last Updated: March 12, 2009