Welcome to Women’s Health

You know that saying: time flies? These past two years, it’s felt like it’s been hurtling at breakneck speed. Months have merged into each other, seasons sailing by without the puncture of a sunshine holiday or a banger of a festive party to anchor the memory. Now, suddenly, we’re in 2022 – five years since I joined Women’s Health and two years since the pandemic hit. I’ve never been one for self-analysis – I’m more of a ‘get on with it’ type of person – but I was forced to take stock a few months ago and really look at my lifestyle and ask if it was doing me more harm than good. In hindsight, I was over-exercising, not taking enough time out to recover, failing to make proper nutrition a priority and living way above a healthy cortisol level. I was run down, and my body was struggling to cope. Since then, and thanks to a trip abroad I’ll be writing about in an upcoming issue, I’ve reassessed my approach to exercise and food. I’ve dialled down the number of high-intensity workouts I do and am focusing instead on strength training, walking and stretching. I’ve also stopped snacking to improve my digestion. It was the reset I didn’t know I needed, and I feel so much better for it; I have more energy, I’ve dropped fat and I’m less stressed, physically and mentally.

Looking ahead to 2022, the WH team will be focusing on the idea of The Big Reset across all the content we produce for you, from this print magazine and social media channels to our website and in-person events. The last few years haven’t been easy for anyone, however the chips may have fallen, and now it’s time to both process what’s happened and move forward – see p122 for our manual to help you do just that.

There’s no denying that physical strength can be a real conduit for personal growth and self-confidence, especially when you find a form of exercise and movement that works for you.

It’s why we’ve created a 28-day resistance-band workout (p82) that’s been designed to improve your strength and stamina over the course of a month, so you’ll not only feel the burn, but feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete it.

More than ever – and far beyond the usual ‘new year, new you’ attitude – people are yearning for change; that’s exemplified by so many leaving jobs last year in what’s been dubbed the great resignation. So let’s refocus, rebuild and reset for a happy and healthy 2022. Happy New Year from team Women’s Health.

We’ve got you!

As always, I hope you enjoy the issue. Until next month...