It’s the last issue of 2022. I know, time flies; I feel like I’ve blinked once and we’re already at the close of the calendar again.
To say it’s not been the easiest 12 months is perhaps the understatement of the year. From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to turmoil in our government and a cost-ofliving crisis that’s likely to get worse before it gets better, there’s not been much to smile about.
Personally, it’s been a tough year health-wise after a bad bout of Covid in March that I’m still feeling the effects of nine months on. But I’m cheered by the fact that there’s been plenty to celebrate at Women’s Health.
The Body Camp in Mallorca: A Fitness Retreat for Women
We kicked off the year with the launch of Women’s Health Collective – a membership platform packed with training plans, healthy recipes and the latest in exercise and nutrition science.
Best of all (we think), members also have exclusive access to our Expert Panel – made up of some of the buzziest names in the business – to answer your every wellness question. Have you joined yet?
Speaking of Women’s Health Collective, in May I flew to Mallorca with Expert Panellist (and my good friend) Alice Liveing to spend a week in the capable hands of the team at The Body Camp.
If you count yourself among those for whom fitness retreats are intimidating, you have nothing to fear here: we enjoyed some much-needed rest and nourishing food, all with a bit of exercise thrown in.
How did you come up with the idea for this magazine?
Health hit the newsstand. Our cover star was Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts, who posed proudly with her stoma – who she introduced to us all as Audrey (Adele was undergoing treatment for bowel cancer at the time).
I was blown away by the response; not only was that image of Adele – along with the accompanying interview – discussed on national television and social media, but members of the ostomate community reached out to tell me that they finally felt seen.
It was a humbling career highlight for me personally, made all the more poignant by the news that Adele has since been given the all clear from cancer.
What did Helen learn from the trip?
Another personal highlight was a much-needed girls’ holiday to Marbella with my seven-year-old daughter, Nell. We drank cocktails (me) and mocktails (Nell), and rocked our bikinis while making memories we’ll cherish. Although after seeing Nell busting out her moves in the hotel bar, I can already imagine her trips to Marbs in 12 years’ time…
Later that month, Nell and I were among the millions who caught football fever as we watched the Lionesses storm to victory with a mix of pride and awe. Their success inspired Nell to join a girls’ football team and she’s now a proud member of Worthy’s Tigers Under 8s.
Oti Mabuse: The Best Person to Bring Joy in the New Year
If that’s not a testament to the legacy the Lionesses have created, I don’t know what is. Make sure you remember to pick up a copy of next month’s
And so we find ourselves in December once more, and who better to see off 2022 than Oti Mabuse – and her smile? Oti’s energy is infectious and there’s no one more qualified to inject some fun and positivity into your newsstand as the year draws to a close.
Whatever your festive plans entail, hold your loved ones close and let’s focus on all we have to look forward to. Pockets of joy are everywhere, you just need to look hard enough to find them.
