…….  or should that be rottweilers? This is what the 3 presenters of a BBC morning show call themselves as they will be fighting hard to right injustices to which we are are all privy. Actually, Angela Rippon, Gloria Hunniford and Jennie Bond have impeccable pedigrees and I’m thrilled that Auntie Beeb has listened to the nation and brought back broadcasting with older women at the helm. Perhaps equality isn’t yet dead.

I’ve finally done it. I’ve committed myself to working with a personal trainer from mid January 2010. What have I let myself in for?

I chose a female personal trainer for a number of very good reasons. Firstly, she is in my own age group so understands the pitfalls of my body and how I can’t look like Madonna, however hard I try. She also realises that I need it to be FUN, otherwise I won’t stick to it. So we’re having lots of new things to try, in the privacy of my own home not the gym, and massages thrown in to unkink my overworked muscles. She will also help me with dietary issues if necessary, so a complete approach to fitness.

If you’d like some of the same, then Tina Hudyma is your woman. Contact her on 07775 917216 or email tina@hudyma.zen.co.uk.

Oh, and the other reason I chose her - she looks amazing but without being threatening. This could just work!

I’ve always pretty much hated networking events. Even though I can work a room quite well, and am definitely not afraid to start a conversation, I’ve always found them quite dreary and dull affairs. All that elevator pitch nonsense and going round the room listening to 1 minute summaries of a person’s business is mind bogglingly boring for me I’m afraid. That was until I met Sister Snog - yes, that’s correct, Sister Snog. One of the lovely sisters, Annie, could actually be my (twin) sister as we not only look alike but I am exactly 1 day older than her too - amazing ( see photo - she looks good too doesn’t she!). Hela, is also lovely, witty and younger - but we don’t care. She can still appear on this website as she fits all the other criteria.

Anyway, I was at one of their events last night to celebrate Thanksgiving and not an elevator pitch in sight, just lots of lovely vibrant women who I would be thrilled to do business with. And if I couldn’t, I would be happy for them to be my friends. And that’s what SS is all about - business with a twist. I even sat next to someone who is the best friend of a girl who worked for me back in 1984 - how spooky is that?

Interested? Then take a look at their ever evolving website - www.sistersnog.com.  Yes, it’s in London and it costs me dearly to get there but I LOVE it.  If you decide to join, please let them know you found out about them via me and Feel Fab at 50 and please let me know too, so I can say ‘hello’ in person when I meet you at an event. You are entitled to one ‘guest’ event before deciding on whether or not to join, so nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Lindsey Agness, best-selling author of “Change Your Life With NLP” (www.lindseyagness.com) has a new programme for mid life women called “Age With Attitude”, which I’ve blogged about before, see www.agewithattitude.co.uk. As part of the preparation for the Spring launch of her new book on the same subject ‘Still 25 Inside’, Lindsey’s team want to talk to women aged 45-55 who live in London. The format will be a wine and nibbles evening in Central London, where groups of around 12 women will sit around and talk about attitudes and age, society at the moment at it relates to mid life women, as well as talking generally about themselves and their careers and home-life, passions and priorities generally.  The groups will be professionally moderated by a discussion leader and we’d like a mix of working and non-working women. All you would need to do in advance is look at the Lindsey Agness and AWA websites. If you are interested in taking part and can spare a couple of hours maximum on (date) then please send your contact details to pamvick@caspiaconsultancy.co.uk and Lindsey’s team will contact you.

As many of you know, I HATE flat shoes and refuse to wear them, whatever the cost to my posture. However, I do make one concession. I wear Fit Flops around the house and when I’m going to my yoga classes. The hype is that they tone up your thighs and bottom when you walk but I truly didn’t buy for that reason. I liked them because they have a slight platform heel, which gives me some leg length and makes them more attractive than the normal flip flops.

I hadn’t really noticed until recently, when someone admired my leg strength, that the musculature on my thighs had changed - for the better. Both my hamstrings and quadriceps have more definition than they had a year ago. It could be the yoga, but that is supposed to lengthen the muscles so I doubt that’s the cause. No, I think it’s the Fit Flops and their ‘wobble board’ technology that mimics walking on sand.

The brand has become highly successful since its launch in 2007 and now produces boots as part of its repertoire to the tune of 2.5m unit sales across 37 countries.  So if you fancy some gorgeous suede or leather boots this winter that will also tone your legs while you’re wearing them - with NO effort on your part - then this might be the brand for you. Prices start at £125 through to £199. A leather lace up shoe is also on the production line.

The ones photographed have been designed by Anna Sui, so no worries about ‘ugly’ footwear. Available from retailers including John Lewis and many independent pharmacies or online at www.fitflop.com

Want white teeth, without going to the dentist? Try Poppy King lipsticks. They contain special particles that make your teeth look extra white. Available soon from Spacenk, price £16

Christmas is coming and all the gluttony that entails in terms of over eating and ‘more than usual’ drinking. I thought I might like to do a thorough body cleanse beforehand so I could feel a little lighter and a little more ready to overindulge. Of course, knowing me and my willpower, this might change and I might decide to do one after the festive season but either way the people I spoke to about this particular programme promised me great results. It doesn’t take too much effort, which is one of the reasons I chose it - healthy eating, no caffeine and no alcohol for 10 days and supplements 3 times per day.

I also like to think I trust my intuition and ‘gut’ instinct to make the right decisions. But if your gut is clogged with too many toxins, the communication to the brain is impaired. Another good reason for doing a cleanse. I know only too well how damaging and limiting it can be if you can’t rely on, or you choose to ignore, your own instincts because the pathways aren’t clear.

I’ll report on how I progress. In the meantime, if you need further information take a look at: http://www.naturessunshine.eu/uk/lovinlivin/shop.asp?act=moreinfo&id=2315 I’m sure it will be £30 extremely well spent.

I just love my knits. I can’t wait for winter so I can get cosy and snuggly in heavy gauge jumpers with huge cowl necklines and scarves in abundance. You do need to be careful though. As a fairly smallish person, I can get away with lots of texture (it also ‘compliments’ the wrinkles on my face and my textured hair) but if you are curvy, you might be better sticking to a less bulky garment that doesn’t add unneeded inches.

River Island have some fabulous woollies with a Mongolian flavour as do H&M and ASOS (the feathered one pictured is Reiss from ASOS £195 and looks SOOO cuddly).

For real  luxury, you can’t beat cashmere from Pure Collection. I purchased from them years ago and the sweaters are still like new. They may appear too fine for real warmth but don’t be fooled they really do keep you toasty and are great for layering under heavier jumpers when it’s really cold.  Their sweater/coats look great over dresses and/or jeans. www.purecollection.com

For the ultimate knit, try Stella McCartney - this one is £4500!

If you want one, go to www.net-a-porter.com

….. It’s time to love the skin you’re in.

This is the title of a new book by Sarah Maria and it’s a worthwhile read. It speaks to all of those who at some time have had, or still have, a NBO - negative body obsession - so that includes most of us, and how we can learn to love ourselves warts and all.

As someone who suffered from eating disorders in my youth, I know how damaging and limiting NBO can be.  If you also suffer and don’t feel ready to see a professional (image or otherwise), this book might really help as a first step on the road to recovering and discovering the real and healthier you - in every way.

Don’t take my word for it.  Deepak Chopra says ” read this book and you will discover there is only one beauty, and you are that”.  Great words indeed.

Available from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Your-Body-Life-Confidently/dp/1605501530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258630733&sr=8-1