Happy Christmas.
 
As an early Christmas gift, I’m offering you the chance to receive ‘All You Need to Succeed’ for absolutely nothing i.e. totally FREE of charge. Usually retailing at £24.99, the package consists of hours of interviews with wonderfully illuminating experts covering every conceivable topic you’ll need to know about in your 50′s (and possibly before).
 

As I’m feeling super generous I’m offering my Fabulous Foundations package, also for free. Three downloads advising you on how to look your very best -using the basics. Invaluable information, whatever your age. Usual price £19.99.

As they are totally free of charge, why not offer them to your friends. It can be your gift to them. No postage and no hassle, just brilliant information they can listen to time and time again.
 

The link for both programmes is here:
 
http://shop.feelfabat50.com/index.php?maincat_id=12

(scroll down for the All You Need to Succeed package)

Have a great festive season and I hope 2012 is all you wish for.
 
Happy listening
 
Sue

In the midst of attempting to tackle a difficult asana (pose) my wise yoga teacher demonstrated how we could  sit back from it, creating more space in order to move more easily into what seems like an impossible position. Everyone, whatever their ability, tried again using this approach and everyone moved further than they had on their previous attempt. To get the most from yoga, we need to look at how to apply what we learn on the mat and introduce it into real life.   

This particular lesson was very pertinent for me as I’ve been feeling ‘stuck’ for a while in my career, my life and my choices for the future. So I decided to heed the words of my teacher and create more space in my life and my environment. I began by de-cluttering not only my wardrobe, as you’d expect, but also the rest of the house. My office was overrrun with books and old papers so much so that, at times, I felt like shutting the door and having a lie down.  My trusty old PC and laptop are both crammed with files that are years old that I was keeping ’just in case’ so I bought a new Mac Book pro on which to start afresh when my new company comes into being next year - watch this space for more details on that one (see what clearing space can do for you!) 

So with the house, the wardrobe and the technology cleared of unwanted excess  it was time to do the hardest of all – de-clutter my body. I’ve been making healthy changes to my diet all year but I felt the time was right to take it one step further and so I make the huge decision to stop drinking alcohol.  Not just for this week or this month but for good. I’ve realised that while I love alcohol (I’ve been drinking regularly since I was in my early teens) it’s not a reciprocal relationship. Having alcohol in my life  is like having a best friend who, in reality, is actually stabbing  me in the back.  I gave up smoking, also a fear based addiction, over 4 years ago and have no desire to go back so I’m pretty confident that this too will work out fine. So far I feel terrific -  clearer headed, slimmer, more flexible, more joyful, softer skin and shinier hair and, best of all, I’m sleeping like a baby for the first time in over 5 years.

One book has really helped me. Jason Vale’s ‘Kick the Drink Easily’ is such an inspirational read, you wonder how you’ve been brainwashed into thinking drink is enjoyable. It takes a much more positive approach than most other methods where you count every day you’ve managed to not succumb to temptation. This book advocates a celebration of freedom and the end of tyranny. It’s certainly working for me. Cheers!!

I have been suffering with my skin for a few years now so decided to do something about it. Having listened to various therapists talk about the mineral oil and other nasties that can be found in our cosmetics, even the expensive ones, I decided to look for a brand with ingredient integrity that also had the backing of up to date technology and scientific research. Lo and behold, the Sunday Times Style magazine came up trumps with an article about Jane Wurwand. I’d never heard of her either, but it was fascinating reading about a former British salon sweeper upper who went to LA and made a fortune with her own brand of highly researched skincare – Dermalogica. As luck would have it, there are a few salons in Peterborough that stock the brand but only one that has a totally free skin ‘mapping’ system which works out the damage to your skin and what it needs to best repair and fortify it.  The salon is called Nirvana on Oundle Road and I can’t tell you how helpful the staff who work there are. Firstly, I had to put my head in what reminded me of an old time photographer’s ‘box’ with sheeting on all sides. Once inside, I could clearly see, via a mirror, the damage to my skin that years of constant sunbathing had done.  Once diagnosed, the therapist taught me how to use all the various products I would need, one by one, and then gave them all to me as handy trial sizes so I could test them at home and see for myself. All this for FREE!! Did I go back and buy? You bet I did. My skin breakouts got worse (I was warned this might happen) but is now clearer and firmer than it’s been for many years. You might not have a salon near you that carries out this technique but you can have a go yourself on the official website

http://www.dermalogica.com/uk/speedmapping.html#/speed-mapping

I would also add that their fake tan is the best I’ve ever come across! 

I’ve just returned from a long weekend break with Leisure Plan Holidays. I use them frequently, as they are SUCH good value for money and experts in the field of fitness and looking after yourself (but you can still have a drink!!) 

This particular break was at the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. I was astounded by the fantastic quality of service I was shown by EVERY member of staff. I know I shouldn’t be surprised as this what hotels are supposed to do, but it’s rare to find it these days. So I can heartily staying there. Some of the bedrooms have seen better days but the food in the Tempest restaurant is to die for.

So having been pummelled, oiled, soothed and reflexologied out I am content with the world AND also the great sale at All Saints, just down the road in the Victorian Quarter!!  More on that tomorrow.

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/bodycare-breaks.php

The fabulous Karen Divine is one of my Feel Fab at 50 experts on nutrition, and a TV star to boot, so I was thrilled when I found out that she is doing some detox retreats to ensure we all can feel healthy and light.

Devine Detox and well being retreats are designed to help ‘take you on a journey within‘, to help you detox physically, mentally and emotionally. It has been created by Karen Devine (www.karendevine.co.uk) designed to also, teach, inspire and empower you in stunning locations.

It’s a combination of juice fasting, colon cleansing, detox and elimination support measures, supplements, daily yoga and one to one support throughout your week to assist you on your personal journey

Devine Detox Retreats are run in small groups to allow for individual attention, there are also a team of expert therapists working on mind, body and spirit. And of course there are many informative talks each day and some surprise workshops along the way.

I heartily recommend so go to http://www.devinedetox.co.uk/ for more information. You won’t regret it.

You can also buy a download of my interview with Karen by going to http://ww.feelfabat50.com/shop/index.php?maincat_id=1

I’ve just bought the new book by Lulu looking for an insight into her secrets for looking amazing. I can’t believe how youthful and radiant she looks and, as she’s 61, I decided I need some of what she’s on before that age descends upon me.

Interestingly, I have already picked up on some of her tips which reflect the changes in our bodies as we get older. I don’t mean the obvious, such as staying out of the midday sun, giving up smoking and so on but things like cutting down on fruit (too much sugar), eating lots of greens (every meal), enjoying quality and not quantity of my favourite things such as coffee, chocolate and alcohol (not only do I put on weight but I don’t sleep either).  She is also a huge advocate of yoga, walking ( I have books on it – and that’s as far as I’ve got), and meditation (also on my ‘must do’ list but unfortunately at the bottom).

I’m thrilled she’s still in love with fashion and accessories though not bags (that’s very like me at the moment – perhaps the IT bag has had its day at last?).  I also agree whole heartedly with her styling tips, which are definitely on a par with the ones I’d give you.

Wise and beautiful with a youthful curiosity, high energy and a fantastic radiance, Lulu’s definitely an inspirational icon that I’ll be referring to as I grow older.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LuLus-Secrets-Looking-Good-Fabulous/dp/0007310544

Just come back from something we should all do more of – a weekend away with your girlfriends. Pampering, yoga, fabulous lectures, great food and brilliant instructors all allowed us, individually, to get the most of the time we had away from our normal routines.

I can never believe the price of this fantastic holiday (I go every year so am well known to the organisers) as the quality of everything on offer is so high. Check it out:

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/mind_body_index.php

I’ve already booked a pampering weekend in July in the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. Can’t wait.

Hot and bothered? Don’t know who to ask or what to do for the best?

There’s no need if you know where to go and who to ask.

The Menopause Exchange exists just for that reason.

Its aim is to provide reliable, unbiased and easily understood information to women and healthcare professionals so they can make well informed decisions about the choices they take.  Much of its work is done via a quarterly newsletter, which contains stacks of easy to assimilate information written by professionals.

If you want to take control and not feel that you are going through this alone, go to www.menopause-exchange.co.uk