Triple care for troubled hair
Glowing reviews of the Phylia de M range of haircare products continue. A reader with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that leads to overproduction of the thyroid hormone, says: ‘Hair loss and thinning has been one of the more unsettling symptoms, and after 13 weeks of dedicated use, Phylia de M’s range is beginning to give me back my femininity by slowly returning my tresses to a glorious mane of thicker and shinier hair. It is nothing short of miraculous.’ Phylia de M Clean Shampoo, Condition, and Connect, for hair and scalp health, £103 for the kit, also available separately. From Victoria Health
My Health: Nicola Adams, 29, British gold-medal-winning boxer
Boxing is a fantastic way of keeping fit. It works every single part of your body simultaneously. It would be fantastic if more women got into it – I know it has an unfeminine reputation but it’s very skilled and controlled.
I started boxing in 1995 when my mum took my brother and me to her gym because she couldn’t get a babysitter. She did her aerobics class and I decided to give the boxing class a go. My dad watched boxing when we were growing up so I had always been keen. I was inspired by fighters such as Muhammad Ali.
It’s been tough to get here but winning gold has made it worthwhile [Nicola is the first ever female Olympic boxing champion]. I like to put on a performance for the crowd.
I train three times a day, Monday to Friday – running in the morning, strength and conditioning mid-morning (weights, press-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups) and then a boxing session in the evening. It’s hard-core but I love it. I know the work I put into training will pay dividends when I fight.
My diet is very controlled. I have all my meals delivered, as I need to have the perfect mix of protein and carbohydrates. A typical day would include chicken and noodles and chilli con carne – ordinary stuff but perfectly balanced, with more carbohydrates because of my training regime. Before a fight, I load up on even more carbs for energy with a big plate of pasta or rice. I’m 5ft 4in tall and weigh 50.8kg – it’s important to keep my weight constant for fights.
My splurge meal is Nando’s – I have chicken in pitta with perinaise (their special recipe peri-peri mayonnaise) – I was craving it so much after my Olympic win!
Sleep is very important. It’s when I do most of my recovering. I have to make sure I get my eight hours. I always have a warm, milky protein shake before bed to help me get to sleep.
I supplement my diet every day with vitamin C, probiotics and omega oils (omega-3 essential fatty acids).
I wind down by playing Xbox or walking Dexter my doberman.
My beauty must-haves are Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel [£3.35, boots.com], which keeps my skin soft and helps with Velcro scratches from my opponents’ gloves, and Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner [£4.99, boots.com] keeps my hair moisturised.
Nicola is the new face of the Make Mine Milk campaign. Find out more www.makeminemilk.co.uk
A new mum emails: ‘Our three-month-old baby Theo absolutely loves Ewan the Dream Sheep, a cuddly toy that unfailingly lulls him to sleep. Ewan produces soothing sounds that mirror those heard by babies in the womb. Even when Theo is awake, he’ll lie happily cooing in his cot or pushchair with Ewan.’ Other mummy fans include Lily Allen (now Lily Rose Cooper) and Amanda Holden. Ewan the Dream Sheep, £29.99 from www.sweetdreamers.co.uk
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: www.exerciseregister.org
Anyone can set up as a fitness instructor without the relevant qualifications to train you well and avoid damage. This website, set up by the Register of Exercise Professionals, offers a directory of 29,000 members by location with qualifications that meet the UK national standards, plus appropriate insurance.