Table of contents for 30 June 2022 in Chat

If you’re 17st and want to run a marathon, where do you start? By putting one foot in front of the other, says Jemma (p30). I love her can-do attitude! Another determined woman is Hannah, who is proving the bullies wrong – simply by living her best life (p37). You can’t keep a Chat girl down! With tons more stories to get stuck into, plus all your usual faves, it’s another cracking issue. Have a great week! PS If you’re entering the puzzles online, this is the link to use: comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

Chloe Mcllwaine, 25, North Belfast Dancing with the crowd, I felt Stephen’s arm snake around my waist. He’d taken me to Planet Love Festival in Belfast, and we were having a blast. As he pulled me in for a kiss, my heart fluttered. ‘You look gorgeous, ’ he said, smiling. Standing there with my teenage crush was a dream come true. I’d known Stephen Brunty, then 22, since we were 13, when we’d hang out at the bandstand with our friends. Handsome and funny, I’d always had a soft spot for him. We had a couple of snogs over the years, but nothing more serious. Then, in June 2018, Stephen contacted me out of the blue. By now I was a single stay-at-home mum to my two daughters Freya-Rose, then…

Sarah Langdale, 33, Rugby Sitting at my laptop, I sighed. I’d been scrolling for hours, searching through friends, mutual friends and complete strangers on Facebook. But I was getting nowhere. It was June 2018 and I was trying once again to track down my dad. ‘Let’s do a Facebook post and get people to share it, ’ my half-sister Sophie, then 32, suggested. I’m, looking for my father. I don’t know his name or date of birth, I don’t even know what he looks like… I typed. Explained that he’d lived in the Southfields area of Northampton. Posted a picture of my mum from the time, hoping someone would recognise her and be able to tell me anything about my dad. Growing up, I’d often asked Mum about him. Who…

Sex is impossible! Q l’ve never had sex – my vagina tenses and closes up as soon as I try. Is something wrong with me? Georgia, Leighton Buzzard A You could have vaginismus, where muscles around your vagina tense and tighten to prevent something entering. Sex is the most common trigger and may be painful if you do try to carry on, but sometimes a doctor’s examination, inserting a tampon or even putting in a finger is impossible. Tenderness around your vagina from injury or infection is a possible cause though usually anxiety about sex is to blame. Your GP can take a look to confirm there’s nothing physically wrong and suggest treatment which might include counselling, relaxation techniques and self-touching exercises. Vaginal trainers that you insert into your vagina,…

OVER TO YOU Can you set a puzzle in this format? Send it, with a photo of yourself, to the address on p3. There’s £20 for every one we use! This week’s puzzle was compiled by Jacquie Simpson, Worthing, West Sussex ACROSS 1 Amphibian with tail 2 Darts throwing line 3 Clarified butter (Indian cooking) 4 Seeded DOWN 1 Yuletide egg drinks 2 Reverberation 3 Expression used when very hot 4 Youngster between 13 and 19 WIN 5x £25 Puzzle 6 Your answer: HALF & HALF Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts and Crosses, co-wrote an episode of Doctor Who with what title? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed out letters in the shaded squares give the prize answer. WIN £100…

She’s always copying me! Q My sister-in-law copies everything I do. She buys the same clothes, car, even styled her lounge exactly like mine. And I’ve just found out she’s going on holiday to the same hotel in Lanzarote as us! What should I do? I was flattered at first but now I’m just fed up. Paula, 33 A Well, the good news is you must have great taste! Joking aside, it’s true when they say imitation is the highest form of flattery, sweetheart. As this is bothering you, have a gentle word. Tell her you’re chuffed she likes your style, but maybe she should try the same top in a different colour? As for the holiday, be honest with her and say it’d be great to have a drink,…

Hannah Harpin, 19, Leeds Squinting in the sunlight, I lifted my hand to shield my eyes from the brightness. ‘Here you are,’ my mum Wendy, then 34, said, handing me my sunglasses. Sliding them onto my face, it was a small relief. It was 2012, and at 10 years old, I’d struggled with sensitivity to light, abnormal hair and fingernail growth and sharp teeth for as long as I could remember. When I was born in 2002, my skin had a yellow tint so they did lots of tests. The nurses taking care of me noticed a hole in the top of my mouth when I was crying. ‘Hannah has a cleft palate, ’ specialists confirmed to my parents, Wendy and Richard, then 30, days later. Stunned, Mum nodded as…

Q When is the best time to buy travel insurance for a holiday? E Varma, Barrow-in-Furness A Buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked the trip – don’t leave it until just before you go away. That’s because travel insurance doesn’t only cover you when you’re away, it also covers you if you need to cancel the holiday (always check the T&Cs to see exactly what’s covered, including cover related to COVID-19). For more information read the cheap travel insurance guide at moneysavingexpert.com.…

THE BIG QUIZ The answers to all but one of these quiz questions can be found hidden in this wordsearch grid, reading forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally. To help you, we’ll tell you that the answers are in alphabetical order in each section. However, one answer can’t be found in the grid. This is your prize answer. See page 57 for entry details. SCARY 1 Who has portrayed Cindy Campbell in four Scary Movie films and Hannah Lewis in My Super Ex-Girlfriend? (4,5) 2 What is the surname of Mel B, the Spice Girl known as ‘Scary’? (5) 3 Which English rapper, who headlined the 2019 Glastonbury festival, has released songs entitled Scary, Shut Up and Vossi Bop? (7) SPORTY 4 The classic British comic, which features the sporty…

Barry M Fresh Face Luminiser, £4.99, Superdrug Treat your face to an instant glow with this illuminating cream. It is enriched with complexion-boosting ingredients, like aronia berry to brighten, and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate. Use on its own for a dewy, bare-faced look or under makeup to add radiance. Yardley Magnolia & Fig Moisturising Body Mist, £4, Boots Awaken all of your senses with this delightful mist that blends juicy notes of sweet fig and blackcurrant berries, together with an earthy mix of magnolia and jasmine. The deliciously fresh scent acts as a moisturiser and fragrance in one – thanks to the inclusion of nourishing aloe vera extract.…

HOW TO ENTER TEXT Simply text CHATC followed by a space and your answer/s (spaces between answers please) full name, door number and postcode to 63333 Texts cost 50p plus standard network charge (maximum 160 characters per text). When you enter by text, you may in future get SMS marketing messages from Future plc and Chat. If you want to receive these, please end your text with OPTIN. Texting tips • Don’t put any spaces in an answer that has several words: eg: CHATISTHEBEST not CHAT IS THE BEST. • If the answer is a name, you need only give the surname: eg: CLOONEY not GEORGE CLOONEY. • You can use capitals or small letters, but don’t use any commas, etc. • Leave out answers you don’t wish to enter.…

Even when the sky is overcast and the sea is cold, my 11-year-old grandson Jack will spend all day in the water when we visit Cornwall for our holidays. Carol Gasan, Tiverton I love this picture of our cat Theo sizing up an apple turnover. Sarah Barea, Wadebridge It was so uplifting recently to walk uphill to our local lighthouse and see the sunrise. I took this photo on my phone as the sun seemed to be following me up the path. The warm glow of the sun and the feathery clouds can be comforting. Joanne Campbell, Whitehead It took a few attempts to get this selfie of me with my beautiful Labrador Bailey! I think he’s mastered the model pose. Karen Wills, Northampton Remembering the good times. I came…

STYLE TIP The busy print hides a multitude of sins. Keep your top tucked in to make the most of your waist. STYLE TIP Let the stripes do the talking and wear a neutral or pastel vest underneath the blazer. STYLE TIP Choose cargo-style shorts in a bright colour for a feminine look. Make sure they rest just above the knee to flatter your legs. STYLE TIP Denim shorts are here to stay! Update this classic with a pretty summer knit cardi.…

The jury found William Shutt not guilty of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder in the shooting of Quentin Hicks and Tyler Acker in the road rage incident in St Petersburgh. But he didn’t get to walk free. Instead, after deliberating for two hours, the jury convicted Shutt of the lesser charge of manslaughter for the killing of dad-of-five Quentin, who had been sitting at the wheel of his black convertible BMW when he was shot dead. ‘I am happy the jury cleared Mr Shutt of murder, equally happy they acquitted him of attempted murder of the passenger, disappointed of the lesser manslaughter conviction, ’ said Shutt’s defence lawyer Roger Futerman after the verdict was heard. Following the trial, Quentin’s grieving family declined to comment publicly. At the time of…

1 HRT replaces oestrogen During the menopause, we stop producing eggs and oestrogen levels drop. ‘We have oestrogen receptors in our brain, muscles, joints, ligaments, heart, vagina and bladder, so when levels decline we get symptoms in all these areas,’ explains GP Dr Rebecca Lewis at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. HRT helps replace this lost hormone, combating symptoms. 2 Progesterone is key ‘Oestrogen on its own would cause the lining of the womb to thicken, which is not good long-term and can lead to problems such as endometrial cancer,’ explains Dr Lewis. Adding progesterone keeps the lining thin, and it can either be combined with your HRT or taken separately. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, this won’t be a problem for you. 3 There are different forms HRT…

On 25 June 2022, the UK celebrates Armed Forces Day, recognising the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces. But the grown ups aren’t the only brave ones in Forces households. Little Troopers, a charity supporting military families, introduced Chat to three real-life stars – and their proud mums – who hold the fort at home. ‘He’s the best big brother’ Katie Neale, 31, Longhoughton, Northumberland Waving goodbye to my husband, my little boy Alfie clutched my leg. ‘Daddy will be home soon, ’ I soothed, hoisting his baby brother George onto my hip. It was September 2020, and my husband Andy, then 29, was in the Royal Air Force. This was the first time he’d been deployed since our Alfie, then 3, and George, aged 1,…

Jemma Jeeves, 32, east London Peering into the distance, I spotted SpongeBob SquarePants and the familiar quiff of Elvis. As they neared, I looked down at my two girls, Grace, then 4, and Mia, nearly 2. Sure enough, as the runners clad in fancy dress jogged past, the girls squealed in delight, cheering and waving. They loved to see the outfits of the competitors as they lolloped around the course of the London Marathon. It was a family tradition to take to the streets to watch the marathon, and April 2019 was no exception. My dad Richard, then 63, had been a keen marathon runner himself at one time, and he stood beside me, clapping the runners too. But I hadn’t followed in Dad’s nifty footsteps. At 5ft 7in, I…

My video had gone viral! It had been viewed almost 700,000 times. I just couldn’t believe it. And as the number of views went up, so did my follower count. And while some people made rude comments, and some of the nasty boys from my old school made fun of the videos, most people were supportive. Grateful to see themselves reflected in my videos – whether they too had visible differences or were bullied. It felt amazing to show everybody that my differences weren’t something to be ashamed of. Before long, Shake My Beauty, a YouTube series showcasing amazing women redefining beauty standards, got in touch. They wanted me to feature in one of their episodes to tell my story! I’m unique and that’s something worth celebrating And as my…

You can stock up on products from Scottish skincare brand Organic Works for less, as there’s 20% off the range for readers, including this Renewal Night Cream (50ml), enriched with lavender essential oil. It’s down from £21 to £16.80 when you use discount code MAG20 at the checkout at theOWstore.com until 31 July 2022. Subject to availability. Free supersaver delivery on orders over £40. Code can only be used once per customer. Offer correct at time of going to press.…

Aries 21 March-20 April What seems perfect today may not be tomorrow. You have an opportunity to get ahead – planning is key. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is! • Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Assertive Mars enters your sign. If you have to work with people who you don’t always agree with, find ways to move forward together as a team. • Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June A conversation about your future brings thoughts of change around your friends and family. A letter brings exciting news and the result you have been hoping for. • Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re more intuitive than you could imagine, and…

Q How can I make my hair thicker? Barbara Cook, Yorkshire A Hair naturally changes over time, and as we age, it is normal to experience some thinning. Sometimes, all our locks need is some extra attention to keep them looking thick and healthy. Hair loves ingredients like biotin, selenium and zinc – and Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins, £20 for 60 capsules, Boots, contains them all. And, thanks to their delicious strawberry and blackcurrant taste, these are an easy way to ensure you get your daily dose. Just like a plant needs healthy soil to grow, your hair needs a healthy scalp. Using a tool like the Tangle Teezer Scalp Exfoliator & Massager, £8, Boots, will gently lift away dead skin cells from the surface of the scalp while stimulating…

What connects comedian and actor Sacha Baron Cohen and politician Diane Abbott? To find out, solve the crossword then read down the shaded squares to find the four-word prize answer. ACROSS 1 Star sign represented by scales (5) 4 Young horse (4) 6 Set of bones (8) 13 Baby frog (7) 14 Kitchen gadget (7) 15 Health worker (5) 16 Animal den (4) 17 Capital of Spain (6) 18 Solemn promise (6) 20 Fast planes (4) 21 Offal (5) 22 Haphazard (6) 25 Good-looking (8) 28 Young birds (6) 30 Japanese dish (5) 32 Guess (8) 34 Edible fish (6) 35 Cash register (4) 38 Tennis venue, _ Garros (6) 39 Scowl (5) 40 Very soft wool (6) 43 Actor, _ Blanchett (4) 44 Close at hand (6) 45 Scottish…

Jenna O’Keefe, 30, St Albans True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Stumbling out of the pub, I made my way home. It was the third time I’d been out that week. I knew the drill. Five pints, a takeaway, then home to bed for a couple of hours before work the next morning. It was 2017 and this had been my routine for years. From drinking in the park as a teen, to downing shots in clubs at uni, booze was a fixture of my lifestyle, the foundation of many of my friendships. Most people I knew drank heavily a couple of times a week – and with drinking so ingrained into British culture, I saw no problem in doing the same. Back at home I flopped into bed and before long I’d…

Jane Crewe, 57, Edinburgh Following the sound of yapping, I called out to my dogs Artemis and Phaedra, ‘Quiet down, you two!’ as they woofed at the door. My two pups may have looked like fluffy white clouds, but they were a notoriously noisy breed and always let me know if anything happened outside. I’d fallen in love with Samoyeds as a teen. And when, in August 2014 I’d settled down opposite a nature reserve in Edinburgh with my husband Martin, now 61, and our four kids, my doggy dream had finally come true. Independent, intelligent and loveable, I adored my two pooches. They were amazing for so many reasons but researching the breed over the years, online and in books, one fact really stuck out. ‘You can spin their…

Greek play Tennis was invented in Britain by Major Walter Wingfield in 1874. Originally called ‘sphairistike’ – an ancient Greek term, meaning ‘the art of playing ball’ – the first Wimbledon tournament was held in 1877. On 21 June 1937, The Championships first aired on the BBC, making this the 85th year. Everything’s alwhite! Tennis whites date back to the 1800s when rules stated that white should be worn to avoid the look of unsightly sweat patches. Back then, according to the rule book, it was ‘quite unthinkable that a lady should be seen to perspire’. Blokes must play by the rules too. In 2013, Roger Federer was forced to change his shoes because they had orange soles. A bird’s-eye view Rufus the hawk is set free to circle the…

FILL ME IN Best known for playing C-3PO in the Star Wars films, Anthony Daniels also voiced which character in the 1978 animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings? Solve the puzzle by following the arrows and writing in your answers. Then read down the letters in the shaded squares to find the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 14 Your answer: CIRCLE TIME The first World Championship in which sport took place in Argentina in 1987 and was won by the host nation? Fit the words into the grid, then read down the letters in the shaded circles. 3 letters LEA LEI LIE POP SLY TAR TAT WAX WHO WOK 4 letters AFAR ALSO ATOM FETA ONTO ROTA YOGA 5 letters PUPPY WRONG WROTE 6 letters FELLOW FORMAT…

3 ways to... SAVE AT THE SUPERMARKET Try these tips to reduce your food-shopping bills 1 Make a meal plan If you want to save cash, make meal plans each week because it means that when you go shopping you’ll buy enough food to last and you won’t spend on items you don’t need. And look for budget recipes, too – try cookingonabootstrap.com for inspiration. Eating less meat and fish can cut costs, too – for instance, swap beef for chickpeas in a chilli. 2 Always compare prices Choose the supermarket you shop at carefully – you can compare prices online at trolley.co.uk, which shows you the prices of over 130,000 products across retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons and Aldi (the site is working to add Lidl). However,…

Top tip You can use frozen cherries if you don’t have fresh ones to hand, or any other berries for that matter. Apple and cherry flan Traditionally known as clafoutis, this easy bake is a French classic that uses humble store-cupboard ingredients to make something that tastes decadent and satisfying SERVES 6 PREP TIME 30 MINS COOK TIME 1 HR • 2-3 Pink Lady apples, depending on how big your dish is • 20g butter, plus extra for greasing • 100g caster sugar • Handful of cherries • 60g cornflour • 1tsp vanilla extract • 2 eggs, plus 2 yolks • 250g double cream • 245ml milk 1 Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Peel the apples, cut them into eighths and remove the core. In a pan, melt the…

Holly Dunn, 45 Queuing at the bar, a bloke next to me gave me a nudge. ‘I like your toenails, ’ he grinned. I glanced down at my feet, then his – we both had on silver nail polish. Laughing, he said his name was Chris Maier, then 21, and his female flatmates had painted his nails as a joke. ‘They suit you!’ I giggled. It was May 1997 and, aged 20, I discovered that me and Chris were both students at the University of Kentucky. ‘We’re having a party tomorrow, do you want to come?’ I asked. Chris nodded and I went home beaming. From then on, we were inseparable. Chris had me in stitches. While others groaned when it rained, he would dance in the puddles. Everything was…

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Strawberry, £8.99, lookfantastic.com This is everything you could want from a lip balm – vitamin E to hydrate and strawberry extract to treat cracked skin. Plus, it smells delicious! As a bonus, you can also use it on areas like dry cuticles, cracked heels and cuts. Soap & Glory Simply The Boost Body Yogurt, £9.95, Boots Turn your moisturising routine into an uplifting ritual with this mood-boosting body cream. The lightweight formula surrounds you with a zingy aroma of grapefruit and rhubarb, while gliding smoothly over your limbs and absorbing quickly for deep hydration. Sleek Makeup i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette Level Up, £8.99, lookfantastic.com A 12-shade palette with everything you need to help you achieve any look. Plus the buttery formula glides over eyes without leaving any…

Shanara Mobley may have only been 16 years old when she gave birth to her daughter Kamiyah on 10 July 1998, but she was already a devoted mummy. ‘Open your eyes so you can see how pretty your mama is, ’ she cooed to her newborn. And as her daughter gazed up at her, she said it was the best feeling ever – yet it was a feeling that wasn’t going to last. Just hours later, a woman dressed in blue scrubs and surgical gloves came in to see the mother and child. Shanara was still groggy from an epidural so didn’t question the nurse carrying her baby away. It was only when the baby’s paternal grandmother Velma saw the woman pick up the baby bag on the way out…

Darting Lizzie, Determination coursed through you in bucketloads, didn’t it? Right from when you were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in February 1995. You were only 5%. ‘It’s not going to stop me from doing anything, ’ you declared, resolute. And it didn’t. Camping with the school when you were 7, skiing two years later. You’d mastered injecting yourself with insulin twice a day. You had a vivacious, outgoing appetite for life And you hated injections! ‘Other people have worse things, ’ you always smiled. You tried hard at school, winning a place at college to study business management. And you partied hard, too! You were only 5ft and a size 8, but your vivacious, outgoing appetite for life meant you had loads of pals. In October 2009, you set…