Table of contents for 01-Aug-2019 in Pick Me Up!

Stepping through the gates of Buckingham Palace, I was a bucket of nerves. I was about to be presented with an MBE by Prince William, for my contributions to Muscular Dystrophy. I tragically lost my brother, Mark, to the disease when he was 16, and then in 2012, my son Luke was diagnosed at just a year old. The illness has ripped through my family, but I wasn’t going to let it beat me. So, I set up a Facebook page, Leap for Luke. I wanted to educate people about the illness. I explained how it prevents the repairing of muscles, and eventually the heart gives up. I got involved in fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK, and organised ziplining, skydiving and fashion shows. Overall, I’ve helped raise £100k for research…

Surrounded by stuffed toys, my cousins and I were in our element. In our own world, we’d created a whole village - houses, a school, and even a hospital for our toys. It was 2003, and at seven years old, I loved spending time with my cousins. And with my mum Denise*, then 35, being one of eight siblings, I had plenty of them. We’d be at each other’s houses almost every weekend, starting right where we left off while the grownups chatted in the kitchen. My sister Sophie was two at the time, and usually just got in the way, but I tried to indulge her nonetheless, distracting her with a Barbie doll. ‘Can I join you?’ a booming voice said from overhead. ‘Uncle Alisdair!’ my cousins and I…

Boost your immune system – even when the sun is shining. Immunologist Dr Jenna Macchiochi shares her top tips to get you off to a strong start. 1 Nail your nutrition Try including immune boosting foods as part of your daily dietary regime. Citrus fruits are used in native cultures to treat illnesses and are great for a healthy immune system. 2 Colour is key When it comes to food, plant foods rich in colour are key due to their rich phytonutrient content. What do phytonutrients do? Small amounts of phytochemicals find their way from plant foods into our cells, and then direct cells to reduce our inflammatory reactions. 3 Not just what you eat, but when Research suggests that timing meals in alignment with our body’s rhythms is good…

Eczema 1 Eczema is contagious. ☐ True ☐ False 2 There are many different types of eczema. ☐ True ☐ False 3 The condition causes the skin to be itchy, red, dry and cracked. ☐ True ☐ False 4 Only children get eczema. ☐ True ☐ False 5 The cause of eczema is unknown. ☐ True ☐ False 1 FALSE The condition isn’t contagious but most people with eczema will have family members who also have the condition. 2 TRUE There are several different types of eczema and it’s possible to have more than one type at the same time. 3 TRUE Some will only develop small patches of dry skin, but others may experience red, inflamed skin all over the body. 4 FALSE You can get eczema at any…

There’s a stigma around all types of weight loss surgery. It’s seen as the ‘easy way out’ or ‘cheating’. Not me. Of course, surgery should always be the last option - but for me, it really was the best thing I ever did... I’ve spent my life overweight. At seven years old, I was already bigger than my friends. In secondary school, I was a size 14 and I hid when it was time for P.E. Growing up, I daydreamed about being thinner. It was in my genetics to be bigger, and admittedly my lifestyle wasn’t active or healthy. When I hit 25, I was a size 18. I spent hundreds of pounds trying every single diet under the sun. I never wanted to feel extraordinary, just ordinary. I was…

Pulling into our road I smiled. ‘What a great week,’ my husband Kevin, 27, said. ‘Wasn’t it just? Though I think it’s knackered them out!’ I laughed nodding to our sleeping kids, aged 3 and 2 in the back of the car. Bless, they both looked utterly exhausted, but it wasn’t a surprise. The last five days had been spent splashing around in the pool in Skegness and nights dancing, and having an incredible time. Hard to believe, it was all following my latest big bingo win. It was February this year and the day was like any other. The four of us devoured a roast dinner, then as Kevin washed up, I’d tucked the kids into bed. We were both really looking forward to having some downtime. For Kevin,…

Royal push present Brits are speculating that the Duchess of Sussex’s third ring is a push present from husband Prince Harry after the birth of their baby boy Archie. The delicate pave-set band sits above her engagement and wedding ring and is said to be worth £250,000. Push present or not – we’re jealous! G&T for all! Whilst everyone else gets to enjoy a glass of bubbly at your baby shower, the most important person there cannot! STRYYK, a non-alcoholic spirit brand, have carefully crafted a gin that’s full of flavour but none of the alcohol. The perfect drink for a mum-to-be to join in the G&T without the tipple. The glam fam When Kim Kardashian-West discovered she could no longer carry children, she opted for surrogacy. The mum-of-two paid…

STEP ONE: Start by exfoliating the skin at least two days before with the St Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Skin Primer. It may seem a lot of effort, but your tan will thank you for it! Make sure not to moisturise before application as the skin will be too slippery. £4.99, Superdrug STEP TWO: Choose your favourite St Moriz tanner and blend into the skin in circular motions with a St Moriz tanning applicator mitt. Let develop for four to six hours and avoid getting wet for at least two hours. From £4.99, Superdrug STEP THREE: Once washed off, make sure to moisturise to increase the longevity and use the St Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Tan Enhancer for the perfect after care. It will make your tan last longer without…

I tried to move on from my horrific experiences, but all through my teenage years, I never felt like I was good enough. I’d become extremely depressed, convinced there was something wrong with me. Alisdair had ruined my childhood, and I hadn’t got justice. He was a free man, able to live his life. But my life had been shattered. Nine years later, in 2015, my grandad passed away. At his funeral with my parents, I bumped into my auntie. ‘How have you been, Jenny?’ she asked politely. How do you think I’ve been? I wanted to shout back. I managed to avoid her that day, but seeing her triggered something in me. I was 18 years old, soon heading to university to study paediatric nursing. But my past was…

I stared at the pregnancy test in a state of shock. Two blue lines. I’d had no idea for the past three months that I’d been carrying a little girl. My partner, Dariusz, 41, and I were over the moon. The doctors told me to expect a happy, healthy baby. On 22nd June I went into labour, and gave birth to Victoria by caesarean, weighing a healthy six pounds. The midwife passed me my little girl, crying and full of life. I cradled her and looked into her beautiful blue eyes, down to her little legs. I gasped in shock. What was wrong with them? They were both bent in different angles. ‘What’s happened to my little girl?’ I cried. The midwife scooped Victoria out of my arms and called…

Pouring another blob of foundation onto my hands, I smeared it onto my face. ‘I don’t know why you’re bothering with all that,’ my boyfriend Ryan, 20, said. ‘You look just fine.’ ‘I can’t go out like this,’ I sighed, poking at my face. It was October last year, and Ryan and I were meant to be meeting up with friends for drinks that night. But no matter how much makeup I put on, I was never happy with how I looked. You see, I suffered from terrible acne - had done since I was a teenager. At 14, I started to get little spots around my face. But this was pretty normal for a girl my age, and all my friends had them, too, so I wasn’t that bothered.…

Q I’ve just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I’m overweight and have a poor diet. How can I control my symptoms? Ewan Gordon, Swansea Your diagnosis of type 2 diabetes could be a perfect opportunity to make some decisions about your health and your future. Type 2 diabetes was once thought to be a condition that could only get worse. However, this is now known not to be correct. Instead many people are placing their type 2 diabetes into remission. This means getting their blood sugar back into the normal range without the need for medication. You should speak to your GP or practice diabetes nurse about your options. There are three evidence-based ways of improving type 2 diabetes; a low carbohydrate diet, very low-calorie shakes, and bariatric surgery.…

Wedding Confidence Coach Jo Hanby helps brides feel calm while wedding planning and on the big day. For more help visit weddingconfidence coach.co.uk Two sides My fiancé wants to elope. He hates being the centre of attention and worries about the cost of a wedding, but I want my big, dream day. We can’t agree. Tina, Liverpool Look at what the wedding day means to both of you. Write a list of what would make the day special and discuss how you’d both like to feel. Avoid saying what you ‘want’ – instead, imagine being present on the day itself and the memories you want to have. What does a ‘big’ wedding look like? You might think 100 people is perfect, but he might thinkyou mean 300. Realistically, when will…

Simon Monkhouse is an award-winning weight loss surgeon… ‘The public perceive weight loss surgery as cosmetic. But it isn’t about looking better, it’s about restoring people’s metabolic health. Weight loss surgery gives people their life back. The biggest risk for obese people isn’t surgery, it is the health risks of staying morbidly obese. Weight loss surgery is relatively low risk – in fact it’s as safe as gallbladder surgery. Ceely is really changing the way people see surgery – it’s refreshing and inspiring.’ simonmonkhouse.com…

Looking through the travel brochures showing off sun-kissed beaches, I couldn’t wait to book a trip. It would be our first family holiday abroad. My partner Carl, 43, and I own a window-cleaning business, so we’d been working really hard, and we were looking forward to going away. There’s such a great community and fabulous promotions I dreamily wondered where. Spain? Greece? France? It was a bit different from the rainy weekends we’d spent camping in England. In February last year, it was cold and gloomy. Around then, I was catching up with a pal when she reminded me how much we’d liked playing Pick Me Up! Bingo. ‘It’s still so much fun and there are even more games to choose from!’ she exclaimed. I thought I’d enjoy playing a…

Sometimes, putting in a little effort can make you feel amazing… Catalyst PR Executive Emma Copeland, 37, from Kent, loved her glamorous pregnancy with her baby boy, Luca. Emma thinks that there is a lot of pressure on pregnant women to throw extravagant parties. ‘When everyone is having baby showers and gender reveal parties, you want to outdo the others. I certainly did,’ she admits. But she was  definitely up for pampering herself and feeling confident at her baby shower. ‘I had a blow-dry, spray tan, got my nails done and wore the most glamorous pregnancy dress I could find. ‘My baby shower was at my parents’ house and the cakes cost £225. ‘I know I spent a lot, but everyone had a lovely day.’ Emma’s partner Scott, 44, decided…

In the US, if you’re charged with a crime, you can pay a bail bond to get yourself out of jail while you are awaiting trial. If you can’t afford bail, there are bondsmen who cover the cost of your monetary bail bond - for a fee. This is usually 10 or 15 per cent of the bond set. If you appear at your court date, the money is reimbursed to the bondsmen. But if a defendant goes on the run, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The court then gives the bondsman 180 days to produce the defendant - or they forfeit the full bail amount. That’s when bondsmen hire bounty hunters - to track the fugitive down and haul them back to jail. And it’s not…

For those of us that suffer from oily skin, summer is a dreaded time of year, but have no fear, here are some hacks to keep the oil at bay. • Switch to a salicylic acid cleanser. It will help break down the oil in the pores but isn’t over drying. You’ll find these in most drug stores. • Exfoliate once or twice a week, but be gentle, you don’t have to punish it. You can achieve this by simply switching to a muslin flannel when cleansing. • Don’t confuse oil with hydration. You need to moisturise! Find an oil-free moisturiser that will help keep oil at bay, whilst still hydrating your skin. • Introduce a toner to your routine to help regulate your skin’s oil production and help dry…

GO APE, Countrywide Even if you’ve never been to Go Ape, it’s safe to say that if you live in the UK, you’ve heard the name. That’s because Go Ape has 33 locations across the country – and counting – which makes it the most accessible way to have a go at a zip line. The other great thing about Go Ape is that it’s suitable for anyone. Each adults’ Tree Top Adventure has a Junior counterpart designed for small kids (from 1m tall), featuring an exciting high rope course which ends with a zip wire grand finale. Are your kids over 13? Move to something a bit more extreme – try the heart-racing 3km Zip Wire Trekking adventure over the Lake District! From £28 goape.co.uk DON’T MISS The Forest…

ARIES 21 March–20 April Can you feel relationships starting to change? You’re no longer the follower, you’re the leader, as your sign meant for you to be! This may see you having to butt heads this week, with someone who is older in age, but younger mentally. Remember to respect the position of those you want to keep seeing you in a mature light. Avoid: people who don’t see your point of view. Call: 09058 170 710* TAURUS 21 April–21 May Kindness is your key this week to shaping your life as you truly desire. Time spent with those who know you well will help keep you grounded (and happy). It will also help you to see who was only saying what they think you wanted to hear. A better…

We kept the kids entertained by baking and decorating biscuits – they loved it! Karen Francis, Bristol My mum and I celebrating my birthday! Lots of drinks, dancing and flower backdrop photos. Georgina Fraser, Essex Whenever my family go to an Italian, my sister and I pair up and share half pasta and half pizza. It’s a game changer! Kyri Dalton, Bristol In Canada about to go whale watching with my friend. It was amazing! Ellie-Mae Rowley, Bristol My two babies! Jasper the cat loves a cuddle with Baby Ben. Jenny Claridge, Peckham If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet…

Blurry vision Q My Dad has had type 2 diabetes for years, but he’s now complaining of blurred vision. Could this be diabetic retinopathy? Natasha, Bolton A Diabetic retinopathy is one cause of blurred vision, but there are also many other causes. If anyone develops blurred vision, it is important to seek urgent medical attention. If the blurred vision does turn out to be due to diabetic retinopathy, it’s important for your dad to get better control of the type 2 diabetes to prevent further damage. Make sure your dad continues with his annual retinopathy screening to pick up any problems early. Prevention is always best. However, there are treatments that can help the consequences of diabetic retinopathy, including laser, injections and surgery. Struggling to cope Q I was diagnosed…

The power of cranberries New research from scientists at McGill University in Canada have discovered that cranberries could help antibiotics fight against resistant bacteria. With antibiotics being used so frequently, bacteria have become unaffected by the drug, but these new findings could help change that. Incredibly, the research found that cranberry extract made bacteria more sensitive to antibiotics. Even better, when the antibiotics were teamed with the cranberry, the bacteria didn’t develop any resistance to the drug. 300 The alarmingly number of nurses who took their own lives over seven years for reasons such as stress, long hours and poor pay. Victims’ families want better mental health support for NHS workers. Have you tried... bee rested capsules? Perfect for jet lag and sleeping problems, bee rested capsules contain nine different…

Sitting down on the sofa with a cuppa, my phone pinged. How are you? The message read. It was from Elliott Benford, 32. It was 2013, and Elliott and I had met on a dating app a few months before. Charming, funny and handsome, I still got butterflies in my tummy every time I saw his name on my screen. And now he wanted to take things between us to the next level. Do you want to meet up? he asked. Yes! I typed back, feeling so excited. The next week, we met up at a restaurant in our home town of Terry, Mississippi. And Elliott was just what I’d imagined. Pulling out my chair for me, he was such a gentleman. He was just as nervous as I was,…

Katharine Graves, celebrity hypnobirth coach and founder of kghypnobirthing.com says… I think it’s brilliant that many celebrities are choosing to showcase the realities of pregnancy. I adored the reality of Stacey Solomon’s pregnancy, from the hairy belly to the giant boobs, and even Duchess Meghan is embracing mama curves, too. In contrast, many celebrities portray a glamorous image of pregnancy on social media, but we need to remember that this is only a snippet. You rarely see them suffering with morning sickness in their pyjamas. After birth, women have a dinner plate-sized wound inside their uterus and their body hangs on to extra fat. For this reason, it’s imperative that women don’t obsess over drastically losing baby weight. Everybody is different and will therefore change shape at different rates. A negative…

WHAT’S NEW? Sleek IDivine colour carnage eyeshadow palette, £8.99, Feel Unique Go bold or home with the new colour carnage palette, serving you 12 on trend colours packed with intensity. Easy to blend with minimal fall out, these matte and shimmer shades will allow you to mix things up, whatever the occasion. John Frieda weightless wonder range, £5.99 - £6.99, Boots Harnessed from award-winning frizz expertise, the weightless wonder range is a featherlight frizz-fight solution. Targeting unruly hair from the inside-out so you can easily tame your locks without weighing them down. OGX hair masks, £6.99, Boots Featuring two types – Damage Remedy Coconut Miracle Oil and Hydrate & Repair Argan Oil of Morocco – the masks repair and revitalise dry and damaged hair. Apply a small amount after you…

Thai fragrant coconut king prawn curry Serves: 2 IAN SAYS: This is such a beautifully simple recipe and is ready in under half an hour. It is the perfect dish for using up any spare vegetables you have. • ½ onion, peeled • 10 coriander leaves • Zest and juice of 1 lime • ¾ red chilli, finely sliced • 4 kaffir lime leaves • 1 teaspoon peeled and grated ginger • 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil • 400ml tin of coconut milk • 2 teaspoons fish sauce • 1 lemongrass stalk, lightly smashed or cut to release flavour • 1 teaspoon brown sugar • 200g (1 cup) basmati rice • 500ml (2 cups) water • ½ red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced •…

The Collective Pina Colada Gourmet Yoghurt, £2.19, ASDA. This cocktail-inspired flavour combines The Collective’s signature yoghurt, pineapple and a splash of glorious white rum. PIMM’SStrawberry, Tangerine & Mint Preserve, £2.49, ASDA & Waitrose. Just in time for summer, PIMM’S have launched a brand-new fruity preserve. Teaming up with jam makers Duerr’s, the PIMM’s team have combined their signature drink with strawberry, tangerine and mint to create the boozy, sweet treat. Try a dollop on your scone, with a helping of clotted cream! Lambrini fully sparkling, £5, ASDA. Vegan Prosecco lovers are sure to be pleased with the latest launch from Lambrini. Completely free of animal products, the fully sparkling wine will make the perfect summer tipple for vegans and vegetarians, and at £5 a pop – what’s not to love?…

Walking around the library, hand-in-hand with my daughter Taylor, two, we headed to the children’s play area. ‘Wow! I love her hair,’ the librarian said, as we walked past the desk. ‘Thanks! Go and check out our Facebook page, Baby Einstein 2.0,’ I told her. Me and Taylor are often stopped by strangers when we are out together. Everyone is so curious about her wild hair. When she was born, she had little to none, but over time, these little white tuffs started to appear on her head. At first, me and her dad, Tom, 32, thought they were just her baby hairs, but when her mane wildly grew outwards, we knew it was going to be permanent. After a bit of research, my mother-in-law, Jane, 60, discovered a scientist…