Latest news with #midlife
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Latest Thinking on Protein (Again!)
Last year, everyone seemed to discover how important protein is—especially for women over 40. To counter the effects of declines in estrogen (hello, reduced muscle mass and weight gain), a growing number of experts encouraged midlife women to get more of the macronutrient than the USDA's recommended dietary allowance. But have the pro-protein recs gone too far? More from Flow Space Is Fiber the New Protein? Some say yes. 'While protein is an all-important component [for women in midlife], the conversation has swung a little too far in one direction,' says Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology nutritionist, registered dietitian nutritionist and member of the Medical Advisory Committee for the National Menopause Foundation. So, how much protein should you actually be aiming for to feel your best in midlife? Here's what you need to know about striking the right balance. Why Protein Matters in Midlife There's good reason to prioritize protein as you get older. As you move closer to menopause, a sharp drop in the hormone estrogen signals metabolic changes that promote fat storage (especially abdominal fat) while making it harder to build and maintain lean muscle mass. The result? You begin to burn fewer calories, which can set the stage for weight gain. These changes can also contribute to low-level inflammation that may raise the risk for health problems like heart disease, osteoarthritis and even some cancers. Protein can help counter these effects. 'Getting enough protein is one of the most effective ways to help maintain strength, mobility and bone health—especially as we age,' says Taiyyibah Moughal, a performance-focused registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of The Beast Dietitian based in New York. 'It also helps with metabolism and keeps us feeling full, which can support better eating habits overall.' Indeed, research suggests that perimenopausal and menopausal women who follow high-protein diets tend to lose less muscle mass and gain less weight compared to those who don't prioritize the macronutrient. Higher-protein diets have also been shown to support bone health. So, How Much Protein Should You Actually Be Eating? Most experts are in agreement that getting enough protein in midlife is a good thing. But what does 'enough' actually mean? The USDA's current standard recommendation of 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight, or around 54 grams of protein for a 150-pound women, 'is honestly the bare minimum,' Moughal says. In other words, we can—and should—be doing better. But when you're constantly being bombarded with advice to have more, more, more, it's easy to assume that the best move is to try to sneak in as much protein as humanly possible. When midlife fitness influencers are touting 150+ grams of protein per day as a reasonable goal, meals consisting of chicken breast tucked into an egg white wrap (they're a thing!) washed down with a protein shake might seem like a genius idea. In fact, the ideal amount of protein for women who are moving towards or have passed menopause is probably somewhere in the middle. While your specific needs depend on your activity level and whether you're actively trying to build muscle mass, research suggests that it's worth aiming for between 1 and 1.2 grams of protein per kg of body weight in your 40s, 50s and beyond. For a 150-pound woman, that's between 68 and 81 grams of protein per day. Some experts believe that a little more would be even better. 'Women over 40 often benefit from closer to 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day (between 81 and 108 grams for a 150-pound woman) to preserve muscle mass and support metabolic health,' Routhenstein says. That adds up to around 25 to 30 grams of protein per meal, with another 10 to 20 or so grams from snacks. The Downside of Consuming Too Much Protein As with most things that are deemed good for you, it's easy to fall into the trap of more equals better. But the truth is, very high protein diets can come with some downsides. A few biggies worth highlighting: Weight Gain: Adequate protein intake supports a healthy weight, but it's not a magic bullet. 'Too much protein can push your calorie intake up without you realizing it, especially if you're adding shakes and bars on top of meals,' which can actually lead to weight gain, Moughal says. If you want to lose weight on a high-protein diet, you still need to keep your calories in check. Constipation: Prioritizing high protein foods might mean you're eating fewer high-fiber ones, like whole grains, fruits and veggies. At the same time, 'overdoing protein can also increase the risk of dehydration, since processing it creates more waste the kidneys need to flush out,' Routhenstein says. That combo can leave you backed up and bloated. More Saturated Fat and Salt: This one's not a given, but it can be if you're eating a lot of animal protein and processed protein sources (like shakes and meat snacks), Moughal points out. That's a big deal, since salty, saturated fat-rich diets can up your risk for heart disease—which already rises during menopause. Striking the Right Balance To reap all of the benefits that protein has to offer without going overboard, here are a few more tips to keep in mind: Look at your protein amount in each meal or snack. No need to do a protein shake or bar along with that beef salad. Having mega-amounts of protein at one meal (think 40+ grams) isn't any more beneficial than spreading it out throughout the day. Say yes to real food. 'Most women don't need to live on protein powders to meet their needs,' Moughal says. 'Build your meals around whole sources—like eggs, yogurt, fish, beans, lentils or tofu,' instead. Prioritize plant proteins. Pick options like beans, soy foods, nuts and seeds more often. They come with added nutrients like fiber, Routhenstein points out. Plus, eating fewer animal proteins may help manage menopause symptoms like hot flashes. The bottom line? Protein matters more than ever after 40. But it's not the only important nutrient, and if you're upping your protein intake for the sake of your health, going too far could potentially backfire. 'The goal is enough, not excess,' Routhenstein says.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
From shapewear to peplums and pleats – my top eight ways to dress a ‘midlife tum'
IT is the tricky area where stubborn fat is difficult to shift – especially in mid-life. Forums such as Mumsnet are full of women asking how to dress their tummies. 13 It's an issue for all sizes, as hormonal and metabolic changes in forties and beyond lead to fat being redistributed to the stomach area. But don't despair, stylist Claire Hall, 52, one half of social media duo Rants and Big Pants, reveals her tips and tricks for dressing a midlife tum. START UNDERNEATH FOR every outfit, it's important to start with a good base. A lot of women hate the words ' control underwear ', but shapewear is so clever now so there is nothing to fear. It's not constricting, you can breathe in it and there are so many variations. Even if you just buy a smoothing pair of pants it's going to help you feel more confident because you'll have a smooth silhouette with no digging in or discomfort. If it digs in it's going to create a bump somewhere so you need to look for shaping knickers that go above your waistline and hold everything in rather than the sorts that like squashing you. I really like high-waisted tights and shorts because they smooth you out from the top of your waistline down to your thighs. DON'T HIDE YOUR TUM 13 WHEN it comes to tums, I always say this, it's not about hiding your tummy. Lots of women say 'Oh, I want to hide my tummy ' but unless you're going to wear a tent, it's generally impossible. The key is to balance your stomach out with the rest of your outfit. I'm a plus sized style guru - how to hide your stomach easily and fashionably WITHOUT uncomfortable shapewear It's about drawing attention away from it and creating other focal points and not making it the centre-piece of your whole silhouette. You want to create an hourglass silhouette – think strong shoulder line and then some volume on the lower half, with a defined middle. DITCH THE SKINNY JEANS 13 WIDE leg trousers create really good balance for a tummy. If you imagine a lady in a pair of skinny jeans, her midsection is going to be the main thing on show, whereas if she were in a wide-leg pair of jeans or trousers, that wide leg completely balances out her tummy, so it's not the focal point as a result. A flat-panelled pair of trousers are the best. You're looking for a wide leg with a side fastening, so there is no detail at all on the tummy. It makes the stomach area very smooth. PLEATS ARE PLEASING WHEN it comes to skirts, don't shy away from pleats – they can be helpful. Some women say they can't wear pleats because they create too much bulk over my tummy, but there are so many different styles of pleats. If you get pleats that lie flat, and are positioned centrally rather than wide, they will actually visually narrow that area. Again, look for A-line shapes. They are comfortable and will elongate your body and show off the narrowest part - your waist. If you think you haven't got a waist, just create one with a skirt that sits on top of your hips around your middle, drawing the eye away from your lower stomach. FOLLOW THE RULE OF 3 THERE are three things you must look out for when choosing a dress. The first is a strong shape in the shoulders – such as a frill detail or puff sleeve. Secondly, opt for an A-line shaped skirt. The longer your skirt is, the better the balance. If it's a shorter skirt, it's not going to give so much balance for your tummy. Thirdly, look for waistline detail. This can be some on-trend shearing, a waist panel or darts. You want to create a feature of the waist – a belt will work too – to create an hourglass figure with a balanced top and bottom. Ruching on the side of a dress, around the waist, is also brilliant for drawing attention away from the tummy. The material also disguises the stomach because of the gathered detail. PLUMP FOR A PEPLUM MANY of us are scared to tuck our tops in or show off our waistline because we feel that our tummy is exposed. But the waistline is quite far above your tummy area and will become the focal point as you are drawing attention away from the stomach area to a narrower point. Even though it does feel as though you are slightly exposed by tucking in a T-shirt or a blouse, it really helps to make a more defined shape. Alternatively, try a peplum. There are loads of them around and the style is great because you have the waist detail as well as the peplum of fabric, which sits over the tummy area. As it is part of the design, it looks intentional but it also hides what's underneath. FIND WHAT SUITS YOU IT has never been better for women to shop for swimsuits with tummy control, shaping, and sculpting. My advice is to try them to see what feels right for you. With a bikini, choosing the right one depends on your body shape and where it sits. Everyone's tummy is in a different position. For some, the protrusion is quite high up on their frame while for others it is quite low down. If it is low down, I would avoid a low-waisted or low-slung bikini bottom because everything is just going to hang over the top. You want to be looking for a high-waisted cut. V-front bikini bottoms also work wonders as the shape slims down the tummy area by visually lengthening the torso. Also consider sizing up. This avoids the material digging in and making you uncomfortable. AND SIZE DOESN'T MATTER A LOT of women hate the thought of having to wear a dress size bigger but if you size up, the garment hangs better on you. Say you have a pair of darted trousers, when they're a little snug the pleat from the dart is going to pull and become wider. This will really emphasise everything you are trying to flatten. Whereas, if you were to size up, it would hang so much better. The same rule applies with a skirt or a jumpsuit, or even a dress. The garment will hang a lot nicer if it is perhaps a size bigger.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
I don't believe any midlife woman who says they don't care what they look like
Are you a member of the We Do Not Care Club? It's an online sensation started by Melani Sanders, a 45-year-old mother of three from West Palm Beach, Florida, who invites midlife women to tell her what they no longer care about. From her bed, clad in an old, grey T-shirt and baseball cap, she rants about how she doesn't care about bras – 'bras suffocate us'. She doesn't care 'about looking pregnant when we're not pregnant – that's just our perimenopausal or menopausal bodies '. She doesn't care 'about being late, cos we have our own s--- to do'; or having unpainted toe nails – 'I'm going to wear my flip-flops, they are just my feet'. She doesn't care 'if you think I have a s--- attitude, or that I'd rather watch TikTok than clear up'. If she has chin hairs, or ' cellulite in short shorts, that's just how I look, God made me that way'. I have to say I love her attitude – in 2025, it still feels revolutionary to see a woman out and proud, blowing up so many social 'shoulds'. I particularly love that she is taking aim at the kind of dreary, midlife grooming which is expensive, painful and endless. You know what I mean: threading, waxing and toe maintenance that can easily become a full-time job for what the ghastly Gregg Wallace has described as 'women of a certain age'. But while I appreciate Sanders's brand of We Do Not Care sentiments, I'm afraid her credo is not actually what I see in my community of midlife women. The reality of life for my 'Queenagers' (my word, I thought we needed a more positive rebrand), is many of them buckling under a myriad number of 'cares'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Melani Sanders (@justbeingmelani) My women are holding up the sky. Last week, one woman in our sharing circle talked about how she is only getting three hours of sleep a night and is worrying about burning out because she is single, looking after her mother with dementia, working full-time AND supporting her two sons. The boys are in their early 20s and are working for free as interns in London to try and get jobs in finance. Their mum is paying their rent to help them get on that first rung on the corporate ladder (AI has reduced the number of entry level graduate jobs available by 40 per cent, so competition is ferocious). I said maybe she should let them fend for themselves – but, like many parents, she is committed to helping them get launched in the world. And that is getting harder and harder, because this is a boomerang generation. Unsurprisingly, the poor lady looked close to collapse, and then she admitted she is worried about losing her own job. 'It's amazing how all the women get whacked as they hit 50,' she said. Redundancy is a massive midlife female 'care'. In the last week, I have been supporting five senior women with ostensibly amazing careers who have just been 'let go'. Their crime? To be over 50 in a world where gendered-ageism is real. It's not just the workplace where men have a whole life, and women a shelf life. Research conducted by my company found that, by 50, over half of women have been through at least five of the following: divorce, bereavement, redundancy, caring for elderly parents, or a Gen Z with an anxiety or mental health disorder (not to mention their own health issues, menopause, and other kinds of abuse). The midlife clusterf--- (as we call it). Add to that, the constant bombardment we women face from anti-ageing messages in our youth-obsessed culture, where freakishly young-looking female celebrities, from Nicole Kidman to Kris Jenner, are held up to us as exemplars of how we are supposed to look. And most of us can't just disappear into a We Do Not Care slob zone of stretchy tracksuit bottoms and witch hair chins, if we want to hang on to our already precarious places in the world. OK, if we work from home, we can slob around in work-out gear – but for most midlife women, it's just not as easy as saying We Do Not Care. We're told every day that our value is wrapped up in how we look. I'm all for throwing off the patriarchal programming, which values women primarily for being foxy and fecund. But I see so many women of my generation battling that conditioning. They're facing an internal war between their desire to move into a new phase of autonomy – letting it all hang out and putting their needs first – then oscillating back into caring very much indeed about their dependents, and how they keep their peckers up in the world. Why else is practically every woman I meet dosing themselves with Mounjaro? The tyranny to remain slim and sexy, and lose the dreaded 'meno belly' feels real. And it is depressingly omnipresent. Last month, for instance, I attended a launch at the House of Commons for a new campaign called What Women Want. It's supposed to be about ending violence against women, erasing the gender pay gap – all the big stuff. Ahead of it, Good Housekeeping magazine did a survey of its (mainly midlife) female readers asking them that very question: 'What do you want?' The top answer? 'To lose half a stone.' I told you: They Do Care. So while I love the devil may 'do not' care attitude to chin hairs and brassieres, clearing up after messy relatives and not pedicuring horny 50-something feet, this isn't the reality. We live in a culture where gendered ageism is alive and kicking, the pressures on midlife women are off the scale but nonetheless, we've got to stay in the game, because we don't get our pensions until we are 67 (and women retire with 35 per cent less in the pot than men). I'm afraid We Do Care because we HAVE to care. For now, Ms Sanders's vision is just a fantasy of what the world might be like if we valued older women for all that they are, not just their attempts to stay young. I applaud her mission, but I'm afraid it's not reality for most of yet. We'll know we really don't care when young women look forward to being middle aged, as the time when it all gets good – not dread every wrinkle as an impending sign of doom.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rise of the MAGs (that's middle-aged grandparents!): Steven Gerrard joins the ranks of 40-something stars who have welcomed grandchildren
While celebrities are known for holding back the years with expensive beauty treatments and intense fitness regimes, there's no event quite as ageing - albeit joyful - like becoming a grandparent. That said, when Steven Gerrard welcomed his first granddaughter this week, aged 45, he joined the ranks of celebrities who are have entered their grandparent era early in mid-life. He's in good company with Danny Dyer, Dean Gaffney, and Snoop Dogg who were all just 43 when they became grandfathers for the first time. Meanwhile, actress Kym Marsh revealed last month that she is set to become a grandmother for the fourth time at the age of 49. In some cases, stars who became parents at a young age, then divorced and started second families, have young children who are only a few years older than the new arrivals. For instance, Ronan Keating's youngest daughter Coco was just three years old when his granddaughter - her niece - was born in 2023. Steven Gerrard - 45 Steven Gerrard, 45, became a grandad at this week when his daughter, Lilly-Ella, welcomed her first child - a baby girl. The influencer, 21, took to Instagram to share a black and white image of her boyfriend Lee Byrne, leaving the hospital whilst carrying their newborn in a car seat. She simply captioned the photo, '@leebyrne8 2 becomes 3'. The eldest child of the former England footballer announced she was expecting her first child in January. Lilly has been in a relationship with Lee Byrne - the son of a jailed Irish gangster - since October 2022, and their romance made headlines when it first came to light. Former midfielder Steven has four children with wife Alex - daughters Lilly, Lexie, 19, Lourdes, 14, and a son named Lio, eight. Lilly announced her pregnancy news in January, sharing a photo of her positive pregnancy test and telling her 222,000 Instagram followers: 'Our little secret. The best news... mini us is on the way.' Responding to his daughter's post, Gerrard wrote: 'We can't wait. Congratulations and we love you.' Lilly's partner - with whom she was first linked in 2022 - is the son of Kinahan Cartel gangster Liam Byrne, who was issued a five and a half year prison sentence for a plot to stockpile a stash of machine guns. Ronan Keating - 46 Ronan Keating, who is a father-of-five, became a grandfather for the first time aged 46 in 2023. The Boyzone singer shares three children with his ex-wife Yvonne Connolly and two children with his current wife Storm Keating. His eldest son Jack became a father aged 23 in March 2023 when he announced he had welcomed baby girl, but didn't reveal who the mother was until later. The news came as a shock because it happened just months after he left the Love Island villa - he is not in a relationship with the mother of his child. Jack announced in an Instagram post that he had welcomed a baby girl - confusing fans because he hadn't mentioned a child before. He had appeared on the ITV2 show eight months prior - meaning his baby daughter was likely conceived before his appearance on the show. Jack has not been public about a romantic relationship since leaving the Love Island villa but the mother was later revealed to be artist Keely Iqbal. While hosting The One Show shortly after the birth, Ronan made reference to his family's new addition while insisting he wants to be called 'pops'. When his co-host Jermaine Jenas said, 'You're a grandad now,' the former Boyzone star replied, 'Yes I am. My son had a gorgeous baby.' Jermaine then said: 'You prefer to be called something else?' with Ronan responding. 'Pops.' Dean Gaffney - 43 EastEnders star Dean Gaffney revealed he had become a grandfather at the age of 43 - after one of his twin daughters, Chloe, gave birth in July 2021. The actor, who is most famous for playing hapless Robbie on the soap, shared a picture of himself holding the baby girl, Mimi, on Instagram. In the sweet snap, he cradles the child in his arms and is looking at the newborn affectionately. He joked with his followers: 'Just to thank everyone in advance, I know I don't look old enough to be a father let alone a grandfather!' The actor shares twins, Chloe and Charlotte, with ex partner Sarah Burge. The pair met when they were just 15-years-old and dated for 22 years before they announced their split in June 2015, after he admitted to cheating on her with a string of women. Danny Dyer - 43 Danny Dyer became a grandfather at 43, after his daughter Dani welcomed her first child with her now ex-boyfriend Sammy Kimmence. The EastEnders star, who has three children, was just 18 when his wife Joanne welcomed their first child Dani, after getting together aged 14. Dani revealed her father, Danny, 'couldn't stop crying' after becoming a grandfather to her son, Santiago. Speaking on the Made By Mammas podcast, the former Love Islander confirmed the actor didn't expect to be so emotional as he said he 'never felt anything like' becoming a granddad. She said: 'My dad didn't realise [he would be so emotional about being a granddad]. He has been so emotional around Santiago, the other day he was really crying. 'He went: 'I love babies, but your baby. I have never felt anything like it. I didn't think I'd feel like this'. 'He hasn't experienced being a grandad yet, I made him a first time grandad. It has hit him more now. 'He did see me pregnant and getting bigger but seeing me with the baby, it's like, 'this is real now'.' Dani went on to welcome twins daughters named Sunny and Star in 2023 with her husband Jarrod Bowen. Kym Marsh - 46 Kym Marsh announced last month that she is to become a grandmother for a fourth time. The soap star, 49, took to Instagram with a gushing post as she revealed daughter Emilie Cunliffe and son-in Michael Hoszowskyj were expecting their second child. Kym, who shares actress Emilie, 28, with ex David Cunliffe, said she was 'thrilled' and shared a snap of the couple's son Teddy, six, and Michael's daughter Polly, nine, proudly holding an ultra sound picture. She wrote: 'I am so thrilled to share the news!!! Grandchild number 4… incoming!!! Congratulations to my beautiful daughter @listentoemilie , my wonderful son in law @mikeyhoz and Teddy and Polly!! Can't wait to meet you little one!'. Kym is also grandmother to her eldest child David's son Clayton, who he welcomed with fiancée Courtney in 2022. Kym is also mother to 14-year-old daughter Poppy whom she shares with ex-husband and Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas, as well son Archie who as born 18 weeks premature in 2009 and passed away shortly after birth Kym and Jamie first met on a train as they made their way to the 2007 TV Quick Awards before developing a romance in July 2008 - a year before Kym's divorce from ex-husband Jack Ryder. She married a third time in 2021, when she tied the knot with soldier Scott Ratcliff, before their split was announced in May 2023. Jessie Wallace - 50 EastEnders star Jessie Wallace became grandmother at 50 after her 17-year-old daughter Tallulah gave birth to her first child. The actress, who plays Kat Slater on the BBC One soap, announced the arrival of her family's new addition on her Instagram page in March 2022, saying: 'Welcome to the world, my grandson SJ. You are loved, cherished, and adored.' Jessie was congratulated by her Albert Square co-stars including Lacey Turner and Jimmy Bye, who play Stacey Slater and Martin Fowler in the long-running drama. A source close to Jessie told MailOnline at the time: 'Jessie is chuffed to bits about being a grandmother. 'Her close circle knew Tallulah was pregnant and how excited the family were. They're both looking forward to making a lifetime of memories.' The identity of the baby's father is yet to be revealed as Jessie continues to keep Tallulah out of the spotlight – and away from her social media accounts. She has rarely been pictured. Jessie shares daughter Tallulah with her ex-partner Dave Morgan but the couple split shortly after she was born. The actress began dating the policeman in 2003 after Dave accompanied her in court where she was appearing on a drink and drive charge. Snoop Dogg - 43 Snoop Dogg became a grandfather at the age of 43 when his eldest son Cordé became a father to son Zion in 2015. 'Zion. U have a lot of love Waitn on u grandson!!' Snoop Dogg wrote in an Instagram post accompanied by a montage of various family members - most of them looking fondly at the newborn. A second photo showed Snoop Dogg's wife, Shante Taylor, holding the baby, captioned as 'Proud grandma @bosslady.' In 2023 the rapper told MailOnline he had moderated his weed consumption and re-evaluated his lifestyle after becoming a grandfather 'Being a grandfather has changed me in multiple ways,' he told MailOnline. 'The main way is being concerned with how I live, how I move, the kind of people I'm associated with, because I want to see my grandkids grow old. 'The only way I can do that is to take precautionary steps as far as how I move, who I hang out with, where I go out, my intake, what am I intaking?' Last year, he revealed how many grandchildren he actually had during an appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show. 'Now, OK, I was trying to imagine Snoop as a granddad. So how many grandkids do you actually have?' the host asked. 'Actually, I have a total of 12 grandkids,' he answered. 'Yes, yes I do. And they're different ages, ranges, sizes and I love them all the same way.' 'Actually, my oldest grandson, his birthday is today so I'm on my way to his birthday party when I leave here.' he told the audience. 'He's going to be 9 years old, that's Zion Broadus,' Snoop explained. Jennifer asked the My Family artist what his grandkids called him. The Doggyland star explained that Zion was the first to come up with a title. 'He used to call me Papa Noop, because he couldn't say Snoop, so he started calling me Papa Noop. And then as time went by, he learned how to say Snoop, so now I'm Papa Snoop.' Kiefer Sutherland - 39 Kiefer first became a grandfather aged 39 when his stepdaughter Michelle Kath welcomed her son Hamish in 2011. His daughter Sarah Sutherland later welcomed a son named Quinn in 2018. He previously told Australia's 7News: 'The wonderful thing about grandchildren is you give them back. So when they come to visit me, I've got my $5 and my $10 and I've got some chocolate and Coca-Colas and everything they're not supposed to have. 'I spend about two hours getting them completely wired, I give them cash so they'll come back, and then I hand them back to their mother and say 'good luck.'' Kiefer became a father himself aged 20 and credited fatherhood for putting him on the straight and narrow. In a new interview with Radio Times, the actor reflected on the early days of Hollywood and how having children saved him from decisions which could have been 'very damaging for me'. He has been charged with drink driving four times over the years, he was sentenced to 48 days in jail in 2007 after failing a sobriety test. 'I'm not a moron, I know the difference between right and wrong. It's just sometimes I've done the wrong thing,' he says. But the Designated Survivor star, who has one daughter Sarah and one stepdaughter from his second marriage, to Camelia Kath, credits his family for keeping him grounded. Keifer said having children at a such a young age made his 'get away from a bunch of other things that I think could have been very damaging for me'. Pierce Brosnan - 44 Pierce Brosnan first became a grandad at the age of 44 when his late daughter Charlotte welcomed Isabella with her husband Alex Smith. Charlotte was nine years old when her mother Cassandra, an Australian actress who played a Bond girl in For Your Eyes Only, married the star at Chelsea Registry Office in 1980. Tragically Charlotte passed away at her London home in 2013 after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer - the same disease which killed her mother Cassandra 22 years prior. Charlotte and her brother Christopher, from Cassandra's previous marriage to Dermot, were joined by a half-sibling Sean in 1983. Although Pierce and Charlotte were not biologically related, he has previously spoken of the close relationship he enjoyed with her and her brother after he married Cassandra. 'We just clicked as a family,' he said. 'To begin with I was Pierce, then I was Daddy Pierce, and then I just became Dad. Charlotte and Chris have just been amazing in my life.' Pierce adopted his wife's children after their biological father Dermot Harris died in 1986, and they changed their surname to his.
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The lies we've been told about cellulite
Recently, I took a long, hard look in the mirror and decided to end a lifelong relationship that hadn't been serving me well. Challenging as it would be, the effort of maintaining it just wasn't worth it any more. Something had to give – and that something was my shorts. And also my mini skirts, and any other garment that failed to conceal my peau d'orange, a condition that not even the French language can glamorise. As a Gen X-er, I grew up dreading the prospect of cellulite. That's what happens when you come of age in the 'circle of shame' era, where bodily imperfections are highlighted with a red marker pen in gossip magazines and used to discredit women (it's always women) who fail to look smooth and perfect. Cellulite, we were told, doesn't discriminate. Rich or poor, fat or thin, it was coming for you. As someone who is largely desk-bound, under-hydrated and eats a packet of crisps a day, it was definitely coming for me. Which it did, some time in my late forties. But only in my fifties did it become so 'bad' that I resolved to hide it, rather than inflict its dimpled unloveliness on the world. As a lifelong shorts wearer, this felt like a loss. But were wide-leg linen trousers so bad? Clearly not, since every midlife woman I knew seemed to own a pair. My decision lasted for two days – not because I hate wide-leg linen trousers (I do) or found a miracle cure (as if), but because I went to a music festival. This confirmed what I already suspected: that younger women are far more tolerant and accepting of their bodies than the self-critical, apologetic women of my generation. Gen Z women don't hide their cellulite: they celebrate it, even highlighting it with painted stripes of glitter. Granted, the glitter trend might largely be contained to festivals and parties. But the trend for short shorts and even shorter minis seems to be embraced by thighs of every size, shape and texture. This feels as emboldening for me as it does for my teenage daughters, as it has the knock-on effect of making other woman feel less self-critical and self-conscious. Brought up on a diet of body positivity instead of cabbage soup, for Gen Z, the idea that only the svelte and smooth of thigh should dare to bare theirs is anathema. 'I don't think my legs are perfect, but I wouldn't hide them away – I'll put some fake tan on and try not to obsess,' says Maya, 16. 'I don't massively love her music, but in terms of body diversity, I do think someone like [singer] Lola Young is a better role model than the pop stars in my mum's day. She had strong women like Madonna, but they were all the same size – tiny.' Just as Gen Z is more accepting of their bodies, they're also less accepting of spurious advertisements for products that claim to improve them. As every woman knows, no promises are more outlandish than those that pertain to the reduction and erasure of cellulite. When an ad for a product purporting to 'smooth the look of cellulite, compressing and lifting loose skin' popped up on my Instagram feed, I was horrified that someone was charging £22.50 for what was essentially two bits of see-through duct tape. But Gen Z mobilised. 'Sellotaping my legs on a hot day? No thanks,' wrote one in the comments. 'The fact that you say cellulite is normal but try to profit from women's insecurity about having cellulite is wild to me,' wrote another. 'Also, single use plastic? Really?' What is cellulite? Regardless of your age, it always pays to separate the facts about cellulite from the increasingly outlandish fictions. Cellulite is caused when the skin overlying fat (usually on thighs, stomach, bottom and arms) is pulled downwards by fibrous connective tissue. The collagen fibres between skin and muscle separate the fat into multiple pockets, a process which can be amplified with age (the skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity), as well as by poor diet or a sedentary lifestyle. It's also genetic: if you're amongst the 10 per cent of people who won't get it, you can live as you please. Even if you do embrace cellulite but want to reduce the appearance of it, there are some things you could try. I asked Georgios Tzenichristos, a physicist and former competitive athlete who's been specialising in cellulite since 2001, whether it's possible to get rid of cellulite. His LipoTherapeia treatment, the culmination of 24 years of study, experience and research in cellulite and skin tightening, is a favourite with A-listers and billionaires for its science-based approach and its refusal to over-promise. The 'fat' myth 'There are so many myths,' he laments. 'The 'cellulite equals fat' equation is wrong: cellulite and fat are two different things. It's not all water retention, it's not all fascia, coffee doesn't cause cellulite, and the idea that you can get rid of it permanently with a couple of treatments is simply not possible. Cellulite reduction is a gradual process, not an overnight success. This means 6-12 weekly sessions for most people. In most cases, you can't eliminate all of the cellulite because by the time you show up at a clinic, permanent changes have already taken place inside your skin. Prevention is the key.' Which brings us to exercise. Can the right form of exercise prevent it, if not cure? 'Building muscle can certainly improve the look of cellulite,' says skin specialist Sophie Smith, co-founder of Grand Aesthetics. 'Strength training – especially lower-body moves like squats, lunges and glute bridges – helps add definition and firmness under the skin, which naturally reduces the appearance of dimpling. I'm also a fan of Emsculpt, which is like a supercharged muscle workout that also helps tighten the skin. It's not a magic fix, but when combined with consistent training and hydration, it can make a visible difference.' In-clinic or at-home treatments As someone who saw little change after five sessions of Endermologie, a lymphatic drainage massage performed by a therapist with a hand-held device hooked up to a machine (French women swear by it, and while it was certainly relaxing, it was also £130 for 60 minutes), I'm protective of my money and time. So what can I try at home? 'It is actually possible to dramatically reduce the appearance of cellulite, but only if you treat it at its root,' says Lucy Goff, founder of LYMA Laser Pro, an at-home device developed to smooth cellulite and tighten skin. 'Cellulite isn't a surface issue, so creams and massages won't fix it. It's caused by structural tension deep beneath the skin. Our technology is able to penetrate up to 10cm without any heat, damage or downtime. Other treatments, such as radiofrequency or microneedling, can help, but they rely on causing controlled damage. The LYMA Laser Pro does the opposite: it heals, regenerates and rebuilds.' Body Blur skin perfector, £33, Vita Liberata It sounds promising, but at £4,995, it also sounds expensive. Maybe I'll take a leaf out of 16-year-old Maya's book, and slap on some fake tan for now. Inspired by a friend, I'm going to try Vita Liberata's Body Blur (£33), a self-tan that claims to disguise imperfections and give skin a subtle glow. It certainly gave my friend (still wearing shorts at 52) the legs of a 16-year-old. If only we could bottle a 16-year-old's confidence. Or better still, their ability to not to care.
