Michelle Dewberry On Business, Friendship And Fashion

Michelle Dewberry first came to our attention way back in 2006 when she determinedly worked her way to the top of the heap in the second series of The Apprentice. Following a stint working for Sir Alan Sugar, Michelle decided to follow her dream to be her own boss, which led to yesterday's launch of her brand-new shopping site for thrifty girls, Chiconomise.com. She took some time out of the launch process (we can imagine exactly how busy she must be!) to have a chat with GLAMOUR.com  about what it's like to be a young, female businesswoman, the benefits of working with a friend...and her favourite summer trend.
Congrats on your site relaunch!  What's your top advice for young women who are aiming to start their own businesses like you?
First  thing is first: you've got to take a sheet of paper and be brutally honest with yourself, and analyse what your strengths and weaknesses are. Be honest about whether you have got the skill set to do it on your own. Don't underestimate how hard it is. My relaunch is a joint venture with Vicky Zadeh - I've known her since I was 18 and I'm 30 now.  I can't even tell you the pleasure that I'm getting this time around from something so simple as getting a business partner. We're good for each other - I kind of get stroppy, and she's really good because she's a lot more diplomatic than me. We just complement each other.
Tell us about Chiconomise. What's the idea behind it, and how does it work?
Chiconomise was set up by me about nine months ago, as an e-newsletter. We relaunched the wholesite in response to the fantastic feedback we received. Chiconomise is all about empowering women to save money. There are so many choices on the internet: what we do is pull everything together on one site. High street sales, vouchers, sample sales - you just come to us.
Why online shopping?
95% of things are cheaper online than they are on the high street - there are so many bargains to be had. You just need to be organised and kind of know what your'e looking for. Look at things like members' clubs, sample sales - that what we provide, all these different ways of achieving the product at a better price.
And what's your favourite thing to shop for right now?
I'm a big fan of the maxi dress at the moment, although I kind of struggle a little bit - I tend to rock up to work meetings in my flip flops and maxidresses, which is getting me a few strange looks.
So you don't wear business suits?
You know, sometimes you get these girls, and they think to be a businesswoman you've got to fold your arms, wear a business suit and be really bolshy. I just think you're a woman, and you have to be true to yourself. Work as hard as you can work, and as long as at the end of the day you're proud of what you're done, you've won!

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Simple Steps To Happiness

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Finding happiness doesn't have to be complex - often, paying attention to simple pleasures can make a real difference to your emotional well-being - and, in turn, to your physical health! Click here for some top simple tips from some of our favourite lifestyle and health experts.
"Notice what you eat. Once a day, sit round a table with your friends or family, switch off electrical distractions and savour a meal. You'll enjoy it more - and you'll eat less," says Ursula Arens, dietitian.

Go herbal. "The energising effect of tea becomes more pronounced as the tea ages, so look for aged Oolong or aged Puer for the greatest uplift. Or try a green tea - it's like springtime in your cup!" says John Kennedy, owner of contemporary teahouse TeaSmith.

"Check for eyestrain: put your hand to your forehead in a salute. If your eyes feel relieved, your workspace is too bright," says Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project.

Move your body - for 30 minutes every day. "You don't have to do it all in one go and it can be as simple as walking to the bus stop - anything that gets your heart rate up!" says Mike Pollard, manager, Total Fitness.

Try talking once in a while. "The next time you're on a train or in a lift, start a conversation with someone nearby. Be curious, and expect them to surprise you with something interesting. Connect with people in the real world - not just through Facebook or your BlackBerry," says Jessica Chivers, 'The Thinking Woman's Coach' and founder of Be You But Better coaching (beyoubutbetter.co.uk).

Find a quiet space and hum. "Practice the yogic breathing technique called 'bhramari'. Inhaling deeply through the nose, hum loudly like a bee for the whole length of the exhalation, until you have no breath left. Repeat 10 times. You'll be amazed by the sense of stillness afterwards." Maybe don't try this in public.

Eat 30g of dark chocolate a day. It's the new superfood.  
Grab a coffee before exercise. Studies show a cup before you start will enable you to work out for up to 30% longer - and the caffeine triggers your body to burn fat rather than carbs. Result!

Learn to walk properly. "Walking with the correct postural alignment, using my unique walking technique, creates muscle tone and better posture. Walk through your foot, stabilise your hips and lengthen your neck, swinging your arms to increase speed. You should cover at least 3,450 steps in 30 minutes to see a difference in your shape," says Joanna Hall, diet and movement specialist, Joannahall.com.

Indulge your nostrils. "Combine wild orange oil, pettigrain and neroli in an oil burner or, heavily diluted, in a bath. It'll make you feel like a whole new person!" Caroline Wadkin, aromatherapist, Ourhealingarts.org

Get rid of the mess. "Tonight, go home and throw out anything you don't need or love - you'll create room to receive new things that will bring you happiness," says John Sandifer, feng shui expert, Fengshui.co.uk.
Buy a fish tank
Watching fish lowers blood pressure - one of the key measurements of stress.
"Do something you find difficult. You'll gain a sense of achievement and the rewarding feeling that you're reaching your potential," says Rose Aghdami, chartered psychologist, Mindexpert.com 
Become the most popular person you know. Practise five small acts of kindness a week. Studies have shown it will increase your sense of wellbeing. Doing them all in one day boosts happiness even further.

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What Your Food Cravings Really Mean

Constantly craving chocolate? Always reaching for yet another bag of crisps? This could be your body's way of telling you to stock up on vitamins and minerals, say nutritionist Joanna Hall and Nadine Masseron of the British Naturopathic Association. Here they give the healthy alternatives you should be reaching for.

YOU'RE CARVING Burgers, chips and takeaways
YOUR BODY NEEDS Salt
"When your body is working hard, through exercise, stress or even working in an air-conditioned office, it loses salt," says Hall. "Fast food is an instant way of
getting it, but you're taking in more than you need, which restricts your blood vessels and raises your blood pressure, as well as piling on calories."
SO EAT Sushi. This is full of sodium-rich seaweed and fish. Or you could go old school and have sardines on toast.

YOU'RE CRAVING Crisps and bread
YOUR BODY NEEDS Protein
"A high metabolism means you burn food quicker so you crave carbs that will fill you up," explains Masseron. "But you'll be hungry again soon after. Protein takes longer to digest, so you'll feel satisfied for longer."
SO EAT Meat, fish, chicken or eggs - have one of them in every meal (and as 50% of your meal portion).

YOU'RE CRAVING Chocolate
YOUR BODY NEEDS Magnesium
"Magnesium helps the body's metabolic system give you energy," says Hall. "When we're tired, chocolate is tempting as it contains magnesium, but sugar will just make you lethargic. Avoid."
SO EAT Nuts, seeds and wholegrain (found in wholemeal bread and porridge).
YOU'RE CRAVING Caffeine
YOUR BODY NEEDS Iron
"Women lose a lot of iron during their period," says
Masseron. "If you don't replace it quickly, you'll feel tired because it helps distribute oxygen around the body. You may crave coffee to perk you up, but after the caffeine wears off, you'll feel tired again."
SO EAT Crudités, such as raw broccoli, or dried fruit, such as apricots and figs. For a sweeter snack, try liquorice.

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On Your Bike: Get Back In The Saddle This Summer

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It's green, it's inexpensive, it's great exercise, and it's stylish: cycling has never been so fashionable. But you haven't been on your bike since gaining your cycling proficiency badge? Not to worry. Here are some tips to get you back in the saddle.
1. Don't be fooled into thinking you have to wear Lycra
Lycra has a purpose - it's light and tight and aerodynamic. Good for shaving seconds off your record in the Tour de France. But you are not taking part in the world's most famous bike race, are you? You're going to work, or to the shops. Why dress like Lance Armstrong on your commute? Just wear something breathable that won't get caught in the chain. If you need some inspiration, check out Copenhagen Cycle Chic. While we're here, yes, you can wear heels, as long as the soles aren't too slippy and they're fastened on properly. Turning up with one bare foot is never a good look.  
2. Take a cycling lesson
If you feel nervous getting on your bike for the first time in years, get some cycle training. This is not an expensive or shameful endeavour, and you won't be in a primary school playground weaving around cones again. These days, cycle training is mostly road-based, and it is a brilliant way to gain confidence in the saddle. Some local authorities offer training for free. Find your nearest cycling instructor through the CTC.
3. Get the right bike for you
If you have a bike you don't like or doesn't fit you, you won't ride it. Take some time to really figure out what you want from a machine before you go bike shopping. Where do you want to ride it? (Up hills? Along a gravely towpath?) Where are you going to store it? How much do you want to spend? To get a decent new bike, you will need to spend at least £300, so if money is tight, buy secondhand. Around £100 will buy you a decent used bike. Rope in a bike-knowledgeable friend to help you choose.
4. Get a good lock
Ideally two, especially if you live in a big city. Any lock under £40 is a waste of time and can be cut by a thief in seconds. When you lock your bike, lock the frame and both wheels to something secure.
5. Don't flash at the lights
Remember what I said about not wearing Lycra? Well, there is one exception tot hat rule: slipping on a pair cycling shorts under a summer dress is a marvellous way to disappoint anyone hoping to look up your skirt at the traffic lights. Proper cycling shorts also come in with built-in padding to stop your bottom getting sore or chafed. Just don't wear them on their own unless you really do want your bum to look the size of a space hopper. I like Craft's bike boxers.
Bicycle by Helen Pidd (Penguin, £14.99) is out now.

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Do & Don'ts Of Choosing A Career

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If you feel lost and daunted by the many career paths on offer, then here's how to narrow down your search and get onto the right path, with expert advice from Alice Weightman, Director of Hanson Search.

DO talk to your friends and family who have a broad spectrum of careers so you can get an understanding of different industries. They'll be able to offer an honest perspective on different jobs.

DO try to get work experience, or temp for a company in that sector, to give you a real insight into the realities of the role. This will also help you to prepare your CV so that it stands out from other potential applicants.

Once you have decided on an industry, DO read up on that sector and speak with specialist recruiters who can give you tailored advice and be realistic about your chances of securing a position.

GLAMOUR.com tip: Seek out work experience through collecting email addresses from company websites (make sure you email the correct person like the HR department, office manager or recruitment specialist) and emailing a cover letter and your CV. DON'T attach your CV - instead, paste it into an email, so it's easier for the recipient to just scroll down and read it straight away - this really works!
DO search through jobsites in the internship section and sign up to recruitment newsletters (Google industry-relevant ones).Get in touch with the HR department and ask them how they prefer interns to apply. Good luck!

Alice Weightman runs Hanson Search - a specialist PR and communications recruitment consultancy based in London. Email Alice directly at alice@hansonsearch.com.

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GLAMOUR.com's Guide For The Single Wedding Guest

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June means wedding season: great news if your special day is just around the corner, less great news if you're single and are looking ahead to a string of summer Saturdays spent watching your friends celebrate the kind of enduring love that you're yet to find. But is attending weddings solo really a reason to feel sad? We don't think so -  there's nothing wrong with feeling a little bit of envy that you're not the one wearing the meringue dress, but here at GLAMOUR.com, we firmly believe that weddings can be just as fun - if not more so - if you go without a man in tow. Here's why...
Wear what you want
Bless 'em - no matter how hard we try, fellas just don't ever seem to quite understand fashion. Chances are, if you bring a guy with you to a wedding, he might question the function of your favourite fascinator, or suggest that your six-inch strappy stilettos are not sensible to wear to a garden champagne reception. On your own, you can indulge in sporting your favourite full-on wedding frock and piling on the accessories, confident that the other women at the wedding will regard your ensemble approvingly.
Flirt, flirt, flirt
It's as much of a tradition as the best man's speech and the bride's mother crying: as one of the single people at a wedding, it is your solemen responsibility to flirt with everyone - from the bride's Clooney-alike uncle to every single one of the ushers (well, maybe try not to flirt with the groom). It's an important part of the celebration, and no one will be judging you - except, perhaps, the other girls who are saddled with boring dates and wish they were in your shoes.
Wedding cake
We think the cake needs a whole category unto itself. If you had a gentleman companion at the wedding, would you eat that second slice of delicious wedding cake? Perhaps not, for the sake of politeness/feeling bulgy in your dress. On your own? Get stuck in. The same goes for champagne, of course.
The morning after
Maybe you'll wake up your shoes on, a handbag containing a slice of wedding cake, and a bit of a champagne headache. Maybe you'll wake up with one of the afore-mentioned ushers, who will hopefully still be handsome out of his morning suit. What you will not wake up to is an awkward conversation about the future of your relationship, which we guarantee at least half of the couples at the wedding will be having over breakfast the next day - nothing brings on the 'where are we going?' questions quite like watching someone else get married.

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The ultimate family therapy: Photographer turns two relatives into one person

This is Ulric Collette...
...and his brother, Christophe. Collette, 29, a photographer and graphic design genius, spliced half his face with his 30-year-old brother's for a project called "Genetic Portraits." He also enlisted other siblings, parents, and kids to pose for the family portrait mash-up. Now his incredible results have replaced Manbabies as thenext viral photo sensation. Nevermind the web, genetic portraits are the kind of thing that should be instituted in family therapy practices everywhere. The side-by-side comparison, smoothed seamlessly together with Photoshop clay, reveals so much about the differences between family members and the way an individual inhabits his physical form. Plastic surgeons get to use this kind of technology everyday when they want to convince someone to get a facelift. How about using it for mother-daughter bonding exercises? Just a suggestion, psychotherapists.
Photo by: photo by Ulric Collette via ulriccollette.com

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When Working Out Isn't Working

By Ryan Halvorson, DETAILS


You log countless hours in the gym, following a traditional routine that dutifully alternates between strength and cardio, but you still can't achieve the kind of arm definition you see in the magazines. And why are those love handles still there? If this sounds familiar, then you're about to discover why your workout isn't nearly as effective as you think. For years experts have maintained that heavy lifting and cardio are the keys to building muscle and blasting fat, but the latest exercise science is turning conventional wisdom on its head. It's time to learn the new rules of
fitness.

Related: Is Skim Milk Making You Fat?

Stop Worrying About Calories
If you've ever sat on the sidelines of a marathon, or watched one on TV, you've likely noticed that long-distance runners come in many shapes and sizes—from wispy to borderline portly. But sprinters tend to be in the one-size-fits-all category: lean and chiseled. (And this doesn't apply just to Usain Bolt—check out the guys
pounding the treadmill at your gym.) So why do shorter, intense workouts boost fat loss? According to Nicole Pizzi, M.P.H. (master of public health), a performance specialist at Bird Rock Fit in La Jolla, California, it's all about what happens inside the body after the workout is over. "Sprints—while cardio in nature—tear down muscle because you're taking your body to its upper limit," Pizzi says. "The body requires extra energy to repair and strengthen itself, and that means you'll continue to burn fat and calories for days after your workout." Those who jog for 45 minutes or knock out an hour on the elliptical, however, return to their normal calorie-burning state almost immediately after they've finished exercising.

Start Exercising Less
Jade Teta, a naturopathic doctor and a co-owner of Metabolic Effect training studios in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has replaced
hour-long workouts with short, intense classes that focus on full-body movements—like squats with biceps curls—to quickly fatigue the entire body. His most popular sessions never last more than 30 minutes, and researchers from Ohio University back up his new way of doing things. The scientists had young men perform four rounds of bench presses, power cleans, and squats. The participants were told to lift enough weight so that they burned out at about 10 reps during each set. It amounted to a 30-minute workout, but when tested several days later, the men continued to burn fat and build muscle much faster than they had before the routine. "The problem with a lot of workouts is that the focus is placed on time spent at the gym instead of on intensity," Teta says.

See also: The Ultimate Weights-Free WorkoutPush Yourself to Failure
Nicole Pizzi finds that the amount of weight lifted is less important than how hard the client pushes and how many times he is forced to rest because of muscle fatigue. The only way she could elicit that kind of intensity from clients was to cut her workouts from an hour to 30 minutes or less. "I noticed that most of my clients spent the [hour-long] workout pacing, much like a marathoner
would during competition," she says. "Because of that, they rarely achieved their maximum potential." Pizzi focuses on full-body exercises that emphasize particular body parts—like a lunge with an added biceps curl. "The goal is to quickly get the body to burn out so that the client needs rest." Once the client catches his breath, the workout starts again. Since cutting workouts in half, Pizzi has witnessed tremendous change in her students' bodies and motivation.


Forget Traditional Cardio
Ever wondered why elliptical machines (and stair climbers and treadmills . . . ) are often full of people who are overweight? Apparently, the most monotonous exercises are also the ones least likely to build muscle—and might even do the opposite. Researchers at West Virginia University wanted to see how two different routines, plus a very-low-calorie diet, would affect weight loss. One
group of participants engaged in resistance training on weight machines that progressed from one to four sets of up to 12 exercises three times per week. The second group performed 50 to 60 minutes of walking, stair climbing, or biking four times per week. At the end of the 12-week study, the aerobic group had lost 19.4 percent of total body weight, while the strength group had lost 14.7 percent. But when body-composition measurements were taken, researchers discovered that one fourth of the weight lost by the aerobic group was muscle. The resistance group's muscle mass remained static even though their diet was severely restricted. "Long-duration, low-intensity cardio can break down muscle tissue to be used as fuel," Pizzi says. "If your goal is fat loss and muscle growth, it's best to stick with short-duration, high-intensity cardio and strength training."

Outsmart Your Appetite
Many people want to raid the refrigerator after a workout. Science now suggests that these cravings are linked closely with the type of exercise performed. It all has to do with the hunger hormone ghrelin, which lines the stomach walls and signals the brain to eat. According to a study from the Else-Kröner-Fresenius Center of Nutritional Medicine at the Technical University of Munich, people who cycled at 50 watts (light effort) for 30, 60, and 120 minutes experienced a serious spike in ghrelin release that triggered the desire to eat. However, ghrelin secretion remained unchanged when exercisers kicked up the intensity to 100 watts (moderate effort) during a short, 30-minute workout. The authors state that "low- rather than high-intensity exercise stimulates ghrelin levels independent of exercise duration." Another study, from Leeds University in Britain, backs up this counterintuitive wisdom by showing that intense exercise
actually suppresses appetite.

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4 Easy Ways To Stay Healthy At Work

Thanks to nearly constant sitting, office gatherings with sugar-packed, high-calorie snacks and the stress of deadlines and big projects, your workplace can be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome on your weight-loss journey.

Here are four common barriers to good nutrition in the work force and easy ways to overcome them.

1. Lack of time. Many people are too busy at work to take the time to eat, yet not too busy to update their Facebook status or get lost in their inbox for a few hours each day. Schedule your meals and treat them like you would any other appointment. Even the busiest professional can carve five minutes out of their mid-morning schedule to have a nutrition bar and 20 oz of water.
2. Limited access to healthy food and water and/or inconvenience. It's true: Eating healthy is inconvenient. Healthy food doesn't last long in your desk drawer, and I have yet to see a vending machinestocked with lean proteins and fresh pre-cut vegetables. But with a little preparation, the inconvenience of health food goes away. Your strategy here is to be proactive about access. It isn't up to your employer to have a vending machine full of healthy food. It is up to you to make sure you have what you need to reach your goals; any external support from your workplace should be considered a bonus. You just need two simple things: a metal water bottle for drinking water throughout the day, and a small cooler with ice packs.
I personally like the Sigg reusable bottles because they're free of volatile organic compounds, BPA, phthalates, and several other toxins. Plus, they contain a special liner that prevents your water from having any metallic taste. Any small, cloth, insulated cooler that is part lunch bag, part cooler works perfectly. Add a couple ice packs to keep your food fresh and you're all set. With these two items, you'll always have access to healthy food.
RELATED: Surprising High-Sodium Foods
3. Limited food choices. Unless you work in the restaurant industry, there's probably limited access to healthy food at your job--which is exactly why you need to make it convenient. Here's how: Your first option, as mentioned above, is to always bring food with you. But you'll need a back-up plan, which requires some detective work around your office. What restaurants are in the area? Look at their menus online and find a couple of options that you know fit with your healthy eating plan. What restaurants deliver to your work place? What can your order from those places? Create a nutrition cheat sheet so if you need to go to a business lunch or have to work late, you don't have to scramble to find food that won't ruin your diet plan .
4. Work ethic. Many people surveyed in the 2011 study said that work was their top priority and that they had things that needed to get done. Your health needs to come first. If you need to lose 15 pounds, that needs to be a priority at home, at work, wherever you are. The good news is that putting these things first doesn't take that much time. If you're properly prepared, the difference between eating well and eating poorly is about 20 minutes per day. That extra 20 minutes you dedicate to healthy eating is ultimately going to make you better at your job.
RELATED: The Worst Drinks For Your Body
Plan to prepare and pack your meals for 10 to 20 minutes before you leave the house in the morning (or I like to do it while cleaning up from dinner the night before). Healthy eating while at work will no longer be an issue, as you'll have your metal water bottle and mini cooler/lunch bag with two healthy snacks and one meal ready to eat when you need it.

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Can you change your body in two weeks?

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In this month's GLAMOUR, features writer Scarlett Russell reports on how she handled an intense 2-week workout devised by celeb personal trainer Matt Robert, taken from his new book,I Will Make You Fit Fast. The full feature can be read in the magazine, but here's a peek at how she got on - and a 'sample day' from the gruelling workout.
Scarlett says: "I figure I'm pretty healthy - I work out three times a week - so I'm surprised when Matt measures me and says my overall body fat is 27%. It should be below 26% for my age (26) and height (5ft 5 ins). Armed with his new book, I hit the gym."
1. Cardio
Running/walking recommended
40 secs at 85% MHR
rest for 20 seconds
repeat 10 times for a total of 10 minutes
Resistance (PHA Training)
Weighted Squats 12 RM
Press-Ups to failure p
Alternating Lunges 20 RM each leg
Tricep Dips to failure
complete this circuit of exercises twice
rest for 20 seconds between circuits
repeat step 1.
 
2. Resistance
Hamstring Curls 20 reps
Upright Row 10 RM p1
Walking Lunges 20 RM each leg
Lateral Raises 12 RM
complete this circuit of exercises twice
rest for 20 seconds between circuits
repeat step 1.
 
3. Abs/Core Training
Ab Crunches 30 reps
Oblique Crunches 30 reps
Plank 40secs
Oblique Plank 40secs
 
The verdict:
"I had 12 sessions in 14 days, similar to the workout here but all varying in types and intensity of exercises (some sessions focused purely on cardio, others far more on weights. I also stuck to Matt's strict diet (no sugar or alcohol, lots of protein and veg). I was knackered and sore after just two days, but the results made it (sort of) all worthwhile. I lost 3cm from my waist, 2cm from my hips, 4cm from each thigh, 1cm from my arms and my overall body fat dropped by 4%!"
I Will Make You Fit Fast, £11.69, is out May 3rd

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