My new column is still writing itself. I just plonk myself outside at a café now and slowly eat a croissant and sip my tea and the universe delivers me gold! I get bits that are too short which I put in now and again but then a doozy comes along. In a café off the Kings Road I only had to wait five minutes for this:
Man in fancy jogging outfit to plaid checked shirt wearing friend:
“No I’m a lousy father I know it. But the kids have got to learn not to rely on anyone especially me” Plaid shirt guy “You’re not that bad” Jogging guy “ Yes I am Rob I am signally the lousiest father on the planet. You’re being very kind but it’s the truth. I forget their birthdays and to tell you the truth I don’t even like Josh. He’s a horrible kid. You’ve seen he’s got those little piggy eyes to tell you the truth I’m not even sure he’s mine” They both sip their coffees and a long silence falls. Until jogging man says “She’s having an affair I’m sure of it” Plaid shirt man suddenly very surprised “God. Really you think that. Really” Jogging guy “Yeah it’s obvious. She keeps being nice to me. Always glad to see me when I come home. Making me coffee. She bought me a new ipod last week.”
Plaid shirt guy “Christ I see” Jogging guy laughs hollowly ”I mean I’m away so much I can’t blame her. But it’s not nice you know. I’m not sure if she uses the house. Probably not” Plaid shirt guy “I’m sure you’re imagining it” Jogging guy “Maybe. But I just get a sense of it. I was gone for three weeks last month the office needed me back stateside. And she called me and her voice was funny like she’d been running or something” Plaid shirt guy “Maybe she’d been running. You know running to the phone she could have been upstairs” Jogging guy “Exactly you see upstairs. But with who” Plaid shirt man “I think you’re imagining it” Jogging guy ”Maybe, maybe”.
I have to point out at this point that not all of my ‘Overheard’s’ finish exactly and some drift into just general chit chat about nothing in particular. And that’s what these guys did but the last thing I heard as they left was this.
Jogging guy “Maybe I’ll turn gay”
Bless you London.
Queen reigns as Brits’ favourite workout music
DON’T STOP ME NOW
Queen reigns as Brits’ favourite workout music
New research reveals music helps us train significantly better at the gym
57% of fitness enthusiasts have claimed that music helps significantly with their performance when exercising according to new research by Tesco Phone Shop.
Just one in 20 (4%) fitness enthusiasts said music didn’t help with their performance at all.
The retailer conducted the research amongst Brits to celebrate the launch the iT7 range of wireless Bluetooth audio accessories, designed by former Aston Villa midfield Ian Taylor.
The findings of the research comes as no surprise to Dr Costas Karageorghis, a reader in sport psychology and deputy head of the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University in London who has spent 20 years conducting scientific research into the effects of music on sport and exercise.
Dr Karageorghis said:
“Music and sport have much in common: both are culturally pervasive, both are about good rhythm and both touch us emotionally.
“Athletes routinely tap the power of music as part-and-parcel of their training. Our research has shown that during exercise, well-selected music can reduce the perception of effort by as much as 12% and enhance mood by 10%. As well as using stimulative music during training, many athletes are discovering the recuperative benefits of calming music following a tough workout.”
Ian Taylor said:
“This research backs up exactly how I used music when training. It definitely helped my stamina, improved my concentration and boosted my performance.”
What is the person next to you at the gym listening to?
Have you ever wondered what the person next to you at the gym is listening to as they pound the treadmill? The research also looked at what songs it is we Brits like to listen to at the gym to get us pumping.
Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now topped the poll with 15% of votes followed by Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger (14%) and Tina Turner’s The Best (8%).
As Brits embrace the summer of sport, pop music topped the training charts, with 29% saying it was the best type of music to exercise to, followed by dance music (26%) and rock (25%).
And when it comes to best bands for feeling the burn, Queen, Madonna and Lady Gaga were named as the biggest musical motivators in the gym.
Here are more of the figures:
Music Genre
· Pop – 29%
· Dance / house – 26%
· Rock – 25%
· RnB – 5%
· Classical – 3%
· Heavy metal – 3%
· Other – 8%
Artists
· 1. Queen
· 2. Madonna
· 3. Lady Gaga
· 4. Rihanna
· 5. Beyonce
· 6. David Guetta
· 7. Prodigy
· 8. LMFAO
· 9. Foo Fighters
· 10. Gorillaz
Here’s a breakdown of the top songs by gender and age:
· Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now was the most popular track overall and also with women – 16% of the female vote
· Survivor – Eye of the Tiger was the most popular track for men with 18% of the male vote
· For the 18-34 age group Survivor – Eye of the Tiger reigned supreme with 14% of the vote
· But the 35-54 and 55+ opted for Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now with 15% & 20% respectfully
· Tina Turner – Simply the Best was also popular with the 55+ age group with 16% of the vote
Queen’s 70s chart topper reigns supreme as the top tune to train to according to research by Tesco Phone Shop.
The retailer conducted the research amongst Brits to celebrate the launch of the new iT7 wireless audio range in store. Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now tops the poll with 15% followed by Survivor’s Eye Of The Tiger (14%) and Tina Turner’s The Best (8%).
As Brits embrace the summer of sport, pop music topped the training charts, with 29% saying it was the best type of music to exercise to, followed by dance music (26%) and rock (25%).
And when it comes to best bands for feeling the burn, Queen, Madonna and Lady Gaga were named as the biggest musical motivators in the gym.
The iT7 range of wireless Bluetooth audio accessories, designed by former Aston Villa midfield Ian Taylor are designed with sport in mind, providing crystal-clear sound without limiting movement – handy for the 57% of fitness enthusiasts claimed that music helped significantly with their performance when exercising.
This comes as no surprise to Dr Costas Karageorghis, a reader in sport psychology and deputy head of the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University in London. Dr Karageorghis, who has spent 20 years conducting scientific research into the effects of music on sport and exercise, said: “Music and sport have much in common: both are culturally pervasive, both are about good rhythm and both touch us emotionally.
“Athletes routinely tap the power of music as part-and-parcel of their training. Our research has shown that during exercise, well-selected music can reduce the perception of effort by as much as 12% and enhance mood by 10%. As well as using stimulative music during training, many athletes are discovering the recuperative benefits of calming music following a tough workout.”
Ian Taylor, former Aston Villa footballer and designer of the iT7 range, adds: “This research backs up exactly how I used music when training. It definitely helped my stamina, improved my concentration and boosted my performance. With this in mind, I’ve designed the iT7s sport in-ear headphones especially for use while working out, training and getting fit. Whatever your musical tastes may be, maximise your workout and feel like a fitness champion with a tune or two!”
The iT7s headphones are available at Tesco Phone Shop for £99, part of a range of Bluetooth-enabled headphones and mobile accessories.
Tracks to help you feel the burn
With a bumper summer for sporting activity ahead, the nation’s top 10 tracks to train to are:
11. Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
12. Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger
13. Tina Turner – The Best
14. Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
15. Eric Prydz – Call On Me
16. Irene Cara – Flashdance… What A Feeling
17. Lady Gaga – Born This Way
18. Katy Perry – Firework
19. LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It
20. Snap! – The Power
MODEL EDIE CAMPBELL BACK TO DEFEND GOODWOOD LADIES’ RACE TITLE
Celebrities and models will take centre-stage at Glorious Goodwood on Thursday when they line up in the second running of the Magnolia Cup on Ladies’ Day – in aid of charities Spinal Research and Winston’s Wish.
British model Edie Campbell, winner of the first running of the race last year, is back to defend her title aboard George Baker, however bookmakers William Hill have priced her at 7-2 second favourite – with top event rider Harriet Bond the 3-1 market-leader.
Channel 4 horse racing presenter and trainer’s daughter Emma Spencer is the ex-wife of champion jockey Jamie Spencer and one of the most experienced in the saddle, having several race victories already on her CV, and will she takes the ride aboard 9-2-shot Bellevue Beauty. Spencer was heavily gambled on last year before occupying the runner-up position.
11-2-shot Beat The Bell is the mount of Acclaimed jewellery designer Philippa Holland, while fashion model Rosemary Ferguson rides West Leake Hare (11-1 with William Hill).
Lucy Rhodes, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: “Last year Edie showed she is more than just a pretty face with her prowess in the saddle proving a success. However she will have to be riding at the top of her game with accomplished event rider Harriet Bond in the mix, while Emma Spencer, who was subject to a huge gamble last year, will be gunning to make amends for her defeat”
Other famous names include Tricia Simonon – former wife of The Clash bassist Paul, Radio 1 DJ Sara Cox, AtTheRaces presenter Gina Bryce, CNN producer Alysen Miller and Talktalk head-honcho Dido Harding. They are joined by and trainer’s daughter Francesca Cumani.
Fashion with naturally will transfer to the saddle with all racing silks especially designed by famous names such as Kate Moss, Vivienne Westwood, Frost French, and Meg Matthews to name but a few.
Many accomplished horsewomen have taken part in the race, with Laura Bechtolsheimer – third in the race last year – competing for Great Britain in the Olympic dressage, starting tomorrow. Bechtolsheimer is 6-1 with William Hill to win the individual gold, with GB the 5-4 favourites to win the team competition.
The Magnolia Cup Glorious Goodwood Ladies’ Charity Race: 7-4 Bankroll (Photo Finish), 7-2 George Baker (George Baker), 9-2 Sunley Pride (Bellevue Beauty), 11-2 Beat The Bell (Beat The Bell), 11-1 West Leake Hare (West Leake Hare), 20-1 Dvinsky (Dvinsky), King Vahe (Watchesswitzerland), Monnoyer (Always Delivering), 25-1 Potentiale (Ridgeway Rocket), 33-1 Bengaline (Pancreatic Action), Rapid Water (Harrodian Hotshot) (EW 1/5 1,2,3)
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New Bond: Skyfall Picture
Honda Announced as the Choice of 007 for Skyfall
Honda (UK) is delighted to announce its partnership with the upcoming James Bond film, Skyfall, and today unveiled the actual Honda machines used in the film, at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.
Honda’s CRF250R motorcycle proved to be the machine of choice by the 007 film’s action vehicles and stunt crew teams. These motorbikes were modified for the opening sequence of the 23rd James Bond film which was shot in Istanbul and Adana, Turkey earlier this year.
Twenty CRF250R machines were provided in total, to be adapted and ‘dressed’ appropriately into two native style motorbikes. One is a Turkish police bike that henchman, Patrice (Ola Rapace), seizes after a policeman crashes, the other is a Turkish merchant’s bike that James Bond (Daniel Craig) uses to pursue Patrice through the streets. Both bikes feature extensive modifications courtesy of Chris Corbould’s award-winning Special Effects team.
Two CRF450R motorbikes were further chosen for use as HD camera filming machines, as only a motorbike could easily enable the camera crew to keep up with the chase scene and follow the various stunts.
Stunt Co-ordinator for Skyfall, Gary Powell, commented, “We needed a highly versatile and quality off-road motorbike that could be easily modified, without compromising performance or safety, for the opening sequence of Skyfall. Honda’s CRFs are probably the best off-roaders out there so it’s great that we’ve been able to partner with Honda as the bikes, whilst heavily modified, were superb to work with.”
Honda (UK) Corporate Communications Manager, Fiona Cole, said, “We’re delighted to be a partner for Skyfall and are very much looking forward to seeing our Honda CRFs in action in the film and rolling out some great associated activities we’ve got planned from October when the film is released. 
We like to try and do things differently at Honda, including finding innovative, yet relevant ways to showcase our diverse products, whilst also really engaging with our customers. It’s great to not only have Honda machines chosen as the choice of Bond, but also to be working with such a longstanding film franchise.”
The Skyfall ‘Police’ and ‘Street Merchant’s’ bikes, alongside the unmodified and original Honda CRF250R, were unveiled today at the famous National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, which is currently hosting the BOND IN MOTION exhibition until 31 December 2012. The exhibition, the largest of its kind, celebrates 50 years of the James Bond films and showcases 50 of the best-loved and most iconic Bond vehicles.
To mark the occasion, Honda (UK) is offering twenty pairs of tickets to the BOND IN MOTION exhibition at Beaulieu, to lucky winners who enter Honda’s exclusive competition on its Twitter feed (@Honda_UK) before midnight on Sunday 22 July. Further activities surrounding Honda (UK)’s association with Skyfall will be announced over the coming months on www.honda.co.uk, Facebook/HondaCarsUK and Twitter @Honda_UK.
To see the versatile Honda CRF250Rs in action on screen and to enjoy the latest Bond adventure, head to see Skyfall in cinemas from 26 October.
Women Worry That They Are Fat Three Times A day
Women Worry That They Are Fat Three Times A day
- 80 per cent of Britons say they’re depressed by their appearance
- Eight out of ten said their lives would improve considerably if they felt happy about their body
- Cameron Diaz’s legs, Kim Kardashian’s bottom, Gisele Bundchen’s stomach and Jessica Simpson’s bust are considered to be ‘ideal’
As a celebrity-obsessed culture, there is immense pressure on women to look good and females are forced to compare themselves to stars with perfect bodies but it has now been revealed that seven in ten women are so anxious about the way they look they fret about their weight three times a day, with a staggering 80 per cent of Brits saying they’re depressed by the appearance of their own body.
The study found actress Cameron Diaz’s legs, reality star Kim Kardashian’s bottom, model Gisele Bundchen’s flat stomach and singer Jessica Simpson’s bust are considered to be ‘ideal’ and the desire to look the same appears to be having a serious impact on the way women look at themselves. It’s not just women who are concerned about piling on the pounds, 61% of men fret about their body three times a day too.
The ‘Dare to Bare’ study conducted by Travelodge surveyed 5,000 British adults to investigate the nation’s views on their bodies and their attitude to fitness; following customer feedback on incorporating keep fit facilities across the Company’s hotels.
Key research findings revealed tummies is the nation’s number one body worry with three quarters of British adults admitting they are carrying a two pound unwanted spare tyre around their midriff. An astonishing 80% of British adults and women reported the appearance of their body depressed them.
The fact that women have body-image issues is a familiar one; however Travelodge’s research revealed that 73% of women on average think about their weight and body size at least three times during the day. Eight out of ten women reported they lives would improve considerably if they felt happy about their body. Over a third of women reported their love lives would be so much better if they felt better about their body. For women, legs were second to bellies in the body-worry charts with bottoms coming in third place.
The report also revealed it’s not just women who obsess about their appearance, a whopping 78% of men hate their physique and 56% of men regularly discuss their bodies with friends with the main topics of conversations being around: beer bellies, measly muscles, baldness and “man boobs”. After their tummies, arms and shoulders were cited by men as ‘trouble spots’.
Listed below are the top five most hated body parts for men and women
|
MEN |
WOMEN |
|
Belly |
Belly |
|
Arms |
Legs |
|
Shoulders |
Bottom |
|
Legs |
Arms |
|
Bottom |
Hips |
Further findings from the survey revealed whilst women are usually preoccupied with losing weight and reducing their dress size for men it’s all about building muscle mass and looking “ripped”, with a toned “six pack”.
Research findings also revealed celebrity culture has a significant impact on body self-image among both British men and women. Listed below is the nation’s most desired celebrity body part:
|
Body Area |
Male |
Female |
|
Legs |
David Beckham |
Cameron Diaz |
|
Bottom |
Channing Tatum |
Kim Kardashian |
|
Abs |
Mark Wahlberg / Matthew McConaughey |
Gisele Bundchen |
|
Chest / Bust |
Tyson Beckford |
Jessica Simpson |
|
Shoulders |
Taylor Lautner |
Felicity Huffman |
|
Arms |
Bradley Cooper |
Eva Longoria Parker |
The research also revealed that 57% of adults find it hard to stick to a keep-fit regime whilst away from home due to lack of facilities. Forty cent of Britons said they find it very difficult to resume their keep fit regime after they have been away from home due to the lapse of not exercising and it can take them up to two weeks to get back on track. Eighty seven per cent of respondents surveyed thought it would be a good idea to have a simple-to-follow fitness video in hotel rooms to use when travelling for business or leisure.
In response to these findings, In a UK first, Travelodge has created a free bespoke room workout specifically targeting the body areas Britons hate the most which includes: legs, bums and tums. Designed by personal trainer Marco Mandic, the workout is a series of exercises that can be done without any equipment or special sports gear in any of Travelodge’s 510 hotels.
Customers can either download a free five minute work out video tape at: or a factsheet which details the exercises at:
Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said, “We are living in a celebrity obsessed culture where image is everything. Our customer feedback and research findings has highlighted Britons want to maintain their fitness regime when away from home. As a low cost operator providing gyms in our hotels is not a viable option therefore we have produced a bespoke room workout which requires no equipment but gives optimum results that our customers can do in their room whilst staying with us and back at home free of charge. It is a win-win solution.”
Marko Mandic, Personal Trainer and founder of MMworkout.com says, ‘The Travelodge Room Work Out targets large muscle groups which is great for overall strength and muscle toning. More lean muscle revs the metabolism, which in turn means more calories are being burnt. Perform these exercises properly, regularly and safely and you will see excellent results.”
Free Zumba Video | Health
The Zumba craze hit in a big way, but if you are still unsure whether it is for you then Frost Magazine sourced a free video. It is slightly advanced, but I had only done Zumba once and have managed to pick it up. It is a good, fun workout. Enjoy!
Jessica Ennis | People
Jessica Ennis is 9 stone of steely determination and today she has made Britain incredibly proud. The 26-year-old broke the British record in the 100m hurdles and won heptathlon gold for Team GB.
Down-to-earth and wonderfully normal for someone so gifted, Jessica has a fiance, Andy, who works in construction. She has been with Andy for seven years and he is three years older than her. They met in a night out in Sheffield even though they went to the same school.
She’s outspoken “When things don’t go well, I’m always really irrational and thinking, ‘Oh, my world is crumbling around me.'” and honest, saying before a game: “I get really anxious”.
Her ambition is obvious “The silver is a position I just don’t want to be in again. I’ve tasted that and I don’t like it.”
She missed out on the 2008 Olympics because of a stress fracture in her foot. Before the Olympics 2012 Marie Claire magazine asked her how it would feel if she didn’t get it, she said: “I don’t like to think about the negative or the possibility of things going wrong, because that’s just a really bad way of viewing it. It gets in your head.”
Jessica says she visualises every event going well, but not winning as there is “so much to come before that, and so much that can go wrong”.
She trains at the Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport and is the face of Olay Essentials range. She come across as a girl’s girl and says “I don’t even walk the dog without make-up. I’ve always been like that”.
Her beauty icon is Jennifer Aniston and she loves Bobbi Brown make-up. Her beauty routine is low-key, “I train twice a day so I’m always sweating, which is actually quite good for your skin. But I always wash, cleanse and moisturise so my pores won’t clog.”
Some idiot may have called her fat, but the world was outraged and she brushed it off. Jessica has a lot of pressure on those toned shoulders of hers, but she is handling it all with grace and beauty.
Using Cash Rewards to Find the Best Gifts
Millions of people across the world are looking for ways to earn a little extra income. Offering services to others, working extra shifts, or taking on the responsibilities of second or third jobs can become time consuming and exhausting. Plus, this takes away from time spent with family and other loved ones. However, with costs rising on necessary items, purchasing extras such as gifts becomes nearly impossible.
Rewards Websites
Many people are learning the advantages of earning money from home. While some companies might be scams, those that are willing to put in a little time will reap the benefits offered by legitimate websites. Many sites offer rewards for customers who shop online. These sites typically have links to popular online retailers, and any purchase that you make through one of these links results in a percentage of the purchase back in cash. For those who enjoy online shopping, this is a foolproof way to make money on necessary purchases. There is more information on the RewardIt store about these types of rewards and information about how to get started.
Online Survey Companies
Taking surveys online is another great way to make a little extra money on the side. Signing up with multiple survey companies is helpful, since you never know how often a new survey will be available. Each company usually offers slightly different rewards programs. Some offer gift cards, some provide an entry into a sweepstakes drawing for each completed survey, and others offer cash back when a participant completes a certain number of surveys.
Check Past Giveaways
When you’re deciding which online moneymaking opportunities you want to be part of, you may want to look at past sweepstakes results for companies that offer this as the reward. This helps you to see what types of prizes are offered on the site, as well as how frequently the prizes are given. Before signing up for any company, it is important to do a little research and make sure no money is required up front to participate. Most survey companies offer compensation to participants because big businesses need feedback in order to perfect their products, so they are willing to pay for opinions.
Purchasing Gifts for Others
Using the cash rewards from taking surveys or shopping online is very helpful when purchasing gifts for loved ones. When the holidays come around, many people are already struggling to pay for necessary expenses such as a mortgage or rent, groceries, utilities, and other living costs. Adding expensive gifts to the budget might seem impossible. Using extra money from these rewards is a great way to enjoy the fun of giving gifts without adding extra financial strain.
This article was written by a Ella Mason, an experienced freelance writer. Ella specializes in money-making schemes specific to the internet. Ella also often enjoys regularly entering fun sweepstakes, competitions and entries for the chance to win prizes and cash!