We get it - it’s hard to build health and wellness into your modern lifestyle. We all lead busy, largely sedentary lives, and all too often it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done - perhaps even before you’ve given thought to exercise or other activities that contribute to your own wellbeing and mindfulness.

Women engaged in the battle of the belly fat bulge will understand just how difficult this abdominal bulk is to budge. Of course, having some fat around the hips is natural for a woman, as emphasized by super size-zero celebrities with hip bones that jut out and concave rather than toned and flat stomachs.

The lifestyle of the modern woman has changed hugely from just a few generations ago. Better opportunities, greater financial freedom and more personal choice are all incredible positives which many women have benefitted from. Many women are much more interested in health and wellbeing too than simply losing weight, which has really inspired the female fitness industry to develop as well.

Over-indulging on an excess of fattening foods, lack of activity, and grazing on snacks; it is little wonder that so many women come out the other side of the festive season feeling bloated and in need of some TLE - some tender loving exercise! However, different eating patterns and a less healthy lifestyle over the holidays do not just affect weight-gain and can have a greater impact on women than just a few extra pounds.

Why do some women put on weight after starting an exercise program? That's the question posed by an Arizona State University study which highlights the reality that whilst exercise definitely makes you fit, other factors do play a part in your weight.

With Thanksgiving out the way, we are all reminded of just how waist-expanding the upcoming festive season can be. So what's your strategy to make sure you don't see in the New Year in 2015 with an increase in your weight, as so many women do? While you want to enjoy the end of year celebrations and all the get-togethers in between it is worthwhile deciding on a plan of action as we are already in December.

There is nothing in the fitness rulebook that says that getting in shape cannot be both enjoyable and fun. Yes, you might face a physical, emotional and mental challenge in the process and totally transform your whole being, but the pleasure is in seeing great results.

Women really are doing it for themselves! Whilst there is a preoccupation in magazines and in the media with what women should, could and would look like, there are many women who are focused on achieving happiness through living a balanced life and a healthy lifestyle.

While we are all so similar in so many ways, we also have different needs when it comes to looking after our health. Women have different dietary requirements than men, for example, and it's important for women to recognize and respond to these nutritional differences.

African American women who exercise regularly could be lowering their risk of breast cancer, according to a new study. While links between breast cancer and exercise levels and intensity have been found in previous studies involving women, the participants have primarily been white women.