I Finally Feel Brave Again
Woman & Home|August 2019

Loose Women presenter Andrea McLean talks to Robyn Morris about how she beat the menopause and why she can’t wait to be 50.

I Finally Feel Brave Again

Sitting down to chat to Andrea McLean is just like catching up with an old friend. Warm, open and funny: nothing is off-limits with Andrea, and it’s no wonder, considering she’s been a presenter on Loose Women since 2007, where she and her co-stars discuss everything from politics to the challenges of ageing – something Andrea is all too familiar with. In 2016 she underwent a hysterectomy, which triggered an early menopause.

‘My experience hasn’t been brilliant, but women don’t need to accept that this is just how it is, there is help,’ she insists.

Andrea, who is mum to Finlay, 17, and 12-year-old Amy, says that now she feels ‘full of beans’ again, just in time for her 50th birthday in October. ‘I’m so excited. I’ve decided I’m going to be like the Queen,’ she says. ‘My 50th year is going to be both the year building up to it and the year after. I’ve got my confidence back.’

As she steps out for our photo shoot, Andrea’s new-found confidence shines through. After nailing the cover shot within the first 10 minutes, she jokes with the w&h team, ‘Shall we have lunch now?’

But ever the professional, Andrea, who has been married to businessman Nick Feeney since 2017, keeps up her infectious energy for the entire day.

Here, she tells us about her big plans for the next year, the secret to a successful marriage and taking on Ant Middleton in SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Last night, I was lying in bed thinking, ‘I’m going to be 50 this year!’

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2019-Ausgabe von Woman & Home.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2019-Ausgabe von Woman & Home.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS WOMAN & HOMEAlle anzeigen
15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks
Woman & Home UK

15 Ways to Improve Your Memory - Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks

Hunting for your reading glasses only to realise they’re already on your head is frustrating, and we’ve all marched purposefully from one room to another – instantly forgetting why we’re there. Maybe you’re forever losing your keys or get embarrassed when you can’t remember people’s names? Memory lapse is common with age – decline can start from as early as 45 years*, while almost 40%** of people over 65 will notice some form of forgetfulness.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
Woman & Home UK

How Healthy is Your Gut? - This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition

The microbiome will be host to both good and harmful bacteria, and the swing in favour of one or the other can influence whether or not you fall victim to conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and other inflammatory disorders or hormonal issues. These include polycystic ovary syndrome and high cholesterol, as well as what we might consider more common ailments like digestive issues, mood swings, constipation, migraines and general lethargy. The power that a healthy gut can wield over our wellbeing is enormous. And just like no two fingerprints are the same, no two microbiomes are the same.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Woman & Home UK

Cancer Was Just a Job Until it Happened to Me - Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient

Working as a consultant breast surgeon, it was my responsibility to tell around 10 women a week that they had cancer. It was an emotionally intense job and could feel like you’re being paid to break women. As a clinician, you have to develop a sense of detachment, otherwise you’ll crumble, but this wasn’t always easy. Sometimes, particularly after seeing young women, I’d cry in the toilets. There’s no counselling and very little training for breaking bad news. It’s just part of the job – until it happens to you.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 2024
I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Woman & Home UK

I Look Forward to Being a Very Elderly, Eccentric Woman' - Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra

Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra+ Katherine Ryan's tour Battleaxe is coming to venues across the UK from September. Book now at livenation.co.uk

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish
Woman & Home UK

'My Marriage is Definitely Not Over!' - As she approaches her 10th year on television, Nadiya Hussain opens up about racist threats to her life, her untapped dream of becoming a teacher and why rumours of marital demise are rubbish

Nadiya Hussain cover shoots bring sunshine – meteorologically and metaphorically. It’s a scorching June day in north London when we gather to celebrate the publication of her ninth cookbook, Cook Once, Eat Twice. As the title suggests, she’s helping the nation save time and pennies through meal-stretching recipes that savvily spin leftovers.And sweetly, it was the celebrity cook and author’s eldest son Musa’s plans to leave the family home in Milton Keynes to go off to university that inspired it.‘As soon as he started to talk about uni, I thought, “This will be the book that he’ll want to take with him to help him be more mindful of how he cooks, how he eats, how he saves, how to be frugal and how to use up leftovers – how to be smart in the kitchen,”’ explains Nadiya, 39, adding that the previous night her trusty sardine arrabbiata sparked an outpouring of gratitude from her firstborn.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
October 2024
A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
Woman & Home UK

A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list

The Princess of Wales has always felt the pressure. Marrying into the most famous family in the world has been far from easy, but capable Catherine seemed to take it in her stride.Though the glamorous carapace, whether decked in Alexander McQueen or Zara, has hidden a more anxious young woman who didn't want to put a foot wrong. This past year has arguably been the toughest of Catherine's life - dealing with major abdominal surgery followed by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. But it has also given her the time to reprioritise and reassess what really matters.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
October 2024
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Woman & Home UK

'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'

Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
Woman & Home UK

Freewheeling in TUSCANY

A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
Nostalgic BAKES
Woman & Home UK

Nostalgic BAKES

Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats

time-read
3 Minuten  |
October 2024
Lighter DINNERS
Woman & Home UK

Lighter DINNERS

Big on flavour and easy on the calories

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024