IF YOU'VE been trying to shift some weight and have been doing all the right things – changing your diet, doing more exercise – it can be frustrating if you feel as if you've plateaued, or even put a bit back on.

AFTER a career spanning decades as the UK's most successful ever 110-metre men's hurdler, you'd forgive Colin Jackson if he were to slow down a bit in his 50s, but he's as energetic and effervescent as ever.

THE NHS is currently advising you to stay at home for up to 14 days if you have either a high temperature or a new, persistent cough.

BLUETOOTH is used every day but how many of you knew it had a toothy origin? Harald Gormsson was the King of Denmark and Norway in the 10th century AD.

My goodness. Some people are never happy, are they? On the one hand we campaign for something and on the other, we complain when we get it.

Television presenter Caroline Flack's tragic passing at the age of 40 earlier this month has, quite rightly, brought the issue of mental health into the media spotlight.

Am I the only person finding it uncomfortable watching Love Island? As readers will know, I am a massive fan.

That's the thing about good things, they must come to an end.

I don't know about you but I'm exhausted.

Q: WHAT'S the best way to stimulate my two-year-old daughter so she learns as much as possible during her early life? A: Child psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey, best known for appearing on Channel 4's The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6-year-olds, is supporting the Department for Education's Hungry Little Minds campaign (hungrylittleminds.

MANY young children are still 'fizzy' at bedtime, and calming them before they go to bed can be an essential part of the parental toolkit.

So, that's that then.

The humble shirt is hugely versatile – it can be worn formally, over jeans, or anywhere in between.

A JIGSAW power tool, a metallic belt with amber-colour glass detailing from the noughties, a melon baller, and numerous cables of mysterious provenance were among the items Dublin writer Mary Conroy let go of during the writing of her book, Simplify Your Life.

AS ONE of the world's four main fashion capitals, twice a year London plays host to five days of catwalk shows attended by celebrities, fashion editors, retail buyers and other industry insiders, all keen to get a glimpse of what's in store for next season.

I wonder what went wrong? I mean, when you look at her you see a beautiful, happy woman, who I am sure is all set money-wise and has two loving sons - so why can't Pamela Anderson find true happiness? I remember years ago, the famous blonde was the girl that every fella wanted - for obvious reasons - and posters of her could be found on the ceilings and walls of lots of boys' bedrooms.

MANY of us probably eat 'botanical' ingredients all the time – in curries, stir-fries and take-outs from our local Thai – but how much attention do we really pay to them? We're talking flowers, seeds, leaves and fruit – and food writer Elly McCausland is on a mission to bring these small underrated ingredients to the forefront and celebrate the big role they can play.

AS WE all find ourselves spending more hours than we could ever have imagined in the sanctuary of our own homes, this is the perfect time to focus on good food to nourish our bodies, minds and souls.

YOU'D think ramen wouldn't work without a golden yolked egg, snugly suspended in the rich Japanese broth atop a tangle of noodles.

WHY surprise the mum in your life with a perfect roast chicken or roast beef this Sunday? My roast chicken is a very easily put together meal but doesn't lack in flavour – a real crowd pleaser, with lots of ways to serve it.

I'VE been thinking lately how much we take our senses for granted, those windows to the world, and how the treadmill of living dulls our appreciation of experiences they give us.

LOOK closely at the hedgerows and you will see the first stirrings of new life waiting to spring forth.

ROBBIE'S stiffly wagging upright tail, ferocious growling and frantic sniffing at the base of the back-garden fence suggested the close presence of Rattus norvegicus, probably attracted by spilled seed from nearby bird feeders.

“I SEE moss growing over there.

I STARTED visiting Scilly when I was seven years old.

I'VE been in Zurich for less than an hour and am talking about Tina Turner for the third time.

HAVE YOU VISITED THE CARIBBEAN BEFORE? I'D BEEN to Jamaica to make a film about Ian Fleming [but] I don't know what I expected from Cuba.

Enjoy Irish Heritage this St Patrick's Day The Heritage in Co Laois is celebrating all things Irish this St Patrick's week with an offer that includes an overnight stay, full Irish breakfast, dinner in their new restaurant Blake's, a glass of their very own brewed beer, a selection of Butler's chocolates and a classic Irish comedy in the hotel's cinema.

Shutdown - factories fall silent as coronavirus pandemic forces car industry to halt production

MG is an old name with a new heart. Its MG 3 hatchback has a lot to commend itself beyond a budget price, writes William Scholes

Like frog legs and snails, the bonkers and oh so French DS 3 Crossback is an acquired taste, says William Scholes

Four-wheel-drive gives the Suzuki Swift go-anywhere ability that makes it unique among small hatchbacks, says William Scholes

IF YOU'RE lucky enough to have your own garden, there's lots of ways you and your family could enjoy it – and connect with nature and benefit from a wellbeing boost in the process.

GET gardening for butterflies is the message from this year's Wild About Gardens campaign, organised by the RHS and The Wildlife Trusts.

THE box tree caterpillar has been announced as the top critter in the 24th RHS annual pest and disease ranking – for the third year running.

SO often, pets are considered a bit of a nuisance among gardeners, who don't really appreciate their lawn being dug up by pooches burying their bones, or bounding through their flowerbeds.