Going away in style

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 20

Going away in style

Get Fit for Your Holiday in 28 Days. Collins, 1985. 96 pp. $18.95 (paperback). This collection of health and beauty ideas, presented as a daily diary for a month, seems to be aimed at young and rather naive English girls who have probably not been away on holiday alone before. The intentions are excellent; some of the advice is sensible enough, especially on the basics of healthy eating, exercise, and the use of make-up. But some suggestions seem plain daft — “join a club” — a few days before you plan to leave town? Practical advice is generally sensible — health precautions, how to reduce jet lag, how to handle

travellers’ cheques. And how to travel light — except that the check-list of what to take (hair-dryer, heated rollers, heated curling tongs ...) suggests a need for a strong travelling companion who won’t object to paying overweight baggage charges. It is still hard ;to go past the old advice of taking twice as much money, and half as many clqthes and “things” as you think you will heed. Still, the book is a good idea, Well illustrated with pictures of fit; healthy, attractive young ladies in exotic settings. It could make a good going-away present — provided it was handed over at least 28 days before departure, of course.— Lorna Buchanan.