[#1]

Hi All

I just bought the May/June magazine in Sainsbury's this morning, and I must say: what a boring magazine!

I have seen virtually all the recipes several times before - or worked them out for myself (banana on toast, I ask you!!). Nothing has caught my eye. The letters page is far too 'self-congratulatory'  E.g. "I was so inspired by (such and such) in your (previous) issue...etc".  There's just no balance any more!

On p 39 is a Homebase voucher for '15% off everything' - but this is valid on 14 and 15 April only - over two weeks before the commencement period of the magazine. I find this very poor!

I run a media business, so of course I am aware that periodicals are available for purchase a short while before the published front cover datespan - but this is really shoddy and unfair to readers and subscribers! 

I think the magazine needs a good shake up (and I've emailed them to say as much!).

Rant over!

[#2]

Hi Ladies!

Got a reply yesterday (from an editorial assistant) - very defensive, very corporate, very standard! (...and short-sighted, because I ain't forking out £3-ish again for this recycled pulp!).

They stated that only the cheescake recipe had been used before, (that is not true, I have recipes in my ring-binder that are virtually identical to many of the recipes in the May/June mag).

They stated that the Homebase voucher was aimed at those who get the magazine over a month before the cover date! (This is really shoddy. I believe that an offer should be valid at least for the full duration of the cover datespan, and longer if possible, bearing in mind that magazines can 'hang around' in our homes).

They stated that they are 'very proud' of the magazine and were sorry that I was disappointed on this occasion. (Oh, the sincerity!)

My view is that 'pride' can soon lead to 'complacency' - and that's the direction the magazine is going in (if they are not careful).

Shame isn't it.

[#3]

Hi,

I have to agree with you about the mag. I have copies from years ago - when I last did sw and they are all the same. I feel like I get much more form this board than I ever did from the magazine. Which is a shame because it could be a really useful and inspiring tool for us all. 

I think we all know how make SW friendly meals like spag bol, chicken curry etc. I think they write the letters page themselves!! Or am I just really cynical???

I'd like to see articles on everyday people and how they've adapted their cooking to make it SW friendly. Articles on why fruit and veg is good for me and the benefits on my body for eating apples and spinach etc and which fruit and veg are in season this month, so i'm actually learning why I should be eating this way and not just to lose weight. Articles on exercie and which exercie is good for these parts of your body and how to start running or how to make exercise part of your life etc. Like a 7 day plan to get you moving more. 

How people cope with their changing shape - everytime I've lost and put weight on it goes on and off in different areas. A fashion page with a whats in this month and what suits which shape and age.

How to stop binge eating, how to control your portion sizes, how to stop being an emotional eater or eating at night out of boredom. How to stop weighing yourself everyday and self sabotage and how to think more positive about yourself. I think these things would really help people.

Real life stories of how people cope and stay on plan when there's a birthday or Xmas or a holiday or a trip to the zoo - things like that. Or what to eat when going out. Who does the best Sw friendly meals, what to pick from a menu to stay on plan.

I'd like to see vouchers for muller yogurts or spray oil etc in there. Or supermarkets that have these things on special. I do like the new products section.

So that's what i'd like to see what about you?

Love Kerryxx 

[#4]

Kerry, 

you should check out womans health magazine.  I bought the first edition and loved it, full of usefull and informative articles and recipes too.  It's a new magazine I got the first edition but I think edition 2 is out now (reminding myself to buy it !)

x

[#5]

I love your ideas!

Wanting to be constructive, I put some similar proposals to the SW magazine in my email.  To each of my ideas, they replied, (in so many words):

'We are already very proud of .......(x, y, z)'. 

Maybe the person who replied to me was not typical of the whole team - very dismissive.

[#6]

Thanks for the tip - I'll try this out!