Always Inspiring,

Reading that my favourite Prime Minster went on Adkins two month before the 1979 general election and that she always kept to her grooming and beauty regiment with weekly visits to the hair dressers is refreshing and encouraging.

Unfortunately unlike men we girls can not get away with a shave a wash and dry in the morning. In our twenties some of us might – but most women by the age of thirty need a little more than a wash and dry or simple cleanse tone and moisturise – unless you have fantastic genes, it shows and you need to do more.

So how do women in high political position manage it?

Condoleezza Rice the slim and trim always polished and always ready 5 feet 8 inches tall former US Secretary of State begins her day with a trip to the gym for a 45 minutes workout at 05.45 and a weekly beauty routine! I read in Nadine Dorries’ blog the feisty Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire that she enjoys a swim at the crack of dawn to maintain her slender shape and keep fit. US first lady Michelle Obama is another 05.45 gym goer – her work out includes loads of arm dips and bicep curls. Our fist lady Sarah Brown loves her Pilate’s – great for posture and elongating the physic.

As a woman I know that appearance wise women and men are not judged equally. A day old beard might make a man rugged but a woman with out some make-up looks ill and tired. A suit can hide a few pounds on a man’s waist and a belt can keep his trousers up, but the same will not work for a woman – any over flow and we look like a stuffed sausage. That is why many women tend to keep a couple of extra sizes in their wardrobe for emergency. Women can change sizes over night – I know from experience, I can go to bed a size 14 and wake up a 16!!!

I hope reading Maggie’s private papers (released today) more young women are encouraged and empowered to be all the woman they want and can be, I know I am very inspired.