Carlos Hernandez, 34, always struggled with his weight. I was always a big kid and felt like other kids mocked me. I was embarrassed to run, and I could see my cheeks bounce up and down and my stomach wiggling, he says. In middle school, playing football helped keep his weight down. But bad grades and a tough home life led him to drop out of school, and his weight ballooned.

In his 20s, he spent most of his time partying, drowning himself in drugs, drinking, and eating fast food, and the scale hit over 200 pounds. Jack in the Box tacos can be your best friend and worst enemy, he says.

He married and had 2 kids, but never felt settled and found himself homeless, addicted to heavier drugs, and dragged down by his 250 pounds. I had to take a break to catch my breath simply from trying to tie my shoes, he says. In January 2019, Carlos went to the Salvation Army, where he found housing and resources that helped him get sober.

He started noticing that one of his roommatesthe one whod wake up at 5 AM to go runninglooked like he was getting really fit. Id look at myself in the mirror in the morning and all I saw was a huge belly and new stretch marks every day. I started asking him a ton of questions. Thats where he learned his roommate was running with Back on My Feet, a program that combats homelessness and addiction through running.

The first time Carlos went out with the group, I only ran for 200 feet and I was out of breath, he says. But he went back 3 times a week (a group requirement) for the next 3 months. And the weight started falling off. Losing weight can feel like a huge brick wall is in front of you. You can feel like, Whats the point? Im always going to be a fat person. But all you have to do to start is put one foot in front of the other, he says.

Six months later, he was down to 232 pounds, but knew that running was harder than it had to be because of my eating habits. So he started swapping fried foods for grilled ones, steamed veggies, salad and fruit. He did his first 5K with Back on My Feet last April, and hes remained sober, obtained his own housing, and landed two jobs at different restaurants. Many people like me have been in a really deep depression and hit rock bottom, he says. Getting a support team behind you that puts their hand out and says, Youre not alone, we can do this, saved my life.

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How Running Helped This Guy Get Sober and Drop 50 Pounds - Men's Health

A man has shared how reconnecting with his childhood friend finally helped him lose 13 stone after years of feeling unhappy and judged for his weight.

Thomas Dreha, from Kirkby, tipped the scales at 30 stone and would see people "rolling their eyes" at him whenever he walked into McDonald's.

When he saw his former school pal, Kevin Poole, now a personal trainer, sharing his clients' body transformations on Facebook, the die-hard Liverpool fan decided to reach out.

Since reconnecting with his friend, the 29-year-old has managed to lose 13 stone - losing 10 stone in just 12 months.

Speaking to the ECHO, Thomas, from Kirkby, said: "I'd always wanted to lose weight and tried all sorts over the years but nothing stuck.

"I'd join the gym and go by myself for a few months, then stop, then start again, so it was a cycle.

"Then I saw one of my old school friends on Facebook who had since become a personal trainer.

"I hadn't seen or spoken to him since we left school but then I saw some of his client transformations so I got in touch.

"He was made up to help me, he jumped at the chance - I'd always been big, even as a child, and me and Kev had been friends since primary school right through seniors.

"He's been with me the whole way and has helped with my nutrition too - he's just won Liverpool's best personal trainer."

Before his successful weight loss, Thomas felt depressed about his size and judged by strangers on a daily basis.

He would be ignored in shops and felt shop assistants would purposely avoid him so describes his new weight as "bittersweet".

He said: "If I walked into a McDonald's, I always felt instantly judged - you could see people turning round and rolling their eyes at me which made me feel self conscious whereas now I could walk in and nobody would bat an eyelid.

"People would stare but they didn't know me, it was judgement for my size which is heartbreaking.

"You could see sales people and shop assistants look and then look away - I'd be ignored and nobody would come up to me to help, it was like they didn't want to whereas now they'll help me.

"I can actually go into a shop and pick something up off a rail now which is just an incredible feeling, it's a foreign concept to me - though I do spend a lot more money on clothes because of the ease of it.

"The mental pressure of being that size is gone.

"It's a bittersweet thing because I feel normal now but it's so disappointing at the same time because everyone should be treated the same."

Growing up, Thomas was bullied by school peers and turned to food for comfort.

With both his parents being deaf, he shared that he'd come home from school and raid the cupboards knowing they couldn't hear what he was doing.

In his twenties, Thomas turned to takeaways four or five times a week - though wouldn't eat much throughout the day, opting to gorge when he got home from work instead.

He said: "As a kid, I knew my parents couldn't hear what I was doing so I'd just go through the cupboards eating.

"I felt depressed at a young age because of my size but then I would comfort eat which was a terrible cycle.

"Not many people saw that side because I'd put on a smile and a brave front and be the happy jolly guy everyone got on with, but I felt depressed.

"If I wasn't getting a takeaway, I'd have a large tea instead but I'd go to the shop on my way home from work and get two of those 1 sharing bags of crisps, two bottles of fizzy drinks and two of those large 1 sharing chocolate bars.

"Then I'd go home and eat my tea then eat all that afterwards."

Thomas, who works as a nursery practitioner, has managed to get his weight down to 17 stone with regular exercise and a new diet arranged by Kevin.

Thomas said: "The first couple of months was really tough, but because I made the effort on the nutrition side too, I started seeing results fast.

"I was losing a stone a month for the first five months and seeing the results made me stick to it because I was excited.

"My first training session with Kevin, I couldn't even get through the warm up - had to go outside because I thought I was going to be sick whereas now I can do the warm up in six or seven minutes then do a full session.

"I never expected to lose this weight - especially in this time."

Friends and colleagues have been supportive of Thomas' lifestyle change - though the change has been so drastic some people haven't recognised him.

"If I hadn't seen someone for six months, they'd have to double, triple take to realise it was me.

"That was an incredible feeling when I spotted them realise it was me.

"My friends and family have been really impressed especially because I'd been talking about doing it for so many years whereas now they knew I meant it.

"I've changed everything about my diet - Kev had me doing a food diary at first so I could keep on track and now I don't need to do that anymore because I know what works for me.

"As soon as I touch carbs, I will balloon so I don't really eat them but I look at it as a change of life rather than a restrictive diet and I still have treats every now and then which has made it a lot easier.

"I've had support from Kev every day and even the owner of the gym Fitness for All, Jill Purdy, has supported me."

Thomas shared his parents' reaction has been one of pride.

He said: "My parents have been absolutely amazed, they're very complimentary towards me and they're really proud.

"My work colleagues have been supportive too, everyone around me has.

"A lot of the parents of the kids I look after have been supportive with me - quite a few of the parents in the summer would bring in protein bars for me instead of chocolate because they knew what I was doing and wanted to support me.

"My life has completely changed, I play football now and I go on runs.

"Everything used to be a real struggle and it's all the little things you take for granted, just getting ready for work or walking to the train station was a massive effort and I'd be out of breath constantly and hot all the time.

"When I started with Kevin, I was in 52" waist jeans whereas now I'm in 38" which has made life so much easier.

"I've gone not being able to run for 30 seconds to doing 5k runs."

Now, Thomas wants to use his newfound fitness to take part in charity fitness events like Tough Mudder and marathons in order to raise money for the homeless.

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He said: "Now I'm at the point where I'm maintaining and I've booked a tummy tuck in April because I'm bored of dealing with excess skin and I can feel it all the time when I'm exercising.

"Once I'm healed, I want to use my experiences for something positive.

"I want to keep pushing myself and I'd like to do some fundraising events for homeless outreach."

The rest is here:
Obese man mocked and 'judged' in McDonald's loses half his body weight - Liverpool Echo

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Rebel Wilson arrived at the Oscars tonight looking stunning in a sparkling gold dress. She's a presenter at the awards, just one week after stealing the show at the BAFTAs when she made an unexpected speech while presenting for Best Director. Fans are also sending googly-eyes her way due to her apparent weight-loss amidst her self-proclaimed "year of health."

"You look stunning!" one fan commented on her pre-Oscars Instagram post. She also got another comment that just read "."

Rebel has been working out with trainer Jono Castano seven days a weekand throughout the winter press and the awards circuit, she's been looking strong and glowy. Judging by her killer ropes routine, it seems like she's a fan of high-intensity interval training.

At the beginning of the year, Rebel said she wants to be healthier in 2020, and make some positive life changes. "Okay so for me 2020 is going to be called 'The Year of Health,'" she declared on Instagram, "So I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays Ive just had but Im going to do it!"

Wilson previously said she accidentally lost weight while shooting Cats, because filmmakers heated the set to sauna-like conditions, so the professional dancers wouldn't pull any muscles while performing the high-intensity dance sequences. I lost eight pounds, shooting my number, in four days, Rebel said. One, because theres a lot of physicalities but also, they heated up the set very high, to almost 100 [degrees] Fahrenheit, so that we could never cool down.

Here's hoping Rebel got the seat she was hoping for at the Oscars this year.

Well played, Rebel, well played.

View post:
Rebel Wilson's Weight Loss Is Drawing Attention Amidst Her 'Year Of Health' In 2020 - Women's Health

Josh Peck weight loss is an inspirational one and people would not just stop talking about it. His motivation was mainly to be fit and healthy and to encourage children who watch him on TV to stay healthy.

He started by seeking the help of a nutritionist and trainer, they fixed an eating and workout routine for him. The trainer and nutritionist play the role of managing his exercise schedule and advising him in terms of a healthy diet respectively.

He also stayed consistent with his new lifestyle and was able to achieve his weight loss goals with the help of the nutritionist and trainer.His workout routine started with normal walks, then furthered to running, cardio exercises and fat oxidation exercises.

See Also:Ansel Elgort Shows Off His Singing Skills During Golden Globes

He made sure he kept his calorie intake in check, and cut out sugar and unhealthy fatty foods. He took fresh-squeezed vegetable saps and pulpy fruits instead of soda.

He was able to shed 70 pounds, and was advised by his nutritionist to maintain a healthy lifestyle like drinking water frequently, resting as much as is needed. He was also told to abstain from alcoholic drinks and coffee.

See Also:Britney Taylor: 10 Things about The lady that accused Antonio Brown of Rape

I would just say to not be too hard on yourself and just stay motivated and moderation is always the key, and to do it because it will make you happy. It will all come in time.

Rushing anything is usually a recipe for disaster. I was always trying to push myself because my character was so physical, and I would constantly be trying to be sprinting, or leaping onto things. One time, I think it was during a rehearsal, I leaped onto a bed and tripped and slammed my knee, so that was pretty bad news. I suffered for my craft.

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Josh Peck's Weight Loss: Here's How Josh Peck Achieved Amazing Weight Loss - Azizsalon News

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FALL RIVER First Samantha Moniz said yes to Paul Pachecos proposal. Now shes saying yes to reality TV after her compelling story of losing more than 100 pounds landed her on the TLC network show Say Yes to the Dress.

The first week in March, Moniz will head to New York City for the filming of the episode at Kleinfeld Bridal. The show, which has been on the air since 2007, follows the staff and customers of the renowned bridal shop.

Im so excited. Its really a dream come true, said Fall River resident Moniz, adding shes been a huge fan of the show for years.

Me and my mom watch it all the time. ... I love seeing all the different characters, she said. Now Moniz and her mom, Sheila Moniz, will be on the show along with her aunt Lisa Gonsalves, her maid of honor Monica Daniel and bridesmaid Kelsey Raposa.

Moniz said shes excited to bring her story of losing 110 pounds over the past year to a national audience to inspire others. It all started last January when her weight was nearing 300 pounds. I felt like a prisoner in my own body, she said.

She started working out and learned how to eat through Weight Watchers. I became very conscious of what I put into my body," she said. "Now its a lifestyle."

Though she doesnt go to Weight Watchers anymore, she still counts points and posts her eating tips on her social media pages to inspire friends locally. I love motivating people. ... Im so glad I put myself first. I tell people you have to try to make time for yourself, said Moniz, who works as an early childhood educator at Children's Academy of Marion.

Nowadays, shes a huge fan of running and is in training for her first marathon in April. I run six days a week. I love it. Running is how I get out of my head, said Moniz, adding she has another 20 or so pounds to lose before the big day.

She's also working towards he bachelor's degree in psychology at Bridgewater State University and plans to graduate in May 2021.

She submitted the story of her weight loss through the Kleinfeld Bridal website and had a phone interview and a second video interview with the shows casting director. She found out she was accepted Wednesday.

Her future hubby, Pacheco, a New Bedford native, doesnt want to see the episode before their wedding Oct. 15, 2021, because he doesnt want to see his bride's dress before the wedding day. He believes that superstition that its bad luck, said Moniz.

Both big fans of all things Disney, he proposed to her in front of Cinderellas Castle at Magic Kingdom while on a vacation there.

For their honeymoon theyre adding to the Disney magic with a Disney cruise.

But the next step in her magical wedding journey will be the experience of being a part of TLCs Say Yes to the Dress next month.

I literally never thought I would get a call," said Moniz. "I hung up the first time because I thought it was fake and then (the casting director) called me back.

More:
Fall River woman says yes to the dress on TLC after 100-pound weight loss - Fall River Herald News

JUST last year she claimed 250 Skinny Jabs had helped her lose an impressive two stone.

But now Gemma Collins has turned to another controversial weight loss method in a bid to blitz her body fat - and look more like Khloe Kardashian.

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The reality TV star got hooked up to a 'fat burner drip' at close pal Dawn Ward's salon this weekend.

Taking to Dawn's Instagram Stories, Gemma talked fans through what she was doing, saying: "Now, as you know I am on a mission to lose some pounds and look like Khloe Kardashian.

"I am on the fat burner plus which is an IV drip, it gives you energy.

"In these winter months we lack energy, once spring comes we get that step back in us."

However, fans were left wondering how exactly the 'fat burner drip' works and if it's really safe - here we answer those questions for you...

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The 'fat burner drip' the GC was using is from a non-surgical clinic based in Cheshire called We Are Skulpt.

It's an intravenous drip called IntraVita that pumps different micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B1, B12, galactose and taurine into your blood.

The company claims that by doing this it not only gets vitamins into your body, but also speeds up your metabolism.

As Gemma's therapist, who gave her the product, told her in Dawn's Instagram story: "It'll boost your immune system, it'll boost your energy but also it detoxifies your liver and it boosts your metabolism so that's why it's a good fat burner."

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We Are Skulpt also say the treatment is "scientifically proven", adding: "The Fat Burner aids healthy weight loss, speeding up your metabolism and helping you burn more fat. Ultimately becoming a healthier you."

Despite this, the IntraVita website adds that the IV drip only aids weight loss if combined with a diet plan and exercise.

Patients are only allowed to have the treatment every one to two weeks.

While the company Gemma uses say the fat burner drip will speed up weight loss, top medical experts have said there is "no evidence" to suggest vitamin drips help you lose weight.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical director ofpatient.info, said: "There has been a huge surge in the number of people seeking quick fixes for weight loss.

"This latest product appears to be a combination of vitamins and amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

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"There is absolutely no evidence that taking a vitamin supplement will help you lose weight."

Dr Jarvis says there are only two medicines that are legally available in the UK to help with weight loss - Orlistat and Saxenda.

She adds: "Orlistat capsules reduce the amount of fat you absorb from your gut. Saxenda is given as an injection, and contains a medicine developed for people with type 2 diabetes.

"There are no other drugs available legally which have any evidence at all for weight loss."

Dr Jarvis says high dose vitamin injections could be dangerous.

She says: "I would never suggest anyone has high dose vitamin injections unless, for instance, they have a condition like pernicious anaemia.

"This can lead to severe anaemia due to lack of vitamin B12, because your body cannot absorb it.

"For people without a medical condition diagnosed by their doctor, high dose vitamin injections are not helpful and could be dangerous.

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"In the small print of the website for this product, it admits that their product is classed as IV nutrients that are used for supplementation purposes only and not to treat any medical conditions."

It comes after Gemma's 250 skinny jabs faced a backlash from medical professionals - who said they should only be used by people who are obese or "significantly overweight."

Doctors similarly claimed the jabs have side effects including sickness and diarrhoea.

Read more:
Weight loss: what is the fat burner drip Gemma Collins uses and is it safe? - The Sun

Being overweight not only shatters your self-confidence but also leaves you feeling lethargic and uneasy, all the time. 24-year-old Tanya Narwani realised that she needed to do something about her growing weight if she wanted her confidence back. That was the moment she decided to adopt a healthy lifestyle to get back in shape. Her weight loss transformation is a living, breathing example that anything is possible if you put your heart into it.Name: Tanya NarwaniOccupation: Tax Consultant

Age: 24 yearsHeight: 5 feet 4 inches

City: Hyderabad

Highest weight: 67 kgs

Current weight: 50 kgsWeight loss: 17 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 1 year 8 months

The turning point: I have always liked dressing up to the nines and wear good clothes. This is why it was really heartbreaking for me when I could no longer fit into the clothes of my choice and could not even buy the beautiful dresses displayed in the shops.

I realised the weight had taken a toll on my confidence levels and the way I approached my life. I needed to lose weight and get back in shape to lead my life to the fullest. This is why I decided to take matters in my own hand and take charge of my health.

My breakfast: I have a handful of almonds and walnuts with three glasses of water in the morning. For my breakfast, I keep switching between poha, white omelette, idli sambar and a glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice without sugar.

My lunch: Plain dosa, Idli sambar or uttapam My dinner: I have made it a point to eat my dinner by 8 pm, no matter what. I have two chapatis, a portion of vegetables, a bowl of dal and curd.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: I have realised that you do not really need to hit the gym every day to lose weight, you just have to choose to be physically active every day to lose weight. For example, I make it a point to walk for an hour every single day, without fail.

Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Makhanas (foxnuts) are one of the best options of snacking and they are incredibly tasty as well.

Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? One of the worst aspects of being overweight is realising that your favourite clothes have stopped fitting you. I do not really pay heed to what others have to say about my weight or body, but when I could no longer wear the dresses of my choice, I was really heartbroken.

What are the lifestyle changes you made? I made a couple of lifestyle changes and made it a point to follow them strictly. It completely changed my life:

1.I stopped having soda, sweets and fried food items

2.I eat healthily and think healthy

3.I have made it a point to walk for an hour daily and it has done wonders to my body.

More here:
Weight loss story: I lost 17 kilos to fit into the clothes of my choice and it completely changed my lif - Times of India

The gap between the meals can make you crave unhealthy snacks. If you are trying to lose weight you need to choose the right snacks to control your calorie consumption. Here are some healthy tea time snacks that can be a part of your weight loss diet.

Try these healthy snacks for effective weight loss

Weight loss requires consumption of restricted calories. You need to consume fewer calories and burn more for effective weight loss. The gap between the meals can be the time when you end up consuming unnecessary calories. You are more likely to reach unhealthy calorie-loaded snacks to beat hunger between the meals. To maintain a healthy weight you need to choose the right snacks for your tea time. Most snacks you choose with your cup of tea are loaded with oil and calories. To avoid consumption of unhealthy calories, here are some options to choose from.

Nuts are loaded with several essential nutrients which can provide several health benefits. You can beat your hunger pangs with just a handful of nuts. Tale a variety of nuts and create a mixture. You can also add seeds and dried fruits to this mixture. But be careful about the quantity as nuts are loaded with calories. Choose the right portion size and enjoy the goodness of nuts to beat hunger. Nuts will also keep you full for longer and make you eat less.

Also read:Nuts, The Powerhouse Of Nutrients Can Help You Lose Weight; The Best Nuts For Weight Loss And How To Consume Them

Skip tea and prepare something healthy to add to your diet. A boiled egg is a perfect option to choose from. A hard-boiled egg is a great source of protein as well. It will keep you full for longer with minimum calories. A boiled egg can also be a part of your breakfast which will keep you full for longer.

Eggs are a great source of protein with minimum caloriesPhoto Credit: iStock

Protein is widely consumed for weight loss. A high protein diet has gained huge popularity in the past years for weight loss. You can take various sources of protein like roasted chana or seeds. You can also find protein mix in the market which is tasty as well as healthy.

Also read:Try These High Protein Breakfast Options Which Can Help You Lose Weight

Paneer can be a perfect part of your diet id consumed in moderation. It is rich in protein as well as other several nutrients. You can prepare a healthy salad with paneer and other vegetables.

Also read:Weight Loss Drinks: Different Drinks You Can Prepare With Apple Cider Vinegar To Lose Weight Effectively

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.

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Healthy Tea Time Snacks That Can Fit Into Your Weight Loss Plan Perfectly - Doctor NDTV

Rachel Matheson is hoping to feel "at home" in her own body after she was left with excess skin following weight-loss surgery two years ago.

The 29-year-old, who grew up on P.E.I. but now lives in Toronto, says she felt "fat and weird" growing up and was bullied for it. While diverse body types are a "little more hip now," she says that wasn't the case in the early 2000s.

But that's all in the past now.

"Honestly, at this point in my life, I am doing it for myself."

Matheson had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in December 2017. According to the Mayo Clinic, the weight loss surgery is one of the most common types of bariatric surgery, and is performed when diet and exercise haven't worked. Matheson's surgery was covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

She says the surgery was recommended by a Toronto weight-loss clinic she visited in 2016 after suffering from years of mobility issues and undergoing a hip replacement in 2009.

"They suggested weight-loss surgery. I was always kind of happy with my weight, but I wasn't feeling that great physically, so I became open to it."

Matheson has since lost around 165 pounds. While some may view surgery as the easy way out, shedoesn't see it that way.

"I don't know in what universe cutting yourself open is an easy option," she said. "It's not, like, a super easy option by any means."

And she urges anyone considering weight-loss surgery to consider all their options first.

"For me nothing else had really worked," she said. "I tried dieting and all the unhealthy stuff you can do to your body and for me, this has been the healthiest approach to weight loss I have done in my life. It has kind of helped me learn moderation."

But her journey isn't over. She now has to live with the excess skin left behind after the substantial weight loss.

"I still have similar insecurities as I did when I was bigger," she said."With the excess skin on me, it's hard to see how much work I have put into my body with 20 extra pounds of excess skin."

She calls it "awkward all around" and physically uncomfortable.

"Fitting into clothes is awkward. Parts of my body will fit into a certain size then I'll have basically like 20 pounds of skin I have to roll up," she said.

"I tuck it in. I get a sturdy pair of granny panties and high-waisted jeans, keep it secure."

Matheson says she's spoken with others who have undergone the skin removal surgery, and is hopeful it will help her overcome some of her own body image issues.

"Anyone I know who has gotten the surgery has said it has changed their life so much for the better, so I'm just excited to see how that feels."

Dr. Stefan Hofer, the head of the plastic surgery division at Toronto's University Health Network, said there are many areas on the body where people can have excess skin, and each one requires a different type of procedure.

But most often people requiring surgery have excess skin around their abdomen like Matheson, which requires an abdominoplasty.

"An abdominoplasty actually contours the entire ... lower part of the abdomen. It is a very extensive procedure," he said.

"Usually with all the weight loss, the muscles have separated ... so you kind of bring the muscles back to the midline so people have normal core strength and can exercise."

Hofer said patients who lose a large amount of weight have to keep their weight down for six months before they're eligible for skin removal surgery.

Matheson's skin removal surgery is partially covered by OHIP, but she says it's going to cost her about $4,000 to $5,000 out of pocket. Her surgery is currently scheduled for March 13.

Hofer said some skin removal surgeries aren't covered because they're considered cosmetic, as in Matheson's case, but he believes the complications that can arise from having excess skin like the sores that can be caused by chafing make it a real health concern.

The recovery time from the surgery is estimated to take about six weeks.

Matheson, a full-time student studying media relations, is worried about missing class during that recovery period. She was accepted to her program after the surgery was already booked.

"From what I hear the first couple weeks are pretty brutal," she said. "I'm probably going to have to take a week or two off mid-semester,which should be interesting."

Matheson is also a comedian, and says talking about the journey on stage has helped her wrestle with some of those fears.

"I'm pretty scared to get this surgery, but being able to talk about it on stage definitely is like a weirdly therapeutic outlet for me."

She hopes that being so open about her own journey might be helpful to others.

"That's the best type of laugh you can get, someone who actually relates to what you are saying."

Matheson said her friends and family are supportive and excited for what her future holds.

"They have kind of been there through a lot of my ups and downs with my body and ups and downs with my health," she said. "They're just excited I am kind of on an upward momentum."

Matheson is hosting a comedy fundraiser in Toronto in addition to an online fundraiser in an effort to help cover the cost of her surgery.

See the original post:
Island woman to have 'awkward' excess skin removed after weight-loss surgery - CBC.ca