NEW YORK (AP) Did someone invite a spy into your home over the holidays? Maybe so, if a friend or family member gave you a voice-controlled speaker or some other smart device.

It's easy to forget, but everything from internet-connected speakers with voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa to television sets with built-in Netflix can be always listening and sometimes watching, too. As with almost all new technology, installing such devices means balancing privacy risks with the conveniences they offer.

The research firm IDC estimates worldwide shipments of 815 million smart speakers, security cameras and other devices in 2019, up 23% from 2018. Many of the sales are for gifts.

You could sidestep the risks altogether by returning the devices right away. But if you decide to keep them and the artificial intelligence behind them there are a few things you can do to minimize their eavesdropping potential.

THE SPEAKERS LISTEN ... AND WATCH

Smart speakers such as Amazon's Echo and Google Home let you check weather and appointments with simple voice commands. Fancier versions come with cameras and screens.

Many of these devices listen constantly for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. Typically, they will ignore private chatter and transmit sound recordings only when you trigger the device, such as by pressing a button or speaking a command phrase like "OK Google. Some gadgets also have a mute button to disable the microphones completely.

But there's no easy way for consumers to verify those safeguards. In one case, the Alexa assistant in an Echo device misheard background conversation as a command to send the chatter to an acquitance and so it did.

One more catch: Voice commands sent over the internet are typically stored indefinitely and may include conversations in the background. They can be sought in lawsuits and investigations.

Reputable companies let you review and delete your voice history, Amazon now lets you request automatic deletions after three or 18 months but you need to set that up, and theres no option to keep Amazon from saving your command history at all.

Until recently, tech companies allowed employees and contractors to review the voice interactions for quality control and some of those details leaked. Following a backlash, many companies are at least making it clearer and easier to opt out of human review. Pay attention to your choices.

If you have kids, set up a passcode for shopping if your speaker allows it. Otherwise, it can be child's play for a kid to order toys and other goodies through Alexa.

As for those screen models, many also have cameras for video chats. When youre not using the device, consider turning it around to face the wall, especially in the bedroom and other private settings. Or stick a bandage or some tape over the camera. It shouldnt be recording, but why tempt fate?

SECURITY WITH SECURITY VIDEO

Online security cameras let you check in on your pets or kids when you're not home. Amazons Ring doorbell lets you check whos at the door without getting up.

Heres the rub: If you can view video on an app, it's possible that a skilled hacker can, too.

When you use the same password at multiple services, a hacker stealing your password from one place can try it on the camera service, too. So dont reuse password. When available, enable two-factor authentication, which requires you to enter a temporary code sent as a text to ensure its you.

Again, you might want to turn the camera to face the wall when you're home. It's a pain, though, and if you forget to turn it back when you leave, it defeats the purpose of having a security camera.

ARE SMART LOCKS SMART?

Smart locks let you unlock doors with an app, so you can let in guests even when you're not home. Burglars might try to hack the system, though it's often easier for them to just break a window.

As a precaution, disable any capabilities to unlock doors through a smart speaker voice command, especially if you have prankster kids or teens who might want to sneak someone in.

Though digital keys can be convenient for letting in guests and contractors, they can also leave a digital trail. In a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you've been staying out late on school nights. If you rent and create a guest key that's used daily, the landlord might suspect an unauthorized occupant.

ABOUT THOSE TVs

Many smart TVs and TV streaming devices come with mics for voice-activated playback controls and video search. That means having audio snippets transmitted over the internet. The same warnings for smart speakers apply here.

There's a simple fix if you aren't using the internet features on your smart TV: Just don't connect the TV to your Wi-Fi in the first place. Of course, this won't work if you're not using a separate gadget for streaming video.

TOYS THAT TALK

Kids might get a kick out of dolls and other toys that talk back. But if the toy is connected to the internet, pay attention to how much control its giving parents and whether its letting kids connect to the outside world. You can check online to see if other parents or consumer groups have identified problems.

And be sure to install the latest apps and other software updates, as they may come with fixes for flaws that can otherwise be exploited by hackers.

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Beware of the smart device: Ways to stay private and safe - Yahoo Lifestyle

At 2:56 p.m. CT on Sunday,Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrickbecame a cult hero in Kansas City, joining the likes of Len Dawson, George Brett and Patrick Mahomes.

OK, OK, not quite.

But make no mistake about it: If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl this season, Fitzpatricks game-winning touchdown throw against theNew England Patriots which came with24 seconds left and delivered the Dolphins a 27-24 upset victory will be a reason why. Thanks to the Dolphins victory, the Chiefs locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC, plus a corresponding first-round bye that will be critical for one of the leagues most banged-up playoff teams.

Fitzpatrick, who may have cemented his case as the best journeyman quarterback of the past two decades, is indeed recognized in Kansas City as Fitzmagic, so much so thata few Chiefs fans started donating $14 apiece to his charityafter his Sunday heroics.

Tom Brady and the Patriots weren't pleased with their regular-season finale performance on Sunday in a defeat against the Dolphins. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

But one fanbase that should be worried about the carnage from the latest reincarnation of Fitzmagic is New Englands. Their Patriots, the Beasts of the AFC East, and dreams of a repeat title are in trouble.

And not just because they lost the game. But because of when they lost the game, to who, and how.

Not even Brady sugarcoated the loss.

Well, it was a great chance for us to not play next week, Brady said. So, we didnt take advantage of it. We just didnt play good enough and we all wish we would have done a better job. Certainly I do.

The Patriots offense was mid-grade against the Dolphins, just like it has been all season long. At this point, with the calendar only days away from turning to 2020, weve seen little to think it will change, as retired tight end Rob Gronkowskis absence has never been more apparent.

For 16 games, the Patriots have consistently lacked an answer when competent defenses take away Julian Edelman and James White. And the Patriots knew it.

Thats why they took a swing on radioactive All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown in September. Brady does not trust the other receivers, and with a beat-up offensive line in front of him, the Patriots running game hasnt established itself either, leaving New England outmanned against teams that can take away their two primary offensive threats (i.e. most good teams).

Plenty of times this season, the Patriots (12-4) have ridden their top-ranked defense and special teams to victory. But when either of those units falter even a tad, it often results in a loss, as we saw Sunday.

And even though the Patriots defense surrendered the game-winning score late, it wouldnt even have mattered if the Patriots offense had done its job against a spunky but still bad Miami defense.

Against the Dolphins, New England ran for 135 yards on 27 carries. Thats the average that Miamis 27th-ranked rushing defense has surrendered this year. If New England was actually good at running the ball, it would have rushed for more.

While White, a sensational receiver out of the backfield, caught a touchdown pass, he and Edelman combined for six catches and a measly 59 yards. Everyone else had 10 catches for 162 yards, with numerous missed opportunities against the leagues 28th-ranked pass defense.

And, yes, folks, those struggles even include Brady,the verifiable football G.O.A.T.Brady battled with inaccuracy all game, even when he wasnt pressured, as he completed 16 of 29 passes for 221 yards and an interception. Most of the completions were of the short variety and against a group that typically gives up 265 yards per game.

Miami's Tae Hayes breaks up a pass intended for New England's N'Keal Harry. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

This happened at home!

In December!

Against a divisional foe with a bad statistical pass defense!

In a game in which they were playing for a first-round bye!

By any measure, this is a brutal and unacceptable loss for New England, the type that portends to playoff failure. We almost never see this from the Bill Belichick Patriots. When its late in the season and they need to win a game, Belichicks Patriots almost always get the job done, especially when theyre facing an opponent they know intimately in Foxborough.

All hope is not lost. Although theyre now stuck playing on wild-card weekend, typically in the playoffs, you cant go wrong picking the team with the best coach-quarterback combination to go the whole way. For years, that has been Brady and Belichick, and after six rings, if any coach and quarterback combination deserves the benefit of the doubt, its those two.

However, the respect the Patriots have earned over the past two decades has led many including myself to dismiss this seasons warning signs.

If the Patriots end up representing the AFC in the Super Bowl for the fourth straight year, you can bet well all be referring to the latest dose of Fitzmagic as the wake-up call this offense needed to get there.

Weve got to dig deep this week weve got to look ourselves in the mirror and get ready to go, safety Devin McCourty said. Like I said earlier, no one feels sorry for the Patriots not getting a first-round bye in the playoffs. It is what it is. We talk about it each year, each team has their own journey and this is our journey to go out there next week, wild-card weekend and have an opportunity to continue to play. If we want to earn the right to play next week, weve got to go out there and play well.

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We can no longer ignore flaws of Patriots and Tom Brady - Yahoo Lifestyle

The New Years Eve firework display at Sydney Harbour will go ahead as planned, despite a total fire ban and calls for it to be canceled due to Australias bushfire crisis.

At least 11 other firework displays across New South Wales have been canceled or postponed in recent days, The BBC reported as a heatwave struck Australia on Monday with every single state seeing temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightning strikes and high winds are causing fires to spread faster than predicted towards the coast.

The Australian state has declared two state of emergencies in the past two months due to the fires.

David Gray/Getty Images

The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, told the Sydney Morning Herald, that Canceling would be of little practical advantage to those who have lost so much in the bush[fires]. We are going through really tough times now and it brings us together to celebrate a new year with hope.

The New South Whales Rural Fire Service also confirmed on Twitter that the fireworks would go on.

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A petition with more than 270,000 signatures called for organizers behind the Sydney display to cancel it and instead donate the money to farmers and firefighters. According to the petition, $5.8 million AUD (about $4 million) was spent on fireworks in Sydney last year.

The fires have killed 10 people since they broke out in September. One firefighter was killed on Monday when a truck was overturned due to high winds, according to The Guardian. In New South Wales, where Sydney is, there are at least 100 fires currently burning.

Earlier this month it was reported that smoke alarms in Sydney were being set off by smoke from fires 60 miles away.

An evacuation was ordered and then quickly rescinded in the state of Victoria. About 40,000 people were urged to leave East Gippsland, a popular resort area. Thousands stayed and were then told it was too late to leave as dangerous conditions burned across major roads.

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Sydneys Fireworks Will Still Go Off on New Years Eve Despite Nearby Bushfires - Yahoo Sports

They are great friends who share in lifes moments and experiences. Together they celebrate the good times and console each other through the bittersweet moments that are part of their career.

Puerto Ricans Bryan Ortiz, Sebastin Carazo and Victor Gmez IV share the same passion: speed and cars. Among them reigns great camaraderie.

Although Puerto Rico already has a solid reputation within the drag racing world, these young drivers managed to place the island in a great position during 2019, earning the local flag a spot at the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) closing ceremonies.

30-year-old Ortiz won the Global Mazda MX-5 cup at the Weathertech Raceway in Laguna Seca, Ca. So far, he has captured seven victories and 18 podium finishes.

This is a very complicated sport. You could have the best car and the best team and there will always be something beyond your control, said Ortiz, who was sub-champion of the MX-5 in 2018.

This year, as opposed to previous ones, I didnt feel like I had the fastest car so my strategy was to always be among the top six drivers and it worked, we took home the first-place prize. My series is very competitive and there are a lot of cars; a lot of young men trying to take off. Its like the difference between playing college basketball and playing for the NBA. In my series, everyone is giving it their all in order to be able to make the jump into the NBA, he explained.

Due to a crash in which his car was totaled during the first race of 2018, Sebastin Carazos debut that year did not go as planned. In 2019, however, Carazo won 12 of the 16 races he participated in. (Manuel Vlez)

This year was a special one for Ortiz not only because of his wins, but also because he was made Mazdas Factory Driver.

Not only did I win my series championship, but I am also the first Puerto Rican to become a Factory Driver for Mazda. This means that in 2020 Ill be racing with the companys resources, engineers and designers as part of my team. Its a very all-encompassing endeavor, added the driver that is also sponsored by Bella Group in Puerto Rico.

In 2020, Ortiz will move to IMSAs TCR series.

The car is different; it has more traction in the front, its more aerodynamic. Its very different, stated Ortiz.

Ortiz, the oldest of the three drivers, has been a key part of Carazos development. This year Carazo surprised everyone by participating in every race of the Porsche GT3 Gold Cup, as opposed to last year when he only partook in half of the series.

I owe so much to Sebastins dad, Rhamses Carazo. He gave me a chance to race for them and I helped train Sebastin, someone whos trajectory Ive always followed. We are like brothers, it makes me happy to bear witness to his accomplishments and all the things he does to better himself, said Ortiz.

Bryan Ortiz won the Global Mazda MX-5 cup at the Weathertech Raceway in Laguna Seca, Ca. So far, he has captured seven victories and 18 podium finishes. (Manuel Vlez)

21-year old Carazo has taken the risky sport of racing seriously ever since his dad got him involved with go-karts.

Even though he is a rising star, Carazo never forgets where he comes from, even in the midst of the champagne celebrations so characteristic of his sport. He is very well aware that this is just the beginning.

I have learned a lot this past year, recalled Carazo. Throughout the beginning of the season, from April to October, I learned a lot about limits, how to push the car to its limits. It was a lot to learn and I still have much more to learn. This year got me out of my comfort zone, all the races presented different challenges but we always managed to place in the first three places, he said.

Due to a crash in which his car was totaled during the first race of 2018, Carazos debut that year did not go as planned. In 2019, however, Carazo won 12 of the 16 races he participated in.

Vctor Gmez IV is a fan of sports car endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at which drivers use gran turismo and prototype cars. (Manuel Vlez)

The accident made me realize that this was hard to do. I studied the accident like a thousand times, it was a test and I learned a lot from it. From then on everything changed. Today I can say that the accident was my best moment because it was then that I learned when I needed to be more competitive, claimed Carazo.

In 2020, Carazo plans to race the Platinum GT3 series in which Victor Gmez IV raced during 2019. His rise to this series was imminent, he already has his new car.

I will be racing the platinum series and we already have the car. Ive already practiced in it. Im also trying to lose weight while also strengthening my body so that I can give it my all in 2020. I want to look good so Im working hard at that, he stated.

Carazo was also pleased about how things unfolded for him, Gmez IV and Ortiz during 2019.

Puerto Rico is highly respected in the drag racing world, and we are slowly gaining ground in circuit racing even though the island doesnt the facilities we need to train safely. I am very happy with everything thats happening to us, continued Carazo.

Gmez IV is a fan of sports car endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at which drivers use gran turismo and prototype cars.

I could stay in the Platinum series but my goal is to make it into endurance racing, said Gmez. 2019 was a year of learning. I raced in a new category with a faster car. The competition was hard but I have to say that I am very attracted to endurance races like the 24 Hours at Daytona and the Le Mans. Those are my goals and the reason why I am training my body so hard, at those levels the G force is different, said a smiling Gmez IV.

Gmez IV, Ortiz and Carazo are no longer unknown within their sport. The public showing of support was evident during this past season.

Everybody knows who we are already. Puerto Ricans know who are and that is really important to us. Seeing our flag waving in the wing at the races is just an added benefit, said Gmez, who mentioned that he has a special announcement he will make at a later date.

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Kings of the Track | Profile - The Weekly Journal

If your New Year's resolution is to lose 10 pounds in a week, adjust that goal now. Theres virtually no healthy way to drop that much weight that fast, but there are steps you can take to slim down quickly. Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N, head of nutrition at WW and author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked), is here to tell you how, step-by-step. If you follow her guidance, you should be able to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week in a way that helps you keep it off.

Chances are you like to eat, and lucky for you, losing weight requires you to do just that! Dont skip meals," says London. "We all do it sometimes, and women especially have a tendency to cut back, limit, or restrict their intake, which backfires every time! Instead, she says the key is to eat every 3 or 4 hours (whether thats a full meal or a small snack at 200 calories or less), which will fuel you all day long, keep you satiated, and lower your chances of overeating or succumbing to late-night bingeing. And each meal should be a combo of lean protein, fiber, and fat, London says. Following the Mediterranean diet is your best bet because its got all the types of foods that will help you lose weight. And whenever you can, opt for a whole foodso vegetables instead of veggie chips, whole grain bread instead of white, a baked sweet potato instead of sweet potato fries, fruit instead of fruit juiceyou get the idea!

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, more is better, London says. Consuming fiber- and nutrient-rich foods in bulk means youre more likely to consistently lose weightand keep it off. At least half of your plate should be filled with veggies, no matter the meal, London says. Sandwich for lunch? Stuff that baby with all the veggies available to you. Sushi for dinner? Start with a salad and a veggie-based appetizer, then choose rolls with extra vegetables built in. Try adding a piece of fruit or an extra serving of veggies to your snacks, too. London loves swapping crispy radishes, carrots, or jicama for chips and dip, and using apple slices instead of crackers as a base for peanut butter.

One of the easiest tricks to quickly whittle away weight is to cut back on sugary drinks and foods. Make sure all your beveragescoffee, tea, sparkling waterare unsweetened, and when ordering alcohol, go with spirits on the rocks, says London. Also be mindful of sneaky sources of added sugar (coconut sugar and cane sugar are still sugars!), such as fruit purees, sauces, condiments, and other packaged goods, including savory ones like chips or bread.

Exercise and weight loss can be trickybuilding lean muscle is key, but overdoing the activity can lead to burnout and make you feel hungrier later on, says London. Thats why I like to recommend you make it your personal goal to simply move more. Walking whenever and wherever you can is an easy way to boost your activity levels without logging more hours at the gym. Other good tips: Take the long way to your favorite coffee shop, walk up and down the stairs during commercial breaks, or do a lower ab workout while you wait for the pasta water to boil.

Next time you feel peckish, ask yourself a few questions to determine what you needa drink, a snack, or a full meal.

Your sleep habits can affect your appetite," says London. "If youre coming up short in the sleep department, you may feel hungrier during the day or end up eating more simply because youre spending more hours awake." Aim to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night, but if you do find yourself having a sleepy day, giving yourself a caffeine jolt can help curb your need to munch.

Find a likeminded friend or online group to help keep you accountable, or seek out apps or programs that can help you keep track of your eating habits. myWW provides a framework in which you apply all of these concepts in ways that work best for you, says London. The new program has a personal assessment you take at the outset, so snack hacks, recipe suggestions, and dining out strategies are customized to meet your food preferences and lifestylesresulting in a plan thats designed just for your life.

Like what you just read? Youll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe. Dont miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Oh, and were on Instagram too.

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Here's Your 7-Step Plan to Lose Weight Fast in 2020 - Prevention.com

Losing weight and keeping it off is a lot easier when you have expert guidance from the leader in weight loss and its supportive community. WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) just rolled out its most customized program ever, and it's poised to continue to help millions of members around the world accomplish their weight-loss and wellness goals in 2020. With myWW, each new member takes a personal assessment which matches them with a customized program that can make losing weight easier.

While many members follow and succeed on the WW program using the WW app, those who would like a little extra expert guidance and consistent support swear by the weekly WW Workshops to keep them accountable and help them stay on track. WW Coaches host weekly 30-minute Workshops at over 800 Studios nationwide.

Meghan Niro is a WW member at the WW Studio Woonsocket. Learn more about her weight-loss journey and get inspired!

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Meghan: About two years ago, I hit my rock bottom. I had two babies, 14 months apart, and gained close to 70 pounds between both. I was eating just out of convenience to keep my head afloat with two babies under 2 years old. I knew I needed a change, and I knew I didn't have the willpower to embrace a healthy lifestyle alone. I joined WW, and I've lost 93.4 pounds.

Meghan: My favorite thing about WW is the sense of community. You have Workshops, the WW app, the WW Instagram page and WW Connect (WW's members-only digital community) where you can find support, engage with other members, share your struggles, get inspired, find recipe ideas or even get answers to questions about the program.

Meghan: I love that the new myWW program is customized to fit my lifestyle. Members just take the myWW personal assessment, and then WW's smart algorithm matches them with their very own proven weight-loss plan.

Meghan: I attribute a lot of my success to the community I have at my WW Studio. It's been like a second home to me for the past two years, and I look forward to going to my Workshop every week. It's where we share our successes and struggles, and where we can be vulnerable with each other. It's also where I can offer and receive advice from my fellow members. I wouldn't have this sense of community if I was losing weight on my own.

Meghan: Each Coach I've had the pleasure of meeting has different qualities about them that I enjoy, but I have to give a shoutout to my main Coach, Kathy Forte. She is a mentor to me, and she goes above and beyond for her WW Workshop members. She's an inspiration herself to me because she has maintained her weight loss for almost 20 years!

Meghan: I look forward to seeing the successes of others and celebrating them. I look forward to seeing people who I consider friends every week share their triumphs or struggles.

Meghan: The best nutrition tip I've picked up from WW is the importance of PORTION CONTROL. I measure everything I eat. I use measuring spoons, cups and a food scale daily, which is something I never even thought twice about before starting my wellness journey.

The best fitness tip I've picked up from WW is: Something is always better than nothing. I never attempted the gym, fitness classes or home workouts prior to my weight-loss journey, because I didn't think I liked exercise. Truth was, I just didn't like the gym. Exercise makes me sleep better, and it makes me a happier person overall. I walk almost every day. I put on my favorite podcasts, get my 10,000 steps in and I feel great afterwards!

Meghan: They are most surprised by how much WW has evolved through the years. My grandmother did WW back in the '70s, and she mentioned how limited the menu was when she did the program. Now, nothing is off-limits. Friends and family also are surprised by the WW app and how easy/user-friendly it is now to track through your phone instead of using a paper tracker.

Meghan: My favorite local hot spot for a healthy meal is Blackies in Smithfield. They have SO MANY healthy-plate options, even giving you the option to build your own plate. I also love Jacky's Galaxie on Mineral Spring for sushi and sashimi!

Meghan: My best advice is that we all have a day one. Losing weight is not easy. Determine why you want to lose weight, like maybe your child is getting married and you want to look your best. Or, you want to be more active to keep up with your kids. Your "why" will help keep you motivated and focused during your wellness journey.

Meghan: It's affected my lifestyle completely. I love being outside and being active with my boys (who I can keep up with). I now look forward to making dinner every night. I try to incorporate new WW-friendly recipes into our menu every week!

It's also affected my mindset immensely and taught me the importance of self-care. I think most moms would agree that we always put ourselves last on the list. I know I did for a long time until I told myself I would be a better mom and a better person overall if I put my wellness (mental and physical) first.

Meghan: Before WW I would say I was complacent, dull and unhealthy. Now I would say I'm driven, powerful and motivated.

Meghan: I don't make resolutions anymore I make intentions. I make a list of realistic goals with dates to have those intentions accomplished. Last year I hit "onederland" (the weight loss milestone of being under 200 pounds) in February, ran my first 5K in April, and hiked a mountain in August. In 2020, my intentions are to run the Disney 5K, hit my WW weight-loss goal and try a cycle class!

(For more from Meghan, follow her on Instagram at @meggssteronww.)

WW is a weight-loss program that takes a people-focused, science-backed approach to promoting weight loss and healthy living. Its new program, myWW, is fully customized to make losing weight easier for you.

When you join myWW, you'll start with a personal assessment that asks a range of questions about your unique food preferences, activity level, lifestyle and approach to weight loss. Based on your responses, WW will scientifically match you with a customized, proven weight-loss plan that can make losing weight easier.

Every person in the WW Studio is on your side! The friendly guides and expert Coaches will quickly become your greatest motivators and sources of support to make 2020 the year you reach your weight-loss goals!

Workshops held at WW Studio locations cover topics that are relevant to weight loss, health and wellness. You can participate as much or as little as you want. There are WW Workshops during the morning, afternoon and evening, seven days a week. This gives you flexibility to attend the Workshop time/day/location that works for during any particular week and ensure your accountability network is always accessible.

Based on years of research, the WW Workshop curriculum is always evolving to bring the best science-backed techniques to help you lose weight and build healthy habits for life.

People following the WW plan can expect to lose 1-2 lbs/wk.

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How WW (Formerly Weight Watchers) Helped This Mom Lose 93 Pounds - Patch.com

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton has shared much of her personal life and struggles with the utmost honesty as a co-host on the FOX daytime talk show The Real. Viewers have participated in her journey in love from her ending an engagement with a long term boyfriend to her marrying the man of her dreams when she wed Israel Houghton shes held very little back. The former Cheetah Girl recently opened up about her weight loss journey.

Bailon-Houghton initially told Hola! that she decided to make the switch to become vegan out of a desire to prepare her body to carry a child. Though that may have been part of it, she revealed in a recent video on her YouTube channel that insecurities related to her weight gain and negative comments on social media caused her to take her health more seriously.

On a vlog posted to her YouTube channel Absolutely Adrienne, Bailon-Houghton said that she first dedicated herself to getting healthy this past summer. After spending years dieting on and off but always managing to gain the weight back, she made the decision to change her overall lifestyle and not take up another fad diet. Becoming vegan was her method to transition into healthier practices.

One of the first things she did was cut out bread and pasta. I recognize that it makes me feel sluggish, she said. It fills me up very quickly but it has no nutrients. And I recognized there were other alternatives that I have found to love just as much.

Ezekiel bread and rice cakes became a go-to alternative for her. She also loves popcorn, lentil soup and commits to drinking a gallon of water a day.

Bailon-Houghton says that she was able to stick to her changes with the support of her husband and by keeping up with both positive and negative comments as she went through the process.

Bailon-Houghton said that there were two things that made her want to adopt a healthier eating lifestyle. Shed gained a significant amount of weight over the past few years and began to have self-esteem issues. On top of her own personal desire to shed the pounds, criticism from fans didnt help. She noticed a lot of nasty comments about her weight gain online.

You guys have also inspired me in a major way, some in good ways, and some in bad ways. Some of your comments that were like, why does she have seven chins, she said. Or why does she look a certain way, that was something that I turned into fuel to be the best version of myself.

This wasnt her first experience with dealing with negative comments about her weight. In 2018 vlog, she opened up about how those remarks made her feel.

If Im honest, my weight gain in the last few years has been like a struggle for me where Im like, I never looked at myself as being overweight, she said. And it was weird to hear so many comments at one point that I was fat, and Oh my God, she let herself go! I was like, Whoa. So that was a little bit weird.

Bailon-Houghton lost weight once before for her wedding to haughtiness. Shes confidentthat this time, the weight will stay off due to her complete lifestyle change. She shares tips on her YouTube channel from time to time and also keeps her fans updated via her Instagram account.

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'The Real's' Host, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Reveals What Inspired Her Weight Loss - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Zack, a 30-pound rescue cat who has already won over plenty of fans on Twitter, is about to have the purr-fect start to his new year.

The chunky feline was adopted from the Michigan Humane Society on Thursday after a few adorable photos of Zack tipping the scales were shared on social media earlier this week.

The Michigan Humane Society, which posted about the "absolute unit of a cat" on Twitter, told TODAY on Thursday that Zack had found his fur-ever home.

Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.

Anna Chrisman, spokeswoman for the Michigan Humane Society, told TODAY earlier this week that it was very important Zack finds an owner who can help him lose some weight.

"Were looking for a home that understands how important it will be for Zack to lose this weight. Just like people, the excess weight can have long-term negative effects on his health," she said.

Zack will be on a prescription diet designed for weight loss, which is why his new owner will have to make sure to help him exercise and provide plenty of opportunities for play, Chrisman said. Regular veterinarian check-ins will also be crucial, Chrisman said, and his new family might have to do a few extra tasks to keep him healthy and happy.

"As a side effect to his size, Zack also has trouble grooming himself, so he will need an adopter who doesnt mind bonding with him over brushing," Chrisman explained.

Zack came to the Michigan Humane Society after his previous family "had a significant change in their lives" and could no longer give him the care he needed, Chrisman said. Before he was adopted, the shelter shared some hilariously captioned photos of Zack, joking about his weight loss and New Year's resolutions.

While the society was unable to provide more details about his adoption, Chrisman had told TODAY about the kind of environment Zack would do best in.

"Zack has previously lived with both other cats and children," she said. While he's comfortable with cats and kids, he'd prefer to live in a home without dogs. "He enjoys pets and interacting with humans, but can be a little sensitive to having his tail and hindquarters touched."

Zack should take comfort in knowing that he's not alone on his weight loss journey. Last April, Barsik, a 41-pound shelter cat, was taken in by a foster parent who has been dedicated to helping the cat slim down while keeping his fans updated via Instagram. In 2018, a 29-pound cat in California was taken in by the Pasadena Humane Society and quickly found a loving family to care for him.

Read more:
Zack the 30-pound rescue cat will lose some weight in 2020 - Today.com

The book, as it turned out, was published in the same month I fell pregnant with my son, marking an abrupt end to my publicity campaign as my belly swelled. Amid a significant life change I also quickly reverted to my old ways of eating more and moving less, gaining an extra 10 kilograms during pregnancy and another 10 kilograms in the two years that followed regaining the entire 20 kilograms Id lost. Babies, you see, dont lend themselves to meticulous mathematical life planning. And Tim Tams do offer such sweet solace from the stresses of sleep deprivation.

But, over the past three years, Ive fought my way back, not only dropping the 20 kilograms again, but running my first marathon, last September. Body scans have shown I've not only dropped fat, but gained muscle and increased my bone density. I find myself beginning this new decade in the best physical health of my life.

And while it may seem strange, I do believe it is my affinity for numbers and my honours degree in economics that have held the key. Which makes sense, if you think about it. Because if weight management is about being good at numbers, its no surprise so many people struggle.

It's no coincidence that our two most popular New Year's resolutions revolve around either losing weight or getting rich. Neither are easy. When it comes to both money and weight, the system is geared against us: driving us towards spending and eating more, when we should be doing the opposite.

Indeed, both losing weight and building wealth require a strong foundational grasp of the basic mathematical concepts that you can't get rich without spending less than you earn, and you can't lose weight without eating less than you burn.

Unfortunately, most of us are not walking calculators, so getting the balance right is tricky and we often fall for cheap tricks that focus on only one part of the equation.

Yes, vegan juice cleanses will work, for a time. Why? Because youll probably consume many fewer calories than you need in a day. And yes, joining a gym and working out like Rocky may also work, depending on what you eat when you walk out the door.

I'm all about making New Year's resolutions to change your diet and increase your exercise. But if your goal is weight loss, and you dont understand that one run can be undone by one doughnut, youre unlikely to get far.

Illustration: Dionne GainCredit:

As for me, I have set myself a New Year's resolution to drop just a few more kilograms before a beach holiday in May. Using the rule of thumb theres about 7700 calories of energy stored in each kilogram of body fat, Ive calculated the total cumulative calorie deficit I'll need over the 144 days. It's a daily deficit of 350 calories.

So, over that time, I'll eat 350 calories less than my daily energy expenditure. And what's that? Well, a persons daily energy use comprises four broad categories: your so-called basal metabolic rate (how much you burn at rest just to pump your heart and grow your fingernails), any incidental exercise you do (like walking), the thermogenic effect of food (about 10 per cent of the energy in what you eat is lost through the energy required to break it all down and distribute it about your body) and purposeful exercise (going to the gym, for a run etc).

Im a person who likes to do about five strength-based training sessions each week at the gym (CrossFit is my brand of choice). I know from wearing a heart rate monitor that I burn about 600 calories in each of these sessions.

So, my BMR of 1413, plus 20 per cent for incidental exercise, plus 10 per cent for digestion, plus about 400 calories a day for purposeful exercise gives me a daily energy expenditure estimate of 2300 calories. An online calculator (www.TDEEcalculator.net) will give you a pretty good estimate of your own.

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So, for the next 144 days, Ill eat 1950 calories a day, logging it all in an app I like called EasyDietDiary.

To protect my strength gains and ensure I dont lose muscle, Ive set a separate goal to increase my maximum barbell deadlift over the same period.

Once I get to my goal weight, I'll increase my food intake to around 2300 calories a day the amount which should precisely balance calories in and calories out and maintain my new weight.

It's been a decade in the making, but I finally feel I'm entering 2020 equipped with the knowledge and habits of balanced eating and movement I'll need to keep me fit and strong for the rest of my life. Yes, its hard work. But unlike so many other fad New Year's weight-loss resolutions, it really works.

Jessica Irvine is a senior economics writer with The Sydney Morning Herald.

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How I set myself up to start 2020 stronger and more capable than ever - Sydney Morning Herald

On the day I delivered my fifth child, no one seemed to have answers for me. I was scared for my unborn son, scared for us both.

His umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. My blood pressure kept crashing. His heart rate kept dropping. My insulin was through the roof and I often felt like I was going to pass out. A few times, I did.

I tend to think of myself as a resilient person, but I couldnt stop the tears from coming. I just kept asking the nurses and doctors over and over, Are you going to deliver this baby, or are you going to let him die?

I knew the delivery wasnt going to be easy; this pregnancy had been challenging since day one. But I never imagined things would get so bad.

Misti Hernandez

I was 325 pounds and pre-diabetic. When I became pregnant, I developed gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that can develop after women conceive. So I struggled throughout my whole pregnancy with low blood sugar. There were times when I fainted and had to be hospitalized. At 36 weeks, I was admitted to the hospital because I had pre-eclampsia, a.k.a. high blood pressure that can creep up in your third trimester. I was so unhealthy at the time that childbirth could have been fatal for me and my child. And if Im being honest, while I was lying in my hospital bed, writhing in pain, I didnt know if either of us were going to make it.

And yet, after hours of panic and then only two pushes, there he was. Out came my sweet, little Agustin. Born August 5, 2016, at 1:20 p.m. at Redding Medical Center in Redding, CA.

He was so beautiful. Words cant even describe how relieved I felt. I thought seeing him alive and healthy meant that I could finally breathe.

But when I got to bed that night, I literally couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, it felt like I couldnt get any air. I didnt sleep one wink.

The next morning, I called my doctor and was re-admitted to the hospital. They found out my blood pressure was dangerously high. Like 299 over 290 or something like that. Post-partum hypertension. Ill never forget the color on my husbands face as they wheeled me into my room: pale white. He thought he was going to lose me again. I couldnt bare it.

Nurses and doctors rushed in and out of my room, ripping my clothes off, giving me shots, feeding me pills. They kept doing everything they could to get my blood pressure down. Nothing was working. Even after 10 hours of trying, no one could figure out how to fix it. So they shipped me off to a cardiac unit to get answers, and fortunately after nine days of treatment, my numbers got back down within a safe range. I was finally cleared to go back home to my family and reunite with my newborn.

Gosh, I missed him so much. We had just gone through hell together, and it was really hard to be apart from him. Then, at home, I couldnt even breastfeed him. The radiation I was subjected to during tests on my heart was too toxic. You see, I had never been able to produce breastmilk until I had Agustin and I thought this was my chance to finally experience that connection with my baby. But when the doctors warned me against it, I was heartbroken.

Misti Hernandez

I felt like because of my health, I was failing not only Agustin but all of my kids. I was always tired, and everything hurt. I sat in front of the TV instead of playing with my kids outside. I tapped out of the Annual Family Christmas Tree Hunting every year, without fail. I couldnt go on amusement park rides because I couldnt fit.

I do everything for my kids to get into the right schools, see the right doctors. Everything. But during those early days with Agustin, I was really starting to believe that I was a bad mother. I also couldnt help but think about my own mom and how much I needed her when I was younger. I thought about those four heavy words on her death certificate: ccomplications from morbid obesity.

She died from congestive heart failure when she was 54. I nearly died during childbirth at 34.

As I left the hospital, I was reminded of the vow I made when I was younger: I was going to give my children the life that my mother couldnt give me.

I have love for my mom. I really do.

But she was a mess. And maybe that wasnt completely her fault. I think she was dealing with some mental illness.

She was a single mom on welfare, trying to raise me and my sister, Amber, in California. She didnt feed us well. We always just ate the bare minimum. You know, unhealthy stuff like ramen and those mac and cheese boxes with the yellow powder you mix with water. But because she wasnt much of a provider, and because it was hard to predict when I was going to get my next meal, I ended up developing an unhealthy relationship with food.

I remember one time when I was sick in the hospital with a bone marrow infection, and my grandma sent me boxes and boxes of chocolates. I would just have my way with them. I see now that I used food to cope with my pain and my emotions, to make up for what my mother couldnt provide.

Misti Hernandez

On top of that, I didnt have the best self-image when it came to my body. In my mind I was always the fat one," which is crazy to me because when I look back at pictures now, I wasnt that big of a kid. I was definitely bigger than my sister, though, who was always really skinny. Kids used call me all sorts of awful names, and I just got used to it. So what did it matter if I stuffed my face with chocolates? I was the "fat sister."

Things changed once I met my now-husband, Santiago. We moved 10 hours south to Oxnard, and I was finally free.

Free to create a new life and a safe home. I could eat what I wanted, when I wanted, and how I wanted. Pizza. Burgers. A whole lot of Mexican food. I was so happy. And years later we felt good enough to move back to Anderson. Before Agustin was born, we had four amazing children: Santiago Jr., Alfredo, Olivia, and Benjamin.

With each pregnancy, I gained a bunch of weight that I never really managed to shave off. I tried going to a weight loss doctor one time and he had me on all of these pills and shots. I tried starving myself on a 500-calorie diet. My weight would yo-yo, and my doctor would shame me every time I didnt lose enough pounds.

So I just kept eating. And I wasnt physically active at all. I was so focused on taking care of my kids and working 24-hour weekend shifts at a local group home to earn money for my family; I thought I didnt have any more energy to exercise. But the bigger I became, the more I hated myself. I got to a point where I wasnt enjoying life anymore. I wouldnt say that I was depressed, but I just stopped caring. I was just surviving, and I felt like life wasnt going to get any better.

Until I nearly died giving birth.

I decided on that day in 2016 that things had to get better because I had five kids to live for. I had so much to live for. And I knew the changes I had to make were going to be some of my hardest, but I had nothing to lose but my life.

When I was released from the cardiac unit, the doctors told me I needed to be on bed rest for a while. I nodded OK." But in my head, all I could think was hell no.

As soon as I got home, I wrapped Agustin on my chest and started walking.

It was absolutely awful.

Everything hurt: my ankles, my feet, my back. Everything. It was so hard to breathe, and my chest was on fire. The whole time I was worried that my blood pressure would spike again, and Id be back in the ER. But Im telling you, I was so determined. And I guess I had a little help. Now I dont believe in heaven or hell, but during those first few walks, I talked to my mom, wherever she was. I told her that I wasnt going to end up like her and I wasn't going to give up on myself anymore.

So I walked every day. If I felt tempted to sit and watch TV, Id take a walk. If I felt like putting something in my mouth, I would take a walk. And at first, I started small. First it was down the block. Then it got easier and I could walk a mile down the street. It got to the point where I was walking four to eight miles a day. Id put Agustin in the stroller and walk or jog around the park (about two miles), a couple times a day.

I even started cutting carbs throughout the week and only drank water. (Man, I cant tell you how hard it was to give up Diet Coke.) By the time 2017 arrived, I lost 50 pounds from cutting carbs and walking. I was starting to feel better.

And Id love to tell you that every year after that, things just kept getting better and I lost all of this weight from taking long strolls. But there were lots of moments when I felt like throwing in the towel. One day, I fell and injured my knee. Doctors refused to do surgery because of my weight, so I was in a wheelchair for a while and unable to exercise. In 2018, doctors discovered I also had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can make it difficult for anyone to lose weightlet alone someone recovering from a fall. But then I tried the ketogenic diet and lost 20 pounds within a month. Within 3 months, my blood pressure and blood sugar were back to normal and I got off all of my meds. Ive been living the keto life ever since.

Once I got my eating under control, I turned again to fitness. But this time, I wanted to build muscle. What I didnt realize at the time was that a good gym can be really hard to get.

Finding a place where you feel safe and welcome is not easy when youre new to fitness and dont have that perfect, cookie-cutter gym body. Every time I walked into a gym, I felt like I was bothering people. It was intimidating and uncomfortable. I thought I would never find my spot.

Then I walked into Anytime Fitness and everyone there was smiling, friendly. People of all shapes, sizes, colors, and fitness levels. Everyday, normal people. I started to let my guard down, especially once I met the now-manager Joseph Verdejo. When he sat me down and talked to me about my goals and what I wanted for my life, I felt like he really cared about what I had to say. I signed up for a membership that day.

Misti Hernandez

And I signed my sister, too (#sorrynotsorry, Amber!). I didnt want to undertake my fitness journey alone. But I quickly realized that wasnt going to be a problem. In the beginning, Joseph put me in group classes with Tracy O'Callaghan who worked with women ages 50 and up. I was 37 and Im not going to lie: I was afraid that I wasnt going to keep up with them. But I was instantly hooked despite having my butt kicked. I realized I loved having a coach and a community that was going to push me harder than I could push myself. I immediately upgraded my membership for unlimited classes.

Kettlebells. HIIT. Strength training. It was all hard as hell, but I wanted to do it. And then Joseph paired me up with a personal trainer, Calvin Stahl, who is absolutely amazing. In 2016 he was battling brain cancer. So even though hes much younger than me and were both very different people, we both understood what its like to fight for your life. He still keeps me motivated.

Misti Hernandez

At some point, I started coming to the gym every daysometimes two or three times a dayeven though there were moments when I felt guilty about being away from my kids. (You know, that old story.) I had to remind myself that I was doing this for all of us.

I set little goals for myself. Lets lose 10 pounds. Now lets lose 50. And I was surprised to find that I just kept crushing them and crushing them. Today, Im proud to say that Ive lost 159 pounds since starting my journey; that I have a passionate love/hate relationship with kettlebells (Im working on getting my booty back); and my focus is not about losing weight anymore. One of my next major goals is to be able to master pushups by my 40th birthday.

Misti Hernandez

Now, I have so much energy. Im a proud soccer mom who is able to shuttle my son Benjamin to all his games and practices. My daughter, Olivia, is a Girl Scout, and I love being her troops co-leader. Im even making plans to pivot my career and become a personal trainer. My dream is to show women that if I can do it, they can do it.

Honestly, the radical changes in my life are almost unbelievable, and I know part of the reason I was able to stick with this journey is because of the deep relationships Ive formed at the gym. I mean, all of the women in these classes are like sisters. Before and after workouts, we counsel each other on our marital problems or kids, we go out for dinner and drinks. Every single one of these women is so inspirational. Theyve helped me tremendously with my confidence.

Misti Hernandez

For a while, I wouldnt be caught dead wearing a cut-off shirt. I didnt want you to see the saggy skin hanging from my arms. I was so ashamed of it. I still kind of am. But my gym sisters, they are always telling me: Misti, look how strong youve become. Look at everything youve accomplished. It took a little prodding, but now Im not afraid to wear a tank top at the gym anymore.

When Anytime Fitness chose me as one of their National Success Story winners for my weight loss transformation, I was floored.

I couldn't comprehend why they would choose me, one of four winners out of 4 million members. The company flew me out to their headquarters in Minnesota for a ceremony. They gave me a trophy, $1,000, and I had to give a speech. Before I left for Woodbury, the Anytime crew filmed me in the gym to tell my story. And when they played it on the big screen at HQ, I started crying.

I just couldnt believe the woman I saw in that video. Like, Who is that? I didnt realize how amazing my story was. When youre living through hardships, you dont really see the whole picture, you know? I was so inspired by myself that night.

Heck, I still watch that video on YouTube. Like, all the time. And Im not afraid to talk at the screen either. Like, This lady is so friggin awesome. And my kids are like, Mom, thats you!"

I know this all probably sounds conceited, but you have to understand: Its still really hard for me to look at my body and understand that thats me. The body dysmorphia that you experience after losing so much weight is incredibly strange. I have to keep reminding myself that Im still the same Misti.

I still curse like a sailor.

I still have a big heart.

And Im still the woman wholl tell you that your outfit looks bonkersthat is, only if you ask me. (I like to tell it as it is. No sugar coating!)

And in some ways, I still have the same brain. The same thoughts. That same dark voice that says Im uglythat Im not worthy. I have hated myself for so many years. Its not something that I can just switch off by working out more or changing my diet.

So every day I have to look into my eyes in the mirror and give myself a pep talk. Remind myself of my why, tell myself I am worthy of happiness, and that I've got this! Ive got Olivia OBriens song Love Myself on repeat, by the way. That usually gets me going in the morning.

But on the days when it feels particularly hard to love myself like Olivia, I know Ive got people in my life who lift me up. Like my family, my girls at the gymand the boy who nearly killed me.

Agustin.

Hes three now and he struggles with autism. For him, that means words can be difficult. But every day, Agustin says this one phrase to me. One that makes me tear up sometimes. Hell grab my arms and play with them like they are silly putty. Then I look into his big brown eyes and he says, Mommy, youre beautiful.

Every single day he says this.

And I just melt. Because not only is he filled with such unconditional love, but he is my reminder of the day I decided to save my own life.

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At 325 Pounds, I Almost Died Giving Birth. Then, I Lost 159 Pounds and Took Back My Life. - Prevention.com