New miraculous drugs against colon cancer are being discovered and tested in clinical trials as we speak.

Heresoneexample:

Just a few months ago, in June 2019, at the age of 57, Michael felt unwell with low-grade fever,loss of appetite and diarrhea. At that time, he was in Portugal on vacation with his wife and thought he might havesimply caught a virus.But these nondescript symptoms persisted.

So he found a doctor who gave him a five-day course of antibiotics.The fever went down but he still had diarrhea. A few days later, having reached Lisbon, his symptoms got worse: his diarrhea became bloody, he had intestinal cramps, and he feltand could seea mass in his right upper abdomen below the ribs.Alarmed, he went to a local hospital in Lisbon. A CT scan was performed that detected a tumor in his right colon.

Was it cancerous? Maybe not because Michaels last colonoscopythree and a half years prior was clear and he had no history of colon cancer in his family.

But since Michael needed surgery to remove the tumor, he flew back home to Boston and had surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

It turned out that Michaels tumor was a large cancerous one with a diameter of about 10 centimeterscompletely blocking the right upper colon.Eight out of 10 lymph nodes were positive for cancer, makingitstage 3C.Fortunately, there were no other metastasis.A PET/CT scan showed no other tumors or hot spots.The prognosis was not bad at that time.Michael began chemotherapy with FOLFOX, the gold standard in this situation.

Yet, after surgery andsix weeks ofchemotherapy, suddenly, while doing yoga, Michael felt a stabbing pain in his right lower ribs.He went straight to the hospital.AnotherCT scan was performed. Itshowed that despite surgery and aggressive chemo, there were more than 12 liver metastasis in addition to a cracked rib (which was the one responsible for Michaels stabbing pain). This was now metastatic colon cancer, stage 4.

How could Michaels cancer have progressed so quickly despite being on chemotherapy?Michael and his doctors were puzzled.

Had Michael been in a small town in the countryside,or had it been just a few years ago, his doctorsmight wellhave told him that nothing more could be done for him and that he only had a few months to live.

But fortunately, Michael was treated in one of the best hospitals in the United States by one of the best colorectal cancerteamsin the country.

Theyhad done a DNA analysis of Michaels tumor and realized that Michaels cancer cells had a specific BRAF V600e mutation, which could make the cancer cells sensitive to a new type of immunotherapy drugs calledCheckpoint Inhibitors.Checkpoint Inhibitorsunmaskcancer cellsso the bodys immune system can detect and destroy them.

Quickly, Michaelwas enrolled ina small phase 2 clinical trial using a combination of 3 Checkpoints Inhibitors.

Those drugs worked quickly: After just 6 weeks of taking those new medications, Michaels cancer markers are down, and Michael feels spectacularly better.

Michael is not yet out of the woods and cancers can be sneaky, but a number of patients with similar cancers who are taking this therapy are in complete remission, and the early signs in Michaels case are hopeful.

It is the miracle of new medicine.

What can we learn from Michaels story?

If Michael had not been treated by one of the best colorectal cancer specialists in the country, he might not be with us anymore today.

So, if you oraloved oneisdiagnosed with cancer, always get a DNA analysis of the cancer cells and get a copy of your results.The underlying genetic mutations driving cancer are targeted by new drugs.

If thecancer cells have a BRAF V600e mutation, they will likely be very sensitive to Checkpoint Inhibitors.Those drugs are taken in the form of oral pillsand sometimes a monthly infusion, they dont have too many side effects and can work spectacularly.

It doesnt matter where those cancer cells are.There are studies showing BRAF V600e mutations in many different organs of the body.

The FDA has approved the use of Checkpoint Inhibitors for metastatic melanoma, metastatic bladder cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, lymphomas and non-small cell lung cancer because they had cases of spectacular results with tumor shrinkage and sometimes complete disappearance of metastasis.

Studies show that a few patients with metastatic melanoma to the brain are still alive after 5 years of being on the drugs when a few years ago, they would only have survived a couple of months.

Stephanie Toll from the Childrens hospital in Los Angeles described (OncoTarget January 2019) that Checkpoint Inhibitors werehighlyeffective in 3 cases of very aggressive brain tumors in children with 2 of the 3 children having no detectable cancer after 2 years of treatment.

If a doctor tells you there is nothing more that can be done, take your fate in your own hands and get a second, a third and/or a fourth opinion in major teaching hospitals wheregenetic diagnostics are done and clinical trials are conducted.

Get into a clinical trial usingimmunotherapyor participate in gene-editing studies that useCRISPR/cas9 and CAR-T cells to genetically modify the immune cells of the patient,enablingthoseimmune cellsto attack cancer cells.

Michaels previous colonoscopy was three and a halfyearsprior and wasclear.His doctors recommendations were to get a colonoscopy every 10 years.Yet a 10-year interval between colonoscopies is clearly too much because some cancers grow very fast.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the United States (according to the American Cancer Society) so we need to detect it early.

How can colorectal cancer be detected early?

Well, the American College of Physicians just published (November 5th, 2019) their screening guidelines for prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer:

Peopleoverthe age of 50 should have their stools tested every 2 years to make sure the stools dont contain any blood, or those people should have a colonoscopy every 10 years.They should do this even if they dont have any symptoms and even if they dont have any family history of colon cancer.

My personal take on this, considering Michaels story, is that people should really do both: Get a colonoscopy every 10 yearsandhave their stools checked every 2 years for blood.In fact, if you really want more peace in mind, have your stools checked for microscopic blood every year starting at the age of 45 years old (instead of 50).

Chances are that if there is early cancer, it will start oozing a little bit of blood every day, too little to be caught by a naked eye, but big enough to be diagnosed by the lab.

Another early detection of colon cancer is to do a stool DNA test (the one approved by the FDA is called Cologuard).

Those early detection tests can be lifesavers.

Detecting colon cancer early is good but better yet would be to prevent it from happening in the first place.

The way to do this is to be aware of the risk factors for colon cancer and actively work on reducing them:

The risk factors for colon cancer are:

Also, a family history of colon cancer, a personal history of colon polyps or an inflammatory bowel condition will put you more at risk for colon cancer and you will need get more frequent colonoscopies (every 3 to 5 years depending on your condition).

Lets stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol every day, lets lose weight and eat less processed food, smoked and charbroiled meats and lets start exercising at least 45 minutes3 times a week.

And thanks to Michaels story, lets use the lessons we learned today to save our life or the life of a loved one.

Read more here:
New Ways to Fight Against Colon Cancer - Psychology Today

Take advice from a gal who knows: Your weight loss journey can be really empowering.Real Housewives of Orange County star Emily Simpson toldLife & Style exclusively about her best advice for loving yourself during every moment of your transformation plus, she dished on her progress in the gym.

I feel like the most important thing is even if youre on a weight loss journey, it doesnt mean you cant embrace where you are in that moment and still dress nice and feel good about yourself and feel sexy, the 43-year-old exclusively explained during Guess Who B*tch Game Night at Moxy Chelsea. Even though you know your goal is to lose 20 pounds, it doesnt mean you have to wear sweats every day and feel like st about yourself. Own every single step of the way. Even when I was bigger and I was filming, I was like, Im still going to dress nice, Im still going to put makeup on.

Because of that attitude, the Ohio native has attracted a lot of curvy fans who are really happy to see someone like Em representing them on screen and shes proud of that fact.

Being on the show, Ive had so many women reach out to me and say thank you for having a lot of confidence and dressing nice and being bigger than the other women. I see myself in you and I relate to you more and now I feel better about myself, she revealed. So when women send me those messages, it makes me feel good and like I can be a champion for curvy girls. You can be beautiful, you can be sexy. You dont have to have a certain weight on the scale or a certain size dress. Be a 12, be a 14, be an 8. I dont give a fk. Just rock it! If you rock it, thats it.

But just because shes found herself in a position to be a role model for bigger babes, it doesnt mean she isnt making strides in her own health and fitness journey still. In fact, shes really glad she had that moment of clarity on screen when she weighed herself during the October 8 episode.

I hadnt weighed myself in about a year. And I knew I gained weight but I had no idea how much. Ive never weighed that much in my life. I didnt want to do it but Im glad I did because it was an a-ha moment where I was like, OK, you cant keep living in denial, she explained. So when we were done filming in May, I hired a personal trainer and I worked out with her over the summer and I did the best I could.

Despite her hip injury, she did the damn thing. I worked out with her three times a week at 6 a.m. I was never late. And I knew I had to hire a personal trainer because otherwise I would hit snooze, snooze, snooze. But knowing that she was sitting there waiting for me, it made me get up and go. It was consistency. So just doing that over and over and over, it started to come off and I lost 15 pounds before the reunion.

Though her current weight loss accomplishments are, well, serious accomplishments, shes realistic about how far she can go and wants other women to, too. Im not skinny, Ive never been built skinny. Ive never had a skinny frame. Ive always been tall and big boned and wide shoulders, she said. So another thing is just embracing that youre built differently than other people and just saying it is what it is. Im not going to weigh 120 pounds. Ever. And thats OK.

Amen!

See the rest here:
'RHOC' Star Emily Simpson Shares Weight Loss Progress and Advice - Life&Style Weekly

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WJMN) Bariatric surgery is meant to prevent or reverse conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and a higher risk of cancer which could be causes of obesity.

The surgeons take the stomach and manipulate in some fashion, depending on the type of surgery, said Dr. Erica Griffin, Bariatrician, UP Health System Marquette. Theres two that they do here most often. One is called sleeve gastrectomy and thats where they take the stomach into a sleeve shape or a banana shape and remove the extra part of the stomach and dont rearrange the intestines. The other is called a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Thats where they take the stomach and make a pouch out of it, take the small intestine, cut it, bring it to the pouch and re-attatch everything so things are bypass when you eat.

Its suppose to reset your brain into knowing where it wants to be weigh-wise and always try to stay around that weight. There are qualifications to have bariatric surgery.

You need to have a BMI of 40 or greater or a BMI of 35 or greater with diseases that are associated with obesity, said Dr. Griffin. There is also a bunch of clearances that need to happen, psychology, exercise, dietary.

Risks include surgery risks, leaks, vitamin and mineral deficiency and weight re-gain. Dr. Griffin says this weight loss tool is commonly used.

I think about 80-percent of the U.P. is overweight, said Dr. Griffin. Were busy. I dont know how else to say that but there is quite a few people who are utilizing the services for bariatric surgery or medical weight loss.

There are options for people looking for non-invasive weight loss one of them is the Zerona Z6. Its been recently introduced in the U.P. at the Glow Sculpting Spa in Harvey.

Medi-spa that focuses on all things body. So we do the Zerona Z6 laser treatments which are the FDA Approved, fat reduction treatment that uses a level 3 laser, said Jaime Thayer, Owner. There is no downtime, no pain, no swelling whatsoever. You just relax for 40 minutes and come out slimmer.

Jamie even had Local 3s Rebecca Bartelme try it out.

What it does is it permeates down into the subcutaneous layer of fat and perforates temporarily the fat cells, said Thayer. So the contents of your fat cells which are lipids, hormonal bi-products and toxins are then released into the space outside the cell and your lymphatic system takes over to detox it out of your body. So the result is actually inches lost and its not water loss, its lipid and toxin loss so the results are actually indefinite once all that fat is gone, its absolutely gone and thats where we coach on lifestyle tips to help you keep those results indefinitely.

After completing the treatment, Rebecca lost about two inches overall.

So our clients are a wide range of people, said Thayer. Everyone from those people who are faithfully using the gym and they have those stubborn spots tat they just are really needing to work on or theyre drawing a line in the sand and this is their chance to springboard into a healthier lifestyle and then we see a lot of busy professionals, we see a lot of moms.

Thayer recommends that clients utilize the treatment about once a week.

For more information on bariatric medicine at UPHS, click here.

For more information on the Glow Sculpting Spa, click here.

Read more:
Weight Loss Options: Surgical and non-invasive fat loss treatments - WJMN - UPMatters.com

Mackenzie McKee talks health and dramatic weight loss. Pic credit: MTV

Teen Mom star Mackenzie McKee is focusing on her business and health after working through her marital problems with Josh McKee. Earlier this year, she announced that she was leaving Josh because she no longer trusted him.

However, he proposed to her once again. The couple plans on having a second wedding to dedicate themselves to one another. With her relationship back on track, Mackenzie can now speak out about her business and health.

Shes often sharing health advice on her social media pages, and now shes giving a personal example from her life. She explains that she weighed 114 pounds in nothing but her outfit the morning of her show after dieting and working out like a crazy woman.

But then, after eating a balanced diet and enjoying a regular workout routine, she weighed in at 105 in boots, sweats, a hoodie, and a heavy jacket.

And this my friends is why you should go see a hormone specialist and see where your body is before going after your fitness goals. Took my testosterone from a 15 to 250. I cant wait to see what my body does for next prep.

Mackenzie McKee (@DouthitKenzie) November 14, 2019

Thats a total weight loss of nine pounds. While that may not sound like a lot, Mackenzie is already a small woman with a thin frame. Nine pounds sounds like a significant weight loss for someone who already weighs less than 120 pounds.

She followed up the tweet of her weight loss news with advice for people to see a hormone specialist. Since Mackenzie works with people directly to reach their fitness goals, shes now encouraging her fans to see a hormone specialist before working on those fitness goals, as getting that under control first could make it easier for you to lose weight.

Mackenzie points out that her testosterone levels greatly influenced her weight, which is why shes encouraging her fans to get tested. It will be interesting to see how she does with the next weigh-in.

Subscribe to our Teen Mom newsletter!

Teen Mom OG is currently on hiatus.

Link:
Teen Mom star Mackenzie McKee talks dramatic weight loss - Monsters and Critics

If you want to lose weight, chances are you are going to go on a diet.

Well guess what, it isthe number 1 worst thing to dofor healthy and sustainable weight-loss.

So many people are being told to diet when that is the very thing that willwreck their bodies. The diet and weight-loss industry is around $72 billion. Of course people are going to tell you anything and everything to keep that flow of money going.

The problem is that when you are told to diet, especially by a health practitioner, you dont question it. You just do it, because it makes sense. Its what youve been fed for the past 20, 30, 40 years, so you assume that its true. That dieting will work.

And then you engulf yourself in thenever-ending spiral. You drastically reduce your calories. At first, youre motivated. You see the weight shedding off. You dont realize or care that its water weight, because youve always been told that the numbers on the scale are all that matters. Youre good at eating your veggies, your lean protein, and of course no carbs, because they are the devil. But you still treat yourself! Yes, Im talking about the tiny square of super bitter dark chocolate you nibble on after lunch.

And then, something happens.You go out to lunch with a friend. They order pizza, and you know you should order a salad, but oh what the heck. You order pizza as well. That pizza tastes so good, you gobble it down and finish it off with a brownie for dessert. The second youre done, you feel terrible. You feel disgusting.

When you get home, you realize that youve already screwed up for the day, so you might as well continue down that path. You eat an entire box of cookies and wash it down with a liter of soda, because you miss it so much. Andyour day of clean-eating is wrecked, anyway. Might as well eat hamburgers and fries for dinner while youre at it, and start again fresh tomorrow.

You wake up the next day,feeling like a failure. Why cant you just control yourself like everyone else? You weigh yourself, and see that youve gained three pounds. You feel miserable, like all your past efforts have been in vain. What even is the point of all of this? You laboriously have a healthy day of eating, trying to get yourself back on the right path. You weigh yourself again, and youve gained another pound. You decide this is all pointless, and give yourself a break.

A few months later, youre 10 pounds heavier. You decide to diet again. This time, youre going to stick to it. Youre motivated, its going to be beach season. You eat your salad with determination.

Flash forward a few months later. Youve gained 15 pounds.

THIS is the cycle that around 80% of the population will follow, because thats the way the dieting industry isdesigned. It works the first few weeks, so that you believe in it, then you gain the weight back and then some, but you keep coming back to the diet because you remember the initial weight-loss. Imagine if diets actually worked! People would diet once and then never again! Imagine the money loss!

If you want some scientific explanation behind this, you can check out some of these articles:*Why you shouldnt lose weight too fast

*Why the keto diet is bad for you

*Why you dont really need to lose weight

I feel like I need to make a few disclaimers on this previous section:-The information applies to the general population. OF COURSE, there are certain conditions where diets are crucial, and some people who need diets to be healthy/get healthier.-Just because YOU have been able to lose weight and maintain it by dieting (good for you!) doesnt mean that its right for everyone. Studies show that over 80% of diets actually dont work long term.

Now, for most people, the best way to lose weight is by operating alifestyle change. People dont like to hear this, because it isnt a quick fix. Its not going to make you lose 20 pounds in 10 days. You will have to change, and that is uncomfortable. But let me tell you,it will work.

You first need to start with your nutrition. I totally advise against counting and restricting calories and cutting out all the bad foods. This will only lead to frustration and binge-eating later on.

I suggest looking intoholistic nutrition. Holistic nutrition is a natural approach to eating healthily by taking into consideration all aspects of well-being, such as oneshealth history,lifestyle, current diet, emotional state, andlikes and dislikesin order to establish a personalized food and lifestyle plan. It focuses on addressing the root cause of a problem instead of treating the symptoms. The goal is to develop a healthy relationship with food and to understand the importance of nutrition for optimal health. You can look more into itHERE.

One aspect of holistic nutrition ismindful eating. Its goal is to focus your attention on thepresent experience, to befully awareof your own thoughts, actions, and motivations. Eating mindfully means being aware of what you eat, andeating consciously in a healthy and balanced wayin order to rediscover taste, flavor, and pleasure. Mindful eating involveslisteningto yourhunger cuesto know when you are hungry and when you are full.

At first, this isHARD. Youre probably overwhelmed with distorted eating cues telling you that you are hungry every five minutes. If you really put a lot of intention into writing down how hungry you are, what emotions you are feeling and anything else that could be relevant before/during/after a meal, you will start to recognize patterns. After a while, youll be used to tuning in, and youll be able torely on your natural cuesto know when to start and stop eating. You can look more into thisHERE.

I know, this seems hard. Theres a lot of information, and you just dont have the time. But dont let this be an endless save for later article that you never actually look back on, and even less implement. Take some action right away by doing at least ONE thing in favor of getting healthier. Then do another one tomorrow. Its only hard in the beginning. Then, it becomes a habit.

If you want, you can get this information in checklist form with this freeoptimal health and nutrition checklist. With this youll be able to actually tick off boxes as you go and hold yourself accountable.

Dont wait for January 2020.

Start now.

See more here:
Dieting Is Stressful. Making Small Healthy Changes Is More Effective - Thrive Global

Weight loss requires consumption of restricted calories. You need to burn more calories than you are consuming for effective weight loss. Planning your meals in advance can help you monitor the number of calories you are consuming per meal. If you are trying to lose weight you need to be very careful about what you are eating for breakfast. Consuming the right breakfast can help in effective weight loss. It can control your hunger throughout the day. But are you aware of the best time to eat breakfast? Here's the answer from experts about the best time to eat breakfast for weight loss. Also, know the best breakfast options which are weight loss friendly.

Chief Dietician Ms. Pavithra N Raj explained "Breakfast means breaking 10 hours fast (if a person is having dinner by 8 pm he will break his fast after 10 to 12 hours by having his breakfast at 8 am. Breakfast is the most important part of the meal and body absorbs nutrients faster and better since the body will be craving for energy. Breakfast can be between 7 am to 9 am or within two hours of getting up.

A high protein breakfast is always good for weight loss because it reduces the risk of fat accumulation in the body and high protein makes you feel full throughout the day. A certain amount of carbohydrates is also required which will give energy for activities."

Weight loss: You should never skip breakfastPhoto Credit: iStock

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

Dietician Kamal Yadav also highlighted, "Having a wholesome breakfast can help you healthily lose weight. The best time to have breakfast is within two hours after waking up. The sooner you eat breakfast after you wake up, the better it is for your metabolism. Breakfast helps in decreasing appetite. Consuming breakfast first thing in the morning greatly decreases hunger and cravings throughout the day. It also helps in preventing several diseases. "

Also read:Weight Loss Tips: Top 5 High Protein Vegetables That Should Be A Part Of Your Weight Loss Diet

Dietician Diksha elaborated the different breakfast options. Breakfast must contain all food groups like carbohydrates, protein and fibre. Some breakfast options may include-

1. Multigrain vegetable sandwich with soya milk

2. Vegetable oats with milk or buttermilk,

3. Vegetable poha or quinoa with oat milk or Toned milk

4. Sprouts cheela with mint chutney or coconut chutney with soya milk

5. Multigrain tofu burger with toned milk

6. Stuffed Chapati with lassi

7. Multigrain egg wrap with buttermilk/ flavored milk

There's nothing like starting the day with a healthy breakfast, according to dietician Diksha.

Weight loss diet: You can consume a variety of foods for breakfast which are weight loss friendlyPhoto Credit: iStock

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

(Ms. Pavithra N Raj, Chief Dietician, Columbia Asia Referral Hospital Yeshwanthpur)

(Dietician Kamal Yadav, Clinical Nutritionist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh)

(Dietician Diksha, Clinical Nutritionist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh)

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.

Get Breaking news, live coverage, and Latest News from India and around the world on NDTV.com. Catch all the Live TV action on NDTV 24x7 and NDTV India. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram for latest news and live news updates.

See the original post:
Weight Loss Tips: What Is The Best Time To Eat Breakfast For Weight Loss? Here's The Answer From Experts; Know Best Breakfast Options - NDTV News

A lawyer by profession, Ankits work and lifestyle were taking a toll on his physical and mental health. While he did recognise the warning signs, it was only when he saw that his cholesterol levels were out of control and he had reached a pre-diabetic condition that he decided to lose weight. Here is his inspirational quest to lose weight and get back in shape. Read on.Name: Ankit Tripathi

Occupation: Lawyer

Age: 31 yearsHeight: 6 feet 9 inches

Highest weight recorded: 92 kgs

Weight lost: 22 kgsDuration it took me to lose weight: 11 months

The turning point: I travel a lot for work. Sometimes for even 20 days a month without any fixed time to exercise, eat and sleep. This routine took a toll on my physical as well as mental well being. I used to feel exhausted after climbing ten stairs only. I was eating anything I could get my hands on without thinking about the consequences.

My energy levels were on an all-time low and my favourite pair of jeans no longer fit me.

However, one day I went for a routine check-up to find out that my cholesterol levels have skyrocketed and I was in a pre-diabetic condition. This report was the wake-up call for me. I finally decided to be stronger than my excuse and change the way I lived.

My breakfast: I start my day with two glasses of water. In breakfast, I have a combination of complex carbs like upma, vermicelli, raw vegetables, and protein which is mostly 4 egg whites and 1 whole egg. I recommend having atleast one whole egg as it is rich in calcium and essential minerals.Morning Snack: 8 Almonds and 2 anjeer

My lunch: 150 grams of boiled rajma chat, boiled soybean chat or boiled chickpeas chat along with 150 grams of curd without sugar.

Evening Snack: Any seasonal fruit and with one cup of green tea or black coffee.

My dinner: I prefer good sources of lean protein like boiled chicken breast and steamed fish. I also try to include at least one teaspoon of ghee, along with carbs like raw vegetables. I like to eat small portions rather than eating big meals.

I indulge in: I love to have cheat meals on Sunday as it helps you to stay motivated and kills your cravings.Pre-workout meal: One banana and pre-workout drink half an hour before a workout.Post-workout meal: Protein shake

My workout: Initially, for two months (6 days a week), I did a lot of cardio combined with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I gained my stamina by doing cardio and HIIT. I also lost a considerable amount of fat.

After two months, I increased my duration of weight training. As my goal was to decrease my fat level and increase my muscle mass, I focused more on compound exercises like squats, military press, dead-lifts, chin-ups etc.Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Boiled chicken breast or steamed fish like salmon.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: It is important to understand that there is no shortcut to weight loss. Secondly, in addition to focusing on your workout, you need to monitor what you are eating as well. Exercising tirelessly will not give the desired results if you do not watch your dietary habits.

During my transformation, I learned that not all fat is bad. Infact, a good source of fat helps to breakdown and mobilize the bad fat stored in the body.

How do I stay motivated? The support of your friends and family is really crucial on your journey to lose weight. When you start saying no to a lot of plans, your social life takes a hit. So, I make it a point to keep revising my fitness goals after weight loss. For example, right now I want to achieve a muscular physique.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? One of the biggest reasons which helped me stay motivated was seeing tangible results of the efforts I was putting in. I am extremely proud of the person I am becoming with every passing day. There is a plethora of information available on the internet about how to keep our bodies fit.Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? The most difficult part is batting low confidence and low self-esteem. Moreover, suffering from several health issues was getting really exhausting.What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? After ten years, I want to remain fit and have a muscular physique. I would also like to keep learning about body science and its composition.

Read more:
Weight loss story: I had reached a prediabetic condition and this is how I lost 22 kilos! - Times of India

TIPPING the scales at a staggering 17 stone, Louise Nicola Hickson was no longer able to work.

Her weight had spiralled so out of control that her energy levels had plummeted to an all-time low and she could barely walk without being in pain.

19

Determined not to end up like her father who has type 2 diabetes, Louise, 28, decided to take drastic action to shed the pounds.

She overhauled her diet after after having vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and has since shed an impressive eight stone.

Louise, from Luton, is now more confident than ever and no longer suffers from depression.

She said: "Ive been like 90 per cent happier than I ever was before."

19

19

Louise had piled on the pounds after years of gorging on Chinese and chicken takeaways.

She suffered with PCOS, depression and anxiety and used food to comfort her - munching on bacon sandwiches with crisps for lunch and carb heavy super-sized portions for dinner.

And the weight began taking a huge toll on her life - and she could barely keep up with her family when they went out shopping.

Louise was alsoregularly getting sick with infections which she believes was due to the extra pounds she carried with her.

19

19

She said: "Im a bubbly type of person and always try to make people laugh. Actually, I used to use my humour to disguise my weight sometimes.

"Things that lead to my weight gain are a mix of PCOS, depression, anxiety and binge drinking.

"I honestly tried not to think about it too much and I was always in denial about my appearance.

"In time things I couldnt ignore started mounting up.

"I felt rubbish all the time, my periods were erratic and painful.

"I stayed in for days not doing anything until the weekend then Id binge drink and eat my weight in calories.

"I could barely walk five minutes before my legs and feet were on fire and I couldnt keep up with my family."

19

19

19

Louise was reminded of her weight occasionally by her father Richard, who warned her that she didnt want to end up with diabetes like him.

And while he urged her to shift the weight, it continue to pile on - to the point she was forced to quit her job.

Louise said: My dad used to say that he hoped I never got to where he was because he has diabetes.

"It got to the point I left my job as I didnt have energy to do it and then my depression got worse."

It got to the point I left my job as I didnt have energy to do it and then my depression got worse

Louise's wake-up call came when she stepped on the scales and was mortified when she saw she weighed a hefty 17st and was also wearing a UK dress size 22.

"I felt embarrassed and a little shocked when I got onto the scales on December 2016 and with my mental health suffering, I knew now was the time for me to make some serious changes about my health," she said.

In February 2018 Louise decided to have vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery (VSG) and afterwards she knew she had to change her relationship with food and alcohol.

19

19

She said: "I decided to have VSG surgery on November 2017 and had the operation February 2018. "After that I had to learn to have a much healthier relationship with food.

"Now breakfast is usually a healthy fry up in my air fryer.

"Lunch can be either a chicken or salmon salad or a protein shake.

"Dinners are low carb alternatives of everyday meals like curry, Bolognese, roasts.

"I try to snack on low calorie alternatives and fruit where I can but never restrict myself from enjoying some chocolate too. As long as its balanced.

"With consistency I have managed to lose eight stone in about a year and half and I no longer wear a 22 dress but a size 8."

19

19

Louise's diet before and after

BEFORE

Breakfast: No breakfast

Lunch: Bacon sandwiches with crisps

Dinner: Chinese or chicken takeaways with high calorie cider

AFTER

Breakfast: Bacon, eggs, vegetables and high protein toast

Lunch: Salmon or chicken salad

Dinner: High protein low carb curries, bolognese and roasts

Snacks: Low calorie fruit or a little chocolate from time to time

Since her weight loss, Louise is more confident than ever and says that her journey has enabled her to make lots of new friends.

And she has recently got a new job in a warehouse.

"Some people tell you not to lose any more weight on this journey, which can be super annoying especially when I wasnt planning to lose anymore," Louise said.

"Ive made so many new friends and have so much support.

19

19

19

"Ive even managed to repair some old broken friendships because Im in a much better place now.

"Im on my feet a lot now especially with housework and carrying food shopping home.

"Also, my new job means Im stood up all day and often running around the warehouse which I actually like.

"In my spare time Im enjoying spending time at the gym doing cardio and strength training.

"Its actually become a hobby of mine and its been so good for my mental health too."

'BLESSING IN DISGUISE' Bride-to-be shed 35st after docs cut off her TONGUE to treat cancer

AISLE SAY! I lost 6st after wearing a size 22 wedding dress & being asked if I was pregnant

AISLE BE DAMNED Mum sheds 6st to fit into wedding dress - after gorging on bags of cheese

CHUNK TO HUNK XXXL man dubbed 'The Barrel' sheds 8st after yrs of gorging 8,000 daily kcals

DAD BOD TO BUFF Dad looks 10 years younger after shedding 5st on keto diet

SELF 'ATE I cried at my reflection before losing 10st - now I'm a fitness influencer

SKIN FULL I lost 11st but wish I was still fat because I despise looking at my saggy skin

TRAGIC LOSS I lost 6st after eating my way through grief of losing my unborn baby

NO WEIGH! I lost 17st after eating myself into oblivion and now friends don't recognise me

Louise is now urging others to follow in her footsteps and to ask for help from experts.

19

19

She said: "To anyone who wants to become healthier, dont be afraid to ask for help from your doctor. "Build your own online community full of others who are going through the same thing as you.

"Whether its general diet and exercise or weight loss surgery there are other people out there to share their tips, experiences and struggles and it helped me so much."

19

19

Read more:
Weight loss: I was so fat I had to quit my job after years of gorging on takeaways - The Sun

Aaron Carter has been hospitalized over his drastic weight loss.

The 'I Want Candy' hitmaker's mother Jane was shocked by his appearance when he arrived at her home in Florida on Thursday (11.14.19) and she immediately rushed him to hospital because she was alarmed about his dangerously low weight.

Jane told TMZ that Aaron weighed nearly 160lbs at one point but has now plummeted to a mere 115lbs as a result of the stress he's been under following the restraining orders against him brought on by his brother Nick and twin sister Angel.

The 31-year-old singer has had his blood pressure checked and is currently hooked up to a heart monitor so that doctors can check everything is normal and healthy.

Aaron's health has been the hot topic of conversation recently as a few months ago he revealed he's been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

He said at the time: "The official diagnosis is that I suffer from multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, acute anxiety, [and] I'm manic depressant."

Shortly after the revelation, Aaron's brother Nick took out a restraining order against him after he allegedly threatened to kill his then-pregnant wife Lauren Kitt - who gave birth to a baby girl at the beginning of October - in September.

A few hours later, Aaron's twin sister Angel also filed documents for a domestic violence restraining order against her brother.

Aaron later took to his social networking sites to apologise for "lashing out" and for the "hurtful things" he said about his siblings.

He wrote: "I've been very hurt by the fact that my big brother has not made an effort to be part of my life for a long time so therefore I lashed out & said some hurtful things I did not mean to say I love my brother I love my family and all I want is peace and love for everybody. (sic)"

Visit link:
Aaron Carter Hospitalized Over His Drastic Weight Loss - Al Bawaba