Weve all read and heard that we are what we eat, but can just transforming your eating habits help you lose weight? According to 27-year-old Nimit Agarwal, not only can healthy eating habits kick-start your weight loss journey but it can also effectively reduce your bodys stress levels.

In April 2017, I fainted in my office and was forced to visit a doctor by my colleagues. The doc checked my bodys vitals, and was shocked. I weighed 84 kgs, my BMI was at 32 and my blood pressure was touching 160. I also had high sugar and very high cholesterol. The doc told me that these elevated symptoms are very similar are commonly found in the reports of an unhealthy 60-year-old man and not someone who's in their 20s, he says.

This statement shocked and surprised me! The doc also told me that if I didn't start taking care of my health soon, I'd be preparing my own death bed," he adds. "This one day changed my life. I knew I had to do whatever I could to get fit.

During this time, I was working 14 hours a day, neither did I have the time to workout nor the energy, so to lose weight, I focussed on the one thing I couldeating healthy. In a years time, by sticking to the below weight loss plan, I trimmed from 84 kgs to 65 kgs."

To start eating healthier, I made the below four changes in my regular diet and indulged in zero cheat meals. During this phase, I also rarely exercised. My weight loss was only a result of sticking to my four self-imposed changes.

1. Always have breakfast on time. This breakfast has to comprise more protein and less carbs (always).

2. Completely cut sugar from your meals, including refined sugars, in the form of sweets, beverages and chocolates.

3. Say no to fried food (I gave up on samosas and kachoris, which I used to like and savour the most).

4. Have an early, light dinner. Id have my last meal 4 hours before I went to sleep. This meal only included vegetables, dal and a bowl of yogurt (no roti or rice at all).

QUICK READ: 10 superfoods to include in your weight loss diet

Notably, its been one and a half years since I lost the 19 kgs, and I have been able to maintain my weight at 65 kgs by indulging in the below exercise routine and diet plan:

- 2 days of strength training (HIIT for 60 mins focusing on complete body workouts without any external weights)

- 1 day of Yoga (For stretching the body and relaxing the muscles from long workouts)

- I also make it a point to go swimming or cycling once a week.

- 3-4 days of running (One fast running session for almost 45 minutes on a medium pace for 2 days. On the third day, I run for 60 mins, I also go for one long distance run for about 2-3 hours on weekends)

Since Ive been running for almost 18 months now regularly, it has helped me morph into a long distance runner. And, so far, I have completed 11 half marathons including one of India's highest and most challenging one in Ladakh.

QUICK READ: The highs and lows of running your first marathon, by the numbers

"Also, now, I have relaxed the food restrictions I placed on my diet during my weight loss regime. But, I am still very conscious of what I eat. For example, I don't eat any sugar at all. I also drink a lot of water and ensure my food is rich in protein, good carbs and fibers."

Breakfast: An omelette made from 4 egg whites + sprouts + upma/porridge/poha

Lunch: A bowl of dal + two types of green vegetables + a bowl of curd + a small portion of brown rice + 2 egg whites

Dinner: A bowl of dal + one bowl of green vegetables + 1 bowl of curd + 1 chapati

QUICK READ: This is how eating eggs daily will help you lose weight without compromising on flavour

"I learned six very important lessons while trying to lose weight, I think they may be able to help you too:

1. Be selfish - Health is the only thing that you should be selfish about. It should be prioritised over everything else. You are at the center of your universe and everybody else in your life is a planet revolving around you. If the center of the universe is not stable or healthy, no matter how much you try to shine or hold the planets together, the universe will collapse.

2. It's not about weight loss - There is no direct correlation between weight and health. You can have a person with perfectly normal weight who is in bad health and vice versa. So don't only think about losing weight, think about good health. Healthy life is a continuous, non-stop process which needs to be practiced equally by everyone, irrespective of their weight or age.

3. Don't wait - Don't wait for a signal. You won't always be as lucky as I was to get a warning. There is no right age or time to start working on your health.

4. Have patience - I didn't do anything extreme; I took one step at a time and kept on adding over these steps. This is a marathon not a sprint. Marathoners run till the age of 60; sprinters cannot run after 30. Don't overdo anything. Start with the thing which is easiest for you. The thumb rule is to ask yourself if you can do it for 12 months?

5. Make process goals and not outcome goals - One common mistake we all make is set 'outcome goals surrounding our weight, tummy size, bicep size, six packs, blood pressure, sugar, etc. I made the same mistake but was quick to realise that it has two problems. First, it is very difficult to achieve constant progression and keep yourself motivated to achieve these goals. For example, you may not lose weight everyday as it is the result of a lot of different things (some of which you cannot even control). So, as soon as we start seeing a dip in progression, we will feel sad and disappointed, leading to a complete stop. Secondly, once we achieve 'outcome goals', we tend to stop. Like I explained earlier, leading a healthy life is a lifelong process and it cannot just be a phase. That's why you should have process goals that are long term.

- You should be able to track these goals regularly

- You cannot have any negative progression until you stop doing it

- Push your limits. The time frame to achieve your goals should be infinite

6. Make noise - Create a sense of peer pressure around you by sharing your goals and the whole journey with your friends, family members or even the outside world using social media.

Disclaimer: The diet and workout routines shared by the respondents may or may not be approved by diet and fitness experts. GQ India doesn't encourage or endorse the weight loss tips & tricks shared by the person in the article. Please consult an authorised medical professional before following any specific diet or workout routine mentioned above.

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How to lose weight like this guy who lost 19 kgs by making these 4 minor adjustments in his diet - GQ India - What a man's got to do

A mum who once spent 1,000 a month on takeaways and fancy meals has unveiled her incredible weight loss journey after shedding 3st in just 14 weeks.

Corrie DSilva started to pile on the pounds in September 2016 after getting married and recovering from a severe back injury.

The 40-year-olds frame rose to a size 16, where she tipped the scales at 13st 5lbs before her transformation.

She was on medication after the back surgery and doctors told her she would never be able to train at the gym again.

But Corrie, from Cheshire, completely transformed her lifestyle by swapping her fast food and restaurant habits for healthy homemade meals.

Combined with a mixture of strength and cardio training, the mum-of-two saw her weight drop by 3st in just three months to weigh 10st 2lbs.

The company director said: Back then, I really lacked confidence and my back injury became an excuse not to exercise.

After surgery, I suffered from horrific pain and doctors told me to take it easy, meaning I could no longer train and could only go swimming and do yoga.

The turning point for me was when we moved house in May 2019 I realised I was so busy with the children and my business that I had picked up lots of bad habits.

I was doing damage to myself by snacking on crisps and sausage rolls and drinking a full bottle of wine to myself every night and felt exhausted when I should have been enjoying my new house.

My husband Nick and I liked to socialise a lot and would probably spend the best part of 1,000 a month just on eating out and drinking, along with buying takeaways.

Corrie began to make a change in May 2019, where she began to eat healthier and got a personal trainer despite being told to not train.

She started training twice a week at Ultimate Performance in Cheshire, completing strength workouts including shoulder presses and sled drags.

The mum also gave up drinking for the 14-week programme and scrapped takeaways in favour of healthy options like vegetable soup for lunch and salmon for dinner.

She added: At the end of my transformation, I felt like the person I always wanted to be, it was amazing to get myself back and I felt mentally better too.

Its been a life-changing experience for me and I felt like my PT wrapped me up in cotton wool for three months and genuinely cared about my progress.

My fitness venture has rubbed off on my children and husband too it feels great to be able to get out more and be active with them, and its given me a different lease of life.

Corries diet before:

Breakfast: Skipped

Lunch: Sandwich or panini with crisps

Dinner: Ready meals or pizza/Thai takeaways or meals out

Snacks: Crisps and sausage rolls

Corries diet after:

Breakfast: High protein scrambled eggs with bacon/on bagel or oats

Lunch: Chicken with vegetable soup or salad

Dinner: Salmon with lots of vegetables (sometimes with rice or potatoes)

Snacks: Yoghurt or fruit

See the original post here:
Mum who spent 1k a month on junk food shares incredible weight loss in 14 weeks - Daily Star

Instagram After eight years of depression, joint pain, and extreme weight gain, Hannah Day took control of her health using Beachbody workout videos and portion control.My name is Hannah Day (hannah_day28). I am 32 years old and live in Machesney Park, Illinois. After nearly a decade of health problems, I turned my life around. Using a workout series that kept me hooked and really watching my portions. My results? I lost 117 pounds in less than a year and went from a size 22 to a size 2.

I remember going to an amusement park and not being able ride with my kids because I couldn't fit in the seat. Another time, I tried to take them sledding but I couldnt make it up the hills. Over the years it hit me: Public outings were becoming a problem, and I was missing out on special experiences and memories.

Eventually my issues went beyond extreme weight gain. I began to suffer from excessive fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and depression. How did I get here? The truth is, doctors still haven't been able to formally diagnose me. But after doing some online research, I found a group of women with breast implant illness whose symptoms sounded similar to mine. I made the personal decision to get my breast implants removed. I felt like that was the right move for me.

Afterward, I did notice most of my symptoms subsided. All but one, that is...the weight gain aspect. I knew that aspect of my life would take some serious work.

I was so lost, though. I didn't know where to start. I didnt want to go to the gym because I was mortified at how big and unhealthy I had become. I stayed away from people as much as I could. My eating habits were horrible. In the throes of my depression, I used food to help me cope with life. It was comforting and helped me de-stress.

Thats when my friend told me about Beachbody. She showed me the on-demand workouts that I could do in the comfort of my own home and introduced me to their nutrition programsy. I'd never had tools like this before. And now? I had three or four new and easy ways to start my weight-loss journey. Game changer.

So I tried to turn my embarrassment into motivation. At 237 pounds, I knew that losing weight wasn't going to be easy. But I wanted to be present with my family. I had become so embarrassed of my weight that sometimes I would refuse to go outside. After my breast implant removal, I got serious about getting in shape. I wanted to be me again and 100 percent healthy. And I wanted to be able to do things with them and not be held back by my weight.

I completely changed my eating habits with Ultimate Portion Fix and Shakeology. UPF taught me what to eat and at what portions. It showed me I could eat from every food group (yay!) as long as I monitored how much.

I thought I'd feel deprived or hungry. But I didn't. I was eating clean healthy foods. And I eventually learning that food was meant to fuel my body, not to feed my emotions.

Instead of binging on fast food like I used to, here's what I'll eat in a day now:

I wasn't ready to step into the gym, so I stuck with my Beachbody workouts instead. I did seven rounds of the program's 21-Day Fix, which included a 30-minute workout every day involving both cardio and weights.

When I first started I had to modify *every* move. But with each round, I become stronger and built up my strength and endurance to the point where I no longer had to modify. And in 11 months, I managed to lose 117 pounds and dropped 20 pants sizesgoing from a 22 to a 2. Since my weight loss, Ive been focused on toning and gaining muscle with the programs LIIFT4, 80-Day Obsession, and Morning Meltdown 100.

If you're someone who wants to lose weight but you still have a long way to go, please don't give up on yourself. A little progress every day leads to big results. So try shooting for the baby steps first. I've learned that there is something more important than the intensity of your triceps dip, or how well you mastered a push-up: consistency. So continue to push on and remember that every little step counts.

Lastly, I had to reframe this entire experience as a lifestyle change. and not just as losing weight. Because the truth is, losing weight helped me in so many other categories beyond the physical. It changed my entire life.

Gallery: Exercising for the first time? Here's everything you need to know (The Active Times)

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'At 237 Lbs., I Was Embarrassed To Go To The Gym. So I Did An At-Home BeachBody ProgramAnd Lost 117 Lbs.' - msnNOW

LSU safety JaCoby Stevens (3) runs the other way with an interception intended for Mississippi State wide receiver Stephen Guidry (1) during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)(Photo: The Associated Press)

BATON ROUGE JaCoby Stevens was just 13 when LSU's eight-game losing streak against Alabama started on Jan. 9, 2012, but he remembers each one and some before that, too.

Stevens, a junior safety for LSU, was born and raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but his parents Jeremy and Dionne Stevens are from Crowley, along with his grandparents, and there are relatives in Baton Rouge and Bogalusa.

So, he knows all about LSU's awful octet as the Tigers (8-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) prepare for their game at Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS that matches two No. 1 teams Alabama in the USA TODAY poll and LSU in the Associated Press poll.

Auburn Lessons: Odd defense used by Auburn may help LSU vs. Bama

"Oh, I know the history better than some of the guys that are from Louisiana," said Stevens, who is second on the team in tackles this season with 49 and has two sacks and two interceptions."Oh definitely, I knew they were losing to Alabama for a while when I came here. A lot of guys even from out of state know that."

It's a burden, though most of the losses are obviously inherited.

"Last time we beat them, guys like Tyrann Mathieu were here," Stevens said. "That's a long time."

Mathieu, a Kansas City Chief who is in his seventh year in the NFL and one of its top defensive backs,had five tackles in LSU's last win over Alabama,9-6 in overtime on November 5, 2011, in Tuscaloosa, when LSU was No. 1 and Alabama was No. 2.

LSU safety Eric Reid, who remains in the NFL, as well, with Carolina, made a critical play when he intercepted a pass from receiver Marquis Maze out of the Wildcat formation intended for tight end Michael Williams a yard away from an Alabama touchdown that would have put the Tide up 12-6.

Column on LSU-Bama Talk: Truth or dare?

"Did he pick the ball off? Or did the tight end catch the ball. I was only 13, but I remember that game like it was yesterday," Stevens said.

A 21-0 loss followed in the national championship game two months later, and LSU has not beaten Alabama since.

"That's what motivated me," Stevens said. "When I first came here, my goal was to beat Alabama."

LSU was 0-for-6 against Alabama when Stevens signed with the Tigers in February of 2017 after being recruited by secondary coach Corey Raymond and head coach Ed Orgeron.

Catching Delpit: JaCoby Stevens making a name for himself, too

"When I signed here, I told Coach O and Coach Raymond, 'I want to beat Alabama,'" he said. "And we have an opportunity to do that. We're at their place Saturday, but I feel like we have the personnel to do so. We're going to come out and give it our best shot."

LSU lost at Alabama, 24-10, in 2017 when Stevens was a freshman and 29-0 last season in Tiger Stadium.

"This may seem cliche and like we're going to keep saying it, but tackling will be huge," Stevens said. "We had way too many missed tackles last year. Sometimes, we had the play called to stop them on third down, but we didn't tackle. If we tackle better than we did last year, we can have a shot."

Stevens, like Orgeron, is convinced Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will play after having ankle surgery on Oct. 20 following a high ankle sprain against Tennessee on Oct. 19. Alabama coach Nick Saban has said Tua's status will be a game-time decision. Tua has been practicing. He completed 25 of 42 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a 44-yard touchdown in Alabama's win over LSU last season.

"Tua knows where he wants to go with the ball right away, and he's going to get it there," Stevens said. "He has the arm strength. He can get the ball out fast, and he can read coverages pre-snap. He's very decisive with the ball."

LSU did little with the ball against Bama last season as it was held to 196 yards and was shut out for the second time in three years in the series.

"We got our butts beat," said LSU senior quarterback Joe Burrow, who was 18 of 35 for 184 yards with an interception while being sacked five times.

Burrow, a graduate transfer to LSU in 2018, may be only 0-1 against Alabama, but he knows all about 0-8.

"I wouldn't say there's a mental hurdle," Burrow said Monday night. "We're really confident in our abilities. We're really confident in our coaching staff and our scheme, as well. We know the kind of offense we are. You try to approach it like any other game, but obviously it's not."

LSU junior linebacker Patrick Queen said, "This is a new team," which has been said often during the 0-for-8.

LSU at Alabama will be Presidential: President Trump to attend game

"We're not focused on anything from the past few years," he said. "We're just focused on what we can do now and trying to get to 9-0 is the next thing. And so, they're just another team in our way, and we've got to do what we've got to do."

Unlike in the past eight games, an LSU loss in this one may not end its national championship hopes. Considering the Tigers' strength of schedule that includes victories over No. 12 Auburn and No. 10 Florida, LSU could still reach the College Football Playoff if it wins out to end the regular season, should it lose to Alabama.

As Orgeron said Monday, should LSU win or lose Saturday, "There'll be bigger games down the road for us."

As far as what's behind LSU, though, it's a different story.

"No matter what happens, we want this one," Stevens said. "It's been too long."

View post:
LSU's Weight of 0-8: Most losses to Bama by current LSU players is 3, but it feels worse - Daily Advertiser

Obese patients who undergo bariatric surgerybetter known as weight loss surgerymay reduce their likelihood of developing skin cancer, a new study has suggested.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and published last week in JAMA Dermatology, found that obese patients who underwent procedures like gastric bypass or gastric band surgery to help them lose weight were less likely to develop skin cancer, including melanoma.

The research used data derived from observations of 4,047 obese adults who belonged to a study cohort known as the Swedish Obese Subjects. 2,007 patients underwent bariatric study, while 2040 did not have surgery but "received the customary treatment for obesity" from their doctors.

Researchers found that the surgery patients were significantly less likely to have developed skin cancer during the period between their enrollment in the study and the follow-up, an 18 year window on average.

This phenomenon did not appear to be influenced by how obese subjects were compared to other members of the cohort, nor was it influenced by how much they drank or if they smoked. If they had had surgery at all, their likelihood of skin cancer was reduced.

The study's subjects were mostly (71 percent) female, with an average age of 48 years old.

There are several types of gastric surgery, but according to the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), two of the most common in the United Statesand the ones which some of this study's Swedish subjects underwentare gastric bypass and banding.

In gastric bypass, a surgeon staples part of a patient's stomach to form a small pouch in the upper part of the organ. The surgeon then attaches the patient's small intestine to the pouch, allowing food to "bypass" most of the stomach. As a result, the patient's stomach has less room for food and becomes full sooner leading the patient to eat less.

"The bypass also changes gut hormones, gut bacteria, and other factors that may affect appetite and metabolism," according to NIDDK.

Surgery involving a gastric band works similarly, but involves a surgeon inserting "a ring with an inner inflatable band" around a person's stomach to achieve the effect of making the stomach smaller. This was the variant of the surgery most of the Swedish test subjects received.

A third type of surgery patients in the Swedish study received, vertical banded gastroplasty, uses both a staple and a band to make the stomach smaller, according to Johns Hopkins University.

More research into the relationship between weight loss, weight loss surgery and skin cancer will be necessary to show causality and to verify whether the findings are replicable, as the cohort used for the Swedish study was not necessarily representative of a larger population.

See more here:
Weight Loss Surgery Linked With Lower Likelihood of Developing Skin Cancer: Study - Newsweek

Multiple things can be true at once: for years, Kim Kardashian-West has posted a slew of questionable, sinister weight-loss spon-con Instagram, some for $1 million a pop, regardless of the vitriol her detox teas and dieting aids have inspired across the internet and in the heart of Jameela Jamil. Sometimes shell stop, but shell always return to promoting dangerous products that reassure consumers they will lose weight because it will make them shit their brains out, to borrow a phrase from actor Sophie Turner. Now, it looks like Kim is done apologizing and would like you to realize that all the proceeds from these deals go to her prison reform work, so being anti-Flat Tummy Co. is basically support for the prison industrial complex. Or something?

Kim told the New York Times on Wednesday that shes fast and loose with her acceptance of paid ads and shes even more willing to hawk goods that are off-brand because the money goes to her prison reform work. If I have a paid post that comes in and I think, O.K., well this can fund x amount of people that are behind bars, that can help free them with simple legal fees that they just cant afford, then that would be worth it to me, even if the post might be a little bit off-brand for me, she said. I really weigh out different things now than I used to.

There is perhaps no person less equipped to draw a line between what is appropriate and what is notexcluding, say, Kanye Westand Im not solely referring to the fact that Kim helped free Alice Marie Johnson and then had her model the new KKW shape wear line. It also strikes me as absolutely wild that one of the worlds wealthiest women feels the need to divvy up her income in such a way that she has a separate stream reserved solely for her activism. The reality appears to be much clearer: shes attempting to use her good work to justify her poor behavior online.

The rest is here:
Kim Kardashian Wants You to Believe Weight Loss Spon Con Is Good Because It Funds Prison Reform - Jezebel

Where in the body you will lose weight first depends on your genes. Your focus might be to lose your belly fat first, but this is not in your control. Human is a complicated creature, so it cannot be clearly said where you lose or gain weight. But in most of the cases, the first place you put on the fat is generally the last place it comes off from. If your arms have gained fat recently, then you lose that fat first from there once you start exercising and following a healthy diet. If you have a pear-shaped body frame than you might just get smaller in size, but will retain the same frame of the body. But remember the fat cells do not disappear, if you will increase your calorie intake you will again gain weight.

Mostly, losing weight is an internal process. You will first lose hard fat that surrounds your organs like liver, kidneys and then you will start to lose soft fat like waistline and thigh fat. The fat loss from around the organs makes you leaner and stronger.

Read more here:
Weight loss: Where do people lose weight first? - Times of India

The Southern California weight loss surgery clinic comments on a recent article that the powerful evidence supporting the many benefits of weight loss surgery continues to mount.

LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) November 06, 2019

An October 16 article on WebMD reported on a recent study finding that obese women who undergo weight loss surgery before becoming pregnant decrease health risks to themselves and their babies. Los Angeles-based weight loss surgery specialists Dr. Feiz and Associates says that the research demonstrates that defeating obesity with the help of a weight-loss procedure is an overall boon to a patient's health as well as her offspring's.

The weight loss clinic says it's no secret that when individuals struggling with obesity lose significant amounts of weight, their overall health and quality of life increases. Common conditions that are linked to obesity include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The clinic adds that all of these conditions can not only shorten individuals' life expectancy but also affect the quality in which they are able to live out those years. The problem, of course, is that defeating obesity is a lot easier said than done.

While natural weight loss through proper diet and exercise is theoretically a simple matter of consuming fewer calories than one burns, there are a number of reasons why bariatric surgery appears to be necessary for the large majority of patients to defeat severe obesity. Dr. Feiz and Associates says that one reason involves the reality that obese individuals tend to produce higher amounts of a hormone called ghrelin, which spurs our desire to eat. As dieters begin losing weight, however, it gets worse because the production of the hormone increases ever further the body is essentially preparing for a famine that is never going to come. The result is nagging feelings that are essentially identical to hunger and very difficult to ignore.

The clinic says that reducing ghrelin production is part of why such procedures as a sleeve gastrectomy have proven so powerful. The original premise of the procedure was simply to reduce the size of the stomach to make overeating uncomfortable and reduce the appetite. Over time, however, it became clear that removing roughly 75%-85% of the stomach also removes the area of the body that might be most responsible for ghrelin production. Thus, patients are discouraged from overeating while being less bothered by the feelings that make them want to overeat in the first place.

Dr. Feiz and Associates note that it's crucial for prospective patients to realize that undergoing a weight loss procedure will not automatically fix all of their weight-related health issues and they still have to work at changing their relationship with food. The clinic says that with the aid of a weight loss procedure, however, reducing significant amounts of weight through diet becomes much easier to accomplish.

Readers who would like to learn more about Dr. Feiz and Associates and their weight loss services can call 310-855-8058 or visit the clinic's website at https://www.drfeiz.com.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/weight_loss_surgery_benefits_by_bolstered_by_research_into_bariatric_procedures_and_childbirth_says_dr_feiz_and_associates/prweb16675499.htm

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Weight Loss Surgery Benefits by Bolstered by Research into Bariatric Procedures and Childbirth, Says Dr. Feiz and Associates - Benzinga

CONFIDENT in her own skin, Stephanie Paredes indulged her love of food.

As the reading on the scales crept up and up, the 29-year-old thought nothing of it.

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Stephanie says it was her mantra that "big is beautiful" that left her blind to the risks - and saw her eat her way to 30 stone.

It was only when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and struggled to tie her own shoe laces that she realised she needed to make some drastic changes, for the sake of her health.

"Ive always considered myself as being beautiful even when I was bigger," Stephanie said.

"I'd embraced self-love and my personality and the way I carried myself attracted people to me.

"I think that's why I avoided bullying."

While embracing her body positivity, Stephanie, from Richmond, Virginia in the US, began to struggle with her health.

At her heaviest she weighed 29st 12lbs and was a UK dress size 40.

In August 2015, the office worker was diagnosed with high blood pressure and sleep apnoea, developed a knee problem and was told she had type 2 diabetes, all because she was classified as obese.

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Stephanie struggled to do normal, everyday activities and stopped going out with friends for fear of slowing them down.

She struggled going to restaurants because she couldn't fit into the booths, leaving her feeling embarrassed.

She became fed up of not being able to wear nice clothes, and struggled to tie her own laces or fasten her seat belt in the car.

In April last year, Stephanie decided enough was enough and booked to have a gastric bypass op.

The surgery was a success, and Stephanie now weighs a healthier 11st 13lbs, and wears a UK size 12.

"I have been overweight since I was a child," she said.

"I had no knowledge of nutrition and I was an emotional eater, I ate when I was bored.

"It meant I was always overeating.

"I would binge on pizza, Chinese, sweets, crisps, soda and juice and I ate so much bread and rice."

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Stephanie estimates she was eating around 3,000 calories a day - 1,000 more than the NHS daily recommended intake for a woman.

Due to her size, she struggled to walk far without being out of breath.

"I kept pulling back from my friends, I didn't want to go places like the amusement parks with them," she said.

"It was frustrating that I couldn't fit into cute little clothes or even buckle myself into cars."

Before resorting to weight loss surgery, Stephanie made a start, shedding 9st 12lbs by overhauling her diet and starting to walk 10,000 steps a day.

"I realised I needed to change for my health, and take my condition seriously," she said.

"Particularly when I found out I had diabetes, I didn't want any further problems."

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Shortly after her diagnosis in August 2015, Stephanie immediately cut out junk food, soda and juice.

She started to take note of food labels and began counting her daily calorie intake.

"I would eat three healthy meals a day and two health snacks," she said.

"For breakfast I'd have a protein shake, then at lunch a cup of meat such as grilled chicken or tenderloin steak.

"For dinner I'd have another protein, baked and served with vegetables."

As well as walking more, she joined a gym, and began weight lifting, and took Zumba classes.

By November 2016, Stephanie weighed 20st 10lbs, but over the next year some of that weight crept back.

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So, when her knee problem flared up again, she took the decision to have surgery in April last year.

Since then she has managed to continue to lose weight and now weighs 11st 13lbs.

Though her journey has been tough, she said it was worth it both physically and mentally.

"It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster letting go of unhealthy foods," Stephanie admitted.

"I went through moments of feeling upset and frustrated because I felt like there wasnt much I could eat.

Of course, now I feel this emotional journey was all worth it.

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"Although there are many factors to happiness, Im grateful to God that Ive lost the weight.

"Im no longer diabetic, I have no high blood pressure and no sleep apnoea.

Ive kept all my same friends and also gained new ones. People see me walking around during my breaks at work and they join me.

"They see me walking in place and they get motivated to exercise with me.

Those around me are amazed at my transformation. They say they are so proud of me.

"Most people cant believe that those old pictures are of me. Many say I have motivated them to live a healthier lifestyle and they themselves began losing weight."

Stephanie hopes her story will inspire others to take control of their lifestyle.

She said it's important to talk to your doctor if you're thinking of losing weight - to ensure you do it in a healthy and sustainable way, to make changes that can last.

If you ever lose your motivation, remind yourself why you started in the first place and remind yourself where you used to be," she said.

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Id also just like to add that big or small, self-love is so important.

"Even with the weight loss I still have moments of anxiety and depression.

"Dont think that losing weight will solve all your problems. It will certainly help but remember to love yourself."

Excerpt from:
Weight loss: I ate my way to 30st thinking big is beautiful now Ive lost 23st after shock diagnos - The Sun

Weight loss is not always easy to achieve and slimmers may worry they will be left feeling hungry and unsatisfied. However, dieters do not have to go without a mid afternoon treat when getting into shape, experts revealed. These are the top five snacks to help weight loss.

Protein is the most satiating macronutrient and is the hardest to store as body fat. You even burn calories digesting it.

Instead of tucking into high carb treats, slimmers can pick from a list of healthy foods to keep them satisfied.

Fat-free yogurt with raspberries and nut butter - 210 calories

They said: This nutrient-dense swap is not only voluminous - so youll feel fuller - its much higher in protein. It includes a great source of healthy fats and the berries bring added fibre. This is a great snack for curbing sweet cravings!

DON'T MISS

Dark chocolate - 121 calories

They said: I get all my clients to immediately switch from sweets and bars of milk or white chocolate to high-quality dark chocolate, roughly 70to 85 percent.

With good quality dark chocolate, a little goes a long way, so harder to overconsume, and it has a lot of healthy antioxidants.

Dark chocolate is especially beneficial for my female clients when they are nearing their time of the month and cravings are through the roof a little dark chocolate can squash those urges right away.

Biltong - 74 calories

Biltong brings all the convenience, but far less calories than its potato equivalent, the experts revealed.

This slow digesting protein will keep you fuller for longer and help stabilise blood sugar levels.

Cherry tomatoes - 26 calories

Cherry tomatoes are a great swap to get a sweet fix, the trainers explained.

Packed full of fibre but low in calories, they will help curb sweet cravings and give you that feeling of fullness. Great for desk-snackers or social events like cinema outings.

Low calorie jelly - 4 calories

They said: Its so easy to pick up a yoghurt from the fridge for a low-calorie dessert, but remember that all those 100 calorie snacks here and there soon add up if youre not paying attention.

Here is the original post:
Weight loss: Top five snacks to help you shape up revealed - which has fewest calories? - Express