Amy Dickinson, Ask Amy 3:31 p.m. ET June 7, 2017

Buddy got lost in an Arizona campground. Luckily, two women saw him running down the road and took it upon themselves to find his owner. Wochit

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She listened to her sons heartbeat in another mans chest. HUMANKIND

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Sonya honors her late brother, who died while serving in Iraq, by writing handwritten notes inside the violins she makes. Humankind

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This guy saw a baby dolphin struggling to get back into the water. He hopped out of his boat when he got to shore and helped the wild animal swim back into the ocean. Humankind

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This sanctuary for retired thoroughbred race horses is located inside a prison and run by inmates. HUMANKIND

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This mother attended every class with her quadriplegic son, taking notes and working alongside him. At his suggestion and with the support of the university, she was awarded an honorary MBA. HUMANKIND

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The dogs at this doggy daycare are so well-behaved, they wait to walk through a gate until their name is called. There's always one class clown however, and Echo knows just how to provide some laughs. Humankind

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How a 5-year-old got Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to build a pillow fort in his office. Humankind

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Traffic comes to a complete stop when four geese and their twenty goslings need to cross the road. Humankind

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After 17 years of trying to have kids, this couple welcomed six babies in one day. USA TODAY

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John Truel, 12, with the help of his mother, Patricia Puskas Truel, opens a cupcake shop. They plan to hire employees with special needs. Humankind

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Adrian and his fraternity brothers started stepping after graduation. Then he surprised his girlfriend and everyone around them when he proposed to her. Humankind

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Dog lost for days is reunited with owner

Mom hears son's heartbeat after his death

She puts special notes inside violins to honor fallen vets

Boater jumps to shore to rescue baby dolphin

Retired race horses rely on prisoners for care

Mom awarded degree after accompanying quadriplegic son during MBA

Well-behaved dogs wait for their name to be called

Little girl wins contest, builds fort with Justin Trudeau

You won't mind the traffic jam when these geese are crossing

Sextuplets born after 17 years of trying for 1

Boy with Down syndrome opens cupcake shop

College graduate draws a crowd, proposes to girlfriend

Weighing on analog Weight Scale(Photo: lnwkrit360, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Dear Amy:My husband had weight loss surgery about five years ago and, although hes lost an incredible amount of weight, no one prepared me for the extreme psychological changes.

He is healthier and has more energy and confidence, but the negative changes blew me away.

He has become obsessive-compulsive. He writes down everything that goes into his mouth. He weighs himself every morning completely naked and documents it to the ounce. He has become self-absorbed, and is worrying only about himself.

Along with that, he is going through a midlife crisis. He bought a couple of sports cars and cruises around on the weekends. He goes out a couple times a week by himself for a few drinks.

He has such a high opinion of himself, he could be cheating for all I know, since our sex life has changed; I cant get used to how he looks.

Hes lost so much weight that he looks like an old man. His skin is hanging off of his body and he will not have it removed.

Everyone tells him he looks good to his face, but they tell ME hes way too thin, or they ask if hes sick.

Ive checked some weight loss websites and Im reading about the effects of extreme weight loss on a marriage and family.

Apparently, Im not alone. We tried counseling, but he refuses to admit the change in him. He blames ME for not accepting him since the weight loss.

I am now self-counseling, reading others stories, and trying to learn how to cope.

What do you think, Amy? Distressed

Dear Distressed: The psychological impact of extreme weight loss is being increasingly studied, because our current obesity epidemic is making extreme obesity, and extreme weight loss, more common.

Some of your husbands habits (keeping a detailed food and weight diary, for instance), are recommended after surgery as a way to keep the weight off. His other habit -- drinking alcohol -- is NOT recommended. And going out a couple times a week without you is not good for your relationship. Plastic surgery to remove extra skin is very expensive, and carries some risk. (But then, this also applies to sports cars.)

He may have slipped into compulsive behavior or an eating disorder, but you do need to understand that this change has brought on a whole-life transformation (for him), that is altering not only his own physique, health, and outlook, but also the way the world relates to him.

There is no question that some of your husbands behavior is not good for your marriage, and yet you are completely focused on him and his changes, without understanding that in order to stay together, you will also need to change.

You may be mourning the man your husband was before his weight loss, but that man is gone. The guy who replaced him might be a jerk, but if you want to stay together you should both focus on change and compromise.

Dear Amy: What do you think of people who have long coughing fits in restaurants or coffee shops where others are eating?

I say that they should get up and excuse themselves until theyre done, or, if the cough is chronic, they shouldnt come out at all until theyre well. They should do this out of consideration for other diners, who might catch whatever they have.

My wife thinks I lack compassion, although she agrees they should at least excuse themselves until their coughing fit is over.

What do you say? Unempathetic

Dear Unempathetic: I agree with your wife. Unless it is your waiter who suffers from a coughing fit while serving you, your first reaction should be one of compassion, rather than assuming that you might catch whatever illness the person has.

And if you have a suppressed immune system, making you susceptible to illness, maybe it is you who should stay home.

The thing about a coughing fit is that it is a fit. It comes on suddenly, and the person coughing assumes that it will end soon. Be nicer!

Dear Amy: Trying to Forgive described her feelings of betrayal because her husbands best friend (a pastor) knew he was having an affair, but didnt tell her.

Amy, I am a pastor, and discretion is an important part of our pastoral role. The pastor friend would have violated this if he had told her. Pastor

Dear Pastor: I was focused on his role as a friend, rather than a pastor. Thank you for the clarification.

Send questions via e-mail to askamy@amydickinson.com or by mail to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.

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Extreme weight loss brings extreme problems - Detroit Free Press - Detroit Free Press

June 8, 2017 by Anthony King, From Horizon Magazine Theres a dangerous trend where apps that are the least evidence-based are downloaded more often. Credit: Pexels/ Adrianna Calvo

Half of European adults are either overweight or obese. Many turn to self-help apps as a means to burn excess fat, but despite hundreds of digital tools available very few help maintain a slimmer waistline and few are based on tried and tested science.

Following a weight loss plan can be challenging as it often depends on more than just counting calories or doing exerciseit requires behavioural change.

'We see a lot of apps that would claim to help you lose weight, but none maintain weight loss, and few of them are evidence-based,' said Professor Berit Heitmann, at Frederiksberg Hospital in Denmark.

There is also a dangerous trend where the apps that are the least evidence-based often have the most attractive interface and are therefore downloaded more.

'While between 9095 % of people who are overweight or obese can successfully lose weight, only 510 % can keep it off in the long run,' said Prof. Heitmann, who is also in charge of the EU-funded project NoHoW which is conducting research into tried and tested long-term weight loss techniques.

The project will design an app that will empower dieters to keep the kilos off through scientific-based approaches. NoHoW will equip 1 600 volunteers with a wireless weighing scale along with movement and heart monitors. Rather than tell people what they should eat, volunteers will be given techniques to help them reach goals, regulate emotion and manage stress, such as providing tailored advice on how to be more active or get better sleep.

In fact, it seems we all carry an ancient biological stamp that leaves us vulnerable to weight gain during times of difficulty or stress.

'For our ancestors it was beneficial to gain weight and conserve energy when food was scarce. This response to stress is probably still with us today,' explained Prof. Heitmann. 'It is not just that stress undercuts our good intentions, but it may better equip the body to conserve energy.'

Targeting when dieters enter these moments of stress may be crucial to help them overcome this evolutionary trait.

'We plan to help people manage stress and emotional instability. This will assist them in helping themselves,' said Prof. Heitmann.

Self-management of weight gain can help offset the huge economic burden of many health risks linked to obesity such as diabetes, which affects 60 million Europeans.

Diabetes

Dr Meena Daivadanam, public health scientist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said that 'health care systems all over the world are struggling with diabetes.' Diabetes is a disease people have to live with day in, day out once they are diagnosed, and health systems are not equipped to deal with that, she adds.

Dr Daivadanam is the coordinator of the EU-funded SMART2D project, which has a people-centred approach that moves care beyond the clinic to the community. Health systems are usually built to cope with more sudden diseases or provide specialist care, rather than a lifestyle-related health problem, such as Type 2 diabetes, which requires long-term and often non-specialised care, she said.

The SMART2D project uses a social innovation model that brings patients and their families together in community-supported peer groups to help them self-manage their diabetes. By setting the study in three different countriesa rural, low-income area in Uganda, a middle-income town in South Africa, and vulnerable immigrant populations in Swedenit will be possible to develop evidence-based guidelines relevant to different communities.

'Members will have the chance to explore their needs and their local environment on their own terms, such as where to find healthy food outlets that are not so expensive,' said Dr Daivadanma.

Professor Stefan Peterson, health researcher at Uppsala University also in Sweden, who is a scientific advisor to the project, says peer support is a more supportive and empowering route to healthier lifestyle change, and reduces the burden on a health care system's personnel and resources.

Technology can lend a hand in self-management too, as shown in a new project putting artificial intelligence (AI) to work to help those with so-called Type 1 diabetes.

These days, Type 1 diabetics count carbs first and then inject insulin according to what they've eaten. They do this because they lack the enzymes to maintain healthy blood sugar levels after they eat.

Dr Clare Martin, computer scientist at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, explained that 'only a small minority of people keep their blood sugar within the target range' because 'it is hard to do' which often leaves diabetics feeling frustrated.

To relieve this situation, Dr Martin is coordinating an EU-funded project called PEPPER, which aims to empower diabetics by collecting real-time data of their condition and turning into personalised decision support.

'The idea is to use wearable technology, so a fitness band and continuous glucose monitor, to gather information on the person automatically,' said Dr Martin.

Wearers can add info such as how many carbs they consume, alcohol consumption and exercise intensity. They then get advice on their smartphone or pump handset telling them how much insulin to take.

'The artificial intelligence works a bit like human memory. It builds up a database of past information and evaluates each dose to see whether it was a good or bad dose, and so discovers what works best for the individual,' said Dr Martin.

The glucose monitor is around the size of a USB stick, and the insulin pump is about the size of a Tic Tac box. Studies are just beginning on a small number of patients, with a particular focus on the safety system. Dr Martin is planning for a full clinical trial in 2018 before their technology can be scaled up.

'If patients are happy with the device, we hope to move towards commercialisation,' she said.

Explore further: Maintaining the same weight as you age may prevent diabetes even if you're overweight to begin with

It is well known that losing weight reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Our latest research shows that maintaining the same weight as you age may also prevent diabetes, even in people who are moderately overweight.

For people trying to lose weight or maintain a lower body weight, the temptation to overeat is stronger when eating in a social setting, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and ...

A long-term study by Monash University researchers - the first of its kind - has found that gastric band surgery has significant benefits for moderately overweight people with type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have focused ...

A study coordinated by the MUSC Health Weight Management Center shows the scales tipping in Weight Watchers' favor instead of standard care when it comes to helping people with Type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, an estimated 86 million Americans age 20 and older have pre-diabetes. "If you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it means your blood sugar levels are not high enough to be ...

A new study has revealed following a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for just eight weeks can lead to rapid weight gain and health complications.

A new class of drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, is increasingly being prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but may increase the risk of rare but serious complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In a new study ...

Obesity and diabetes are rising in Africa, led by higher income countries in the north and south.

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created a technology that might provide weeks of glucose control for diabetes with a single injection, which would be a dramatic improvement over current therapies. In primates, ...

Combining a new hydrogel material with a protein that boosts blood vessel growth could improve the success rate for transplanting insulin-producing islet cells into persons with type 1 diabetes. In an animal model, the technique ...

A clearer picture of how the classic diabetes medication metformin works has emerged. A recent study at Sahlgrenska Academy and University of Girona indicates that the clinical effect control of blood glucose is achieved ...

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory, Cyteir Therapeutics and collaborating institutions have found a way to protect beta cells from destructionachieving a longtime, elusive goal that could lead to therapies preventing ...

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Researchers give weight loss apps much needed scientific merit - Medical Xpress

CBS New York

New Procedure Has People Swallowing Balloons To Lose Weight CBS New York As CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez reports, there have been previous balloon techniques for weight loss, but they required sedation and putting a scope into the stomach. This new version requires no surgery or anesthesia and no real down time. It's not meant for ... and more »

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New Procedure Has People Swallowing Balloons To Lose Weight - CBS New York

Walking has helped Susan Ellis lose weight, stay fit and keep up with her grandkids

By the time Susan Ellis turned 50, she was down 50 pounds after less than six months of exercise and healthy eating. More than a decade later, the Papillion woman continues to maintain that weight loss. She uses her time at the gym to catch up on television while clipping along on the treadmill. Its helped her to keep active while traveling with her husband and keep up with her grandkids.

Q: When did you start working out and why?

A: We just moved here three years ago when my husband retired. I lost 50 pounds for my 50th birthday. I just want to keep it off and live as well as I can.

Q: Describe your workouts. How many days per week do you exercise?

A: I work out about four days per week. I walk. I do a minimum of 4.5 miles.

Q: What is your current fitness goal?

A: Id like to get to 5 miles in an hour. Im pretty happy. My doctor says Im in good shape.

Q: What has been your biggest accomplishment?

A: Well, this sounds really dumb but when I was 10, I was 5 feet 8 inches. My nickname in junior high was Big Ugly. Im glad to see now thats considered bullying. At my 45th reunion, I saw people in there way bigger and way uglier. I settled that score. Part of it was my being self-conscious. I want to be the best version of what I can be. I may not be Miss America, but its good enough for me.

Q: What has been the toughest hurdle and how did you overcome it?

A: I would say Im a work in progress. Feeling good and being healthy opens the doorway to a lot of new things. There are a lot of good years ahead.

Q: What helps you stay on track?

A: Weighing. Theres a number, and youre either up or down. A lot of people avoid the scale, because if you dont step on it, you dont weigh that. Its a wake-up call to me. I weigh myself at least once a week.

Q: What is your gym pet peeve?

A: Youre not supposed to come in this area if youre under a certain age. Its not safe and sometimes they take my favorite machine. I like little kids, but not in here.

Q: What do you do when you arent in the gym?

A: Traveling, photography, book club, and spending time with grandkids.

Q: What is the piece of equipment, supplement, clothing, etc. that you cant live without?

A: I love the TV (built in the treadmill) because its a great distraction. Otherwise, youre just counting down the minutes.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their fitness journey?

A: It really is a step at a time. Fifty pounds ago, I couldnt have walked much more than around the block. I just want to keep going as long as I can. Some people can do it alone, but some cant. The Y has wonderful trainers and supportive people.

kelsey.stewart@owh.com, 402-444-3100,twitter.com/kels2

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Papilion woman's weight loss and fitness journey was 'a step at a time' - Omaha World-Herald

Women's Health

5 High-Calorie Foods You Need To Eat If You're Trying To Lose Weight Women's Health We're not denying that the simple calculation of calories in versus calories out is at the root of weight loss. And while you've got to create a calorie deficit to shed pounds, it doesn't mean you should be defining your diet solely based off the ...

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5 High-Calorie Foods You Need To Eat If You're Trying To Lose Weight - Women's Health

Feed your muscle Jacob Lund/ShutterstockIf you're in your 40s and have noticed your weight creeping up even though your diet and exercise routine haven't changed, you can blame your muscles (or lack thereofhere are five daily habits for preserving your muscle). "Beginning in your thirties, you will lose about one percent of your muscle mass each year, and in the following decade, you will lose muscle at a higher rate," says Caroline Apovian, MD, director of the Nutrition and Weight Management Center at the Boston Medical Center. Muscle is metabolically active, meaning it's burning calories on your behalf, even if you're just binge watching House of Cards. "All lost muscle will be replaced by fatand your metabolism will slow down correspondinglyunless your habits actively counteract this process," says Dr. Apovian. "Eat a diet rich in lean protein sources and incorporate at least two strength training sessions into your weekly routine." Shoot for about 30 grams of protein per meal. Feed your gut Ildi Papp/ShutterstockBy now, we've all heard the importance probiotics play in having healthy gut, but a recent study suggests another good reason for premenopausal women is that a diverse population of gut bacteria may be more efficient at managing estrogenpotentially lowering the risk for breast cancer. "I always suggest that women in their 40s include more prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods in their diet, like kefir, sauerkraut and tempeh," says Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD. Most of us aren't likely to eat those foods every day, which is why Rizzo recommends a probiotic supplement. But with so many probiotics flooding the shelves which do we choose? Our gut is home to over 100 trillion live bacteria containing a plethora of strains, and each person has their unique collection. "That's why it's recommended that you take a probiotic that has the most cultures and strains possible," says Rizzo. "That will help you cover your bases. It's perfectly fine to take a probiotic supplement and eat probiotic rich foods."

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13 Small Diet Changes to Look (and Feel!) Great in Your 40s - Reader's Digest

Im ready for the war Ive waged against my body to stop. Ive got a white flag up, and Im happily waving it. Its time to fall in love with the home that carries me everywhere I need to go. Its time to cherish the space that safely grew my daughter for over nine months.

Its time to finally make peace with my body.

Yesterday, I posted a side-by-side transformation Tuesday photo on Instagram. I shared the image in an effort to officially join the body positive movement Ive been learning so much about. In the last day, the post has been viewed 30K times, with over 1K likes and supportive comments pouring in.

Normally when these transformation images are shared, they are all about weight loss. The before shot is of a person who is unsatisfied with the current state of their body, and the after shot almost always shows a slimmer, trimmer version of them. All of this is done in the name of progress, with the after photo implying that the person is much happier with themselves now that they have lost a bunch of weight.

But my photo was much different, becauseit was inspired by the extraordinary women who have recently challenged the notion that we need to lose weight in order to feel happy in our body.

On one side, I share a photo from 10 years ago. I may be smiling, but underneath it all, Im judging myself. While scarily thin in the image, I was still holding out hope that I could lose even more weight.

On the left is a 23-year-old woman who literally thought she was chubby in the picture shared, I wrote. She was self-conscious, critical of her physical shape, and always either on a diet or rebelling from one. She only saw flaws in the mirror. She acted happy, but there was definitely a restlessness, because she was worried about what would happen if she physically became anything other than what she was (which was not good enough for her anyway).

On the other side, I share a photo from this weekend. Its me in the postpartum body I now call home. In it, Im at least 50 pounds heavier than I was a decade ago. Im standing with a carefree grin on my face, the evidence of my post-baby belly tucked under a tank top and jeans.

On the right is a 33-year-old woman who is learning to love her body without pressuring it to be anything other than what it is, I continued. She is getting to the heart of why, at 23, she hated her body so much. And in the process, she is healing a lifelong struggle of never fully seeing herself for the extraordinary human being she is.

Ive been blown away by how much this photo has resonated with so many others. One woman was reminded of how long it has taken her to finally love her own body. So glad you are able to love yourself and realize how beautiful you really are, she commented. I dealt with some of [the] same issues most of my life, but it took me a lot longer to love myself for what I really am.

Another praised the universal sentiment a post like this embodies for women everywhere. I love this. This is the same for so many of us. Thank you for sharing it, she wrote.

I easily connected with these comments, because I have written so many of my own underneath all the body-loving photos Ive seen this past year. When I started researching the body positive movement last year, I was hoping to find other women out there like me. I was hoping to find women who have birthed a baby and have the evidence written all over their bodies things like stretch marks, extra squish around their tummies, wider hips, and fuller figures. I was looking for solidarity at a time when I felt unrecognizable looking in the mirror after so many years of trying to maintain a thin frame.

What I ended up finding took my breath away. In the past year alone, there have been hundreds of women taking to social media to change the way they and we see their bodies. And the sheer amount of moms who have begun publicly accepting their physical selves has been nothing short of inspiring!

Just last month, a mother shared an Instagram photo of herself and wrote about how important it is to love our bodies after giving birth. Not only did the post receive over 67K likes, it also inspired yet another mama to post a similar picture of her postpartum body! Underneath it, she writes, My body isnt what it used to be, but even when I was a size eight, I was unhappy with how I looked. Its not a size thing. Its not a weight thing. Its an inner feeling thing. My body gave me the two most important things in my life.

Another woman recently shared how trying on a bikini in front of her daughter became a teachable moment about body acceptance, and it has naturally resonated with hundreds of thousands of women on Facebook.

As my daughter gets older, and she faces judgment and criticism, I will always remind her that the girls who look the prettiest in a two piece, or a body suit, or a freaking Snuggie, are the ones who are happy. Because thats ALL that matters, she wrote.

And my personal favorite? A fitness blogger is being celebrated this week for sharing the reasons why she finallyloves herpostpartum stretch marks, thanks to her husband. As someone who is devoting herself to physical fitness and wellness, it was a meaningful moment to overhear hersharing how proud she is of how her body has changed. For her husband, the stretch marks reflect the incredible journey shes experienced in becoming a mother. I looked at my stretch marks and I felt pride, she wrote. I felt love. The love of my husband and the love of my children. Each one of them had been nurtured and lived behind those scars for nine months.

In the bodies of so many women who have learned to love themselves, I begin to see myself. The more I witness these courageous examples, the more I have hope for my own journey. The woman I see today in the mirror is most definitely not a version of me Im used to. She has expanded, she has softened, and she has strengthened. She has grown up, into someone who is going to spend every day falling deeper in love with exactly who she is. She is going to extend that same love to the daughter and stepdaughter she is helping to raise.

She is going to finally make peace with her body.

For the first time in my life, I am excited to learn who I am when Im not tearing down myself with criticism and judgment. Thanks to all of these women and the body positive movement, I get to make friends with the miracle that is my body for the very first time.

Florida Mom Gives Birth to 13-Pound Baby: 'It Looked Like They Pulled a Toddler Out of My Belly'

Article Posted 13 hours Ago

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Thanks to the Body Positive Movement, I Prefer My Postpartum Figure Stretch Marks and All - Babble (blog)

Most people try to workout and eat better for the ultimate goal of weight loss. But one woman is explaining in a viral Instagram photo why that thinking is backwards.

Sarah Nicole is striking a chord with her weight loss story, which, as she reveals, is actually not about weight loss at all.

That's how her Tuesday Instagram post began, along with a dramaticbefore-and-after photo that has gone on to receive over two thousand likes and hundreds of comments.

But here's the twist: "Now, when I say the word 'possible'I'm NOT talking about weight loss here," she adds. "At the beginning it was my goal, but I quickly learned it shouldn't be."

Because I'll say it again - the weight came off as a SIDE EFFECT of a healthy lifestyle. It is not and should not be the focus or goal.

"Otherwise, what happens next?" Nicole continues."The yoyos[sic] continue. Instead, commit to doing something active everyday. Commit to learning more about what foods you put in your body and how they fuel you. With that knowledge you'll be equipped to make wise decisions moving forward!"

The key to her weight loss wasn't focusing on the weight loss itself, but instead, focusing on living a healthier lifestyle. This is what a lot of people miss, and as a result, they wind up in the yo-yo dieting trap.

Kelly D. Brownell, a scientist and professor, is said to have originally coined the term yo-yo dieting to describe the practice of dieting to lose weight, quickly gaining that weight back after the diet is over, and then repeating the process. Like a yo-yo, your weight goes up and down.

He spoke to The Washington Post back in 1988 to warn Americans that yo-yo dieting "is worse than being overweight," saying, "it used to be thought that if an individual lost weight and sustained it, it was all for the good.And if the person was unfortunate enough to regain the lost weight, well, there was always another diet."

Live Science spoke to researchers in 2013 who concluded through studies that "lifestyle, not diet types, are thetrue ways to prevent weight gainand the associated ills of diabetes and circulatory disease."

Sherry Pagoto, one of the lead researchers, explained to Live Science"the diet itself [is not] instrumental to the lifestyle intervention's success; it is the behavioral piece that is key."

Nicole echoedthis sentiment in an email to ATTN:. "There are so many ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle, and for me it was all in changing my relationship with food and my body, all at home," she writes. "I learned throughout the process that no matter the means in getting healthy, as long as you are pursuing itthere are choices to be made everyday. Food is a struggle for me everyday. Temptation is everywhere. You don't overcome the temptations per se, you more learn to build upon the self control muscle, something that must be exercised daily."

"Motivations can come and go, but your choice is like any other. I often (jokingly) compare it to putting on antiperspirant," she added. "It's not a NEED to live your life, but it's something you choose to do daily, because if you don't....you might stink! I make these choices part of my everyday.I choose to eat based on what fuels my body and not just what fills it. I want what I eat to serve a purpose to my body's needs."

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This Woman's Before-And-After Photo Reveals What Most People Get Wrong About Weight Loss - ATTN:

Naomi Teeter remembers using eating as a way to cope with negative emotions as early as the third grade.

I started to sneak food to numb the feelings I had about my parents fighting, the unpredictability of my alcoholic dad who always got into trouble, being called names at school, trying to handle performance anxiety I felt about school tests and presentations, and needing to defend my little brothers from bullies on a daily basis, the Spokane, Washington-based health and weight loss strategy coach, 34, tells PEOPLE.

I coped by eating extra bowls of cereal or ice cream, cutting extra pieces of birthday cake for myself, or stealing spare change from my dads lunch box to buy bags of candy from the neighborhood store.

Things didnt improve as she got older. By the age of 20, Teeter was an unhappy newlywed who weighed over 300 lbs.

I was extremely unhappy with my relationship with my husband and how much responsibility I had in my life, she says. Instead of studying in college like my friends, I was married, working, taking care of my home and paying bills. I compensated for the feelings of resentment by eating massive amounts of food and getting drunk on my lunch breaks at work.

It wasnt until her first marriage fell apart and Teeter found herself with an unwanted pregnancy with a new boyfriend that she was forced to face the health implications of her unhealthy weight. Teeter had been experiencing painful water retention in both her knees, eczema breakouts and nightly bouts of acid reflux.

My first time being in a doctors office as an adult was at Planned Parenthood for my abortion, she says. I was utterly ashamed of myself for acting irresponsibly with my boyfriend, the size of my body, and the fact that I knew zero about my health while trying to fill out intake forms I didnt even know my height.

A few months after her doctors visit at the age of 26, Teeter decided she was finally ready to take control of her health. Her first step in her weight loss journey was keeping a food diary.

I wanted to see how much I was lying to myself about my food choices, she says. Like many people, I remember saying, I dont eat that bad. But, I did. I snacked all of the time. I had larger portions of food than what an average-size person ate. I drank more regularly that I thought. And I had a habit of eating in secret and forgetting about it. When I made myself track my food, the honesty hit me square in the face.

Teeters first day of logs included pie for breakfast and cookies with lunch, which helped her realize she needed to make a change.

I started swapping out junk foods for healthier options little by little, she says. I also started trying new foods that I thought I hated like fish, mushrooms, eggplant, avocados and asparagus. I focused mostly on calorie counting for my weight loss, and eventually switched to macronutrient ratios more and more. I firmly believe that because I didnt have strict food rules, it was easier for me to lose the weight quickly.

Teeter also became much more active. Previously, her only exercise was walking, but she decided to face her fears of embarrassment and join a gym.

I had to face the deeper fear that festered below the excuses: people would see me trying to lose weight, she says. My weakness would be on public display. Not only was I morbidly obese, but I knew I was and I knew I needed help. For someone who struggles with ego and pride, this was the most anxiety-provoking part of my journey.

She began by walking on the treadmill, and then met with a personal trainer to learn how to use more of the gym equipment.

In a few short months, I was getting stronger, slimmer, and the water retention on my knees fixed itself, says Teeter.

As she got more in shape, she began achieving many physical feats she once never thought possible.

Like many people who totally transform their bodies, I did all kinds of things to prove I was a stronger, different person than I used to be, says Teeter, who lost 150 lbs. through her dedication to living a healthy lifestyle. I ran multiple half and full marathons, climbed a mountain and even sky dived. But I never did something that showed my vulnerable side.

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Thats why Teeter decided to sign up to run a naked 5k, which would force her to face her body insecurities head-on.

The five to 10 lbs. of loose skin Ive carried around on my body the last eight years has been a vulnerable part of who I am, she says. Its something I used to be devastated about, but as the years ticked by, I started to accept myself more, and in turn accept my body. For me, this was the ultimate If I can do this, I can do anything moment. For me, it was a combination of showing myself that I had nothing to hide and to let go of ego.

Ahead of participating in the clothing-optional Bare Buns Fun Run held at a local nudist ranch, Teeter began training by doing naked treadmill runs.

I suspected Id be covered in sweat and chaffed, but I didnt expect the sounds and smells my body made without any clothes to cover it up, she says. I went to the nudist ranch with the knowledge that my body is going to try to humiliate me in more ways than one.

However, the experience ended up being a much more positive one than she had expected.

As anticipated, I experienced the loud clapping sound of my butt smacking against my legs with each stride,my breastsand belly skin bouncing with minds of their own, and nowhere for the armpit sweat to go but down, says Teeter. But I didnt need to apologize for my body anymore.Runningside-by-side with other naked women and men, I realized I wasnt any weirder looking (or sounding) than anybody else. Not one person was perfect.

Crossing the finish line with her husband was an emotional experience for Teeter.

Its not often in your life that large groups of people openly accept you and cheer for you despite what your body looks like or your physical ability, she says. Ive run many races, and that kind of genuine love and acceptance just isnt there in the crowd. To me, it felt like I was being born again vulnerable, naked, scared but accepted and welcomed by people who were delighted to see me.

As an added bonus, Teeter ended up finishing first for her age group.

I had no idea that was even possible for me, she says. It never occurred to me that I could run a naked 5k and be the fastest for my age group. So, my ego was stroked a bit, too.

Teeter found the experience of being naked so freeing that she and her husband returned to the nudist ranch a few weeks later.

I didnt want the 5k to be the only experience I had all year where I could practice body positivity in this new way, she says. We hiked about 10 miles naked, we swam naked, and we partied and socialized with the local nudists naked.

While Teeter says she doesnt feel comfortable saying she loves her body, she has learned to accept it more than she ever has before.

Ive had to learn how to go from being humiliated and disgusted with my body to learning to accept it for what it is and what its capable of, she says. Its a daily practice of me releasing shame and my inclination towards perfection and embracing the adventures life takes me on instead. Running the naked 5k certainly helped in achieving that.

For Teeter, losing weight was way more than a physical transformation.

After losing 150 lbs. I went to college and graduated after being a high school drop-out for 12 years, she says. I went from working part-time at a department store to working in government public health, to becoming an entrepreneur and running my own health business.

Its safe to say my life changed more than I ever anticipated it would when I started this journey, continues Teeter. I just wanted to lose weight, have more energy and feel pretty. Who knew there was so much more that could happen? The best part of this weight loss journey is the life Ive gained.

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Woman Who Lost 150 Lbs. Runs Naked 5k: I Went from Being 'Disgusted with My Body' to 'Learning to Accept It' - PEOPLE.com