Flaxseeds can be a healthful addition to the diet and might help with weight loss. However, they may not be suitable for everyone.

People cultivate flax for food and fiber, using its fibers for linens, its oils for wood finishing, and its seeds for food and nutrition. It is also commonly known as linseed.

Flaxseeds have beneficial health effects, but some safety concerns surround them. Read on to find out what the research says, how to use them, and who should not take them.

Research suggests that the bacteria in a persons gut (the microbiome) interact with compounds that are present in many plant foods and may positively influence health and weight. Flaxseed contains some of these beneficial compounds, including:

Flaxseed oil is a rich source (4060%) of alpha-linolenic acid. The body converts this essential polyunsaturated fatty acid to omega-3 fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory and may help weight management.

One small study indicated that flaxseed fiber could suppress appetite and make people feel fuller and more satisfied. Research also suggests that whole flaxseed improves glycemic control, helping balance blood sugar and insulin levels. Both of these effects may help with weight management.

Flaxseeds are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Studies suggest that a high intake of fiber is beneficial in the prevention of obesity.

The authors of a 2017 review of 45 randomized placebo-controlled trials concluded that flaxseed could support weight reduction in people with overweight or obesity.

Overall, therefore, the research on flaxseed although limited suggests that it might help people lose weight.

People can consume flaxseed in several different ways, including:

People can buy brown or golden whole flaxseeds, which are nutritionally similar. However, golden seeds have better omega-3 content, while brown seeds have a higher antioxidant content, according to research.

Ground flaxseed makes a good addition to breakfast cereals, smoothies, or baked products. People can include flaxseed oil in salad dressings.

Flaxseeds contain antinutrients that may have an adverse effect on health. These include cyanogenic glycosides, which are higher in unripe seeds and can negatively affect the thyroid gland.

Another example is phytic acid, which can interfere with the absorption of calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper, and iron

People can reduce some of these antinutrients by soaking or sprouting the seeds. However, flaxseed may not be suitable for people with certain health issues.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health say that flaxseed seems to be well-tolerated in limited amounts, with few reported side effects. However, they advise the following safety precautions:

A person who is taking medication (particularly for diabetes, blood clotting, or thyroid conditions) should check with their doctor before taking flaxseed.

People sometimes use flaxseed and its oil for other conditions, including:

However, people should bear in mind that the scientific research behind these uses may be limited or inconclusive.

There are many remedies and foods that people claim can help weight loss. A person should do their own research and always speak to a doctor if they are on medication and want to try a new remedy.

Some popular foods and remedies that might help a person lose weight include:

Read about some of the best foods for weight loss here.

However, in most cases, the best approach is to adopt a healthful, balanced diet and engage in regular exercise.

Some research suggests that flaxseed might help weight loss. The mechanism behind this could be its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as its rich omega-3 content.

Including flaxseed in the diet as a food supplement may help improve bowel regularity and blood sugar control. It might also have other healthful effects.

However, flaxseed contains antinutrients that could have adverse effects in people who have certain health conditions or are taking medication.

People who are safe to take flaxseed might be better soaking or sprouting it to ensure that it does not interfere with mineral absorption.

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Flaxseed and weight loss: What to know - Medical News Today

The science behind weight loss and weight maintenance is not as complicated as it's perceived to be. Once a cricket fiend and now a certified personal trainer, spinning instructor and nutrition counselor, 24-year-old Abhisht Sharma tells us that what you eat or your daily diet contributes to 70 per cent of your fitness journey. The remaining 30 per cent is attributed to burning the excess fat from your body by exercising according to your body type.

Once you reach your weight loss goal, the next step is weight maintenance. This comes from consistency and persistence. But lets delve into that later. For now, well let Sharma share with us his journey from a cricketer to a fitness guru.

I realised I was obese for my body type at 84 kg. I was in the twelfth grade at the time," he says. "In my first year of college, I joined the cricket team. I loved the sport. It and my teammates helped me understand the importance of fitness. But I still lacked proper knowledge, he adds.

After playing cricket in college for a couple of years, I took it up professionally. By now, I had done my due diligence on eating right and working out for my bodys benefit, he explains.

QUICK READ: 8 Virat Kohli-approved workouts to help you lose weight & get fit, just like the Indian Skipper

He also states that even though he couldnt pursue playing cricket in the long run, he didnt give up on his routine and made a name for himself in the fitness industry after following the below mentioned 4-step plan to lose weight and get fit.

I weigh 71 kg now, and maintain a great physique. I was able to achieve this weight goal in a very healthy manner by following these 4 steps:

1. Setting a schedule

Setting a days plan is very important. It helps you stay focused on your priorities.

2. Strength training (for 4 days minimum)

Strength training or lifting weights increases your metabolic rate (number of calories you burn at rest) which helps you burn fat. It also helps build strength and stamina. Having said this, I am not saying that gymming is the only way to achieve this strength and stamina. You can find a routine that works for you. Gymming worked for me.

3. Cardio and mobility workouts (for 2 days)

Cardio is as important because you dont want to compromise on cardiovascular endurance as your body needs to be fit in every aspect.

4. Diet

Your daily diet contributes to 70 per cent of your fitness journey. The above is just 30 per cent. Trust me! You are what you eat. For me, this was mainly eating clean food and following the below diet plan.

Early Morning: A glass of warm water

Breakfast: 250ml milk with 20gm oats and 5 almonds (soaked overnight)

Midday: A handful of boiled chickpeas

Lunch: 1 small bowl of curd, 1 bowl dal, 1 cup greens, 2 rotis and 3 eggs (2 egg whites + 1 whole)

Post-lunch/Pre-workout: 1 bowl of fruits and a glass beetroot juice

Post-workout: 5 eggs and 100gm sweet potato

Evening Snacks: 2 eggs and 1 tbsp peanut butter

Dinner: 2 rotis, 150gm chicken/100gm fish/100gm paneer with flax seeds and a bowl of veggies

Consistency and persistence are my mantras. Even in quarantine you should be innovative and try doing exercises which at least get your heart rate up.

Follow a routine and dont get distracted, if you do, remember why you started and that there is no looking back!

Disclaimer: The fitness journey, diet and workout routines shared by the respondents are purely for inspirational purposes and in no way intend to propagate a specific body type. Please consult an authorised medical professional before following any specific diet or workout routine mentioned above.

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Weight loss tips: How this fitness expert lost 13 kg and got ripped by following these 4 steps - GQ India

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. When 39-year-old Madhukar Singh realised that his health was taking a beating because of his growing weight, he pulled his socks. He decided that he will no longer shy away from staring at the mirror and get back in shape as soon as possible. His weight loss story is inspiring through and through.Name: Madhukar SinghOccupation: Hospitality sectorAge: 39 years

Height:5 feet 7 inches

City: DelhiHighest weight recorded: 82 years

Weight lost: 24 kgs

Duration it took me to lose weight: 8 months

The turning point: Your life is definitely not easy when you are shouldering all those extra kilos and dragging yourself everywhere. Additionally, you also become underconfident and lose the ability to be happy when you see yourself in the mirror. However, the worst part was the point when my health had started suffering because of my weight. It was really heartbreaking and I realised that I will no longer live this way. I desperately needed to change my lifestyle and I did the same. My breakfast: 2 boiled eggs and a bowl of oats

My lunch: A portion of grilled chicken, sweet potato and a bowl of lentils

My dinner: A bowl of soup, a portion of vegetables and some protein in the form of chicken or fish

Pre-workout meal: Two bananas and a cup of black coffee

Post- workout meal: Protein shake and a bowl of oatsI indulge in: Honestly, I do not believe in the concept of cheat meals. After working so hard, I believe that I have earned my meals. So I eat anything ranging from a bar of chocolate to a mouthwatering Indian dessert.

My workout: I follow the compound exercise regime at the gym. I do weight training for five days a week and a day of HIIT and cardio. I reserve a day solely for resting.Low-calorie recipes I swear by: I can eat whatever I crave for as long as it has less sugar and minimum oil. Those are my only two requirements in any low-calorie diet.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: It is really important to be consistent with your diet, everything else can be managed.

How do I stay motivated? I do not believe in the concept of motivation, as it is temporary. I rely on being disciplined to stay fit and healthy. In case, there is a day when I do not feel like working out, my old photographs remind me that I dont wish to go back to that phase.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? If there one thing that keeps me motivated and focussed, it is actually seeing my old photographs and realising how far I have come. Trust me, I dont want to go back to that phase of my life.

Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? When you are overweight, doing every little thing gets really difficult and you have to face difficulties at every step of your life. You also tend to lose all hopes of a better future and feel really underconfident most of the time.

What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? I want to continue working on my body and wish to get in better shape with every passing day

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Weight loss story: I lost 24 kilos after I could no longer look at myself in the mirror! - Times of India

Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Getty Images Plus.

To get advice from Prudie, send questions for publication toprudence@slate.com. (Questions may be edited.) Join the live chat every Monday at noon.Submit your questions and comments herebefore or during the live discussion. Or call the Dear Prudence podcast voicemail at 401-371-DEAR (3327) to hear your question answered on a future episode of the show.

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Dear Prudence,

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I am a 42-year-old woman. For most of my life, maintaining a stable weight hasnt been a problem. I exercise five days a week and generally eat healthy. My routine didnt change, but since I turned 40, Ive gained about 10 pounds a year. Ive tried everything but cant lose that weight unless I exercise every single day and keep to a very strict diet and eat the bare minimum of calories. Once I go back to my regular eating patterns, the weight comes back. I dont have any underlying medical conditions; my doctor says its just a slower metabolism that comes with age. I have tried every diet under the sun, every exercise, hired a trainer, done a prescription weight loss programnothing works. I was initially quite depressed about it, but I have recently come to the conclusion that this is me now, and I would rather live my life and be happy than miserable and dieting. The same exact thing happened to my mom around my age, so I suspect it may be hereditary.

The problem is my fianc. He is on me constantly to lose weight. I have explained the situation to him several times and even brought him to the doctors office with me. I keep food diaries. I know I am not overeating, but he is the kind of man that can give up chocolate for a week and lose 10 pounds. He does not understand. He frequently pulls up pictures from when we first met and says how nice I looked. I understand that I have put on 30 pounds since we started dating, he has every right to be upset, but I just dont think I can do what it takes to get back to being 30 pounds lighter. Should I be miserable and lose the weight to make him happy, or should I leave and find someone who will accept me as is?

No More Yo-Yo

It sounds like you already know the answer to your own question based on the way youve phrased it to me in the last line of your letter. Frankly, even if you didnt find someone else, I think being secure and happy on your own would be an improvement over a guy who constantly shoves old photos under your nose to remind you how disappointed he is in your metabolism and mere five-workouts-a-week regimen. I dont even agree that hes got a right to be upset with you for gaining weight, entering your 40s, and/or declining to make your dress size the No. 1 priority in your life, to the exclusion of any sense of moderation and pleasure. Once you reject the idea that he has every right to be angry with you for having a body that cant run solely on self-denial and punishment, I think the idea of leaving a man who makes you miserable will suddenly feel a lot more achievable.

Danny M. Lavery is joined by Matt Lubchansky onthis weeks episodeof the Dear Prudence podcast.

Subscribe to the Dear Prudence Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Dear Prudence,

I moved to a new country a few years ago and struggled to make new friends. Most of my friends here are white, while Im Black African, and we often struggle to find common ground. There have been difficult moments where someones touched my hair without permission or invited me to all-white events where Ive felt ignored and othered. In each case, Id bring up the issue carefully, and the women would apologize and promise to be more sensitive. Im now pregnant. My friends have been helpful and provided lots of advice and support. Some have even given me old maternity clothes, baby clothes, high chairs, and a crib mattress. But in more than a few instances, these hand-me-downs were damaged or badly stained. This has left me feeling torn between gratitude for their generosity and anger for what seems like a lack of consideration.

What should I do? I dont make nearly as much money as these women and have struggled to find full-time employment since I moved here. Im glad to be getting so many items that I would normally be unable to afford. But Im upset at what looks like another instance of my friends cluelessness. Is this a cultural thing Im being overly sensitive about? Or should I say something and risk another awkward conversation, where I will likely end up downplaying my feelings and soothing them so they dont feel bad about themselves? These women are otherwise sweet and are even planning a baby shower for me, so I dont want to risk alienating them.

Insensitive or Racist?

I dont know what country youre in now or what culture these white women belong to that might possibly provide useful context for the state of these hand-me-downs, so I wont try to speak to that. But you have every right to reject damaged or unusable gifts. Its one thing to accept a few slightly worn onesies and another to be expected to let your baby sleep on a torn, stained mattress. That doesnt mean you have to sign up for another draining round of explaining benevolent racism to your friends if you dont want to, especially if you worry it will end in another round of reassuring them that no, you dont think theyre bad people, that they had the absolute best of intentions, and and so on, ad infinitum.

All you have to do is let each gifter know that you appreciated her thoughtfulness but unfortunately wont be able to use the item because when you got home you realized it was damaged (or torn or stained), and would they like to have it back or would they prefer you just got rid of it for them? This doesnt offer them something to deny or argue about with you; its a simple statement of fact that their gift is unusable, while also offering them the polite cover of Im sure you had no ideaI didnt notice myself until I opened it up at home. If even that sounds like more effort than youd like to extend, you can just quietly get rid of whatever you cant use and make a list of what you still need for whoevers throwing the baby shower for you. I do hope youre able to lean on your extended social network, far away as they may be right now, so that you have at least some emotional support to fall back on if things with this particular group of women grow too fraught. And keep in mind that you are entitled to discuss your feelings about racism with them at any point. But if you decide youd rather preserve your energy for something else, or dont trust them to respond honestly and nondefensively, youre allowed to take a step back. Its not a question of being excessively or insufficiently sensitive. Its a question of how much you want to invest in these relationships and when you need to conserve your emotional resources.

Dear Prudence,

My roommate Claire originally seemed like a great fit, but it quickly turned into a mini-nightmare, from the relatively minor (left her dishes in the sink for days) to real problems (was a neglectful pet owner). I tried to resolve these issues multiple times, with no results. Finally, I mentioned the pet problems to our landlord, who said Claire needed to remove the animal from the premises. Claire packed up and moved to her parents within three days.

In the week since, Ive noticed that some of my cookware is missing. She denies taking it, but in the past she has bragged about shoplifting. Also, where else could a bunch of pans have gone? Im a grad student, and I could replace my cookware, but it would definitely hurt my budget. Meanwhile, the electric bill was in her name, and Im thinking about withholding the money it would cost to replace whats missing from what I repay her for the bill. Were talking about $50. It would be hard for either one of us to stomach but isnt going to make either of us homeless. Should I suck it up and pay her, or is it reasonable to withhold the money?

Roommate From Hell

The most important thing is to get the electric bill transferred to you or to open a new one at the same address in your name, if thats possible. As long as youre living somewhere that she can potentially get the electricity shut off due to nonpayment or vindictiveness or indifference, its best not to unnecessarily antagonize her. If you already have that sorted out or believe you can do so without her cooperation, and you want to let her know youre withholding your share of the electric bill to cover the cooking equipment she took with her, go for it. You dont have to phrase it as a question or something she needs to deny or admit to, just as a matter-of-fact transaction that balances out your shared expenses. The odds shes going to take you to small court over $50 is small, but thats something you should also take into consideration. If you think shed be willing to dig her heels in and make your life difficult over that $50, it might be easier to just swallow the expense and consider yourself well rid of her.

Catch up on this weeks Prudie.

My husband and I split up last year, and we have joint legal custody of our 13- and 15-year-old daughters. When theyre at their dads house, he lets them watch TV shows I believe are inappropriate for them:Sex and the City,Mindhunter, andGame of Thrones. He refuses to discuss this with me. What are my options?

Slate Plus members get extra questions, Prudie Uncensored with Nicole Cliffe, and full-length podcast episodes every week.

View original post here:
My Fianc Keeps Showing Me Old Photos to Remind Me of My Weight Gain - Slate

If you frequent your nearby gym on a normal basis and are looking for a fun, innovative way to stay moving while at home, there are a lot of ways to find an incentive. So many brands and even some personal trainers are offering free, digital workouts via Zoom or Instagram Live. Still, if you benefit from a little extra push when it comes to completing your workouts, you should look into HealthyWage.

Essentially, HealthyWage is a program that gives you the opportunity to win money throughout your fitness journey. You submit a HealthyWager about yourself, which includes how much weight you want to lose, how many months you hope to do it in, and how much money you want to bet per month. There's a handy calculator on the site that you can use to see how much money you can potentially win.

If you're successful in reaching your goal, you'll be sent money via PayPal or check. There is a verification process to make sure you did lose the weight before they send you your prize which includes having a rep from HealthyWage watch you weigh in or uploading a video to a secured portal online. Also, before starting your fitness experience you do have to pay to get into the program. The largest prize you can win is dependent on how much money you dish out first.

HealthyWage requires you to lose a minimum of 10% of your starting weight.

The program uses a unique algorithm to determine how much money you get at the end of your journey. Things like weight, BMI, the amount you bet, the amount of time it took, and the time of year are all aspects that are included in the final calculation. You can also refer friends to increase your prize amount by $40 per person.

Yes, you can. HealthyWage encourages people to do team challenges as a way to motivate each other and keep one another accountable. Currently, you can sign up for the $10,000 team challenge with a team of five people (you can also get matched up with a team, if you want). This challenge goes from April 27 to July 20, and the team with the greatest percent weight loss can win $10,000.

If this program seems like something up your alley, you can read more about the ins and outs of HealthyWage here. If it's not really your thing, remember there's no pressure to be productive or get in the best shape of your life while in quarantine. You do you!

Read more from the original source:
HealthyWage Is A Program That Lets You Bet On Your Fitness Goals - Delish

This article was originally published here

Community-based weight loss programme targeting overweight Chinese adults with pre-diabetes: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

BMJ Open. 2020 Apr 08;10(4):e035196

Authors: Ho M, Chau PH, Yu EYT, Ying MT, Lam CLK

AbstractINTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the worlds fastest growing health problems. Asians have a strong ethnic predisposition for T2DM, developing T2DM at a lower degree of obesity and at younger ages than other ethnic groups. T2DM has a gradual onset, with most individuals progressing through a pre-diabetic state, providing an opportunity to prevent T2DM and its complications. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based lifestyle intervention programme on weight loss and improvements in insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic profiles in Chinese adults with pre-diabetes.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a 12-month, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial. Adults with pre-diabetes (aged 40-64 years, n=180) with pre-diabetes are randomised into either an intervention group (receiving group-based lifestyle interventions) or a control group (receiving text messages containing health information). The intervention programme targets a weight loss of 5% during the first 6 months by restricting caloric intake and increasing physical activity. Participants in the intervention group will attend six group sessions and two individual face-to-face diet counselling sessions during the first 6 months, followed by monthly telephone support during the 6-month maintenance phase. Participants in the control group will receive monthly text messages containing general health information only. The primary outcome is weight loss (%). Secondary outcomes include insulin sensitivity (assessed using fasting insulin level and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), glycaemic control (assessed using glycated haemoglobin level), lipid profile, blood pressure, carotid artery thickness, dietary intake and level of physical activity. Intention-to-treat analysis will be conducted using a generalised linear mixed effects model with a logit link and linear mixed models.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the relevant research ethics committee. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific presentations.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03609697.

PMID: 32273317 [PubMed in process]

Read the original here:
Community-based weight loss programme targeting overweight Chinese adults with pre-diabetes: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial. -...

Just like their younger counterparts, people who have reached a certain age also strive to lose weight. Some for medical reasons and others for being able to keep fit and healthy. However, it might be a little difficult to lose weight once you reach the age of 50. Lowered metabolism, a drop in hormone and conditions like menopause in women of this age all contribute to making weight loss a difficult journey as you grow older. It also risks certain nutritional deficiencies that may lead to other health complications further on in life.Here are six tips you can follow to make the journey of weight loss after 50, safer and healthier.Concentrate on metabolismThe bodys metabolism is the rate at which it can burn fats. The slower your metabolism, the more time it will take to burn fat. It is said that the bodys metabolism slows down by 2% every decade after you turn 20. Given this, you have to be consistent in your weight loss journey to see results. Here are a few ways you can accelerate your metabolism. Drinking cold water is known to increase your metabolism. Room temperature, on the other hand, does not amp up your rate of metabolism It is advisable to choose to stand rather than sit whenever possible Green tea is a good antioxidant and also increases your metabolism Adding zinc to your diet is a good way to amp up your metabolic rate. Oysters, red meat and poultry are good sources of zinc

Keep a track on your dietAs you grow older, your level of activity during the day reduces. Given this, you need to take extra care of your diet. Here are a few tips to help you watch what you eat in a day.

It might be a good idea to practice intermittent fasting. It keeps your metabolism up and gives your gut much needed rest. It also keeps a check on your insulin levels leaving you more active. Increase the amount of protein you consume. It helps in your metabolism and is also necessary for the upkeep of your muscles thus saving you from muscle degeneration which commonly begins at this age. Eat vegetables before you eat carb-rich foods. Vegetables make you feel fuller, reducing the number of carbohydrates you have. It is important for you to have a balanced diet so that you leave out no essential nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies are common at this age, which can lead to other complications at later stages.

Excerpt from:
Here is how to easily lose weight after turning 50 - Times of India

A WOMAN who lost half her body weight in eight months in a bid to get pregnant was left needing therapy, because she hated being thin.

Five foot tall hairdresser Zebe Voicu, of Redbridge, East London, was told she wouldnt be able to conceive when she ballooned to 15 stone and a size 20 - after eating giant portions of chicken kebabs and chips every night.

6

The 34-year-old turned to junk food after failing to become pregnant with husband Adi, 38, but her GP said she'd need to lose weight if she wanted to become a mum.

Zebe decided to get a gastric sleeve but her BMI wasn't high enough for an NHS op, so she flew to Romania and paid 6,500 to have three quarters of her stomach surgically removed.

Over the next eight months, she shed seven-and-a-half stone but was left wishing she was still fat.

Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Zebe said: "I went from a size 20 down to size 4 and didnt even recognise myself. I couldnt connect who I saw in the mirror with who I was now.

6

"Id cry to my husband and say I wanted to get fat again because I preferred the way I looked before.

"I loved being a size 20 as it fitted my personality. I was so bubbly and chatty being bigger and I lost all that after the operation.

"I only agreed to have the operation so that I could lose weight and have a baby. But that didnt happen so I wondered why Id put myself through all that pain."

6

Zebe started having therapy to come to terms with her new look and failing to conceive.

She saw a counsellor once-a-week for 18 months, before finally accepting the person she saw in the mirror.

When people see me now they tell me I have a body to die for, but they don't know everything I've been through

She said: "Its only now after a year-and-a-half of therapy that I have learnt to like how I look.

"I can see the benefit of losing weight even if I havent managed to get pregnant."

Pregnancy and obesity: the facts

If you have a BMI of 30 or above before becoming pregnant, you are medically classed as obese.

Being obese reduces your body's natural ability to ovulate and may lower your chances of getting pregnant through treatment like IVF.

If you do fall pregnant, obesity increases your chances of gestational diabetes three-fold, as well as your risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, post-partum haemorrhage and having a baby weighing more than 4kg.

It can increase your baby's risk of being born prematurely, stillborn or with a condition like spina bifida.

You are also more likely to need intervention during childbirth - including forceps, ventouse delivery or a C-section.

But it's not safe to try and lose weight while pregnant, instead focus on eating healthily and doing exercise like swimming and walking.

You should ideally try to lose weight before falling pregnant.

Zebe, who has six sisters and three brothers, had always wanted a large family of her own, and vowed to start trying as soon as she married Adi aged 21.

She was a slim size 10 but, as each month passed without falling pregnant, she began comfort-eating - piling on 5st in a year.

She said: "I was turning to food to fill me emotionally as I was devastated at the thought of not having a baby or being a mother."

6

6

After continuously trying for a baby for over a year, Zebe was told she was infertile due to her size, and that her only chance of becoming pregnant would be to drastically lose weight and change her lifestyle.

But even though she was classified as clinically obese by her GP, she didnt qualify for a gastic sleeve operation on the NHS as her BMI was 38 - two below the necessary 40.

Instead she flew to a private clinic in Constanta, Romania, in 2017, and had 75 percent of her stomach removed, including the area which produces the hormone that stimulates hunger.

After the surgery, Zebe saw the weight drop off, losing a stone every month.

In the salon, we always had biscuits lying around to give to clients and I could easily eat ten in one minute

"I was shocked," she said. "I was determined to lose weight but I never thought Id lose that much that quickly.

"I guessed Id lose a couple of pounds at first, so I wasnt mentally prepared to see myself change so much.

"When Id lost half my body weight I couldnt even recognise myself anymore. It wasnt just the way I looked, it was my personality, too.

"After the operation I was miserable all the time. Having therapy helped me to manage my emotions as I accepted the new, thin me."

6

Working 13-hour days as a hairdresser, Zebe would gorge on biscuits all day, before scoffing a takeaway for three for dinner.

She said: "Id never have breakfast. I'd just snack on tea and biscuits throughout the day.

"In the salon, we always had biscuits lying around to give to clients and I could easily eat ten in one minute.

"My favourite were chocolate digestives and the Lotus caramelised biscuits.

When she got home, Zebe would order a takeaway of chicken kebab and chips meant to serve three people - and eat the whole thing.

But after her op, she could only drink liquids for three weeks, followed by food mashed into paste for a further three weeks.

Zebe's diet

BEFORE

Breakfast: Packet of chocolate digestive or Lotus caramelised biscuits which she grazed on throughout the day

Lunch: More biscuits

Dinner: Takeaway kebab and chips - enough for three people

Snacks: Fried food and chocolate

AFTER

Breakfast: Two poached eggs with half a sausage or smoked salmon and two Ryvitas

Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken or fish

Chicken noodle soup

Meatball soup with carrot and potato

Greek salad without olive oil or olives

Dinner: Stew made with dumplings

Chicken and vegetables

Avoids: Anything fried

Now she can stomach three meals-a-day, but they must only weigh 250g each.

She said: "I have to be really strict and measure everything out. For breakfast I have two poached eggs with two pieces of Ryvita or poached eggs and smoked salmon.

"For lunch, I love to have salads with grilled chicken, or fish and soups with carrot and potato, or chicken and noodles.

"For dinner, I cook a stew with lots of vegetables and chicken. I can eat anything thats cooked in the oven, grilled or boiled, but nothing cooked in a frying pan."

She never feels hungry and is showered with compliments, but Zebe is still desperate for a baby.

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Doctors havent found a reason why she cant conceive, so the couple are still trying.

"When people see me now they tell me I have a body to die for," she said, "but they dont know everything that Ive been through over the past three years.

"Its taken me a while to come to terms with my new body and not being a mother. I dont know if it will ever happen but Im finally happy in my own skin."

We previously reported on a woman who was fat-shamed by her date - but got her revenge by losing 5 stone and rejecting him.

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Weight loss: I shed half my weight in 8 months to be a mum but still couldnt get pregnant and hated not b - The Sun

While there are several workout regimes and ample of diets out there which guarantee you weight loss, this weight loss trick requires you to do nothing. All you need to do is record what you eat during the day. Yes, you read that right, tracking every single thing you eat during the day could actually help you shed weight. A new study published in the journal Obesity had about 150 people track what they ate for six months as part of a weight-loss program. By the end, those who lost the most weight had spent just under 15 minutes a day on average logging their intake. Their motto: "Write it when you bite it." Another study conducted by researchers at the University of Vermont and the University of South Carolina, found those who lost 10% of their body weight (the most successful of the bunch) spent an average of 23.2 minutes recording their intake every day during the first month of the program. Recording their intake meant "recording the calories and fat for all foods and beverages they consumed, as well as the portion sizes and the preparation methods," according to the study. What is the trick? It is the self-monitoring which makes the difference and not the time spent recording it. Once you start recording your daily food habits, you will start eating consciously. You will avoid junk and processed food. By implementing this habit, you can also put an end to the unnecessary snacking you do during the whole day. All you need to do is take 15 minutes out during the whole day and pen it down. You can divide the time during the whole day to record your food intake. For example- You can spend 5 minutes after breakfast, lunch and dinner each to record your intake. This will help you keep a regular check on what you eat and make you a more conscious eater. You must also include 30 minutes of exercise in your daily routine which will help you lose your weight faster. Inculcating a regular workout routine along with the above given tracking tip will help you shed those kilos in no time.

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Weight loss trick that only takes 15 minutes a day - Times of India