Yes, even their ice cream is healthy, and counts as a meal

The smoothie and juice bar, Nutrition First, located in Agawam, Massachusetts has become a true embodiment of what it means to maintain a healthy lifestyle on both a mind, body and soul level. Aligning with the launch of the new decade, many have taken on a new approach when it comes to fitness and flocking to the bar for protein-infused drinks.

The owners of the Nutrition First smoothie and juice bar, Michelle and Todd Fairman, opened the business two years ago. The juice bar marks the couples first storefront. During a phone interview, Mrs. Fairman recalls her and her husband discovering the shakes and teas back in 2015. And because they quickly became so beneficial to their lifestyles they decided to share them within the community. They didnt establish the business with the intention of creating a profit, but rather, due to a recognized need for it in the community.

We wanted to have a healthy alternative in the community, Mrs. Fairman states. For people to get a healthy meal, our smoothies are a meal and healthy energy. Along with positivity in the community. Theres just not enough healthy out there.

An inspirational message to allign with the brands philosophy.

Anyone who has been on a diet or fitness regimen can attest to the fact that most nutrition-based drinks are less than appetizing. What makes Nutrition First different, is the mere fact that the beverages are so unique and delicious that recurring customers cant seem to get enough of them.

Tiffany Cavanaugh, 21, is a West Springfield resident and a frequent customer of Nutrition First. Her favorite drinks of theirs are the birthday cake and chocolate peanut butter shakes, along with the gummy bear tea. Cavanaugh has been on a weight-loss journey throughout this past year, and attributes much of her success to the drinks at Nutrition First.

In February 2019, I joined Weight Watchers. Its been a year now since I joined, and I have lost about 20-22 pounds, Cavanaugh said. I feel that part of the reason why I lost weight was because of Nutrition First. Because I am autistic, I am picky when it comes to certain foods. And when I go to Nutrition First, I dont feel guilty having a shake, tea, or ice cream.

Unlike other smoothie places, Mrs. Fairman explains how they use plant-based protein to make the smoothies. We are very simple. We make our smoothies with water, Herbalife powders and ice. This is essential to the process of keeping the drinks low in fat and sugar. Each of the drinks range from $5 to $7 in price, and 200-225 calories.

The employees use the protein powders to make their specialty milkshakes and teas, which acts as a natural weight-loss and energy-inducing supplement. Upon a customers ordering, all the products are ready to be put together and blended. They are known within the area for their protein-infused ice cream, which contains all the ingredients of their regular shakes; except, they add more ice than water to create the creamy consistency.

Lindsey, one of the employees mixing a shake.

In addition to posting pictures of new and popular drinks on Facebook, that will make anyone start salivating, they post inspirational quotes on a regular basis to boost both customers and employees self-esteem. The store even has a wall dedicated to inspirational quotes. And once a month, they have a raffle where customers can enter to win a drink of their choice.

Nora Ortegas, 20, is a full-time student at Lasell College and has been an employee at Nutrition First since May of 2019. She has worked other customer-service jobs and considers this her best work experience so far, due to the overall friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The work environment is so laid back and worry-free compared to my previous jobs, Ortegas said. I love explaining what our products do and how they can change your life in such a positive way. Being able to have that connection with customers and seeing them amazed at their drinks and seeing them return is even more rewarding.

Because of the companys overall success, the owners Michelle and Todd Fairman are planning to open another storefront location in downtown Northampton during the first week of March. It will be called NoHo Nutrition.

Their current Agawam location is located on 333 Walnut Street Extension. The juice bar is open 6 A.M. 5 p.m. on the weekdays, Saturday 8 a.m. 2 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. 2 p.m.

The banana split protein ice cream.

You can find them on Facebook at Nutrition First or follow them on Instagram @nutritionfirst333.

Email Joanna at [emailprotected] orfollow her on Twitter @JBuoniconti

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Nutrition First, the up-and-coming juice bar in western MA may just be your next fitness fad - Amherst Wire

Composite image. Background shows red cliffs of Southern Utah. Foreground shows teacher and motivational speaker, Tyler Christensen's weight loss transformation, location and date not specified | Photo from Tyler Christensen website, St. George News

FEATURE Tyler Christensen predicts that 2020 will be epic.

With his second book just out, a new career as a public speaker gaining traction and several side ventures seeing success, Christensen who teaches fifth grade at George Washington Academy has a lot on his plate.

But the bigger story is whats not on that plate anymore: Following a 100-pound weight loss in 2018, Christensen is looking forward to motivating others to transform their lives this year.

At his heaviest, Christensen tipped the scales at 306 pounds. A number of factors had contributed to his physical state. After a move with his wife and four kids from the Midwest to Cedar City, the man whod spent a decade as a professor of educational psychology and technology found it difficult to find work. When George Washington Academy offered him an elementary-level job, Christensen assumed it would be a relatively low-stress gig.

Teaching elementary school is way-harder than teaching college, Christensen said. I had to put in long hours; it was a huge adjustment. But teaching fifth graders is really rewarding, so it ended up being a great move for us.

What wasnt so great was that commuting from Cedar City to St. George meant that Christensen ate most of his meals al desko. He admitted that much of what he consumed consisted of highly processed, sugar-laden snack foods.

I thought protein bars and rice cakes were healthy, so Id munch on those from morning til night, Christensen said ruefully. I didnt know there was such a thing as food addiction; I just felt hungry and ate all the time.

Although Christensen had been a distance runner in his youth and still put in a mile or two when time allowed, his weight continued to balloon. At his heaviest, with 40% body fat, Christensen could barely trudge around the block and struggled to squeeze himself in the door of the family car. Thats when his wife, Natalie, held an intervention.

Natalies never been the type to nag. So when she told me she was worried about my health, she was afraid I could die, and shed end up a single mom with four kids, I paid attention, Christensen said.

Together, the couple made a plan to set Christensen back on the road to health. Over the course of the next six months, he did online research into various weight-loss disciplines and experimented with adding and subtracting certain foods from his diet. His lost a few pounds, gained back a few more. But he remained committed to his quest.

Then, as 2018 dawned, Christensen decided to forego his usual lengthy list of New Years resolutions and focus solely on a goal of shedding 40 pounds.

In May, when he was free from the classroom, he once again laced up his running shoes and headed out, only to discover he couldnt complete a single mile. Undaunted, Christensen resolved to hit the road the following dayand the next. Within two weeks, exercise was an immutable priority, and the weight began to melt away. By the end of the summer, Christensen had already hit his 40 pound target.

I thought, Wow, what if I could lose 50 pounds? In my wildest dreams, maybe I could get down to 220, which would have been 80 pounds off. But I didnt really think that would be possible.

Despite a fall cruise, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holidays, Christensens exercise routine expanded, and his waistline shrank. He entered and completed the Sand Hollow Marathon. Then he set his sights on a seemingly impossible goal: running 50K+ in the September 2019 Last One Standing Ultra Race competition.

Staged at Confluence Park in St. George, the annual event sees participants completing as many 6-mile loops (for a possible total of 102 miles) as they can within 12 hours, with 1.5 hours allotted per loop. Failure to complete a loop in that time frame results in elimination from the race, with the last one standing declared the winner.

I figured it would be perfect for me because theres a break after every lap, and theres no shame in dropping out after a few laps because eventually everyone does, Christensen laughed. So over the summer of 2019, I was putting in about 200 miles a month to train. Id wake up at 4:30 a.m. and hit the trail while my family was sleeping.

In all, Christensen completed nearly nine laps totaling 52.4 miles, exactly the distance of two full marathons. He called it an amazing experience intimate and incredibly supportive. He said:

My 14-year-old son, Eli, who absolutely hates running, did the first lap with me to show his support, which was my biggest highlight. Also, we were joined by a guy Id never met before; we talked about his past races, and he gave me all sorts of great tips. Turns out he was the winner, Roberto Piedra, who did all 102 miles! He posed with my family and me after our lap together, which was really special.

Looking ahead to this year, Christensen hopes his latest book, Unlocking the POWER of Transformation: Transitioning from Dreamer to Doer, will inspire others to take action. The release is a personal account of Christensens weight-loss journey and other transformations he has seen in his life.

Hes also launched After the Run, a digital platform offering podcasts, blog posts, videos and other fitness-related content. And in the next few months, Christensen aims to ramp up his new career as a public speaker and change-agent.

Considering all of his future options, Christensens face glows in the afternoon sun.

It really is amazing here in Southern Utah, he said. The people are so fantastic; life is so much better than I ever could have imagined. Natalie and I really believe in this community. The longer were here, we just love it more and more.

For more information about Tyler Christensen, visit his website.

Written by MARIANNE HAMILTON, for St. George Health and Wellness magazine.

This article was first published in St. George Health and Wellness magazine.

Email: news@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

St. George Health and Wellness magazine joins with St. George News to provide feature articles focused on fitness, nutrition, health, mind and body, and family wellness. The St. George Health and Wellness magazine is distributed to hundreds of locations every other month throughout St. George and surrounding areas. Articles are written by local experts and providers - for more information on any of these, visit http://www.saintgeorgewellness.com.

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Still standing: 100-pound weight loss transforms St. George teacher in multiple ways - St George News

Weight loss in horses is a common, frustrating, and expensive struggle horse owners and practitioners face. It occurs when the body uses more energy than its taking in, which can happen for a variety of reasons.

In her presentation at the 2019 Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 7-11 in Denver, Yvette Nout-Lomas, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, assistant professor of equine internal medicine at Colorado State Universitys Veterinary Teaching Hospital, provided veterinary attendees with an outline for pinpointing and addressing causes of weight loss in horses.

Weight loss typically occurs for one of six reasons:

Horses might not ingest available nutrients if they lack appetite, have inadequate prehension (ability to grasp food), or have abnormal mastication (chewing), swallowing, or esophageal transit. Heart failure, asthma, and liver disease can all result in decreased nutrient delivery to peripheral tissues. Gastrointestinal dysfunction (gastric ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, parasitism), liver disease, and toxicities can lead to abnormal digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients. Even conditions that dont directly affect nutrient availability can result in weight loss. Horses that are in pain and suffering various disease states, for instance, might have an increased rate of protein and energy use and loss, resulting in greater-than-expected calorie needs.

First, said Nout-Lomas, determine the horses use and age, as these factors are important when assessing his diet. Certain age groups are at greater risk than others for certain conditions, such as dental and musculoskeletal disease in aged horses. Evaluate the horses diet to determine whether the owner is providing an appropriate feed in a suitable amount.

The key is to determine whether the horse is receiving adequate calories, said Nout-Lomas. She uses the equation to calculate energy requirements for adult horses at maintenance and multiplies by a factor of 1 to 3 to estimate the calories needed for those in work.

A 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) horse at maintenance requires about 16.4 Mcals of digestible energy a day. To meet these needs, his should consume about 20 pounds of grass hay (at about 0.8 Mcals per pound) per day. Horses should ideally consume 2-3% of their body weight per day as forage, which in this case would equal 10 to 15 kilograms, or 22 to 33 pounds. Therefore, a horse fed 2-3% of his body weight per day as quality forage shouldnt be suffering weight loss as a result of inadequate calorie provision.

However, said Nout-Lomas, it is important to verify that the horse is, indeed, consuming this amount of feed. For example, in a group situation is it possible hes being chased off feed or has soundness issues that make it more difficult to access the feed being provided? Can he consume the feed, or is chewing or swallowing an issue?

The veterinarian should then conduct a thorough physical examination, paying particular attention to temperature, pulse, and respiration and noting any abnormal heart or lung sounds, said Nout-Lomas. He or she should assess the horses muscling as well as overall body condition score and look for the presence of dependent edema (lower limb swelling). The vet should also note whether the horse has diarrhea and consider performing bloodwork.

The results of these initial investigations will guide what ancillary diagnostics the veterinarian performs. For example, a horse with an elevated respiratory rate and abnormal lung sounds should warrant further respiratory tract investigation. The veterinarian might collect fecal samples to assess fiber length and conduct a fecal egg count to determine worm burden. He or she can pass a nasogastric tube to easily assess swallowing and whether an esophageal stricture might be limiting food from reaching the stomach.

Many additional diagnostics exist at varying levels of invasiveness and cost. Nout-Lomas encouraged clinicians to consider all possible mechanisms of weight loss and to base ancillary testing on signalment (age, breed, gender), history, and examination findings. She shared that in a retrospective study of horses presenting for weight loss, 93% did receive a diagnosis. Most were suffering from parasitism (30%) and dental disorders (20%). Digestive causes and those resulting from kidney and liver diseases were far less common.

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Determining Cause of Weight Loss in Horses - TheHorse.com

Losing weight is never easy. Whether youre trying to drop that stubborn ten pounds, or simply want to tone up and live healthier without focusing on the scale, sticking to the task comes with its fair share of difficulties. But one industry insider has tackled his lifestyle choices head on, leading to dramatic results and a drive to inspire others to accomplish their own health goals.

Steve Stone, President and CEO of 518 Tix Corp, lost 103 pounds in the last year and is not done yet. He shared the story of his weight loss journey with industry connections noting that when it comes health and wellness, theres no goal that cannot be reached with enough effort and perseverance. Stone, a New York native, achieved his fitness goals by first walking on his own and later dedicating himself to his local gym at JCC Rockland.

In January of 2019, I was working with my basketball team. I could not last more than five minutes on the court without having to take a break, he shared. I got in my car and said Enough is enough! I immediately went to Dicks Sporting Goods and bought a treadmill. I went for a walk on the treadmill. I lasted three minutes.

Stone then turned to personal training at the JCC Rockland, where he had been a member for nearly 20 years but spent many of them working out on and off.

His 74-year-old trainer proved extremely instrumental in helping Stone achieve his goals and the pair were working out every other day doing a variety of routines. This quickly evolved into Stone transforming his diet as while and in a few months time, he had lost weight but still had to keep his health in check.

In June of 2019, I went for my annual checkup. Thank God I started losing weight. My doctor told me I have Type 2 Diabetes. Of course, I was petrified at first, but after listening to the doctor and reading about Type 2 Diabetes, I approached this condition in the same manner I approached losing weight: Head on!

My next goal is to get my A1C down to a manageable number. With Gods help and me staying focused, I am sure good things will happen. Before I started this journey, my weight was 320 pounds. Today, I am proud to say that I lost 103 pounds over the last year. I can walk a few miles or coach back-to-back practices with my teams with ease. My next goal is to get down to 200 pounds and tone-up my body.

Stone has his sights set on carrying out his ongoing fitness goals, while also serving as a reminder to others everywhere that nothing is impossible.

_

Photo credit: LocalFitness.com.au

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Ticketing CEO Aims To Inspire Others With Weight Loss Journey - TicketNews

Celebrities live under constant public scrutiny and every change in their looks is immediately noticed and cataloged. That means that even the slightest weight gain puts them under fire. Some of them go in the opposite direction, trying to lose some weight. Here are some of their transformation stories.

Rebel Wilson has had enough with her weight. In an Instagram post, she made the following announcement: Okay so for me 2020 is going to be called The Year of Health so I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food which is going to be hard after the holidays Ive just had but Im going to do it! Whos with me in making some positive changes this year? Her plan seems to be working, judging by the recent photos shared by her trainer.

Jillian Michaels was not always the amazingly-looking fitness and health guru we know today. She recently shared a picture of her, captioned: Heres me at 50 tall and 175 lbs. If I can do it anyone can.

The chubby Jonah Hill we know from the start of his career a few years ago is no more. Today, the actor looks much slimmer and he seems to be enjoying his new body.

Adeles look has been a subject of many Internet jokes, almost all of them in bad taste. Still, she also knew that she had to make some changes and she did. Her transformation was inspired by her desire to be the best mom possible. According to the pictures of her from a vacation in Anguilla, she is well on her way of achieving one of the most impressive look changes we have seen.

Christina Aguilera always had trouble keeping her weight under control, even at the beginning of her career. After she gave birth to her son in 2008, things only changed for the worse. However, when she appeared at the American Music Awards in 2013, people were amazed at her appearance. She has finally managed to shed all that baby weight and she looked incredible. She said that the recipe for her weight loss was: Laughter, happiness, breathing and I did some yoga.

The fat kid from Remember the Titans is no more. Instead, we have a chiseled athlete and actor posing in tight t-shirts in the gym. On the photo that shocked his fans, he said: This may be my favorite moment of the year in the gym because its empty. 2020 goal: all the abs. What are yours?

Khloe Kardashian was never the thinnest in her family. She was often criticized for it, having been born in the family of models. Her divorce with Lamar Odom, a basketball player, prompted her to start working out and eating healthier. By 2015, she looked incredible. Her transformation was an inspiration to millions of her fans. She jumped at the opportunity to create a business opportunity by making a show about weight loss, calling it Revenge Body. Her methods did draw some criticism, but the results speak for themselves.

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7 Incredible Celebrity Weight Loss Stories That Compactly Changed Their Appearances - Foreign Policy 2018

New Year's resolution time has come and gone, but reaching fitness and wellness goals is a year-round effort. Almost everything lives on our phones now, and a quick internet search will bring up a few dozen apps that aim to help if you want to lose weight, get healthier or focus on fitness. Before you download anything, it's important to do some research about what you're signing up for.

One traditional weight-loss program is Weight Watchers. After almost 60 years, the program made the digital transition and rebranded itself as WW in 2018, putting more of a focus on health and wellness than dieting, at least when it comes to its marketing. Another app that has surfaced over the last couple years is Noom, which has called itself "Weight Watchers for millennials."

While there are other apps you can use to track your diet and exercise -- including some free apps that may be built into your phone, such as Samsung Health or Apple Health -- if you're considering WW or Noom for your dieting and fitness goals, here's what you need to know.

WW has been around for decades. The program assigns points to foods and recipes, and sets a certain amount of points for your day based on your height, weight and weight loss goals, instead of having you count calories. You can search for foods or scan bar codes in the WW app -- much easier than tracking by hand, as you had to in the past.

You'll track breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks every day, with weeks tracked Monday through Sunday. You have daily points to use (a number that resets each morning). You also get extra weekly points to use, which gives you some wiggle room to go over your daily amount. You can also log exercise and activity (the app can sync with your Fitbit) and weight changes, try out WW recipes and look up WW-friendly restaurants.

WW now offers three different plans to choose from: Blue (the traditional WW plan, which gives you a number of daily points plus certain zero-point foods such as fruits, veggies, lean proteins and eggs), Purple (gives you fewer daily points but more zero-point foods, including whole grains) and Green (gives you more daily points but fewer zero-point foods).

While there are zero-point foods in every plan, that doesn't mean those foods have zero calories, or that you should only eat those foods. Instead, the goal is to train you to make healthier food choices.

What I liked about Weight Watchers was that it didn't feel like a diet (I know, how many times have we heard that?). But it's not restrictive -- it's sustainable, and it's about making better choices. It doesn't mean you can't have ice cream, just less ice cream, or choose frozen yogurt instead. I found the program to be easy to follow and effective when I committed to it.

In terms of cost, you can sign up to use the app only for about $17 per month. Try the app plus workshops (strategies and support from experts and members) for about $38 per month. You can also subscribe to the app plus personal coaching for $51 per month. This means WW-certified coaches and guides are available to you online or in studios (if one is located in your area) when you need extra help. WW lets you try the app for the first month free, so if it doesn't feel right to you, you can cancel.

I found that sometimes it's hard to stick to WW, especially on the weekends. Meal planning is key. The more you put into the program, the more results you'll see. I also find it encouraging to look in the forums on the app to see real people's weight loss milestones, everyday accomplishments and struggles, tips, tricks and so on. It makes you feel less alone on your own journey.

You may have seen ads for Noom show up on social media, touting itself as "a smarter way to lose weight," but not a diet. The service, which has been around for just over 10 years, focuses on consistency and accountability. These are two things that can make or break health and fitness goals.

When you sign up for Noom, you're assigned a coach, who'll message you every few days to check in on your progress. Sometimes the comments felt vague, almost like it was an automated message, but some messages were more specific to what I had written to the coach. One nice feature is that you can set up the app to be aware of when you might be close to "falling off the wagon." For example, I set up my warning signs to be that I didn't open the app that day, which signaled the coach to check in with me.

Similarly to in WW, you track your day's food in terms of breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner and an evening snack. You can set the time when you usually eat breakfast, and Noom will calculate the best times for you to eat your other meals based on how to maximize fullness and improve your metabolism. You'll get notifications subsequently. You're given a daily checklist with specific articles to read and quizzes about health, food, fitness and nutrition. You can save recipes, articles and the like to refer back to later.

Unlike WW, with its points system, Noom counts calories. I felt a little cautious when the app assigned me 1,200 calories for a day, as I'm 5-foot-9. When I used the built-in fitness app on my old Samsung phone, I was given 1,600 calories per day.

Noom sorts foods into red, yellow and green. Red foods are more processed, yellows tend to be meats and dairy and green foods are fruits, veggies, etc. The app wants you to eat more "nutrient-dense" foods, which means those with fewer calories that are more filling.

Noom is pricier than WW: It costs $45 per month, but you get all of the features mentioned above for your dollar.

When it comes to choosing between WW and Noom, think about which program would work best for you and your lifestyle. Scientific studies back up both programs: A 2016 study published in Scientific Reports examined nearly 36,000 Noom users, and found that the app drove sustained weight loss in 78% of people across a nine-month period. A 2011 study published in the Lancet medical journal found that overweight patients told by their doctors to do WW lost around twice as much weight as people receiving standard weight loss care over 12 months.

Researching both apps before you get started is important. In addition, it's important to take inventory of yourself, taking into consideration why you want to lose weight. One of the things I liked about Noom is that it asked me why I was using the app. When I entered the answer, it asked why again. Another answer was met with another why. This let me examine myself and my motives more deeply. I recommend doing this even if you don't use Noom.

I used WW first, and then tried Noom, and it was a bit of a jarring experience to go from having zero-point foods to counting calories again. It's important to remember that you can't live on zero-point foods alone, but not all calories are bad. Noom also wanted me to weigh myself everyday, while WW only prompts you to weigh in once per week. I understood on some level that this was to establish habits and so you can see how weight naturally fluctuates, but as someone who has had an unhealthy relationship with a scale in the past, it wasn't the best practice for me personally. It's easy to obsess over the slightest weight change that really doesn't mean anything besides water or the fact that you're wearing jeans.

I've done WW on and off for the past several months, but I only tried out Noom for about a week. I wasn't as keen about the price of Noom and the low number of calories it recommended for someone my height. In addition, an article by a registered dietician about Noom raised a few questions for me.

Again, it comes down to what program you feel most comfortable with. Don't be afraid to try both since there are free trials, and if you don't feel comfortable with something, discontinue it or consult a doctor. WW has been around longer, but Noom has a lot of promise. It went beyond "Eat this, don't eat this" and incorporated an educational element for sustaining healthy habits. It's a bit more expensive, but includes more features. However, I found WW more forgiving and easier to follow.

Now playing: Watch this: Track your food and drink intake with tech

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Originally published earlier this year. Updated periodically with new information.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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Noom vs. Weight Watchers: Cost and more compared - CNET

Before losing the weight, I didnt have a life, says Dibsy McClintock. I just existed. I couldnt fit in a car, I couldnt use public transport, I couldnt get in the bath I couldnt even tie my own shoelaces.

Dibsy had always been big, but it was only in his mid-twenties that the problem became more urgent. In late 2018, he was hospitalised due to atrial fibrillation, a heart condition. At 40st, his weight made surgery too much of a risk If they put me to sleep, I wouldnt have woken up and he was issued an ultimatum: lose the 10st required to perform the procedure, or dont expect to be around much longer.

Thats when he met Mike Hind (above, pictured left), a PT specialising in body transformations and owner of a local meal-prep company. Mike agreed to take him on, providing his food and training free of charge. He could barely walk, Mike recalls of their first meeting. We had a chat and his mum just broke down. It was heart-wrenching. I said, Ill do this, but you need to give me 100%. Dibsys goal? To lose 20 stone in a year.

Dibsy had consulted with NHS dietitians and personal trainers without success. As Mike puts it, Nobody had worked out the root cause: he was addicted to food.

At first, Dibsy says he struggled with the exercise and dramatic drop in calories: Id get aches and pains. It was absolutely brutal. But he persevered, and the weight started to fall away. As it did, he and Mike set targets unrelated to the scales: climbing Ben Nevis, completing the Great North Run.

As impressive as these feats are, many of Dibsys biggest milestones were considerably less Instagram-worthy. Getting into a car with a seat belt Id never been able to do that before! he says.

Late last year, Dibsy hit his 20st target after 358 days, one week ahead of schedule. My family doesnt have to worry about me any more, he says. Acknowledging the changing nuances of body image and obesity rates is a positive step. However, in which direction that step takes us is still far from clear.

The statistics make for heavy reading. In the most recent annual figures, 711,000 hospital admissions were directly linked to obesity; of these, obesity was the primary diagnosis in 10,660 cases. The NHS spends 8.8bn per year (16,000 per minute, or 9% of its budget) on treating type 2 diabetes a disease with established links to weight gain. Aside from smoking, obesity is the UKs biggest cause of cancer, and a BMI of 35 or above has been shown to reduce life expectancy by an average of eight years. To bring these figures into context, consider that more than six in 10 adults (and more than a third of children aged 10-11) in the UK are overweight or obese.

When you examine the impact of this on our overloaded health services, it may even make you angry. But where you direct that anger is important. In an interview with the BBC, Nick Finer, honorary clinical professor at University College London, agreed that many still believe that its legitimate to blame people for being overweight, but argues that condemnation ignores the role of our food environment.

If somebody falls off a boat and they cant swim and they drown, nobody says, Its your fault, he said. They happen to be in an environment where its very easy to drown. Were in an environment now where its very easy to over-acquire calories. Being fat feels almost inevitable in some cases. And so emerges the body positivity movement, a backlash against this blame game and fat shaming.

A spokesman for the National Obesity Forum perhaps put it best when he said, Fat shaming is a disaster. Multiple studies corroborate the fact that feelings of shame and guilt tend to lead to poorer self-care as a result of worsening mental health, and thus make further weight gain more likely. As actor and comedian James Corden, no stranger to size jibes himself, recently said on air: If making fun of fat people made them lose weight, Id have a six-pack by now. A different approach is required one championed by the National Obesity Forum in which people with obesity can be provided with the facts in no uncertain terms, but without moralising or judgement.

I have no interest in aesthetics, other than as a side effect of weight loss, says Dr Eric Asher, a GP and medical director at Third Space in London. To him, weight loss is far from a dirty phrase in the battle against obesity. Its an imperative. The more fat you accumulate centrally, the more you raise the chemical somatomedin, also called IGF-1. That turns on everything you dont want, he says. If you name a 20th-century disease, this will activate it tumours, heart attacks, thrombosis, immune diseases. According to Dr Asher, the most effective tool for measuring your risk of multiple diseases is a piece of string. Wrap it around your waist at the belly button, he says. Take the length, double it, and if that ends over your head, you have two choices lose weight or grow taller.

You dont need a visible six-pack to enjoy the health benefits of weight loss, however. Small steps earn exceptional rewards. For every half stone you lose, the effect is the same as that of taking one hypertension tablet, says Asher. Measurable shifts will already be occurring in your blood pressure. Your blood sugar levels will start to re-regulate. Youll also feel better and move better. Its like taking bricks out of a rucksack.

Arguably those best placed to appreciate the nuances of this discussion are those who are already working towards a healthier lifestyle and a healthier bodyweight. Pontificating from the two extreme sides of the argument risks drowning out these voices. To understand the issue better, we reached out to our readers and interviewed a range of men who had lost anything from 4st to 20st.

The responses we received were diverse equal parts heartening and heartbreaking. Their reasons for becoming overweight in the first place varied: some had gained weight as they recovered from injuries or surgery, while others had struggled with obesity since early childhood. Many had experienced periods of poor mental health. Others preferred to explain their rationale more bluntly: Food made me happy at the time, said one interviewee.

Their motivations for deciding to change their circumstances werent all the same, either, though most were driven by a complicated mixture of poor self-confidence, concern for their health, a yearning to enjoy life more fully, fear of judgement from others and a desire to change for the good of their families. One man lost weight so that he could donate his kidney to his mother.

Most of the men felt proud of their achievements. A few were waiting to reach their target weight before allowing themselves to take true satisfaction in their accomplishments. One interviewee told us that changing his habits for the better was the thing I am most proud of achieving in my life.

Clearly not all of these stories end with unfaltering confidence, washboard abs and bulletproof self-esteem. Loose skin and stretch marks were cited as downsides by almost everyone we spoke to, creating a roster of new body hang-ups. Some of our interviewees had tried to fix the problem by putting on muscle mass, though working to grow bigger again once youve put so much effort into getting smaller is fraught with complications, both physiological and psychological.

We believe these are the bodies that should be spearheading the positivity movement, coming as they do with the battle scars of a hard-won fight in some cases, fights to save their own lives. No one should be ashamed of how they look. We should be able to celebrate these men for their achievements without sneering at those who are yet to take their first steps on the same journey.

What we need for the obesity epidemic is a movement similar to the one that has been belatedly embraced for mental health. Where once there was stigma attached to anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, there is now an emerging compassion and understanding. Even those who arent personally affected are learning how to be empathetic towards those living with these conditions. Crucially, positive action is also taking place alongside the new wave of positive understanding. We can look for ways to manage and reduce anxiety without passing judgement on those who struggle with it. Its the same with obesity. Its possible to accept the nuances of an overweight society while simultaneously supporting efforts for a healthier, happier life. Theres no shame in that.

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What Happens to Your Body When You Lose 20 Stone - Men's health UK

The research study provided by Acquire Market Research on Global Weight Loss and Obesity Management Industry offers a strategic assessment of the Weight Loss and Obesity Management market. The industry report focuses on the growth opportunities, which are expected to help the market expand their operations in the existing markets. Market figures such as Basis Points[BPS], CAGR, market share, revenue, production, consumption, gross margin, and price are accurately calculated and forecast with the use of advanced tools and sources.

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Global Weight Loss and Obesity Management Market by Type Segments: Weight Loss and Obesity Management Devices, Weight Loss and Obesity Management Drugs

Global Weight Loss and Obesity Management Market Applications: Men, Women

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Weight Loss and Obesity Management Market by Region Segmentation: North America Country (United States, Canada)Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)

Primary Objectives of the Global Weight Loss and Obesity Management Market Report:1) To analyze target consumers and their preferences.2) To determine potential opportunities, challenges, obstacles, and threats in the global Weight Loss and Obesity Management3) To identify and make suitable business plans according to industry and economic shifts.4) To assess market rivalry and obtain maximum competitive advantages.5) To mitigate risks and hurdles to drive informed business decisions.

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The report segments the market into various sub-segments, therefore, it covers the overall market. The approximations of the revenue numbers of the overall market and its sub-segments are also additionally included in this report. Moreover, the report highlights some of the major growth prospects, including new product launches, M&A, R&D, collaborations, joint ventures, agreements, partnerships, and growth of the key players operating in the Weight Loss and Obesity Management market. It determines the factors that are directly responsible for driving the market growth, that comprise production strategies and methodologies, development platforms, and the product model.

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