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On TikTok in the middle of the night during lockdown, I watched hours of videos that include: a dog that howls like a man, a Rube Goldberg machine made of bourbon biscuits and an update from a middle-aged man trying to quit fizzy drinks. And then I noticed that I was seeing a particular advert in among the videos very frequently, and one that jarred with the content around it. A thin, conventionally attractive woman talking to the camera about how she gained weight from staying at home recently, but then lost it again thanks to an intermittent fasting app called Simple.

Then I realised that I was being advertised other similar apps too, and I started to see the adverts on Instagram and Twitter. I asked some friends, and then some strangers, and found that a significant number of people, usually but not always women, have had their social media feeds carpet bombed over lockdown with adverts for these same apps.

Intermittent fasting, the practice of restricting the hours in which you eat to set windows each day, has been a favourite health regimen of Silicon Valley bros for a while, part of a trend for biohacking, or optimising the human bodys performance as though it were a machine. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, for instance, spoke last year about how he had been playing with fasting, and sometimes goes for days without eating at all. Its also been favoured by celebrities. Kourtney Kardashians lifestyle company Poosh plugged an intermittent fasting app called Zero in a blog post recently, which also included tips like licking salt off your wrist to make yourself feel less hungry. But over the past year, a number of different companies have sprung up offering apps to help ordinary people fast, and started advertising intensively on social media, pissing a lot of people off in the process.

I have not enjoyed seeing these advertisements. My own obsessive food restriction used to centre around apps that allowed me to log and monitor my food intake, and those habits took are taking years to break. When I asked other people how they felt about these adverts, I got some strongly worded responses. Its deeply unsettling, said one woman, to see something advertised which helps and encourages you to disrupt your relationship with food. Another woman, who is recovering from anorexia, said: Every single one of those ads is an absolute body blow and I detest them. Many more people, both with and without histories of disordered eating, spoke of the anger they felt at seeing the adverts, including people as young as 15.

The apps that appear most on peoples social media feed at the moment in the UK seem to be Simple and Fastic. The adverts vary: animated characters encouraging you to download, illustrations of the different types of belly fat a woman might have to lose, and the most uncanny type: first person, on-camera endorsements of fasting. Adverts on TikTok a platform where 37 percent of the US audience are in their teens are particularly integrated with the rest of the content. One advert, for Simple, begins with the actress whispering to herself is it recording?, to seem as much like unsponsored content as possible. Rose Lyddon, a graduate student, mentioned these adverts, featuring women with protruding collar and hipbones, in particular as being highly reminiscent of thinspiration posts, and therefore triggering. That was the visual language of online ED (eating disorder) communities when I was a teenager, she said.

Its been documented that Instagram and TikTok in particular have a problem with pro-anorexic user-generated content on their platforms, but paid-for advertisements are another matter altogether. Ysabel Gerrard, a researcher into social media platforms content moderation policies around eating disorders at the University of Sheffield, was firm about how harmful this content can be: We know that discourses like this are damaging, and at the very, very least they're triggering for people.

I interviewed one of the co-founders of Fastic, Phil Wayman, and the founder of Simple, Alex Ilinski. I put it to both of them that their adverts were seen by some as irresponsible, and upsetting by many.

I'm sorry to upset them: we don't say they should lose weight, said Ilinski. Similarly, Wayman was apologetic, but only to a point: Especially on social media, you get a lot of shit-storm for everything nowadays but we go strictly against starving. It's more like an eating window.

Most of the apps are age-limited at over 16, but you can set your date of birth as whatever you like. I mentioned to Wayman that Fastic allows users to register as being 13 years old, and he was quick to assure me that this would be rectified in the next update. Each of these apps advises you to check with a doctor before altering your diet, but you can set your current weight and your goal weight at dangerously low levels. Its also easy to find pro-anorexic websites and social media accounts that explicitly recommend these apps to pursue unhealthy weight loss goals.

The difficulty is that intermittent fasting is not inherently bad for you. Fasting for religious reasons is practised widely and safely all over the world. Both Wayman and Ilinski were effusive about the supposed health benefits of intermittent fasting, including increased mindfulness, energy and weight loss, and said that they continually seek the expertise of nutritionists. We want our users to reach full consciousness about [nutrition], whether it means fasting or just balancing their diet until they find whats best for their body and mind, said Ilinski. It all sounds healthy enough, if a little obsessive in tone Im not sure why someone would want to reach full consciousness about what theyre eating. However, the benefits of fasting are far from a medical certainty. I spoke to two experts, registered dietician Aisling Pigott and registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, both of whom said that there was no large body of evidence that suggests intermittent fasting has any health benefits, weight loss included.

But the potential for these benefits allows these apps to market themselves as a health platform, and to trade on ill-substantiated medical claims. An advert for Fastic on TikTok claims that coffee prevents Alzheimers. Ilinski told me that Simples advertising only encouraged responsible lengths of fasts: We don't tell you to fast for 24 hours, for two days, for three days. When I pointed out that the company Instagram had posted admiringly about one of their users who had not eaten for over three and a half days, he admitted that this could maybe encourage unhealthy behaviour.

Fastic app advert on TikTok.

Aggressively marketing food restriction apps on social media contributes to an atmosphere of oppressive heterodoxy when it comes to body image. This is difficult for the 1.25 million estimated sufferers of eating disorders in the UK, and especially during lockdown. One anonymous woman told me: Lockdown has been a nightmare for people with EDs, and promoting these apps just looks like preying on the vulnerable.

There are plenty of people for whom fasting apps are useful tools for following a lifestyle that is not in and of itself dangerous. Fastic has amassed 4 million downloads. But these apps are wide open to misuse, and being marketed in irresponsible places and with irresponsible messaging, to people likely to misuse them. The responsibility for preventing this misuse lies with the app developers, but also with social media platforms. Adverts to do with fasting on TikTok, like all their ads, are supposedly vetted and age-gated, but the Director of External Affairs at BEAT, Tom Quinn, told me that it is clear further steps need to be taken to limit the amount of harmful advertising of this kind on social media platforms.

Perhaps we should just be reporting the adverts and moving on with our lives. But the issue, especially for people with burgeoning disordered relationships with food, is that a part of you is curious about what youre seeing. I see these adverts, and a small voice in my head says maybe you should use a fasting app. These adverts may not all actively promote harmful behaviour, but they certainly contribute to the feelings that lead to it.

@imogenWK

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Simple and Fastic Apps: Why Do I Keep Seeing Intermittent Fasting Ads on Social Media? - VICE UK

A person who chooses to reduce their weight, better to do it in the morning, said the nutritionists, explaining: at this time good habits set the rhythm for the whole day, starting the metabolism and creating the mood. The first recommendation of experts for the Breakfast.

The results of one of the new studies confirm the conclusions of the former: the most beneficial diet can be considered as such, when the key received by the body intake of calories occurs in the morning. This was stated by researchers of the University of tel Aviv. Throughout the day the metabolic rate is various, by the evening this process is slowed down, in the morning you can eat whatever you want without fear of breaking the figure. In the rejection of the Breakfast, the body goes, so to speak, in the saving mode, and so on throughout the day instead of the processing of calories into energy will try to put them in reserve.

The second useful habit for losing weight recommended by nutritionists a walk under the morning sun, as the light at this time in a literal sense burns fat, as proven by the scientific staff of the canadian University of Alberta. The amount of particulate lipids, which are exposed to the visible spectrum, decreases, and they freely leave the cell. The result is weight loss.

The third tip from experts in the morning to drink a glass of water immediately upon awakening. During night sleep the body loses about 0.5 liters of HO. Therefore, drinking on an empty stomach a glass of water helps restore fluid balance, improves metabolism and reduces the risk of overeating.

The fourth morning habit charging. Due to the complex of exercises wakes up faster not only the body but also the brain, starts the metabolism, reduces the risk of overeating throughout the day. According to the research of scientists from Northumbria University in England, the subjects regularly engaged in morning exercises, decreased appetite.

Fifth, experts recommend that people seeking to lose weight, abandon the view pages in social networks during Breakfast, as this increases the level of stress, contributing to the recruitment of extra pounds. As a result of the stress hormone cortisol slows down the metabolism and the person begins to choose a harmful food.

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Nutritionists have listed 5 slimming morning habits - The Times Hub

Think about it: For some people, they gain or lose first in the belly, hips, or thighs; for others, that weight might go straight to or from the boobs. Or, you may notice the weight leave your face immediately, for instance.

The truth is, as much as you think you might be targeting certain areas for weight loss with so-called belly fat-busting or butt and thigh workouts,studieshave found that you can't necessarily control where fat loss occurs. But do some body parts naturally slim down at a faster rate? Experts explain what areas of the body tend to trim down firstand why.

RELATED:Why Crash Diets Can Majorly Backfire When It Comes To Quick Weight Loss

First of all, weight loss is going to be a different scenario between men and women. "Men and women tend to lose weight differently based on the types of fat they contain and childbearing factors," says Romy Block, MD, an endocrinologist and co-founder ofVous Vitamin.

For example,researchhas shown that women have more subcutaneous fat, a type of fat that deposits right underneath the skin and is partially responsible for women's curves, than men. The first place men typically lose weight is the belly, while women tend to lose weight all over, but hold onto weight in their thighs and hips, Dr. Block explains.

When it comes to weight loss, though, it's less about your natural body shape and more about genetics,how your hormones work, andyour metabolism, says Dr. Block. Regardless, she adds, you can't choose a specific area of focus for weight loss.

Janet Brill, PhD, RD, a Philadelphia-based nutritionist, theorises that where fat melts off on your body first is totally different for everyone, and you might lose weight from wherever you last gained it. "If you tend to gain weight around your waist, you'll likely lose weight from your midsection first as well," says Brill. Meanwhile, if weight goes straight to your boobsas it does for many womenyou'll probably notice it leave your chest first, too.

In some cases, you might lose weight from around your internal organs as well. Dr. Block notes that this is the case specifically in people who have NASH, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Even losing 5 percent of your body weight can boost the function of organs like the liver.

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The other factor at play when it comes to where you shed weight is Mother Nature's plan for your body to be always be ready to get pregnant. For that reason, many women say that the fat around their hips, butts, and thighs stays put for the first several weeks of a weight-loss regimenwhile their backs, calves, and even their faces begin to thin out much sooner.

"The fat on these body parts [the hips, butt, and thighs] is crucial for childbearing," says Brill, "which is why most women notice that their body naturally hangs onto it as long as possible." The increased fat in these areas is related to the higher levels of estrogen necessarily for fertility, Dr. Block adds.

As people near menopause, weight gain may shift to the belly. Because you have lower estrogen levels duringmenopause, more fat might distribute to the abdominal area, says Dr. Block.

In a perfect world, you could switch things up so you lose weight from where you want to first. But the fact is,you don't really have much control over where the pounds peel off firstwith one caveat: "When you work out, your metabolism increases, and that helps get rid of some of the visceral fat that goes to your stomach and abs area," Brill says. It's just a modest difference and doesn't count as spot reducingbut it's something to keep in mind if your body hangs onto belly fat forever and you want the waistband of your jeans to feel roomier faster.

Other than potentially speeding up your metabolism, focused exercise is not going to shed weight in any one specific area. Your body has a mind of its own in terms of deciding where to lose weight and when, the experts say.

However, the healthiest way to lose weight is a combination of diet and exercise. That's really keyone without the other won't have as much of a long-term impact. "Diet will directly impact stored energy, while exercise will increase your metabolism and help you keep the weight off," Dr. Block says.

Don't think of weight loss as a sprintreally, it's a marathon. "Small changes[to your diet and exercise plans] can make big differences over time and impact your health and energy in a significant way," Dr. Block says.

Even cutting out high-calorie drinks, including your favorite flavoured latte and mixed drinks, is a good place to start. Of course, leveling up your exercise routine also can positively impact your metabolism (HIIT workoutscan help you blast fat and increase your endurance, too).

Adding more movement to your life, Dr. Block says, like walking around the block an extra time and adding more stairs as opposed to elevators to your routine, can also contribute.

This article originally appeared on Women's Health US.

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This Is Likely The First Place You'll Notice Weight Loss - Women's Health

Questionable stories on COVID-19 from state-backed outlets in Russia, China, Turkey and Iran are being shared more widely than reporting by major news organizations around the world, according to Oxford analysts. French, German, Spanish and English news sites see far less social engagement than these foreign-originated ones in their languages.

The study is part of ongoing monitoring of COVID-19 disinformation campaigns by the Computational Propaganda Project. The group found that major outlets like Le Monde, Der Spiegel, and El Pais are being out-shared four or five to one in some metrics by content from Russia Today, China Radio International and other state-backed organizations.

Earlier reports focused on English-language sharing of this type of media, which can be generally described as fact-adjacent with a strong emphasis on certain narratives.

The repeated finding was that although mainstream news outlets have an overall stronger presence, state-backed and junk news is way ahead in engagement per post or article. In the latest report it is shown that on average, mainstream articles collect about 25 engagements per post, while state-backed items get 125. When multiplied by millions of users and followers, that becomes an enormous discrepancy.

There is more nuance to the data than that, of course, but it gives a general idea of what's happening: Disinformation is being spread widely, whether by bots or organic reach, while ordinary news sources only reach a similar amount of people through more output and wider initial reach. It wasn't, however, clear whether this was the case outside English-language media.

It certainly seems to be, according to data collected over three weeks from a variety of news sources. Mainstream media had a larger overall reach, but state-backed media often produced far higher engagement per article. This is perhaps explained by the fact that the state-backed organizations tended to pursue and push controversies and divisive narratives. As the study puts it:

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That sort of clickbait spreads like wildfire on social media, of course, and few of those who thoughtlessly hit that share button will have the inclination to check whether the source is a government-backed news agency plainly attempting to sow discord.

On the other hand, it seems as if some consider turnabout fair play.

For example, a Chinese state-backed news countering the flourishing U.S. conspiracy theory that the virus is a Chinese bioweapon with a counter-theory that it is a U.S. bioweapon released in and blamed on China.

"Many of these state-backed outlets blend reputable, fact-based reporting about the coronavirus with misleading or false information, which can lead to greater uncertainty among public audiences trying to make sense of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Oxford's Katarina Rebello in a news release.

The countries and state-backed outlets mentioned also have a major presence in Arabic-language markets and the researchers are working on a follow-up study inclusive of those.

Read more from the original source:
State-backed COVID-19 disinfo spreads faster and farther than local news outlets in 4 languages - Yahoo Lifestyle

After months spent in lockdown - many of us have become all too friendly with Mr Fridge.

That, teamed with moving less and sitting more has meant some people are looking for ways to shed those extra pounds.

The 1:1 Diet otherwise known as The Cambridge Weight Plan replaces meals with shakes, soups and bars to help people cut and control calories.

But critics say it's not always the healthiest or most sustainable way to lose weight.

So we have separated the fact from the fiction to give you a comprehensive guide to the Cambridge diet.

Other popular NHS diets include Slimming World, Weight Watchers, The F Plan and The South Beach Diet.

The 1:1 diet is a meal replacement diet formally known as The Cambridge Weight Plan.

In 2019, the Cambridge Weight Plan had a rebrand under the new name of the 1:1 diet. It does the same thing, but the brand says the new name emphasises the one-to-one relationship between dieter and consultant.

In terms of food and what you can eat it means swapping out normal meals for shakes, soups, porridges and snack bars.

These are designed to fulfil all of your daily nutritional requirements, while cutting out hundreds of calories.

By following its strict rules, it claims it can help dieters lose up to a stone a month.

There are a total of six variations of the plan, ranging from 440 to 1,500 calories a day, depending on factors such as your starting weight and weight-loss goals.

Step one, or 'Sole Source', is the most austere, asking dieters to cut out all 'normal' daily foods and solely eat from Cambridge Weight Plan's own-brand, low-calorie range of products, along with 2.5 litres of water.

Later stages - like step six, or 'Maintenance' - are more flexible, allowing room for some meals, interspersed with a few meal-replacements.

So, you start at step one, and then slowly introduce solid foods as you begin to shed weight.

The idea is that you eat so few calories that your body is forced into a state of 'ketosis' where it starts to burn fat stores as a survival method.

The Cambridge Diet claims to be safe and healthy to follow, but some experts and nutritionists say they do not recommend diets restricted to under 600 calories per day.

Max Bridger, a personal trainer from LDN Muscle (ldnmuscle.com), says: "It's not something I would recommend to any of my clients.

Sure, eating under 500 calories for 12 weeks will make you drop weight fast, but you'll also lose a lot of muscle too - so don't expect an athletic, toned physique at the end."

Due to the highly-restrictive nature of the diet, critics also say it does not equip dieters for long-term weight-loss.

"Don't expect to keep the weight off when you return to normal eating," says Bridger. "You may put the weight you lost while on the Cambridge Weight Plan back on, once finished and returned to your normal lifestyle, as your metabolism will likely have adapted to the restricted calories by slowing down.

"Ketosis is a state not many people will realistically achieve either," he continues. "As well as being very tough to achieve, ketosis is easy to lose, and comes with side effects like bad breath, digestive discomfort, nausea and even hair thinning in some cases."

The bottom line, Bridger says, is that extreme weight-loss plans are not something every day people should really utilise, as there is nothing to prevent rebound weight gain.

"If you do opt for something like the Cambridge Diet, you certainly do not need to spend money on very expensive foods and shakes to help you eat the bare minimum calories to function," he adds.

Before making any extreme changes to your diet, you should always speak to your GP to discuss any potential concerns or side effects.

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Cambridge diet: 1:1 Weight loss plan - How it works and the facts you need to know - Cambridgeshire Live

French Women *Love* This Affordable Handbag Brand

The editors at SheFinds wrote this post on behalf of Noom and received compensation as part of our agreement.

Yes, summer might look a little differently this year, but its still happening. And while beach trips and pool parties are supposed to be fun, they can also cause serious anxiety if you already arent feeling good about yourself. Thats why you should consider starting this summer off right with the help of Noom. Its a weight-loss program thats so differentin a good way!from anything youve tried before. Rather than giving you impossible dietary restrictions or requiring you to log and count every single thing you put into your mouth, Noom takes a different approach. Its called cognitive-behavioral therapy and instead of getting you to make small changes in the short term, its all about helping you shift habits and patterns for long-term success. Yes, Noom is a great way to shed a few pounds for the season, but its also a great program to help change your mindset so you feel confident and good about yourself all year long, no matter what the scale says.

Armed with a positive new outlook, here are a few more ways to build your confidence so that you can truly enjoy yourself this summer.

Wear clothes that work for you. Warmer summer weather means everyones wearing less clothing, which can be stressful if you dont feel good about your body. In this situation, the key is to find duds that are right for you. Instead of trying to squeeze into clothes that look great on models or were your size a few summers ago, look for items that are right for the body you actually have. Remember, if a dress or pair of shorts doesnt fit right, you dont need to change your bodyyou just need to find something different to wear. No matter how pretty the outfit is, its not worth beating yourself up over.

Watch your words. While words might seem harmless, the way you talk about yourself can have serious impact. And in the summer, when conversation tends to center around bodies, its especially important to mind what you say. Whether youre talking to yourself or with friends, try using gentle, loving words to describe yourself rather than disparaging terms. Even if you dont totally believe what youre saying, its still worth a shotthink of it as a sort of manifestation. Stick to it for long enough and youll start to notice a difference.

Cultivate what you love. When your mind starts to fill with all sorts of problem body parts and areas, fight back by focusing on things about yourself that you love. This can be hard to do on the spot, so take some time when youre in a good place to identify positive personality or physical features. Literallymake a list of awesome things about yourself. Get detailed and specific! Then, next time you find yourself in a spiral of negativity, focus on those qualities. And next time youre buying new clothes, jewelry, or makeup, look for items that accentuate the things about your body that you love. Pull them out when you know youre going to need an extra boost of confidence.

Create healthy habits. As tempting as it might be to start a crash diet three weeks before pool season starts, its not a great way to gofor a number of reasons. Extreme weight-loss measures are virtually never sustainable, and normally just set you up to swing even further in the opposite direction. Instead, try an overall lifestyle change with a program like Noom. The app uses cognitive behavioral techniques, nutrition coaching, and group support to help users build sustainable and healthy habits. Finding a sustainable way to take care of yourself is one of the quickest ways to build self-confidence.

Dont hold back. This might seem like circular logic, but stick with us for a minute. Do your best not to let insecurities stop you from (socially distant!) activities and events that you enjoy. And yes, that includes hanging out in a swimsuit at a pool or the beach. It definitely might be uncomfortable at first, but doing the sorts of things you would if you had confidence is one of the very best ways to actually build that confidence.

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Summer Isnt CancelledHeres How To Feel Confident This Season - SheFinds

Getting back to your pre-pregnancy is a difficult journey and it requires a lot of patience. Ishita was determined to get back to her pre-pregnancy figure and took advantage of the lockdown to do so. Her transformation story is an inspiration. Read her story to learn some simple secrets!Name: Ishita Pandey

Occupation: Homemaker

Age: 30Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Highest weight recorded: 70 kilosWeight loss: 10 kilos

Duration: 3 months

The turning point: People always say that the earlier you start after giving birth, easier it is to lose weight. I ended up gaining so much weight post my C-section birth, it ended up exceeding my postpartum weight, which was around 65 kilos. Getting back in shape was important. I didn't want to look "chubby" and made it a plan to achieve my target weight before my baby's first birthday and get those perfect photos where I could look fit and fabulous.

Breakfast:My breakfast was always wholesome and nutritious. I usually had it around 11 am. It could include anything like milk, oats, honey, nuts and seeds, whole wheat bread, roti subji, chila or poha. There were no restrictions.

Lunch:I had a small lunch. I didn't stop having white rice. Whatever was made at home, like dal, cholai, rajma, kadhi or soya, I would have that with rice, some subzi, curd and a portion of salad.

Dinner:

I skipped dinner since I follow Intermittent Fasting (16:8). I have a cup of chai and some low-calorie snack around 6 p.m. I would have a bite of something from my husband's plate later, but that's all 🙂

If it's cheat day, you would find me devouring street foods! Puris, gulabjamuns, pav bhaji, golgappas or pastries are my favourite! However, I do try to limit my cheat meals to twice a month.

My workout:

My exercise routine was a bit different. Personally, I am not a fan of strength training. I started with cardio and used to extensively skip rope but ended up injuring myself due to overtraining. Ever since I decided to take it a little easier.

Since I am a homemaker, I stay busy doing a lot of household chores. From dusting, sweeping, organizing, or even taking care of the baby, I was active throughout the day.

Low-calorie recipe I swear by: Having small snacks can be good to lose weight. I loved having healthy peanuts, buttermilk, flax seeds, almonds, makhanas (foxnuts) or digestive biscuits.

Fitness secrets: I am a big fan of intermittent fasting and would recommend it to anyone looking to lose weight. It's not complicated and does not require any extensive prep. Simple everyday food would do. I drank lots of water, swapped out sugar for jaggery and as always, moderation is key.

As for me, there were no hard and fast rules. I stopped counting my calories after a while. The important thing to remember is to reach a calorie deficit, which helps burn fat. Make sure you exercise and follow a disciplined diet and you will see the progress for yourself.

What kept me motivated:

My baby's birthday was coming up and all I had are 3 months to shed kilos. I took advantage of the lockdown situation and started to work on my body. With no maid, I have been doing all household chores by myself, taking care of the baby and following intermittent fasting. This was enough to get going. The lockdown was the perfect time for me (or anyone) to lose weight!

How do you ensure that you don't lose focus? While staying locked in was tough, there were some advantages after all. We weren't eating out, doing work ourselves, no distraction or holidays. This ensured that my routine wasn't disturbed for 2+ months. I could see the change for myself as the number on the scale went down. I joined a support group for intermittent fasting. I even took part in a skipping rope challenge. It was so motivating!

What's the most difficult part of being overweight: The worst part was not fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes. Losing weight also took care of my PCOS problem. When I was heavier, I feared developing health problems. My confidence levels went into an all-time low. The transformation made the change happen.What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line: Honestly, in my 40s, I want to be so fit that I look like I am in my 20s. I will continue to follow intermittent fasting, stay active and limit junk food.

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Lockdown weight loss: Here's how I lost 10 kilos in 3 months post my C-sec delivery - Times of India

WHEN a doctor agreed her obesity was likely a factor in her recent miscarriage, Lori-Jay Clark hit rock bottom.

All the 28-year-old teaching assistant had dreamed of was becoming a mum and it was the second baby she had lost in the space of four years.

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She says: In that instant I knew enough was enough.

I was emotionally drained, tired of blaming myself for being obese but not doing anything about it.

The ultimate goal in life for my husband Jimmy and I was to be parents, but I was so unhealthy I knew I couldnt bring a child into the world, mentally or physically. I had to change my ways.

And she did, shedding 9st to go from 20st and a size 22 to 11st and a size 10.

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Lori-Jay, from Hundon, Suffolk, says: Food ruled my life. Id have takeaways four times a week, and order things like a pizza plus a chicken burger, eating till I felt sick.

Deep down, I was furious at myself for sabotaging my chances of being a mum, but I just couldnt stop.

Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and comes with a one in five chance of losing the baby before 12 weeks.

Lori-Jays overeating began when she was a child, and by age 14 she was 12st and size 14.

She says: I was picked on at school. The boys would say, Dont sit on that, youll break it, and call me fat.

It made me feel worthless, and I turned to food for comfort.

In 2012, Lori-Jay met Jimmy, 30, a bricklayer, at a nightclub.

She says: He wasnt bothered about my weight and would tell me I was beautiful.

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Lori-Jay's diet

Lori- Jay's diet before:

BREAKFAST: 4 slices of toast

LUNCH: Sandwiches, toast

DINNER: Takeaway, pizzas, burgers or ready meals

SNACKS: Biscuits, choc

Lori- Jay's diet now:

BREAKFAST: Fruit & yoghurt

LUNCH: Tuna salad

DINNER: Fakeaways homemade KFC or burger & chips

SNACKS: Quiche, gherkins

But despite being in love and happy with Jimmy, I still couldnt stop overeating.

Wed spend around 100 a week on takeaways, and get through a load of chocolate and crisps while cuddled up on the sofa watching TV.

The couple then started to try for the baby they dreamed of.

Lori-Jay says: When I discovered I was pregnant in May 2016, the feeling was out of this world, I was so happy.

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But a few days after I did the pregnancy test, I started bleeding.

I was rushed to hospital, where scans revealed I had an ectopic pregnancy a fertilised egg had implanted in one of my fallopian tubes.

I needed an operation to urgently remove the egg and tube, which doctors explained could make it harder for me to conceive in future.

Following that shock, the couple took a break from trying for a baby. But when they married the following year, they decided to try again.

In March 2018 though, Lori-Jay suffered a miscarriage at around eight weeks.

She says: I was heartbroken. Wed got so close to having our dream baby, only for the dream to be taken away from us.

Again, Lori-Jay turned to food for comfort.

Id eat till I felt sick, then the guilt and shame would set in, she says. It was a vicious cycle and I lost all confidence in myself.

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Id make excuses to avoid friends, and hide in the street if I saw someone I knew.

The following April, Lori-Jay had another miscarriage at around eight weeks. She says: Deep down, I always blamed myself.

And after going for a check-up, the doctor agreed that I needed to lose weight to be in the best position to carry a baby full-term. That was the wake-up call.

So, in June 2019, Lori-Jay joined a Slimming World group with Jimmy, who by then also weighed 20st.

In the first week I lost 13.5lb, which spurred me on, she says.

We swapped fast food for home-cooked fakeaways and salads and I started attending circuit training classes four times a week.

Lori-Jay now weighs 11st, while Jimmy has dropped to 16st, and doctors have told the couple they have a much better chance of becoming parents.

She says: When I saw that I got to my target weight, I cried. Im so excited for the future.

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COOL IDEAStacey Solomon freezes baby wipes to keep kids cool in heatwave parenting hack

Splash outThrifty family turn their trampoline into a massive back garden swimming pool

Just getting up in the morning was a struggle before because Id feel sluggish.

Now I have so much energy. Jimmy and I are so excited to start trying for a baby again.

I feel like at last our dream of becoming parents is within our grasp.

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After two miscarriages I gave up comfort food and lost nine stone to fulfil my dream of becoming a mum - The Sun

If you want to lose five actual pounds by next weekend, listen up: Losing weight fast, though possible, is almost always unhealthy. That's because aiming to lose five pounds in a week can set you up for binge-eating and fluctuations that interfere with long-lasting results, which basically defeats the whole point, right?

Its also super hard! "For most people, its very, very difficult to lose more than one to two pounds of body fat in a week," says Philadelphia-based weight-loss physician Charlie Seltzer, MD. Instead, you're more likely to shed water weight before actual fat. And while a decrease in water weight translates to pounds lost, the change is temporary, says Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, Ph.D., a registered dietician and chair of the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Even if you do meet your goal by Friday, it's nearly impossible to keep the weight off over the long term, says Dr. Seltzer. He explains that the intense calorie restriction required to lose that much fat would make you so hungry that you'd want to eat everything in sight...because survival.

And since calorie restriction can slow your metabolism, per research published in the journal Obesity, your body will be less prepared to burn the foods you (inevitably) binge on, he adds. That could mean gaining more than you lost in the first place.

Still, there are effective and healthy ways to kick off your weight lossand, yes, it will take time!all without starving yourself, wasting money on sketchy supplements, or punishing your body with exercise.

Instead, try a few of these safe, proven tips. And remember: Youll get the best, longest-lasting results from changes that dont leave you exhausted and dreaming of pizza.

"If you expend more calories than you take in, you should lose weight," says Alicia Romano, RD, LDN, a clinical registered dietitian at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. But you dont want to be so hyper focused on calories that you skip out on a wholesome diet, she says.

If you focus on the quality of food, theres a good chance youll eat more nutrient-dense options that leave you satiated, says Lauren Sullivan, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinics Center for Human Nutrition.

First, remember that no food is inherently good or bad, Dr. Seltzer says. And if the idea of jotting down everything you eat in a day makes you feel guilty or anxious, just skip this entirely.

That said, people who track what they eat tend to be more successful in losing weight because it raises awareness about what they're noshing on, says Dr. Mayer-Davis. In fact, a series of studies published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine suggest that those using apps to monitor their diet and activity were more likely to experience an increase in weight loss.

Obviously, these apps (you know the ones) arent going to work if you dont input everything you eat, says Dr. Mayer-Davis. You've gotta be consistent and honest about what you consume.

A 20-year study of more than 100,000 people, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found those who ate more whole grains instead of refined grains, incorporated more fruits and veggies than sweets, and preferred tea and coffee to sweetened drinks and juices, gained less weight long-term.

In another (small-ish) study of more than 1,000 people, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, researchers found those following vegetarian and vegan diets, rich in whole grains, fruits, produce, nuts, and legumes, lost more weight than dieters on other planseven the low-carb Atkins dietover the same time span.

Because fiber (like protein and fat) slows the digestion process and optimizes fullness and nutrient intake at mealtime, a plant-based diet can help you feel satiated longer after eating, says Romano.

A foods glycemic index (GI) refers to how quickly sugar from food enters the bloodstream and how slowly the food is digested. Foods with a glycemic load measuring less than 55 (i.e. green vegetables, most fruits, raw carrots, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils and bran breakfast cereals) enable your metabolism to run at a more consistent pace, which can positively impact weight loss, says Sullivan. Foods that rank 70 or higher (potatoes, white bread and short-grain rice) potentially slow your metabolism, which may make it harder for you to shed weight.

In a study of more than 100,000 people, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers linked diets with a high glycemic load to increased weight gain.

The best way to support sustainable weight loss is to incorporate small changes into existing habits, according to The European Journal of Obesity. So instead of giving up your daily BLT bagels in favor of an egg-white wrap, try ordering your sandwich on an English muffin. Or say you eat a snack bar every afternoon: Swap your 300-calorie bar for a 150-calorie alternative. "When we commit to small food swaps, we actually adapt new behaviors," says Romano.

Whatever you choose, just make sure your focus is on "small manageable changes," that way youre more likely to follow through for an extended period of time, rather than just a few days or weeks, says Romano.

Eating at regular intervals during the day optimizes your blood sugar control, meaning you avoid the spike and crash that comes with eating a big meal on an empty stomach, says Romano. When you avoid eating when you're hungry, youre welcoming hunger pains, food cravings and drowsinessall of which can lead to snacking on foods high in fat and sugar.

Plus, when you run out of calories before going out to dinner with friends or satisfying a bedtime craving, youre more likely to fall victim to what Dr. Seltzer calls the "f*ck it" effectwhen you break one "rule" and give up for the rest of the night.

Dietary protein is one of the most important tools in your weight-loss arsenal, partly because you expend more energy digesting protein versus carbs and fat, Dr. Seltzer says. But its often packaged with naturally-occurring fats that amp up the calories of each serving.

Its why, according to the Harvard School of Public Health, leaner protein sources like chicken breast, white fish, and low-fat dairy have fewer calories than alternatives like bacon and burgers. Greek yogurt, cheese, and cottage cheese also make smart choices.

When you combine a carbohydrate (like toast) with protein and/or healthy fats (peanut butter), it slows digestion, which makes you feel fuller than you would eating the carb alone, Sullivan says. Next time youre craving sugar, pair some dark chocolate with nut butter and call it a day.

Like protein, fiber slows the rate at which your body plows through carb calories so you feel full for longer and maintain steadier blood sugar levels, one reason why research consistently links fiber intake to weight loss. That means fibrous whole grain bread tends to be a better choice than white bread and also explains why fruits, which contain fiber and valuable vitamins in addition to sugar, beat straight-up candy every time.

Skimp on fluids, and your body will release an antidiuretic hormone that leads to water retention that could affect the scale, Dr. Setlzer says. While this sneaky effect is one reason why the scale is a poor measure of body mass loss, you can outsmart it by drinking moreparticularly if you fill your glass with water or non-calorie alternatives like unsweetened coffee and tea.

Booze delivers seven calories per grammore than carbs and protein (four calories per gram)without filling you up or delivering essential nutrients. And because it chips away at your inhibitions, it makes those French fries at the bar look way better, and that late-night pizza stop a go.

In other words? "Drinking makes you more likely to eat sh*t," Dr. Seltzer says, referring to drunk foods. At the same time, he stops short of asking patients to quit alcohol cold-turkey to lose weight. Plus, research suggests you dont have to, as long as your intake is moderatei.e., less than about a drink a day. "If you drink a glass of wine every night and notice you eat more afterward, eat less early to account for this," he says. "Or, if youre drinking four glasses of wine a week, drink three instead so youll wont feel such a big difference."

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"Anytime youre stressed, you probably go for food," Dr. Seltzer says. (Have we met?!) Thats because cortisol, the stress hormone, stokes your appetite for sugary, fatty foods. No wonder its associated with higher body weight, according to a 2007 Obesity study that quantified chronic stress exposure by looking at cortisol concentrations in more than 2,000 adults hair.

Its why no weight-loss journey is complete without a stress-management tactic: Maybe its meditation, calling your mom after work, or chilling out with music. Just make sure its hunger, not stress, that leads you to the kitchen.

"Por sleep is associated with slower metabolism, and the more youre awake the more hours you have to eat," Dr. Seltzer says. Whats more, the sleep deprivation activates the same brain receptors responsible for the marijuana munchies, according to a 2016 SLEEP study.

Although its way more fun to take up a tolerable activity (i.e., watching Netflix on the elliptical) than it is to drop tasty foods from your diet, "exercise wont help you lose weight in one week," Dr. Seltzer says.

After all, "resistance training might initially contribute a pound or two due to the bodys inflammatory response, and people who do low-intensity exercise might burn calories, but they often end up eating more or subconsciously moving less throughout the day to conserve energy," he saysand research supports the theory.

Real talk: It could take weeks or months to see the metabolic effects of exercise on the scale, and even then, building muscle, which is denser than body fat, could lead to weight gain. "Do what you like because its good for you," Dr. Seltzer says, noting the way exercise is awesome for your heart, mental health, and moreand that not all measure of progress can be seen on the scale.

In what is perhaps the biggest buzzkill of all time, sex doesnt quite count as cardio or burn a significant amount of calories: Women burn about 3.6 per minute. "Its still a good idea," Dr. Seltzer says, citing the activitys other benefits, like increasing the output of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which naturally reduce food cravings.

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How to Lose Weight Fast - 14 Ways to Drop 5 Pounds in a Week

TLDR: The Superhuman Lifetime Subscription Bundle is a five-app masterplan for honing your mind, body and soul.

Right about now, we all wish we had a few aces up our sleeve to help get through the day. A few hidden skills and abilities that can make a difference for ourselves and those around us. We might not strap on a cape or fight crime, but developing some superpowers to give us an added edge here or there isnt just comic book or Marvel movie talk.

In fact, its actually entirely doable to start stacking up superpowers like DC stacks up movie flops. With the training in The Superhuman Lifetime Subscription Bundle ($79, over 90 percent off from TNW Deals), you can reshape your body, mind and will to turn yourself into a virtual superhuman at home or the office.

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Of course, one way to speed up that learning is to literally speed up. The 7 Speed Reading method leads students through basic steps that eliminate bad reading habits to help boost your reading speed up to three times fast while retaining all of it. As your pace quickens, the app keeps a close eye on how youre doing and tests your comprehension, then adjusts your lessons to help address any problem areas.

With your brain moving at a lightning pace, its a good time to dive into the massive archive that is the Integrity Training course catalog. Youll have access to literally hundreds of courses, covering professional improvement subjects that can unlock new opportunities in your career. From IT certification, project management, business skills and cyber security, to web and app development, sales and marketing, big data, blockchaining and more, the learning options are endless and all included.

With all this action happening, youll also have MindFi to help make sure your mental health is just as on point as your intellect. The app is full of science-based mindfulness life hacks like 1-minute meditations, digital detoxes, ways to chase away anxiety or turn you into a better leader, even teach you how to meditate while never closing your eyes.

Of course, looking like a superhuman should be part of the equation as well so the Fitterclub app also stands ready to whip your body into true superhero shape. From exercise regimens to nutrition programs, Fitterclub fashions your fully customized plan for reaching your fitness goals. Whether you want to lose weight, add muscle, get cut or just get metabolically healthy, Fitterclubs approach puts you on track to achieving your personal fitness peak.

An almost $3,000 value, this five-step package to making you a human paragon is now hundreds off, just $79 while this offer lasts.

Prices are subject to change.

Read next: Australia hit by cyber attacks from 'state actor' experts suspect it's China

Why is queer representation so important? What's it like being trans in tech? How do I participate virtually? You can find all our Pride 2020 coverage here.

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Becoming a superhuman isn't impossible. In fact, these five steps can be your fast track - The Next Web

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