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Westbury resident Andres Loperena remembers a time when he struggled to kneel down and tie his own shoes. In high school, he sported slip-ons so no one would notice.

That was only 12 years ago, but it feels like 40, Loperena said.

These days, the 30-year-old weighs 100 pounds less than when he graduated high school. He has turned his own weight loss journey into a business: Pledge To Fitness in Bellaire.

I built Pledge as a solution to all my problems, Loperena said. Its all the answers to the questions I asked years ago. People gave me 4,000 places to go, 1,500 diets to follow. I think Pledge would have been the solution to my problems.

He basically synthesized all he learned from his own experiences into one place, where he can create customized programs for individual clients.

The first step is a 3D body scan, which provides body composition and fat percentages, as well as concise weight and measurements.

Then, Loperena or a trainer on his team asks clients to describe in detail their own health journey.

Tell me how you got here, Loperena asks.

Combining the information from the scan with personal stories allows Pledge to build a program that matches an individuals lifestyle and goals. Each fitness prescription blends strength training, mobility work, massage, yoga and Pilates. In addition, clients are coached in nutrition and recovery.

Weve become a one-stop shop, Loperena said. People come in so beat up from other places. You need massage, corrective exercise.

He wants each person who walks through his doors to know that Pledge will take care of them.

Were worried about you holistically, he said. Were worried about you in the long-run. I want to help you start living a different life.

No one ever said that to him. Instead, Loperena learned gradually.

Originally from Venezuela, he moved to Houston with his parents Martin Loperena and Clara Rojas in 1999 at age 10. His mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and she came to the area for its world renowned medical care. The family also wanted to be close to his uncle, cardiologist Gustavo Grieco.

Loperena shouldered stress from the move and worries about his mother. He took comfort in the junk foods he was discovering in his new hometown, especially Diet Mountain Dew, candy and pizza. When he started driving, fast foods were a new temptation.

By his freshman year in high school, Loperena weighed 227 pounds.

Then, he discovered he had sleep apnea, after landing in the hospital with petit mal seizures, which are short but can be dangerous.

I was always tired, he said. I was always in bed. I was depressed.

By senior year, Loperena weighed 350 pounds. He was finally getting treatment for his sleep apnea but still gaining weight, despite trying fad diets like Atkins and South Beach.

After graduating, Loperena went to Spain with his family in the summer of 2008.

I didnt fit anywhere, he said. I didnt fit in the chairs. I didnt fit through the doors. This isnt normal. Im living a lifestyle that doesnt make sense.

By the time Loperena enrolled at the University of Houston, change was in the air.

I just had enough, he said.

While in college, he met with a nutritionist who taught him about portion control, and joined Life Time Fitness, where hours on the elliptical machine helped him drop 80 pounds. He also tried Quick Weight Loss Center and lost another 76 pounds - but gained much of it back.

At school, he discovered psychology, which would become his major.

The big anxiety issues, fitting in, self-esteem were all part of the class, Loperena said. I was like, I didnt know we came with a manual. I wanted to learn more.

All of these small moments combined changed trajectory. Rather than plan a career as a therapist, he decided to help people as a trainer who could guide them through fitness and nutrition.

I wasnt quite sure of how to get there, but even if I could help one person, I wanted to do it, Loperena said.

With weight loss came improved health and emotional well-being. He no longer had sleep apnea or seizures. Something as simple as being able to kneel down and tie my shoes helped me fell like no one can stop me now, he said.

Loperena signed up at National Personal Training Institute in 2012. He became certified in personal training, sports nutrition, as well as kettlebell and suspension (TRX) training.

At age 23, Loperena started his own company. At first, he operated as a team of independent trainers at another gym, but he quickly became frustrated with not having his own facility. He wanted to create an environment where all of the trainers operated in the same way and followed the research on how to best help others.

Lets make the training the best we can, he decided. Fitness is a relationship. You have to love fitness, since you have to do it for the rest of your life. If theres any relationship thats worth working on, its that one.

Last year, Loperena made Pledge to Fitness a brick-and-mortar reality. Before COVID-19, he was operating a team of 10 trainers and serving 80 to 90 clients, including his parents.

Then the pandemic halved his clientele.

Still, Loperena has no plans to abandon on his dream of helping others reach their health goals.

Thats why he settled on the name, Pledge. Its a promise he makes to support clients on their journey - as well as a nod to the pledge they must make to commit to their own health.

This is personal, Loperena said. We take your health personally here - and that makes a difference. Its never too late to start - and every minute you have with a better quality of life is a better minute.

At Pledge to Fitness, all ages and fitness levels are welcome, he added.

Bellaire resident Donna Grehn looks forward to her workouts at Pledge, and stops by three days a week for sessions. She first started training with Loperena at her home - and was excited to learn that he opened a location in her neighborhood.

He really listens, said Grehn, who was an aerobics instructor for 10 years. I know how to work out hard, but I needed to work out smart and differently. If Im going to lift weights and change my body, hes the guy Im going to.

Heights resident Will Drennan believes that Loperenas own story better equips Loperena to help clients like him.

Trainers who start out fit and ripped from the beginning, they dont know how I feel, he said. Starting off skinny and staying fit is definitely different than starting out bigger and trying to lose weight.

Loperena never makes Drennan feel judged - or asks him to stick to a strict diet. The trainer never pushes him through pain in a fitness routine.

Hes struggled through this - and he gets it, Drennan said. He takes everything in steps. You dont have to do it all at once, unlike other gyms.

And that makes health more obtainable, Drennan explained.

Weight loss is a journey - but then you have to learn to keep it off, Drennan said. You have to have a sustainable way of getting there and staying there. Thats what I like about Pledge - its realistic. And that makes it a much better experience.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.

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After losing 100 pounds, Houston trainer makes a Pledge to help others change their lives - Houston Chronicle

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It's that time of year againour eyes are filled with hope and our hearts are filled with resolve to be ourselves 2.0 for the start of the new decade. But, in light of the year weve had, we thought wed look at the usual goals we tend to set for ourselves at the end of every yuletide from the lens of what weve been through since the pandemic. Here are our 2021-specific modifications for some of the biggest goals we set each year, and how to try and actually make them a reality, for once...

1. Being Fitter Versus Losing Weight

People can weigh very little and be terribly unfit, and weight quite a bit while they look fantastic and feel strong. Instead of trying to be thinner, try to be fitter than your 2020 selfwhatever that entails for you. Whether its riding a bike around the city, taking long walks, or going hardcore on the strength training, aim to up your game and work towards being fitter instead. The weight will follow as it must.

2. Eating Smarter Versus Trying A Popular Diet

Intermittent fasting, Paleo, Atkins, GMtheyve all had their moment in the sun, and there will always be another fad diet with epic results around the corner. But the truth is it worked for me! often leads a lot of us down scary paths. Find a diet that works for youconsult a nutritionist, or chart out things you can intelligently do without eliminating important food groups altogether, or putting your body through the kind of rigour it cant handle. A smart diet that you can actually stick to has far higher chances of working than the rush of anything extreme.

3. Going Flexitarian Versus Going Vegan

While many people vow that every year will be the year they give up all animal products, it's the easiest resolution to break because your body simply isnt used to it. Both a mix of cravings and an unaccounted-for nutritional adjustment can make a cold turkey (tofurkey?) switch pretty hard to follow through with. A flexitarian diet, one that allows you to switch between veganism and your regular diet, with things like meatless days, or replacing some animal-based products in your life (like cows milk) with plant-based alternatives (like almond or oat milk), will help you ease into the change with greater comfortor to make enough of a change without giving up everything you love.

4. To Appreciate Things More Versus To Achieve More Things

If this hurricane of a year has taught us anything, it's the importance of holding on. Slowing down and looking around these last few months have made us realise how much we already have, and how easily we tend to forget that. In 2021, instead of setting impossible career or personal goals, choose instead to pay attention to the things you have achievedwhether it's having become CEO, a new parent, starting a podcast or paying your rent without anyone elses help. Weve weathered a lot in 2020, and thats definitely good enough.

5. To Cut Down Vs To Quit

Whether its smoking or kicking a video game obsession, telling yourself youll cut something you love doing out of your life for good is setting yourself up to fail. When youre hard on yourself to the point where you dont allow for lapses, your resolve will break and old patterns will reign supreme. Set goals over time, telling yourself youll bring down quantities of what youre trying to give up a little more every month or two. Even if you never fully quit, youll be down to far less damage done.

6. To Start Learning A Skill Versus To Master A Skill

Speaking fluent Spanish by 2022 is a great goalbut life is likely to get in your way. Theres a job to do, bills to pay, Netflix to watch and maybe next year becomes a go-to thought. The problem is, we set the clock for our resolutions at midnight, expiring exactly a year to the date, and that makes many longer goals unreachable. Speaking Spanish like Miguel de Cervantes might be a 2025 goal, but speaking it enough to cross the street and order a bocadillo without stuttering on your next trip to Barcelona is a pretty great start.

7. To Travel Meaningfully Versus Travelling More

2020 took travel away from us entirely for a whileand made us realise exactly how much we took it for granted. Everything from Turks & Caicos to Antalya was but a flight away, waiting for when we would deign to take our next break. With the world still in flux, the usual goal of travelling more might not hold up as much. Instead, we can resolve to travel meaningfully. Choose places that arent overburdened by tourism, plan our breaks carefully to ensure theyre safe, and make the most of our time there by really enjoying our time, wherever we are. You might travel a quarter as much as 2019, but youll have a better chance of remembering it fondly.

8. To Drink For Pleasure Versus Drinking Less

Being smart about alcohol intake is always a goal worth paying attention to, but we often tackle it in vague ways. We vow to drink less, but less could be next month instead of right nowand it usually ends up in neverland. A lot of us drink as a social behaviour, or even as a force of habit, but asking yourself if you really feel like a drink that day is a good indicator of whether you need one. Youll find yourself saying no more oftenand when you do drink, youll enjoy it more.

9. To Limit Screen Time Versus Doing A Digital Detox

Cutting off all virtual contact is a noble goal every millennial has had, and many of us take to deactivating an account for our mental health every so oft. But in our working worlds, were far too tethered to devices to be able to make a meaningful disconnect. A thought, instead, is to cleanse yourself of apps and portals you dont really care about, and put a stopwatch on time spent on the ones you do.

10. To Be Happy Versus To Be Productive

Productive is a construct. If you think making banana bread will make your prouder of yourself than bingeing The Mandalorian, it's a terrible reason to do it. For one, it puts pressure on you to perform at a time when most people are barely hanging on. For the other, it could be awful banana bread that you then inflict on unsuspecting family. Unless baking banana bread, to quote Marie Kondo, brings you joy, just toss those mushy bananas and pop some packaged corn instead, wont you?

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Its the end of 2020 and for some of us, its about celebrating the end of this emotionally draining year. For others, it may spark adverse feelings as the coronavirus pandemic prolongs. Despite your personal outlook, you may find yourself with a drink in your hand, especially during New Year's Eve celebrations.The holiday seasonis popular for extravagant feasts and nostalgic traditions, andthese festivities are also notorious for alcohol overindulgences.

This time of year, experts predict that more individuals will resort to heavy drinking to cope with the current state of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic in addition to lockdowns, less social interactions, increased stress, and unemployment has created a perfect storm for more people to turn to drinking as a way to cope, especially during the holiday season, says Dr. Kristamarie Collman, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Prse Medical. A report published earlier this year showed that adults ages 30 to 59 reported drinking 14 percent more than last year. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to numerous illnesses, such as heart disease and liver disease in addition to mental health disorders, according to Collman.

If alcohol is a part of the celebrations, drinking in moderation is your safest bet. According to Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this is defined as having up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks for men. However, this holiday season, you may not realize when you had one too many with all of the Zoom gatherings at home, says Dr. Collman. It will probably not be uncommon to wake up the next morning and find yourself in a dazed state, experiencing a variety of unpleasant hangover symptoms. In an exclusive interview with The Beet, Dr. Collman provides recommendations on some natural remedies that harnesses the power of plants to ease and heal a bad hangover:

Ginger and Peppermint have been around for thousands of years and have been used in helping to improve nausea symptoms. Research has shown that ginger may impact certain receptors in the digestive system that may soothe an upset stomach and reduce nausea, says Dr. Collman.

A 2017 review published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that ginger is filled with bioactive compounds and anti-inflammatory properties to prevent nausea and vomiting. In a 2020 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, peppermint oil significantly reduced the frequency of nausea, vomiting, retching, and the severity of nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ginger and peppermint tea can be made by seeping some dried ginger or peppermint tea leaves in a pot of hot water, respectively.

Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family and has been used for thousands of years for a variety of illnesses. Specifically, it was in traditional Indian medicine systems such as Ayurveda to heal disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, joints, and digestive system, according to the National Institute of Health. Turmerics active ingredient is curcumin which has potent anti-inflammatory properties. This works well to help prevent inflammation and reduce pain, says Dr. Collman.

A 2018 study published in The Journal of Immunology found that curcumin in turmeric inhibits inflammation by suppressing the pathways that activate it in the body. Not only can turmeric be added to rice, soups, and stews but also can be used to make golden milk, a caffeine-free delicacy. Dr. Collman recommends that it may be beneficial to mix turmeric with black pepper as it can help your body to better absorb the turmeric.

If someone is experiencing hangover symptoms such as vomiting, they are at risk for electrolyte losses and imbalances. Foods such as avocados, bananas, and leafy greens (like spinach and kale) are rich in nutrients which can help to replace important minerals and vitamins that may have been depleted, says Dr. Collman.

Low intakes of potassium have been linked to high blood pressure, increased insulin resistance (risk of type 2 diabetes), and poor bone health, according to the National Institute of Health. A 2019 study published in Nutrients found that over half of the potassium intake in the sample of adults came from minimally processed foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Making a smoothie with these ingredients could be a simple way to incorporate these foods, but depending on ones digestive symptoms, it might be easier to have small bites throughout the day, says Dr. Collman.

When you have one too many, you may feel dehydrated with symptoms such as a dry mouth or headache. This is because alcohol is a diuretic, which can cause your body to remove fluids through your kidneys, ureters, and bladder at a faster rate than other liquids, according to the Mayo Clinic. Replenishing one's system with hydrating foods may aid in alleviating symptoms caused by dehydration, says Dr. Collman.

She recommends foods such as watermelon and cucumber, which are not only water-rich but also have essential nutrients such as vitamin A, magnesium, and potassium. Other fruits high in water per cup include strawberries (151ml), plums (143.9ml), and apricots (133.8ml), according to USDA Food Data Central. These food items can be added to the diet by consuming as a snack, smoothie, or even used to make a salad, adds Dr. Collman. Make a snack plate filled with water-rich fruits like berries, melon, cantaloupe, and grapes while you are drinking to stay hydrated.

Increasing ones water intake may certainly help to ease hangover symptoms. Besides the refreshing taste, coconut water can help with hydration and has an abundance of electrolytes (such as potassium and magnesium) and minerals beneficial to the body, says Dr. Collman. After a heavy drinking session, it is best to drink lots of water to restore your hydration levels, suggests the Mayo Clinic.

A 2018 study published in Cell Metabolism found that alcohol-induced dehydration, stimulating water intake for hydration balance. If you feel like you have a drink or two during the festivities, try pre-gaming with a glass of water to reduce your chance of waking up with a hangover. Drinking water before and after the booze is your best bet to have a good morning the next day.

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Question: I have a problem in that I find it very difficult to stick to anything. I need to lose weight so I start a new diet/personal trainer and then before long the novelty wears off. It is the same with hobbies. I joined a tennis club at massive expense and then quit within months. Part of it had to do with some snobby members who were rude to me, but I still walked away from the investment. I am starting to see the same trait in one of my kids and I am worried it will affect their chances at a career. I am lucky in that my husband pays all our bills. Is it possible to learn staying power at this stage of my life? I am in my mid 40s?

nswer: How do you get habits to stick or improve your staying power? Forget everything that you think will get you there and know this: you do have willpower, but very little. It is a limited resource and becomes depleted easily and quickly.

So, before the motivation mongers start shouting at us in January, lets get real about motivation or the lack thereof.Motivation is a drive that you and only you are in control of. This is an inside job and the work that is needed comes from intrinsic motivation and creating an implementation intention.

Of course, the novelty wears off. The quick-fix diets and exercise mentality is not only dangerous but counter-productive in so many ways. What I hear in your words is a lack of confidence in belief in your own abilities, which is self-efficacy.

Self-efficacy is so important to help you organise and become as consistent as possible with whatever goal you want to achieve. If you dont believe you can do it, it is going to be near impossible to achieve. What can help bring this into a reality is to create your own specific implementation intention.

You will need some paper to figure out what goals or things you want to do, and a calendar. No amount of external motivation will create the sticking power you are looking for. As you know, there can be a good buzz when you first commit to a new course of action, but unfortunately it isnt and wont be enough.

Only action will get you to where you want to be.

Ask yourself, what specifically do you want to achieve and why? These questions are delving into your why as this is what will get you up, out and dressed when it is cold, dark and wet outside when all you will want to do is stay in your lovely warm bed.

Heres the reality check, by writing down in your diary when you are going to do whatever you have committed to, the sticking power changes immensely.

I encourage people to see that commitment as the same as any appointment that you have made, like going to the doctor or a date to meet a friend. You wouldnt just not show up. Showing up for yourself puts a value upon you and the goal you would like to achieve.

Look back at the trigger points that led to the decision to stop in the past. What led to that decision? Go in curious, like an outside observer. What vulnerability or feeling was present? Did you feel judged, uncomfortable or lacking in confidence in yourself? Bring softness to these important questions.

Tenacity and determination to stay the course takes a lot of effort. See this as a skill that you can and would like to develop. Breaking it down into smaller, manageable tasks is the way to go from overwhelm to slipping it into your everyday mindset.

I always like to think of it as similar to dental hygiene you dont question or quit brushing your teeth. It is part of your routine, morning and night. Mental hygiene can help bring in healthy routines. Im also going to throw in time for intentional procrastination.

If you find you get side-tracked, give yourself 20 minutes or so to intentionally scroll or do something youd like to do and then choose to get back on track.

By modelling these skills, first your son will see that you have days that you dont want to exercise or go because someone said something rude to you, but you are going anyway.

There is great strength and courage in this. These are wonderful skills for you to develop for yourself and the positive off-shoot will be your son will see it and that is so much more powerful than just talking about it.

Learning knows no age limits. Id recommend watching Carol Dwecks TED Talk on how to develop a growth mindset as an excellent place to start this exciting journey of change and possibility ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve.

There are great resources on The Big Life Journal. This article is very useful on how to teach kids the growth mindset explaining neuroplasticity and activities. It really helps to encourage the value of mistakes and trying something even though it is hard. Check out biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/teach-kids-growth-mindset-neuroplasticity-activities.

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Ask Allison: Im in my 40s and I find it hard to follow through on things diets, hobbies, courses and now my kids are the same. Could this harm them...

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Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD or CAD) is caused by a buildup of fatty material called plaque in the blood vessels that provide crucial oxygen to the heart. Plaque builds up in size leading to a significant, usually more than 70 percent, blockage of the coronary artery. Occasionally the material can rupture, similar to a pimple, and the material under the thin cap will suddenly enter the blood and result in an acute heart attack.

Cardiovascular disease can lead to both unstable and stable angina, chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat, or a heart attack.

In the October column, my colleague Dr. Richard Jacoby discussed how the treatment of CAD sometimes requires a heart catheterization to insert a stent to keep the artery open. While treatment might necessitate surgical intervention, such as with angioplasty, stent placement, coronary artery bypass graft surgery or off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, research shows that lifestyle changes can prevent plaque buildup and lower a patients risk of developing heart problems.

Key lifestyle changes prescribed as part of medical therapy include adopting a heart healthy diet, reducing stress, losing weight, exercising, and quitting smoking.

These lifestyle factors are the basis of T. Colin Campbells well-known book, The China study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health.

The China Study examines the link between consuming animal products and developing heart disease as well as cancers, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. The China Study determined that a whole food and vegan diet reduces heart disease, and in some cases, reverses it. The results were found in people who eliminated animal products (beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, and milk) from their diet in addition to processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

Other lifestyle changes to consider include:

Smoking is directly related to an increased risk of heart attack and its complications. If you smoke, ask your doctor about counseling, nicotine replacement medications and programs to help you quit.

High-fat choices can contribute to increased fat in your blood, so it is important to follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

High blood pressure can damage the lining of your coronary arteries and lead to coronary artery disease. Be sure to check your blood pressure regularly.

Exercise lowers cholesterol, manages weight, controls diabetes, and relieves stress. Check with your doctor first before beginning an exercise program.

Discuss your ideal weight with your doctor. Set a goal of a reaching a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30.

Are you always stressed out? Do you anger easily? High stress levels and being hot-tempered increase blood pressure and have a negative effect on the cardiac system. Find ways to relax and learn to manage your time.

High blood sugars are linked to the progression of coronary artery disease. Control blood sugars with daily monitoring, a healthy diet, cardio exercise, and medications.

It is important to make lifestyle changes under the direction and supervision of your cardiologist because the physician will monitor progress and the progression of the disease.

Coastal Cardiovascular Care physicians are available to discuss your heart health care concerns through telemedicine and in-office appointments. Dr. Salman Mehboob is a general and interventional board-certified cardiologist with Coastal Cardiovascular Care, 700 Garden View Court, Suite 204, Encinitas, CA 92024. For more information call 760-452-6334 or go to http://www.coastalcardio.com.

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Those suffering from long COVID have reported smelling fish and super-strong urine as more worrying symptoms of the killer virus emerge.

Ear, nose and throat surgeon Professor Nirmal Kumar said the very strange symptom parosmia seems to be particularly affecting the young and healthcare workers.

He was among the first medics to identify anosmia, loss of smell, as a coronavirus indicator in March. He urged the countrys government department, Public Health England, to add it to the symptom list months before it became official guidance.

After treating and studying patients with long-term anosmia, something he said has affected thousands across the UK, Prof Kumar noticed some were recovering only to then experience parosmia.

He told the PA news agency: This morning I saw two patients with parosmia. One said they could smell fish in place of any other scent, and the other can smell burning when there is no smoke around.

Both are healthcare workers, and we think there is increased incidence in young people and also in healthcare workers because of exposure to the virus in hospitals.

For some people, it is really upsetting them. We are calling it neurotropic virus, he added.

What this means is the virus is affecting the nerves in the roof of the nose its like a shock to your nervous system, and the nerves arent functioning.

RELATED: WHOs dire warning of future pandemics

Sarah Govier, 44, from Whitstable, Kent in south east England, caught the virus in May and like many others lost her sense of smell.

The mum-of-two said now nearly all food smells rotten and shes lost weight because she can barely bring herself to eat some of her favourite meals.

She likens the taste of meat to floral soap or perfume, toothpaste tastes more like petrol than mint, and coffee has an odour of car fumes.

Garlic and onions reminds her of a mix of wet dog and stagnant water, while chocolate cake tastes so bad she has to spit it out.

Ms Govier, an occupational therapist, has now set up a Facebook support group where members share experiences, theories and smell training tips.

She said: Coffee tasted horrible and cleaning my teeth with toothpaste felt like brushing them with petrol it was vile!

At first, everything smelt basically the same, so coffee smelt the same as if someone was smoking or like car fumes.

RELATED: Follow our latest coronavirus updates

Her altered sense of smell means she is also hypersensitive to the pong of sweat and urine which seem to stink more than ever.

I can also smell sweat really strongly in situations where you wouldnt normally notice, like just when I get a bit hot from walking the kids to school, she said.

A small bit of perspiration in my clothes smells like rotten cabbage, and when you can smell yourself all the time you get really paranoid.

Im constantly smelling myself and asking people if I stink- I havent wanted to exercise because of the horrible smell of sweating!

RELATED: Terrifying rise of new strain

Daniel Saveski, a 24-year-old banker living in London, said he lost his sense of taste and smell for two weeks after contracting coronavirus in March, and has been suffering with parosmia since.

Mr Saveski, from West Yorkshire in northern England, said strong-smelling things like bins now have a burning, sulphur-like odour, or smell like toast.

He added: Its lessened my enjoyment of food, and its a bit depressing not being able to smell certain foods.

Lynn Corbett, an administrator for an estate agent, said she was shocked to wake up on her 52nd birthday in March with absolutely no smell or taste.

Ms Corbett, from Selsey in Sussex in south east England, said: From March right through to around the end of May I couldnt taste a thing I honestly think I could have bitten into a raw onion such was my loss of taste.

She said her sense of smell began to return in June, but nothing smelled like it should.

Most things smelled disgusting, this sickly sweet smell which is hard to describe as Ive never come across it before, she said.

She added that despite being a coffee addict before March, the drink now smells unbearable, as do beer and petrol.

Ms Corbett said: Im not sure if things will ever return to the way they were.

Im OK with it, I just think myself lucky that if I did have coronavirus, which it looks like I did, then I havent been seriously ill, hospitalised or died from it like so many others.

In October, a student lost her sense of smell and taste when she caught coronavirus and still hadnt got it back months later.

Marta Batista, 21, contracted coronavirus in March and hasnt been able to enjoy a meal or sniff anything other than rotten plastic since.

She told how food tastes like bland rubber in her mouth, and she can take no joy in eating.

Charity AbScent, which supports people with smell disorders, is now gathering information from thousands of anosmia and parosmia patients in partnership with Ent UK, the professional body representing ear, nose and throat surgeons, and the British Rhinological Society.

AbScent recommends smell training, which involves sniffing rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus oils every day for around 20 seconds for those trying to regain their sense of smell.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and is reproduced with permission

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Long-term COVID patients face months of torment as food tastes and smells rotten or burnt - NEWS.com.au

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There are so many interesting playoff possibilities this morning. But two stand above all:

Dallas.The Cowboys got a quarter-season out ofDak Prescottbefore a grotesque injury sidelined him. They startedBen DiNucciandGarrett Gilbertat quarterback.Andy Daltonhas had to be uncharacteristically bombs-away Dan Fouts at times. Theyve given up 5.0 yards per rush and 30 points per game. They had one of the games most beloved assistant coaches, Markus Paul, collapse in the teams weight room in front of players and die a day later. Just a horrible season. But football does not stop.

Today, the Cowboys are better than the Giants, and Washington is a mess. Much stranger things have happened in the NFL than a seesaw Dallas team making the postseason. The Cowboys could be a 7-9 playoff team and enter the postseason hot. By far the biggest challenge emotionally and as a football coach that Ive been through, McCarthy said. Im a new coach here, trying to make a first impression, the pandemic hits, no offseason, the Dak injury, the bad start, just one thing after another . . . and then the reality of it, those were tiny things compared to what was coming. He meant the death of Paul, a team strength coach, on Nov. 25, then having to play a game the next day.

Chicago.In the midst of a fast start, fourth-year quarterbackMitchell Trubiskywas benched for indecision and inaccuracy.Nick Folescame in and won a couple of games, and then the losing streak. Foles got yanked, and in his last four starts, Trubisky actually has stoked an ember of thought that maybe, just maybe . . .No. No. Stop right there.Its still unlikely Trubisky, a free-agent after the season because Chicago didnt exercise his fifth-year option, is the long-term answer in Chicago, but the future doesnt matter now. What matters is Trubiskys got a little mojo going (72.3 percent passing in his last four games, with seven TDs and two picks), and the odds are in Chicagos favor: PFF has the Bears playoff odds at 70.2 percent, obviously counting more on the Rams beating Arizona than Chicago beatingAaron Rodgers.

I believe in my heart of hearts that being benched [in Week 4] put him on a mission, said Nagy. I told him that day that what feels like the worst day of your life could turn out to be the best day. If Trubisky makes it to Wild-Card Weekend, Nagy might be right.

Two cornerstone franchises of the NFL, two proud franchises, trying to sneak in with embattled coaches and quarterbacks out for redemption.

Dallas went to Minnesota four days before Thanksgiving and began to get on the right track with a 31-28 win. McCarthy said flying home that evening, he felt that, even though the team was 3-7, they still had time to win the division and this was the start of their move. Two mornings later, McCarthy got to work at 6, just about the time Markus Paul was pulling into the parking lot. We walked in together, McCarthy said. He had a workout with the younger guys, I think at 6:30. I went back to my office and [special teams coach] John Fassel ran in and says, Hey, we gotta get downstairs. Thats when Markus collapsed. I was there right after it happened. The tragedy is obviously unspeakable to see one of your guys go down like that, but the whole team was there. Its five minutes after 7. Everybody was either in the weight room or outside the weight room. It was tough, really tough on the guys. Theyre talking about it a little more now. Its clearly the point of our season where I was just like, whats gonna happen next?

Paul was rushed to a hospital. McCarthy sent the team home Tuesday. No practice on Wednesday eitherjust supporting each other. Paul was pronounced dead on Wednesday. On Thursday, there was a football game against Washington.

When I walked on the field on Thanksgiving, and I shouldnt even admit this, as a head coach, you usually have a general idea how the games going to go. But that day, I had no idea. There was sort of a numb feeling that day. Washington 41, Dallas 16. And the loss at Baltimore 12 days later. And a very short week with another road game, at Cincinnati.

Whats happened is Dalton (last three games: 117.0 passer rating) and his receivers are bonding. Dallas beat the Bengals by 23, eked by San Francisco thanks to Niner turnovers, and roasted theJalen Hurts-sparkplugged Eagles by 20 Sunday.CeeDee Lamb,Amari CooperandMichael Gallupcombined for 307 receiving yards and three TDs Sunday. A win at the Meadowlands next Sunday afternoon would at least keep Dallas on the right track headed into 2021, and it might send Tampa Bay to JerryWorld for a playoff game no one saw coming.

Im gonna say it reminds me a little of 2013 in Green Bay, McCarthy said. We got in at 8-7-1. Aaron [Rodgers] broke his collarbone for the first time, and we were just scratching and clawing. We played four quarterbacks that year: Scott Tolzien, Seneca Wallace, Aaron and Matt Flynn. Thats probably the closest experience from that perspective that I could relate to this. But its been tough in this division this year. Three new coaches, and Doug [Pederson] had injuries and the quarterback change. Just an odd year. In the end, you gotta stay the course and just be who you are.

Nagy said the culture in his locker room was solid, and helped withstand the six-game losing streak. Trubisky began playing better after an eminently forgettable game at Lambeau Field, a 41-25 loss that wasnt that close. Since then, the Bears have averaged 35 points a game. Its helped that the last four teams Chicagos played are 31st, 30th, 27th and 32nd in the league in yards allowed per game. Green Bay is eighth. The Bears are 1-8 against the Pack in the last five seasons, and what hurts Chicago is the Packers will be motivated to win and not rest their players Sunday. A win Sunday would give the Packers a second straight 13-3 regular-season record under Matt LaFleur, and would mean Green Bay would win the lone NFC bye. What helps Chicago? Arizona is ice-cold, losers of four of six, withKyler Murrayslumping since the Hail Murray beat Buffalo in November.

This could be Trubiskys last game as a Bear. Who will we see dueling Rodgers? Trubiskys 1-4 in his career against Rodgers, and after seeing Rodgers consistent dissections of recent foes (he was masterful Sunday night in a 40-14 rout of the Titans), it seems clear Trubiskys going to have to score in the thirties to give the Bears a good shot. Mitchells always been a pleaser, Nagy said from Chicago. He wanted to please his teammates, his coaches, the fans. But now hes more about organic leadership. Hes not trying to please everybodyhes trying to lead.

The supporting cast is solid toowith a running back,David Montgomery(1,001 yards) and number one receiver,Allen Robinson(100 catches), and two tight ends with 69 catches and 10 TDs between them,Jimmy Grahamand rookieCole Kmet. On a good day, this offense can light it up. It may have to for a 2020 playoff berth.

Read more from Peter Kings Football Morning in America column here

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Myovant Sciences stock rocketed 22% on news it was partnering with Pfizer to develop and commercialize relugolix for prostate cancer and womens health.

Relugolix is a once-daily, oral gonadotropin-release hormone (GnRH) receptor antagonist. The two companies are collaborating in the U.S. and Canada, with Pfizer receiving an exclusive option to develop the drug in oncology outside those two markets except in certain Asian countries.

They will jointly develop and commercialize the drug, under the brand name Orgovyx, in advanced prostate cancer, and if approved, in combination with estradiol 1.0 mg and norethindrone acetate (0.5 mg) in womens health in the U.S. and Canada. They will begin co-promoting Orgovyx for prostate cancer in early 2021. The two companies will split profits and certain expenses for Orgovyx and the relugolix combination. Myovant will handle regulatory interactions and drug supply, and lead on developing the relugolix combination program.

Pfizer is paying Myovant up to $4.2 billion, including an upfront payment of $650 million and $200 million in potential regulatory milestones, and tiered sales milestones up to $2.5 billion for prostate cancer and for the combined womens health indications. If Pfizer chooses to exercise the option in oncology outside the U.S. and Canada, it will pay Myovant another $50 million and double-digit sales royalties.

We are thrilled to partner with Pfizer to unlock the full potential of Orgovyx in advanced prostate cancer and relugolix combination tablet in uterine fibroids and endometriosis, advancing our mission to redefine care for women and for men, said Lynn Seely, Myovants chief executive officer. Pfizer is the ideal partner for Myovant given its impressive capabilities and track record across both oncology and womens health. This transformative collaboration will significantly strengthen the upcoming launch of Orgovyx and the potential launches of relugolix combination tablet in womens health, while substantially enhancing our financial position and enabling us to expand our pipeline of potential new medicines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Orgovyx on December 22 for advanced prostate cancer. The approval was built on a Phase III trial comparing Orgovyx to AbbVies injectable Lupron. The two drugs work differently. Orgovyx blocks the pituitary gland from producing hormones that signal the amount of testosterone production in the body. AbbVies Lupron, which is injected once every three months, overstimulates the bodys hormone production, leading to a temporary shutdown of testosterone. In the trial, Orgovyx suppressed testosterone to castration levels in 96.7% of participants, compared to 88.8% in Lupron.

Orgovyx is priced at $2,313 per bottle for a 30-day supply. Lupron is a once-month or once-every-three-months injection that averages about $8,687, although there is a generic option priced at $2,729.

Regulators in the U.S. are currently reviewing the relugolix combination tablet for women with uterine fibroids, with a target action date of June 1, 2021. It is also being developed for endometriosis, with a New Drug Application expected in the first half of 2021.

There continues to be a high unmet need among the millions of women who experience the common and debilitating symptoms associated with uterine fibroids and endometriosis, said Nick Lagunowich, Global President, Pfizer Internal medicine. We believe our deep heritage and leadership in womens health combined with our experienced womens health field force will enable us to maximize these opportunities with Myovant, potentially bringing valuable new treatment options to these women.

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Hormone therapy, radiation, and surgery are valuable tools in the medical arsenal to tackle prostate disease, which according to the American Cancer Society, is the most common cancer in American men next to skin cancer. There are almost 200,000 new cases each year and over 33,000 deaths in 2020, according to ACS estimates.

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that men with unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer could benefit from having androgen-deprivation therapy, or ADT, and lived eight months longer than men who did not receive the hormone therapy after 15 years. ADT reduces androgen hormones like testosterone and stops them from feeding cancer cells, according to Harvard Health Publishing. The study subjects also received radiation therapy.

Dr. David Samadi, the director of Mens Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island, and a renowned prostate surgeon, tells Newsmax that the study shows that there are many treatment options available for prostate cancer patients, and offers his advice.

We need to carefully evaluate the risk versus the reward when deciding on prostate cancer treatment, he said. Samadi said that, when caught early, prostate cancer has an amazingly high five-year survival rate of almost 100% if found localized or regional. But this high survival percentage drops off sharply to only about 38% survivability if the cancer has already spread beyond the prostate to distant areas such as the bones or liver.

A diagnosis of prostate cancer is like approaching a fork in the road, says the expert, who is a contributor to Newsmax TV.

There are numerous treatment options available, each with its pros and cons, including side effects, says Samadi.How prostate cancer is treated will determine what a mans life will look like in the future. You need to consult with an experienced doctor who can address your personal needs.

Samadi says that while ADT, the hormone therapy described in the study may appear favorable, there are side effects that include weight gain, hot flashes, loss of libido, breast enlargement, erectile dysfunction, osteoporosis, reduced muscle mass, mood swings, and depression. A mans life may be extended by a few more months but his quality of life drops dramatically.

I also want to address radiation treatment for prostate cancer, says Samadi. Some men mistakenly believe trying radiation first before considering surgery is superior for treating their cancerous prostate. They rationalize if their cancer comes back after radiation, then they will consider surgery. But there is a catch: men who choose radiation first over surgery as a treatment method, will wish they hadnt. Surgery after radiation is almost impossible.

Prostate tissue that has undergone radiation can become almost like cement attaching to the rectum and surrounding tissue. This unfortunate side effect significantly increases the risk of incontinence and erectile dysfunction. There is also the risk of cystitis, urinary frequency, urethral structures or scar formation, and a possible chance of an increased risk of rectal or bladder cancers.

Surgery may be the best option for some men to treat prostate cancer.

While surgery may seem scary to some men, the robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is an excellent option for men with a long life expectancy and whose cancer is contained within the prostate, says the expert who specializes in this procedure. Many advances have been made in surgery keeping side effects minimal little to no blood loss, less pain, shorter recovery, and better preservation of urinary and sexual functioning.

Samadi says the biggest reason for choosing surgery over radiation first if that is an option, is that there is no risk of a secondary prostate cancer recurring.

That should put any mans mind at ease, he says. When it comes to cancer treatment, making decisions can be tough. That is why my advice for men with prostate cancer is this: choose wisely, look at all options, research the experts in this field, and get a second opinion. Men who make good prostate cancer treatment decisions will also likely have good outcomes. And my job as a prostate cancer surgeon is to work with patients helping them achieve the outcomes most important to them.

2020 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

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Choosing the Right Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer - KMJ Now

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With the new year approaching quickly, many people are getting plans in line for their "New Year - New You" ambitions! We are excited to tell you about one business that is ready to kickoff the New year with a bang! In our December 29 segment, we will highlight Innovative Lasers of Houston to learn how this company may be able to help you jump start your 2021 fitness goals!

It's no secret that the holiday season can produce extra unwanted weight gain. Learn how Innovative Lasers of Houston may be able to help you lose inches in just a few weeks. Innovative Lasers of Houston is dedicated to helping you along in your fitness journey by providing you with a customized plan designed to fit your individual goals and needs. They specialize in using the Zerona Laser to target areas where you would like to see fat reduction and "inch loss". This can be completed quickly, which means it can be done at a time that fits your busy schedule.

To learn more, watch the segment or visit their website: innovativelasersofhouston.com

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