Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 670«..1020..669670671672..680690..»

Home » Page 670

Before Covid-19, an ordinary evening for Tim Ludford, a charity worker, looked something like this: after-work drinks with colleagues; an Uber home; a takeaway. Not healthy takeaways, either, says Ludford, 37, from London. He would polish off a curry for two people before nailing a bag of Maltesers or a packet of biscuits.

Ludfords relationship with food began to deteriorate after the death from cancer of his father in 2013. I was unhappy, first of all, and I was bingeing on food and alcohol as a coping mechanism, he says. A lot of it was related to my dad, but I was also stuck in a rut and food was an easy way to make myself feel good. By the time lockdown was introduced, he was severely obese, with a BMI of 40. (A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, according to the NHS.) Sometimes Id do crazy things, he says. If I was on the way to meet someone for dinner, Id go to KFC on the way. And then Id eat dinner as well.

Then Covid-19 hit. Ludford was too scared of the transmission risk to order a takeaway. The pubs were not open. I started cooking at home, he says. Soups, salads healthy stuff. He was furloughed and began to struggle with anxiety, in part related to the pandemic, but also related to his health. His dad had had a heart attack before he died, and Ludford began to panic that he would, too. The sudden death of a friend from a heart condition, in April, sent him to a dark place. It was like all this anxiety I had been pushing away, about my health and my weight, suddenly opened a crack, he says. And, because I was on furlough, I had time to focus on it. Everything fell apart. My brain decided that this was my comeuppance: I was going to have a heart attack, as payback for the irresponsible lifestyle Id been leading.

Ludford spoke to a GP about his anxiety, who recommended exercise and referred him for counselling. So, he started walking: 2km became 5km became 10km, he says. And he exercised to videos he found on YouTube. At first, he could not manage a single burpee, but after a few months, he was flinging himself on and off the floor with ease. The exercise was the only thing that really helped me to get a handle on my anxiety, he says. Exercise kept the wheels on the bus. Seven months on, Ludford has lost 34kg (5st 5lb) and is no longer severely obese. But the weight loss is secondary to his mental wellbeing he feels like himself again. Everything came together at the same time, he says. Lockdown was the trigger.

While lockdown was a period of indulgence for many of us who can blame anyone for looking at a world in freefall, with political leaders squabbling like children, and reaching for the biscuit tin? the enforced stillness of 2020 gave some people the time and headspace to embrace a more active lifestyle. Freed from the shackles of the commute and the lure of late-night pub sessions, an overhaul was in reach. Fiona Gillison, a chartered psychologist and behaviour-change expert at the University of Bath, says: The pandemic reduced the barriers that many people have to leading healthier lifestyles by giving them more time at home or dedicated time to exercise.

Gillison believes that the fact the government made exercise one of the only exemptions from the Covid-19 restrictions during lockdown helped reinforce the notion that it was a priority, even during a pandemic. We were allowed out for one hour a day for exercise, and that was one of the only things we were allowed to do, she says. Thats quite strong public health messaging. In effect, the government was saying: Look, this is worth leaving the house for; this is worth the risk. Exercise also became social: families traipsing out for walks together, friends meeting for a hike.

Plus, during lockdown, there was not much else to do. Sue Wild, 67, a retired midwife from Birmingham, says: I thought to myself: what else am I doing? I might as well try to get fit. Wild has never been an exercise fan: she completed the NHSs Couch to 5K app a few years ago, for a bet, but it did not stick. This summer, for want of anything to do, she downloaded it again and started running once more. It was strange, she says. I never enjoyed it before. But I think, because Im not going out as much, its nice to have a bit of time to look around and feel like things are normal.

Initially, I was only doing this because I had nothing to do. But it went on for so long that it became a habit

The pandemic is more dangerous for older people, obese people and those with underlying health conditions. I know that Covid-19 isnt going anywhere, says Wild, who is just outside the age bracket (70-plus) in which she would be most at risk from the virus. So, I have to be the fittest that I can be. I just feel like, if I did get it, Id want to give myself the best shot possible for a good recovery.

She is not alone. A recent study from University College London, which tracked 5,395 people via a smartphone app, found that over-65s were among the most active of all the groups surveyed throughout lockdown and increased their physical activity levels the most once the lockdown restrictions were eased. It was also the only age group to become more active during the pandemic than beforehand.

In July, prompted largely by the prime ministers spell in intensive care Johnson believes he was hospitalised with the virus due to his weight the government announced an anti-obesity strategy. (Critics pointed out that the measures did little to address the structural reasons for obesity, such as inequality.) The messaging appears to be working, at least for Ludford. I am very aware of how obesity is a risk factor, he says. That was a big motivation to get down to a healthy BMI.

For Shae Eccleston, 42, a consultant from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, it was a way to sort out her chronic insomnia, not just for her own health, but so that she could be there for her family. Five members of her family fell ill with Covid-19 at the same time her mum, her grandfather, her grandmother and two aunts. I was doing a lot of supermarket shops and making sure they were taken care of, she says. I just knew that I could not afford to get sick. I had to be resting. I couldnt afford to be knocked down as well.

Before the pandemic, she averaged two to four hours sleep a night. Ive always been bad at sleeping. My mum says that, even when I was a baby, I was always awake. It was a good night, if I fell asleep before the sun came up, she says. But her familys brush with Covid-19 thankfully, everyone pulled through was a wakeup call. Now, she puts her phone on Do Not Disturb, listens to ASMR videos, and has made her bedroom a screen-free zone. (Previously, she would often work on her laptop in bed.) Ive been getting a good six hours sleep a night, she says. To other people, thats nothing. But its huge for me.

It is easier to form better habits if your lifestyle has been upended. Covid disrupted all of our routines, says Gillison. When you have to create a new routine, your old habits are disrupted and youre more in charge of how you shape your own life. That will play a role in why people may be embracing healthier behaviours. Covid-19 acted as a jolt for many. Ludford had tried dry January and health kicks before, but nothing stuck. Suddenly, going on as normal wasnt an option, he says. Before, Id been able to live a certain lifestyle. And then this big interruption came along. Eccleston, too, thinks she would have continued in her old ways late-night phone calls to friends, working in her bedroom until the early hours were it not for the shock of lockdown. Suddenly, everything changed and I got a new mindset, she says.

When so much is out of your hands, exercise is something you can control. Theres something about the sense of autonomy you get from exercise, says Gillison. Youre doing it for your own reasons, rather than because someone told you to. With Ludford on furlough, exercise gave him a sense of drive and purpose. Ive felt so stuck this year, he says. You cant plan ahead in your life the way you want to or are used to. Exercise has enabled me to focus on a series of goals that I can achieve.

For many people, upping their exercise helped them deal with the stress and anxiety of living through a pandemic. I know my own mental health quite well, says Tom Firth, 33, a teacher from Yorkshire. If I dont do something productive with my day, I start to dislike myself. Before lockdown, he often worked 12-hour shifts, treating the summer holidays as a period for recharging. Id think that I should be healthier, but I never had the time, so I just gradually ignored it and got more and more unfit, he says.

In Firths defence, British people work some of the longest hours in Europe an average of 42 hours a week in 2018, two hours more than the EU average and the equivalent of an extra two and a half weeks a year. Studies have shown that working longer hours is bad for your mental and physical health, contributing to physical inactivity and an increased risk of depression. In the early weeks of Covid-19, Firth took advantage of his downtime to watch appalling amounts of TV: The entirety of Tiger King in an afternoon, that sort of thing.

But he could feel his mental health deteriorating, so he got on his exercise bike. Firth set himself the goal of cycling 1,000 miles a month, tracking his miles on a spreadsheet. During the Tour de France, he cycled along; now, he watches Parks and Recreation on the bike. Firth credits his exercise regimen with giving him the resilience to get through the pandemic. He has also lost 20kg. Exercising for an hour a day has done wonders for my mental health, he says. It releases all these lovely chemicals. Its literally addictive.

Will these habits stick when people return to their old lifestyles? Firth thinks so: even though the new school year has started, he is keeping to his routine. Initially, I was only doing this because I had nothing to do, he says. But it went on for so long that it became a habit. And Im proud of that. The best way to make anything stick is to build it into your everyday routine. It is much easier to do something over the long term if it becomes a habit, says Gillison. Habits occur when youve already done the decision-making, so the cue to act becomes an automatic part of your day.

She also recommends that people embark on diet or fitness changes with friends, for motivation and accountability. Social support is key, Gillison says. Finding someone to do the activity with, in person or virtually, or even just showing interest and encouraging you to keep going, is helpful, she says.

After gaining 3.6kg during lockdown, Wild has been following the NHS weight loss plan, a diet devised by doctors to help people lose weight at a safe and sustainable rate, with her husband. Ive tried to lose weight before, but it was a nightmare, making two meals and having all this tempting food around, she says. Whats been great this time is having my husband do it with me. I want to get fit for my older age, Wild says. I dont feel old at all. But I know that Covid is worse if youre older, and overweight.

Gillison warns that health anxiety is not in itself enough to sustain a long-term change: it is easy to become complacent once the initial alarm has worn off. The public will hear the message that Covid is more dangerous for the obese and it will get them out of the door a few times, she says. But unless they find something they enjoy doing, it will be a short-term fix.

The most important way to make fitness a habit is to make it fun. We are only able to make ourselves do something for a short amount of time, says Gillison. Its hard to stick at something you find unpleasant, plus you dont get the benefits in terms of the sense of wellbeing when youre doing something you dont like. So, if lockdown was a time of experimentation with various activities, pick the one you enjoyed.

Ludford is confident that he wont slip back into old ways. Ive seen such a huge change in my life, he says. Covid gave me the opportunity to focus on the things that were undermining my mental health. Im not going to go back to how things were before. Its been transformational.

Continue reading here:
I got a whole new mindset: the health secrets of people who got much fitter in lockdown - The Guardian

Read More..

Photo credit: Aarika Chesky

From Women's Health

My name is Aarika Chesky (@aarikas_journey), and I am 28 years old. I live in East Greenbush, New York, and I am an office assistant for the state. After having second thoughts about weight-loss surgery, I learned how to count macros for weight loss and stayed low-carb, losing over 70 pounds in 10 months.

Since I was a child, I can vividly remember my obsession with weight. Comparing who I was to each person around me was a daily occurrence. My mother and grandmother were always on some fad diet or weight-loss program, so the focus on the scale was a constant in my household.

As I got older, the weight continued to pile on. While I would try to lose weight, I just wasnt educated or motivated enough on how to do it successfully and sustainably. I had an unhealthy relationship with food, which eventually turned into a binge eating disorder.

I became (unexpectedly) pregnant my senior year of high school in 2010, and I gained more weight. After I gave birth to my daughter, I reentered the cycle yo-yo dieting. For years I tried to lose the weight, even losing 30 pounds in 2014, just to gain it all back (plus some) shortly after.

I thought I so desperately needed this tool to live a healthier life. I started doing all the pre-requirements for surgery: appointments, lab work, psych evaluation, sleep study, etc. But as I inched my way closer to becoming approved for surgery, an underlying fear kept surfacing. Ive seen first hand the complications of weight-loss surgery and the downsides some people experience with it.

In the end, after all the time and money spent, I decided that weight-loss surgery wasnt the path I wanted to take and walked away.

If Im being totally transparent, I was at a real low during that time. I was in the process of divorcing my husband, and as a result, my daughter and I had to move back home with family. I had hit my highest weight (278 pounds), had zero self-confidence, and my mental health was suffering.

Story continues

After attending my best friend's birthday party on November 30, 2019, I decided it was time to take back control of my life and my happiness. I had been living in heartbreak and darkness for too long.

Over the course of my life, I have tried calorie counting, Weight Watchers, the Grapefruit diet, keto, you name it. I was unsuccessful with most. While I saw immediate results with the keto diet, I found that it wasnt sustainable for me. I decided I would move forward with counting macros and eating low-carb (I stay below 100 grams of carbs per day). Ive also stayed mindful of my sugar and sodium intake and do my best to keep those numbers reasonable.

As long as I can fit food options like bread and ice cream into my daily macros, I dont feel any guilt from eating them. Finding balance has been key to my weight loss, given that I could never totally remove ice cream and bread from my life!

Lunch: Lately Ive been eating sandwiches for lunch, either bologna and cheese or tuna with a cheese stick on the side. Soup is also a great lunch option.

Snacks: Premier Protein shake, cashews and/or peanuts, or a cheese stick.

Dinner: Chicken breast (seasoned with Franks Red Hot seasoning mix) and a side veggie, like spinach, carrots, or corn.

Dessert: Dark chocolate.

I was obsessed with The Fitness Marshall (@thefitnessmarshall) on YouTube! I made a playlist of his videos and primarily used them as my main source of exercise.

After a couple months of home workouts, I decided I was ready to go to the gym. I had gone fewer than a handful of times before COVID-19 struck our country. But now, since gyms in my area have reopened, I find myself at my Planet Fitness three to four times a week for cardio and weights.

These three small changes have made a huge impact on my overall weight loss.

I bought a food scale and weighed all my food. This alone was a game changer. You really dont realize how much the serving size measurements on nutrition labels differ when being weighed in grams compared to measuring out cups or tablespoons. Using a scale definitely allows you to be more precise when tracking food.

I stopped drinking my macros. Ive never been a fan of coffee or hot tea. However, I love soda, sweet tea, and milkshakes. While I indulge in those drinks on special occasions, Ive limited their presence in my day-to-day life. I would much rather use my daily macros towards food than beverages. I strictly focus on my water intake and aim for 130 oz. or more per day.

I took progress pictures. Taking progress pictures was one of the *best* things I couldve done for myself! It can become so difficult to notice body changes when you look at yourself every day. Its not until you compare photos side by side that you begin to see yourself morph. After months of hard work, I looked in the mirror and felt defeated. I felt like I was getting nowhere. It wasnt until I compared my day-one photo with my day-90 photo that my eyes opened.

Losing weight has been incredibly refreshing. I feel like Aarika 2.0! Im healthier, happier, and more confident than ever. This journey has taken a ton of hard work and patience, but it was 100 percent worth it. Im able to be more active and keep up with my daughter. I was able to ride a rollercoaster over the summer without fear of fitting in the seat or fear of the safety harness not clicking shut. Im living my life with less anxiety, and its absolutely incredible.

For those who are just starting their journey, be patient and kind to yourself. I was in your shoes once. But Im telling you, if you dig deep, youll accomplish the goals you set for yourself. One of my favorite quotes is: You were given this life because youre strong enough to live it. So go live it, babes.

You Might Also Like

View original post here:
'Buying A Food Scale Was My Weight-Loss Game ChangerAnd I've Lost 70+ Lbs. In 10 Months' - Yahoo Lifestyle

Read More..

Alcohol consumption is on the rise, even though happy hour at bars and restaurants is on hold in many parts of the world. When COVID-19 stay-at-home orders went into effect back in March, during just one week, national alcohol sales increased 54 percent compared with the same week in 2019, and three out of every four adults began consuming alcohol one more day per month year over year, according to a letter published in September 2020 in the journal JAMA Network Open.

You may not think drinking more during the pandemic sounds bad because having a glass of wine with dinner is good for your heart, right? But its not that good, according to some research. Ameta-analysis published in August 2018 in The Lancet found that while alcohol has been shown to provide some protective factors for heart disease and diabetes among women, the positive effects were offset by the fact that alcohol can increase the risk of cancer, accidents, and communicable disease. It seemsthe answer to the question of whether drinking even in moderation is healthy varies depending on whom you ask.

RELATED: Is Red Wine Actually Good for You?

Plus, all that extra imbibing likely isnt aiding any slim-down efforts. Its important to note that alcohol consumption can impact our metabolism and make weight loss more challenging, says Lori Zanini, RD, a certified diabetes care and education specialist based in Dana Point, California.

Alcohol contains empty calories and doesnt provide any nutrients for your body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Alcohol can not only cause a water weight increase, but its also full of calories, so your actual weight can go up, too, says Amanda A. Kostro Miller, RD, a Chicago-based advisory board member for Fitter Living, a consumer website that offers fitness resources. The other issue is that once people start drinking alcohol, they tend to lose track of their health and weight goals. Maybe your plans to have only one drink turn into two or three or four drinks, or you find yourself reaching for unhealthy foods once the alcohol kicks in. According to a previous study, the more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to make poor food choices.

So how can you fight back if youre concerned about your weight but dont want to abstain completely? Think of alcohol as a treat. Choose dessert or alcohol for the night, not both, Kostro Miller says.

The usual advice is to drink in moderation. Moderation is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men. That extra drink for men may be slashed soon, though. Experts behind theJuly 2020Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee called for these guidelines to be changed this year to recommend no more than one drink per day for men. Time will tell whether the recommendation becomes an official guideline. But if youre trying to lose weight, its a good idea to limit your drinking even more, because, as the aforementioned report states, drinking less is always healthier than drinking more.

Youll want to ensure that your overall relationship with alcohol is healthy, too. The previously mentioned JAMA Open Network letter noted that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to or worsen mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, which may already be on the rise due to COVID-19. Be sure you're enjoying it and not just drinking out of habit or in order to forget about real problems that should be addressed in other ways, says Kelly Jones, RD, a certified specialist in sports dietetics based in Philadelphia.

RELATED: Boxed In: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health

Here are the best and worst types of alcohol to drink if youre watching your weight.

Enjoying a glass of red wine with dinner has long been considered a healthy move because of its purported heart-healthy benefits. According to Harvard Health Publishing, the idea can be traced back to the 1980s. And though theres never been a long-term randomized trial that proved some of these claims, a dry red wine (like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah) is one of the lower-calorie adult beverages you can reach for, Zanini says. A 5-ounce (oz) glass of red wine has about 105 calories, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

If youre in the mood for beer, go light. Its another low-calorie option, Zanini says. Youll save about 40 to 55 calories in a 12 oz serving compared with a regular beer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

RELATED: How to Avoid Weight Gain When Youre Cooped Up Indoors

A 3 oz serving of dry vermouth contains 105 calories, according to MedlinePlus. And while youll generally find it mixed into a martini or a Manhattan, you can save calories by sipping it neat. The reasonable calorie count isnt the only reason to reach for it. Some researchhas found dry vermouth contains significantly more polyphenols than white wine. Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds in plants that have been shown to help regulate metabolism, weight, and chronic disease, according to astudy published September 2018 in Frontiers in Nutrition. Keep in mind, however, that there havent been any peer-reviewed human studies on the health benefits of drinking dry vermouth, so its unclear whether this possible benefit outweighs the general risks of drinking alcohol.

Whether youre into vodka or tequila, gin or whiskey, theres no real difference in calories or carbohydrates they all have about 100 calories in a 1.5-ounce serving, according to MedlinePlus. Your best bet when sipping alcohol is to have it straight, or with sparkling water or club soda, Zanini suggests. Thats because a whiskey drink, for example, can quickly go from a 100-calorie drink to 300 plus when you add sugary, high-calorie mixers.

RELATED: White Claw and Other Spiked Seltzer Is Popular, but Is It Healthy?

Youll save about 35 calories per serving by choosing bubbly over a sweet white wine, according to MedlinePlus. A 4 oz glass of Champagne has 85 calories. And while that might not sound like much, its also possible that youll feel fuller and turn down that second drink as a result of the carbonation. Asmall study published in the Tokyo-based Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found that women reported feeling more full after drinking sparkling water compared with flat.

Fancy mixed drinks might sound good, but theyre often loaded with calories. A Long Island Iced Tea, for example, will set you back about 500 calories in one 8 oz glass, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Thats more calories than youll find in a double cheeseburger from McDonalds.

RELATED: Alcohol-Related Deaths Are on the Rise, Study Shows

A sunny beach day calls you toward strawberry daiquiris and pia coladas but watch out if slimming down your waistline is your goal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, both daiquiris and pia coladas have about 280 calories per 5 oz serving.

A 12-ounce craft beer runs about 170 calories (or more), according to MedlinePlus. The reason for this difference when compared with commercial beers is they often have extra ingredients and carbs that amp up their flavor. Additionally, these beers tend to have higher alcohol content than widely distributed store-bought beers, and more alcohol means more calories.

RELATED: The Best and Worst Alcoholic Beverages on the Keto Diet

Keep in mind: Mocktails are always an option. Going liquor-free is the ultimate way to cut back on alcohol calories. But youll still need to keep an eye on whats going into the mocktails and choose a low-, or better yet, no-calorie water or sparkling water drink with lime, Kostro Miller suggests. If you do choose to drink alcohol on a given night, she says its a good idea to alternate between an alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink to keep your calorie intake in check. This will spread out the calories from alcohol and keep you hydrated, she says.

See the original post here:
8 Best and Worst Types of Alcohol for Weight Loss - Everyday Health

Read More..

Weight loss isn't easy on your own. But with a little help from your friends or more probably your partner, since most friends are just not that into you losing weight and keeping it off can be made easier.

No, it doesn't involve having lots of very vigorous sex although that will also help you burn calories and generally feel better, so don't let us stop you. But if you have a significant other or close friend who's happy to assist in your weight loss journey, recent research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2020 states that, "weight loss is most successful... when partners join in the effort to diet.

It's all about mutual support and healthy eating. Cos that's what friends are for.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This research was actually carried out on heart attack survivors, so the desired outcome was more serious than just wanting to still wear your old jeans. A total of 824 patients were randomly assigned to either the 'intervention group', which included lifestyle programmes on top of usual care, or the 'control group': people who received the usual care alone. People in the intervention group 411 people in total were referred to up to three lifestyle programmes for weight reduction, physical activity, and smoking cessation depending on their needs and preferences.

Partners of patients who were in the intervention group could attend programmes for free and nurses encouraged them to participate too, so there was a bit of social pressure on partners to take part. Nearly half (48%) of partners participated in the lifestyle interventions, although it is worth mentioning that 'partner participation' was defined as attending these programmes at least once.

Fitbit Aria Air Smart Bathroom Scale - White | Buy it for 49.99 at AmazonTrack changes in your weight and BMI using the Fitbit Aria Air. All data is fed back to the Fitbit App where you can further analyse all your body metrics using easy-to-understand charts. The Fitbit Aria Air runs on three triple-A batteries and measures weight up to 180 kilos (around 28.5 stones).View Deal

The results speak for themselves: "compared to those without a partner, patients with a participating partner were more than twice as likely (odds ratio 2.45) to improve in at least one of the three areas (weight loss, exercise, smoking cessation) within a year." Of the three groups, the most significant results were observed in the 'weight loss' sub-group: "patients with a participating partner were most successful in reducing weight compared to patients without a partner (odds ratio 2.71)."

Study author Ms. Lotte Verweij said, Couples often have comparable lifestyles and changing habits is difficult when only one person is making the effort. Practical issues come into play, such as grocery shopping, but also psychological challenges, where a supportive partner may help maintain motivation.

The main takeaway here is to consider the social aspect of dieting as well as the biological one. Going on a special diet often means people will eat different foods at different times, all of which can affect others around them. A supportive partner and social environment could result in a smoother transition to healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

Read more:
There's a way to make weight loss easier and it involves your partner (no, it's not sex) - T3

Read More..

The instructors who take the classes alsooffer personal training (handy for beginners or those with injuries. My PT, Evan, was the reason I gothooked, teaching me all of the foundational moves thoroughly so that I had the confidence to move on to some of the more advanced classes. Interestingly, having a personal trainer over Zoom is surprisingly effective, making me ponder the point of going back to a sweaty gym environment in the future.

I particularlyenjoyed thelive classes that you can book in advance. I did a mix of the original Strength and Sculpt, a slow, muscle toning class andCardio Burn for a faster paced class- although weirdly, both make you sweat, even when you're standing still which for me was a sign that it was working. If you're in an office during the day, there are dozens of pre-recorded exercise programmesavailable to stream from the site, which came in handy when I was on holiday and couldn't commit to a liveclass.

Pvolve is great for anyone slumped at a desk all day and for those who want to firm up, improve their posture and lose weight, without impacting theirjoints or incurring pain. Keep it up and you can expect a dancers body, at any age. I lost 10 pounds over three months and a bottom that's a fractionhigher than it was when I started (at 47, thesmall wins are gratifying).

With a key emphasis on results, the sports science trained instructors describe each exercise in detail so you know what muscles you are working and reason why youare working them. A tonne of celebrities from Rochelle Humes to Lisa Snowden swear by this method.

Continue reading here:
The best no-gym workouts to lose weight and tone up, over 40 - Telegraph.co.uk

Read More..

Control your weight to lower stroke risk: 5 diet, fitness tips to help you shed pounds and keep them off  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Strokes, as we know, can be fatal. But, theres a lot you can do to lower your chances of having a brain attack. Health experts said keeping your weight in check is an important factor to lower your risk of certain health conditions, including stroke and high blood pressure. If you think that youre overweight, losing as little as 5-10 per cent of your starting weight can be beneficial for your health. Regular exercise along with a balanced diet and other healthier lifestyle changes can help keep diseases at bay, enabling you to lead a healthier, fitter life.

A stroke can be described as a brain attack that one may suffer because the blood supply to the part of the brain is stopped or reduced, and the brain cells die. It is a medical emergency and may cause long-term disability or, in some cases, even death. People with certain health conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes are at a higher risk of suffering from a stroke. Similarly, smoking is dangerous and also can be one of the risk factors. Yet, there are many risk factors that you can control. Guidelines for stroke prevention suggest that a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating well and exercising regularly, can cut the risk 80 per cent.

An active lifestyle will not only help you minimise your risk of a having stroke. Regular physical activity has immense health benefits.

Exercising every day can bring your blood pressure numbers down. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for stroke and has to be controlled before it makes your life miserable. Not only this, but you will also be able to tackle obesity, cholesterol, and even diabetes if you stay active and keep moving. Various studies have also confirmed that exercise can prevent stroke and help people to stay healthy, said Dr Shirish M Hastak, Regional Director, Neurology, Stroke and Neurocritical Care, Global Hospital, Mumbai.

Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet can help you lose weight and stay fit.

Apart from regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, you must give up on smoking and alcohol. Also, awareness should be created among the masses regarding stroke and its life-threatening consequences. Not many people know about a stroke. So, today try to educate one more person regarding this dangerous condition.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Follow this link:
Control your weight to lower stroke risk: 5 diet, fitness tips to help you shed pounds and keep them off - Times Now

Read More..

Nutrition for Longevity is a farm-to-table delivery service that makes it easy to enjoy fresh, organic meals right at home.

It offers both fully prepared meals and kits to make your own dishes at home, with programs available for either 3 or 5 days per week.

With several subscriptions and meal plans to choose from, its also easy to find an option that works for just about anyone.

This article reviews everything you need to know about Nutrition for Longevity, including how it works and who should try it.

Nutrition for Longevity is a meal delivery program thats based on the principles of the Longevity Diet.

Originally developed by Dr. Valter Longo, the Longevity Diet is a program intended to slow aging, fight disease, and enhance overall health by making modifications to your diet.

Nutrition for Longevity is a subscription-based service that has several plans available with a selection of fully prepared dishes and meal kits.

Both their vegan and pescatarian programs include plant-forward dishes, which feature produce grown directly on the companys farm.

Their menu is designed to ensure that youre getting at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables and 25 grams of fiber per day.

They also have a team of registered dietitians and offer a complimentary nutrition counseling session for all new customers.

Nutrition for Longevity provides 3 or 5 days of meals per week and offers a rotating set menu designed with options to fit vegan or pescatarian diets.

Each day includes a fully prepared breakfast and lunch, which consists of a smoothie with ancient grain oats and a fresh and healthy salad.

Their starter kit also provides ingredients for an easy-to-cook dinner, which can be prepared in 30 minutes or less using a simple recipe that they provide.

The starter kit includes 3 days of meals for either 1 or 2 people per week, with 1,600 or 2,000 calories daily.

They also offer Heat & Serve meal plans, which include fully prepared meals that are ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes.

Heat & Serve meal kits are available for 3 or 5 days per week and contain either 1 or 2 servings each. You can also select 2 or 3 meals per day and can choose kits that provide either 1,200 or 1,600 calories.

All fruits and vegetables used in Nutrition for Longevity meal kits are sourced directly from the companys regenerative farm.

Produce is grown using non-GMO, certified organic seeds from specialty suppliers to provide the highest quality ingredients possible.

Pescatarian meal kits also contain nutrient-dense, wild-caught fish.

A full list of ingredients is available for each meal online.

Nutrition for Longevity recipes are created by a team of chefs and dietitians to provide a balance of both flavor and nutrition.

Not only do all dishes feature a wide array of diverse fruits and vegetables, but they also contain a variety of herbs and seasonings to help ramp up the flavor.

Boxes also contain ice packs and insulation to maximize freshness during transit.

Nutrition for Longevity offers meal kits for both vegan and pescatarian diets.

Meals are all gluten-free, which should make them suitable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

However, the companys website doesnt specify whether they can ensure that theres no risk of cross-contamination. If you have a severe gluten allergy, you may want to contact Nutrition for Longevity to learn more about their practices.

The service is also a great choice for those who limit their sodium intake, as daily menus all contain less than 2,300 mg of sodium.

Plus, all meals are free of dairy, eggs, and peanuts. Vegan meal kits are free of fish and shellfish. Any major food allergens found in meals are noted on the ingredients list.

However, many meals do contain grains and legumes, which may not be ideal for those following paleo, ketogenic, or Whole30 diets.

Nutrition for Longevity is designed to promote long-term, sustainable weight loss naturally.

In fact, each meal kit includes at least 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, which can be beneficial for both weight loss and overall health (1).

According to one review of 10 studies, higher intake of vegetables was linked to increased weight loss and a reduced risk of weight gain over time (2).

Nutrition for Longevity meal plans are also rich in fiber, which moves slowly through your body to reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness (3).

One study found that fiber intake was associated with increased weight loss and greater success with sticking to dietary recommendations in 345 people with overweight or obesity on a low calorie diet (4).

Furthermore, decreasing the number of calories that you consume each day can also be an effective strategy to help promote weight loss (5).

Nutrition for Longevity allows you to select from meal plans with varying numbers of calories when placing your order, which makes it easy to adjust your plan based on your goals.

Keep in mind that calorie needs differ from person to person. If weight loss is your goal, talk with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian about your calorie needs, or use a calorie calculator to get some guidance.

Prices for Nutrition for Longevity vary depending on the specific plan and number of meals and servings that you select.

For example, 3-day starter kits cost $113$246 each week.

Meanwhile, Heat & Serve meals range from $108$195 per week.

Any applicable shipping costs are also calculated upon checkout.

There are several meal delivery services on the market that are similar to Nutrition for Longevity.

Sakara, for example, is a high end meal delivery service that offers fully prepared, plant-based meals designed to support health.

Like Nutrition for Longevity, Sakara features a rotating weekly menu and allows you to select the number of days and meals that you would like to receive.

However, Sakara is a bit pricier than Nutrition for Longevity and doesnt offer any pescatarian options.

Daily Harvest is another popular option that provides a variety of plant-based foods and drinks, which you can order individually to create your own custom menu.

Although Daily Harvest doesnt offer any pescatarian dishes, youre able to select your meals, and all dishes require little to no preparation.

Nutrition for Longevity is a great choice for people who want to include more high quality ingredients in their diet and save time on meal prep each week.

It may also be a good option for people hoping to improve their health or lose weight by making modifications to their diet.

However, it may not be a good fit for those on a tight budget, as its a bit more expensive than many other similar services.

Because theres currently no option available to choose which specific meals you receive each week, it also may not be ideal for picky eaters or those with certain dietary restrictions.

Nutrition for Longevity is a meal delivery service that offers nutritious and plant-forward dishes, with both vegan and pescatarian options available.

There are several subscription options, and plans are specifically formulated to provide a balanced assortment of important nutrients.

Although it may not be a good fit for everyone, Nutrition for Longevity is a great option for people looking for an easy and convenient way to add more fresh, flavorful, and healthy meals into their daily routine.

Get started with Nutrition for Longevity here.

More:
Nutrition for Longevity Review: Should You Try It? - Healthline

Read More..

Newswise The use of bariatric surgery to treat severe obesity in adolescents, and the racial disparities in access to that treatment, were analyzed in a retrospective study published inAnnals of Surgeryby researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

Nearly19%of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese. Because many obese children become obese adults, childhood obesity can be linked to mortality and morbidity in adulthood, making it one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Ethnic minority groups have the highest rates of severe obesity in the country.

Its no surprise that childhood obesity has been a challenge in this country from both a public health and clinical standpoint for decades, saidSarah Messiah, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study and professor of epidemiology, human genetics, and environmental sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas. What is most alarming is that over the past five to 10 years, we have seen an increase in those who have severe obesity. This group of patients is growing at three times the pace of adolescents who are obese.

Pediatricians often suggest lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet to reduce calorie intake and increased physical activity. However, dietary and behavioral changes alone have not been proven to be successful in treating children and adolescents with severe obesity.

Messiah and other researchers suggested in the paper that bariatric surgery, commonly known as weight loss surgery, in combination with lifestyle changes, could be the best option for treating severely obese adolescents.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the use of bariatric surgery in adolescents because evidence shows that it works and is safe. Pharmaceutical treatment options are very limited and have mixed results, and unfortunately for those who are already severely obese, lifestyle changes wont be enough, Messiah said.

Bariatric surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that alters the stomach or intestines to help obese patients lose weight.

By obtaining data from the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, researchers found that although obese adolescents are turning to weight loss surgery as a way to lose a significant amount of weight, many of those who are severely obese, especially Hispanic and Black adolescents, are not being offered that treatment option.

There is a big disconnect between those who are getting the surgery and those who need it. Research has shown that this is a safe and effective way to help these children get their life on track, but the issue is bariatric surgery is not being utilized to treat obesity among ethnic minority groups, Messiah said.

According to the study, more than 10% of Hispanic and Black youth suffer from severe obesity in the U.S., yet their rates of completing weight loss surgery are well below that of white youth. Data used by researchers show that in 2018, 68.5% of youth who completed bariatric surgery were white, versus 18.5% Hispanic and 15.5% Black youth.

More pediatricians need to refer these patients to surgeons if they are a good candidate to help get their patients on a healthier path, Messiah said.

Although bariatric surgery is an invasive treatment option, and perhaps not an agreeable weight loss solution for many youth and their families, Messiah says it is an evidence-based safe option. Research shows that readmission into hospitals post-surgery due to any complications is low. Out of surgeries performed between 2017 and 2018, only 3.4% of youth patients were readmitted to the hospital, Messiah said.

Despite potential risks, Messiah said adolescents face diabetes, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, and psychological issues including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that studies have found are associated with severe obesity in youth.

Most recently, studies have shown that both adult and pediatric patients with obesity are at a high risk of severe illness or death if they were to contract COVID-19.

The bottom line is, most adolescents will not lose the weight on their own, and utilizing bariatric surgery is a safe and effective way to help treat this problem before it is too late, Messiah said. We need to start intervening earlier so that they can enter adulthood healthier.

Additional UTHealth authors include Luyu Xie, PharmD; Folefac Atem, PhD; Matthew S. Mathew, MS; and Faisal G. Qureshi, MD. Benjamin E. Schneider, MD, with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz, MD, with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine were also co-authors.

Original post:
Researchers uncover health disparities in childhood obesity and access to treatments - Newswise

Read More..

Fighting in the UFC is tough, but for many fighters, the actual fight isnt the hard part. Weight cutting is extremely common in the UFC, and while the process can be healthy and easy, its often not. Heres a look at what happened to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Uriah Hall, and other top UFC fighters during some of their weight cuts.

For many Americans, the idea of cutting weight is simple. Just eat healthier foods and exercise more and youll be losing weight in no time. Thats not the case for professional fighters who already eat healthy and exercise a lot, however.

Every fighter in the UFC needs to weigh a certain amount before their fight, and if they miss weight, they can get punished. And, since theyre already eating healthy and exercising, they need to do even more to lose weight.

Thats why UFC fighters will do a weight cut in the week before their fight. This weight cut process typically involves dehydrating themselves so that they can lose water weight. According to Popular Science, Paige VanZant, who fought in the 115-pound womens strawweight division, cut 23 pounds of weight in just 10 days, and most of that was water.

Other fighters could cut more, and others could cut less, but the results are typically the same. The fighters make weight, they rehydrate to normal levels, and then they fight.

But, Popular Science wrote that about 39% of fighters go into a fight while still being dehydrated, and that could not only hurt their performance, but also their health. Additionally, this weight cutting process can also do long-term bodily damage, according to Popular Science.

Nurmagomedov is no stranger to weight cut issues, but before his fight against Conor McGregor, his weight cut problems reared its ugly head once again. According to talkSport, Nurmagomedov claimed that he suffered seizures while he was cutting weight for his fight against McGregor. Nobody knew about this at the time, and he only shared this story after the fight was over.

I had seizures and I felt very ill. But if I lost I would not tell you about this. Because that would have been an excuse, Nurmagomedov said. He credited his psychological toughness for allowing him to get through the weight cut and dominate McGregor during their fight.

Uriah Hall had a worse experience with weight cuts, however. According to MMAfighting, in 2018, he pulled out of a fight after he suffered some of the more serious side effects of weight cutting.

Hall said, I was conscious, but I was unconscious. I think I had a mini seizure and at the same time a slight heart attack. My kidneys were just not good. Hall then said that his doctor told him that he couldve died if he had fought after cutting weight.

RELATED: Theres 1 UFC Fight Dana White Is Afraid To Book

For many fighters,The Ultimate Fighter is a reality show that allows them a chance at becoming the UFCs next big star. However, for Steve Montgomery, that just wasnt meant to be.

According to Fox Sports, while preparing for a fight, he suffered a seizure and had to be hospitalized.He had suffered complications from weight cutting, and unfortunately for him, this resulted in his removal from the show.

While seizures and slight heart attacks are possible, its also possible for a fighter to die during a weight cut. Thats exactly what happened in ONE FC, a major Asian MMA promotion.

After that tragedy, ONE FC changed its weight cutting rules so that another death wouldnt happen again, but that wont prevent weight cutting deaths from happening elsewhere.

Original post:
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Uriah Halls Traumatic Seizures May Reveal Dangers of Cutting Weight in the UFC - Sportscasting

Read More..

Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 50, shedding extra weight is tough. If you've tried before and fell short of your goal, it can be hard to stay motivated.

But you don't necessarily need to lose a ton of weight to experience health benefits, says Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center.

In fact, research shows losing as little as 5% of your body weight can improve your health in many ways. Here are 10 proven health benefits of weight loss and tips for how to lose weight safely.

Losing weight improves insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes, says Preeti Pusalkar, a certified clinical nutritionist with Hudson Medical Center, a primary care provider in New York City.

Excess body fat leads to an increase in adipose tissue, which causes inflammation and interferes with the function of insulin the hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Weight loss reduces adipose tissue, which allows the body to manage blood sugar more effectively. Plus, you don't have to lose that much weight to see results. Research has found that just a 5% reduction in body weight improved blood sugar levels in adults.

Losing weight can also improve heart health by reducing pressure on arteries, meaning the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood through the body. The result is lower blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels the "bad" kind of cholesterol that can increase your risk of heart disease, Pusalkar says.

And it doesn't matter if you lose weight through diet and exercise or weight-loss surgery like metabolic surgery you'll reap benefits regardless, according to a large 2020 study.

Researchers examined the effects of weight loss surgery on obese patients who either had weight loss surgery or who lost weight through lifestyle changes. The risk of heart disease for the surgical group decreased after a 5% to 10% loss of body weight while the nonsurgical group saw a decrease after losing about 20% of body weight.

Excess weight can increase blood pressure, and therefore your risk of stroke. This is because high blood pressure puts a strain on your blood vessels, making them stiffer and more likely to cause blood to clot.

"Losing weight helps improve the efficiency of the heart due to less constricted blood vessels," Pusalkar says.

Overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea a disorder characterized by disrupted breathing while sleeping. Excess weight can increase fat deposits in your neck, which can obstruct your airways.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, losing weight likely won't entirely cure the condition. However, losing just 10% to 15% of your body weight can improve sleep quality and reduce the severity of sleep apnea in moderately obese patients, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Losing weight alleviates pressure on knees and joints, which can improve mobility, Pusalkar says. A large 2012 study of obese adults with type 2 diabetes found as little as a 1% drop in weight cut mobility limitations, such as difficulty walking or climbing stairs, by more than 7%.

While there is no direct correlation between weight loss and self-esteem, some studies show that weight loss can improve mood and self-confidence.

A 2014 review examined 36 studies to determine the psychological benefits of weight loss. Researchers found consistent improvements in body image, self-worth, and general well-being among subjects who lost weight.

Excess weight can cause joints to become stressed, damaged, and inflamed but losing weight can help.

A 2018 study examined obese adults with arthritis pain in their knees. Researchers found that losing 10% to 20% of body weight resulted in less pain and improved joint function than losing just 5% of body weight, which did not show any significant joint pain benefits.

The reason likely has to do with how quickly joints wear down when under additional stress from excess weight. "As the smooth surface at the ends of bones, or cartilage, becomes damaged and worn, you feel pain and stiffness in the joint," Pulsalkar says.

Because weight loss can improve sleep, you might also feel more energized during the day, Pulsalkar says. Excess weight also means your body has to work harder to move. Therefore, shedding some pounds means you use less energy to move. It also improves respiratory function, which can also make you feel more energized.

While research on the correlation between excess weight and sex drive is still emerging, weight gain has been shown to increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in your blood. This can lower free testosterone levels and decrease your libido, Pulsalkar says.

According to the American Cancer Society, excess body weight is thought to be the cause of about 11% of cancers in women and about 5% of cancers in men. Obesity increases your risk of developing several different cancers, including:

The exact link between excess weight and cancer is still unknown, but researchers believe inflammation due to visceral fat the fat surrounding vital organs is to blame. Losing weight could lower your risk of developing these cancers.

Some people may need to lose significantly more weight to experience some of these benefits, Ali says. But for the most part, losing as little as 5% of your body weight can lead to many health benefits, like improved heart health and decreased risk of diabetes. But, before starting any weight loss program, it's important to talk with your doctor about the right plan and goals for you.

Go here to see the original:
10 benefits of losing weight: How a 5-10% loss can improve your health - Insider - INSIDER

Read More..

Contact Us Today

Page 670«..1020..669670671672..680690..»

Home » Page 670