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MANY women reach for a big tub of ice cream after a break-up, but these three ladies had something else in mind.

Charlotte, Alexa and Suzie talk about how their relationship breakdowns motivated them to transform their bodies.

Alexa Whitten, 48, is a publisher and book coach. She lives in Portsmouth with her son Oliver, 14.

6

Slumped on the sofa, I opened my mouth and poured a tube of Pringles into it, washing them down with a glass of wine. Weighing almost 22st at 6ft 1in, and a size 22, I was uncomfortable and unhappy and not just with my body.

I knew my eight-year relationship was coming to an end. Paul, 52, lived in Manchester and I was in Portsmouth, both tied to those locations because of our children from previous relationships. The distance had taken its toll, and increasingly I felt I was the one making the effort, while also battling with body insecurities, which put a strain on our relationship.

Paul constantly reassured me about my size, but hed get frustrated when Id moan about my body then do nothing about it. And the bigger I got, the more our sex life suffered. My size was a physical barrier, and because I didnt feel self-confident it was an emotional one, too.

I was a size 14 and 16st when I met Paul on an online forum for James Bond fans in 2010. I felt fantastic at that size, but the pounds crept on, thanks to going out for fancy meals and cosy nights in together with a bottle of wine. But then I began to binge because I was bored and missed him when we were apart, or if wed had an argument.

You can follow Alexa on Instagram here.

Living so far away from each other was hard and wed bicker about silly things. During the day I ate normally, but with crisps and a bottle of wine. Id easily put away 2,000 calories in just an evening. After a particularly disastrous weekend with Paul in March 2018, when Id walked out after an argument, I realised things were so bad I had to make a decision about our relationship.

I carried on comfort eating and hit rock bottom a month later in April 2018, when on holiday in Wales with my son Oliver I wasnt allowed on a zipwire at an outdoor adventure centre because of my weight. I was mortified. I knew then Id have to make some changes in my life or Id never be happy.

So I texted Paul and broke up with him. I told him I felt he was being indifferent and wouldnt share responsibility for the fact our relationship was breaking down. I was heartbroken, but knew Id done the right thing.A fter the split, I missed Paul but threw myself into a healthy lifestyle so I had a new focus and something to feel positive about.

I started lifting weights three times a week, as well as swimming and running, building up from 1k to 10k. I used an app to calculate my daily calorie allowance for my height and weight, which was 1,600. Id have fruit for breakfast, lunch was chicken salad with pitta and dinner soup or pasta.

6

I stopped drinking during the week and swapped my weekend bottle of wine for a glass with a few crisps. I had more energy and loved seeing the scales go down, as well as buying new clothes. If I ever had a wobble, Id think of Paul and showing him what hed lost.

Since May 2018, Ive lost 7st. Im now size 10-12 and 14st. Im happy at this weight and am working on getting abs like Davina McCall! My plan for 2020 is to do a triathalon, something I never thought Id be able to do.

In April this year, I returned to that zipwire, and flying through the air was a symbolic moment. I dabbled in online dating, but a year after we split Paul and I reunited after I texted to say I missed him. When I sent him a photo of myself, he was gobsmacked. Were back together but still long-distance, though we FaceTime and make equal effort to see one another.

We plan to find a way to live together in the future. Im a different woman now without the body demons that put a barrier between us. And Pauls changed living without me made him realise Im who he wants. The spark we had is back. Were happier than ever. When were together we go to the gym and Ive encouraged him to take up running. Its a new chapter for both of us.

Suzie Jafar, 34, is a team manager for a global IT company. She lives in Hertfordshire with her five-year-old daughter.

6

Gasping for breath, I wiped the sweat off my face and for the first time since my marriage ended, I felt a flicker of hope. It was October 2017, a month after my husband Tom* had moved out of our home, telling me he wasnt happy being with me. Id just finished my first kickboxing cardio class, after my sister Rayya had dragged me along to her local gym.

At 14st and a size 16 at 5ft 2in, Id feared Id be the biggest person there, unable to keep up with the class. If it hadnt been for her, Id have stayed at home and ordered a Chinese takeaway. Changing my body wasnt even on my radar at that time. Rebuilding my shattered confidence was my priority and it was my therapist, who Id been seeing since my separation, who suggested I try exercise as a way to keep my mind busy and give me a different focus.

By the end of that first exercise class, I knew Id found the coping mechanism that was going to help me through my divorce. I was a size 10-12 and weighed around 10st when I married Tom in 2013, but after Katie* was born the following year, I steadily gained weight. I suffered from post-natal depression and, apart from going to work, I didnt want to go out socially, so became increasingly isolated.

I grew lazy, ordering takeaways most nights instead of cooking, and during the day Id make bad choices, skipping breakfast then having something stodgy like fish and chips from the work canteen for lunch. As my marriage began to fall apart, I definitely ate my feelings, snacking on cake and chocolate.

Tom and I would argue, usually triggered by him telling me he wasnt happy, and me feeling never good enough. And the bigger I became, the more my weight affected our relationship, because I struggled to feel sexy or attractive and my mood was as low as my body-confidence.

Tom and I met in 2008, but over time we both had our doubts that we were right for each other. It wasnt a secret wed say so to each other, usually in the heat of an argument. For a long time, we persevered, especially because we had a child together, but neither of us was happy. It was still devastating when, during our only therapy session together in September 2017, he said he didnt love me and didnt want to work at rebuilding our marriage. I drove home, packed up his bags and when he came back, asked him to leave.

In the immediate aftermath of our split, I fell apart. My stress and anxiety levels were through the roof, I couldnt eat and I was frightened about facing the future as a single mum. Friends, family and colleagues rallied around me though, and Katie and I lived with my mum for extra support. After that first class, I started doing five sessions a week after work, while my mum looked after Katie.

Discovering the power of exercise was life-changing, and put me on a new, more positive, path. It was a physical release from all the negative emotions inside me. I cut out takeaways and started eating better having fruit for breakfast, mackerel and salad for lunch and chicken with veg in the evening. I didnt set myself a goal weight, I just wanted to feel better about myself. If I wanted a glass of wine or a pudding, I had one as a treat.

6

From time to time, Id see Tom when I was dropping Katie off to spend time with him. I wanted him to see what hed lost, and he did compliment me, saying I was looking great. A meme Id read would run through my mind, which said: If you didnt love me then, you dont deserve me now. It made me feel empowered because although I wanted things to be amicable, I didnt miss Tom at all and knew I was happier.

Today I weigh 9st and am a size 8-10. Ive got my neck and waist back, Ive kept my curves, but my body is strong. Im happy with my weight now, but I want to keep toning up. I chucked out all my frumpy jeggings and tent-like tops and now I love bodycon.

I realise I could have easily gone the other way, and used food to cope, spiralling into morbid obesity and who knows what health problems. Im so grateful I discovered fitness instead. Now, Im happily single and just focusing on being the best mum I can. I have so much more energy for running around with Katie, and Im loving our life together.

I barely recognise that overweight, angry, sad woman I was two years ago. Today Im the best version of myself, physically and emotionally. I hope Ive shown my daughter its possible to come through a dark time with your head held high and feeling better than ever.

Charlotte Thomas, 25, is an accountant and entertainer. She lives in Merseyside with her family.

6

Being ghosted by my ex Jack*, 26, was the best thing thats ever happened to me. Since he dumped me in October 2017, Ive lost 21/2 st, embarked on a new career and never felt better about myself. It hadnt been the happiest of relationships. We met on Tinder in 2016 and the first three months were great he was caring and we had fun when we went out together.

But then the cracks started to show, and when we rowed Jack would use my vulnerability about my body against me. At 5ft 6in, I was a size 14 and 121/2 st when we met, and not confident about my looks. During the year we were together I gained a stone and went up to a size 16, thanks to a combination of staying in with him and greasy takeaways, plus my terrible biscuit habit Id eat 15 in one sitting without even thinking about it.

I also drank fizzy drinks and, bored at work, would snack on bags of crisps all day. I hated my figure, especially my wobbly tummy. Id dress in black and wear sparkly make-up to detract attention from my body. When we argued, Jack would tell me I was a six, and he was a 10, and I was lucky to be with him.

I once overheard his mum calling me a big girl and he said nothing to defend me. Looking back, I cant believe I tolerated it, but my self-esteem was so low and I didnt think I deserved better. Then one day I noticed a Tinder notification pop up on his mobile screen. I couldnt help myself and picked up his phone, realising hed been chatting to other girls on the app.

I was devastated, but he refused to even discuss it with me when I confronted him. Upset, I left his house and that was the last time I ever saw or heard from him. He blocked me on social media and didnt respond to my messages. Just like that, it was over. I was heartbroken, and didnt know how I would ever get closure when hed just cut me off.

After we split I realised how unhappy I was, not just with how our relationship had ended, but also with my body, my job my entire life. Instead of wallowing though, I felt determined to change things. Id taken dance lessons in the past and dreamed of working as an entertainer. Even though my confidence was low and I was out of shape, I decided to step out of my comfort zone.

I quit my accountancy job and applied to work for a year at a holiday camp in North Wales, performing in shows and taking kids activities. Jack was barely on my mind, and I wanted to look forward not back. Living on site, I had access to a gym and started working out several times a week, as well as going for daily walks on the beach nearby.

The job was very active, performing every day, so I wasnt stuck at a desk any more. I needed energy, so salads, baked potatoes, chicken and vegetables were on the menu, and I ditched takeaways and crisps. And instead of bingeing on biscuits, Id have one or two squares of chocolate if I needed a sweet treat.

6

After six weeks, Id lost a stone and my body felt firmer. I threw away my size-16 black clothes and bought dresses and shorts to show off my toned legs. Im now a size 10-12 and weigh 10st. Im able to wear clothes that have been at the back of my wardrobe since I was 20, the last time I was this size.

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Im working as an accountant again, but I continue to perform part-time at holiday camps and events, which keeps me fit, and I still eat healthily. Im happily single Ive been on a few dates this year, but I havent met anyone special yet.

I dont know if Jack is aware of how Ive changed, but if I saw him Id tell him he did me a favour spurring me into putting myself first and transforming my body and my life. I overhauled my body for myself, but Jacks cruel comments definitely motivated me not just to lose weight, but to grow in confidence. Id never let a man talk like that to me again.

Hair & make-up: Sara Bowden using Giorgio Armani

Styling: Salome Munuo

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Weight loss: Three women on how they transformed their bodies after a break-up - The Sun

Chicken in Lemon Sauce from Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook (Photo by Amy Phelps)3-Bean Southwest Cornbread Pie from Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking (Photo by Amy Phelps)

Chicken in Lemon Sauce from Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook (Photo by Amy Phelps)

As the new year looms, many peoples first New Years resolution is to lose weight, eat healthier, etc. Everyone seems ready to see the end of all the sweets and treats the holiday has brought.

So with that in mind, here are two new cookbooks to go ahead and get into the mindset of healthy eating.

First for those who are trying the vegan diet (or like me who dont mind eating vegetarian once in a while) there is Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking by Nicole Malik.

Malik, who is the author of DeliciousEveryday.com, has created 75 recipes that are meant to be quick and easy to prepare and not use a lot of pots in pans, so cleanup will be minimal.

Recipes are divided into 7 chapters: Eat Your Veggies, Eat with Your Hands, Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food, Incredible Grains, Bowls of Deliciousness, Rise and Shine and Simply Sweet One-Pot Treats.

3-Bean Southwest Cornbread Pie from Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking (Photo by Amy Phelps)

Eat Your Veggies includes dishes such as Crispy Black Bean Chilaquiles, Portobello Pot Roast and Panfried Polenta Puttanesca.

Eat With Your Hands ha wraps and such like Street Corn Pita Pockets, Samosa Summer Rolls and 15-Minute Falafel with Tahnini-Lemon Dipping Sauce

Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food has comforting dishes with a vegan twist like Penne with Mushroom Bolognese, Firey Red Curry Noodles and Greek-Style Zucchini-Tomato Orzo.

Incredible Grains offers dishes like Cuban Lentil Picadillo, Indian-Spiced Sweet Potato Stew and Balsamic Strawberry and Avocado Quinoa.

Bowls of Deliciousness have soups and stews like 15-Minute Curried Noodle Soup, African Peanut Stew and Smoky White Bean Chili.

Rise and Shine has breakfast dishes such as Vanilla-Maple French Toast Bake, Crispy Breakfast Hash and Strawberry-Ginger Biscuit Pie.

Things end with Simply Sweet One-Pot Treats like Boozy Coconut Bananas Foster, Gingered Carrot Halwa and Baked Apples with Whipped Coconut Cream.

I made 3-Bean Southwest Cornbread Pie for myself and my husband one night. This uses black beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans with spices to give it a curry-Southwest twist. I really liked the flavors of the beans and the cornbread topping was really good. I did use regular milk instead of almond milk, so it wasnt vegan, but vegetarian.

This is a great collection of plant-based meals for people who are wanting to give vegan (or vegetarian) a try.

Weeknight One-Pot Vegan Cooking is published by Page Street Publishing. It is $21.99.

***

Mediterrarnean cooking has gotten a bit of a comeback since it is supposed to help with anti-inflammtory foods. I have tried eating that way off and on for a while now. To get readers more variety is The Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook by Peter Minaki.

Minaki is the creator of the food blog Kalofagas, as well as teaches cooking classes in Toronto. In this book, he curates 300 recipes that will get you eating a bit healthier!

There are 11 chapters of recipes in this book: Breakfast; Appetizers and Dips; Soups and Stews; Salads and Dressings; Pasta and Rice; Vegetable Main Dishes; Beef, Pork and Lamb; Poultry; Fish and Seafood; Sides, Sauces and Accompaniments; and Sweets, Desserts and Beverages.

Breakfast has dishes like Mediterranean Omelet and Breakfast Baklava French Toast. Appetizers and Dips has Spicy Chicken Wings and Sfougato. Soups and Stews include Greek Gazpacho and Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup. Salads and Dressings includes Politiki Cabbage Salad and Grilled Halloumi Salad. Pasta and Rice has Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta and Baked Rice with Red Peppers. Vegetable Main Dishes includes Greek Pita and Zucchini Parmesan. Beef, Pork and Lamb includes dishes like Steak Sandwiches with Mushrooms and Cheese, Slow-Cooked Pork HCops in Wine and Ginger Tomato Lamb. Poultry has Spicy Olive Chicken and Turkey Breast Piccata. Fish and Seafood includes Olive Oil-Poached Cod and Scallops Saganaki. Sides, Sauces and Accompaniments has Steamed Cauliflower and Parsley and Walnut Pesto. Sweets, Desserts and Beverages ends things with Tiramisu, Date Almond Pie and Greek Summer Sangria.

I tricked the family one night and made Chicken in Lemon Sauce. This cooks in the slow cooker and uses green beans with chicken and potatoes that cooks in a lemon sauce. And after it cooks, you take the chicken and potatoes/green beans out and serve, then pour the sauce over so if someone doesnt want a lot of sauce, they dont have to have it. Myself and the picky youngest loved the sauce (will wonders never cease) while others werent too keen on it. But no one but me knew we were eating my diet food.

This has a lot of variety that is sure to help cooks wanting to try this diet.

Everything Healthy Mediterranean Cookbook is published by Simon and Schuster.

***

Contact Amy Phelps at aphelps@newsandsentinel.com.

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Might as well start getting healthy now with cookbooks - Parkersburg News

Is it OK to eat fruit on a diet? The answer to that question can be confusing, depending on the diet you're following. Low-carb diet proponents typically cut out fruit (too much sugar!). If you're following the keto diet, only the occasional berry is permitted. Oh, and then there's the infamous grapefruit diet, a diet that, although out of favor now, was one that revolved entirely around fruit.

But let's try to mitigate the confusion. There should absolutely be a place for fruit in your diet when you're trying to lose weight. In fact, research shows that the following fruits may actually help with your weight loss.

li Ilina / EyeEm/Getty Images

Both fruits deliver healthy doses of fiber (4 grams in a medium apple and 6 in a medium pear), and that alone makes them diet-friendly. But beyond that, there's also scientific research to show that snacking on apples and pears helps with weight loss. When overweight women were put on a reduced-calorie diet and given an apple or pear three times a day to snack on, they lost more weight over the 12-week study period (and also ended up eating fewer calories each day) than women who snacked on oatmeal cookies.

Find lots of recipes featuring apples and plums here.

You might know dried plums by their alter egos: prunes. "California prunes make this list for a handful of reasons," says Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, of MohrResults.com. "First for their soluble fiber content (3 grams), which helps to keep you feeling full and regulates blood sugar levels." In fact, a 2010 study published in the journal Eating Behaviors found that overweight women who snacked on dried plums before a meal ate fewer calories at the meal, were more satisfied after eating, and had less of an appetite for dessert compared to when they snacked on a calorically equivalent piece of bread before their meal. Another boon for prunes: "They're portable, which makes them a practical choice," says Mohr.

Low in calories (one cup has only 46 calories) and packed with water, watermelon is naturally a great choice for dieters. But is it satisfying, and can it help you lose weight? One recent study suggests it can: When overweight or obese adults ate 2 cups of fresh, diced watermelon, they lost more weight and shrunk their hip-to-waist ratio more after a month compared to when they snacked on a calorically equivalent amount of vanilla wafers. Participants also reported being satisfied for longer after eating watermelon (90 minutes versus a mere 20 after eating the vanilla wafers).

Not a vegetable, but another juicy fruit! While tomatoes are a low-calorie, super-healthy choice, the weight loss research on this fruit was actually done with 100% tomato juice. In a study published in Nutrition, researchers found that when women added a bottle of tomato juice to their daily diet they trimmed their waistline and improved their cholesterol. Although the study was small (20 women), it's important to note that participants didn't make any diet changes whatsoever other than drinking a daily bottle of tomato juice. And that juice actually increased their total daily calorie intake. Still, the tomato juice drinkers reaped both weight and heart benefits.

Getty Images / Kristin Lee

When overweight adults replaced 50 grams of carbohydrates in their diet with 50 grams of blueberries, they slimmed down and improved their health. After 3 months, the blueberry eaters (when compared to their counterparts who didn't eat blueberries but continued to eat 50 grams of carbohydrates) lowered their BMI, lost more body fat, and improved some of their cholesterol levels.

Looking for blueberry-laden recipes to help you lose weight? Visit CookingLightDiet.com today and sign up to start receiving customizable meal plans that would make Veruca Salt jealous.

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Eat These Fruits If You're Trying to Lose Weight - Yahoo Lifestyle

DENVER (CBS4) A registered nurse, RN, at Denver Health always wanted to take to the skies. However, becoming a flight nurse seemed out of reach because of her weight.

All that changed after nurse Meghan Malecki had successful bariatric surgery.

Flying, man, its so cool, said Meghan.

For two years now, she has been living her dream of working with AirLife Denver, delivering critical care on board an aircraft.

The space is pretty cramped, she said squeezing into the seat of an AirLife helicopter.

Thats no problem, now, for Meghan. However, space and weight limits were what once kept the RN grounded.

I was overweight as a kid, overweight as a young adult and kind of shelved my dream to be a flight nurse, she explained.

In 2016, Meghan weighed 280 pounds. Short of breath on a family hike, she said she had finally had enough.

Everybody was focused on me, asking if I was okay and I was feeling ashamed and kind of disgusted with myself and decided to make a change, Meghan said.

Meghan was working as a nurse at Denver Health. She consulted the Denver Health Bariatric Surgery Center. In 2017, she had vertical sleeve gastrectomy, surgery removing a large portion of her stomach and creating a small pouch.

Which allowed me to lose about 100 pounds and kicked me into being able to fly, she said.

She was able to fly and flourish. Meghan is now a runner. She has completed two half-marathons and other races. She focuses on fitness.

She is thrilled professionally and personally.

Carrying laundry up the stairs without being short of breath, running with my kids, hiking, fishing, she said, Its huge.

The skys the limit with Meghans new way of living.

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Skys The Limit For Flight Nurse Thanks to Weight Loss Surgery - CBS Denver

Overweight or not, we all seek detox to get rid of toxins and give our system a fresh start. You must have heard about juice detox, salad detox but have you heard of apple cider vinegar detox? A mixture of apple cider vinegar with some spices is the new cleanse that people are trying in order to lose weight.The detox is reportedly helping people lose weight, lower their cholesterol, control blood sugar, lower the blood pressure, boost the immune system, relieve constipation and regulate the body's pH.What is apple cider vinegar detox?The idea of using apple cider vinegar for detoxification goes back to thousands of years. Some even claim it to be the father of medicine.

For the detox, you need to use the unfiltered apple cider that still has the mother (unrefined, unpasteurized and unfiltered ACV that has beneficial bacteria) in it. The mother contains the good bacteria for the gut and vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Apple cider vinegar with the mother can be cloudy or murky.

How to do an apple cider vinegar detoxTake 1 2 tablespoons of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, 250 ml purified or distilled water and 1- 2 tablespoons sweeteners (honey, maple syrup or stevia).

Some people like to add lemon or pepper to the mixture. One must consume this regularly for a set period of time (week or month) to reap benefits. Many people prefer consuming it three times a day upon waking, midmorning and mid-afternoon.

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Weight loss: Apple cider vinegar cleanse to lose weight - Times of India

The combination of exercise and healthy diet works best when it comes to losing weight. But many of us are too lazy or busy to walk or hit the gym every day. And there is no magic pill yet that will melt excess weight away.

Many herbs and spices can fight cravings and boost fat burning and weight loss. Coupled with a healthy diet, these herbs can help you lose weight safely and more easily.

Here some amazing herbs that may help you lose weight.

Fenugreek, a common household spice, can help control appetite and reduce food intake to support weight loss. Studies have shown that adding 8 grams of fenugreek fiber daily increases feelings of fullness and reduced hunger and food intake.

Dandelion enhances fat metabolism and helps reduce cholesterol. It also enhances the elimination of fatty acids through the digestive system. You can drink 3 to 4 cups of dandelion leaf tea each day.

Consuming one teaspoon of cayenne pepper before each meal may help boost metabolism, enabling your body to burn more calories. This popular spice may also reduce hunger to promote weight loss.

Cayenne pepper contains the compound capsaicin, which provides numerous health benefits. Studies have shown that taking capsaicin capsules increased levels of fullness and decreased total calorie intake.

This is widely used as a natural remedy for a wide variety of ailments. Researchers have also suggested that ginger can help in weight loss as well. This herb has been found to increase metabolism and fat burning, as well as decrease fat absorption and appetite.

Carvacrol, a powerful compound in oregano, is known to help boost weight loss. Studies have found that carvacrol can help alter fat synthesis in the body.

It is often used as a natural remedy to help reduce blood sugar levels. Gymnema can help reduce sugar cravings and balance blood sugar. However, people on weight lose journey may add to their diet. Because a study has revealed that taking Gymnema sylvestre may reduce both appetite and food intake.

Warning! You should not take tis herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, allergic to milkweed, or taking antidepressants or medication for diabetes.

Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and offers several health benefits. It can help in stabilizing blood sugar, and thus reduce appetite and hunger.

Cumin or Jeera, a popular spice that is used in Indian cuisine, has the potential to accelerate weight loss and fat burning. Its digestive property makes it an effective agent for weight loss.

Chinese have been using this head as a medicine for centuries. It is being used to treat stress, diabetes, lower cholesterol, and regulate blood sugar levels. Besides, this herb helps boost metabolism and keep your energy levels high all day long. Drinking ginseng tea may prevent weight gain and aid in weight loss.

Published : December 23, 2019 7:29 pm | Updated:December 24, 2019 9:15 am

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Too lazy to hit the gym! Try these herbs to lose weight - TheHealthSite

Heather Baird before and after transforming her life with the 123Diet!

A healthy Christmas snack of crunch cinnamon chickpeas!

Boca Raton, Dec. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Though 64-year-old Heather Baird was able to maintain a trim figure for most of her life, things changed when she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Because of her illness, she was no longer able to work out as she used to and was prescribed steroids, both of which contributed to her gradual weight gain.

Though Heather had to leave her former job as a hotel manager due to her health, she didnt let her illness keep her down. Instead, she moved on to become CEO of the charity organization A Better Life For Foster Kids, which works to ease the burden on these children and their families by providing them with essential goods.

Unfortunately, Heathers condition continued to worsen. My health was deteriorating because I was so overweight, Heather said.

In December 2018, when Heathers doctors informed her that she was no longer a candidate for lung transplant due to her weight, she realized that it was time for her to make a big change.

By then, Heather had been a member of the 123Diets Facebook group for around six months, and the amazing weight-loss results shed seen the programs dieters achieve made her certain that it was her best shot at a healthier life. The program works by combining a simple clean-eating meal plan with our signature supplements, which work to suppress appetite and boost metabolism.

Once Heather set her mind on losing weight, she didnt find the 123Diet difficult at all. Instead of feeling hungry or deprived, she feasted on healthy meals like steak with tomatoes and onions, cabbage and celery soup, and konjac noodle spaghetti.

By sticking closely to the 123Diets guidelines, Heather was able to lose 30 kg (66 lbs) in only six months! Her doctors were amazed by her progress. My lung specialist told me that in 20 years of practice he only seen two patients lose enough weight to change their life, including myself, Heather says.

Heathers weight loss progress turned out to be critical when an Australia-wide drought prevented the Victoria resident from being able to travel to Darwin for her usual life-sustaining treatments. Her doctor told her that if she had still been carrying all that excess weight, she would have spent all winter in the hospital, or may not have made it at all.

Heather credits her 123 family for her success and advises anyone else struggling with their weight that success is possibly for anyone willing to commit to the program a hundred percent. She will now be eligible for a lung transplant if her COPD progresses, and enjoys a far better quality of life. I can actually breathe, walk and do things I havent been able to do for years! Heather says.

123Diet founder Emma Taylor was thrilled to hear of Heathers success. Having struggled with her own weight for many years before perfecting the 123Diets winning formula, Emma realizes how difficult it can be to stay healthy, especially during the holiday season. Shes happy to pitch in by sharing two of her favorite festive recipes from the 123Diets meal plan, for treats that can satisfy your sweet cravings without tanking your health and weight loss goals!

Hot Apple Cider

Ingredients

Directions

Heat the juice with spices and a little water in a small saucepan. Serve hot with a cinnamon stick.

Crunchy Cinnamon Chickpeas

Ingredients

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F (180C fan-forced oven/ 200C conventional oven).

In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, cinnamon, and stevia. Mix them all together and then spread them on a lined baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, tossing them around every two minutes. Make sure they dont burn, but make sure they are completely baked as well.

Turn the oven off, crack the door, and allow them to cool slowly with the oven. Remove, then make sure they are completely cooled before storing in an air-tight jar.

Link:
Australian woman fights her COPD by losing 30 kg (66 lbs) with the 123Diet - GlobeNewswire

These cold, dark winter days make me want to curl up with a book, perhaps while munching on holiday cookies.

One could describe my conduct this way: sedentary behavior combined with snacking on sugary treats. A regular practice of these things may well lead to weight gain.

Is winter weight gain a thing? Yes, says Larry Cheskin, who chairs the nutrition department at George Mason University. "There is good evidence that it is a thing."

On average, research shows that people gain one to two pounds over the winter months. For instance, a study of 195 people at the National Institutes of Health found weight gain of about one pound between late September and March.

A study of 248 U.S. military personnel, who were enrolled in a weight-loss program, found that people added about two pounds from fall to winter.

Here's something else. There also is evidence that American adults gain one to two pounds each year, gradually accumulating weight over decades. Winter weight gain may be a major culprit, so perhaps we should view the season as a particularly risky time for adding excess padding.

Indeed, 165 subjects in the NIH study returned for a September weigh-in and, on average, were 1.4 pounds heavier than the year before.

A note: One to two pounds on average means that some people don't gain any weight while others gain five pounds or more. And in a rude twist of fate, the people who gain the most are more likely to be already overweight or obese.

Why does winter weight gain happen? "The reasons are not that clear," Cheskin says. "I suspect that much of it is what we would call behavioral."

That means eating more and exercising less.

"The change in eating behavior is key," says Michael Gavin, a physician at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Overeating, snacking and choosing comfort foods over fruits and vegetables are some of the eating habits that may occur.

Some researchers have narrowed the time window to look at weight gain over the weeks spanning Thanksgiving through New Year's. In the NIH study, people gained 0.8 pounds, on average, during that period. And in a second study with military personnel, it was 0.4 pounds.

People celebrate a variety of things over the holidays - seeing family, religious events, the turning of the calendar - and they do it with rich foods, desserts and drinks. Perhaps we should mention the holiday spirit - a spirit of permission to overindulge. I mean, we're celebrating!

"The holidays are not insignificant," Cheskin says. There are more social events, an increase in the variety of foods and more drinking. Alcohol adds calories and undermines self-control.

But it's not just overeating at holiday parties that's to blame. When it's cold and snowy - or slushy or icy - outside, people spend more time indoors, which in turn can mean getting less physical activity.

Research backs up the exercise slowdown. A review of 37 studies found that people are most physically active in spring and summer and least in winter.

Also, it's easy to feel bored when you're cooped up inside - and boredom may lead you to snack more.

So if wintertime in general, and the holidays in particular, are a precarious time for gaining weight - weight that you might keep forever - then what can be done?

First, be aware that winter weight gain can happen. Pay attention to your diet and try to keep your activity level up.

Weighing yourself every day is key, says Margeret Fahey, a doctoral student at the University of Memphis and first author on the military personnel's weight-gain studies. Study participants used electronic scales that sent data directly to the researchers. Fahey and her colleagues observed that during the winter months, people often skipped their daily weigh-ins.

The researchers also noticed that the participants who had most recently enrolled in the weight-loss intervention gained the least weight. That suggests that when motivation is high, winter weight gain can be avoided.

Motivation can help you stick to good weight maintenance behaviors, such as daily weigh-ins, as well as tracking diet and activity. There are a number of apps that can make it easier to track what you eat and how much you move.

"Winter weight gain is common," Fahey says. "Which might indicate that weight maintenance strategies are important to implement during winter."

Gavin recommends being mindful of your eating habits, but not overly restrictive. Don't try to avoid cookies altogether, he says, but limit yourself to one or two cookies.

Cheskin says it's important to understand your own tendencies. When counseling patients who want to lose weight, he starts by asking them what they think has contributed to their weight gain. Do you eat when you're sad or bored? Do you plan your meals? Do social outings - or family - interfere with healthy eating? Are there medical issues involved?

"You hear about lots of factors relating to weight," Cheskin says. You don't need to attend to all of them, he says - just the ones that are specific to you.

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A holiday gift that no one wants: More weight - New Bern Sun Journal

A determined 24-year-old man has reclaimed his life after shedding over 81 kilograms - half of his body weight.

In 2015, Chris Jimenez weighed just over 163 kilos. He struggled to carry out basic tasks, like tying his shoelaces, and realised he needed to drastically change his lifestyle. Four years later, the aspiring personal trainer from California now weighs 83kgs (185lbs) and is encouraging others to become the best version of themselves.

Chris told Barcroft TV: Before my journey, I was a very depressed person. I never went out, I didnt want to talk to anybody and I was always playing video games, never active."

I actually wasnt living my life being big as I was, because I was so limited to what I could do."

I realised that going down that path was not going to lead me anywhere down the line, except for a heart attack at a young age.

Chris older brother, Aaron, added: Since I can remember he was always the bigger kid in the class."

At 10 years old or eight years old, something around there - they were telling him that he wasnt going to make it past his 21st birthday.

Despite the odds, Chris managed to lose an astonishing 81 kilograms which he claims was achieved by ditching his diet of sugary treats and becoming more aware of his food intake.

He also started working out in the gym, taking on high-intensity cardio sessions to burn fat and then eventually using weights to build muscle.

More on 7NEWS.com.au:

At the beginning of his journey, he was unable to run on a treadmill for more than two or three minutes. Now, he says, he is comfortably running for 15-20 minutes at a time.

I wasnt in no way shape or form physically active. I was just eating and eating and eating, Chris said.

Talking about his first experience at the gym, he said: I actually remember the day. The hardest part about the beginning was actually mentally coming here [into the gym], because I thought people were laughing at me. Now it has turned into a passion.

Owner of New York Fitness, Chris regular gym, is Shawn Karai. He says he is used to seeing Chris twice a day.

Shawn told Barcroft TV: To get what Chris has done takes a whole lot of effort.

He is doing what 99.99 per cent people couldnt do. He is in here and he is dedicating to how he eats and he maintains going to school, going to work, working out twice a day.

He has done remarkable things, he really has.

As a result of losing so much weight, Chris has been left with excess skin on his stomach and is saving to eventually go under the knife to remove this skin.

Even during his teenage years, Chris weighed around 136 kilograms and had difficulties controlling his cravings. He was adopted at a young age and admits using food as a coping mechanism for his internal struggles.

He explained: My biological mom wasnt mentally fit to be a parent and eventually we got put into the foster care system. One day she just couldnt take the pressure anymore and took her life."

Thinking about it now, losing your mom that young, your family not stepping up to take you in, it just made me feel like I was just not wanted.

Although he doesnt completely blame his eating habits on his depression, he did say that it played a role in his substantial weight gain. "I was bottled up and food was always there for me, he added.

His adopted mother, Janice, said: It was very hard to see what he was going through with his struggles when he was younger. We dont know what his life would have been like if he stayed like that."

The metamorphism that he went through, like the caterpillar, he is just beautiful.

Chris younger sibling Sebastian recalls growing up and watching his big brother struggle to accept his body.

He said: He would always be covered up with the shirt on.

But Chris new-found determination has even inspired Sebastian to work on his own lifestyle. Nowadays instead of playing video games, the siblings go to the gym together, where Chris teaches his brother different exercises.

Sebastian added: He didnt feel good about himself and to see him turn this all around I am proud of him. He is my inspiration and I cant wait to see where he goes in his journey.

Due to his former weight and lack of confidence, Chris claims to have had a non-existent dating life. But now he has a loving girlfriend, Dyani, who supports him in his health journey.

I didnt think anybody would be with me. I wasnt living a quality life. I wasnt even living life really."

Shes just so funny and great and I feel like I can truly be myself around her.

Chris advice to other people trying to lose weight? Never give up.

I remember when I first started my weight loss journey, looking into the mirror, not for one second I liked the reflection of it. I just saw a broken person. Now I look at myself and I see progress, I see goals I see what I want out of life."

To everybody that wants to transform their body and transform their life, it is possible.

Chris is raising funds for his excess skin surgery by setting up a clothing line, which he hopes also to inspire others to achieve their goals. You can check out his brand, Lionheart, here: https://www.projectlionheart.co/

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Man loses 80kgs and halves his body weight using one simple trick - 7NEWS.com.au

What health questions did people ask Google most often in 2019? (Photo by Ali Balikci/Anadolu ... [+] Agency/Getty Images)

What is keto may not have been the most Googled what is question of 2019. No, that honor belonged what is area 51, followed by what is a VSCO girl, what is momo, what is a boomer, and what is quid pro quo. But what is keto did rank number two among all health questions asked of the popular Internet search engine since January 1, 2019.

Looking at what a person searches for on the Internet doesnt necessarily tell you everything about that person and what he or she does. For example, who knows what I may have Googled before writing stories for Forbes on coffee enemas and boofing? Nevertheless, Google searches can offer a sense of what many people may be curious about or have on their minds. For example, the popularity of what is a boomer could imply that many people are hearing the phrase, ok, boomer, and the popularity of what is quid pro quo could mean that many people happen to be learning Latin.

Therefore, taking a peek at the following 10 most Googled health-related questions of 2019 can give us a window into the health questions of interest over this past year. So without further ado, here are each of these questions and some answers:

1. How to lower blood pressure?

Answer: Not measuring your blood pressure or altering the blood pressure machine is not an option here. What you dont know can kill you. Of course, your blood pressure can fluctuate throughout the day. For example, it may go up monetarily if you see Justin Bieber. Or go down, depending on your situation and point of view. However, having elevated blood pressure over longer periods of time puts you at higher risk for all kinds of badness including heart attacks and stroke. Your first option should never be medications, unless it is an emergency situation. Lifestyle modification should come first such as reducing your sodium intake, losing weight, getting more exercise, limiting alcohol intake, reducing stress, meditating, and listening to Michael Bubl. Dont try to manage your blood pressure on your own. Get help from a physician who really knows what he or she is doing. Be wary of any physician who want to slap you on medications before really getting to know you and trying other non-pharmaceutical options. High blood pressure is quite common, affecting around one in three adults in the U.S. Yet, only 54% have their high blood pressure under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here is a Cleveland Clinic video on natural ways to lower blood pressure:

2. What is keto?

Answer: In Greek mythology, Keto was the goddess of sea monsters, whales, and large sharks (sorry, small sharks). It also is short for ketoconazole, an anti-fungal medication. KETO-LP is the name of a radio station in Aurora, Colorado, as well. Then, there is Keto Shimizu, a television writer, producer, and comic book writer known for her work for the SyFy channels Being Human and CWs Arrowverse superhero shows. Is there anything else?

When people are Googling "what is keto," they may be searching for Keto Shimizu (L), seen here with ... [+] Jes Macallan and Matt Ryan onstage at Comic-Con International 2018. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Oh, yes, theres the "Keto" Diet, which is short for ketogenic because genic takes too long to say. The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, higher fat diet with fat consisting of as much as 90% of the caloric intake. Yes, you heard that correctly, after years of people recommending low fat diets, a high-fat diet is now being pushed. Holy bacon, Batman, whats the theory behind this? Well, depriving your body of carbohydrates is supposed to switch your body from relying on sugar from carbs for fuel to relying on ketone bodies that result when your liver burns fat that is stored in your body. Burning fat in theory sounds good. The relative simplicity of this explanation and the observation that people can lose weight in the short term from this diet has led to a business boom, with many pushing keto products like books, seminars, and foods.

But is keto just a fad or is there some meat (and bacon and cheese) to it? Well, the jury is still out on the keto diet as not enough longer-term scientific studies have been done to determine if it is an effective and healthy way of losing weight and maintaining weight loss. The diet certainly has some potential risks such as not getting enough of the nutrients that you would normally get from fruits, vegetables, and grains, overtaxing your liver and kidneys, constipation, and your constantly telling other people that you are on the keto diet. Plus, some may find the diet tough to maintain. Again, this is a case of the science needing to catch up to the hype.

3. How to get rid of hiccups?

Answer: A vocal hiccup is a singing technique used by Buddy Holly and Michael Jackson, which sounds a little like gulping for air or gasping. So the answer to this question could be just stop listening to Thriller. If you are referring to those involuntary contractions of your diaphragm, the muscular structure below your lungs that help you breathe, then the answer is a bit more complicated. There arent scientific proven ways to stop hiccups because such studies are a bit hard to do. Typically, you can never expect hiccups to occur. You dont say, next Thursday at 3 pm Eastern Time, I will begin hiccuping uncontrollably. Therefore, it is a bit difficult to run scientific experiments, unless you constantly live in a laboratory. Nonetheless, anecdotal evidence suggests the following possible remedies:

Anecdotal evidence suggests that breathing into a paper bag may help stop hiccups. However, there ... [+] have been no studies to prove its effectiveness. (Photo: Getty Images)

4. How long does the flu last?

Answer: If you are wondering about flu symptoms, then the answer is forever if you die from it (which occurs to tens of thousands of people each year in the U.S. alone) and three to seven days if you dont have any complications. If you are wondering about how long you are contagious, you actually start becoming contagious one day before you even have symptoms. In fact, one third of people infected with the flu virus dont ever develop symptoms. But they can still shed flu viruses like some people bedazzle. So that person whom you stood so close to for so long may have given you more than his or her number. This makes it very tough to completely avoid flu viruses. Thats why getting vaccinated is the only way to really protect yourself and others.

5. What causes hiccups?

Pictured here is the diaphragm. (Illustration: Getty Images)

Answer: Looks like lots of people are getting hiccups or at least laughing at people who are getting the hiccups. This is the second appearance on this 2019 list of the diaphragm-spasming-causing-your-vocal-cords-to-snap-shut phenomenon. Its not completely clear what may cause temporary hiccups. It may be having too much stuff in your stomach such as food, air, or bacon. It may be sudden changes in temperature. It may be stress or excitement such as seeing Justin Bieber. In most cases, you just dont know what started them. Chronic or frequently repeated episodes of hiccups are a different story, This can be a sign that something like a mass or inflammation is irritating your diaphragm or the nerves that control and extend to your diaphragm. Certain medication or serious medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney failure, and encephalitis can lead to hiccups as well. Therefore, if hiccups continue to be an issue, call you doctor.

6. What causes kidney stones?

Answer: Being told that you have stones may be good as long as the stones are metaphorical, meaning guts or a backbone. Being told that you have kidney stones, not so good. Kidney stones, otherwise known as renal lithiasis or nephrolithiasis if you want words harder to pronounce, form when some type of mineral or salt clusters together inside your kidneys. Stones can form when you have too much of certain mineral or salt or if you are not hydrated enough. Calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones can form when you get high doses of vitamin D, undergo bypass surgery, or have metabolic issues. Uric acid stones can result when you eat too much protein or have gout. Certain types of urinary tract infection can lead to struvite stones.

Here is a video from the University of California-Irvine Health entitled Leave No Stone Unturned, which, of course, is a punny name:

7. What is HPV?

Answer: Well, if you look at the website abbreviations.com, HPV can stand for high production volume, human powered vehicle, high-pressure vent, having purple vomit, high pressure valve, high pitch voice, high point vent, or the Princeville Airport in Kauai, Hawaii. Assuming that 2019 did not see a surge of visitors to Kauai or people eating purple crayons, most searching for HPV probably were interested in human papilloma virus. This type of HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. I have already written for Forbes about what this HPV is, after President Donald Trump apparently asked Bill Gates the difference between HPV and HIV, which is a bit like asking the difference between the CIA and a CPA.

This video from the University of Massachusetts Medical School covers details about HPV:

8. How to lower cholesterol?

Answer: If you are asking this for yourself, you may not want to try the keto diet. Cutting your intake of saturated fats and trans-fats is an important step. So is increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Getting more physical activity and losing weight may help. If you are smoking, stop. Also, limit your alcohol consumption. High cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke and various types of cardiovascular diseases.

The American Heart Association put together this video on ways to control your cholesterol level:

9. How many calories should I eat a day?

Answer: The answer is more than one per day on average. You need calories to survive. However, people probably are wondering how many calories they should eat based on whether they want to gain weight, lose weight, or do neither. The frequently cited threshold is 2,000 calories for women and 2,500 calories for men per day to maintain the same body weight. However, this greatly oversimplifies the complexities of your body. The calories that you need depend heavily, no pun intended, on many factors, including your body size, your age, and your activity level.If you are Michael Phelps, for example, you probably can consume a whole lot more calories than the Michael Scott character of the television show The Office. The Mifflin-St. Jeor equation, which has nothing to do with Dunder Mifflin, the company in The Office, does take into account differences in sex, age, weight, height, and activity level and serves as the basis for some for some online calorie recommendation calculators such as one offered by Healthline. But even these are just approximations and do not account for every factor that may affect your weight. Plus, all calories are not equal. Getting 2,000 calories from just eating sticks of butter or drinking soda is very different from getting the same number from a more balanced diet. Highly-processed foods may have different effects on your metabolism compared to natural foods. The best thing to do is to see your doctor or a real registered dietitian, who can then personalize their recommendations for you.

Your physical activity and muscle mass can significantly affect your metabolism and how much ... [+] calories you should consume each day. For example, elite athletes such as Jackie Groenen of Netherlands (L) and Alex Morgan of United States (R) may have different energy requirements from others. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

10. How long does alcohol stay in your system?

Answer: This is another tough question that doesnt have a single set answer for everyone. On average, you are probably able to metabolize about half-a-drink per hour. But the speed at which you break down alcohol depends on a whole lot of things. First of all, how big are you? What is your age? What is your metabolism and general health like? How much food did you have in your stomach to soak up the alcohol so that it didnt get absorbed into your bloodstream? What kinds of drinks did you have and what was their alcohol content? Did your drinks have little umbrellas in them (not that this matters for alcohol metabolism, but I am curious)?

Keep in mind that even if your body can clear alcohol from your bloodstream at an average rate of 0.015 per hour, a breathalyzer or blood test can still detect alcohol for up to 12 hours, a urine test for up to 3 to 5 days, and a hair test for up to 90 days. If you are going to drive, operate a combine harvester, or do anything that requires good concentration and coordination, the best thing to do is not drink at all. Even if it means, heaven forbid, revealing your real sober personality at a party or on a date, it is not worth the risk to try to time your personal alcohol clearance exactly.

Trying to guess how long alcohol will remain in your system can be difficult when you have alcohol ... [+] in your system. (Photo: Getty Images)

So there you have it, the most Googled health questions of 2019 and some answers. Remember, just because a Google search returns a website doesnt mean that the website provides trustworthy and science-backed information. The Internet is packed with people with agendas trying the sell things and ideas to you. Google can help find various websites if you know what you are looking for but can at times be misleading. You cant tell a police officer, but Google told me that I would be sober by now. Google cannot replace a doctor or any such real, properly-trained and qualified health professionals. After all, if you were caught in a life-or-death court case, wouldnt you want a real lawyer and legal team? Would you instead tell the judge, your honor, in lieu of a lawyer, I have decided to just bring a laptop for legal representation. And oh by the way, could you slowly and clearly spell out everything that you say so that I can Google every term?

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Here Are The Top 10 Most Googled Health Questions Of 2019 - Forbes

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