Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

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Mila Kunis recently told "Harper's Bazaar" magazine that her petite body has never been the same since shrinking to 95 pounds for her role as Natalie Portman's ballerina rival in "Black Swan".

"When I gained it [the weight] back, it went to completely different areas," she says, referring to her hips and stomach. After filming, Kunis resumed her regular exercise and eating habits and returned to a healthy weight.

Rapid weight loss traumatizes the body, which wants to maintain its original form, says Andrea Giancoli, a Los Angeles-area registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. When there are no carbohydrates and protein left to use, the body goes into starvation mode and slows its metabolism to conserve energy.

If you go back to your normal routine after rapid weight loss, your metabolism is already slow, so you gain weight faster than you lost it and it comes back as fat, Giancoli says.

It is not healthy for your body. It makes you more tired and doesn't allow you to perform well in daily life, Giancoli says.

"Why take the chance?" she says.

After gaining and losing weight for the first two "Bridget Jones's Diary" movies, Renee Zellweger said she felt panic listening to specialists talk about the damaging long-term effects of quick weight fluctuations. She said she might wear a fat suit for the third installment, which is scheduled to start filming this year.

Like Kunis, Anne Hathaway was asked to shed pounds quickly for her new role in the movie remake of "Les Misrables". She reportedly ate around 500 calories a day to achieve her goal of losing 16 pounds in three weeks.

"If she loses the weight, she can expect to gain it back," Giancoli says.

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Black Swan's Mila Kunis and quick weight loss

Contestants on the reality TV program "The Biggest Loser"not only lost weight fast, they "rapidly and substantially" lowered their blood pressure and improved their metabolic function, the physician who is the show's medical consultant reported Friday to the American Assn. of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Dr. Robert Huizenga, the medical director of the NBC program and several other shows, including Univision's "Dale Con Ganas," says the combination of moderate calorie restriction and roughly four hours of daily exercise yields bigger health gains, more cheaply and with fewer complications, than bariatric surgery.

The formula for weight loss a la "Biggest Loser": a daily regimen of one hour of intense resistance exercise, one hour of intense aerobic exercise and two hours of moderate aerobic activity, and calorie intake that ranges from 1,600 to 2,000 calories for men and 1,000 to 1,400 for women. The show's approach to weight loss has been highly controversial, with many dietitian and physicians denouncing "Biggest Loser" for promoting rapid and unsustainable weight loss and unrealistic expectations for physical activity.

In an interview after his presentation Friday, Huizenga defended the show's approach, saying that although slow weight loss can be effective, it rarely resolves patients' obesity-related health problems entirely before patients abandon it and weight regain ensues. He added that slow weight loss routinely results in muscle loss, leaving patients with a higher proportion of fat-to-lean muscle tissue: "Loser" participants, by contrast, changed their body composition in the opposite direction, ending with a higher ratio of lean muscle and bone to fat than they had had at the outset. Participants' average percentage of body fat decreased from a starting level of 48.9% to 30.4% at week 24.

Huizenga said that such changes had "never been documented before in the history of severe weight loss." He said he had applied to the National Institutes of Health for a study grant that would allow him to compare the health benefits of a "Biggest Loser"-type regimen with those of bariatric surgery.

At a minimum, said Huizenga, the health benefits seen in the "Loser" participants demonstrate that current definitions of intensive medical intervention for weight loss fall far short of what will be needed to restore the severely obese to health.

"What doctors call 'aggressive medical therapy' is laughable," said Huizenga, an assistant clinical professor at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine.

In a study of 35 of the show's contestants from Seasons 11, 12 and 13, Huizenga said he had documented "absolutely unprecedented" drops in measures of metabolic dysfunction within five weeks of patients starting a grueling regimen of exercise and caloric restriction. Significant improvements in subjects' fasting glucose levels, insulin levels and adiponectin levels were evident at the end of their first week in the rigorous program, and persisted throughout an assessment period of 10 months.

Participants' average starting body mass index was 40, the cutoff for "severe obesity," and half arrived on the set of the show with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. Thirty of the 35 participants were hypertensive and took medication to control their high blood pressure. Among participants who came in with an apparent clean bill of health, Huizenga said finer measures of metabolic function showed clear signs of trouble.

By Week 5 of their participation in the program, "all diagnostic criteria for pre-diabetes, diabetes and hypertension were absent in each participant," he said.

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'Biggest Loser' results: Better than weight-loss surgery?

Some Jefferson County employees are finding it easier to leave food on their plates and nosh a bit more slowly at social functions.

During a 10-week period, 30 employees lost a total of 328 pounds and 102 waistline inches, said Cary Erickson, director of human resources and risk management.

All of those pounds were dropped, according to Erickson, through a program called Naturally Slim, which is provided as part of county employees' health benefit package.

The three "biggest losers" report higher energy levels, greater mobility and decreased cholesterol and blood pressure as well as decreasing risk for diabetes and other health problems.

None of them minded their new, trimmer profiles either.

Capt. Mike Kirkpatrick of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office topped the list, dropping 50 pounds in about 2 months. He said that the most challenging thing was changing old habits and mindsets.

"I was always taught to clean your plate - that it's a sin to waste food," he said.

Read more in Thursday's Beaumont Enterprise.

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County employees start weight loss competition, shed 113 pounds

A COUPLE who shed 15 stone between them following pioneering weight loss surgery have been hailed as shining examples by medical staff.

David and Debra Brassell, husband and wife from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have struggled with weight issues for most of their lives.

After being referred to the bariatric service at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, they were both keen to undergo weight loss surgery and change their lives for the better.

Mother-of-one Debra, 47, who works for Asda, had always been overweight. She was just nine when she had her first GP appointment to discuss her weight.

Tipping the scales at 20 stone, it was a holiday to the Dominican Republic in May 2011 which made Debra start thinking about weight loss surgery.

She said: While on holiday we got talking to another holidaymaker who had recently had weight loss surgery and was very pleased with the results.

It set me off thinking about my weight and I decided that I would go on a diet when we got back home and try to lose weight before going to Florida in the September.

However, I was disappointed to discover that during our break in Florida I was actually heavier than when we had been away earlier that year. Id been thinking about weight loss surgery so when we got home I said to David that Id been considering looking into surgery and he actually said hed been thinking the same thing.

Husband David, 44, had gained weight gradually over the years and weighing in at 21 stone, decided that he also needed to discuss the options with his GP.

Debra continued: Around September last year, we both went to see our GPs and I was referred straight away to the bariatric service while David was advised to try a course of medication first.

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Bishop Auckland couple's weight loss surgery commended

Sara asks, "Why is it more difficult for women to lose weight than men?"

This goes back to the age old question: what's the difference between the sexes? We have for centuries compared male verses female, and attempted to explain the difference in just about every category. We've seen the rise of feminism, and have established equality (in theory) in every aspect of human life. But, there really is a difference between the sexes, and it has to do with the basic functions for each through evolution. By evolution, I don't mean the evolution from lower species to a higher species, but by evolution for survival. Females ensure the survival of the species by the ability to reproduce. Males, while also necessary for that process, were necessary for protection, hunting and gathering. These basic roles allowed our species to evolve, and prosper. Each generation of offspring, naturally selected for the best possible options for each of the roles per gender. Meaning that the females that were the most fertile, and the males that were the most effective in hunting and protection, had the best chances of survival. So let's break down the basic differences between the sexes from a medical point of view. I am only going to compare the body in relation to weight. I will leave the more complicated and politically charged areas for those much smarter than me!

Men vs. Women

15% more weight - M>F

6inches taller - M >F

Larger chest, heart, lungs, and blood volume - M>F

Skeleton denser - M>F

Higher % of body fat - F>M

Higher estrogen content - F>M

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Priority Health: Women weight loss

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is raising awareness of the link between hearing loss and some chronic diseases during National Men's Health Week (June 11 17). Research shows that people with heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and/or Alzheimer's disease may have an increased risk of hearing loss. Research also links hearing loss to a three-fold risk of falling among working-aged people (40 to 69), depression and anxiety, cognitive decline, and reduced earnings.

BHI also is urging men to get their hearing checked and to be fitted with hearing aids, when needed, to reduce the toll that unaddressed hearing loss can take on their lives. BHI has made available a free online hearing check atwww.hearingcheck.org, where anyone can quickly and confidentially assess if they may have a hearing loss and need a more comprehensive hearing evaluation by a hearing healthcare professional.

"Hearing health is integral to a man's whole health and wellbeing," says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, Executive Director of BHI. "It affects his quality of life, relationships, family life, job performance, and even his earnings. And because hearing loss is linked to several chronic diseases, it's important that men and their healthcare providers routinely address hearing health as part of their medical care."

BHI hopes to raise awareness of the importance of hearing health among men, their healthcare providers, and their employers. And BHI is urging doctors to screen for hearing loss as part of annual physical exams. The institute is also encouraging employers to include hearing health in their workplace wellness programs.

Sixty percent of the 34 million people in the United States with hearing loss are male. And more than 15 million men in the United States suffer from unaddressed hearing loss. Yet the vast majority of them can benefit from hearing aids.

In a 2010 study, BHI found that people with untreated hearing loss lose as much as $30,000 in income annually, depending on their degree of hearing loss. The use of hearing aids, however, was shown to dramatically reduce the risk of income loss and unemployment.

Because most doctors don't screen or ask their patients if they have any hearing problemseven during annual examsit's especially important that men take the online hearing check (www.hearingcheck.org), Kochkin emphasizes.

BHI reminds men that there are simple things men can do to protect their hearing. Listening to their MP3 players at no more than 50 percent maximum volume and wearing earplugs while at rock concerts, using power tools, and riding motorcycles are a few examples.

"Hearing loss remains one of the most commonly unaddressed health conditions in America today, despite the pervasive ramifications it has on peoples' lives," says Kochkin. "We hope our participation in National Men's Health Week will raise awareness of the importance of hearing health and prompt men to seek help for their hearing loss."

Men's Health Week is celebrated each year as the week leading up to and including Father's Day. Its purpose is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Men's Health Week gives healthcare providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. For more information on National Men's Health Week, visitwww.menshealthmonth.org.

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BHI Raises Awareness of the Link Between Hearing Loss and Some Chronic Diseases During National Men's Health Week

hCGDietJourney was voted as the #1 resource to obtain information and ask questions on their hCG diet plan blog according to a recent survey of other hCG diet blogs.

Anchorage, AL (PRWEB) May 24, 2012

hCGDietJourney was voted the #1 best diet resource blog as compared to other blogs during a recent survey.

hCGDietJourney offers extensive dieting resources, including information on the best diet, weight loss foods, weight loss supplements and states Julie Wright, president of hCGDietJourney.

hCGDietJourney provides unbiased information on various weight loss pills, weight loss foods and weight loss supplements, including prescription hCG and the best diet pills on the market.

Readers are welcome to ask any diet question they might have and answers are provided (free of charge) daily. No question will go unanswered reports Wright.

hCGDietJourney works with diet doctors and weight loss nurses across the USA and provides answers to common dieting questions reports Wright.

hCGDietJourney helps people gain knowledge so they can lose weight fast reports Wright.

hCGDietJourney offers an online store with the most popular weight loss products on the market reports Wright, including some of the best diets offered.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9528008.htm

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hCGDietJourney Voted as the #1 hCG Diet Blog in USA According to Recent Survey

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Name: Aaron Detweiler Age: 26 Height: 5'11" Before Weight: 263 pounds

How I Gained It: In my early 20s I was in really good shape, but after I started working full time I lost all ambition for working out. I would eat fast food almost daily for lunch, and even had more days than I wish to count where I had it for lunch and dinner. I work in an office, so on top of my horrible eating habits, I was in a chair eight hours a day and after work would just go home and eat dinner and watch TV. The scale slowly climbed -- first to 220 then 240, and I kept telling myself I wouldn't get heavier than that. In June of 2010, after a vacation to Texas, I got home and the scale read 263.

Breaking Point: After a few months of telling myself I was going to lose all the weight every Monday only to be back to my old habits by Tuesday, I got to the point where it all clicked one week in November of 2010, and I haven't looked back.

How I Lost It: The first few months were just eating healthy and completely eliminating fast food and snacking at night. I dropped around 30 pounds in six weeks by just doing these simple things. The first week was really difficult, but after I developed my new eating routine it never even fazed me.

During the week, my dinners are either chicken or fish with rice or pasta and a lot of raw veggies. On the weekends, I will loosen up a little with what I eat, but I try not to overdo it on portions if I do eat something unhealthy. Usually lunch is either a tuna sandwich or a leftover chicken breast and veggies from the night before. I always eat breakfast, either eggs or oatmeal, and I hardly ever snack between meals. I found hrough logging food on myfitnesspal that just a handful of snacks here and there throughout the day can easily add up to 300 to 400 calories, and you don't even know it.

Once I began to see my body changing it kept the fire alive and pushed me even harder. After the first few months I began lifting weights and running, which sped up my weight loss. I was down to 210 pounds by March of 2011. I have slowly been losing the last 20 pounds by working out five days a week, running and lifting. I started the process wanting to get to 200 pounds, and when I got there, I wasn't satisfied. Now I want to get in the best shape of my life.

Now, I have 20 times the energy I used to have. At my heaviest just playing nine holes of golf, even with a cart, would make me tired for the rest of the day. I can run around all day and rarely get tired. I'm so thankful I finally committed to doing this now, because I was going down an unhealthy path that could have led anywhere. I've completely rebooted everything I knew about eating and will carry these principles with me for the rest of my life. When I think back to how I used to eat and how lazy I was, I still get mad at myself, but I am thankful I was given the strength to correct it and start over before it was too late.

After Weight: 188 pounds

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Weight Loss Success: Aaron Detweiler Cut Out Fast Food And Lost 75 Pounds

WEIGHT-loss surgery not only rids people of their fat, it may also abolish alcohol cravings.

Some people choose to lose weight by going under the knife to decrease the size of their stomach. One such surgery - the Roux-en-Y procedure, or "gastric bypass" - involves stapling the stomach to leave a small pouch at the top, which is then connected to the small intestine. Food then bypasses most of the original stomach and a chunk of the intestine too. This significantly reduces the amount of food a person is physically able to eat and the amount of nutrients they can absorb.

Jon Davis and colleagues at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio collected outcome data on 80,000 people in the US who had had weight-loss surgery, including Roux-en-Y. They found that only those who had the Roux-en-Y procedure reported drinking fewer alcoholic drinks after the surgery than before. People who underwent other types of surgery, such as a gastric band, saw no change in alcohol use.

To investigate further, the team carried out Roux-en-Y surgery on rats bred to prefer alcohol, and found that they also stopped drinking it afterwards. This held even when the team used established psychological experiments to associate alcohol with a reward (Biological Psychiatry, DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.01.035). "It's a real phenomenon," says Davis.

His team thinks that the sudden drop in alcohol consumption may be down to a hormone called GLP-1. When partly digested food hits the middle section of the small intestine, called the jejunum, GLP-1 is produced. This triggers the production of insulin, which in turn acts to lower blood glucose levels. After Roux-en-Y surgery, this part of the intestine is much closer to the stomach, causing it to be exposed to a much higher level of nutrients than it normally would be. Davis thinks this may be ramping up the production of the hormone.

It is this extra GLP-1 that may be influencing cravings, he says. The hormone is thought to play a role in limiting how much food we eat once we are full. "GLP-1 travels through the blood to get to the brain, where it is thought to stimulate an aversion to food," says Davis. He thinks it may be eliciting a similar effect on alcohol consumption because alcoholic drinks can contain lots of calories.

Carel le Roux at Imperial College London says the finding fits with his own results that suggest weight-loss surgery not only reduces hunger, but also the reward associated with food. He says it may be that "the surgery makes you less bothered about your favourite 'sin', whether this is food or alcohol".

Davis's group is now testing a diabetes drug in mice that acts to increase levels of GLP-1, in the hope that it might help alcoholics give up alcohol.

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Weight-loss surgery reduces desire for alcohol

Wellspring Academy is unlike any other school in the United States. It's a boarding school for overweight and obese teens, that features weight loss as it's core curriculum alongside reading, writing and arithmetic.

For many students, attending the academy is a last resort -- and sometimes a life-saving one. When 17-year-old Jenna Chrisman enrolled in the school, she was 272 pounds and already diabetic. Simply walking is a struggle for her, and she said she was relentlessly teased at her old school where her classmates called her a "manatee and hippo."

"I was afraid I was going to die," she said.

Childhood obesity has tripled over the past 30 years and today, nearly one in every three school-age kids is overweight or obese, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But Wellspring believes the solution to the alarming obesity epidemic lies as much in kids' minds as in their metabolism.

In addition to math, history and other subjects, Wellspring's curriculum includes the science of weight loss, broken down across nutrition, physiology and psychology. Students undergo an intense behavior modification through the use of food diaries combined with cognitive therapy, both in a group setting and one-on-one.

The school has campuses in North Carolina and California and recommends students attend at a minimum a four-month semester, but officials prefer students enroll for nine months, or a full school year. The 40 or so students who attend Wellspring range in age from 11 to 18, and some are tipping the scale at 400 pounds.

When Michael Schlesinger, 16, arrived at Wellspring nine months ago he weighed 428 pounds and said he had trouble wrapping a seatbelt around his waist.

"When I realized I couldn't really do anything, like I would get out of breath walking down the block, just take my dog up and down the street, and it came to the point where I had enough," he said.

Schlesinger said his first week at Wellspring felt like torture. He was plagued by shin splints, which made it hurt to walk, but he said he lost 15 pounds in his first week, and seven pounds the next. Over the course of nine months, Schlesinger managed to lose 160 pounds.

PHOTOS: Michael Schlesinger's Dramatic Weight-Loss Transformation

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School Uses Weight Loss Curriculum