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GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, today announced the successful completion of multiple dose toxicity and toxicokinetic studies of ALT-801, a GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist for the treatment of NASH. The IND enabling studies were conducted in rats and cynomolgus monkeys. The Company believes the data provide clear validation of previously observed pharmacodynamic effects of the compound and pave the way for the anticipated Phase 1 single (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trials to start in Q4 2020, following the submission of a clinical trial application in Australia.

ALT-801 was well tolerated in both rats and cynomolgus monkeys and the no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAEL) in both species were at the highest doses tested. The most remarkable finding was significant weight loss versus the control groups in both species, which is an expected and desired property of ALT-801. Importantly, no evidence of significant GI toxicity or intolerability, including vomiting, was observed in the animals. GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual agonists that are approved or in clinical development have been associated with significant levels of nausea and vomiting and have typically required the use of dose-titration over several months. The observations from the recently completed toxicology studies suggest that ALT-801 can be expected to be well tolerated in humans and not require dose titration, potentially enabling higher levels of weight loss and liver fat reduction than existing GLP-1 receptor agonist based compounds.

The nonhuman primate data also showed an ALT-801 pharmacokinetic profile that is expected to support weekly dosing in humans. The Company believes that the proprietary EuPortmodification on ALT-801 not only provides the longer half-life necessary for weekly dosing but also slows the rate of absorption of the compound into the bloodstream to avoid the tolerability issues typically associated with this class of agents. Based upon the successful completion of these preclinical toxicology studies, Altimmune plans to initiate first-in-human studies of ALT-801 in Q4 2020, with data readouts on safety, pharmacokinetics, and important measures of activity such as weight loss and liver fat reduction in the Spring of 2021.

Currently there are no approved treatments for NASH, and disease prevalence is growing worldwide as a consequence of an expanding obesity epidemic. These data are right in line with our expectation for ALT-801 and provide additional confidence as we look forward to initiating the first-in-human studies later this year, said Dr. Vipin K. Garg, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Altimmune. Dr. Garg continued, In addition to our significant efforts to develop a vaccine and a treatment for COVID-19, we are pleased to continue the development of other therapeutic candidates of importance to public health across our product portfolio.

About ALT-801ALT-801 is a potent, peptide-based therapeutic candidate with balanced agonist activity on the GLP-1 and glucagon (GCGR) receptors. ALT-801 is designed to treat the underlying metabolic dysfunction that leads to NASH, the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NASH is considered by many to be the liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver, toxic lipid metabolites, inflammation and liver cell damage leading to fibrosis/cirrhosis and liver cancer.

ALT-801 activates both the GLP-1 and the glucagon receptors, resulting in appetite suppression, decreased insulin insensitivity, increased energy expenditure, and substantial decreases in both liver and body fat in relevant animal models. ALT-801 has a similar mechanism of action to the bodys natural dual-acting hormone, oxyntomodulin, which lowers food intake, stimulates energy expenditure and reduces body weight. ALT-801 is designed to achieve glycemic control comparable to or better than the approved GLP-1 agonists but with more robust weight loss with once-weekly subcutaneous dosing.

ALT-801 demonstrated better outcome measures in comparison to semaglutide (an approved GLP-1 receptor agonist) in the Gubra/Amylin biopsy-proven, diet-induced mouse model of NASH. During a 12-week study, treatment with ALT-801 rapidly returned body weight to the range of lean normal animals. Histology revealed a near complete absence of liver steatosis, lobular inflammation and ballooning, as well as a significant reduction of fibrosis. Semaglutide showed only a modest body weight loss and a mild decrease in hepatosteatosis. ALT-801 also resulted in greater suppression of genes involved in de novo lipogenesis and fatty acid uptake, inflammation, hepatocellular death, and fibrosis.

About AltimmuneAltimmune is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing intranasal vaccines, immune modulating therapies and treatments for liver disease. Our diverse pipeline includes proprietary intranasal vaccines for COVID-19 (AdCOVID), anthrax (NasoShield) and influenza (NasoVAX); an intranasal immune modulating therapeutic for COVID-19 (T-COVID); and next generation peptide therapeutics for NASH (ALT-801) and chronic hepatitis B (HepTcell). For more information on Altimmune, please visit http://www.altimmune.com.

Forward-Looking StatementAny statements made in this press release relating to future financial or business performance, conditions, plans, prospects, trends, or strategies and other financial and business matters, including without limitation, the timing of key milestones for our clinical assets, the initiation and timing of the ALT-801 Phase 1 clinical trial in Q4 2020, its enrollment and the timing of the data readout expected in the spring of 2021, our ability to manufacture ALT-801, and the prospects for regulatory approval, commercializing or selling any product or drug candidates, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, when or if used in this press release, the words may, could, should, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, intend, plan, predict and similar expressions and their variants, as they relate to Altimmune, Inc. (the Company) may identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward looking statements or historical experience include risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to: potential impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic such as delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, access to clinical sites, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy the reliability of the results of studies relating to human safety and possible adverse effects resulting from the administration of the Companys product candidates; the Companys ability to secure regulatory approval for its ALT-801 investigational new drug application submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Companys ability to manufacture clinical trial materials on the timelines anticipated; and the success of future product advancements, including the success of future clinical trials. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect the Company's business, financial conditions and results of operations are contained in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov.

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Altimmune Announces Successful Completion of Multiple Dose Toxicity and Toxicokinetic Studies of ALT-801, a GLP-1/Glucagon Dual Receptor Agonist for...

There is no short cut to weight loss, say nutritionists and fitness experts. Following a diet regimen that suits your conditions and sweating it out at the gym are the best ways to shed those extra kilos, they believe. Yes, its true that hard work at the gym and mindful eating are the cornerstones of a successful weight management programme. But simple home remedies can also work wonders while it comes to battling the bulge. Many of these remedies are hiding in your kitchen itself. Take cumin and coriander for example. These two popular Indian spices, the essential ingredients in most of our recipes, can be your best weight loss buddies. They improve your digestive capacity by boosting metabolism, a crucial factor for shedding those extra kilos. Apart from these two, there are quite a few other spices that can help you get the body of your dreams. Here is a low-down on them. Also Read - Decoded: Why some people have such a tough time losing weight

Your digestive system needs to function efficiently for you to lose weight. Coriander, or dhania is known to improve your digestion. That is why it is used in many as a medicine to help you get rid of tummy troubles. Moreover, the antioxidants in this spice rev up your immunity too. Keeping your defence mechanism strong is the priority now, in the COVID-19 context. Also Read - From easing digestive issues to beating depression, cardamom can fix many health problems

This spice aids in weight loss by fast tracking the fat burning process, revving up your digestive mechanism and suppressing your hunger. Cumin or jeera secretes an enzyme that plays a crucial role in metabolising sugar, carbohydrates and fats. This helps you digest food easily and shed those extra kilos. Hunger control is another significant aspect weight loss. Jeera prevents you from overeating by acting as an appetite suppressant. Apart from this, cumin also a good option for helping you get rid of toxins from the body. Having a glass of jeera water can act as a great detox drink. Also Read - Know about these health benefits of air fryer

Like cumin, these seeds can also curb your food cravings, thanks to its high fibre content. You dont overeat when your hunger is in control. Apart from acting as a hunger suppressant, the fibre in fenugreek protects your digestive tract from free radical damage. These seeds boost metabolism too.

This popular spice not only adds flavour to our foods, it comes with a plethora of health benefits too. A compound found in black pepper, known as piperine, improves your metabolic function while ensuring that fat isnt accumulated in your body. It also helps in efficient nutrition absorption and immune function. Having black pepper with tea has been found to be effective against obesity.

Like many other Indian spices, cardamom also stimulates your digestive enzymes and promotes healthy metabolism, crucial factors for weight loss. Chewing a few pods of this spice or having them with your tea can yield the best results.

You tend to put on weight when your body is unable to use the hormone insulin and there is glucose accumulation in the blood as a consequence. Cinnamon metabolises sugar and increases your insulin efficiency. Moreover, it is a natural hunger suppressant.

Published : August 31, 2020 5:13 pm | Updated:September 1, 2020 9:12 am

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Cumin, coriander and other Indian spices that can fuel your weight loss goals - TheHealthSite

Tia Mowry is showing off herfigure after losing weight followingthe birth of her daughter, and she has a powerful message for new mothers. Here is what she had to say.

Tia Mowry is showing off her figureafter going on a weight loss journey following the birth of her daughter Cairo last year.

The star took to Instagram to share a mirror selfiewearing a gray turtle neck sweater and denim shorts, and she looks terrific.

The mother of two had a special message for new mothers, opening up to them about the pressure they faceto "snapback" after giving birth.

After Mowry was fat-shamed during and after her pregnancy, she wanted to empower women and remind them that they should do things in their time. She said:

"Im very proud that I did it my way and in my time. I didnt feel rushed to snap back. I enjoyed breastfeeding and spending quality time with#cairoand my son#cree."

Last year, Mowry spoke about her weight loss journey and revealed that she had faced criticism after she did not lose the weight as fast as people thought she should have.

However, she said that it was not about looking great, adding that if it took a while to get to her goal weight, then so be it.

Mowry often speaks about body positivity, revealing that during her pregnancy, she had suffered from diastasis recti, a condition that causes the abs to separate.

The "Sister, Sister" star shared the news with a photo posted six months after giving birth to her daughterand revealedthat it was the cause of her "little pouch." She added:

"Shining a spotlight on this because I had never heard of it. Have to go hard with core work to restore. We will work on that later 🙂 "

She revealed that she had chosen to document her journey to show others that it was ok to go at your own pace and not fold to societal pressure.

This is not the first time that female celebrities have faced unreasonable pressures to lose weight after giving birth.

After her second child, Chrissy Teigentook to Instagram opening up about her journey, joking that she was 20 pounds heavier than before getting pregnant as she loves food too much.

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Tia Mowry Shows off Her Fit Figure in Shorts after Losing Weight See Her Powerful Message - AmoMama

After months of being homebound and gaining all that extra body weight, when gyms in the city finally opened its door again, its quite obvious that people are in a hurry to get back in shape. But health experts are urging people to exercise caution before getting into rigorous workouts at gyms or fitness clubs. And they have a reason to say so.Take this recent incident, for instance: Eighteen-year-old fitness enthusiast Lakshay Bindra was in such a hurry to lose those extra kilos he had put on during the lockdown that he decided to go for rigorous exercise the day he hit the gym after months. Result: The same evening, he started experiencing extreme muscle fatigue, followed by body stiffness, pain and vomiting. Things worsened and he had to be admitted to the ICU, as he suffered from acute abdomen pain, dark urine and weak kidney and liver functioning. It took him some time to recover after sessions of dialysis and physiotherapy, to be precise.

Rigorous exercising may damage your kidneys

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Been hitting the gym too hard after the lockdown? Take it easy, warn trainers - Times of India

There isnt a third person in our marriage but there is a rival. My husband is passionate about a family-run fasting clinic in Uberlingen, overlooking Lake Constance, Germany. He goes alone twice a year and was there at the beginning of lockdown. He happily remained there for six weeks unable to get home. Buchinger Wilhelmi was founded seventy years ago by Otto Buchinger, a medical officer in the navy who cured himself of paralysis caused by rheumatic fever by fasting for 19 days in 1918. Now one of the worlds leading therapeutic fasting centres, Buchinger is run by Ottos great-grandson, Leonard Wilhelmi.

The German government demanded that the clinic remain open during lockdown, concerned that hospital over-crowding would necessitate patients being moved there. This proved unnecessary. But after Easter, having taken the requisite health and hygiene precautions, they encouraged guests. They are currently full with a completely different clientele, according to owner, Raimund Wilhelmi (Ottos grandson.) Normally, two-thirds of our guests are repeat guests. Now, fifty percent have come for the first time and they are much younger. There is a significant difference in the demographic because people are waking up to a new awareness about health as Covid affects everybody. His son, Leonard, adds: The medical community agree that the main causes in violent reactions to Covid are diabetes, high blood pressure and being over-weight. We have been treating these conditions for decades and our goal is now to equip people with a better immune system to fight Covid.

The minute my husband heard about their new immune-boosting programme, he signed us up for atwo weeks' holiday in August. This was an extravagance at a cost of over two thousand pounds a person. Health is our most valuable commodity, he reassured me. After an hour in this sleek minimalist medical centre, my sixteen-year-old daughter burst into tears. All her boarding school issues were ignited. My inner rebel similarly baulked at the first 24 hours that we had to spend eating in our rooms, until the results of our Covid tests, taken on arrival, came through. (Thankfully they were negative or we would have been quarantined in our rooms for our entire stay.)

There was something convict-like about dining on trays in our monastically simple rooms. Thank goodness the clinic do not advise couples share rooms 80 per centof guests go alone so we each had our own room. As Andrew was doing the full ten-day fast of 250 liquid calories a day, which I couldnt stomach(I was on 800 solid calories a day and Daisy, 1800,) a shared room would have destroyed our marriage. Not because Andrew had an enema on the bed every other day but because his preternatural joy freaked us out. His pious enthusiasm for the regime initially made us hate it. Until we were fully institutionalised, (or as Daisy said indoctrinated) the stricture wore us out.

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What I learnt from checking in to the 'Immunity Hotel' - Telegraph.co.uk

My working title for this story was Fat at 50, Forever, and you can hardly blame me. While it was definitely tongue-in-cheek, for those of us whove gained a few pounds in midlife, maintaining a healthy size becomes and theres no way to sugar-coat it increasingly difficult. As you age, you put on weight, says the founder of the diagnostic clinic Viavi:be Dr Sabine Donnai, who specialises in health and exercise programmes for the over fifties. And thats if youre just standing still, not eating, not doing anything, just purely because your metabolism goes down each year.

Tempting as it is to accept this as an unavoidable part of getting older, there is (vanity aside) good reason for resisting this seemingly inexorable increase. As well as the surface weight were amassing, were also accumulating visceral fat, which surrounds our organs and stops them functioning as well as they should, which leads to a shorter lifespan.

Women have it twice as bad: along with the ageing process, during which the body swaps muscle for fat, we have the menopause to deal with. The loss of oestrogen has a particular effect on the way your fat is distributed, says Dr Donnai. Firstly, when oestrogen drops, you get mood swings, and frequently you overeat to compensate. You sleep badly as your progesterone drops, and your stress levels rise, often because its easy at this age to lose a sense of purpose especially if youve had children and theyre growing up and relying on you less.

Additionally, your body stores fat differently, as its lipoprotein lipase (which sits on the surface of the fat cells, pulling in fat from the blood) goes into overproduction, no longer kept in check by the now declining oestrogen. If the fat gets pulled into a muscle cell, it gets burnt off as fuel; but if it gets pulled into a fat cell, it just makes the fat cell bigger. You get the idea.

At this point, youre probably expecting a paragraph starting with the word fortunately, followed by a quick-fix diet with, quite possibly, some new gadget or machine promising that the whole sorry situation will be resolved in no time. Im sorry to disappoint. You need to get into the gym and lift weights, says Dr Donnai matter-of-factly. I know this is often alien to mature women, who are more used to yoga and some Pilates, both of which play a part, but its weights that will slow down the ageing process.

The physiological explanation behind this is that when you start training and lifting weights that feel like theyre too much for you, your body responds by making more muscle, in order to prevent what it perceives as damage. It stimulates a growth hormone, which in turn stimulates testosterone, and lifting that weight each time causes your metabolism to speed up. The lipoprotein lipase now pulls the fat into muscle cells, and because you have more muscle now anyway, thanks to lifting weights, your basic metabolic rate goes up, so you can eat without gaining weight, or lose weight if you eat slightly less.

Are weights the only option? Women really need to create high muscular overload on two fronts: to burn more calories, and raise the metabolism; but also to maintain bone density, says Matt Roberts, founder of the Matt Roberts Evolution personal training gym. When you stress the muscles, the tendons which are attached to the bone pull on it; the bone thinks it needs assistance and stores more calcium, and your bone density increases. High-impact exercise, going for a run, jumping, landing and moving, all also increase bone density. The impact of boxing is really good for bone density in the upper body, whereas running is good for the lower body. But you need a strategy in place for injury prevention this is where the yoga and Pilates come in as they create elasticity in the muscle tissue around the joints.

Sooner rather than later, we also have to address diet. To kick-start weight loss before a surf trip on which I didnt want to be carrying excess pounds, I embarked on a metabolic balancing diet under the guidance of Amanda Griggs at the Khera-Griggs clinic. I lost 8lbs in two weeks, and Id do it again, but perhaps only once a year it was tough.

You have to look at taking out starches and carbohydrates, rethink your portions, says Griggs. You have to realise, This is my meal. If that sounds a little grim, it has the advantage of reintroducing discipline. With a ban on snacking between meals, the diet which is restrictive for a fortnight but moves on to a maintenance plan thats all about mindful eating is healthy and delivers results. My BMI dropped to bang-on healthy. Of course, how you keep up those results is another matter. Youre quite disobedient, says Griggs, who guided me through the two weeks with plenty of stern, kind and highly motivating WhatsApp messages. Sometimes you only ate two meals a day, and Im not sure you always stuck to the quantities of protein you needed.

Roberts also homes in on protein. If you focus on eating enough protein, you just wont have the appetite for carbs. A womans protein intake is woefully low, he says. Government guidelines suggest 45g of protein for a 60kg woman, but Roberts explains, One egg is about 5g. So shifting away from carbs and loading up on beans and quinoa or eating sardines, as theyre high in calcium, will help control your blood sugar, raise your metabolism, and activate fat burn.

As well as advising abstaining from alcohol It gives you nothing other than a hangover and strips away Vitamin B13, which is vital for brain function hes also a fan of intermittent fasting. As women get older, they tend to think they need to eat less, and go on extreme low-calorie diets, but they dont work. You just add on more weight than you did before. Women have greater levels of visceral fat if you fast for 16 hours (from around 8pm until midday) for two to four days a week, for up to four weeks, and for the rest of the week take out the obvious foods that build up blood sugar, and increase protein, your body gets into a state of ketosis (where your metabolism is more energised due to lower blood sugar levels) and youll be burning away your visceral fat.

It all sounds easy enough, but as an inveterate carb-loading snacker who has eaten two and a half croissants while writing this I apparently still have a way to go.

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Whats Really The Best Way To Maintain A Healthy Weight Over 50? - British Vogue

Debunking top weight loss myths 

Remedies for a quick weight loss are everywhere, from claiming to promise a whopping weight loss within a short period, to the fad diets that claim to work like wonder. The digital media is flooded with too much information on weight loss and not everything is 100 per centscientific or even sustainable. Here are some top myths associated with weight loss and the facts around each:

Myth 1: Starving yourself is the best way to lose weight

Fact:Cutting too many calories can have a stalling effect on your weight loss goals. If you drastically reduce your daily calorie intake, your body goes into an energy-saving mode to optimize survival. Starvation also leads to chronic changes in metabolism as it causes lean muscle mass to go down which further declines the resting metabolic rate. In short, you might lose weight rapidly for a short while but it comes at the cost of your muscle mass while your fat stores may remain the same. And, once you are on your regular diet, weight might bounce back quickly owing to a slower metabolism.

Myth 2: Carbohydrates should be slashed from diet to lose weight

Fact:The misguiding golden rule of many diet strategies work by cutting off carbs from the diet. Carbohydrates are not just found in grains or cereals, they are practically everywhere including fruits, vegetables, nuts, or seeds. The carbs you should slash from your diet are the refined ones made of all-purpose flour like white bread, white pasta, and packaged baked goods. Simple sugars found in packaged cereals or fruit juices are also an example of bad carbs that should be cut off from diet to achieve weight loss. But, the carbs found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables not only provide sustainable energy but also have beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals to help you manage your weight better.

Myth 3: Exercising is superior to diet for weight loss

Fact:Always remember, you can never outrun a bad diet. Exercise and good nutrition go hand-in-hand to manage your weight. It may take only a few minutes to hog down excess calories while it might take hours to burn it off. A well-rounded health routine should include balanced eating and optimal physical activity. When it comes to weight loss, what you eat, and how much you move matters more than anything. Just exercising alone can increase your appetite and you might be lured to consume calorie-rich foods. Balancing diet and exercise is the key to weight loss.

Myth 4: There are short-cuts to weight loss

Fact:Weight gain does not happen overnight so losing it will be a gradual rather than a short process. The short cuts to lose weight like starvation, cutting off an important food group, improper fasting or liquid diets can only hamper your weight loss goals in the longer run. Losing weight is not rocket science but it needs proper guidance for you to kick-start it. There are, however, some key factors like- portion control, exercising, balancing micro and macronutrients, sleeping well, managing stress, and an overall positive perspective towards weight loss itself.

Nmami Agarwal is a guest contributor. Views expressed are personal.

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Debunking top weight loss myths - Times Now

Rachel MurugiStaying at home all the time makes it very easy to overindulge (Photo: Shutterstock)

Losing weight has never been so challenging. With staying and working from home being the new normal, everywhere you turn, you see your fridge close by. Without being keen, you may tend to overindulge and fail to attain your weight loss goals. On the contrary, you may actually end up putting on more weight which is alarming. Follow these tips to help you through your weight loss process during the social distancing season.

Stick to your eating schedule

Having a schedule is the most important thing, while sticking to it strictly elevates it's effectiveness. One of the key challenges of being home, especially when working from there is that, you wake up in odd hours in comparison to your normal office-going days. You may also find yourself sleeping late too. In short, your feeding schedule will be equally jumbled up as your daily routine. Get to set times that you are deliberate in eating. If you would previously take breakfast at seven, don't make it ten in the morning. This is likely to affect your feeding during the rest of the day through which you fail to track your feeding and weight gain/loss.

Watch your calorie intake

Too many calories and too much sugar are the root cause of most weight issues. Being around your home doesn't give you the leeway to overeat, Do not stay without checking your calorie and sugar intake. Maintain weighing them or consuming conscious portions of the same.

Have meals that keep you full

Chia seeds, plantains, nuts, among others, are examples of foods that keep you full. You need to adapt to this method because you should not be overindulging. When you constantly eat items, without proper caution, you'll continue gaining weight unnecessarily. In relation to your meal plan, identify the meals or snacks that you want to include as heavy.

Eat healthy snacks

It's very easy to open a bag of chips or cookies and constantly indulge. Unfortunately, your fitness goals can be kissed goodbye, if that is your snacks of choice. To ensure you are consistent in weight loss, have healthy snacks. Fruits and vegetable cuts work well. Also aim for baked items instead of fried as the fried ones contain more oil which isn't in line with your weight loss goals.

Portion your meals

Do you think that the social distancing rules and staying at home recommendations allow you to indulge as much as you can because of the freedom? No. Self discipline is the number one thing you'll need to possess add practically do it by portioning your meals. Eat as per the ration you need which should go hand in hand with your fitness meal plan.

Stay hydrated oftenDrink plenty of water throughout the day (Photo: Shutterstock)

For your detox and to aid good digesting, ensure that hydrating is a normal thing for you to do during the day. It's very important to your body.

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Food hacks to help you lose weight quickly during social distancing - The Standard

Sucking in her tummy, it did not matter which way Jenna Watts turned there was no escaping her 30st reflection in the mirror.

The newlywed was booked in for gastric bypass surgery to help her realise her dream of starting a family.

But as the weight fell away after her successful op, so did Jennas love for her husband.

After meeting fellow slimmer Rob online, sparks flew and now the pair are madly in love.

Jenna, 32, said: Its like a fairytale. Robs the perfect guy, we have so much in common.

Losing the weight has been amazing but finding Rob and having him cheering me on has been even better.

Between us, weve lost 31st, countless dress sizes and two spouses but what weve found is worth so much more true love.

Ditching all that dead weight was the best decision we ever made. Losing everything led us to so much more.

Lead support worker Jenna had struggled with her weight all her life and at the start of 2019, was 30st and wore size 34 clothes.

That March she had a gastric bypass on the NHS at the Spire Manchester Hospital.

The August before, Jenna had wed her long-term boyfriend and was keen to start a family.

But she said: I knew that at my size, there was no way I could conceive so thats when I decided to have the bypass.

After the op, Jenna shed the pounds but her marriage hit the rocks. She said: I thought my weight loss would make us stronger but my husband became jealous of my shrinking body. We quickly fell out of love.

It was a shock. Id had the operation for our future family but instead, it just highlighted all the problems in our marriage.

Devastated Jenna turned to Rob, 30, who she had met a month earlier in an online support group for gastric surgery patients, The Friendliest Gastric Sleeve/Bypass Group UK.

And Rob, who also lived in Manchester, was in a failing marriage, too.

Jenna said: I wanted to know if the weight loss had affected anyone elses relationship in the same way.

Rob and I were always chatting and liking each others pictures so I felt like I could turn to him. But when I sent him the message on Instagram, I worried Id overstepped the mark.

When he replied to say his surgery had affected his marriage too, I was relieved. It felt good to know I wasnt alone.

We were both loyal to our partners but there was definitely a spark there.

Jenna realised her heart was no longer in her marriage and 11 months after her gastric bypass, in February 2020, she ended the relationship.

She said: Id never pursue someone while Im in a relationship. But my marriage had hit rock-bottom. I was slimmer than ever and I loved my new body, but I just didnt feel like I could be myself with my husband.

Leaving was a hard decision but we didnt love each other and I knew it was for the best.

Afterwards, Jenna told Rob her marriage was over. She said: It felt like fate. I messaged Rob as a friend but when he told me hed split from his wife and was newly-single, it felt like a sign.

The pair confessed they had feelings for each other and agreed to meet for the first time two weeks later on Valentines Day.

Jenna said: I was so nervous but as our eyes met, everything else disappeared. We had an instant connection.

Were perfect for each other, and from the moment we met, we hit it off.

Since finding Rob, Jenna has lost 16st and shrunk to a healthy size 16. She said: I couldnt be happier and I love my new figure. Doctors told me I wouldnt lose as much weight as I have but with Rob cheering me on, Ive lost more than they expected.

At 14st Im healthier than ever and I get to enjoy my new lease of life with the man I love.

Rob, a Royal Mail driver, had a gastric sleeve op and has shed 15st, slimming down from a 48 to a 34-inch waist.

He said: From the age of six, I put on a stone every year of my life. By 29, I was 30st.

The surgery changed his life. He said: Im one of those people who will give it 110 per cent, so I did. I now weigh 15st and feel amazing.

I really love wearing suits now and flaunting my slimmer frame. But thanks to the surgery, I found Jen.

Nothing happened between the pair before their marriages ended, but Rob felt a connection with Jenna online.

He said: We connected over losing weight but we never spoke out of turn to each other we were both still in relationships.

"Before the surgery I always said to my wife, Im never going to change, but I wasnt prepared for how much you do change.

One day, Jen messaged me and asked if I was having trouble in my marriage. Thats when we started talking and realised we had all these crazy weird connections. Rob now describes his weight loss as a rebirth.

He said: Unfortunately when Jenna and I were bigger, no disrespect to our exes, we sort of settled for people. I used to think I was in love with my ex, but I wasnt.

The amount of love and care from Jen is incredible.

Shes accepted me for who I am, and I do the same for her. Were so lucky to find each other.

The smitten couple have swapped promise rings and will wed when their divorces are finalised. Jenna said: I know Rob and I will be together forever, so I dont mind the wait.

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Couple lost a combined 31st and their marriages - but found love with each other - Mirror Online

Having read about it, researched it, and reported on it, dietitian Melissa Meier decided there was only so much she could say without having tried the 5:2 diet for herself. For a whole month, she calorie-restricted two out of seven days and let us know how she fared.

FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE

With so much noise around intermittent fasting (and me contributing a lot of it see here and here and here), I felt like a bit of a cop-out having never actually tried it. I saw absolutely no issue in reporting on the science, but theres only so much you can say when you havent experienced it first-hand. So, I set myself the challenge of trying intermittent fasting for a whole month, and this is what I found.

For more stories like this, go to bodyandsoul.com.au

INTERMITTENT FASTING 101

Before we dive in, Ill set the scene just in case youve missed the memo. Essentially, intermittent fasting is a way of eating that is more concerned with when you eat rather than what. There are a few different variations, the main ones being 16:8 (where you have a daily eight-hour eating window) and 5:2 (where you have two 500 calorie days per week and eat normally the rest of the time).

While its no more effective than a calorie-controlled diet, intermittent fasting is a proven weight-loss method plus, its been linked to metabolic health perks, protection from disease, and improved gut health, too. All in all, its a pretty exciting space in the world of nutrition. But, its not for everyone

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INTERMITTENT FASTING IS H.A.R.D.

I liked the idea of trying the 5:2 method. It only affects two days a week, so I didnt find it as intrusive or disruptive to the rest of my life as Id imagine other weight-loss diets would be and I think this is one of its main perks.

I was still able to go out carefree on the weekends and cook up a storm at home throughout the week as I habitually would (and even enjoy the occasional glass of vino), and I can report I did lose a couple of kilos in the process.

The fasting days, however, were certainly not easy. Theyre hard. Very hard, to be frank. I distinctly remember feeling like I wanted to eat my arm off in bed one night, and as a dietitian, I just felt there was something so innately wrong with this. Im all about eating mindfully and listening to your body, so this was somewhat of a moral dilemma for me, but I pushed through, all in the name of research

IT DOES GET EASIER

Fast forward a week or two and I felt like I had found my groove. My initial idea was to try and spread my 500 calories over three small meals a day so that I didnt feel like I was missing out but this quickly backfired.

An egg white omelette, a tasteless smoothie, and bland green veg and prawn stir fry later, I knew this wasnt the best tactic for me. Instead, I tried spreading my calories over two slightly more substantial meals and a snack, and this worked far better.

Although Im usually a breakfast-first-thing-in-the-morning kinda gal, on fasting days, I found it easier to push my first meal of the day (which was a piece of toast with light ricotta cheese and tomato, plus a milk-based coffee) back as far as I could to around 11am, have a snack of veggie sticks sometime in the afternoon and then an early dinner (usually veggie soup).

This helped me to actually fill up after meals rather than being constantly hungry, so food wasnt always on my mind.

For the majority of my month of fasting, I fasted on two non-consecutive days each week, and never on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays (that would be torture at least for me, anyway).

I dreaded the idea of doing two fasting days in a row, but thought for my last hurrah, I should give it a go just to see what its like. And the good news is, it wasnt nearly as hard as I thought it would be, but I wouldnt want to do it if I wasnt busy.

All in all, my month of intermittent fasting went surprisingly well, and Im pleased to report I now have a far greater understanding of the intricacies and challenges involved in the process. Although the incessant hunger pangs sucked, I think it was a valuable lesson in recalibrating my hunger and satiety cues, and to my surprise, didnt result in overeating on non-fasting days.

If youre struggling with the 5:2 diet or simply want to give it a go like me, the three best tips I can give you to maximise your chances of success are:

Of course, this is just my experience and shouldnt be taken as your call to try intermittent fasting if youre looking to lose weight. If youre in that boat, its essential that you seek individualised advice from a qualified expert who can assess your current diet and guide you through the process if appropriate.

There are some groups of people for whom intermittent fasting is simply not safe (pregnant women, children, adolescents, and people with diabetes, for example), and others who it just wont suit and thats perfectly okay. Losing weight is not a cookie-cutter approach, and whats far more important than following a fad diet briefly is finding your unique healthy eating sticking point that you can maintain, for life. Capiche?

Melissa Meier is a Sydney-based accredited practicing dietitian. You can connect with her on Instagram @honest_nutrition

This article originally appeared on bodyandsoul.com.au and was reproduced with permission

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I did 5:2 intermittent fasting for a month, and even as a dietitian Im surprised - NEWS.com.au