Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

FROM mince pies and mulled wine to chocolates and roast potatoes - it's easy to overindulge over the festive season.

But for most of us it gets to a point where you go from eating pigs in blankets to feeling like one.

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So, with the festivities behind us, you might be thinking about starting a fresh diet as a New Year's resolution.

But the medical director of the NHS, warned earlier this week that Brits should avoid quick-fix remedies that are too good to be true.

Prof Stephen Powis says that many dieting fads being sold on High Streets or plugged online are at best ineffective and can often be harmful.

He said: "New years resolutions are a great time to make a change, but the reality is theres a slim chance of success withdiet pills and detox teas."

So we've rounded up some of the top diets recommended by experts to help you pick the best weight loss plan for you as we kick start 2020.

This olive oil-rich diet promotes the consumption of vegetables and fruits in addition to oily fish, red wine, lean meats, nuts and low-fat dairy products.

It's low in refined sugar, red meat and processed foods which is why it's been linked to lowering risks of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure.

The diet also may improve kidney function and gut health.

According to the NHS, the Mediterranean diet varies by country and region, so it has a range of definitions, but in general, it's high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals, grains, fish, and unsaturated fats such as olive oil.

It usually includes a low intake of meat and dairy foods andtends to replace butter with oil, while flavouring comes from herbs and spices rather than salt.

Experts at Sheffield Hallam Uni also recommended it as the best diet to follow for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Not an eating plan designed for those of us in a hurry, DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

It's a plan specifically designed to help lower blood pressure.

It involves reducing yoursalt intake and loading up on foods that are chock-full of heart-friendly minerals like calcium, potassium andmagnesium.

Again, it involves you limiting how much red meat and sugar you consume, as well as fats.

MIND is short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, and it's a plan which combines the Med and DASH diets in the hope of improving brain health.

While the jury is still out as to whether you can seriously eat your way out of mental decline, experts have praised the MIND diet for encouraging such healthy attitudes towards food and nutrition.

Those on the plan are told that they must eat at least three servings of whole grains, a salad, another vegetable and a glass of wine a day.

Okay, so this one isn't a specific diet but more of a lifestyle programme - and it's the safest way to lose weight, according to the nation's top docs.

The NHS 12-week weight loss plan is scientifically-based anddesigned to help you lose weight at a safe rate of 0.5kg to 1kg (1lb to 2lb) each week by sticking to a daily calorie allowance.

For most men, this means sticking to a calorie limit of no more than 1,900kcal a day, and 1,400kcal for most women.

If you go over your limit one day, do not worry - it simply means you'll have to reduce your calorie intake on the following days.

The vegan diet is a plant-based, meat-free diet, which means avoiding eggs, dairy, and for some, honey too.

It consists solely of beans, grains, fruits, nuts, seeds and vegetables.

However, there are many substitutes which can be used in place of animal-based ingredients.

For example, cow's milk can be replaced with soy milk, and vegan margarine is a great alternative to butter.

According to scientists at Sheffield Hallam Uni, long-term vegans have lower total cholesterol than non-vegans.

Writing inThe Conversation, the study's author, Markos Klonizakis, said: "Our study found that the vegan diet offers benefits in the reduction of cholesterol levels.

"On the other hand, we did find that participants who followed the vegan diet appeared to also have a reduction in a number of important micro-nutrients such as B12 vitamin and iodine.

"This is despite us providing B12 supplements to participants."

Can't bear the thought of quitting meat entirely?

You don't have to - but you might want to limit how much you eat to once or twice a week.

Significantly reducing how much meat you eat has been proven to be effective in combating heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

In fact, flexitarians can reduce their likelihood of developing diabetes by a massive 28 per cent simply by reducing the number of times they eat meat.

WW - formerly known as Weight Watchers was ranked first for the best diet for weight loss and best commercial diet, according to US News.

It assigns point values to food based on their calorie, sugar, saturated fat andprotein content.

The healthiest foods havezero points, meaning that you can eat as much of them as you like.

You're given a daily point total which you meet by keeping a food diary.

You may have heard of "keto" and thought it was a fad, made popular by celebrities including the Kardashians and Halle Berry.

But the keto diet - or ketogenic diet - was actually developed by experts in the 1920s to treat children with epilepsy.

Similar to the Atkins diet, it's low-carb high-fat.

Writing in The Conversation, Sophie Medlin, a lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, said: "The keto diet got its name because ketones are the source of energy that the body uses when its burning fat.

"Ketones are produced in weight loss regardless of the type of diet you are following. So, actually, anyone who is losing weight is actually on a keto diet.

"Most people calling their diet a keto diet are simply following a low or very low carbohydrate diet.

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"Low carbohydrate diets can be helpful, at least in the short term, for some people to lose weight. However, as with the true ketogenic diet, most people cant stick with a very low carbohydrate diet for long.

"The latest research shows that its the ability to stick to the diet that matters.

"So if a low carbohydrate diet or keto diet is a practice that works for you and you are able to maintain it for as long as it takes to lose excess body fat and you are meeting your nutritional requirements then the science says that this should be encouraged."

US News 2020 Best Diets Ranking

Best Diets Overall 1. Mediterranean Diet2. DASH Diet3. Flexitarian Diet

Best Weight-Loss Diets1. WW (Weight Watchers)2. Vegan Diet (tie)2. Volumetrics Diet (tie)

Best Commercial Diets 1. WW (Weight Watchers)2. Jenny Craig3. Nutritarian Diet

Best Fast Weight-Loss Diets 1. HMR Diet2. Optavia Diet3. Atkins Diet (tie)3. Jenny Craig Diet (tie)3. Keto Diet (tie)3. WW (Weight Watchers) (tie)

Best Diets For Healthy Eating1. Mediterranean Diet (tie)1. DASH Diet (tie)3. Flexitarian Diet

Easiest Diets to Follow1. Mediterranean Diet2. Flexitarian Diet3. WW (Weight Watchers) (tie)3. MIND Diet (tie)

Best Diets for Diabetes 1. Mediterranean Diet2. DASH Diet (tie)2. Flexitarian Diet (tie)2. Mayo Clinic Diet (tie)2. Vegan Diet (tie)

Best Heart-Healthy Diets1. Ornish Diet2. Mediterranean Diet3. DASH Diet

To see the full list of diets, click here

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How to lose weight fast with the best diets of 2020 including keto, vegan and Mediterranean - The Sun

Alfredo Zuiga Jr. remembers gaining weightit happened slowly but consistently from around the time he was eight years old. Now 19 and a college student helping with his familys business in Fort Worth, Texas, he acknowledges that the reason the pounds kept creeping up was a simple one: He found comfort in food.

But the unfortunate side effect of all that comfort-eating was that by 17 years old, Zuiga weighed 275 pounds. His weight seemed out of his control. At my heaviest, I was going through a lot of depression, he says, because I was so insecure about my body. I felt like I was disgusting.

Nearing 300 pounds forced him to face an uncomfortable fact: If he was going to lose weight and get his body back under control, he would have to change his life. Hed have to get active, whatever that meant. So he started small, going on walks. At the beginning he would do two miles a day. As time went by, he walked longer distancessoon enough he was walking five miles a day. On top of that, hed started running three miles daily.

And he struck at the root of the problem: his diet. When he decided to change, he dropped all the junk food and fast food that had previously defined his life. Sugary drinks, too, went out the window. A pair of bodybuilder friends encouraged him to join them at the gym, where he could hit the weights to build strength as he slimmed down.

He was losing weight, but at 230 pounds he hit a roadblock. He was stuck there for a whole month, not dropping any lower. He figured hed plateaued; fixing his diet had gotten him this far, but hed have to try something more radical to keep going. He thought about a ketogenic diet, devouring everything he could find on the keto subreddit. Then he cut out all carbs in his meals. The weight started to fly off, he says. Even though hes no longer doing keto, he still keeps a close eye on his carb intake.

The way I stayed motivated was by telling myself Im changing my life every day when I woke up, he says. Hed felt like the fat guy in his friend group, and he wanted to make sure that wasnt his future. In two years, he dropped from 275 down to 19085 pounds. Hes eyeing 180, but people have told him hed be too skinny, and he should stay where he is. Hes also focusing on getting stronger, and earning that elusive six pack. Shoot, maybe Ill be built like The Rock one day, he says.

Whether he ever reaches the fitness heights of Dwayne Johnson, Zuiga has already transformed himself. Friends and family that I hadnt seen in a long time didnt even recognize me at all, he says. A cousin he grew up with walked right past him, not realizing who he was until Zuiga said something. Even he, looking back at old pictures of himself, is surprised by the person he sees. I never knew how fat I was, he says. Hes got a newfound confidence; friends even rib him about being too cocky.

For anyone needing a push to get started on their own transformation, he says now is the time. Persevere. Dont let negative thoughts control your mind, he says. If I was able to lose weight, I promise, you can too.

See the article here:
How Keto and Walking Helped This Guy Lose Nearly 90 Pounds - menshealth.com

Welcome to 2020. It is not just a new year but also a new decade! And, it may just be the year you (finally) lose weight, get fit and build those washboard abs. Here, to help you get started on your fitness resolution, weve jotted down 20 easy weight loss tips, diet hacks and workout routines (no thanks necessary!).

Intermittent Fasting (popularly also known as IF) is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. It doesnt specify which foods you can or cannot eat. It only focuses on when you should eat them. There are many IF plans and patterns that you can follow, but the most effective one, according to studies is the 16:8 IF diet. The 16:8 IF diet entails one to observe a 16-hour fasting period, followed by an 8-hour eating window.

You can commence a 16-hour fast at 10:00 pm in the night, after you eat your last meal of the day and go to sleepthats 7-8 hours gone right there. You can break the 16-hour fast at 2:00 pm with your lunch and eat small meals till 10:00 pmthis makes up the 8-hour eating window. Alternatively, you can also begin your fast at 8 pm and break it at 12 pm, the next day.

But, is IF really worth it? Find out here.

A keto diet (also known as the ketogenic diet) is a special diet plan that ensures you are eating foods that are high in fat (about 70 per cent), moderate in protein (about 25 per cent) and extremely low in carbohydrates (about 5 per cent). The main purpose of this diet is to help your body achieve the state of ketosis. When in ketosis, your body is constantly burning fat, and at a rate higher than any other diet plan will be able to help you achieve. You can read more about the keto diet here.

QUICK READ: How to lose weight like this guy who lost 38 kgs by following a ketogenic diet & this simple exercise regime

Emphasising portion control will yield the biggest (and also fastest) results. But portion control doesnt translate to starvation. In fact, nothing should ever lead to starvation as it will not help you in the long run. Portion control can start from eating only when you are hungry instead of binging on food when you are bored and also with small tweaks in your daily diet.

You can replace an oily veggie preparation with a bowl of dal and deep fried papad with a fresh salad. You can also cut down your intake of empty calories (biscuits, cakes and the likes) through the day and stick to a 4 or 5-meal plan with 2 rotis for lunch instead of 3 for starters and a bowl of brown rice instead of a huge plate of white rice.

QUICK READ: 7 portion control tips on how to lose weight fast

This is actually easier than the mathematically implied name suggests. All the food that we eat in a day are essentially just calories for the body. They are burned by our systems to produce energy and the extra calories get stored in the form of fat, leading to eventual weight gain. Counting your calories can help you create a deficit, which will burn fat faster. Theres also a calorie deficit diet pattern than you can follow to do this efficiently.

A calorie deficit pattern of dieting is based on the concept is based on the idea that as long as you eat fewer calories than you burn, youre bound to lose weight, according to Healthline. This diet pattern requires you to calculate the number of calories your body needs to consume to function smoothly without feeling hungry, and how much deficit you need create without harming your health. The deficit can then be created by cutting down empty calories and unhealthy fats. Keep in mind that the number of calories required to create a deficit is different for different body types. You can calculate yours online via a calorie calculator.

QUICK READ: How many calories should you eat every day to lose weight?

A whole foods diet is a lifestyle change that emphasises on the consumption of whole or minimally processed foods as your meals. Plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts make up this diet. The main concept of this diet is to cut down on junk food and heavily processed or preserved foods. Interestingly, the diet also does not limit your meat intake. It suggests to consume meat such as chicken cooked using healthy ingredients over chicken nuggets processed with a very high quantity of fats and preservatives.

QUICK READ: How to lose weight like this guy who lost 46 kgs and beat 30 ailments by following a unique plant-based diet

Adding high-fibre foods such as wholegrain breakfast cereals, wholegrain bread, broccoli, carrots, green peas, beans, oats, pears, oranges, and pulses will not just help you lose weight but also promote gut health. They are more filling and leave you satiated for a longer amount of time, thereby eliminating the need to snack in between meals.

They are also energy dense, which essentially means that the 100 gms for high-fibre foods will have fewer calories than a 100 gms serving of low-fibre foods. Soluble fibre found in oats, carrots and oranges helps regulate cholesterol and insoluble fibre found in nuts, cauliflower, green beans and potatoes help eliminate waste and toxins from your body.

QUICK READ: Can fibre help you lose belly fat?

Embracing a sugar-free life is definitely easier said than done and also trickier in theory. When dieticians and nutritionists suggest giving up the shiny crystals, what they want you to give up is processed white and brown sugar, sweetened drinks, sugary jams, syrups and artificial sweeteners and not natural sugars that your body can absorb from fruits (unless specified otherwise). Artificial sweeteners and processed sugar is not just high on empty calories but can also lead to obesity and an imbalance in your blood sugar and hormone levels.

But we understand that sugar is a huge part of Indian diets, so you can start small by replacing sugar, sugar cubes and sweeteners for your tea and coffee with jaggery.

Though waters primary functions include: transportation of nutrients throughout the body, regulation of bodys temperature and maintenance of pH levels to ensure your health is not at risk of any diseases, especially kidney stones. It is also an appetite suppressant.

Drinking water before meals can make you feel full for a longer amount of time, and reduce your calorie intake. Many a times, our body is not able to differentiate between hunger and thirst and as a result we end up binging on food, when were actually just craving a glass of water.

QUICK READ: How many glasses of water should one drink a day for effective weight loss?

Walking is the best form of free physical exercise that burns calories and belly fat. It also helps preserve lean body muscle. Walking for a mile which is about 1.6 km has the potential to burn almost 100 calories, depending on your body structure and weight. Club it with a healthy diet plan and routine, youll start noticing an improvement in your body soon. Read more about its benefits here.

Once you start walking daily, running cant be left far behind (also, that thing they say about a runners high? Yeah, thats totally real!). According to Healthline, running daily burns more calories than most other types of exercise because it requires many different muscles to work hard together.

Running also makes your more active and reduces the risk of many cardiovascular diseases and even lowers the risk of developing cancer.

QUICK READ: How running a little bit every day for two months changed my life

Contrary to popular opinion, sweating in an overcrowded gym is not the only way to torch fat. You can burn the same amount of calories, while listening to good music of your choice at home by following a simple home workout regime that can include running, Yoga, squats, brupees, crunches, skipping and basic weight training. Youll need to invest in a pair of dumbbells for the latter.

Fitness is a way of life and not just a hurdle or an obstacle that you overcome by losing weight. You have to commit to eating healthy, and the easiest way to do this is by getting rid of all junk food from your kitchen shelves and actually stocking cookie boxes with dry fruits and nuts and your refrigerator with a whole lot of fruits and green veggies instead of ice creams and candies.

Cheat meals are as important as rest and recovery during a body transformation or weight loss journey. They help break the monotony of a diet plan and motivate you to work harder the next day in the gym or at home. However, keep in mind that the luxury of a cheat meal can only be afforded once youve got accustomed to your diet and exercise regime. Also, ensure that a cheat meal only remains a cheat meal and does not extend to a cheat day.

Not many of us are aware of the fact that poor sleeping habits aid to weight gain. When you dont sleep enough and well, a stress hormone - cortisol - increases in your body. This hormone may cause a spike in your appetite and thats probably why we eat when we cant sleep at night. On the other hand, a healthy sleeping pattern - 7 to 9 hours - can not only boost your metabolism but also leave you feeling fresher in the morning.

QUICK READ: The trick to fall asleep faster, according to a psychologist

First things first: what is cardio? Well, cardio is any form of exercise that raises your heart rate, gets the blood really pumping and gets you to break into a sweat. If youre really unfit then even climbing a flight of stairs can be classified as cardio. Notably, activities such as jogging, running and even skipping comprise as cardio. It is working out with the absence of weights.

Bonus, you dont really need a gym membership to commence a cardio-led workout regime, but in case you already have one these are the best cardio machines for every type of workout.

If you are looking to torch fat and not lose muscle mass while you are at it then weight training is an option for you. It burns fewer calories than cardio but improves your metabolism over time and does not leave you with loose or hanging skin after a drastic body transformation. Ideally, your weight loss workout routine should be a mix of both cardio and weight training.

Practising Yoga daily can not only help you lose weight but also improve your flexibility, athletic ability and give you mental clarity. It helps you disconnect with the world for a bit daily to improve your breathing, posture and also makes you more aware of your food choices bad lifestyle habits. Thereby, treading a clear path to your weight loss and fitness goals.

QUICK READ: 10 reasons why men should do yoga

A popular form of cardio exercise, swimming can help burn more calories than jogging or cycling without the sweat. "Swimming is a low impact sport, which helps build endurance and muscle strength without any injuries," said Nisha Millet, Brand Advocate, Speedo India to GQ in a previous interaction. "On an average, a person weighing 75 to 80 kgs can burn between 500 to 800 calories in an hour with moderate paced swimming," she added. Plus, everything you need to know before diving in.

When you start exercising daily, it is only natural to feel even hungrier post a rigorous workout session. But instead of eating all the calories, youve so painfully lost in the past hour, time your gym sessions or home workout schedules in accordance to your meals. This way, youll curb overeating and feel energised after a robust workout.

The most important thing to remember is that weight loss is not magic. It requires time, patience and consistency. And, cultivating a positive attitude will help you break a weight loss plateau and even get over bad days at the gym.

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How to lose weight and get fit in 2020: 20 easy tips, diet hacks and workout routines to help you get started - GQ India

As the incidence of diabetes continues to increase globally, the fight against this chronic condition continues. New research explains not only what triggers type 2 diabetes but also how to reverse the condition. The findings also shed light on what leads to remission after reversal for some people.

Between 1980 and 2014, the number of people living with diabetes across the world increased from about 108 million to 422 million.

As many as 90% of these individuals have type 2 diabetes.

Pharmacological interventions have done little to stop what some have referred to as the diabetes pandemic.

Lifestyle interventions, however, may succeed where other approaches have failed.

A couple of years ago, Medical News Todayreported on the first results of a clinical trial, which showed that intensive weight loss programs could help people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission without taking any medication.

The trail was called the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), and one of its co-leaders was Prof. Roy Taylor from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.

But how does this remission occur, and can it last in the long term? Why do some people achieve lasting remission while for others, the condition returns?

Prof. Taylor set out with his team to answer these questions, using data from the DiRECT trial and applying cutting-edge imaging and blood monitoring techniques.

The researchers published their findings in the journal Cell Metabolism.

The study aimed to test and confirm the so-called twin cycle hypothesis, which Prof. Taylor and team put forth more than a decade ago.

The theory proposed that type 2 diabetes results from the accumulation of fat in the liver, which induces insulin resistance and increases blood sugar production.

These effects, in turn, increase plasma insulin levels, precipitating "a self-reinforcing cycle" in which insulin stimulates fat production.

These increased levels of liver fat cause the lipids to overspill into several tissues, including the pancreas.

Beta-cells, which are responsible for creating insulin, are located in the pancreas. "Long-term exposure to saturated fatty acids is harmful to [beta]-cells," write the authors.

In the present study, the authors investigated the predictions of the twin cycle hypothesis 2 years into the DiRECT trial.

The researchers wanted to "describe the pathophysiologic processes underlying the recurrence of type 2 diabetes in the group that initially achieved remission but then relapsed back to diabetes."

To this end, the researchers quantified intra-organ and abdominal fat using cutting-edge MRI scans at 12 and 24 months. They looked at pancreatic and liver fat, specifically.

The analysis included measurements of glucose, HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. The team also analyzed fatty acids, insulin secretion, and beta-cell function.

The study revealed that the majority of the trial participants maintained remission over the 2 years but that this was only possible if liver triglycerides and fat in the pancreas remained low.

Specifically, almost 9 out of 10 participants who managed to lose 15 kilograms or more in the DiRECT trial reversed their condition.

After 2 years, more than one-third of these individuals had been free of diabetes and the need for diabetes medication for at least 24 months.

A small group, however, experienced relapse, which was associated with a return to high liver triglycerides and high intrapancreatic fat levels.

Prof. Taylor explains: "We saw that when a person accumulates too much fat, which should be stored under the skin, then it has to go elsewhere in the body. The amount that can be stored under the skin varies from person to person, indicating a 'personal fat threshold' above which fat can cause mischief."

"When fat cannot be safely stored under the skin, it is then stored inside the liver and overspills to the rest of the body, including the pancreas. This 'clogs up' the pancreas, switching off the genes [that] direct how insulin should effectively be produced, and this causes type 2 diabetes."

Prof. Roy Taylor

"This means we can now see type 2 diabetes as a simple condition where the individual has accumulated more fat than they can cope with," continues the author, stressing the hopeful implications of this finding.

"Importantly, this means that through diet and persistence, patients are able to lose the fat and potentially reverse their diabetes. The sooner this is done after diagnosis, the more likely it is that remission can be achieved."

"For the first time," conclude Prof. Taylor and team in their paper, "we are able to report the underlying physiologic changes during a full cycle of disease reversal and re-emergence."

In the U.K., the National Health Service (NHS) will roll out a program that will test the weight loss therapy in thousands of people living with type 2 diabetes.

Continue reading here:
Study reveals what causes type 2 diabetes and how to reverse it - Medical News Today

NEW YORK (AP) Did someone invite a spy into your home over the holidays? Maybe so, if a friend or family member gave you a voice-controlled speaker or some other smart device.

It's easy to forget, but everything from internet-connected speakers with voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa to television sets with built-in Netflix can be always listening and sometimes watching, too. As with almost all new technology, installing such devices means balancing privacy risks with the conveniences they offer.

The research firm IDC estimates worldwide shipments of 815 million smart speakers, security cameras and other devices in 2019, up 23% from 2018. Many of the sales are for gifts.

You could sidestep the risks altogether by returning the devices right away. But if you decide to keep them and the artificial intelligence behind them there are a few things you can do to minimize their eavesdropping potential.

THE SPEAKERS LISTEN ... AND WATCH

Smart speakers such as Amazon's Echo and Google Home let you check weather and appointments with simple voice commands. Fancier versions come with cameras and screens.

Many of these devices listen constantly for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. Typically, they will ignore private chatter and transmit sound recordings only when you trigger the device, such as by pressing a button or speaking a command phrase like "OK Google. Some gadgets also have a mute button to disable the microphones completely.

But there's no easy way for consumers to verify those safeguards. In one case, the Alexa assistant in an Echo device misheard background conversation as a command to send the chatter to an acquitance and so it did.

One more catch: Voice commands sent over the internet are typically stored indefinitely and may include conversations in the background. They can be sought in lawsuits and investigations.

Reputable companies let you review and delete your voice history, Amazon now lets you request automatic deletions after three or 18 months but you need to set that up, and theres no option to keep Amazon from saving your command history at all.

Until recently, tech companies allowed employees and contractors to review the voice interactions for quality control and some of those details leaked. Following a backlash, many companies are at least making it clearer and easier to opt out of human review. Pay attention to your choices.

If you have kids, set up a passcode for shopping if your speaker allows it. Otherwise, it can be child's play for a kid to order toys and other goodies through Alexa.

As for those screen models, many also have cameras for video chats. When youre not using the device, consider turning it around to face the wall, especially in the bedroom and other private settings. Or stick a bandage or some tape over the camera. It shouldnt be recording, but why tempt fate?

SECURITY WITH SECURITY VIDEO

Online security cameras let you check in on your pets or kids when you're not home. Amazons Ring doorbell lets you check whos at the door without getting up.

Heres the rub: If you can view video on an app, it's possible that a skilled hacker can, too.

When you use the same password at multiple services, a hacker stealing your password from one place can try it on the camera service, too. So dont reuse password. When available, enable two-factor authentication, which requires you to enter a temporary code sent as a text to ensure its you.

Again, you might want to turn the camera to face the wall when you're home. It's a pain, though, and if you forget to turn it back when you leave, it defeats the purpose of having a security camera.

ARE SMART LOCKS SMART?

Smart locks let you unlock doors with an app, so you can let in guests even when you're not home. Burglars might try to hack the system, though it's often easier for them to just break a window.

As a precaution, disable any capabilities to unlock doors through a smart speaker voice command, especially if you have prankster kids or teens who might want to sneak someone in.

Though digital keys can be convenient for letting in guests and contractors, they can also leave a digital trail. In a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you've been staying out late on school nights. If you rent and create a guest key that's used daily, the landlord might suspect an unauthorized occupant.

ABOUT THOSE TVs

Many smart TVs and TV streaming devices come with mics for voice-activated playback controls and video search. That means having audio snippets transmitted over the internet. The same warnings for smart speakers apply here.

There's a simple fix if you aren't using the internet features on your smart TV: Just don't connect the TV to your Wi-Fi in the first place. Of course, this won't work if you're not using a separate gadget for streaming video.

TOYS THAT TALK

Kids might get a kick out of dolls and other toys that talk back. But if the toy is connected to the internet, pay attention to how much control its giving parents and whether its letting kids connect to the outside world. You can check online to see if other parents or consumer groups have identified problems.

And be sure to install the latest apps and other software updates, as they may come with fixes for flaws that can otherwise be exploited by hackers.

Read the original here:
Beware of the smart device: Ways to stay private and safe - Yahoo Lifestyle

At 2:56 p.m. CT on Sunday,Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrickbecame a cult hero in Kansas City, joining the likes of Len Dawson, George Brett and Patrick Mahomes.

OK, OK, not quite.

But make no mistake about it: If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl this season, Fitzpatricks game-winning touchdown throw against theNew England Patriots which came with24 seconds left and delivered the Dolphins a 27-24 upset victory will be a reason why. Thanks to the Dolphins victory, the Chiefs locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC, plus a corresponding first-round bye that will be critical for one of the leagues most banged-up playoff teams.

Fitzpatrick, who may have cemented his case as the best journeyman quarterback of the past two decades, is indeed recognized in Kansas City as Fitzmagic, so much so thata few Chiefs fans started donating $14 apiece to his charityafter his Sunday heroics.

Tom Brady and the Patriots weren't pleased with their regular-season finale performance on Sunday in a defeat against the Dolphins. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

But one fanbase that should be worried about the carnage from the latest reincarnation of Fitzmagic is New Englands. Their Patriots, the Beasts of the AFC East, and dreams of a repeat title are in trouble.

And not just because they lost the game. But because of when they lost the game, to who, and how.

Not even Brady sugarcoated the loss.

Well, it was a great chance for us to not play next week, Brady said. So, we didnt take advantage of it. We just didnt play good enough and we all wish we would have done a better job. Certainly I do.

The Patriots offense was mid-grade against the Dolphins, just like it has been all season long. At this point, with the calendar only days away from turning to 2020, weve seen little to think it will change, as retired tight end Rob Gronkowskis absence has never been more apparent.

For 16 games, the Patriots have consistently lacked an answer when competent defenses take away Julian Edelman and James White. And the Patriots knew it.

Thats why they took a swing on radioactive All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown in September. Brady does not trust the other receivers, and with a beat-up offensive line in front of him, the Patriots running game hasnt established itself either, leaving New England outmanned against teams that can take away their two primary offensive threats (i.e. most good teams).

Plenty of times this season, the Patriots (12-4) have ridden their top-ranked defense and special teams to victory. But when either of those units falter even a tad, it often results in a loss, as we saw Sunday.

And even though the Patriots defense surrendered the game-winning score late, it wouldnt even have mattered if the Patriots offense had done its job against a spunky but still bad Miami defense.

Against the Dolphins, New England ran for 135 yards on 27 carries. Thats the average that Miamis 27th-ranked rushing defense has surrendered this year. If New England was actually good at running the ball, it would have rushed for more.

While White, a sensational receiver out of the backfield, caught a touchdown pass, he and Edelman combined for six catches and a measly 59 yards. Everyone else had 10 catches for 162 yards, with numerous missed opportunities against the leagues 28th-ranked pass defense.

And, yes, folks, those struggles even include Brady,the verifiable football G.O.A.T.Brady battled with inaccuracy all game, even when he wasnt pressured, as he completed 16 of 29 passes for 221 yards and an interception. Most of the completions were of the short variety and against a group that typically gives up 265 yards per game.

Miami's Tae Hayes breaks up a pass intended for New England's N'Keal Harry. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

This happened at home!

In December!

Against a divisional foe with a bad statistical pass defense!

In a game in which they were playing for a first-round bye!

By any measure, this is a brutal and unacceptable loss for New England, the type that portends to playoff failure. We almost never see this from the Bill Belichick Patriots. When its late in the season and they need to win a game, Belichicks Patriots almost always get the job done, especially when theyre facing an opponent they know intimately in Foxborough.

All hope is not lost. Although theyre now stuck playing on wild-card weekend, typically in the playoffs, you cant go wrong picking the team with the best coach-quarterback combination to go the whole way. For years, that has been Brady and Belichick, and after six rings, if any coach and quarterback combination deserves the benefit of the doubt, its those two.

However, the respect the Patriots have earned over the past two decades has led many including myself to dismiss this seasons warning signs.

If the Patriots end up representing the AFC in the Super Bowl for the fourth straight year, you can bet well all be referring to the latest dose of Fitzmagic as the wake-up call this offense needed to get there.

Weve got to dig deep this week weve got to look ourselves in the mirror and get ready to go, safety Devin McCourty said. Like I said earlier, no one feels sorry for the Patriots not getting a first-round bye in the playoffs. It is what it is. We talk about it each year, each team has their own journey and this is our journey to go out there next week, wild-card weekend and have an opportunity to continue to play. If we want to earn the right to play next week, weve got to go out there and play well.

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We can no longer ignore flaws of Patriots and Tom Brady - Yahoo Lifestyle

The New Years Eve firework display at Sydney Harbour will go ahead as planned, despite a total fire ban and calls for it to be canceled due to Australias bushfire crisis.

At least 11 other firework displays across New South Wales have been canceled or postponed in recent days, The BBC reported as a heatwave struck Australia on Monday with every single state seeing temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightning strikes and high winds are causing fires to spread faster than predicted towards the coast.

The Australian state has declared two state of emergencies in the past two months due to the fires.

David Gray/Getty Images

The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, told the Sydney Morning Herald, that Canceling would be of little practical advantage to those who have lost so much in the bush[fires]. We are going through really tough times now and it brings us together to celebrate a new year with hope.

The New South Whales Rural Fire Service also confirmed on Twitter that the fireworks would go on.

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A petition with more than 270,000 signatures called for organizers behind the Sydney display to cancel it and instead donate the money to farmers and firefighters. According to the petition, $5.8 million AUD (about $4 million) was spent on fireworks in Sydney last year.

The fires have killed 10 people since they broke out in September. One firefighter was killed on Monday when a truck was overturned due to high winds, according to The Guardian. In New South Wales, where Sydney is, there are at least 100 fires currently burning.

Earlier this month it was reported that smoke alarms in Sydney were being set off by smoke from fires 60 miles away.

An evacuation was ordered and then quickly rescinded in the state of Victoria. About 40,000 people were urged to leave East Gippsland, a popular resort area. Thousands stayed and were then told it was too late to leave as dangerous conditions burned across major roads.

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Sydneys Fireworks Will Still Go Off on New Years Eve Despite Nearby Bushfires - Yahoo Sports

They are great friends who share in lifes moments and experiences. Together they celebrate the good times and console each other through the bittersweet moments that are part of their career.

Puerto Ricans Bryan Ortiz, Sebastin Carazo and Victor Gmez IV share the same passion: speed and cars. Among them reigns great camaraderie.

Although Puerto Rico already has a solid reputation within the drag racing world, these young drivers managed to place the island in a great position during 2019, earning the local flag a spot at the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) closing ceremonies.

30-year-old Ortiz won the Global Mazda MX-5 cup at the Weathertech Raceway in Laguna Seca, Ca. So far, he has captured seven victories and 18 podium finishes.

This is a very complicated sport. You could have the best car and the best team and there will always be something beyond your control, said Ortiz, who was sub-champion of the MX-5 in 2018.

This year, as opposed to previous ones, I didnt feel like I had the fastest car so my strategy was to always be among the top six drivers and it worked, we took home the first-place prize. My series is very competitive and there are a lot of cars; a lot of young men trying to take off. Its like the difference between playing college basketball and playing for the NBA. In my series, everyone is giving it their all in order to be able to make the jump into the NBA, he explained.

Due to a crash in which his car was totaled during the first race of 2018, Sebastin Carazos debut that year did not go as planned. In 2019, however, Carazo won 12 of the 16 races he participated in. (Manuel Vlez)

This year was a special one for Ortiz not only because of his wins, but also because he was made Mazdas Factory Driver.

Not only did I win my series championship, but I am also the first Puerto Rican to become a Factory Driver for Mazda. This means that in 2020 Ill be racing with the companys resources, engineers and designers as part of my team. Its a very all-encompassing endeavor, added the driver that is also sponsored by Bella Group in Puerto Rico.

In 2020, Ortiz will move to IMSAs TCR series.

The car is different; it has more traction in the front, its more aerodynamic. Its very different, stated Ortiz.

Ortiz, the oldest of the three drivers, has been a key part of Carazos development. This year Carazo surprised everyone by participating in every race of the Porsche GT3 Gold Cup, as opposed to last year when he only partook in half of the series.

I owe so much to Sebastins dad, Rhamses Carazo. He gave me a chance to race for them and I helped train Sebastin, someone whos trajectory Ive always followed. We are like brothers, it makes me happy to bear witness to his accomplishments and all the things he does to better himself, said Ortiz.

Bryan Ortiz won the Global Mazda MX-5 cup at the Weathertech Raceway in Laguna Seca, Ca. So far, he has captured seven victories and 18 podium finishes. (Manuel Vlez)

21-year old Carazo has taken the risky sport of racing seriously ever since his dad got him involved with go-karts.

Even though he is a rising star, Carazo never forgets where he comes from, even in the midst of the champagne celebrations so characteristic of his sport. He is very well aware that this is just the beginning.

I have learned a lot this past year, recalled Carazo. Throughout the beginning of the season, from April to October, I learned a lot about limits, how to push the car to its limits. It was a lot to learn and I still have much more to learn. This year got me out of my comfort zone, all the races presented different challenges but we always managed to place in the first three places, he said.

Due to a crash in which his car was totaled during the first race of 2018, Carazos debut that year did not go as planned. In 2019, however, Carazo won 12 of the 16 races he participated in.

Vctor Gmez IV is a fan of sports car endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at which drivers use gran turismo and prototype cars. (Manuel Vlez)

The accident made me realize that this was hard to do. I studied the accident like a thousand times, it was a test and I learned a lot from it. From then on everything changed. Today I can say that the accident was my best moment because it was then that I learned when I needed to be more competitive, claimed Carazo.

In 2020, Carazo plans to race the Platinum GT3 series in which Victor Gmez IV raced during 2019. His rise to this series was imminent, he already has his new car.

I will be racing the platinum series and we already have the car. Ive already practiced in it. Im also trying to lose weight while also strengthening my body so that I can give it my all in 2020. I want to look good so Im working hard at that, he stated.

Carazo was also pleased about how things unfolded for him, Gmez IV and Ortiz during 2019.

Puerto Rico is highly respected in the drag racing world, and we are slowly gaining ground in circuit racing even though the island doesnt the facilities we need to train safely. I am very happy with everything thats happening to us, continued Carazo.

Gmez IV is a fan of sports car endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, at which drivers use gran turismo and prototype cars.

I could stay in the Platinum series but my goal is to make it into endurance racing, said Gmez. 2019 was a year of learning. I raced in a new category with a faster car. The competition was hard but I have to say that I am very attracted to endurance races like the 24 Hours at Daytona and the Le Mans. Those are my goals and the reason why I am training my body so hard, at those levels the G force is different, said a smiling Gmez IV.

Gmez IV, Ortiz and Carazo are no longer unknown within their sport. The public showing of support was evident during this past season.

Everybody knows who we are already. Puerto Ricans know who are and that is really important to us. Seeing our flag waving in the wing at the races is just an added benefit, said Gmez, who mentioned that he has a special announcement he will make at a later date.

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Kings of the Track | Profile - The Weekly Journal

Losing weight and keeping it off is a lot easier when you have expert guidance from the leader in weight loss and its supportive community. WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers) just rolled out its most customized program ever, and it's poised to continue to help millions of members around the world accomplish their weight-loss and wellness goals in 2020. With myWW, each new member takes a personal assessment which matches them with a customized program that can make losing weight easier.

While many members follow and succeed on the WW program using the WW app, those who would like a little extra expert guidance and consistent support swear by the weekly WW Workshops to keep them accountable and help them stay on track. WW Coaches host weekly 30-minute Workshops at over 800 Studios nationwide.

Meghan Niro is a WW member at the WW Studio Woonsocket. Learn more about her weight-loss journey and get inspired!

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Meghan: About two years ago, I hit my rock bottom. I had two babies, 14 months apart, and gained close to 70 pounds between both. I was eating just out of convenience to keep my head afloat with two babies under 2 years old. I knew I needed a change, and I knew I didn't have the willpower to embrace a healthy lifestyle alone. I joined WW, and I've lost 93.4 pounds.

Meghan: My favorite thing about WW is the sense of community. You have Workshops, the WW app, the WW Instagram page and WW Connect (WW's members-only digital community) where you can find support, engage with other members, share your struggles, get inspired, find recipe ideas or even get answers to questions about the program.

Meghan: I love that the new myWW program is customized to fit my lifestyle. Members just take the myWW personal assessment, and then WW's smart algorithm matches them with their very own proven weight-loss plan.

Meghan: I attribute a lot of my success to the community I have at my WW Studio. It's been like a second home to me for the past two years, and I look forward to going to my Workshop every week. It's where we share our successes and struggles, and where we can be vulnerable with each other. It's also where I can offer and receive advice from my fellow members. I wouldn't have this sense of community if I was losing weight on my own.

Meghan: Each Coach I've had the pleasure of meeting has different qualities about them that I enjoy, but I have to give a shoutout to my main Coach, Kathy Forte. She is a mentor to me, and she goes above and beyond for her WW Workshop members. She's an inspiration herself to me because she has maintained her weight loss for almost 20 years!

Meghan: I look forward to seeing the successes of others and celebrating them. I look forward to seeing people who I consider friends every week share their triumphs or struggles.

Meghan: The best nutrition tip I've picked up from WW is the importance of PORTION CONTROL. I measure everything I eat. I use measuring spoons, cups and a food scale daily, which is something I never even thought twice about before starting my wellness journey.

The best fitness tip I've picked up from WW is: Something is always better than nothing. I never attempted the gym, fitness classes or home workouts prior to my weight-loss journey, because I didn't think I liked exercise. Truth was, I just didn't like the gym. Exercise makes me sleep better, and it makes me a happier person overall. I walk almost every day. I put on my favorite podcasts, get my 10,000 steps in and I feel great afterwards!

Meghan: They are most surprised by how much WW has evolved through the years. My grandmother did WW back in the '70s, and she mentioned how limited the menu was when she did the program. Now, nothing is off-limits. Friends and family also are surprised by the WW app and how easy/user-friendly it is now to track through your phone instead of using a paper tracker.

Meghan: My favorite local hot spot for a healthy meal is Blackies in Smithfield. They have SO MANY healthy-plate options, even giving you the option to build your own plate. I also love Jacky's Galaxie on Mineral Spring for sushi and sashimi!

Meghan: My best advice is that we all have a day one. Losing weight is not easy. Determine why you want to lose weight, like maybe your child is getting married and you want to look your best. Or, you want to be more active to keep up with your kids. Your "why" will help keep you motivated and focused during your wellness journey.

Meghan: It's affected my lifestyle completely. I love being outside and being active with my boys (who I can keep up with). I now look forward to making dinner every night. I try to incorporate new WW-friendly recipes into our menu every week!

It's also affected my mindset immensely and taught me the importance of self-care. I think most moms would agree that we always put ourselves last on the list. I know I did for a long time until I told myself I would be a better mom and a better person overall if I put my wellness (mental and physical) first.

Meghan: Before WW I would say I was complacent, dull and unhealthy. Now I would say I'm driven, powerful and motivated.

Meghan: I don't make resolutions anymore I make intentions. I make a list of realistic goals with dates to have those intentions accomplished. Last year I hit "onederland" (the weight loss milestone of being under 200 pounds) in February, ran my first 5K in April, and hiked a mountain in August. In 2020, my intentions are to run the Disney 5K, hit my WW weight-loss goal and try a cycle class!

(For more from Meghan, follow her on Instagram at @meggssteronww.)

WW is a weight-loss program that takes a people-focused, science-backed approach to promoting weight loss and healthy living. Its new program, myWW, is fully customized to make losing weight easier for you.

When you join myWW, you'll start with a personal assessment that asks a range of questions about your unique food preferences, activity level, lifestyle and approach to weight loss. Based on your responses, WW will scientifically match you with a customized, proven weight-loss plan that can make losing weight easier.

Every person in the WW Studio is on your side! The friendly guides and expert Coaches will quickly become your greatest motivators and sources of support to make 2020 the year you reach your weight-loss goals!

Workshops held at WW Studio locations cover topics that are relevant to weight loss, health and wellness. You can participate as much or as little as you want. There are WW Workshops during the morning, afternoon and evening, seven days a week. This gives you flexibility to attend the Workshop time/day/location that works for during any particular week and ensure your accountability network is always accessible.

Based on years of research, the WW Workshop curriculum is always evolving to bring the best science-backed techniques to help you lose weight and build healthy habits for life.

People following the WW plan can expect to lose 1-2 lbs/wk.

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How WW (Formerly Weight Watchers) Helped This Mom Lose 93 Pounds - Patch.com

If your New Year's resolution is to lose 10 pounds in a week, adjust that goal now. Theres virtually no healthy way to drop that much weight that fast, but there are steps you can take to slim down quickly. Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N, head of nutrition at WW and author of Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked), is here to tell you how, step-by-step. If you follow her guidance, you should be able to lose 1 to 2 pounds per week in a way that helps you keep it off.

Chances are you like to eat, and lucky for you, losing weight requires you to do just that! Dont skip meals," says London. "We all do it sometimes, and women especially have a tendency to cut back, limit, or restrict their intake, which backfires every time! Instead, she says the key is to eat every 3 or 4 hours (whether thats a full meal or a small snack at 200 calories or less), which will fuel you all day long, keep you satiated, and lower your chances of overeating or succumbing to late-night bingeing. And each meal should be a combo of lean protein, fiber, and fat, London says. Following the Mediterranean diet is your best bet because its got all the types of foods that will help you lose weight. And whenever you can, opt for a whole foodso vegetables instead of veggie chips, whole grain bread instead of white, a baked sweet potato instead of sweet potato fries, fruit instead of fruit juiceyou get the idea!

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, more is better, London says. Consuming fiber- and nutrient-rich foods in bulk means youre more likely to consistently lose weightand keep it off. At least half of your plate should be filled with veggies, no matter the meal, London says. Sandwich for lunch? Stuff that baby with all the veggies available to you. Sushi for dinner? Start with a salad and a veggie-based appetizer, then choose rolls with extra vegetables built in. Try adding a piece of fruit or an extra serving of veggies to your snacks, too. London loves swapping crispy radishes, carrots, or jicama for chips and dip, and using apple slices instead of crackers as a base for peanut butter.

One of the easiest tricks to quickly whittle away weight is to cut back on sugary drinks and foods. Make sure all your beveragescoffee, tea, sparkling waterare unsweetened, and when ordering alcohol, go with spirits on the rocks, says London. Also be mindful of sneaky sources of added sugar (coconut sugar and cane sugar are still sugars!), such as fruit purees, sauces, condiments, and other packaged goods, including savory ones like chips or bread.

Exercise and weight loss can be trickybuilding lean muscle is key, but overdoing the activity can lead to burnout and make you feel hungrier later on, says London. Thats why I like to recommend you make it your personal goal to simply move more. Walking whenever and wherever you can is an easy way to boost your activity levels without logging more hours at the gym. Other good tips: Take the long way to your favorite coffee shop, walk up and down the stairs during commercial breaks, or do a lower ab workout while you wait for the pasta water to boil.

Next time you feel peckish, ask yourself a few questions to determine what you needa drink, a snack, or a full meal.

Your sleep habits can affect your appetite," says London. "If youre coming up short in the sleep department, you may feel hungrier during the day or end up eating more simply because youre spending more hours awake." Aim to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night, but if you do find yourself having a sleepy day, giving yourself a caffeine jolt can help curb your need to munch.

Find a likeminded friend or online group to help keep you accountable, or seek out apps or programs that can help you keep track of your eating habits. myWW provides a framework in which you apply all of these concepts in ways that work best for you, says London. The new program has a personal assessment you take at the outset, so snack hacks, recipe suggestions, and dining out strategies are customized to meet your food preferences and lifestylesresulting in a plan thats designed just for your life.

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Here's Your 7-Step Plan to Lose Weight Fast in 2020 - Prevention.com