Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

TAUNTON Nobody touched more lives in the city of Taunton and the Coyle and Cassidy community than New Bedford native Howard Howie Waldron.

In fact, there were many across the country who loved Waldron, longtime teacher and coach at Coyle and Cassidy. He was truly one of a kind.

No. 1 no matter who he met, he made them feel special, said former Coyle and Cassidy athletic director Tom Pileski. That is something that is really lost in todays society. Youd speak with him and you would think you were the only person in the world that was important. He had that ability to make people really, really happy.

Waldron died at Massachusetts General Hospital on Dec. 27 surrounded by his loving family. He was 66.

A wake for Waldron was set for Thursday inside the Coyle and Cassidy auditorium, with a Mass of Christian burial to be held in the auditorium on Friday at 11 a.m.

It is the first time the wake and funeral of non-clergy member will be held inside the high school.

[My family and I] cant be thankful enough to the people of Coyle and Cassidy for doing this, Waldron sons Eric Hayston said. He meant that much to them. He was loved by everybody and would do anything for anybody.

Waldron embodied the true warrior spirit, teaching and supporting countless Coyle and Cassidy students.

Coach Waldron was a great teacher and coach, and even a better person, said former Taunton mayor Thomas Hoye Jr., who was a part of his weightlifting team in 1985-86. He was a man that raised the standards of those around them. He inspired thousands of student athletes to reach their limits and beyond. He helped many and never sought praise. He will be greatly missed.

Waldron was born April 1, 1953, in New Bedford to his parents William J. Waldron Jr. and Edith L. (Bearse) Waldron.

He received his education at St. Marys Grammar School in Taunton from 1959-1967 and later attended Monsignor James Coyle High school (formerly the Taunton Catholic Middle School on Summer Street) from 1967-1971.

Waldron received his degree in 1975 from Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he played college football with former Los Angeles Raider star and 1984 Super Bowl champion Lyle Alzado. The now-defunct college closed its doors in 1984 and is now the site of a federal prison camp.

His teaching career began in 1975 as a substitute teacher for the Yankton Public Schools. In 1976 through 1979, Waldron taught social studies (grades 7-12) for the Wakonda Public Schools in South Dakota. He also coached several of their athletic teams.

It was upon his return to Massachusetts in 1979 that he came to Coyle and Cassidy where he continued his career as a social studies teacher and athletic coach. During his tenure in Taunton he coached freshman football (1979-1980), served as assistant football coach (1981-1991), head track coach (1980-1984) and as the strength coach (1979-2009).

Throughout his career, Waldron received professional recognition for his dedication and service to high school powerlifting. He took a couple of weightlifters to the world championship and had a few that won world championship titles as teenagers.

One of the things that people dont know about my dad is that he had a large number of female weight lifting champions, Hayston said. He did not care what high school you went to nor if you were a boy or girl. All he cared was that you walked in that door and gave everything you had.

The Yankton College Alumni Advisory Board awarded Waldron the Alumni Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions in his chosen field in 2014.

Waldron was inducted into the Coyle and Cassidy Hall of Fame in 2012 and had the Warrior weight room renamed after him in 2016.

His philosophy was were going to give you the things to go on in life by weightlifting, Hayston said. By learning how to lift, learning dedication and the repetitiveness, this will give you the fuel that you can transfer everywhere else in the world. The amount of students that he had went on to college and much greater things. The list is endless.

Hayston first met Waldron at the age of 11. He said Waldron quickly took him and his brother as sons.

He never tried being a dad to us but ended up being the greatest dad in the world, Hayston said.

The city of Taunton lost one of the kindest, teaching human beings on earth. Hayston said he would take the shirt off his back to help those in need. He even gave students money if needed for their meets.

There will never be another Howie Waldron.

His impact in Taunton will never be repeated, Hayston said. His impact on the city, and in weightlifting is immeasurable.

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Coyle Cassidy, Taunton communities mourn loss of former teacher, New Bedford native Howie Waldron - SouthCoastToday.com

Graham Lawton has spent his career researching the science of a longer life. Here he sorts the facts from the fads

The Times,January 2 2020, 12:01am

I have a confession. Im overweight, lazy and cant remember the last time I drank less than 14 units of alcohol in a week. I love fast food, snacks in front of the TV and the occasional crafty cigarette outside a pub. I rarely use my gym membership, and take medication to control my blood pressure.

Yet last year I cycled more than 1,200 miles and ran the equivalent of 15 marathons. I eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily, drink plenty of water and watch my salt. I also fast regularly, swim and practise Pilates. My good habits appear to outweigh the bad. Im 50, but my biological age was recently measured as 45. Im proof you dont have to be fanatical to

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How to live longer: 14 health tips from the science expert who really knows - The Times

Its no surprise that intermittent fasting is one of the most popular types of eating plans. You dont need to measure out food or buy any prepackaged shakes. There are no required weigh-ins or calorie counting. All you really have to do is not eat during certain hours. Its pretty simple.

There are different ways to go about it, of course. Most people do the 16:8 diet, in which you fast for 16 hours and then eat within an eight-hour window. Theres also the 5:2 diet, where you drastically cut back on calories just two days a week, and there are 24-hour fasts, where you dont eat anything one day each month.

Regardless of the method, significantly restricting when you eat can throw your body for a loop and cause a handful of odd side effects. Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone. (People with a history of disordered eating, for example, should definitely avoid it.)

Its important to know what to expect before you jump into any new eating habit. Heres what happens to you mentally, physically and emotionally when youre fasting intermittently.

You might lose weight.

Many health experts, including personal trainer Jillian Michaels, say that intermittent fasting actually isnt that great for weight loss. Thats because youre not necessarily eating less or cutting back on calories. There are just longer gaps in your day when youre not eating at all.

That said, many people do lose weight because they consume fewer calories during those restricted food hours.

Eating for only eight hours a day also makes it less likely that youre having a big meal right before bedtime. Our metabolism goes down when we sleep and we burn fewer calories. Nighttime eating has been linked to both obesity and diabetes.

Intermittent fasting really does keep you from doing some really bad things, which is to eat a big meal before you go to bed, said Dr. John Morton, a bariatric surgeon with Yale Medicine. Big meals before bed are probably the worst thing you can do when it comes to weight loss, he added.

You could get super hungry.

A lot of people who fast experience hunger pangs, mainly when they start the program. Thats because our bodies are accustomed to using glucose a sugar that comes from the food we eat for fuel throughout the day. When its deprived of food (and, therefore, glucose), the body will essentially send signals saying, Hello, arent you forgetting something here?

Once your body gets into the groove of fasting, it will start burning stored body fat for energy rather than glucose. And as you spend more time in a fasted state, your body will get increasingly efficient at burning fat for energy.

In short, those hunger pangs should dissipate and your appetite will level out, Morton said. He added that fasters will ultimately have fewer cravings and hunger pangs the more consistently they fast.

In the meantime, that hungry feeling may drive some people to overeat. The natural tendency is when you havent eaten breakfast, you go, Since I didnt eat breakfast, Im going to eat more [for lunch], Morton noted.

If the hunger pains are bad enough to interfere with your daily life, get something to eat. The idea is not to starve yourself.

jakubzak via Getty Images

Your energy levels and moods will fluctuate.

Research has shown that fasting can cause some people to feel fatigued, dizzy, irritable and depressed.

In the beginning, your energy levels might be low because youre not getting the proper nutrients that you need, said Sharon Zarabi, a registered dietitian and bariatric program director at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.

As your body gets used to intermittent fasting, your energy levels will pick back up. Your body becomes more efficient at using energy and this helps improve mood, mental ability and long-term performance, Zarabi said.

Theres even some evidence that suggests intermittent fasting can ultimately help fight depression and anxiety. The body releases a hormone called ghrelin when youre hungry or fasting, which in high amounts has been associated with an elevated mood.

Your gut health may improve.

Many people who partake in intermittent fasting note improved gut health. Fasting gives your gut a chance to rest and reset as your digestive system doesnt have to deal with uncomfortable effects of eating like gas, diarrhea and bloating.

Anytime you fast, youre giving your body a break from trying to metabolize what you just ate, Zarabi said. By fasting, we let the gut microbiome refresh, which in turn improves our overall digestive pathway.

Maskot via Getty Images

You could cut your risk for chronic diseases.

Intermittent fasting has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

According to recent research from Mount Sinai, this is because fasting reduces inflammation and reducing inflammation helps our bodies battle various chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases. Researchers are still working to figure out how and why this happens, but the evidence so far suggests that the fasting body produces fewer of the subset of monocytes, a kind of blood cell, that are known to damage tissue and trigger inflammation.

This is a big reason why people who fast intermittently may live longer and stay healthier.

Your heart health could improve.

Intermittent fasting can help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides the type of fat in our blood thats associated with heart disease. That is, if you lose weight in the process.

As long as youre losing weight, youre going to improve all those things, Morton said.

Before you start an intermittent fasting program, health experts recommend meeting with a dietitian or physician. Theres a critical distinction between fasting and starving, and if you ignore that, you could wreck your organs and immune system.

The bottom line: pay attention to your body and eat in a way that works best for you.

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This Is Your Body On Intermittent Fasting - HuffPost

Running is one of those sports you can pick up at any point, at any skill level and you won't even need any special gear either although some is recommended for added comfort, like decent running shoes, a good running watch and some running headphones wouldn't hurt either. If you want to get fit in 2020 and have been thinking about staring to run regularly, we'll give five reasons why you should start running and some tips on what to wear, too.

Running regularly has a range of benefits, including improved physical and mental health, but it can also make you sleep better and some studies suggest it can improve your memory, too. Whether the last statement is true or not, running certainly has more benefits than drawbacks, and if you embark on the journey of becoming a runner, you won't regret it, on the contrary.

Once you started running, you will see and feel the benefits of it very soon. It is easy for runners to lose weight fast, as detailed below, but on top of that, running can also help you maintain weight loss easier, unlike 'just' going on a diet, for example.

Read the below reasons if you need one last nudge to start running...

You can just go for a run at any point during the day, especially if you are not doing a tempo session. Saying that, stretching before and especially after your runs is recommended, to loosen up the muscles a bit. Get a foam roller or another massage tool, they are fairly inexpensive but work great nevertheless.

Also, after your runs, drink some water to replace the water that left your body through sweating. If you are going for longer runs anything around or over an hour take some water with you using a reusable water bottle. We don't want to further pollute the environment with single use plastics.

Eating right is also important when it comes to running and in general, too. Try not to eat anything half an hour prior to your run, but ideally leave an hour this. After your runs, especially if you went for a longer run, consider eating or drinking something with high protein content, let it be protein snacks, protein powder shake or just some nuts and fruit.

Running indoors or outdoors will improve your mood

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Everyone has heard of the runner's high, this feeling of euphoria that runners experience when they devour the miles. Exercising and running in particular releases endorphins in your body which will make you feel happier. Endorphins are natural pain relievers and its release in the body is an evolutionary response to different forms of stress, one of these being long-distance running.

If you haven't tried running before, don;t imagine runner's high as being under the influence of drugs. You won't find running easier because of it but you will have a feeling that you wouldn't mind doing it again, immediately after you finished running.

The more you run, the more often you will feel this and the more endorphin will be released in your body, making you a more balanced and happier person overall.

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Running will help you lose weight faster

(Image credit: Saucony)

Kind of an obvious one next: running being a cardio exercise can effectively help you lose weight fast(er). It's pretty simple, when you run, you spend a lot of energy moving your body forward, which burns more calories, which in turn will help you lose weight fast.

Of course, it will all go in vain if you will reward yourself after the running sessions with something unhealthy. A calorific reward system is the worst things you can do to yourself if you actually want to lose weight and be healthy. By saying "I ran for 30 minutes today, I deserve this pizza", you will effectively take in more calories than before and will actually gain weight as opposed to losing it.

For the best results, here is the formula you need to follow:

Losing weight fast = running regularly + consuming calories around maintenance level + using a non-calorific reward system

With this method, you will start losing weight very soon and will also improve your overall health in the same time. Don't try to swap having 2 pizzas for lunch and zero exercise for going running every day and eating leaf salad only. Be sensible and gradually change your lifestyle so it sticks.

Lose weight and keep it off with running

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There is a lesser known law called Wolfe's Law, which states that if you put your bones under stress, they will regenerate to be stronger in response to this stress. Running does in fact put pressure on your bones and therefore, by running regularly, your bones will get stronger, too.

This will only be true, however, if you improve your diet as well as go for regular runs. Poor diet and exercising can actually make your bones weaker and can also result in the loss of muscle mass. At the end of the day, you are what you eat and if you want a healthy body, you will have to feed it healthy foodstuff.

Avoid processed food especially fast food and introduce more fibrous items into your diet, especially vegetables. To clarify, you don't need to swap your whole diet to vegetables. What you can do, though, is to start logging your calories to see how much you eat, and then swap some of the bad calories to good ones.

In summary: running will improve your bone health, but only if you eat right and supply your body with the right nutrients.

Running can significantly improve your quality of life

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This, again, is one of the more well-known benefits of running. Running regularly will improve your heart-health as well as your circulation. What does this mean?

From the National Center for Biotechnology Information: "[Running] is a highly aerobic activity that utilises both fatty acids and carbohydrates for energy. The typical runner tends to have a slow resting pulse rate and a high maximal oxygen consumption. Echocardiographic studies show that distance runners' ... hearts are more efficient than those of sedentary people, pumping a larger volume per beat."

Running will change your body (in a good way) and especially your heart, and will make you more efficient with your energy expenditure overall. Your heart will become more resilient and you will be less prone to illnesses.

Running will make you sleep better

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Increased physical activity can improve your sleep quality significantly. It does this by tiring your body out more and also by reducing stress levels. This will make you sleep better and spend more time in deep sleep which will also make you less stressed overall.

As you can see, once you started the process, exercising regularly can have a snowball-effect on your health, let it be physical or mental. All it needs is a bit of a push and you to get moving. Once that's done, you will find more energy not just for running, but for other activities in your life too, which again will further improve your health, even in short term.

As mentioned above, you won't need an awful lot of gear to start running. That's not to say you wouldn't benefit from having the proper gear at your service on your jogs or runs.

If you are just starting out, you most likely won't need the best gear, so as much as the Garmin Forerunner 945 is a top running watch and the Hoka One One Carbon X is a great running shoe, you can opt in for less advanced gear and still reap the benefits of support.

(Image credit: New Balance)

Weighing just over 200 grams, the FuelCell Rebel is a lightweight shoe. It uses the Trace Fiber upper construction that uses precision stitching in key areas but keeps the upper thin and airy.

The main concern of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel is the forward propulsion; its main aim is to move you forward. The FuelCell midsole is a two-part rebound system that doesn't rock your feet but bounces you back up. It's not as firm and well rounded as the Asics Metaride or the Hoka One One Carbon X, more springy and bouncy.

(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin's mid-range GPS running smartwatch, the Garmin Forerunner 245, uses the latest HR sensor technology the market leading company has to offer, as well as having integrated memory to store music, making it perfect for those smartphone-free running sessions. Battery life is also excellent, up to seven days in smartwatch mode, take that, Apple Watch!

(Image credit: Soundcore)

Without a doubt, the Soundcore Spirit X Sports wins on being the best value for money headphones for runners. For the price, you'll get a pair of sweatproof Bluetooth headphones with up to eight hours of listening time. Granted, the sound is not superior but definitely decent enough to deliver a bit more than just squeaky noise during your runs.

Link:
5 reasons why you should try running and the best running gear you'll need - T3

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) The start of a new year means new goals, and for some that means putting down the sugar and picking up those vegetables.

But losing weight the right way is a process.

A local dietitian says fast acting weight loss programs don't work for everyone and healthy weight loss takes time.

When people don't see instant results it makes it harder to stick to their goal.

"What we do see a lot of people do is they kind of are looking for that next quick fix. So people kind of end up buying into the weight loss and supplement industry to help them with this which is really just a lot of money getting pulled away from their wallet that they can be used to putting towards the basics of getting back to health and wellness," said Annie Justmann, a Dietitian at Premier Health and Fitness.

Justmann says setting realistic goals and finding someone to hold you accountable is the best way to stay on track.

In addition to that, she says you shouldn't neglect your greens and heart healthy fats.

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Local dietitian offers tips on sticking to health goals in 2020 - WTXL ABC 27

My name is Amber Clemens (@amber_clemens). I am 29, born and raised in Wisconsin. I currently live in Green Bay and work for a local construction company as an administrative assistant. I lost 150 pounds without fad diets or any gimmicks.

I can't remember a time in my life (until now!) when my weight wasnt an issue for me. The first time I remember actively trying to lose weight was in middle school. I was diagnosed as borderline pre-diabetic, and my doctor told me to start keeping a food journal and to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. I think I stuck to that for maybe a week.

Being that young, I found it hard to make that kind of change while watching my friends eat whatever they wanted. After that, I tried to lose weight so many times throughout my life but I would always end up in a repetitive cycle of over-restricting my food intake, bingeing, and falling back into old habits. I was the *classic* yo-yo dieter.

I live in an upstairs apartment, so I often have to take multiple trips up and down the stairs to get everything. This particular night I had only taken two tripsand halfway up on my third trip I had to stop because I was so out of breath and tired. In that moment I realized I was done living that way. I was 27 years old, somewhere around 300 pounds, and I was having trouble doing basic life things all because of the way I was treating my body.

I made myself a promise that this time had to be different. I was tired of feeling trapped in my own body and I finally felt mentally ready to make this commitment to myself. I began my weight-loss journey two weeks later, on May 30, 2018.

I wasnt focused on a specific caloric deficit and I was not following a specific weight-loss program. I lost 20 pounds in the first month.

After that, I started to do more research and reached out to the resources I had available in my life to make sure I was doing things in a healthy, sustainable way. Thats one thing I knew had to be different for me this time around in order for this to work; I had to make healthy and sustainable lifestyle changes that I could actually stick to long term.

Ultimately, this all led me to calorie counting, which is the simple tool to which I credit my weight loss. For me, counting my calories worked because I never had to completely cut out any certain foods if I didnt want to. If I really wanted something, I could still have it, I just had to learn how to incorporate it into my daily caloric allowance.

Before, when I would try and lose weight, I always categorized food as good or badand now my outlook has totally changed. I realize now that there are foods that are more nutritious and make my body feel better when I eat them, and there are foods that are less nutritious but just taste really good.

Ive found that what works best for me is focusing on fueling my body with foods that are nutritious and make me feel good when I eat them 80 percent of the time, and incorporating those other foods 20 percent of the time. Over-restricting never worked for me before, so Im thankful Ive found balance.

My friend had a gym at her apartment complex and we went there together. I had no idea what I was doingall I knew was that I was determined to move my body for at least an hour.

We did all cardio that first night. I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I also tried the elliptical but couldnt last longer than 30 seconds. I switched to the stationary bike and did that for 15 minutes, too. We finished with some bicep curls.

That night, I went home and looked up gym routines that incorporated cardio and strength training and I stuck to those routines I found online (e.g., workouts on PopSugar Fitness on Youtube), while making adjustments to push myself as I lost weight.

TBH, physically going to the gym five nights a week became unrealistic for me, which is how I developed a love for home workouts. I could still get three to five workouts in per week, and it was much more convenient.

Currently I workout three to five times a week at home but I am going back into the gym in the new year. I am going to start focusing more on strength trainingand being in a gym with tons of equipment will allow me to accomplish that better than I can through my home workouts. I am seriously so excited to get back in the gym and challenge myself.

I went from never working out to running a 5k this past August. If you had told me that I would run a 5k before the start of this journey, I wouldnt have believed you.

From May 2018 until now, I've lost 150 pounds. Im *so* much happier and stronger today than I ever thought was possible.

I am not a nutritionist. I did not study exercise science in school. I am just a woman who had a poor relationship with food her entire life. I used to eat fast food every day, sometimes multiple times a day. I was a secret binge eater. I would sneak food into my room/car/pockets and eat alone so no one would see. I knew I was harming myself but I didnt understand how and wasnt ready to change. Until one day, I was.

I started slow, made simple changes, and things started to click. I am the epitome of, "If I can do it, anyone can do it." I changed for me and no one else. I embraced all the changes, both mental and physical, that this journey has brought me, and Im healthier and happier than ever before.

There were times I wanted to quit and go back to my old lifestyle. But on my worst days I would remind myself of why I started and how miserable I felt that night on the stairs bringing in groceries.

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'I Counted Calories And Stuck To The 80-20 Rule To Lose WeightAnd I've Lost Over 150 Pounds' - Women's Health

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Link:
Isumi Weight Loss Patch Reviews - It's Good Thing For Lose Weight | - KEYC TV

Holidays and celebrations mostly mean that we eat lots of food and spend lots of money, and of course making New Years plans that we want to follow. It can be a beautiful thing to sometimes allow ourselves to be free and eat more and spend more, as long as we are prepared to accept the consequences of gaining some weight and maybe having a lower budget for a few months. Heres a few tips on how to prevent this for next time, and how to minimize any damage that you made this time.

First, when thinking about New Years resolutions I always think that if I need to wait for a new year to make a change then I am not really ready to make that change. I know that might sound a little complicated! However, if you really want to do something then you should start right now today is a perfect day to start, tomorrow, or next Monday, or the new year will not be any better than today.

Thats why most New Years resolutions are forgotten within a couple of weeks after the you make the decision. So rather than waiting for any special day, take one step towards reaching your goals right now. If you always do this then youll find it much easier to keep motivated and to keep going.

If you have spent too much this month then try making a shopping list for what you need now. But heres the difficult part you need to be strict and stick to your list. I also realized that when I go to shopping if I use cash instead of my card then I dont spend so much, I am much more careful about what I buy. And I definitely stick to my shopping list.

Now for whats on a lot of peoples New Years resolution list losing weight. So many of us want to do this, maybe 3 to 5 pounds, or maybe hundreds of pounds. Of course, youll need more time and more effort to lose a lot of weight, but however much or little you want to lose its still about getting the correct mindset and changing your eating habits.

Heres a few tips that might help with your weight loss goals. First, if you are already doing regular exercise then I dont suggest to increase the amount of time that you are exercising. Increasing the duration of your exercise might cause you to eat even more food as it will trigger your bodys hunger signal.

What can be highly beneficial, however, is to increase the intensity. For example, if you have been walking regularly for 30 minutes then try increasing your speed, such as 2 minutes fast walk, then 2 minutes at your normal speed. The most important thing is that you consistently do what you can, whatever your fitness level.

Remember, when youve lost the weight you want to lose youve not reached your final destination and can just stop, instead you need to focus on healthy living and making the correct choices for improving your health in the long term rather than just losing a few pounds. When you focus on your health, you will lose weight effortlessly.

Most of us also know what our weakness for food is. Maybe its eating too much added sugar, too many fruits, or too many baked goods. Starting to cut back, or changing food sources, can make a huge difference. For example, many people unfortunately consume ten or more sugary drinks a day.

Cutting back to 2 or 3, or changing to diet soda (which normally I dont suggest at all, but can be a first step), and/or mixing the drinks with some water can help reduce the sugar addiction. If you consume too much sugary fruit, then changing to lower sugar fruits such as berries is a good idea.

Also, if you consume bread then maybe you can try sourdough instead of processed bread. Most importantly, try and make a conscious decision about what you are eating, and over time this will help you eat less. Calories are important, but not all calories are equal so do make sure to try and focus on nutrients.

In addition to this, fasting just once an a while, or regularly such as every week can not only help you to control your weight but has many other health benefits too, including longevity, clearing your mind, and giving your body time to cleanse and heal. Its certainly not a bad idea to skip a few meals.

In the end, of course we can all enjoy life, but if you are healthy and happy then you will have more enjoyment and you can really be involved in life and LIVE

Happy, Beautiful New Year! Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Ayda Ersoy: Nutritionist (Dip.C.N., Dip.S.N.), Master Trainer, (CPT ACE, NCSF, CanfitPro), Registered Yoga Teacher Founder, Health Angel Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness Founder, SMS (Stability, Mobility Strength) Intuitive Training System. She can be reached at healthangelwarrior.com/ and ayda@healthangelwarrior.com.

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Happy, healthy New Year - Thegardenisland.com

We all know what should be doing to be fit and healthy, but the thought of having to lose weight or start exercising is often so daunting that it's easier to put it off.

Millions of people in 2020 will be making new year's resolutions to lose weight and get healthy and to give you the motivation you need, Devon Live has chosen 15 inspiring people from across the county who have achieved incredible goals.

They range from a family who have lost 15st between them to a woman who not only battled cancer but conquered her weight demons and got married.

Chris, Gareth and Aimee Pridham

Struggling to get in an airplane seat four years ago was the turning point for Chris Pridham.

His experience at the airport "set the tone" for the whole holiday and due to his 24 stone weight, he could not partake in all of the activities with his partner and old friends.

After two weeks back at home he ended up in hospital with an infected mosquito bite and got sepsis and cellulitis.

He then joined his nearest WW workshop in Saltash and lost more than six stone.

Chris said: "Basically, I was given a daily budget of smart points and every food had a value. It was up to me to balance my budget which I did and in a short space of time, I lost two stone and went to New York with my partner to visit my daughter.

"I could walk around and thought, this is brilliant.

I love bread and before joining WW would have three or four slices of thick white bread with lashings of butter and marmalade for breakfast, a big sandwich for lunch and a huge dinner. I now start the day with fruit and yoghurt; at lunchtime I have two slices of granary bread with a boiled egg and salad; dinner is stir fry veg with left over roast meat.

"I eat a lot of salad and am never hungry! I dont deny myself anything and have realised you have to have a bit of what you fancy otherwise you dont stick to it."

Research carried out by WW has identified what is known as the ripple effect.

This shows that when somebody joins a weight loss programme, the other members of the family can lose weight too without even trying as they are influenced by the new healthy habits they see.

Chris's nephew Gareth and his wife Aimee watched his transformation and were so impressed they joined the same WW workshop. Between the three of them they lost 15st.

Bonnie Stainer

Had someone told Devon DJ Bonnie Stainer four years ago she would be crowned UK Glamour Awards Model of the Year she would never have believed it because back then she weighed more than 16.5st.

Despite being a single mum of two girls, aged five and four, the 35-year-old, of Saunton, North Devon, has found the time to exercise six days a week and eat healthily to lose an amazing 8.5st.

Bonnie, who is 5ft 7, has seen her waist shrink by an incredible 30 inches from 56 to 26 inches, and now weighs 9st.

She had been considering quitting her DJ career because she had lost her confidence to get up on stage when she was overweight, but is now getting more work than ever and is also working as a model.

Bonnie recalled: I hadnt been overweight until I fell pregnant with my first child. I just ate literally whatever I was not meant to, which I enjoyed at the time, but I pilled on the pounds. The last time I weighed myself I was 16.5st.

After I gave birth I tried to lose the weight and feel like me again, but within six months I was pregnant with my second daughter and it happened all over again.

I need an incentive to get myself into the right state of mind so I decided to raise money for Cancer Research by signing up for the London Marathon in 2017.

I was down to about 12st when I did it and just kept going with exercising and eating healthy.

Bonnie added: The key is being in the right frame of mind, along with routine, exercise, eating well and drinking water.

I workout six days a week and try to rest one day a week, but Im still active running around after the kids. Sometimes I get up at 6am and do 30 minutes on the cross trainer wearing 27 kilos of weights. People think that sounds a lot but I was carrying a lot more than that when I was overweight.

I also go to the gym, run and I have two horses so I enjoy horse riding. Sometimes I do look at my cross trainer and think I cant be bothered, then all I do is just think about what Im trying to achieve and after Ive done it I feel so much better."

Tracey May

An inspirational slimmer who has lost nearly 5st in less than six months has told how she has gone from barely ever leaving her home to finding a new zest for life at the age of 53 years old.

Tracey May, of Exeter, saw the pounds pile on after undergoing spinal surgery three years ago to remove a tumour.

Her recovery took many months and it began a pattern of living an inactive lifestyle which she struggled to break the heavier she got.

However, since completely changing her lifestyle in March she has lost almost a third of a body weight. She has gone from 15st 10lbs to 11st, and dropped from a size 20 to almost a size 12.

The mum-of-three joined Wonford Sports Centre in March, and has gone from struggling to do two minutes on the cross trainer on the lowest setting, to doing an hour easily.

She goes a couple of times a week, has joined a Back to Netball team and a running club, and also goes swimming if she finds the time during the week.

Traceys initial goal was to lose 3st in a year, but she has done so well that she has doubled her target.

She said: I want to be 9st 10 and that will be exactly 6st I have lost. I havent been on a diet as such but what I have done is switch everything from full fat to low fat and sugar free, and have swapped coke for water.

Ive always now got fruit and vegetables in the house, and I cook everything from scratch. I also dont eat fast food, but I do have the odd treats.

She said: I only went out if I had to which was maybe twice a week, if that, because it was just so painful. Everything hurt because of how heavy I was.

I got depressed and thought this is it. My confidence was so low. I now feel 100 per cent better. I used to take a lot of painkillers but dont take any now, and Ive also come off anti-depressants. It really has changed my life."

Mandy Coles

A Tavistock mum who lost more than 12 stone believes there's a simple solution to weight loss - taking time out - and now she is urging parents to take time for themselves to change their lives too.

Mandy Coles reached 24 stone at her heaviest weight but astonishingly she managed to shed the pounds and drop to an impressive 11.5st in just 14 months, after joining Slimming World.

Since losing the weight, Mandy' slife has changed dramatically and she is now helping others as a Slimming World consultant and whilst working with other slimmers.

She says she often meets parents who would just love to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle, but they feel that their life as a busy parent is preventing them from making those changes.

Mandy explained that one of the greatest gifts she has gained as a result of her weight loss is the drive and physical ability to play with her six-year-old son.

She said: "Actually having the energy to be the mum I have always wanted to be is priceless and taking that time for me to go to group each week was worth every moment".

She added: "Taking that one hour a week to attend a group is an investment in your and your familys future happiness.

"It is also an hour of you time which you do deserve. Sometimes I hear parents say they cant get that time for themselves, so I want to urge them to find that time.

"It is something you never regret as you and your family will benefit from a much healthier and happier you and that is priceless.

Dr Katie Giddy-Pannell

A Plymouth GP lost a whopping 5st 2lbs and is now able to motivate patients with her lose weight.

Due to her profession, she said she "should know better" but with a vegan diet, a supportive exercise class, and Slimming World online, she has managed to shed some weight and control her lupus, a chronic health conditon.

The 41-year-old underwent the dramatic transformation in just over a year and has seen drastic improvements to her health.

She said: "I was getting terrible debilitating back pain, out of breath, swollen legs. Just generally felt unhealthy, especially in the heat.I had no energy, no get up and go.

"Now, my health is better, less back pain and other joint pain, I have a chronic health condition called lupus, which is better controlled with my diet now, and the exercise."

Katie advises anyone who wishes to lose weight to find an eating plan that suits them and to ensure that they do not make something up, as planning is key.

She said: "I would advise others to find an eating plan that suits them and stick to it, don't try to make it up, a small under-calculation in calories could mess up a lot of hard work. Eat loads of veg and group exercise is also important."

Katie credits her weight loss to RockFit, which has kept her "motivated" and has meant that she has formed life-long friendships, some of which encourage her to attend classes on days where she feels "exhausted" after work.

She added: "I've lost five stone by doing Slimming World online, RockFit and a bit of running, but it is RockFit that's kept me motivated and help change my body shape."

couple fromBrixhamlost a staggering nine stone between them after realising they were both unhappy with their weight.

Joanne and Scott Mason

After a combined weight loss of 13.5lbs with the help of their local Slimming World group inBrixham, Joanne and Scott Mason reached the semi-finals of the organisations Couple of the Year 2019 competition along with only 17 other couples from across the UK and Ireland.

JoanneandScottbelieve the secret of their success was getting support from one another at home, as well as each week at their Slimming World group.

Joanne,48, who slimmed from15st5lbs to9st, said: I knew that my weight was an issue and I was becoming more and more uncomfortable in my own skin, but I didnt really know where to start when it came to losing weight.

"The lightbulb moment came whenScotttold mehewas unhappy withhisweight too. Wed heard great things about Slimming World, and it seemed to be the perfect fit for us.

"We knew that we needed the encouragement of a group each week and that wed support each other along the way too."

Scott,45, who downsized from16st3.5lb to12st9lbs, added: It came as a huge relief once I realised thatJoannewanted to lose weight too, because I knew that by supporting each other to make healthier choices it would give us both a brighter future and it absolutely has we have a whole new lease of life.

"Losing weight also made us think about how active we were. Weve started walking regularly now and we love it!

"Joining Slimming World is one of the best decisions weve ever made. We feel great and we know that we have a long, healthy, happy life to look forward to together.

Elly Dickinson

No one was more surprised by Elly Dickinson's amazing weight loss, and she says she doesn't even recognise the person in old photographs now.

As she is only 5ft 2in tall, Elly says her 31lbs weight loss shows more on her than it would on a taller person.

And she admits that she found if difficult to track down old 'before' pictures to demonstrate her weight loss because she would never stand in front of a camera and always deleted 'horrible' pictures of herself because she didn't like how she looked.

Now 31-year-old Elly, who works as a relationship executive for Newcross Healthcare in Torquay, says her confidence has soared and she's happy in her own skin - eating and exercising healthily.

She said: "With Weight Watchers - or WW as it's now called - you don't ever feel like you are losing out. I have managed to keep it on track without much effort. You always know where you are without getting obsessed about food because it's so maintainable.

"It's been great for my confidence - amazing!"

Laura Gilpin

An overweight grandma, who temporarily lost the site in one eye at a celebratory barbecue, has gone on a mammoth diet after being told her weight contributed to her having a mini stroke.

Laura Gilpin, of Newton Abbot, had her out of the blue health scare while celebrating her grandchilds football team in 2015, but still continued to pile on the weight.

It wasnt until last year that she finally decided to get fit and healthy and set herself a target of losing a stone a month.

The 62 year old joined LighterLife last July, and succeeded by losing an incredible 5st 2lbs in just five months. Her weight dropped from 17st 6lb to 12st 4lb.

She said: Losing 5st has been life changing in so many ways. Im no longer on blood pressure medication, I have the energy to keep up with my grandchildren and Im now enjoying cooking for the first time. It feels amazing to have my zest for life back."

Fern Parkin and Jacqui Blackman

A mother and daughter from Barnstaple who both beat cancer have also had their lives transformed by an incredible weight loss.

Fern Parkin, 32 and mother Jacqui Blackman, 68, lost 5st 5lbs between them. Fern was diagnosed with liver cancer at the age of six months, while her mother beat ovarian cancer in 2004 aged 54.

Fern thanked the team at WW (formerly Weight Watchers) for her newfound self-confidence. She added that she is no longer afraid to show her scars from surgery when she was a baby.

She said: I love the fact that I can roll over my points and add them to my weekly points. I have lost all my weight through WW, and I love that I can eat what I like as long as it's within my points. My mindset has changed completely, and I've never lasted this long on a diet. This is me for life now, being careful what I eat.

Jacqui added: After starting the program in January 2018 when a group opened up near me, I have never looked back, only forward to losing the next pound. I have found the plan so easy to follow, and there was no need to change my shopping habits greatly.

The app is an invaluable tool which keeps you on track, and weekly meetings are an inspiration. Even my health has improved as I no longer require tablets for high blood pressure which is huge.

My husband has also benefited just by eating smaller portions which the plan helps you to do. I have dropped two dress sizes and now able to wear more fashionable clothes.

I have been able to enjoy holidays and not gain more than 1lb which has always come off the following week."

Sharon Foxhall

A woman who lost weight in honour of her mother has been able to once again wear the wedding dress she made for her.

Sharon Foxhall, 47, from Hawkchurch, married in September 1993 after a five year courtship. At the time it was the lowest weight she had ever been.

She said: My mum made my wedding dress along with the bridesmaids. We decided to have a party for our 25th as its such a big milestone but then I lost both my parents within months of each other four years ago.

Sharon vowed to get to her target weight after her mother died in 2015 as she had always struggled with her weight. After 18 months she had lost three stone after joining WW (Weight Watchers).

She said: I joined WW as I had issues with my knees and I though losing weight would help them. As I lost weight my knees started to improve along with my self-esteem and confidence. It totally changed my life and wanted to give that feeling to others, so I became a coach to help others achieve what I had. It has been the most remarkable work I have ever done, seeing lives unfold and change over the weeks and months.

We booked our party in January 2018 for that September and decided I wanted to wear my dress again. I lost a further stone and got into my dress as if Id only just stepped out of it, it was amazing.

"I hadnt seen the dress since the day we got married and so was a very emotional moment opening the case and seeing it for the first time in 25 years, the dress my mum made.

Continue reading here:
The 15 inspiring Devon people who have achieved phenomenal weight loss - Devon Live

A new year and indeed a new decade is fast approaching and for many it is the perfect opportunity to make some important lifestyle changes. However, sticking to those new year resolutions can be challenging to say the least. So what can we do to make achieving our goals easier?

It is important to keep things simple. Set realistic goals; small changes can make a huge difference. Remember slow and steady wins the race!

The most popular resolution at this time of the year is weight loss. We have all overindulged during the festive season and the waistbands are stretched!

The trick to losing weight is consistency; forget about crash and fad diets as they are usually short-lived.

1. Think long term: Reduce your portion sizes but increase your intake of vegetables. Adding an extra cup of green veg to your plate will help to fill you up but will also provide valuable nutrition.

2. Aim to cut out the rubbish and up your fruit intake.

3. You shouldnt be hungry if youre eating the right foods; try taking more fibre in your diet.

4. When Im trying to lose a few pounds I take a tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with a teaspoon of cinnamon and a small glass of kefir. This stops all cravings and gets me over the hunger pangs.

5. Reduce your consumption of processed foods which are high in saturated fats and preservatives.

6. Make an effort to cook from scratch; it is much tastier and you know what youre eating. A lot of jars and packets are high in sugar and salt, not to mention artificial flavourings. Once you get used to making your own sauces, you will do it quicker and wont believe the difference it makes to both taste and calorie content. Some jars of sauce can have as much as 14 teaspoons of sugar in them.

7. Aim to loose a couple of pound a week by changing old lifestyle habits this will lead to long term sustained weight loss.

Read also: Longford's Laura Thompson on natural remedies for the Christmas season

Getting fit is the next most popular resolution and, again, this should be done slowly. Exercise has so many health benefits and is not just about losing weight. Exercise increases your serotonin levels, making you feel more relaxed and happier. It not only improves your physical health but your mental health too.

1. Start slowly and increase the intensity as you get fitter.

2. We all have a spare 30 minutes, so no excuse about time limits! Get up 30 minutes earlier , miss an episode of fair city or do a brisk walk at lunchtime.

3. Meet new people we all get stuck in a rut sometimes, especially as we get older. Meeting new people is a great way of changing that, we are meant to be sociable beings and isolating yourself is not good for your mental health. Join a club or maybe do a little bit of volunteering. Check out your local library; they are amazing for information about various clubs and organisations.

4. Spend more time enjoying nature; walk in the woods or by the canal and just enjoy the natural wildlife. Fill your soul with the beauty around you.

New Years Resolutions to consider:

1. Think about the impact you are having on your surroundings; pick up your litter and reduce your use of plastics so that nature stays beautiful.

2. Think positive! Before you start and end your day, practice feeling grateful. Studies show that this can make you happier by 25%. Simply take time to count your blessings and think of all the good things in your life.

3. Learn a new skill. What have you always wanted to learn to do? It doesnt have to be complicated or expensive; maybe take up knitting, painting or learn to play an instrument. Research shows that learning new skills helps to maintain a healthy brain, reducing your chances of developing Alzheimers.

4. Be kinder to yourself; we cant change how others treat us, but by being good to ourselves we can gain more confidence and boost our self esteem.

Finally remember no one is perfect and sometimes your resolutions wont be either. But even if you have a stumble, the important thing is to get back on track. Keep trying and you will get there.

Next week, I'll be giving some tips to help with the post-Christmas detox so you can start getting rid of some of the toxins from the past few weeks.

Happy New Year to you all and lets make 2020 a healthier and happier one.

Read also:Kids - they are what you feed them, says Longford's Laura Thompson

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Longford's Laura Thompson on attainable resolutions for a healthy new year - Longford Leader