Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

A lawyer by profession, Ankits work and lifestyle were taking a toll on his physical and mental health. While he did recognise the warning signs, it was only when he saw that his cholesterol levels were out of control and he had reached a pre-diabetic condition that he decided to lose weight. Here is his inspirational quest to lose weight and get back in shape. Read on.Name: Ankit Tripathi

Occupation: Lawyer

Age: 31 yearsHeight: 6 feet 9 inches

Highest weight recorded: 92 kgs

Weight lost: 22 kgsDuration it took me to lose weight: 11 months

The turning point: I travel a lot for work. Sometimes for even 20 days a month without any fixed time to exercise, eat and sleep. This routine took a toll on my physical as well as mental well being. I used to feel exhausted after climbing ten stairs only. I was eating anything I could get my hands on without thinking about the consequences.

My energy levels were on an all-time low and my favourite pair of jeans no longer fit me.

However, one day I went for a routine check-up to find out that my cholesterol levels have skyrocketed and I was in a pre-diabetic condition. This report was the wake-up call for me. I finally decided to be stronger than my excuse and change the way I lived.

My breakfast: I start my day with two glasses of water. In breakfast, I have a combination of complex carbs like upma, vermicelli, raw vegetables, and protein which is mostly 4 egg whites and 1 whole egg. I recommend having atleast one whole egg as it is rich in calcium and essential minerals.Morning Snack: 8 Almonds and 2 anjeer

My lunch: 150 grams of boiled rajma chat, boiled soybean chat or boiled chickpeas chat along with 150 grams of curd without sugar.

Evening Snack: Any seasonal fruit and with one cup of green tea or black coffee.

My dinner: I prefer good sources of lean protein like boiled chicken breast and steamed fish. I also try to include at least one teaspoon of ghee, along with carbs like raw vegetables. I like to eat small portions rather than eating big meals.

I indulge in: I love to have cheat meals on Sunday as it helps you to stay motivated and kills your cravings.Pre-workout meal: One banana and pre-workout drink half an hour before a workout.Post-workout meal: Protein shake

My workout: Initially, for two months (6 days a week), I did a lot of cardio combined with High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). I gained my stamina by doing cardio and HIIT. I also lost a considerable amount of fat.

After two months, I increased my duration of weight training. As my goal was to decrease my fat level and increase my muscle mass, I focused more on compound exercises like squats, military press, dead-lifts, chin-ups etc.Low-calorie recipes I swear by: Boiled chicken breast or steamed fish like salmon.

Fitness secrets I unveiled: It is important to understand that there is no shortcut to weight loss. Secondly, in addition to focusing on your workout, you need to monitor what you are eating as well. Exercising tirelessly will not give the desired results if you do not watch your dietary habits.

During my transformation, I learned that not all fat is bad. Infact, a good source of fat helps to breakdown and mobilize the bad fat stored in the body.

How do I stay motivated? The support of your friends and family is really crucial on your journey to lose weight. When you start saying no to a lot of plans, your social life takes a hit. So, I make it a point to keep revising my fitness goals after weight loss. For example, right now I want to achieve a muscular physique.

How do you ensure you dont lose focus? One of the biggest reasons which helped me stay motivated was seeing tangible results of the efforts I was putting in. I am extremely proud of the person I am becoming with every passing day. There is a plethora of information available on the internet about how to keep our bodies fit.Whats the most difficult part of being overweight? The most difficult part is batting low confidence and low self-esteem. Moreover, suffering from several health issues was getting really exhausting.What shape do you see yourself 10 years down the line? After ten years, I want to remain fit and have a muscular physique. I would also like to keep learning about body science and its composition.

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Weight loss story: I had reached a prediabetic condition and this is how I lost 22 kilos! - Times of India

TIPPING the scales at a staggering 17 stone, Louise Nicola Hickson was no longer able to work.

Her weight had spiralled so out of control that her energy levels had plummeted to an all-time low and she could barely walk without being in pain.

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Determined not to end up like her father who has type 2 diabetes, Louise, 28, decided to take drastic action to shed the pounds.

She overhauled her diet after after having vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery and has since shed an impressive eight stone.

Louise, from Luton, is now more confident than ever and no longer suffers from depression.

She said: "Ive been like 90 per cent happier than I ever was before."

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Louise had piled on the pounds after years of gorging on Chinese and chicken takeaways.

She suffered with PCOS, depression and anxiety and used food to comfort her - munching on bacon sandwiches with crisps for lunch and carb heavy super-sized portions for dinner.

And the weight began taking a huge toll on her life - and she could barely keep up with her family when they went out shopping.

Louise was alsoregularly getting sick with infections which she believes was due to the extra pounds she carried with her.

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She said: "Im a bubbly type of person and always try to make people laugh. Actually, I used to use my humour to disguise my weight sometimes.

"Things that lead to my weight gain are a mix of PCOS, depression, anxiety and binge drinking.

"I honestly tried not to think about it too much and I was always in denial about my appearance.

"In time things I couldnt ignore started mounting up.

"I felt rubbish all the time, my periods were erratic and painful.

"I stayed in for days not doing anything until the weekend then Id binge drink and eat my weight in calories.

"I could barely walk five minutes before my legs and feet were on fire and I couldnt keep up with my family."

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Louise was reminded of her weight occasionally by her father Richard, who warned her that she didnt want to end up with diabetes like him.

And while he urged her to shift the weight, it continue to pile on - to the point she was forced to quit her job.

Louise said: My dad used to say that he hoped I never got to where he was because he has diabetes.

"It got to the point I left my job as I didnt have energy to do it and then my depression got worse."

It got to the point I left my job as I didnt have energy to do it and then my depression got worse

Louise's wake-up call came when she stepped on the scales and was mortified when she saw she weighed a hefty 17st and was also wearing a UK dress size 22.

"I felt embarrassed and a little shocked when I got onto the scales on December 2016 and with my mental health suffering, I knew now was the time for me to make some serious changes about my health," she said.

In February 2018 Louise decided to have vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery (VSG) and afterwards she knew she had to change her relationship with food and alcohol.

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She said: "I decided to have VSG surgery on November 2017 and had the operation February 2018. "After that I had to learn to have a much healthier relationship with food.

"Now breakfast is usually a healthy fry up in my air fryer.

"Lunch can be either a chicken or salmon salad or a protein shake.

"Dinners are low carb alternatives of everyday meals like curry, Bolognese, roasts.

"I try to snack on low calorie alternatives and fruit where I can but never restrict myself from enjoying some chocolate too. As long as its balanced.

"With consistency I have managed to lose eight stone in about a year and half and I no longer wear a 22 dress but a size 8."

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Louise's diet before and after

BEFORE

Breakfast: No breakfast

Lunch: Bacon sandwiches with crisps

Dinner: Chinese or chicken takeaways with high calorie cider

AFTER

Breakfast: Bacon, eggs, vegetables and high protein toast

Lunch: Salmon or chicken salad

Dinner: High protein low carb curries, bolognese and roasts

Snacks: Low calorie fruit or a little chocolate from time to time

Since her weight loss, Louise is more confident than ever and says that her journey has enabled her to make lots of new friends.

And she has recently got a new job in a warehouse.

"Some people tell you not to lose any more weight on this journey, which can be super annoying especially when I wasnt planning to lose anymore," Louise said.

"Ive made so many new friends and have so much support.

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"Ive even managed to repair some old broken friendships because Im in a much better place now.

"Im on my feet a lot now especially with housework and carrying food shopping home.

"Also, my new job means Im stood up all day and often running around the warehouse which I actually like.

"In my spare time Im enjoying spending time at the gym doing cardio and strength training.

"Its actually become a hobby of mine and its been so good for my mental health too."

'BLESSING IN DISGUISE' Bride-to-be shed 35st after docs cut off her TONGUE to treat cancer

AISLE SAY! I lost 6st after wearing a size 22 wedding dress & being asked if I was pregnant

AISLE BE DAMNED Mum sheds 6st to fit into wedding dress - after gorging on bags of cheese

CHUNK TO HUNK XXXL man dubbed 'The Barrel' sheds 8st after yrs of gorging 8,000 daily kcals

DAD BOD TO BUFF Dad looks 10 years younger after shedding 5st on keto diet

SELF 'ATE I cried at my reflection before losing 10st - now I'm a fitness influencer

SKIN FULL I lost 11st but wish I was still fat because I despise looking at my saggy skin

TRAGIC LOSS I lost 6st after eating my way through grief of losing my unborn baby

NO WEIGH! I lost 17st after eating myself into oblivion and now friends don't recognise me

Louise is now urging others to follow in her footsteps and to ask for help from experts.

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She said: "To anyone who wants to become healthier, dont be afraid to ask for help from your doctor. "Build your own online community full of others who are going through the same thing as you.

"Whether its general diet and exercise or weight loss surgery there are other people out there to share their tips, experiences and struggles and it helped me so much."

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Read more:
Weight loss: I was so fat I had to quit my job after years of gorging on takeaways - The Sun

Aaron Carter has been hospitalized over his drastic weight loss.

The 'I Want Candy' hitmaker's mother Jane was shocked by his appearance when he arrived at her home in Florida on Thursday (11.14.19) and she immediately rushed him to hospital because she was alarmed about his dangerously low weight.

Jane told TMZ that Aaron weighed nearly 160lbs at one point but has now plummeted to a mere 115lbs as a result of the stress he's been under following the restraining orders against him brought on by his brother Nick and twin sister Angel.

The 31-year-old singer has had his blood pressure checked and is currently hooked up to a heart monitor so that doctors can check everything is normal and healthy.

Aaron's health has been the hot topic of conversation recently as a few months ago he revealed he's been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

He said at the time: "The official diagnosis is that I suffer from multiple personality disorder, schizophrenia, acute anxiety, [and] I'm manic depressant."

Shortly after the revelation, Aaron's brother Nick took out a restraining order against him after he allegedly threatened to kill his then-pregnant wife Lauren Kitt - who gave birth to a baby girl at the beginning of October - in September.

A few hours later, Aaron's twin sister Angel also filed documents for a domestic violence restraining order against her brother.

Aaron later took to his social networking sites to apologise for "lashing out" and for the "hurtful things" he said about his siblings.

He wrote: "I've been very hurt by the fact that my big brother has not made an effort to be part of my life for a long time so therefore I lashed out & said some hurtful things I did not mean to say I love my brother I love my family and all I want is peace and love for everybody. (sic)"

Visit link:
Aaron Carter Hospitalized Over His Drastic Weight Loss - Al Bawaba

Weight loss tips: High protein diet keeps you full and contributes to weight loss

Protein should be an essential part of your diet. Protein consumption is associated with many health benefits. High protein diet is beneficial for weight loss. Most people are switching to high protein diet for weight loss as it has many health benefits and results in effective weight loss. High protein diet controls appetite and makes you consume fewer calories which helps in weight loss. High protein foods also improvemetabolism which also contributes to better weight loss. Vegetables should be an essential part of your weight loss diet as they provide all the necessary nutrients and keep you fill will limited calories. Adding more vegetables to your diet is a healthy way to lose weight. Some vegetables are rich in protein which can be your perfect weight loss partner. These protein rich vegetables will also provide you other health benefits.

Lentils are a good source of protein and fibre. Both protein and fibre are good for weight loss. Fibre also keeps you full for longer and keeps your digestion intact. You can prepare lentils in different ways and add them to your weight loss diet. A mixture of different lentils can be a powerful source of protein. It is an excellent option for vegetarians.

Weight loss diet: Lentils are high in protein and fiber which help you lose weightPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Weight Loss: Protein-Rich Pulses Can Help You Lose Weight, Here's How; Know Other Health Benefits

Chickpeas are a popular source of protein for vegetarians. Chickpeas are a combination of protein and fibre which makes it good for weight loss. You can prepare a tasty snack with boiled chickpeas which will satisfy both your tongue and stomach.

Broccoli is loaded with health benefits and multiple essential nutrients. It is a good source of folic acid, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K and fibre. Broccoli is a good source of protein as well. You can add broccoli to your salads or soups.

Weight loss: Adding high protein vegetables to your diet can help you lose weightPhoto Credit: iStock

Spinach is one of the healthiest green leafy vegetables. One cup of spinach contributes to effective weight loss. Spinach is rich in fibre as well. It is a great non-dairy source of calcium as well. You can consume one cup of boiled spinach or add it to salads, sandwiches or many other recipes.

Also read:Spinach For Weight Loss: A Cup Of Spinach A Day Can Make You Lose Weight Quickly, Know How And Other Health Benefits

Cauliflower is low in calories and contains protein as well. These properties make it good for weight loss. Consumption of cauliflower can boost digestion. You can substitute many ingredients of various high-calorie foods with cauliflower.

Also read:Weight Loss: Try These High Protein Breakfast Options Which Can Help You Lose Weight

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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View original post here:
Weight Loss Tips: Top 5 High Protein Vegetables That Should Be A Part Of Your Weight Loss Diet - NDTV News

Kashif Qayyum before (left) and after Image Credit: Supplied

Humans by-and-large have an aesthetic need they want to look their best. For Kashif Qayyum, it was a niggling necessity; when he would look in the mirror, hed flinch and quickly look away. When I used to look in the mirror I usually used to hate myself, he says in an interview with Gulf News. This was a result of overindulgence since coming to the UAE it had only been 3 years but the pace of life accompanied by the lack of cooking skills meant he was quickly gaining chubbier cheeks than he was comfortable with.

The 5-foot-11-inch Pakistani expat decided when he reached 90kg in January 2019 that he would change things.

My initial goal was to look slim and lose my initial weight, he says. But there was little research involved in all this instead, he decided, he would cut down on his food drastically. Its a move that he says over and over, he would not suggest to anyone.

Initial meal plan

Breakfast: 500ml skim milk and a handful of almondsMid-morning: Green tea, no sugar, just lemonLunch: roti with chicken/fish/vegetable gravy in officeEvening: Green tea with lemonDinner at 6pm: roti with chicken/fish/vegetable gravy in office

In three months, Qayyum was down about 18kg. My only focus was to lose my weight in a couple of days I lost 2kg; in 15days I lost 4 kg like that and people were telling me oh you look slim and that was motivating me and keeping me uptight, he recalls. He didn't explain any tough days, batting each question away with the word focus.

Soon, he was a lean 70kg. And this was a problem, mostly because it meant people coming up to him and asking if he was ill. His skin had lost its glow it had turned a malnourished-dry grey. His fair began to thin in previously unseen ways. Worried, he sought the help of Dr Internet. It has to be fat loss rather than weight loss; this difference I understood after a few months, he now explains. He slowly began to build his muscle and after three months of no cheat meals, he nipped at some favourites once a week. His diet also went an overhaul.

On the menu today

Pre-workout drink before gymCome back from gym, eat protein shakeAfter 1 hour: Banana1 hour later: coffee with milk no sugar. 10.30: 5 eggs: 1 whole and 4 whites, all boiled 1pm: either chicken grilled 1 piece/1 chicken paratha3pm: Coffee 7pm: 500ml of whole milk with scoop of protein.

His workout routine has also expanded. I continuously go for 4 days [to the gym] then take a break for one day, he explains. He spends 1.5 hours a day at most in the gym.

The exercise plan now goes like this:

Day 2: Arms, biceps and triceps

Day 3: Tri-ups and shoulders

Alternate day cardio (15 mins) speed on 6, incline on 6 - and abs

Today, while he isnt looking to buff up any more, he is happy that his fat percentage is down to 10.

When I used to look in the mirror I usually used to hate myself,recallsQayyum.

A year on, everything is different. He's met his need for aesthetic change.

See original here:
'I saw myself in the mirror and lost 20kg' - Gulf News

With the intention to encourage better sports performance, the culture of bullying and fat-shaming Britains leading female athletes has risen dramatically over the last few years. Quite frankly, some coaches have addressed the weight of sportswomen and paid lip service to the body image phenomenon.

A number of female athletes told The Daily Telegraph about the type of pressure they have been put under to lose weight, with many referring to the alleged conduct of Britains most senior coach, Charles van Commenee, during the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics.

This surfaced after 23-year-old Mary Cain, an American middle-distance runner and former teenage prodigy, claimed last week that she was abused by Alberto Salazars coaching methods, which allegedly caused her to stop menstruating for three years and break five bones due to osteoporosis.

There are long term and sometimes irreversible consequences to pushing your body too far. But when sportswomen are told that the reason for a bad performance is because they are overweight, how are they to respond? We spoke to sports experts aboutthis change in direction and where the line should be drawn.

At elite level endurance sports,manyathletes will carefully monitor their nutrition and their weight in order to optimise their performance at specific times of the year,because it can be compromised says lecturer in psychology within the context of sport, exercise and health Dr Carolyn Plateau.

Continued here:
'Putting someone on a scale every week doesnt always tell a coach much if your metabolic rate slows down' - The Telegraph

FUKUOKA Hometown favorite Kotoshogiku picked up his first win of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday, defeating previously unbeaten overnight leader Shodai and pulling him back to the pack.

The No. 9 maegashira briefly turned back the clock to his ozeki days as he quickly shoved out his No. 10 opponent, leaving the title race wide open as injuries continue to thin out the ranks at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Sekiwake Tochinoshin and the other joint overnight leader, No. 16 Wakatakakage, both withdrew from the 15-day tournament earlier in the day, joining yokozuna Kakuryu, ozeki Goeido and No. 3 Tomokaze on the growing injury list.

All-time championship record-holder Hakuho (4-1) now headlines a group comprising mostly lower-ranked rikishi leading the race for the last Emperors Cup of the year that includes Shodai, komusubi Asanoyama, No. 2 Meisei, and No. 6 Enho.

The yokozuna pounced on No. 2 Myogiryu (2-3) to keep his prospects of winning his first makuuchi title as a Japanese citizen.

In other bouts, the upsets continued as ozeki Takakeisho (3-2) and Takayasu (2-3) again crashed down.

Takakeisho tried to push out No. 3 Takarafuji (2-3), but was shoved aside and fell forward to the clay.

Takayasu (2-3) had Meisei (4-1) on the ropes for most of their lengthy bout, but was eventually pulled down as he tired out and struggled to keep his balance.

Mitakeumi (2-3) was defeated by No. 1 Okinoumi (2-3) and fell to his third loss. The sekiwake had Okinoumi in a headlock and tried to throw the maegashira down, but was turned around and driven out.

The komusubi-ranked wrestlers squared off against each other on Day 5, with Asanoyama (4-1) and Abi (2-3) emerging victorious with respective wins over Hokutofuji (3-2) and Endo (1-4).

Asanoyama blasted Hokutofuji with a hard initial hit and steamrolled him over the straw, while Abi drove out Endo with a thrusting attack.

Among the rank-and-file, Enho (4-1) downed No. 5 Aoiyama (3-2) to the crowds delight. The top divisions lightest wrestler snagged Aoiyamas arm and yanked him down, having held his ground against the Bulgarian who is more than twice his weight.

No. 11 Chiyotairyu (3-2) and No. 12 Takanosho (2-3) celebrated their respective birthdays with Day 5 wins.

Earlier Thursday, Tochinoshin (2-3) pulled out with a right rib cartilage fracture sustained in his Wednesday bout against Takarafuji.

The injury-plagued Georgian will likely miss his chance to reclaim the sports second-highest rank, needing at least 10 wins over the 15-day meet to secure an automatic return to ozeki.

Wakatakakage forfeited his bout with No. 13 Kagayaki (3-2) and saw his perfect top-division debut come to an unfortunate end.

Originally posted here:
Shodai handed first tourney loss - The Japan Times

WHEN artist Aisling 'Ash' Reynolds was forced to give up work following a shock diagnosis of stage four colon cancer last October, she was plunged into a period of mourning.

A freelance community artist who often worked with children and young people, she struggled to cope with that loss of contact, not to mention the extreme fatigue and side-effects of chemotherapy which meant she couldn't carry on with her job.

The Meath born mum-of-one, who has lived in Belfast for 30 years, felt redundant and lonely. She missed the people she worked with and she missed her creative outlet. So Ash decided to bring these two strands of her life together by documenting her cancer journey through art and involving her family, friends and colleagues in the project.

The result of her endeavours is the subject of Ash's firstsolo exhibition, Platelets, which opens at the Duncairn Arts Centre today. The exhibition will consist of three elements; 24 'uplifting' canvasses which she painted in the chemotherapy suite, a small selection of body images taken by Ash on her phone since her cancer diagnosis, and the centrepiece, a Living Wake Box, created by her loved ones during special sessions at her art studio and through which she encouraged conversation around terminal illness and death.

Aisling Reynolds and friends painting her 'Living Wake Box'. Picture by James T Donnelly

I've had a lot of grieving to do over the past year, Ash says, from her bed in Belfast City Hospital. I've never felt anger at all, but the grief really hit me, the loss of my work, the loss of contact with people. I really miss working with children, which was a big part of my job as a community artist.

I was having lots of visitors coming to my home but some of my friends just couldn't look me in the eye and were too afraid to talk to me about death or accept I was sick and going to die. It's still such a taboo subject.

I wanted to start the conversation, to get people talking about it. We're all going to die. So I came up with the idea of the 'wake box' painting sessions. I've never liked coffins so a friend made a box for me and I invited friends, in groups of eight or 10, to come along and paint flowers on the box. This meant I could see them in a creative way and those who found it difficult to look me in the eye could have something else to focus on.

I wanted to keep home life as normal as possible for the sake of my son Robin, so the sessions were held in the Vault Artist Studio in Tower Street. We had cups of tea, we painted and we talked.

"Some people who came to paint had family members dying and didn't know how to talk about it to their siblings. We had some difficult conversations but mainly lots of beautiful moments where everyone opened up and shared with the group.

One of Ash Reynolds's 'platelet art' pieces

The Wakebox sessions have been really special and I think they've helped my friends by allowing them to feel that they're helping me with this beautiful, collaborative piece of art.

When Ash first presented to her doctor complaining of pain in December 2017, an ultra sound scan revealed she had gallstones. She was placed on a waiting list for removal of her gall bladder and continued on with her life, making changes to her diet by cutting down on dairy products and sugar. But she was vomiting a lot, going to the toilet frequently and losing weight quickly. In the space of a year, she dropped from 18 stone to just 10.

At her wit's end one day, she took herself to A&E where she was told she was malnourished. She underwent a CT scan and biopsy and when the doctor and nurse asked her if her husband was on his way to the hospital, Ash knew the news was bad. She told them to give it to her straight, saying she could handle it. The doctor broke the news she had stage four colon cancer and it had spread to her bone, liver and lungs.

When her husband Jim arrived, the pair sat in shock, trying to take the diagnosis in. Ash's first thoughts were for her teenage son and then she went into practical mode, ringing around the various art organisations she worked for to alert them she'd be having to take time off work.

One of Ash Reynolds's 'platelet art' pieces

She was told that with chemotherapy, she could live for up to 30 months, without, between nine and 13. Within a month of her diagnosis, she began her first round of treatment.

Each time she went into the chemo suite, she brought two circular canvasses with her on which to paint colourful visualisations of healthy platelets being replaced by the damage of cancer. Following chemo, she added further layers and textures.

I wanted to turn something scary into something uplifting, she says. Painting the platelets distracted my thoughts from what I was there for and allowed me to be creative.

The third aspect of the exhibition is a collection of 15 self-portraits taken from her diagnosis and documenting her ever-changing body. Ash is determined to show that being terminally ill doesn't mean one has to 'creep off to bed and die' but can still be 'alive and vibrant and seen'.

Just hours before this scheduled interview, Ash and Jim were informed that the chemotherapy was no longer working and was going to have to come to an end. Ash says she is preparing to have the toughest conversation of her life when she sits down with son Robin to explain what this means.

But she's not giving up just yet and is looking ahead to her next artistic project a new box to create for her cremation. Even facing death, art is still her life.

I am sad that my hopes for a miracle have been shattered, she says. It's a lot to take in.

But you know, I feel blessed. I've had this time to have real conversations and time to spend with the people I love and say my goodbyes. And I've learned so much about people and how kind and generous my friends are.

The way I see it, is that we're all on this big train and my journey's a bit shorter than everyone else's. My stop is coming up and the journey's coming to an end. And that's OK, because it's been a great journey. It really has and for that, I'm incredibly grateful.

Platelets runs at the Duncairn Arts Centre in north Belfast until December 5

Read more:
Artist Ash Reynolds: I never liked coffins so we painted a 'Living Wake Box' for me - The Irish News

Makki roti sarson saag and white butter in Punjab is perfect example of local, seasonal and cultural food

Makki roti sarson saag: Winter is here, well almost. Every season brings with itself an array of foods and dishes and their health benefits. Food which is in season will not only taste delicious, but will also provide you with health benefits. The idea is to promote seasonal, local and cultural eating for good health, nutrition and weight. And guess who was seen enjoying a sumptuous meal like makki roti and sarson ka saag - the one and only Kareena Kapoor Khan!Kareena Kapoor's nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recently shared an Instagram post featuring the actress eating makki roti with sarson ka saag with white butter when she is Punjab.

Eating makki ki roti sarson ka saag with white butter, when in Punjab, at this time of the year, is actually the perfect example of eating local, seasonal and cultural. According to Rujuta, you must always make the effort of eating the food that is native to the place that you are travelling to.

Sticking to a weight loss or a fad diet even when you are travelling or following it regularly creates monotony and also deprives your gut of microbial diversity that it needs to stay healthy. Following the same diet because you need to lose weight can make room for cravings and irritability.

Also read:Winter Superfoods: Rujuta Diwekar Recommends 3 Superfoods For Optimum Nutrition And Good Health

"Every region has its own tradition of celebrating its seasonal produce using timeless, heritage recipes. And I strongly believe that one should follow a diet that respects that versus that which makes you feel like you have "cheated" if you eat a home cooked delicacy," writes Rujuta on her post.

The joy of eating desi - Every region has its own tradition of celebrating its seasonal produce using timeless, heritage recipes. And i strongly believe that one should follow a diet that respects that versus that which makes you feel like you have cheated if you eat a seasonal delicacy. Changing the roti, sabzi and the accompaniments as the season changes, is something that we must cherish. Nutrition societies across the globe are trying to adopt this practice from ancient cultures. And on our part, we must ensure that this timeless practice is not forgotten and lost in the process of eating only meat or only soup-salad or not eating at all. Health is not a size, it's a state. A state of harmony, in the mind and body and between people and planet. And really, all you need to do for that is to keep calm and eat makhan-roti-saag. P.S- - Makhan-roti-saag coz right now #kareenakapoorkhan is in Punjab. - This is for dinner. The Makhan, saag and roti and the quantities in the picture do NOT depict how much she eats. The pic is taken after most of it is in her stomach. Eat as per your hunger, not as per a fixed measure. - Mein apni favourite hu is not just a dialogue, it's a way of life that encourages you to eat all that is nice. #winterfood #saag #punjab

A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar) on Nov 10, 2019 at 10:32pm PST

Changing our diet with respect to season is something that should be cherished and not forgotten. "Health is not a size," says Rujuta, "It's a state. A state of harmony, in the mind and body and between people and planet. And really, all you need to do for that is to keep calm and eat makhan-roti-saag."

What's more is that Kareena Kapoor Khan, who can rightly be hailed as the fitness diva of Bollywood, is eating this delicious and wholesome meal for dinner. "The makhan, saag and roti and the quantities in the picture do not depict how much she eats. The pic is taken after most of it is in her stomach. Eat as per your hunger, not as per a fixed measure," Rujuta is quick to alert readers.

Also read:5 Clever Food Swaps To Keep You Warm And Healthier This Winter!

Made from corn kernels, makki roti is made from corn flour that is gluten free. Eating makki roti during winter is beneficial as it contains B-complex vitamins that can keep sluggishness at bay. It is also good for your skin, hair, heart, brain and digestion. Makki roti is a good source of Vitamin A, C, K, beta-carotene and selenium. All these nutrients can improve functioning of the thyroid gland and helps in maintaining immunity.

Makki roti with sarson saag and white butter is a perfect, wholesome and nutritious winter mealPhoto Credit: iStock

Sarson saag is made using seasonal mustard leaves along with other leafy green veggies like bathua, spinach and even radish leaves. Delicious to taste, this dish is a powerhouse of antioxidants, thanks to leafy green veggies it is made with. The mention of leafy green veggies cannot go without the mention of iron. Leafy greens like mustard leaves and spinach provide you with a good amount of iron and other essential micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and manganese. It is good for high blood pressure and heart patients. Vitamin A in leafy greens can be beneficial for your eye health too. Sarson ka saag is a fibre-rich dish that can fill you up quickly, prevent constipation and smoothen bowel movement.

Also read:High Blood Pressure And Other Top Benefits Of Including Leafy Greens In Diet

White butter is the highlight of eating makki roti with sarson saag. A dollop of white butter over your roti and on saag is the ideal way to consume this dish. Homemade white butter contains essential fats which are needed for absorption of Vitamins A, D, E and K. Eating it in controlled proportions can be great for giving a boost to you immunity. Fats in white butter will help you keep warm in winter.

This winter, enjoy a makki roti with sarson saag and white butter like Kareena!

(Rujuta Diwekar is a nutritionist based in Mumbai)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Makki Roti Sarson Saag And White Butter: Kareena Relished This Sumptuous Meal In Punjab- Here's Why You Should Eat It Too - NDTV News

New Zealand star saw first-hand how much impact the Tour of California carried for riders, teams and sponsors alike.

The Amgen Tour of California punched over its weight and insiders agree it will be missed on the racing calendar.

The weeklong race might not have been the hardest of the year, but the U.S. WorldTour stage race now facing an uncertain future after organizers pulled it from the 2020 calendar in whats called a hiatus was surprisingly important among riders, teams, and sponsors across the sport.

And its absence will be felt in more ways than one. George Bennett, winner of the 2017 edition, was already making plans to race it for 2020 when organizers abruptly pulled the plug.

Just a week before it was announced it would stop, we were talking about my program, Bennett told VeloNews. If youre going to the Tour de France, California was a perfect race before going to altitude. Now with it gone, theres nothing to replace it.

Californias slot on the WorldTour calendar in May was ideal at a lot of different levels. And now thats it off the calendar, at least for 2020, it leaves a bigger hole than many might imagine.

For GC riders like Bennett, who were coming off a break after a busy early-season calendar, California was the ideal race to transition toward the Tour de France and pre-Tour altitude camps.

The race was so perfectly positioned on the calendar that superstar Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) would use it as his first race back after the spring classics. Sagan raced 10-straight editions before finally changing his schedule for 2020 in order to start the Giro dItalia for the first time in his career.

And for riders who did not want to face the rigors and demands of the Giro dItalia, but wanted some solid racing in typically good weather and on good roads, California will be hard to replace.

Now that its gone, it will bring the Giro into the picture for a lot of guys, Bennett said in a telephone interview. There is not a replacement race in mid-May right now. Guys will miss that race.

The only other elite mens 2020 WorldTour race besides the Giro in May is the one-day Eschborn-Frankfurt. There are a few other races on the calendar that might draw some WorldTour riders the Vuelta a Aragon in Spain or the Tour de lAin in France but its more than the race days that will be missed.

Since its founding in 2006, California quickly emerged as one of the most important events of the year. As Bennett described, the races growing prestige outstripped its built-in difficulty compared to other races on the circuit. But because it was in California as the lone WorldTour stage race in the United States, it carried extra weight and importance among sponsors, teams and riders compared to perhaps older or more challenging races in Europe.

California was always a race that the exposure of it was higher than the level of the race, Bennett said. It was such a big race for sponsors and for American riders and media. Tour de Romandie is a lot harder race, but the media coverage at California was so far-reaching.

U.S. riders all wanted to perform well and the race became an important platform for sponsors and bike companies to show off their wares. Once the race hit WorldTour status in 2017 along with the expansion of the womens events, it became even more important for teams to chase points for rankings in the season-long series.

Young guys could go there and have a breakthrough ride and it would catapult them onto the scene, Bennett said. If you race at Romandie against [Primoz] Roglic and all those guys, but if youre 10th there, its not the same as being 10th at California in terms of exposure, even though physically Romandie is much harder.

Bennett witnessed that dichotomy firsthand. The New Zealand star raced two editions of the race on U.S.-backed teams, first with RadioShack in 2012 and again with Cannondale in 2014, and he immediately saw the buzz and interest surrounding the race.

Teams revolved around California in ways that they dont for other races, he said. When I was at RadioShack, it was one of the main focuses of the entire season. It was a big deal for the sponsors and the teams. They liked the exposure the race gave everyone.

When he returned as a member of Jumbo-Visma and won the overall title in 2017, he saw just how much impact success at California could have.

California was such a prestigious race, and it was a big opportunity for young riders like me to win, he said. When I won in 2017, it put me right on the map as being a GC contender.

Its going to be a bit sad now for the U.S. riders, he continued. A guy like Neilson Powless could have a great ride at California and really get noticed by the WorldTour teams. Now even if you were to win a race like Redlands or the [now-defunct] Cascade Classic, it will be a lot harder to get noticed.

And California soon became a favorite for everyone involved in the international cycling community. Riders and staffers alike would request to put California on their calendars. The allure of racing in California quickly became as mythic for Europeans as Americans daydreamed of racing in France.

Everyone loved racing at California, Bennett said. Californians were a good representation of what being American is like. Sometimes from outside the U.S., we have a different idea of what America is like. California showed the best side of America. It was beautiful roads and amazing scenery, and everyone was very friendly. Its a big loss for cycling.

Link:
Bennett on hiatus of Tour of California: 'It's a big loss for cycling' - VeloNews