Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

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Weight loss can slow down knee joint degeneration Science Daily "For this research, we analyzed the differences between groups with and without weight loss," said the study's lead author, Alexandra Gersing, M.D., from the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. Osteoarthritis: Knee joint degeneration slowed with weight loss, study confirmsMedical News Today Obese osteoarthritis patients benefit from weight loss for preservation of knee jointBel Marra Health Here's How Weight Loss Can Save Your Knees and JointsNDTV Science Times all 12 news articles »

Excerpt from:
Weight loss can slow down knee joint degeneration - Science Daily

Queensland MP George Christensen has had 85 percent of his stomach removed in a dramatic move to improve his health.

The Nationals member for Dawson whos known as Big George by colleagues posted on Facebook that hed returned from Malaysia, where he underwent an extreme weight-loss surgery to remove 85 percent of his stomach.

He revealed that he weighed almost 176 kilograms at the time of the surgery and was aiming for a health weight of about 80 kgs. Hed already lost 5kg as a result of the surgery even before leaving the hospital.

I decided for my own health and to better serve my electorate (and not cause a by-election) to undergo a sleeve gastrectomy, he wrote in his Facebook post.

Now I can only eat small portions not exceeding about five semi-heaped tablespoons of food at any given time. Its radical but good health is worth it and I have not been the picture of good health in a long time.

The post was accompanied by a picture of Christensen in a hospital bed wearing a breathing mask.

The Australian reported that the 38-year-old had noticed the health impact of being overweight over the past few years, putting him in danger of not reaching the age of 96 as his grandfather did.

At the rate I was going, I wasnt going to reach half of it, he told The Australian. [But] when you reach the size I did, exercise just becomes excruciating.

I eventually found this company they specialise in this sort of procedure and last month I went over to Kuala Lumpur and underwent the surgery.

Now, hes encouraging other people who notice themselves putting on weight to take action.

Do something about the problem now rather than reaching the point I did where it was near past no return in terms of sorting it out by exercise and diet, he wrote in his post.site

Christensens full Facebook post is below.

It follows the news that mining magnate Clive Palmer had shed an amazing 60kg in just eight months.

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Heavyweight pollie reveals surprise weight-loss op - Starts at 60

What time did you eat your dinner last night? Chances are it was at 7 or even 8 p.m. And what about your breakfast? If your days are long it is likely you grabbed a coffee or piece of toast pretty early in the day. As the scientific evidence linking intermittent fasting to hormonal control and weight loss has grown so too has interest in prolonged periods of time within each day that we actually do not eat. Forget calorie counting or limiting your carbs, weight control may be as simple as eating across fewer hours each day.

The 8-Hour Diet proposes that limiting your food intake to just eight hours of the day is an easy diet technique that supports weight control. Here all calories and meals need to be consumed within just 8 hours of the day, for example brunch at 10 a.m., lunch at 1 or 2 p.m. and your final meal of the day by 6 p.m. Here the amount of calories or even fat consumed it not important, rather it is argued that our long days, in which food may be consumed across as many as 16 hours each day is one of the key reasons so many of us are struggling with our weight.

Indeed there is some physiological aspects of this argument that make sense. Prolonged periods of feeding, in which food is not only consumed relatively frequently, every few hours and across many hours of the day means that more insulin (the hormone that controls blood glucose levels) is released in an attempt to keep blood glucose levels stable. High levels of insulin over time promotes inflammation and fat storage in the body. In addition hunger is less likely to be experienced, as we never really let ourselves get really hungry and fat is more likely to be stored in the liver.

Studies on animals support this approach when it comes to weight loss and hormonal control. In some preliminary studies, rats given free access to high fat foods but only for relatively short periods of time, weighed less, and had no issues with their cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels or inflammation in the liver. On the other hand, rats given free access to food across 24 hour periods gained weight, developed high cholesterol and high blood glucose as well as impaired motor control. Researchers concluded that constant feeding results in the body going into storage mode gaining weight and placing stress on the liver which in turn results in increased blood glucose levels. On the other hand, when we stop eating for a number of hours, the liver stops releasing glucose into the bloodstream and instead uses it to repair the bodys cells, which in turn reduced inflammation. In addition, cholesterol is more likely to be broken down rather than stored.

So what does this mean for us? There is more evidence building to show there is a number of health benefits associated with not eating for a number of hours, from both a hormonal and weight perspective. In real life though, this is easier said than done with long hours and shift work resulting in meals and snacks being consumed at all times of day and night. The environment in which we live too encourages food consumption constantly, regardless of hunger or meal time.

While the exact period of time in which metabolic benefits are experiences from not eaten is unknown, it appears that leaving at least 12 hours per day without food is beneficial, and at an extreme 16 hours each day. In real life terms this means a later start to the day food wise, and consuming your final meal by 8 p.m. at the latest. Another option if your day starts early is to eat breakfast as normal, eat your main meal at lunchtime and then have a light snack by 6 p.m. This way you still have 12-14 hours without food each day but are still eating enough calories so you do not experience extreme hunger throughout the evening.

The biggest issue with diets that limit calories in some way is that extreme hunger is then experienced which makes compliance challenging. The key thing with fasting is that for it to work you need to not eat anything, whereas in real life little extras slip in which negate the benefits. As such, for the 8-Hour Diet to be effective, you will need to consume a substantial meal at some point during the day so that your hunger does not get the better of you.

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Is the '8-Hour Diet' the answer to weight loss? - New York Post

The Biggest Loser has been a popular show for years, but it faced some serious backlash last year after The New York Times profiled an explosive study that revealed the contestants' weight loss is often unsustainable and can actually harm their metabolisms. Now, The Biggest Loser creator J.D. Roth is working on a new show, The Big Fat Truth , in an attempt to find out why so many of his former stars regain the weightand to help six of them who will appear on the show lose it again. (Roth will also try to help others lose weight as well.)

In a clip for the show obtained by People , Roth acknowledges the criticism around The Biggest Loser . The New York Times published an article telling everyone that, You cant get away from a basic biological realityas long as you are below your initial weight, your body is going to try to get you back. Could this really be true? How do you get lucky enough to get a lottery ticket to be on The Biggest Loser , lose all the weight, end up on the cover of People magazine, and then gain it all back? he says. So is it your metabolism? Or is it your choices?

The article Roth references cited a study published in the journal Obesity in 2016, in which researchers tracked contestants who participated in the shows eighth season, which aired in 2009. Scientists found that within six years, 13 of the 14 contestants studied regained all the weight theyd lostand four are heavier than they were before the show started. Researchers determined that, among other reasons, their metabolisms slowed after the show and stayed that way.

Contestants also said they felt hungry all of the time , which scientists found was because they had lower levels of leptin, a hormone that helps control hunger. Contestants had very low leptin levels at the end of the show, and as they regained weight after the show, their leptin levels went upbut they stopped at about half of what they were beforeleading to constant feelings of hunger.

While Roth doesn't reveal how he helps people lose weight on his new show, he implies that it's a similar method to how they lost it on The Biggest Loser . Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.A., instructor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and obesity medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells SELF that the show's methods revolve around extreme behavioral changes that are not sustainable over the long term, including exercise that is well beyond what most normal people can commit to. Its almost taking them outside reality, Stanford says.

But Roth says that his weight-loss methods work, noting that within 10 days of working with former contestants for this new show, they saw "considerable weight loss," as well as significant decreases in insulin levels and bad cholesterol levels. This series is proof that the mind is the gateway to transforming the body," he says. Roth also says in a press clip for the show that he gives people the tools to transform their livesbut its up to them to follow through.

Weight loss is incredibly complicatedthat can't be overstated. As this entire debate shows, if you'd like to lose weight, it's not just about what you eat and how you exercise. There are many factors in play, like sleep and stress , and even some that fall outside of people's control, like your hormonal fluctuations, effects of medications you're taking, and any health conditions you may have.

Beyond all of that, the brain has a set point for weight that it likes to maintainand it fights hard to keep someone at that weight, Stanford says. When we take the body outside that realm, the brain does whatever it can to get back to that set point where it feels comfortable, she explains. Its very similar to how it defends your body temperature when you have a fever. This process can involve a slowed metabolism .

Bartolome Burguera, M.D., Ph.D., director of Obesity Programs at Cleveland Clinic and executive medical director of the National Diabetes & Obesity Research Institute ( NDORI ), tells SELF that the rate at which people lose weight also factors into this dynamic. When you lose weight quickly, your brain doesn't have time to catch up and still wants you to try to maintain your old weight, he explains. "Unless you lose weight slowly, your brain is going to want you to go back," he says. "The only way to be successful is by changing your lifestyle in a way that you lose weight slowly and it doesn't set off too many alarms in your brain."

That's part of the reason why, if weight loss is a goal of yours, experts recommend making tiny tweaks to your lifestyle for sustainable changes, rather than overwhelming yourself by trying to lose a lot of weight ASAP. Being overly restrictive in an effort to lose weight will likely lead to bingeing at some point, which is mentally and physically taxing enough on its own. But it can also get you into a cycle of yo-yo dieting , or repeatedly gaining and losing a lot of weight. Over time, yo-yo dieting can boost your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.

Avoiding those kinds of drastic changes is safer physically, but it's also just a kinder way to treat your body and mind instead of putting yourself through absolute misery.

If you're trying to lose weight, much of that progress will come down to building healthier habits. Let's be real: Breaking old habits and building new ones is hard . For example, people often turn to emotional eating and alcohol when stressed, Peter LePort, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Center for Obesity at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, tells SELF.

Making long-lasting changes often comes down to hammering out specific goals that will help you keep working toward progress. That's partly why The Biggest Loser is so successful at helping people lose the weight at first, LePort says. There's a cash prize for whoever loses the highest percentage of weight, which can be motivational. But when the contestants are no longer motivated to lose weight for money, they can regain it if they don't have another goal, LePort says.

Saleh Aldasouqi , M.D., Chief of the Division of Endocrinology at Michigan State University, agrees that mindset is "very important" in the weight loss process. He cites an example of a patient with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who repeatedly struggled to lose weight but failed until she read about fatty liver disease and its potential impact. "That was the click," he tells SELF. "Doctors should always look for what they think clicks and is important for the patient."And if you don't have a doctor or registered dietitian guiding you, it's about figuring out your own intrinsic motivation that won't just fade away when things get hard, then making changes from there. (If you've ever struggled with an eating disorder, be sure to consult your doctor before changing your eating or exercise habits.)

Weight loss isn't a one size fits all approach, Stanford sayssome people do well with modifications in diet and exercise, while others may need medications or weight loss surgery. And, while a change in mindset is necessary and helpful, losing weight and keeping it off ultimately involve more than that.

Deciding to lose weight is an incredibly personal process. What works for someone else might not work for you, and vice versa. But if it happens to be a goal of yours, there are healthy ways to do itand that's really what's most important. LePort says some people can change their exercise and diet habits and keep weight off with various approaches, but it's most likely to happen if you go about it with methods that are safe, realistic, and actually doable for you. "It's so important to lose weight in a way thats healthy and you can sustain that effort long-term," Burguera says.

If youve lost a significant amount of weight and are struggling to keep it off, Stanford recommends seeking the help of a doctor who specializes in weight management. They can help you decide the best course of action from there.

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'The Biggest Loser' Creator Is Making Another Weight-Loss Show - SELF

FAIRBANKS, AL--(Marketwired - May 02, 2017) - Although known primarily as a hormone produced during pregnancy, hCG has also been utilized as a weight loss aid for decades. Despite its long history, however, it can be extremely dangerous. hCG contains 244 amino acids and has been linked to rapid weight loss by supposedly reducing "abnormal" fat from cells and around internal organs. The original hCG diet plan , developed by Dr. Simeons in the early 1950s, limited daily calorie consumption to just 500 calories and prescribed small doses of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This diet was essentially starvation-based and resulted in negative effects like extreme weakness, hair loss, and muscle loss. For that reason, it was eventually declared "unsafe" by medical experts, nutritionists, and leading weight loss centers like Diet Doc.

Over the years, researchers have learned more about the hCG hormone and developed safer treatment programs involving higher calorie requirements. Typically, these diet plans involve hCG treatment in conjunction with a diet of 800 to 1250 calories each day. This is intended to help dieters lose weight consistently while minimizing the negative side effects associated with the original Simeons method of hCG dieting.

However, the dangers of hCG are still prevalent and dieters must be careful. The hCG drops available online are neither FDA-regulated nor prescription-strength and individuals considering hCG should consider less harmful approaches. hCG is also available in the form of injections and sublingual tablets. Personalized diet planning and administration of any necessary prescription medication by medical professionals is the safest option.

Diet Doc, a nationally recognized weight loss program, has continuously discouraged the Simeons method of hCG dieting and suggests high-calorie programs that involve safer weight loss. Diet Doc also offers unlimited clinical support, direct doctor supervision, and easy-to-follow diet plans that are customized to each patient's specific health and nutritional needs.

Regardless of their weight loss history or individual struggles, Diet Doc helps patients develop an individualized diet based on their nutritional needs or even their genetics. All Diet Doc programs provide a doctor-supervised, customized diet plan. Instead of encouraging patients to adopt harmful dietary practices with no prior medical knowledge, Diet Doc consults with patients to provide a detailed weight loss plan based on their nutritional needs and medical history.

Losing weight with Diet Doc is safe, simple and affordable. Nutrition plans, exercise guidance, motivational support, and dietary supplements are all part of the package. Over 90% of Diet Doc patients report an average weight loss of 20 or more pounds every month and long-term weight loss maintenance is made possible through continuous counseling.

Patients can get started immediately, with materials shipped directly to their home or office. They can also maintain weight loss in the long-term through weekly consultations, customized diet plans, motivational coaches and a powerful prescription program. With Diet Doc, the doctor is only a short phone call away and a fully dedicated team of qualified professionals is available 6 days per week to answer questions, address concerns and support patients.

Getting started with Diet Doc is very simple and affordable. New patients can easily visit https://www.dietdoc.com to quickly complete a health questionnaire and schedule an immediate, free online consultation.

About the Company:

Diet Doc Weight Loss is the nation's leader in medical, weight loss offering a full line of prescription medication, doctor, nurse and nutritional coaching support. For over a decade, Diet Doc has produced a sophisticated, doctor designed weight loss program that addresses each individual specific health need to promote fast, safe and long term weight loss.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DietDocMedicalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/DietDocMedicalWeightLoss/LinkedIn: https://www.LinkedIn.com/company/diet-doc-weight-loss?trk=biz-brand-tree-co-logo

Link:
Diet Doc's Customized Weight Loss Solutions Proven Safer Than 'Lose Weight Fast' Methods Like hCG Diet - Marketwired (press release)

What time did you eat your dinner last night? Chances are it was at 7 or even 8 p.m. And what about your breakfast? If your days are long, it is likely you grabbed a coffee or a piece of toast pretty early in the day. As the scientific evidence linking intermittent fasting to hormonal control and weight loss has grown so, too, has interest in prolonged periods of time within each day that we actually do not eat. Forget calorie counting or limiting your carbs weight control may be as simple as eating across fewer hours each day.

The 8-Hour Diet proposes that limiting your food intake to just eight hours of the day is an easy diet technique that supports weight control. This way, all calories and meals need to be consumed within just eight hours of the day for example, brunch at 10 a..m, lunch at 1 or 2 p.m. and your final meal of the day by 6 p.m. The amount of calories or even fat consumed is not important rather, it is argued that our long days, in which food may be consumed across as many as 16 hours each day, is one of the key reasons so many of us are struggling with our weight.

FASTING DIET FOR WEIGHT LOSS ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE

Indeed, there are some physiological aspects of this argument that make sense. Prolonged periods of feeding, in which food is not only consumed relatively frequently, every few hours and across many hours of the day means that more insulin (the hormone that controls blood glucose levels) is released in an attempt to keep blood glucose levels stable. High levels of insulin over time promote inflammation and fat storage in the body. In addition, hunger is less likely to be experienced, as we never really let ourselves get really hungry and fat is more likely to be stored in the liver.

Studies on animals support this approach when it comes to weight loss and hormonal control. In some preliminary studies, rats given free access to high-fat foods but only for relatively short periods of time weighed less, and had no issues with their cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels or inflammation in the liver. On the other hand, rats given free access to food across 24-hour periods gained weight, developed high cholesterol and high blood glucose as well as impaired motor control. Researchers concluded that constant feeding results in the body going into storage mode gaining weight and placing stress on the liver, which in turn results in increased blood glucose levels. On the other hand, when we stop eating for a number of hours, the liver stops releasing glucose into the bloodstream and instead uses it to repair the bodys cells, which in turn reduced inflammation. In addition, cholesterol is more likely to be broken down rather than stored.

HOW TO QUIT SUGAR FOR GOOD

So what does this mean for us? There is more evidence building to show there is a number of health benefits associated with not eating for a number of hours, from both a hormonal and weight perspective. In real life, though, this is easier said than done with long hours and shift work resulting in meals and snacks being consumed at all times of the day and night. The environment in which we live also encourages food consumption constantly, regardless of hunger or meal time.

While the exact period of time in which metabolic benefits are experienced from not eating is unknown, it appears that leaving at least 12 hours per day without food is beneficial, and at an extreme 16 hours each day. In real life terms, this means a later start to the day food-wise, and consuming your final meal by 8 p.m. at the latest. Another option if your day starts early is to eat breakfast as normal, eat your main meal at lunchtime and then have a light snack by 6pm. This way you still have 12-14 hours without food each day but are still eating enough calories so you do not experience extreme hunger throughout the evening.

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The biggest issue with diets that limit calories in some way is that extreme hunger is then experienced which makes compliance challenging. The key thing with fasting is that for it to work you need to not eat anything, whereas in real life little extras slip in which negate the benefits. As such, for the 8 Hour Diet to be effective, you will need to consume a substantial meal at some point during the day so that your hunger does not get the better of you.

First published on news.com.au.

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Is the '8-Hour Diet' the key to weight loss? - Fox News

There are plenty of challenges when it comes to losing weight.

Controlling cravings and suppressing hunger are two of the top concerns.

Consumer Reports recently looked into a popular prescription weight-loss drug that claims to help overweight or obese people with both issues.

The drug, Contrave, is a combination of two older drugs, the antidepressant Bupropion and the addiction-treatment drug Naltrexone.

The drug is approved for those who have a BMI of 28 or higher and who also suffer from another serious condition, such as heart disease, hypertension or Type 2 diabetes.

According to commercials for the drug, studies say patients who paired Contrave with diet and exercise lost approximately two to four times more weight than those who just relied on diet and exercise.

Consumer Reports took its own look at three clinical trials the U.S. Food and Drug Administration used to approve for the drug.

They found that the drug works, but the amount of additional weight lost is small, and Contrave could pose other serious health risks.

Contrave can cause anxiety, insomnia and headaches, but also serious health problems such as liver damage, seizures, increased blood pressure and possible heart risks," Consumer Reports' Ginger Skinner said.

Consumer Reports says people who took the drug for as many as 56 weeks lost an average of five to nine pounds more than those who took a placebo drug.

We believe most people should skip it. The small amount of weight loss is not worth the risk of the possible side-effects," Skinner said.

Instead, Consumer Reports says people should stick with reliable weight loss methods eat less and exercise more.

Consumer Reports says people who have exhausted those options without success should ask their doctor about intensive behavioral weight loss programs.

Some have at least 12 sessions per year and include multiple strategies to help you switch to a healthier diet and increase physical activity.

Read more here:
Consumer Reports: Side-effects tip scale against weight-loss drug - WRAL.com

All this week we are looking at the supposed health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. Many consumers of ACV claim it is good for weight loss. So we asked three experts to weigh in. ABC10's Dina Kupfer brings us their professional opinions.

KXTV 12:36 PM. PDT May 02, 2017

(Photo credit: Thinkstock/marekuliasz) (Photo: marekuliasz, Marek Uliasz)

The buzz online from a lot of bloggers is that apple cider vinegar can help you lose weight, but is it too good to be true? Turns out, it might not be!

One of things that Apple Cider Vinegar can do is increase satiety which means you might not eat as much, says Dr. Dennis Godby, a primary care physician in natural approaches, If a person eats a complex or simple carbohydrate diet and take the vinegar, youre going to see a 200-calorie reduction in your daily calorie intake.

Along with make you feel fuller faster, Dr. Jaiwant Rangi, an Internal Medicine Physician and Endocrinologist, said that apple cider vinegar can also help empty the stomach faster. "What that means is that your stomach has to empty at a certain rate," Rangi says, "Food will sit in the stomach longer and send signals to your brain that you're not hungry."

It turns out that there might be some truth to this theory, but dont hold your breath just yet. Dietitian Karina Knight says there have been studies about apple cider vinegar and weight loss, but the results werent all there.

There have been studies in Asia regarding this theory," she said, "Conductors noticed that people who took the apple cider vinegar lost one or two pounds more than those who didnt, but it wasnt too significant to say it was the vinegar that helped."

So according to our experts, it might be worth a shot to try two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water to help with weight loss. Just be sure to include your proper diet and exercise routines.

2017 KXTV-TV

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Apple Cider Vinegar: Can it Help Weight Loss? | ABC10.com - ABC10

If you're overweight and lose weight, chances are you'll be doing your knees a world of good, says a new study published in the journal Radiology. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found that overweight and obese people who lose a substantial amount of weight over four years significantly lowered degeneration of their knee cartilage.

Obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis, says the National Institutes of Health since extra pounds can place extra pressure on joints and cartilage, causing them to erode. In addition, extra body fat may produce higher levels of chemicals that cause inflammation in the joints, which also raises the risk for osteoarthritis.

"For this research, we analyzed the differences between groups with and without weight loss," said the study's lead author Dr. Alexandra Gersing. "We looked at the degeneration of all knee joint structures, such as menisci, articular cartilage, and bone marrow."

Researchers investigated the link between weight loss and the progression of cartilage changes on MRI over a 48-month period in 640 overweight and obese patients. All had risk factors for osteoarthritis or MRI evidence of mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Patients were categorized into three groups: those who lost more than 10 percent of their body weight, those who lost five to 10 percent of their body weight, and a control group whose weight remained stable.

Patients who lost 5 percent of their total weight had lower rates of cartilage degeneration when compared with stable weight participants. Degeneration slowed even more in patients who lost 10 percent of their body weight.

In addition, the researchers also saw changes in the menisci. Menisci are crescent-shaped fibrocartilage pads that protect and cushion the joint.

"The most exciting finding of our research was that not only did we see slower degeneration in the articular cartilage, we saw that the menisci degenerated a lot slower in overweight and obese individuals who lost more than 5 percent of their body weight, and that the effects were strongest in overweight individuals and in individuals with substantial weight loss," she said.

"Our study emphasizes the importance of individualized therapy strategies and lifestyle interventions in order to prevent structural knee joint degeneration as early as possible in obese and overweight patients at risk for osteoarthritis or with symptomatic osteoarthritis," Gersing said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. In addition to obesity, risk factors include age (the risk increases with age), sex (more women have the condition), and joint injury or overuse.

Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million American adults.

2017 NewsmaxHealth. All rights reserved.

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Weight Loss Slows Knee Joint Degeneration - Newsmax

Body positivity blogger Jessica Weber (follow her at @jessica_vsg44 ) has worked hard to get in shape. The 23-year-old Illinois native has lost 180 pounds, and she's candidly updated her followers on social media about how challenging the weight loss process can be.

Recently, Weber uploaded an Instagram post that highlights a hidden reality of weight loss: When you lose weight, your skin doesn't always shrink to adjust to your new size. Instead, you might end up with excess, loose skin in places where you've lost weight. While this is a normal part of losing a significant amount of weight, people don't often discuss it. And Weber hoped her honest Instagram would open up the conversation for followers experiencing the same thing.

Weber's post shows side-by-side photos. In the image on the left, Weber is smiling softly and has her shirt pulled over her stomach. In the image on the right, her shirt is lifted, the skin on her stomach is visible, and she's making a surprised-looking face. "This is my reality!" Weber wrote in her caption . "This is my life! When you lose 180 pounds, the skin doesn't just suck back up! I have been learning to deal with it, even with wanting to lose a bit more weight and have surgery! This is my life until then and I will not hate my body anymore!"

Weber told ATTN she wanted to highlight "how much she put her body though" and show how obesity has impacted her over the years. "But I also wanted to show that I still loved [my body], because I worked hard to get to this point."

Weber's post resonated with social media usersracking up nearly 26,500 likes and countless comments. Many of her followers thanked her for "sharing real life struggles" and told her the post was "the bravest thing they've ever seen."

See some of Jessica Weber's Instagrams below.

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You might also like: 5 Shocking Things No One Tells You About Your Body After You Have a Baby

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This Instagram Highlights a Hidden Side of Weight Loss - SELF