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Ive gained and lost a hundred stone and Im now at my heaviest but Im happy – iNews

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:50 pm

LifestyleWellbeingAt 43, and 18 stone, Ive gained freedom from crash diets and the constant panic that the weight might return

Wednesday, 29th January 2020, 5:14 pm

I had to get this fat to be grateful for what Ive discovered. At 43, and 18 stone, Ive gained freedom: from crash diets; from constant panic the weight might return; from worry my life will end if Im not the right weight; from constant thoughts of forbidden foods, until the inevitable binge, and guilt that would follow.

I also see my world hasnt ended. My partner still loves me. Im still a decent radio presenter, working at talkRADIO, and my dogs still wag their tails when I arrive home.

It started in my childhood. A misdiagnosis of a heart problem meant I was put on my first diet aged eight, which meant constant calorie counting and supervision of all food. I rebelled by secretly eating cakes and chocolates, and by 16 I was 17 stone with a relationship with food based on secrecy, guilt, and anxiety.

Ruthlessly strict calorie counting

I first lost weight in my twenties, through ruthlessly strict calorie counting, training, and being militant with both my regime and diet. But the more I deprived myself of the food I wanted, the more Id think about it until eventually Id give in. Id convince myself that I could have a chocolate bar as a treat. But once Id eaten that one, Id end up having another. And another.

Inevitably, my weight crept up. Just half a stone at first. Then Id panic and go back on a strict diet of misery and deprivation, and that half a stone would come off. This cycle of starving myself versus stuffing myself would continue in my thirties until it turned from half a stone repeatedly gained and lost, to a stone, two stone, and before I knew it, five or six stone at a time.

I went to the doctor about my yo-yo dieting, but in my experience the NHS arent interested until you need a gastric band. And along with every diet I did came a punishing workout/gym regime, either on my own, or, when I started doing well, with personal trainers. Ive had about 10 PTs over the years and spent thousands, all to end up back at square one.

Meanwhile, the diets I was choosing became more and more extreme. Id use low calorie, low carb, Atkins, Dukan, food combining, fasting, detoxes, shakes, soups and simple starvation. Despite all this I would always end up bingeing, and always, ultimately, end up gaining more back.

Plagued with thoughts of banned food

My most recent four-stone loss came in 2016 from a shake- and soup-based ketogenic diet. I spent months barely eating real food, and when I did, it was just protein. I looked great, but I was constantly fearful that Id gain weight and was plagued with thoughts of the foods Id banned myself from eating, until one day, after a year of deprivation, I gave in.

I ate one of the blueberry muffins Id walked past in the office canteen, and resisted, countless times before. Biting into that delicious sugary sponge brought back every emotion around food Id been suppressing, guilt, anger at myself for ruining it all and a promise to be stricter tomorrow.

Within months, Id gained back the four stone, and more, to put my weight at the highest its ever been.

Weary of it all and in my worst ever mental state, I finally chose to spend money on my brain, rather than my belly, starting cognitive behavioural therapy to get to the root cause of why, when Id done so much to lose weight, I was once again so fat? Had I not had the money for my own CBT, Id still be in the mess I was in.

CBT revealed that crash diets were the problem

One of the main lessons of CBT is to challenge all-or-nothing thinking, and encourage rational, instead of negative pre- programmed thoughts. I finally realised that far from helping me, every single restrictive crash diet was actually making me eat more.

The moment Id stray, the immediate negative narrative and subsequent resolution to be even more restrictive the next day meant I was actually giving myself the green light to eat more. I now challenge that narrative that I am worthless when I am bigger and that my life should stop when I am. If I hadnt got to this weight, how would I have discovered this?

Its not always easy. I sometimes have to use all my CBT knowledge to ignore the latest diet trend, and remind myself, its not a solution.

And something else has changed, too. By knowing I can have that muffin and the world wont end, I dont want it as much. For the first time, I have a biscuit jar, which actually has biscuits in as I dont eat every single one. As a result of ditching fads, my weight, although high, has remained constant for two years. Ive spent 30 years either gaining or losing and now, for the first time ever, I am a steady, albeit high, weight.

There's a place for treats in a healthy diet

Whats also encouraging is that there are now successful fitness professionals employing the non-restrictive philosophy, such as James Smith, whose best-selling Not a Diet Book challenges the diet industry.

Why would we have a life without the foods we enjoy? he tells me. I dont think we should make a case for consuming treats, but make one against those who say you never should. I want people to reduce their food intake slowly and have the muffin if they want it. I tell my clients, one hot day doesnt make a summer. A treat or two wont ruin your long-term plan, its part of human nature. Its normal. And if they have one, just do a few extra steps the next day.

So now Im not on anyones strict plan, Im eating well, but having that muffin if I want it. I am reading about sustainable long-term methods which arent too strict. I now get it. I am vlogging and Instagramming it as I want others to know they can do it too. I hope I succeed, as I want to be healthy and feel better. But if I dont, Ive had success already. Because I know I will have days when I am not perfect. But those days wont mean Ive failed.

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Ive gained and lost a hundred stone and Im now at my heaviest but Im happy - iNews

Is the Keto Diet Safe? We Asked Experts | Eat This Not That

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:49 pm

The rise of the keto diet is hard to overlook. From keto cruises to keto-friendly product lines from food manufacturers, it seems like everyone knows someone who has embraced the keto lifestyle.

With such a boom in popularity, many dieters are turning to the internet and social media for keto inspiration. However, there can be conflicting and confusing information about what this diet actually entails, which leaves some people asking, "what actually is the keto dietand is it safe?"

For starters, the keto diet is more than just eating unlimited amounts of bacon, eggs, and cheesedespite what some Instagram accounts would have you believe. Keto, also known as the ketogenic diet, is a way of eating that allows the dieter to enter a state of ketosis. When you are in ketosis, your body is breaking down stored fat into molecules called ketones that are released into your bloodstream and flushed out in your urine. Ketosis occurs when your body shifts from burning sugar and carbohydrates to stored fat.

In order to get into this metabolic state, the diet consists of high-fat and very low-carb foods. Cedrina Calder, MD, a preventative medicine doctor based in Nashville, explains that most people in ketosis aim to stay under 20 to 50 grams of net carbs total for the day, though the specific carb tolerance varies from person to person based on a number of factors, including activity level. When calculating net carbs, take the total carb count and subtract out the quantity of fiber and sugar alcohols, as those do not have the same impact on blood sugar as other carbs.

For reference, one medium apple has more than 20 net carbs, which would top out the daily limit for many keto-ers, making ketosis difficult to maintain.

"This diet is very hard to sustain on a long-term basis for the average person," said Dr. Calder. "For the average patient, I advise them to choose a healthy pattern of eating that they can sustain rather than focus on a temporary diet."

RELATED: No-sugar-added recipes you'll actually look forward to eating.

With so many restrictions, it can seem surprising that keto has gained as much traction as it has. Like many recent phenomena, it all goes back to one cause: Social media.

The boom of Instagram, blogs, and other photo-sharing sites has led to more transformation pictures circulating than seemingly ever before. And the keto diet is a prime candidate for producing noticeable results quickly, making it a staple for the popular Instagram hashtag #TransformationTuesday.

"Recently, more and more people are inquiring about the keto dietnot necessarily for a long-term solution, but just to jumpstart their weight loss journey," said Gabrielle Mancella, RD, who says that at least one-third of her daily patients inquire about going keto.

When you enter ketosis, the switch to burning stored fat creates a diuretic effect, making people lose water weight quickly compared to other methods of dieting. This can make progress look and feel quick at first.

As you enter a state of ketosis, many people experience symptoms known as the "keto flu." While not a real flu, the transition period can cause headaches, nausea, weakness, muscle cramps, difficulty concentrating, constipation, or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by dehydration, sugar withdrawals, or an imbalance of electrolytesall common effects of switching to the ultra-low-carb diet.

For many people, the keto flu is enough to convince them to give up on this way of eating. But, if you stick it out, the flu symptoms typically subside in about a week. Dieters can avoid, or lessen the symptoms of, the keto flu by drinking enough water, seeking out electrolytes, and cutting back on their carb intake gradually.

Once in a sustained state of ketosis, many dieters report enhanced mental clarity and overall improved wellbeing, in addition to weight loss. However, there hasn't been a great deal of research done yet to determine if these results are an inherent trait of the diet. Dr. Calder said more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the keto diet.

To check if you are in ketosis, strips from the drug store can detect the presence of ketones in urine.

While the weight loss can be quick, the keto diet also has some potentially serious drawbacks.

"Being in a state of ketosis can be dangerous for people with kidney disease or diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes," Dr. Calder said. "I also would not recommend it for individuals with an unhealthy relationship with food. Restrictive diets can worsen this relationship."

Because success on keto is dependent on cutting out foods that don't fit into the ultra-low-carb diet, this is not a diet made for people who like frequent cheat days or little daily indulgences, Mancella explains. After eating enough carbs that your body exits ketosis, the whole process has to begin again to get back into the fat-burning state.

"This puts immense strain on the body, and, in turn, is contraindicative to weight loss goals," Mancella says. "The brain's main source of energy are carbohydrates, and when we limit this, we are in turn affecting all of our other body processes."

Although she said that in healthy adults keto is generally safe because the body is able to self-regulate ketone levels by flushing the excess through urine, Mancella added that dieters should approach keto with caution.

"If not done right, this diet can cause havoc on our bodies," she says. "As a society, we have turned to a culture of restriction and extremes in order to obtain unrealistic beauty and aesthetic standards without considering the long-term consequences."

Knowing the restrictive nature, some people turn to the keto diet as a quick fix before an event that they want to drop a few pounds for quickly. Even that, however, can have some unintended consequences.

"Anyone starting a keto diet should be aware that once they stop the diet, they are likely to regain weight if they do not transition to a healthy diet," Dr. Calder said.

The keto diet itself doesn't have any required meals. The only goal is to stay under your allotted net carbs each day, so there is a lot of variation in how people choose to go about following the diet.

Generally, commonly eaten keto diet foods include meat, eggs, full-fat dairy, and low-carb vegetables, which helps to up your fat intakes to help maintain satiety without overdoing it on the carbs. You should aim for 70 to 80 percent of your daily calories to come from fat, 20 to 25 percent to come from protein, and 5 to 10 percent from carbs in order to maintain ketosis.

"A diet high in unhealthy fats increases the risk of heart disease," Dr. Calder says, explaining that if someone does choose to pursue the keto diet, they should opt to eat lean protein, low-fat dairy products, and healthy fats, including nuts, nut butters, seeds, avocado, and healthy oils.

Planning ahead can be the key for success on the keto diet to avoid falling into the trap of eating carbs out of convenience. While there are certainly plenty of options when eating out at restaurants, keeping it keto without a plan can be a recipe for disaster.

"I caution anyone who is new to concepts including portion control, meal prepping, grocery shopping, exercise, and, including, but not limited to, even cooking their own meals, as this diet will likely be detrimental to their long-term health," Mancella said.

When it comes to weight loss, Dr. Calder explains that all diets have the same end goal: creating a calorie deficit.

"If your goal is weight loss, you do not need to be on a keto diet to achieve this," said Dr. Calder. "You can create this deficit by making different changes to your diet and eating patterns, and with physical activity." She suggests that the average person consider a balanced, heart-healthy diet consisting of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and high-fiber, whole-grain carbohydrates.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dieting and healthy eating. Every body is different, and different people need to find the right dietary plan that fits their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

While the ultra-low-carb nature of keto might be able to help people shed some weight quickly, it is not a universal solution for everyone, and any new diet should be undertaken with guidance from a health care provider.

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Is the Keto Diet Safe? We Asked Experts | Eat This Not That

Science + You, through April 19 – River Cities Reader

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:49 pm

Through Sunday, April 19Family Museum, 2900 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf IA

Presented in conjunction with scientists at the global bio-pharmaceutical company AbbVie, the interactive children's exhibit Science + You enjoys a stay at Bettendorf's Family Museum through April 19, demonstrating the role that science plays in keeping the body healthy through fun and fascinating scientific experiments and a child-sized laboratory appropriate for young visitors.

Created by the Kohl Childrens Museum of Greater Chicago located in Glenview, Illinois, Science + You debuted in 2011 and has subsequently traveled to national museums in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco plus international venues in Germany and Brazil. Children will enter the exhibit as if entering a real-life laboratory., and at the first station, they can pretend to wash their hands and then wipe their feet on a special gel-like floor mat that changes colors to represent the dirt particles it is removing. Museum guests can even walk through a pretend shower to be bathed in blue lights before they put on their white lab coat, while graphics communicate how important it is for scientists to work in a clean environment. Science + You then continues its entertaining education through seven distinct exhibit components:

Antibodies: Demonstrating how antibodies act in the body, this component offers children the opportunity to understand a complex process through play. A clear Plexiglas structure is filled with magnetic balls, which represent germs in the body, while the four stations outside the structure include a movable antibody that children can use to manipulate germs.

Glove Box: Children can use a glovebox a sealed container used by real-life scientists with gloves built into the sides allowing one to manipulate objects safely. Demonstrating how scientists use a glovebox to contain materials as well as protect themselves, the children will wear thick gloves to measure substances using beakers, funnels and other lab equipment.

Mixing and Separating Test Lab: Exploring how scientists use machines to mix liquids and solids, this component demonstrates how different types of equipment function. Children can see the machines in action and can also manually mix and separate liquids and solids themselves.

Magnification Area: This component features a specialized Wentzscope and video microscopes that magnify objects on a large video screen, allowing younger children to compare and contrast an array of natural and man-made items up close.

Healthy Lifestyle: In this component featuring an outline of a human body with a hollow center, children place puzzle pieces representing various forms of nutrition, exercise, and rest in different areas of the body. When a healthy balance of all the components is achieved, children hear a congratulatory message as Healthy Lifestyle promotes being active in a variety of ways, from traditional exercise such as riding a bike to common activities such as cleaning the house, doing the dishes, or walking to school.

Test Kitchen: Here, children will make a healthy soup choosing their own combination of appropriate ingredients. Teaching children the importance of a balanced diet, this component has stations with soup pots that can hold up to six ingredients. Children pick the ingredients from the five food groups, and the burner under their soup pot lights up when theyve selected the correct balance of healthy ingredients.

Science Reflection: Finally, children can share their scientific thoughts and reflections after experiencing the entire Science + You exhibit. A variety of images, drawings, and terminology is provided that children can use to create their own collage, while a display wall allows children to share their collage reflection with the public. Grease pencils will also be provided for children to write down their impressions.

Family Museum visitors can experience Science + You through April 19, with regular venue hours Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The exhibit is free with $5-9 general admission, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)344-4106 or visiting FamilyMuseum.org.

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Science + You, through April 19 - River Cities Reader

Is Fish-Free February set to become the new Veganuary? – www.businessgreen.com

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:49 pm

Ocean charities hope to replicate the success of Veganuary campaign with new challenge for consumers to consume no fish in February

Across the country, hundreds of thousands of people kicked off the new decade by promising to ditch all animal products for a month.

The Veganuary campaign has taken the country by storm since it was launched in 2014 by husband and wife Jane Land and Matthew Glover. From a small base of just 3,300 participants in the first year, signatories to the campaign have doubled every year to top more than 300,000 in 2020, helped in no small part by Greggs' now famous vegan sausage roll.

Rising interest in plant-based diets has been spurred by a surge in consumer interest in healthy eating and growing public concern over agriculture's climate impact. Only last week the UK government's climate advisors, the Committee on Climate Change, suggested the UK will need to cut meat and dairy consumption by a fifth if the country is to meet its net zero emissions targets, pointing out that the land used for livestock at the moment will be needed for reforestation and other carbon-storing schemes. Critics argued that with demand for red meat already declining, the watchdog should have advocated for an even faster transition away from meat.

But some campaigners believe the public debate on greener diets has been too focused on meat and dairy, allowing the seafood industry to swim on in the shadows. In an effort to redress the balance, this year the Manta Trust, a UK based charity originally formed to protect manta rays, has teamed up with Oceans Festival UK to follow Veganuary with a new campaign - 'Fish-Free February'.

The campaign encourages people to ditch all seafood for the month of February and instead adopt "plant-based, sustainable ways of eating". The Manta Trust claims the campaign - which will use the hashtag #FishFreeFebruary - will "send a clear message of protest against current standards of fishing and seafood farming".

Simon Hillbourne is a marine biologist, digital media and communications manager for the Manta Trust, and creator of the Fish-Free February campaign. Hillbourne says he was moved to launch the campaign so as to address the disconnect between the unsustainable sourcing of much of the seafood sold in the UK and the surge in public focus on the environmental impacts of meat and dairy consumption. "Nobody is really talking about the ocean," he tells BusinessGreen. "In fact, some people were saying, 'I'll swap to eating fish, it's healthier'. [But I thought]: 'Well, hang on a second, the oceans are also in trouble'."

There's certainly a strong environmental argument for reducing the amount of seafood consumed globally. Global seafood consumption - including both seafood consumed by humans and seafood processed for feed - has more than doubled in the past 50 years, to around 22.3kg per capita. In the EU that rises to about 27kg per head. The world's rapacious demand for seafood means that as of 2015, a third of fish stocks are deemed to be fished at unsustainable levels. Just seven per cent of stocks are classified as underfished.

Sustainable fisheries advocates argue eating fish can be a sustainable dietary option as long as the seafood comes from well managed fisheries, a stance also backed by most governments. Only today the UK government introduced its Fisheries Bill to govern management of its fish stocks post-Brexit, which it said promises to ensure fish stocks are managed sustainable and marine habitats thrive once the UK leaves the EU fisheries regime.

Fish-free February acknowledges the need for sustainable management of fisheries and insists its "ultimate goal" is not to stop people eating seafood altogther, but rather to encourage a "radical reduction" in consumption. "We're not pushing for people to stop eating fish forever," Hillbourne says. "Fish is a perfectly viable protein source if it's come from well-managed, small-scale industries. Unfortunately, most of us, especially in the Western world, we can't really go to a small fishmonger just down the road who caught their fish this morning. We rely on going to big supermarkets which rely on big commercial fishing chains."

Moroever, even where governments intend to set fishing on a sustainable path, the problems of keeping track of who is catching what and when is a continual challenge for stock managers. In September 2019 the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) removed its 'blue tick' sustainability mark from North Sea cod, just two years after it was awarded, after new analysis revealed fish levels were much lower than previously thought.

The situation may be even worse in developing nations, according to the UN. Speaking at a conference in November, the Food and Agriculture Organisation director general Qu Dongyu warned that while fisheries in developed regions are becoming increasingly sustainable, developing regions are struggling to enhance the governance of their own expanding fishing industries. As the most recent update on progress against Sustainable Development Goal 14 - the goal covering life under water - has made clear, the world is a long way from delivering sustainable management of the world's oceans.

Yet despite the parlous state of global fish stocks, and the pressure industrial fishing puts on a marine environment already struggling to deal with warmer ocean temperatures caused by climate change, campaigners are concerned public attention - when it does fall on the oceans - is too preoccupied with plastics.

Ever since Sir David Attenborough presented Blue Planet 2, and the world saw the impacts plastic straws and bags are having on marine life, demand for a dramatic reduction in plastic use has exploded. Major corporates all now have plastic reduction strategies and countries across the world are banning single-use plastics.

But Dr Guy Stevens, CEO and co-founder of the Manta Trust, stresses that fishing and climate breakdown are a far bigger threat to the world's oceans. "I think we have become fixated on plastic reduction because it seems to be something that people can connect too and it's something people feel they have some power over changing," he argues. "But I think it's somewhat of a distraction from these bigger issues."

Alongside Fish-Free February, other NGOs are currently stepping up with new campaigns to refocus government attention on marine climate impacts and overfishing. Yesterday more than 100 environmental organisations, including ClientEarth, Seas At Risk, and WWF, launched a Blue Manifesto' to "turn the tide" on polluted oceans. Plastics - particularly microplastics - are mentioned, but the manifesto focuses much more heavily on addressing overfishing and lobbying for more protected marine areas. Among other measures, it calls for EU countries to adopt policies to drive low-impact fishing by 2030, such as bans on the use of destructive fishing gears and techniques.

"Politicians, policy makers and industry will have to work together and abandon the narrow view of fish as stocks we can over-exploit, and instead consider them as vital parts of complex ecosystems, crucial for ocean resilience," the manifesto reads. "Fish populations need to be restored to a level where they can reproduce safely with a surplus we can harvest."

If Fish-Free February is a success - and Hillbourne "sees no reason" why it can't be as big as Veganuary - then businesses will have a sizeable commercial opportunity to exploit. Just as Veganuary helped to spur massive growth in the market for plant-based foods, so Fish-Free February could deliver a surge in demand for alternative fish products.

Already, the market for fishless foods is showing signs of innovation. This time last year Quorn launched a new range of fish-free products, with CEO Geoff Bryant predicting that seafood-style alternative proteins will become an increasingly important solution for feeding the global population sustainably.

In addition, earlier this week US firm Good Catch launched its plant-based tuna range in the UK. The pea, chickpeas, lentils, soy, and fava bean blend is available in Tesco, with co-found Derek Sarno describing the product as offering a "seafood experience without the sacrifice".

Even fishing giant Thai Union is experimenting with insect proteins to ease demand on fishmeal supply chains, telling BusinessGreen last year that it is also exploring how to use alternative proteins for direct human consumption.

If Fish-Free February takes off, these firms could fast find themselves at the leading edge of a new growth market. So far the campaign is in its infancy, with little under 100 people signed up to its pledge tracker. But the consumer trends suggest a focus on sustainable fish consumption could be poised for major growth, attracting the growing band of 'flexitarians' not quite ready to embrace vegetarianism or veganism in full, but eager to find ways to tweak their diet so as to reduce their environmental impact. Stevens said the campaign should appeal to people not ready to go "cold turkey" in halting consumption of all animal products.

Time will tell whether Fish-Free February will ever mimic the popularity and influence enjoyed by Veganuary. But its a clear reminder for campaigners and companies that sustainable diets don't stop at the shore.

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Is Fish-Free February set to become the new Veganuary? - http://www.businessgreen.com

This Guy Lost 100 Pounds Through Intermittent Fasting and the Keto Diet – Men’s Health

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

Thomas DeLauer had always been fairly fit through high school, but gained 120 pounds due to stress and a lifestyle that had become less physically active as he began to focus on his career. Now a health and fitness entrepreneur and YouTuber, DeLauer explains how he used intermittent fasting in conjunction with working out as a tool to help himself lose weightand how he struggled to sustain his results until he learned to prioritize his mental health.

"I started intermittent fasting not really knowing what I was doing," he says. "I was doing intermittent fasting simply because it was easy; I could go for a period of time without eating, and then eat. But there was no regiment, it wasn't like I was following a structured plan. I would go until 3 or 4 p.m. and then eat. That was just it. And quite frankly, it probably wasn't healthy, because I developed a weird addiction to it."

DeLauer lost about 50 pounds in a 6 month period. That kind of rapid weight loss isn't uncommon when you make changes to your diet and reduce your calorie intake, but as is to be expected, his results began to plateau.

At this point, in addition to continuing his intermittent fasting, he also started the keto diet, and his weight loss continued. He began to see benefits outside of just dropping body fat, such as reduced inflammation, and becoming more productive at work. Soon after, he started his own business, which brought on a whole new wave of stress that caused him to fast and then binge:

"I was still fasting, but my results were stopping, because when I was eating, I was eating the wrong things, I was eating an overabundance of things, and quite frankly, at that point in time, I was doing more of a modified one-meal-a-day type diet because it was just the natural progression... if I knew what I know today, it would be a whole different story."

DeLauer believes now that if you overload with food in just one sitting, it can backfire. He adds that at certain points on his weight loss journey, he would either be way too strict with regards to what he ate, or go too far in the other direction. "I didn't live life a normal way," he says. "I either lived it totally on or totally off."

The biggest improvement he made, he notes, was when he stopped focusing merely on his physical health, and started focusing on his mental health.

"By focusing on my mental health, everything fell together. It should have been step one," he says. "But it seemed so distant to losing the body fat, to changing my physical body... I tell you, if I had spent 10 minutes meditating vs. 60 minutes pounding the pavement, I would have made a lot more progress a lot faster."

He recalls how, at times, he was able to use the anger and frustration he would feel about his own body to motivate himself, but that ultimately it's an unsustainable approach. "You can't live on the anger drive," he says. "You have to live on intention and purpose."

If you're interested in intermittent fasting as a means of losing weight, here's what you should know before trying it out for yourself.

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This Guy Lost 100 Pounds Through Intermittent Fasting and the Keto Diet - Men's Health

What is the Secret behind Jonah Hill’s Weight Loss? – Daily Hawker

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

Losing weight is far more difficult for some people. This process may look physical but has a deep emotional aspect that only a few people can connect to. In this scenario, the people who have put on excess weight tend to suffer as they consider themselves misfit. It is not entirely their fault because the people around the victims make them feel vulnerable. And, what if the victim is in the limelight? Can you imagine the pressure of being criticized publicly? Can you imagine being constantly clicked and being laughed upon? If you cannot relate to it, Jonah Hill is the celebrity you need to read about. This actor may not have always looked attractive on screen, but surely has a story to tell the audience. And, of all stories, the one that is most inspiring is Jonah Hills weight loss journey. What is the story like? Read on to get to know the actors amazing journey.

As a young teenager, Jonah Hill had sufferedfrom being overweight. No matter where he went, people would call him fat andugly. He tried his best to fit in with the jocks and the hip-hop guys but hisweight did not allow him to mingle with the regular kids. He was like anoutcast waiting to show the world he was handsome in his own way. Thus, thispressure that started in his school days continued with him when he started hiscareer in films. He would get photographed by the press and the next day anarticle would come up on how fat or unattractive he looks. This was tormentingand this is the pressure he could not handle easily.

In order to ensure that people stoppedcriticizing him because of his weight, Jonah Hill tried to lose weight severaltimes. He was successful every time but managed to put weight back on. Thus,several tries at looking constantly fit and attractive made Hill frustrated. Headmits even today that his weakness for pizza and beer amounts to immenseweight gain. He is surprised at how fast he loses weight when he quits drinkingbeer and how fast he gains weight when he resumes drinking the same. Thus,coming to a standstill was becoming extremely difficult.

Jonah Hill visited a nutritionist forconsultation. His diet was changed completely and he resorted to being aresponsible adult by quitting bad eating habits. He started turning away at thesight of cheesy meaty pizzas and switched to healthier food like salads andgrills. His favourite food turned out to be the healthier sushi made witheither salmon or tuna. He also started having sushi without mayo and replacedthe same with fresh veggies. Eating balanced and healthy food again is not theend of the problem because, in order to enhance the process of melting extrafat in the body, exercising is equally important.

Jonah Hill joined a gym and hired a traininginstructor. He went to work out and was spotted exercising with a combinationof running, weightlifting, and boxing. The actor admitted that it was difficultto start working out in the initial days. However, he gathered up enoughenthusiasm and started running. Running regularly gave him the encouragementneeded to work out further. He started doing ten push-ups daily which graduallyincreased to a hundred push-ups a day. This helped him to lose weight fasterand become an inspiration to all.

Jonah Hill Feldstein was born on 20 December1983 in Los Angeles. He grew up amidst creativity because his mother was afashion stylist and costume designer while his father toured with Guns N Rosesas an accountant. This creative environment instilled the passion for writingin this young boy and he dreamed of becoming a successful writer one day. Hisearly days of struggle as a fat kid began in Brentwood School and he laterchanged to Crossroads at Santa Monica. Despite the emotional turmoil he wentthrough, Jonah Hill continued to work hard to finally enter into the New YorkSchool to study drama and pursue writing. During his college days when he wasnot busy gorging on pizza or drinking beer, Jonah Hill was seen busy writingplays and practicing different characters. He received appreciation from hisfellow students and professors which motivated him to try out for roles andmake a career in the movies.

Jonah Hill was a promising actor and it didnot take long for him to make a mark in the industry. During his college dayswhen he was busy writing his heart out, his stage play attracted the attentionof the industry and he was cast in I Heart Huckabees. Jonah Hill did not evenimagine that he would begin with his first film in 2004 itself and this was ablessing that he did not let go. He grabbed this opportunity and performed tothe best of his ability. It was soon after this movie that he started gettingoffers for televisions and movies for minor roles. He used such opportunitiesto excel and gain experience so that he could grab bigger roles in the longrun.

Jonah Hills prayers did not go unanswered.He soon made it to the poster of the movie, Superbad in 2011 and wooed theaudience with his stunning performance. Though he was criticized for being fatand unattractive, his acting skills were praised by both critics and fans. Thisman seized this opportunity as the turning point in his life and began gettingmajor roles. His performance in 2011 in the movie, Moneyball, wasexceptionally good and he got an Oscar nomination. His talent continued tospark the red carpet as he received yet another Oscar nomination for the movie,The Wolf of Wall Street, in 2013. He did not win the award but he again wooedthe spectators in 2016 with his performance in the movie, War Dogs. Hischaracter was brilliantly played out and that won him a nomination at theGolden Globe Awards.

As appreciation and criticism began coming inthe way of Jonah Hill, he started performing better as an actor and strived tolook slimmer day by day. He tried his immense best to lose weight and inspirethe world that used to call him fat once. His struggle did not go in vain because he didmanage to lose sufficient weight to look much better than before. And, it wasduring Jonah Hills weight lossregime that he decided to write down his emotions in the form of a script anddirect an upcoming movie. Mid90s was born out of the heart and mind of thefamous international celebrity that speaks more of the difficult emotionalturmoil he had to go through as a teenager. Today, Jonah Hill has lost over 40pounds and become confident to propose marriage to his girlfriend, Gianna Santos.He has achieved what he did not think was possible and he wishes to instillthis sense of determination in the youngsters today. Hence, Jonah Hill is notjust a comedian that people love to watch but an inspiration that will go downin the history of the world of cinema.

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What is the Secret behind Jonah Hill's Weight Loss? - Daily Hawker

Weight loss: I got a revenge body after my controlling boyfriend asked me to STOP slimming as it made him – The Sun

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

THIS woman got the ultimate revenge on her controlling boyfriend who asked her to stop losing weight because it made HIM insecure.

Kylie Hansen, 27, from Taft, California, had been obese all her life - but shed six stone after dumping her ex.

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The security administrator was a competitive swimmer and cheerleader for 12 years but piled on the pounds due to her love of fast food.

At her biggest she weighed 18st 5lb and was a UK size 22.

In 2012, Kylie realised her weight could cause health problems so went under the knife for a vertical sleeve gastrectomy on July 1, 2013.

She said: My boyfriend at the time of my surgery was not supportive.

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He felt more insecure the more I lost weight and eventually asked me to stop losing weight.

At one point, people started saying I was too small. But I didn't let it bother me.

I gradually gained the courage and confidence to leave the relationship and learned to only accept people in my life who bring the energy I needed and wanted.

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Following a rigorous diet and exercise plan, she now weighs just 12st 2lbs and has a dress size of 14-16.

Before her surgery, Kylie had a classic students' diet of ramen, cereal and frozen ready meals.

She then reduced her daily calorie intake from 2,500 calories to 1,500.

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Kylie said: Waking up from surgery and being told you can't eat that was the hardest part for me. Our brains are still wired the same. If I had a food addiction prior to surgery, I still had that addiction after surgery.

I vividly remember my first restaurant trip after the operation. I ordered clam chowder, and had to scoop out everything inside the soup except the broth. I remember crying because of how hard it was for me to not eat the foods I so badly wanted.

My entire family was obese, and we all eventually had weight loss surgery. I'm proud to say that we've all made our health a priority and are living our best lives. It's been great having each of them for support.

Kylie's diet

THEN

Breakfast: Cereal

Lunch: Ramen

Dinner: Frozen ready meal

NOW

Breakfast: Two eggs, one slice of toast and brocolli

Snacks: Superfood shakes and peanut butter apples

Lunch: Ground turkey with vegetables

Dinner: Grilled chicken with sweet potato and beans

After splitting from her ex, Kylie went onto marry Jacob, 28, a friend from school. He's in the Army and the couple share two-year-old son Jameson.

She now exercises for at least half an hour a day and steers clear of processed food.

Kylie said: I struggled with becoming obsessive to the idea of being skinny something I had never experienced before.

I struggled with my addiction to food and had to train my brain to want and crave foods that fuelled my body and not order the amount of food I was previously eating.

I struggled when I reached my three-year post-op mark. I became addicted to losing weight and it was my only priority at the time. I was very self-conscious and still saw my 260lbs body in the mirror.

But over six years on, the quality of my life is much better. I can do things I wasn't able to do before. I love running and now turn to exercise as my stress reliever.

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I have learned that I need to be a good example for my son and future children. I have learned how mentally tough I am, and how much work it takes - mentally and physically - to be on a health journey.

I have learned to love the struggle and the journey. I love my body and will continue to love it while I work on my goals.

There are foods to eat that help you reach your goals, and there are foods that won't. If I splurge and eat a bad food

I will definitely notice a difference in how I feel and the scales go up.

I have to be extra careful to decide if I really want the food or if it is just a temporary feeling.

Start with nutrition. Learn how to eat to fuel your body. If you feel you have a food addiction, work on that. Slowly start incorporating exercise.

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HIGH STREET HAUL Arabella Chi spotted wearing a 30 New Look dress at the NTAs

PERFECT MATCH Bride sends M&S fans wild with amazing Colin the Caterpillar wedding cakes

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not skirting around Stacey Solomon reveals hidden storage in her skirting boards

The journey has definitely helped mould me into the person I am today, and I am so glad I now prioritise my health and hope to inspire others to do the same.

I had no idea how much my life would change after I grabbed my health by the horns.

We previously spoke to a size 24 mum who lost 10 stone in a year to half her body weight after she couldn't fit into a plane seat.

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Weight loss: I got a revenge body after my controlling boyfriend asked me to STOP slimming as it made him - The Sun

The ‘Boro Nutrition and Energy serves healthy options to cut out unhealthy snacking – Daily News Journal

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

Nancy DeGennaro, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal Published 11:11 a.m. CT Jan. 29, 2020

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When Marisol Lozoya of Murfreesboro was diagnosed with high cholesterol and prediabetes, she knew she had to get serious about her health.

"I started looking for better ways to get healthier," said Lozoya, who started replacing meals with Herbalife shakes and energy teas.

She lost over 30 pounds and wanted to share her weight loss success with others. So she and partner, Oscar Yepes, opened The 'Boro Nutrition and Energy at 2089 Lascassas Pike in Murfreesboro.

Marisol Lozoya prepares an energy tea at her shop, The 'Boro Nutrition and Energy, 2089 Lascassas Pike in Murfreesboro.(Photo: Nancy DeGennaro/DNJ)

"I got better ... lost 32 pounds ... and wanted to help people do the same. I know other people suffer (from health issues)," said Lozoya, whose ribbon cutting and grand opening for the shop is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.

The shopserves Herbalife's meal replacement shakes and energy drinks as well as acai bowls and protein waffles.

Each shake is around 250 calories and has 24 grams of protein, 21 vitamins and minerals, 9 to 14 net carbs and sweetened with a no-calorie sugar substitute derived from the stevia plant.

But Lozoya and Yepes want The 'Boro Nutrition and Energy shop to be about more than serving up products.

Along with serving up shakes, they offer free wellness evaluations, meal plans and a weekly workout email from a personal trainer.

For Nikki Saull, the products and personal interaction with the owners has made a change in her life.

As a candy sales representative, Saull spends her days driving around with tons of snacks in her car.

"It's easyto grab chips and cookies all the bad stuff," instead of lower-calorie options, Saull said.

"But I can come get a shake and (energy drink) and I won't even think about eating until 4 or 5 p.m.," Saull explained. "They are delicious ... and helping me maintain a healthier lifestyle. I'm not snacking on the go."

Saull said she is "hooked" and tries a different shake each day.

The shop offers nearly 60 flavors like caffe latte, strawberry cheesecake, cookie dough, chocolate birthday cake, cinnamon roll and salted caramel.

"Some of my favorite flavors have been the Ferrero Rocher, turtle cheesecake and Fruit Pebbles for something a little different," Saull said.

There's also a selection of energy shakes that include flavors like orange pushup and key lime pie.

You can also order add-ins such as extra fiber and probiotic.

More than 20 energy drinks are offered on the menu, too. Each is fueled by mixes filled with vitamins andcaffeine, as well as natural aloe that aids in digestion. Flavor options include:

Saull said her favorite is the Russian twist, which is a combination of chai, orange and mango. "It's tastes like a spiced cider," she said.

There are even protein coffees on the menu.

"I love the community I'm involved in," Lozoya said. "We really want to help people."

What: Ribbon cutting and open house for The 'Boro Nutrition and Energy

Where: 2089 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro

When: 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com and follow her on Twitter @NanDeGennaro.

Read or Share this story: https://www.dnj.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/01/29/find-healthy-on-go-fast-boro-nutrition-energy-murfreesboro-tn/4591436002/

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The 'Boro Nutrition and Energy serves healthy options to cut out unhealthy snacking - Daily News Journal

Weight Watchers coach tells how late dad inspired her to take on new role – Belfast Live

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

After losing her beloved father aged just 61, Brid Griffen had all the inspiration she needed to step up and take on a new challenge in her life as a Weight Watchers coach.

The Co Donegal woman admitted she struggled with her weight since her teenage years and again after the birth of her children but it wasnt until she found WW that she was able to really succeed at her weight loss struggles.

She said: From when I was a teenager, about 16 or 17, my weight would have fluctuated and then after I had my children like many another woman my weight went up again and before I got married, I lost and found three stone, three times, before I found WW.

I did all the quick fixes, I was great at losing weight but I could never keep it off, it was the maintaining was my challenge.

A friend of mine tried to talk me into going to Weight Watchers for about five years, but I thought it was for old people and I said it wasnt my thing but eventually she talked me into it and that was it, I got WW and they certainly got me.

What I loved about it was that I could eat my dinner. I love my potatoes, I love my dinner and I couldnt believe I could eat ordinary food. When I joined WW my children were five and three so we might have been going out once a week or once a fortnight for a bite to eat and a drink and I could do that and still go in the next week with a pound off, I loved it!

Winning a lifetime of free membership if she achieved her target weight was the hook that drew the mum-of-two in and it wasnt long until she had the coveted gold card.

She said: What really got me about it was the gold card and the gold membership, I just loved the thought of the fact they would give me free membership for life to help me maintain my weight loss if I got there, so that really hooked me in.

Fast forward to 2006 when a new challenge presented itself to Brid in the form of a coaching role with WW. Unsure at first, she then thought of her late father who became her inspiration for the role.

The 56-year-old explained: I got to my goal weight and I maintained my weight loss for eight years when my own coach asked me would I be interested in becoming a coach as she was going off on maternity leave.

"I was in full-time employment at the time and I really didnt know what to do, but I thought about my late father, and he died at 61 with heart issues and he would have been overweight and I often wondered if he had found something like Weight Watchers might we actually have had him for longer.

So I thought if I could help one or two people it would be worth a try so I went ahead and did the training. The night I opened my first workshop I was so nervous because you needed 25 people to open a Workshop, and I opened my first in April 2006 with 58 members and Ive never looked back.

Having spent 14 years coaching thousands of people through their weight loss journey, the Stranorlar woman was this year named WW Coach of the Year, (sponsored by Dale Farm Northern Ireland) a title she treasures dearly.

She said: During the last 14 years Ive probably been nominated 5 or 6 times because you have to be nominated as Coach of the month during that year to be put forward for Coach of the Year, so you sort of get used to your name not coming out but I was absolutely over the moon when I was awarded it this year.

It really meant an awful lot for me to bring that accolade back to my members because they are just so supportive, I was delighted as well for my family because they have been part of the journey as well, theyve grown up with it because I started as a member with WW in 1997.

The members that are coming to me know its not a job anymore, its an absolute passion for me. You know the old saying if you love what youre doing youll never work a day in your life thats true for me, I just knew back then when I opened my first class that this was for me, I just love it.

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Weight Watchers coach tells how late dad inspired her to take on new role - Belfast Live

Erica Lugo’s Personal Weight-Loss Journey Makes Her One of the Most Relatable Trainers – msnNOW

Posted: January 29, 2020 at 5:47 pm

Instagram/@ericalovefit The newest trainer on the new season of "The Biggest Loser" opens up about her 150-pound weight loss and the challenging lessons she learned along the way.I weighed 322 pounds five and a half years ago and was completely okay with it.

I'd started gaining weight around middle school, and food and fitness just weren't something my family talked about at home. My mom worked a lot, and my siblings and I grew up eating whatever snacks she'd stocked in the pantry. After meals, we'd always have dessert. That's just how my family, like so many others, showed love: through food. (Related: How to Use Intuitive Eating for Weight Loss)

By the time I got to college, there was nothing holding me back from eating whatever I wanted. There was no one around to tell me "no", and I didn't think there was anything wrong with eating fast food and pizza every day. Food aside, I also had no idea that working out and moving your body is important. I'd never been to the gym, and I never really felt the need to go. Why? Because no one really said anything about my weight or the way I looked. No one seemed to think there were any red flags about my health, so neither did I. (Related: This Woman's One-Year Transformation Is Proof That New Year's Resolutions Can Work)

To be honest, I don't have one of those stories where I can tell you that I looked at myself in the mirror and hated myself. I was truly just oblivious. I mean, I knew I had some weight to lose, but at 5 foot 11 inches tall, I just felt like I was a big girl and was ever going to have a tiny waist or small thighs, and that didn't bother me.

As years passed, I continued living life the same way and the weight kept piling on. I got married and gave birth to my son a few years later. My whole life I'd wanted to be a mom so badly and I dove into motherhood with my whole heart. (Related: This Influencer Is Keeping It Real About Stepping Into a Fitting Room After Having a Baby)

I continued to gain weight after pregnancy but still didn't really think I had any problem. My wake-up call finally came when my son was 3 years old and playing on our living room floor. I was sitting on the couch when he looked up at me and asked me to join him. I said no.

I vividly remember sitting on that couch with zero energy, eating some kind of snack, not wanting to get up because doing so felt like too much effort. At that moment, something clicked. I looked at my son and realized that I brought him into this world and he deserves so much more than a mom who doesn't even have the energy to play with him. I had to make a change and I needed to make it fast while I had the motivation.

While I still knew nothing about diet, weight loss, or fitness, the one thing I did know was that I need to reduce my calorie intake and increase my activity level. (BTW, the weight loss concept of 'calories in versus calories out' is not as simple as it sounds. Plus, counting calories is not the end all be all of losing weight.)

The initial changes were small. As far as food was concerned, I was still cooking pasta and pizza, but consciously eating smaller portions. Then began eating low-calorie frozen meals. At the time, I didn't know that those came with their downsides too, but to be honest, all things considered, it was a good place to start. Eventually, I began educating myself on food and started learning about fat, carbs, proteins and how to eat balanced meals that fueled me versus comforted me. (Related: New Energy Foods to Power You Through Your Day)

When it came to fitness,I started by joining a local Planet Fitness. I went in the mornings before my son woke up and began by just walking on the treadmill. A few weeks in, I felt comfortable challenging myself and would jog for 30-seconds a few times during my walk. I just kept building upon that goal. Soon, I was jogging for the length of one song on my playlist, then two songs. My goals just kept growing from there. (Related: What Might Happen If You Walk 30 Minutes a Day)

For the first two months, I stuck to cardio. I averaged about five hours on the elliptical and treadmill a week. Then, I started working with a trainer who showed me some high-intensity interval training (HIIT) drills. While I could feel the weight coming off of me, I also wanted to build muscle and HIIT was a good way to work toward that. Once I adopted this workout strategy, I discovered what "good tired" meant and I became hooked to that feeling. (Related: How to Make Exercise a Habit You Love)

In the first month of my journey, I lost 45 pounds. At the end of the first year, I was down 122 pounds. Every month I watched the weight come off my body. My clothes stopped fitting me and my energy levels shot up. (Related: The #1 Thing You Should Keep In Mind Before You Set Weight-Loss Goals)

But the biggest transformation for me was internal. During the early stages of my journey, I began documenting my experience on social media, and I saw that it was resonating with people. They noticed that I was carrying myself differently and was just happier overall. They wanted to know how I did it. That helped me realize that I was ready to commit to fitness outside of myself. I became a certified personal trainer and created Erica Fit Love, an online training platform. Now I'm able to work with people one on one no matter where they live and help them reach their own goals. (Related: How I Learned My Weight-Loss Journey Wasn't Over Even After Losing 170 Pounds)

The program I created offers a variety of workout styles including strength trainingand HIIT. Even though HIIT can sound and feel intimidating, I focus on scalable drills. They start with one-minute cardio intervals: either 15 seconds hard, 45 seconds rest, or vice versa. This flexibility makes my workouts great for people who are just starting out and have never really delved into fitness before. Plus the quick intervals are a great source of motivationthey're over so quickly so it deters you from quitting. My program also offers a calendar with weekly reminders and a private accountability-focused Facebook community with direct access to me to help keep everyone motivated. (Related: Joining an Online Support Group Could Help You Finally Meet Your Goals)

After losing the initial 122 pounds, it took me another two years to lose an additional 35-40 pounds. Some of that is totally normalwhen you're going through extreme weight-loss you are going to hit a wallbut I also learned the hard way that you can't keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect the same results. I adopted a trial and error method to figure out how my body was going to reach my goal weight. What ended up working for me was reevaluating my diet and diversifying my workouts to challenge my body in ways it hadn't been challenged before. In 2018, I reached my goal of losing 150 pounds, and I finally felt like all of my efforts over the past three years had paid off. But I quickly realized that losing weight was about so much more than the number on the scale. (Related: Science Found the Best Workout to Overcome Your Weight-Loss Plateau)

Despite the weight-loss, for the first time in my life, I began dealing with body image. When I was at my heaviest, I never struggled with body image. I never spoke harshly about myself and didn't feel insecure. But now? It's a daily battle. As the weight started to come off, I became my biggest critic. When you work in the fitness industry (and are on social media), everyone has an opinion and everyone is showing their highlight reel versus what's really happening behind the scenes. That's really challenging.

Even still, I didn't really understand how intense my body image issues were until I got sick. (See: How Celebrity Social Media Affects Your Mental Health and Body Image)

Three years ago I was diagnosed with EpsteinBarr virus (EBV), also known as human herpesvirus 4. EBV is a very common virus that can cause other infectious diseases such as mono and is spread through bodily fluids. I experienced serious brain fog and low-grade fevers. Even though it's under control now, it's something I will live with for the rest of my life. The biggest thing I had to learn to deal with was the feelings of exhaustion that came with the illness. It was like nothing I'd never felt before. I had to really scale back my HIIT workouts because my body just couldn't handle it. I went from doing HIIT every single day to just two-three times a week. Learning to cope with the illness combined with the change to my workout routine caused me to gain some weight. That took a huge blow to my self-esteem and brought some of my body image issues to light.

As if that wasn't enough, in November of 2018 I was diagnosed with stage 2 thyroid cancer. I underwent radiation and surgery and ultimately beat the disease, but my body went through hell and back in the process. I remember coming home from treatment, looking in the mirror and thinking: "I look terrible." (Related: My Lupus Diagnosis Was the Wake-Up Call I Needed to Stop Abusing Diet Pills)

It's something I deeply regret. My body had fought through and triumphed over so much but all I was focused on was the way I looked. It was heartbreaking, but it forced to me confront my lingering body-image issues head-on. It's something I'm still learning to deal with today.

One thing that's really quiet all the negative thoughts about my body is having conversations with myself. A part of that involved me tallying how many times I said something negative about myself on any given day. Looking at that number was a huge "holy crap" moment for me. There were some days when I said 50 negative things about myself! The comments could be a result of feeling self-conscious in my clothes or how parts of my body didn't look "perfect". Keeping tabs on my negative thoughts made me realize how quick I was to pick out my flaws and how unfair that was to myself and everything my body had been through.

Today, working out and eating healthy isn't about how awesome I look. It's about inspiring people to realize that neither illness nor your weight define you and that you're so much stronger than you think. That's what I'm trying to bring to this brand new season of The Biggest Loser as I work with contestants who are starting their own fitness journies...just like I did. (Related: The Biggest Loser Is Coming Back to TVand It's Going to Be Totally Different)

I want them to know that truly loving and appreciating your body is an ongoing journey, and it's something you have to work hard toward every day. I also want to prove that losing weight and transforming your life doesn't have to be complicated. My story is proof that taking it back to the basics works. I didn't make any crazy, drastic changes to my life. I just took things one step at a time, and the results followed. (Related: What I Wish I Knew Sooner About Losing Weight)

Yes, there will be barriers. I, for instance, have always struggled with binge eating. I still need to plan a weekly cheat meal because if I splurge on a whim, I'm scared I won't be able to bounce back. But the key is being in tune with your personal challenges, being honest about them, and choosing to make the healthiest decisions.

At the end of the day, your health shouldn't feel like a chore. It should be looked at as an opportunity to elevate your life and motivate you to be the best version of yourself. The journey is ongoing, but if you're on the path, you're doing something right.

Gallery: The 30 greatest flat belly tips of all time

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Erica Lugo's Personal Weight-Loss Journey Makes Her One of the Most Relatable Trainers - msnNOW


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