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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The researchers published their findings in the journal Cell Metabolism.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prof. Roy Taylor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE SPEAKERS LISTEN ... AND WATCH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SECURITY WITH SECURITY VIDEO

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

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

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

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

ARE SMART LOCKS SMART?

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

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

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

ABOUT THOSE TVs

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

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

TOYS THAT TALK

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

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

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

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

OK, OK, not quite.

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

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

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

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

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

Not even Brady sugarcoated the loss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This happened at home!

In December!

Against a divisional foe with a bad statistical pass defense!

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

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

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

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

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

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

More from Yahoo Sports:

See the original post here:
We can no longer ignore flaws of Patriots and Tom Brady - Yahoo Lifestyle

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

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

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

David Gray/Getty Images

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

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

%image1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In 2020, Ortiz will move to IMSAs TCR series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more:
Kings of the Track | Profile - The Weekly Journal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Like what you just read? Youll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe. Dont miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Oh, and were on Instagram too.

Here is the original post:
Here's Your 7-Step Plan to Lose Weight Fast in 2020 - Prevention.com

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

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

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

Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See the article here:
How WW (Formerly Weight Watchers) Helped This Mom Lose 93 Pounds - Patch.com

Adrienne Bailon-Houghton has shared much of her personal life and struggles with the utmost honesty as a co-host on the FOX daytime talk show The Real. Viewers have participated in her journey in love from her ending an engagement with a long term boyfriend to her marrying the man of her dreams when she wed Israel Houghton shes held very little back. The former Cheetah Girl recently opened up about her weight loss journey.

Bailon-Houghton initially told Hola! that she decided to make the switch to become vegan out of a desire to prepare her body to carry a child. Though that may have been part of it, she revealed in a recent video on her YouTube channel that insecurities related to her weight gain and negative comments on social media caused her to take her health more seriously.

On a vlog posted to her YouTube channel Absolutely Adrienne, Bailon-Houghton said that she first dedicated herself to getting healthy this past summer. After spending years dieting on and off but always managing to gain the weight back, she made the decision to change her overall lifestyle and not take up another fad diet. Becoming vegan was her method to transition into healthier practices.

One of the first things she did was cut out bread and pasta. I recognize that it makes me feel sluggish, she said. It fills me up very quickly but it has no nutrients. And I recognized there were other alternatives that I have found to love just as much.

Ezekiel bread and rice cakes became a go-to alternative for her. She also loves popcorn, lentil soup and commits to drinking a gallon of water a day.

Bailon-Houghton says that she was able to stick to her changes with the support of her husband and by keeping up with both positive and negative comments as she went through the process.

Bailon-Houghton said that there were two things that made her want to adopt a healthier eating lifestyle. Shed gained a significant amount of weight over the past few years and began to have self-esteem issues. On top of her own personal desire to shed the pounds, criticism from fans didnt help. She noticed a lot of nasty comments about her weight gain online.

You guys have also inspired me in a major way, some in good ways, and some in bad ways. Some of your comments that were like, why does she have seven chins, she said. Or why does she look a certain way, that was something that I turned into fuel to be the best version of myself.

This wasnt her first experience with dealing with negative comments about her weight. In 2018 vlog, she opened up about how those remarks made her feel.

If Im honest, my weight gain in the last few years has been like a struggle for me where Im like, I never looked at myself as being overweight, she said. And it was weird to hear so many comments at one point that I was fat, and Oh my God, she let herself go! I was like, Whoa. So that was a little bit weird.

Bailon-Houghton lost weight once before for her wedding to haughtiness. Shes confidentthat this time, the weight will stay off due to her complete lifestyle change. She shares tips on her YouTube channel from time to time and also keeps her fans updated via her Instagram account.

Continued here:
'The Real's' Host, Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Reveals What Inspired Her Weight Loss - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Zack, a 30-pound rescue cat who has already won over plenty of fans on Twitter, is about to have the purr-fect start to his new year.

The chunky feline was adopted from the Michigan Humane Society on Thursday after a few adorable photos of Zack tipping the scales were shared on social media earlier this week.

The Michigan Humane Society, which posted about the "absolute unit of a cat" on Twitter, told TODAY on Thursday that Zack had found his fur-ever home.

Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.

Anna Chrisman, spokeswoman for the Michigan Humane Society, told TODAY earlier this week that it was very important Zack finds an owner who can help him lose some weight.

"Were looking for a home that understands how important it will be for Zack to lose this weight. Just like people, the excess weight can have long-term negative effects on his health," she said.

Zack will be on a prescription diet designed for weight loss, which is why his new owner will have to make sure to help him exercise and provide plenty of opportunities for play, Chrisman said. Regular veterinarian check-ins will also be crucial, Chrisman said, and his new family might have to do a few extra tasks to keep him healthy and happy.

"As a side effect to his size, Zack also has trouble grooming himself, so he will need an adopter who doesnt mind bonding with him over brushing," Chrisman explained.

Zack came to the Michigan Humane Society after his previous family "had a significant change in their lives" and could no longer give him the care he needed, Chrisman said. Before he was adopted, the shelter shared some hilariously captioned photos of Zack, joking about his weight loss and New Year's resolutions.

While the society was unable to provide more details about his adoption, Chrisman had told TODAY about the kind of environment Zack would do best in.

"Zack has previously lived with both other cats and children," she said. While he's comfortable with cats and kids, he'd prefer to live in a home without dogs. "He enjoys pets and interacting with humans, but can be a little sensitive to having his tail and hindquarters touched."

Zack should take comfort in knowing that he's not alone on his weight loss journey. Last April, Barsik, a 41-pound shelter cat, was taken in by a foster parent who has been dedicated to helping the cat slim down while keeping his fans updated via Instagram. In 2018, a 29-pound cat in California was taken in by the Pasadena Humane Society and quickly found a loving family to care for him.

Read more:
Zack the 30-pound rescue cat will lose some weight in 2020 - Today.com