How to know when to request thyroid tests

In our new Butterfly Club support group, we'll tackle every thyroid-related mystery you've told us you want solved, and demystify every function and health issue controlled by your butterfly-shaped thyroid gland.

That small gland shaped like a butterfly at the base of your neck has massive sway over your body and wellbeing. Approximately 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition such as hypothyroidism, with roughly 60 percent still unaware of it, according to the American Thyroid Association. Its also a key organ that keeps us alive and functioning. As part of National Thyroid Awareness Month, were getting the lowdown on this powerhouse gland, with its wide array of functions and symptoms that can snowball when somethings gone awry.

Although your thyroid gland controls your metabolism, its role is not just about regulating weight, and it is often underestimated. It's involved in strength, muscle rebuilding, brain health, heart health, skin, nail, and hair health, mental health, fertility, sight, and more. It's key role in so many parts of your endocrine system is part of what makes diagnosing a thyroid disorder tricky, and all too often, prolonged. In this Butterfly Club support group and series, we'll demystify your often enigmatic thyroid gland, and answer all of your questions about every aspect of your thyroid health, with a new round table on a different topic of interest that you've been asking us about for every installment. First up: How to know when to get tested.

That's a hard one to answer because your thyroid controls literally everything that happens in your body and mind. Very frustrating, right? Signs of a thyroid disorder could be as simple as your sleep cycle being off, your periods becoming irregular, or feeling depressed or anxious when you have no prior history of anxiety or depression. They could also be as dramatic as your blood pressure or your heart rate skyrocketing or plummeting. A thyroid hormonal imbalance can cause effects as subtle as slight variations in your cholesterol or your body temperature, or as dramatic as your blood sugar spiking or dropping, which can cause you to pass out. Because of its vast function, every body system that you can imagine can display signs of thyroid hormonal imbalances, and how varied they are unfortunately can cause people to go for years without receiving a diagnosis and treatment.

Your neurological, cardiovascular, and mental health are all affected when your thyroid is under or over-producing thyroid hormones, even if you only notice one of them changing. Depression and anxiety are common symptoms of thyroid hormonal imbalances, especially the kinds don't respond to therapy and medication. If you think you might have a thyroid issue, check our resources on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism to see if any of your symptoms match up. Here's another little clue that a lot of people get wrong: No one ever displays all ofthe symptoms of a thyroid condition. If you have a have one or two, it's enough of a reason to get tested. Often, people whose tests reveal thyroid issues have about half a dozen symptoms that are most pronounced, and then another half dozen that they identify after diagnosis that have been presenting more under their radar.

One way to think about hypothyroidism is that it puts your entire body and mind into a slow-motion setting. Your metabolism slows down and your body gets bogged down. Your energy use slows down, energy expenditure slows down, tissue repair is delayed, and tissue growth is stalled. Your brain slows down, your heart slows down, your head slows down, your kidneys slow down, your hair, skin, nails, and every system and function in your body slows down. That's why, if your thyroid hormones aren't working correctly, its serious, and something to have checked out right away, even though it can take many years for a thyroid hormone imbalance to seem obviously dangerous. You want to catch the deficiency before the massive slow-down gets to a point where it is life-threatening or causing irreversible consequences. The earlier you do and get treatment, the quicker you can get your mind and body back up to speed.

Conversely, if your thyroid is producing too many hormones, it can cause everything to speed up, which is equally dangerous if not caught and regulated in time. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism or an excess of thyroid hormones include accelerated appetite, weight loss despite eating more, bulging eyes, diarrhea, anxiety, rapid heartrate, and other signs of a body and mind in overdrive, which can be just as damaging and destructive if not caught speeding and brought back into balance.

Your thyroid is part of your endocrine system, which means that it is a hormone that is made in one part of your body that is then distributed throughout other parts to exert action and effect. It's also how your body communicates what's happening from one end to the other, and from one organ to another.

It's not as simple as your heart which simply pumps and pushes blood, for example, or the function of your lungs which allow you to breathe. Not to imply that those organs are unimportant or uncomplicated, but they each have a single mechanically recognized function.

Hormones are so diffuse, and they go throughout your body so widely, that we often don't recognize or appreciate their functions, because they are not as obvious. Unfortunately, what's not obvious is also often harder to catch and identify. Your thyroid is the only way your body can control what's happening in terms of where nutrition needs to go to be converted into energy, where energy needs to go to allow you to do the things you want to do, and to manage healing and recovery after injury or over-exertion.

The American College of Endocrinology believes that it is important to listen to every patient, address their concerns and to use both objective and subjective measures to determine whether you will benefit or not from treatment. The medication used for thyroid treatment is very safe and has been around for a very long time, so there is no reason not to get tested and seek treatment if you suspect you may have a thyroid hormonal imbalance. It's better to get tested and realize it is not a thyroid issue like you thought then to wait and have to deal with the symptoms of a chronic illness that can be easily and safely treated once diagnosed.

We know that cholesterol, blood pressure, heart rate, sleep patterns and menstrual cycles are very objective measures of thyroid function and physiology. If you have things that are not feeling right in those areas, that are part of the syndrome of thyroid disease, you can use those to make your case for trying treatment. If you do that, and you understand the framework that your doctor provides as a reason not to prescribe medication yet, ask for a plan of action like repeated tests. Repeat evaluations and tests ensure that the single point in time that you were tested was not an error. Often, over time, health issues come to light that are not apparent in a single medical visit.

If you believe youre dealing with an undiagnosed thyroid condition, and you have seen a clinician who doesn't believe that you and is unwilling to attempt a trial of therapy, it's time to get a second opinion. Remember, you don't need any reason at all to stop seeing one doctor and to try a new one, and can switch anytime you feel like you are not being heard or respected during a medical appointment. You don't need any specific grievances to find another endocrinologist and see what they think. Trying a new doctor when you feel you are not receiving the care you need is usually not a case of, Well, they didn't do what I wanted them to do, so I'm going to find someone who will. It is more often that your previous doctor was not understanding or listening, so it makes sense to find one who will. That way, regardless of their opinion, you'll know you have a doctor who has your interests and concerns in mind, and who will work with you to help you until you feel better.

Last updated on 01/22/2021

What Is Hyperthyroidism?

Link:
Is It Time To Get Your Thyroid Checked? - EndocrineWeb

A campaign has been launched to encourage North Herts residents to support their local retailersduring the third national lockdown.

North Herts District Council is asking residents to make a new year pledge to support local businesses.

NHDC has launched Shop Local Shop Safe campaign to support businesses during lockdown.- Credit: NHDC

The pandemic has had a huge impact on shops, pubs and restaurants, but NHDC is hitting back with its Shop Safe, Shop Local campaign.

Cllr Keith Hoskins, executive member for enterprise and co-operative development explains. Every year we make a New Years resolution to lose weight, get fit etc, but in 2021 its vital we also support our own communities.

"By buying your meat from a local butcher, or ordering a takeaway from a local caf or restaurant, you will provide much-needed support to your local community.

During the pandemic, towns across the region from Hitchin to Royston have worked tirelessly to offer shoppers an online experience.

Many retailers now offer online shoppingwhilemany cafes and restaurants are offering takeaways.

The latest researchreveals that for every 1 spent with a local, independent business, between 50p and 70p circulates back into that local economy.

Cllr Hoskins, adds: We all love our High Streets, but we all need to do our bit to support local businesses.

"Its simple, we have to buy from local retailers and order takeaway services otherwise we lose them! I would urge residents to support local businesses during the pandemic by purchasing local goods and services online.

The Shop Safe, Shop Local campaign is part of the North Herts rReopening the High Streets Safely Programme.

How to shop safely:

To find out more about the latest COVID-19 news in your region, http://www.north-herts.gov.uk/shopsafe.

Follow this link:
How to Shop Safe and local in North Herts - The Comet

2020 was difficult for most of us. But it also made me realize that darkness is always bad. After all, there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

So my journey to fitness has been quite complicated. I used to work out and train actively, until 2018. Then, my weight got stuck and I quit the gym.

Later, I went through some personal issues. Stress and anxiety made me gain weight rapidly. I reached a point where I didn't even realize my weight had gotten so out of control. Health complications came up too.

It was only when my sister came home on a vacation that I emerged out of the dark. She really motivated me and urged me to get moving. So, in March 2020, when the country went into a lockdown, I started my fitness journey again and lost weight, with the help of my supportive family.

More:
Weight loss: "I finish my dinner before 7 pm to stay fit" | The Times of India - Times of India

In 2013, Chris Jordan, MS, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, ACSM EP-C/APT, an elite exercise physiologist with experience training armed forces who is currently the director of exercise physiology at the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, created a simple bodyweight exercise routine that instantly took the fitness world by storm. It was called the "7-Minute Workout," and the instructional app containing variations of the routinecomplete with videos of Jordan himself offering stern instruction and demonstrationswiftly became one of the most-downloaded fitness apps on the market.

The 7-Minute workout preached the benefits of a type of training that was quickly gaining in popularity at the time: high-intensity interval training, or doing short bursts of really intense exercise split up by short periods of rest. Though the mechanics of HIIT were actually nothing newelite athletes have been doing several versions of it since the 1930sthe routine promised something truly incredible to busy, working Americans everywhere: Yes, you can get fitter fasterin less than 10 minutes!and you can do so in any basement or hotel room, using only the weight of your body, a wall, and perhaps a chair. Jordan published the compelling findings of his research on the benefits of the 7-Minute Workout in the American College of Sports Medicine's Health & Fitness Journal, and a phenomenon was born.

For anyone who has tried the 7-Minute Workout and may have found it too difficult to complete, Jordan just released a newer and "gentler" variation of it: The Standing 7-Minute Workout. The idea behind this new version, as Jordan explained to The New York Times, is to make the 7-Minute Workout more accessible to as many people as possible, including "my triathlete elder brother and my 82-year-old mother."

RELATED: 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work

In this version, as the name suggests, he eliminates all of the exercises that may cause strain on the person's body by having them drop to the floor, including more difficult moves such as planks, pushups, and crunches. "Like the original workout, the standing workout includes exercises for cardio fitness, the lower body, the upper body, and core musclesin that order," explains the Times. "Each exercise lasts just 30 seconds with just five seconds of rest in between. To get the most out of the workout, do each exercise at relatively high intensityabout a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10."

You can view a video of Jordan explaining and demonstrating the workout here.

If you have doubts that you can burn fat by exercising in such a short amount of time, Jordan has plenty of science to back him up. "When it comes to the immediate health benefits of this sort of high-intensity exercise, it's all about blood sugar," Timothy Church, Ph.D., a professor of preventive medicine at Louisiana State University, explained to Men's Journal. If you're jumping rope or running sprints, for example, your body instantly gets to processing your blood sugar, which aids in weight loss, and the stress on your muscles leads to greater conditioning. The benefits simply compound from there.

"As with other forms of exercise, when your muscles grow, they pull on your skeletal system, increasing your bone density," explains Men's Journal. "A lot of new research also shows that interval training triggers the release of macrophages and killer T cells, boosting the body's immune function for hours after your last pushup or pullup."

As your fitness grows, know that you can perform these exercises for longer periods of time than 7 minutesbut we're not talking about hours. Ten, 15, or 20 minutes is plenty of exercise, as LSU's Church told Men's Journal. After all, think of all of the weight lifters who do their sets, and then simply walk around the gym staring at the clock, their heads bobbing to music. "Most people are really doing hard work for only 15 to 20 minutes anyway," he said.

For more great weight loss advice, make sure you're aware of The One Workout That Drives 29 Percent More Fat Loss, According to Science.

Follow this link:
This Easy 7-Minute Workout Will Help You Burn Fat, Says Science | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Use these helpful tips and foods to help lose weight and fat from your body.

First up, an important question. What are macronutrients?

Macro nutrients are the building bricks of your nutrition. Carbs, proteins and fats are the basics that give you fast energy, help to sustain energy and keep an eye on your blood flow and metabolism. Each different macro nutrient performs various different functions in your body.

Carbs 4 calories per 1 gProteins 4 calories per 1 gFats 9 calories per 1 gCarbohydrates

They provide energy for high intensity activities, like your training. Carbs are one of the cases when it is necessary to distinguish between good and bad guys.

Basically, in nutrition you can find three types of carbohydrates: simple carbs, complex starchy carbs, and complex fibrous carbs.

Simple sugar can be broken down to table sugars, fructose and lactose. Table sugar is the one we should avoid. We can find it in regular sugar, candies and also sweetened drinks. Complex carbs can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, cereals, rice They contain vitamins, fibre and minerals.

The right choice of carbohydrates can also help your digestion system work well. It is important to remember that vegetables contain carbohydrates, and not just foods like rice, pasta or bread that are more generally presented as carbohydrates in mainstream culture.

Protein is basically a group of amino acids which are inevitable for building and maintaining muscles. Proteins also help with muscle recovery and tissue repair and support immune system.

They are divided into three categories: essential, semi-essential and nonessential.

Our body is not capable of producing essential amino acids on it own, thats why we have to pay special attention to the nutrition when it comes to getting some proteins.

Great natural sources of proteins are meat, fish, diary products, eggs, nuts

Fats are another part of nutrition that must be carefully distinguished between what is good and what can cause a harm. There are three types of fats: saturated, unsaturated and trans fats.

Trans fats are the ones you should forget. They are contained in all those fast food yummy but super unhealthy meals and can cause many problems including diabetes, stroke and hearth disease. Healthy fats on the other hand bring dozens of benefits.

8 Foods to Add into your Nutrition

Cayenne peppers are a type of chili pepper. They belong to the nightshade family of flowering plants and are closely related to bell peppers and jalapeos.

They were originally grown in Central and South America, but brought to Europe in the 15th century by Christopher Columbus.

Cayenne peppers are a popular spice used in many different regional styles of cooking, and they have been used medicinally for thousands of years.

These peppers boast an impressive nutrition profile, which includes a variety of antioxidants that are beneficial for your health.

One tablespoon (5 grams) of cayenne pepper contains the following (1):

Calories: 17Fat: 1 gramCarbs: 3 gramsFiber: 1.4 gramsProtein: 0.6 gramsVitamin A: 44% of the RDIVitamin E: 8% of the RDIVitamin C: 7% of the RDIVitamin B6: 6% of the RDIVitamin K: 5% of the RDIManganese: 5% of the RDIPotassium: 3% of the RDIRiboflavin: 3% of the RDICapsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne peppers, is what gives them their medicinal properties.

It also gives them their hot taste. In fact, how hot a cayenne pepper is depends on its capsaicin content. The more capsaicin it contains, the hotter it is.

Of all the super healthy greens, kale is king.

It is definitely one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant foods in existence.

Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial compounds, some of which have powerful medicinal properties.

Here are 10 health benefits of kale that are supported by science.

It is a cruciferous vegetable like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.

There are many different types of kale. The leaves can be green or purple, and have either a smooth or curly shape.

The most common type of kale is called curly kale or Scots kale, which has green and curly leaves and a hard, fibrous stem.

A single cup of raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains (1):

Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)Vitamin K: 684% of the DVVitamin C: 134% of the DVVitamin B6: 9% of the DVManganese: 26% of the DVCalcium: 9% of the DVCopper: 10% of the DVPotassium: 9% of the DVMagnesium: 6% of the DVIt also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorusThis is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.

Kale contains very little fat, but a large portion of the fat in it is an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha linolenic-acid.

Given its incredibly low calorie content, kale is among the most nutrient-dense foods in existence. Eating more kale is a great way to dramatically increase the total nutrient content of your diet.

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia hispanica, which is related to the mint.

Chia seeds were an important food for the Aztecs and Mayans back in the day.

They prized them for their ability to provide sustainable energy. In fact, chia is the ancient Mayan word for strength.

Despite their ancient history as a dietary staple, chia seeds became recognized as a modern-day superfood only recently.

In the past few years, they have exploded in popularity and are now consumed by health conscious people all over the world.

Dont be fooled by the size these tiny seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch.

A one-ounce (28 grams) serving of chia seeds contains (1):

Fiber: 11 grams.Protein: 4 grams.Fat: 9 grams (5 of which are omega-3s).Calcium: 18% of the RDI.Manganese: 30% of the RDI.Magnesium: 30% of the RDI.Phosphorus: 27% of the RDI.They also contain a decent amount of zinc, vitamin B3 (niacin), potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B2.This is particularly impressive considering that this is just a single ounce, equalling 28 grams or about two tablespoons. This small amount supplies only 137 calories and one gram of digestible carbohydrate.

Interestingly, if you subtract the fiber most of which doesnt end up as usable calories for your body chia seeds only contain 101 calories per ounce (28 grams).

This makes them one of the worlds best sources of several important nutrients, calorie for calorie.

To top things off, chia seeds are a whole-grain food, usually grown organically. Plus, theyre non-GMO and naturally free of gluten.

Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

They may also come with added health benefits, including the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, decrease inflammation and improve blood sugar control.

Adding Brussels sprouts to a balanced diet thats rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains has the potential to make a major positive impact on your health.

1. Source of beneficial amino acids2. Good for digestion and gut health3. May support immune function4. Supports the production of anti-ageing molecules5. Support weight loss6. May support joint health7. Might help you to get to sleep

What is bone broth?

Bone broth is the clear, protein-rich liquid obtained by simmering meaty joints and bones in water. It distinguishes itself from stock due to its lengthy cooking time. Much like stock, it can be used as a base for soups, stews and risottos.

Ok, so you might be a bit new to this, but thats ok. Macros is short formacronutrients:

There is technically a 4th, alcohol, but Im not going into that one specifically. However if you drink alcohol, you should know that 1 gram of alcohol has 7 calories and they do count. They just wont build muscle.

When setting up a macro goal, this can be for 2 reasons:

Whats important, is to actually find out how much youre eating now. This can simply be done by keeping track of your food intake for 2-4 weeks. An excellent tool for that isMyFitnessPal. Weigh yourself before and after.

Did you lose weight? Then you are not eating enough. Did you gain weight? Then you are eating too much. No change in weight? Then you are eating enough (but Im sure you figured that out by now)

In all cases its handy to calculate your daily caloric intake. Simply add up all the calories youve consumed and divide them by the days. This will give you a daily average.

Also, by documenting your current eating habits, you can assess more easily what types of changes you need to make, or find out if you were already on the right track.

A BMR is the Basic Metabolic Rate, this is the amount of energy your body needs to survive each day. This energy is needed for breathing, your heart beating, nails growing, digestion, you get the idea.

On top of that, you need energy for daily activities, like walking, weightlifting, running, etc. These 2 combined are called the Total Daily Energy Expenditure, TDEE. This is different for everyone, since it depends on gender, height, weight and activity level.

There are easy tools to help you calculate these numbers. The one I like is1percentedge.com. This tool is pretty accurate with calculating the BMR & TDEE.

Why still calculate this you ask?

If you compare the numbers in step 1 with the numbers in step 2, you can get the most accurate number possible in order to set your macro goals. Its simply eliminating as much error as possible.

This depends on your goal in step 1. The drop-down in the tool will give you options. The or+ numbers indicate how much % you need to be below or above your TDEE. The tool will do the calculating for you, dont worry.

Which option to choose? Again, this depends on you goal, but good options are:

Both options are in a safe range,Weight Losswill cause a slower, gradual weight loss,Lean Massingwill ensure a slower gain without too much fat gain.

This is where it really starts. Assuming you are using MyFitnessPal, you can enter the desired calories, protein, fats & carbohydrates in your profile:

Now its up to you to track what you eat every meal, every snack, every day.

This may sound tedious, but after a few times this becomes a habit quickly.

You may have guessed it, but if you want to be as accurate as possible, a kitchen scale is an essential tool. At some point you will get better a estimating portions without the scale, but in the beginning you will need one for sure.

There are of course multiple tools out there to keep track of your food intake, but MyFitnessPal is used by most peaple (including athletes), has a huge database of foods (that you can scan the barcode of as well) and also provides an overview on how your progress is during the day and if you are on the right track:

The graph on the left gives an easy overview on the macro intake during the day, the summary on the right gives a more detailed overview of both macro- and micro-nutrients.

This way you can tweak your food intake as you go along, and you wont run into surprises at the end of the day, when you might have gone over your target, or perhaps are still way under.

This is very important to define right from the beginning. How are you going to measure your progress? If you want to lose weight, the scale is a logical option, but should not be the only way to measure your success. The scale can give conflicting results as well.

For example, if you are also doing weight training, you will gain muscle mass, which results in more bodyweight.

To make sure you can truly see results, do the following:

So get out a measuring tape and measure up. The most common areas to measure:

Another way to really see results, is by measuring body fat. This should be done by a skilled person, and is usually done with calipers. The skin fold will be measured on several parts of the body, and the average body fat percentage is calculated.There will always be a discrepancy, for more accurate body fat measurements you can do a DEXA scan, hydrostatic weighing or a bodpod, but these are often not always available everywhere and are more costly.

The tutorial above is intended for those that have a specific goal in mind, whether that is losing fat, gaining muscle mass or both, but isnotintended to turn you into an obsessive calorie counter. But to be realistic, calories DO count.

The fact of the matter is, that in order to achieve a certain goal, you need to define the path towards it and this can be a way for you to do that.Simply saying I want to lose weight, so Im going to eat less will perhaps work for a while, but sooner or later you will hit a plateau and without insights into your eating habits, things could get a lot more difficult. To be honest, the more I talk to people about nutrition and calories, the more I realize that most people have no clue on how much theyre eating. This study comes to an interesting conclusion on that very issue.

Educating yourself in what your numbers are, what the caloric value of food is and how to implement it in your life will make the road to achieving your goals a lot easier.

At some point, it simply wont matter how talented you are, how much time and effort you put into sweating at the gym, programming your workouts and analyzing the weaknesses in your training if you dont have the nutritional side covered as well.

Fancy name and hype aside, superfoods dont have to be exotic or expensive youll be surprised how many of these multi-talents youre already eating.

This beverage isnt only good for hydration levels (and making you feel like youre on a miniature vacation).Coconut water is the perfect solution to get back on track after a tough WOD:

Like a primal, healthy version of Gatorade, it will give back the electrolytes you lost sweating. The natural coconut sugar is a great way to quickly replenish the glycogen (= energy) deposits in your muscles, paving the way for efficient muscle recovery and growth.

Coconut water: helping you to pretend to be on holiday, and get in shape

Ever wondered why the Crossfit Dottirs are so successful?

It might be because of a special sort of Icelandic dairy, Skyr. Made from four times the amount of skimmed milk used in yoghurt, it packs a huge amount of calcium and proteins, with next to no carbohydrates and fat, which makes it a perfect fit to hit your protein goals.

skyre: Food for champions

As an athlete, you require a lot more anti-oxidants than the sedentary population. Berries and Cherries provide them in abundance, while also catering to your sweet-tooth in a clean way.

Cherries are especially great if youre working on your endurance: Studies have shown that endurance athletes that drink cherry juice recover more quickly and measurably increase their performance. Way to improve those cardio-WODs!

Indulge your sweet tooth in the best way possible!

Continue reading here:
14 Healthy Foods and Drinks to Help you Lose Weight and Fat from your Body - BOXROX

Sherri Shepherd

*HealthyWagethe worlds leading purveyor of financially-induced diet contests for individuals and corporate/team-based weight loss challenges, today announced the continuation of its A-list partnership with Sherri Shepherdan actress, comedian and best-selling author who formerly served as an Emmy Award-winning network talk television co-host.

Amid the popularity of Sherri Shepherds initial HealthyWager initiative through which participants vied to win up to $10,000 by hitting their own personal weight loss goal, the esteemed television personality has again teamed with HealthyWage for a re-boot of the initiative again giving participants a chance to win up to $10,000 by hitting their own personal weight loss goal. As an added bonus and point of motivation, those partaking in Sherri Shepherds HealthyWager challenge will also receive a $50 cash bonus added to their grand prize.

Sherris own goal is to lose 15 pounds in 6-months for which shell win $500 if she does so. Interested parties may learn more and enroll in the challenge, which runs through June 18, 2021, online at http://www.healthywage.com/sherri. View a video of Sherri Shepherd announcing the exciting challenge on Facebook here.

HealthyWage is actually making weight loss fun, says Sherri Shepherd about the partnership and program at large. Someone is going to pay me to lose weight? Thats a lot of fun for me. Accountability is so important to any weight loss goal. Going into 2021, I want to get my focus back on my health, and I just needed some incentive so I am excited to partner up again with HealthyWage.The fun part is finding out how much you can win for hitting your goalits the ultimate secret in motivation! HealthyWage is not a fad diet and will actually change the way you look at weight loss. Theres no better kick start to your 2021 resolutions than a HealthyWager!

How Sherri Shepherds HealthyWager works:

1) Calculate Your PrizeUse HealthyWages online calculator at http://www.healthywage.com/sherri to enter your goal and calculate your winnings.

2) Make Your BetIncrease your winnings by adjusting your goal weight, how much you contribute, and the time you expect it to take! Find a prize you like and make your wager!

3) Lose the WeightStay on track throughout the contest with weekly weigh-ins and support from other contestants.

4) Win Money!Meet your goal and win your prize!

HealthyWage is founded on research and double-incentivizationmethodology that proves cash rewards triple the effectiveness of weight loss programs. As case-in-point, HealthyWage payouts are proof positive. For their weight-loss achievements that collectively exceeds an astounding 1,050,000 pounds for this year, alone269 of which losing in excess of 100 pounds (and nearly 7.5 million pounds lost since the companys launch), HealthyWage has reportedly paid more than 30,000 dieters over $13 million cash in 2020, specifically, and over $55 million cash since its inception in 2009.

A few notable HealthyWager success stories (both female and male) also exemplify the power of this approach. These include Jean N. who lost 71 lbs. and won $3,357.99 for her efforts, and Jeremy M. who also lost 71 lbs. and won $1,886.32 for his own slimdown success. From its website, HealthyWage.com shares yet more inspirational success stories of both women and men who gained financially for their pound-shedding achievements using the companys unique gamification approach. This includes Kristin W. who lost a staggering 114 pounds and won $4,000 for her efforts, Anastasia W. who lost 41 pounds and won a whopping $10,000 in kind, and Blake S. who lost an impressive 151 pounds and won $4,670 for his own slimdown success. Figures that are tasty, indeed.

Studies show that monetary incentives serve to enhance the effectiveness of, and duly complement, weight-loss programs of any and all sorts, especially when paid out quickly like our various programs, said HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry. The average participant more than doubles their investment if they are successful at achieving their goal. The financial upside potential is impressive.

The efficacy of diet gamification is well-proven. For one, according to study findings published by JAMA Internal Medicine, behavioral economics-based gamification led to significantly increased physical activity among overweight and obese Americans. In this particular study, pairing a step tracking device with social incentives led to sustained, long-term behavior changeprompting participants to take more steps then with a step tracking device, alone. While the report explains that gamification interventions significantly increased physical activity during the 24-week intervention, with competition being the most effective.

Further validating HealthyWages well-honed approach, an additional study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine continue to prove that money is an effective motivator to increase both the magnitude and duration of weight loss. The same hold true in business for staff wellness initiatives. Results from one study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicated that Loss Incentive Motivates Employees to Take More Steps, finding that financial incentives framed as a loss were most effective for achieving physical activity goals.

Throngs of studies reiterate the importance of the stick in the design of a wellness incentive program, whether for individuals at home or for employee groups, Roddenberry says. Many studies have demonstrated that the threat of losing something of value is much more effective than the opportunity to win something of equal value.Thats precisely why we advocate that program participants pay to play and make an investment out of their own pocket in order to win rewardsin our case large cash prizesfor losing weight and getting more active in the program.

As a prolific corporate and group wellness purveyor, since 2009 HealthyWage has worked with an array of hi-caliber participants on workplace and staff wellness initiatives, including Halliburton, ConocoPhillips and more than 25% of the largest school districts in the country. HealthyWage has, in fact, formally created competitive, money-motivated programs for more than 1000 Fortune 500 and other public and private companies, hospitals, health systems, insurers, school systems, municipal governments and other organizations throughout the U.S., and their program has been more informally run at more than 7,000 companies and organizations seeking to bolster staff health and well-being, and boost bottom lines in kind.

Those interested in learning more about the Sherri Shepherds HealthyWager may do so online at http://www.healthywage.com/sherri

About HealthyWageIndustry-leading health and wellness, HealthyWage, provides cash incentives, social and expert-based support, tools and resources, and goal-setting and tracking technologies to address our nations obesity epidemic and improve Americas collective health. HealthyWage is at the forefront of the weight wagering movement, having formally created competitive, cash-fueled programs for more than 90 Fortune 500 and other companies, hospitals, health systems, insurers, school systems, municipal governments and other organizations throughout the U.S., and their program has been more informally run at more than 3,000 companies and organizations. The company was founded in response to academic research that proves even small cash rewards triple the effectiveness of weight-loss programs; that people are more effective at losing weight when their own money is at risk; and that social networks play a large role in the spread of obesity, and will likely play a large role in reversing obesity.Learn more online athttps://www.healthywage.com/.source: Marsha Zorn / [emailprotected]

Originally posted here:
Sherri Shepherd and HealthyWage Partner to Pay $10,000 Cash to Dieters Realizing Personal Weight Loss Goal - Eurweb.com

If you are worried about your increasing weight, then start eating eggs. Yes! You heard it right. You might be thinking that eggs lead to weight gain. But, then eggs can also help reduce your weight.

Some people like to eat eggs very much, while some people avoid because their intake will lead to weight gain. But let us tell you that if egg is used in certain ways, then the egg can reduce your weight.

Eggs are rich in protein and many nutrients that are necessary for your weight loss. Eggs help to increase the metabolic rate of the body which is necessary to lose weight. If you are fond of eating eggs, then include these things with eggs that can reduce your weight quickly.

Black pepper with eggs: If you eat an egg, take black pepper with it. Pepper powder contains piperine which prevents the formation of fat cells in the body. If you have fat in your waist then use black pepper powder on boiled eggs. Pepper will increase test as well as control your weight.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil is considered excellent for weight loss. Coconut oil can help reduce the fat around the waist. You can cook and eat eggs in coconut oil. According to a study people lost 1.1 inches from their waistline after intake of two tbsp of coconut oil regularly for a month.

Use spinach and eggs: Spinach is a very useful vegetable for health. Eating spinach in eggs during the winter season not only adds taste in your dish, but also keeps your weight under control. Spinach has fewer calories and reduces your weight rapidly. The use of spinach also helps in improving muscle growth.

View post:
Consume eggs in this way if you want to lose weight - OrissaPOST

Reality hit Claire Evans when she realised she had gained weight during the 2020 lockdown.

As a field manager for Slimming World, the 50-year-old from Dartford spends her working days helping people across the county shed their unwanted pounds and get back into shape.

Claire said losing a stone helped her recover from Covid-19

But Claire found herself sat on the opposite side of the table, as she and the rest of the country tried to cope with the mental and physical constraints of being stuck inside.

She said: I put on just over a stone, which when youre 5ft 3I really started to feel it, I couldnt breathe as well, I was getting worn out going up and down the stairs.

I know you might laugh and say Claire you work for a weight loss organisation, that doesnt mean to say that theres a magic pill that I take which means I can do it.

I realised that I couldnt do it on my own and needed some help, so I actually joined a group.

Claire lost most of the weight before being struck down with Covid-19 in December, and believes that thanks to her weight loss she recovered much faster than she otherwise would have.

She said: I shook it off relatively quickly, and I absolutely believe it was because I was in the right mindset, the foods I was eating were good and that sort of thing.

I worry how long it might have taken me to shake it off if I was still drinking alcohol, not eating good food.

I do believe now with Covid, that more and more people are realising they dont need to lose weight for how they look, its actually about their health - if you just Google the links with obesity and Covid, it is absolutely alarming.

In July the government unveiled its Better Health campaign to try and encourage people to lose weight to better protect themselves from being admitted to hospital from coronavirus.

A paper published by the British Medical Journal in October also stated that fat increases in the lung could affect how the lung handles the virus.

Claires husband was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 and noticed the number of people around him who were overweight and being treated for serious coronavirus symptoms: He doesnt have a weight problem, but one of the things he said to me that was heartbreaking was Claire, everyone that was on my Covid ward was obese.

The Slimming World manager believes that since lockdown the number of overweight people has likely risen, as people have increasingly turned to comfort food during such a difficult time - and during National Obesity Week, she has been trying to encourage more people to think about kickstarting their health.

A report released this week by Public Health England estimates that two districts in Kent are among the highest in the country for the proportion of adults who are overweight or obese.

Results from a survey estimated that more than 75% of Dartfords adults are overweight, while the same can be said for 71% of Dovers adults.

Lucy-Anna Turner went on a weight loss journey during lockdown

Claire said: People are out of energy in lockdown and are going for the easier option - what we want to try and help people do is kick themselves back into action and say is that what you really want, or actually do you want to come out of lockdown feeling healthier, fitter, slimmer and happy?

Slimming World is encouraging people who are classed as overweight to lose 10% of their body weight, which it says can help reduce the risk of developing other health conditions like type two diabetes, heart disease, strokes, some cancers and fertility problems.

A fellow member of Claires Slimming World group went on a health and exercise kick between April and December 2020, and also believes that regular exercise and healthy foods helped her shake Covid-19 off more easily.

Lucy-Anna Turner, from Hawley, said: It never entered my head until I got Covid myself - I probably didnt think it was too bad because I was so much healthier and so much fitter, I was fuelling my body with the right type of food and looking after myself.

My experience of Covid wasnt as bad as it could have been back in April when I was a stone and-a-half heavier.

The 24-year-old added: Losing weight has definitely helped my recovery from Covid.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford

View original post here:
Weight loss expert encouraging people to shed the pounds to help fight effects of Covid - Kent Online

My 600-lb Life is a TLC original that has been presenting stories of morbidly obese individuals since 2012. The show documents the dedicated efforts of the Iranian-American surgeon, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, who is based in Houston and helps his patients who are looking to reduce their weight to a healthy level. However, not all his patients comply with him quickly, and Steven Assanti is definitely one of those subjects. You might be wondering where Steven is and what he is doing at the moment. Heres what we know.

Steven Assantis first appearance on the show in season 5 was marked by him starting his journey at almost 800 pounds. Moreover, his attitude and reluctance to comply with the recommended diet regimes by Dr. Now appalled many in the audience. After several ups and downs and dramatic turns of events, including a period of drug addiction to pain killers, Steven was able to determine a seemingly proper path for himself.

He underwent surgery after Dr. Nows approval and was able to lose some of his weight. His progress, along with his brother Justins, had been tracked across three follow-up episodes in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In the last follow-up episode on the Assanti brothers, Steven tried to reconnect with Justin with hopes of redemption. Stevens (limited) post-surgery progress inspired Justin to go through with his own weight loss surgery. However, Steven had not made significant strides, and Dr. Now warned him that he might start gaining weight soon.

Steven thereafter said he was determined to lose weight and to stick to the diet designed by Dr. Now. He also said that he had met someone special named Stephanie and that he was relocating to Iowa to live with her and her daughter. He further addressed the various controversial statements regarding his relationship. He said that the comments were all lies and that Stephanie was more than willing to take care of him. He was relentless about not letting an opportunity to have a normal life slip through his fingers, which made him even more committed to his diet regime.

Unlike his brother Justin, Steven Assanti does not have a very visible social media presence. However, his girlfriend, now wife, Stephanie Sanger, announced their marriage in a post on her Facebook page, which has since been deleted. The couple got married in Iowa in 2018. They reportedly moved to Des Moines soon after their wedding. The last picture of the couple uploaded on Stephanies Facebook page dates back to 2019.

However, in an interview in 2020, Steven stated that even though the pair is married and together, they are technically separated. In fact, it would appear as though the two even live in separate cities, an hour and a half apart from each other. He stated that owing to the coronavirus pandemic, he was staying in his apartment in a bubble. (Even though he has lost some weight, he is still at high risk). However, he did go on to state that they planned on spending the holidays together and that they simply needed a break. He even referred to her as awesome.

In the last follow-up episode on the Assanti brothers, Steven was shown talking to Dr. Now over a Skype call from Iowa. From the conversation, Dr. Now inferred that Steven had gone back to his previous eating habits, including consuming pizza at least four times a day. But, Steven also said that he had not been on pain meds for a long time. It also seems as though the brothers no longer talk to each other. While Steven is quite tight-lipped about his personal life, we do hope that everything works itself out soon.

Read More: Where Is David Bolton From My 600-lb Life Now?

View post:
Steven Assanti My 600-lb Life Update: Where Is Steven Assanti Now? - The Cinemaholic

Netflix's latest series Lupin is quickly becoming a fan favorite. The French heist thriller first premiered on Jan. 8 and is already on track to break streaming records that were previously held by big hitters like The Queen's Gambit and Bridgerton. Since there are only five episodes, it goes without saying that people have already binge-watched the series it in its entirety and are ready for more. Thankfully, the story isn't over yet.

During the credits at the end of the fifth episode, Netflix confirms there will be a part two and it's "coming soon." As if that wasn't exciting enough, the remaining episodes have already been written and filmed. In a recent profile of the show's star Omar Sy in The New York Times, it was further revealed that the second part is "set to follow later this year."

As we're trying to figure out the exact release date, Netflix shows like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which also split its seasons in two parts, give us a good indication of what to expect. The first half of CAOS season one was released on Oct. 26, 2018, while the second half was released about six months later on April 5, 2019. If Lupin follows a similar schedule, part two could drop this summer. Although, seeing that Lupin has already filmed the second half, the release date could be even sooner! Fingers crossed for the latter.

Continued here:
Don't Worry, Netflix Promises Lupin Part 2 Will Be Coming "Very Soon" - POPSUGAR