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But had we really swayed far enough in the other direction, toward genuine acceptance, away from the view that a low body mass index was something to venerate? Fat activists believe that we have not, which is why there are proposed laws in the New York City Council as well as in the State Legislature that would make weight (and height) discrimination illegal, particularly as it relates to employment and housing(exceptions would be made for certain occupations).
Whatever progress has been made, prejudice against the overweight has hardly been eliminated. Four years ago, researchers at Harvard published a study in the journal Psychological Science that looked at data from four million tests taken between 2004 and 2016 examining long-term changes in attitude toward historically marginalized groups. The study found that while explicit bias against the overweight had decreased by 15 percent, this represented a much slower decline than similar shifts in attitude toward gays and lesbians, where the figure was 49 percent. This may be because, unlike race or sexual orientation, weight is thought of as mutable. The only barrier to losing it, presumably, is a weakness of will.
Business leaders, who point to higher health care costs for obese workers, have predictably expressed concern that legislation of the kind under consideration would unduly burden the courts because of all the resulting litigation. In truth, these cases are very hard to push forward. We know this because Michigan has had a weight discrimination law on the books since the mid-1970s. (The state of Washington, the only one to have followed, added added its own law a few years ago.)
Recently, Jon Marko, a civil rights lawyer in Detroit, laid out the odds. Most of the time there is not direct evidence of bias, and while the Michigan law allows for circumstantial evidence to be brought in as well, that is amuch harder route to building a case. Direct evidence might be an employer who says, Oh, sweetie, you need to lose some weight before you can get that promotion, Mr. Marko told me. That is rare. Sometimes a weight case can be embedded in a harassment case, and those are more promising. Mr. Marko offered the example of a boss in the habit of squeezing a subordinates love handles.
At the level of federal law, weight is not a protected category. Still, in 1992, flight attendants sued United Airlines on the basis that its weight requirements were too restrictive the maximum weight for a 30-year-old, 5-foot-7 woman, for example, was 142 pounds. United wound up abandoning these rules altogether two years later, because the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed that the complaint was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which bans employment discrimination on the grounds of race, religion and sex. Men working in the same capacity at United were subject to more forgiving standards.
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Can Body Shaming Be Outlawed? - The New York Times
IT'S not everyday that a humble vegetable steals the headlines - and perhaps they should more.
Especially after one new study, which revealed that a brassica family member comes with a whole host of lifesaving benefits.
Health experts have been promoting broccoli as a superfood for decades.
But until now, we didn't know why it was so beneficial.
Scientistsfrom Penn University, US, found that eating three and a half cups of broccoli each day can significantly improve your gut health - that's equivalent to 548g.
When it comes to wellbeing, these days its all about the the gut, which comprises of the entire digestive system.
New studies emerge each week confirming the huge roll it plays in our overall health, from weight management to brain health, inflammation to immune function.
As part of their study, which published in the journalLaboratory Investigation, researchers conducted tests on mice to find out how broccoli affects the gut.
They discovered that certain molecules in broccoli bind to the walls of the gut creating a protect the lining.
This lining only allows beneficialnutrientsto pass into the body and blocks bacteria that could cause diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, obesity and cancer.
Gary Perdew, a lead researcher of the study,said: "The gut health of the mice that were not fed broccoli was compromised in a variety of ways that are known to be associated with disease.
"Our research is helping to uncover the mechanisms for how broccoli and other foods benefit health in mice and likely humans, as well."
He added: "It provides strong evidence that cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts should be part of a normal healthy diet."
Broccoli is full of nutrients, many of which are well absorbed thanks to it's affect on the gut.
Broccoli is a rich source of vitamin A, which is good for growth and the repair of body tissues.
It is also brimming with vitamin K, which is important for normal blood clotting and healthy bones.
A study byNutrition Researchfound that consuming steamed broccoli regularly lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing the total amount of cholesterol in the body.
Another study in the US also found that increasing vegetables in the diet, especially brassica vegetables like broccoli, mayreduce the risk of heart disease.
Along with this, broccoli isalso great for weight lossbecause it is rich in fibre which keeps you feeling full.
But it's broccoli's cancer-combating powers that make it a phenomenal superfood.
When experts at the World Cancer Research Fund reviewed 206 studies on humans and 22 studies on animals, they found evidence that broccoli lowered the risk of tumours in the stomach, lungs, oesophagus, pancreas, colon and the lining of the uterus.
The 11 unhealthy gut symptoms you need to know
Source: Gut UK
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Super vegetable that helps you lose weight and slash silent killer risk revealed... - The US Sun
MRS HINCH recently took to social media to show off a beautiful new summer dress, but was forced to address speculation that she is pregnant with her third child.
Sophie Hinchliffe, 33, took to her Instagram stories yesterday to proudly model her new dress that she bought from a social media boutique.
But Mrs Hinch, who has 4.7million followers on the social media platform, was then met with questions from fans, asking if she was expecting her third child.
The social media star, who gave birth to her oldest son Ronnie in 2019 and her second son Lennie, in 2021, filmed herself showing off her new dress, as she posed and smiled for the camera in a full-length mirror.
She then said: I have not felt good in a dress for over three years but I found the most incredible dress boutique EVER.
Wow, dresses for such a reasonable price tag.
The cleanfluencer encouraged Instagram users to get following the boutique - Anne-Louise Label, also known as ALB, founded by Anne Louise - and also confirmed that her story post was not an ad.
She also shared the details for her stunning basket bag - as she confirmed that it was from eBay for just 28.
But although Sophie wanted to encourage conversation about her black cut-out polka dot maxi dress, talk quickly turned to Sophies body and her family life.
Ten hours later, Sophie then shared a screenshot of a message from a fan that read: Is there a bump there?
To this, Sophie candidly opened up and confirmed: No sorry, Im just struggling to lose weight.
The Instagram star added: Here we go again So just to clear up any speculations, no I am not pregnant.
It comes after Fabulous exclusively revealed that Mrs Hinch had cut ties with Tesco after just two years of working with the supermarket giant.
Sources close to Sophie Hinchliffe said that she has bid farewell to the lucrative partnership to focus on "other exciting projects".
Tesco's Mrs Hinch collection launched in January 2021 with items including bedlinen, loungewear, heart-shaped bowls and candles.
The items were famed for their grey and silver tomes - like the first home she began uploading social media content in.
But Mrs Hinch products have been reduced in Tesco since February this year, signally the beginning of the end.
The range has been totally removed from the supermarkets website and some shoppers have picked up bits through clearance sales for as little as 25p in store.
A source said: Seeing Hinch Homeware line the shelves of Tesco was a real pinch me moment for Sophie.
Shes made the difficult decision to bring the incredibly successful partnership to a close as she moves to develop other exciting projects of her own which was not possible whilst working exclusively with Tesco."
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Mrs Hinch shows off new dress but is forced to deny shes not pregnant as she admits shes struggling to l... - The US Sun
Married couple Susan and Michael Dixon share how their experiences taking Ozempic have affected their health and changed their relationship with food.
When 51-year-old Susan Dixon was diagnosed with prediabetes, meaning her blood sugar levels were higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes, her doctor prescribed Ozempic off-label.
I have an [aortic aneurysm], so because of my heart condition and because Im pre-diabetic, my doctor wanted me to get some weight off, Susan told Healthline.
Susan was already aware of Ozempic because her 54-year-old husband, Michael, began taking it about six months earlier to treat his type 2 diabetes and bring down his A1C to under 6. Within four months of taking the medication, his A1C lowered to 5. He also lost 15 pounds.
Seeing Michaels success absolutely influenced me wanting to try it, Susan said.
Over the years, she tried several weight loss programs, including Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, which brought her some short-term success. In 2008, before her and Michaels wedding, she also took the prescription phentermine, and as a result, lost 40 pounds.
However, over the years, she found it hard to keep the weight off no matter what method she used. She said Ozempic has worked the best for weight management. After taking the medication for six weeks, she lost 14 pounds.
[Ozempic] made me feel full and made my interest in food not really there. Michael would say, Whats for dinner? and I thought, I dont really care. Id have some cereal and a few bites of food, and Id be okay. Food did not interest me, she said.
The active chemical compound semaglutide that is in Ozempic can cause weight loss by making a person feel full, keeping them from emptying their stomach longer than usual, and by lowering blood sugar, said Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, associate professor of medicine at Cornell and Chief Medical Officer at Found.
Michaels reason for trying Ozempic was solely to manage type 2 diabetes and lower his blood sugar rather than lose weight. In fact, he said for the 15 years he has lived with diabetes, he never tried to lose weight.
Im not someone who follows a diet, so I wasnt the best patient and didnt watch carbs and sugar intake, he told Healthline. Ive never had a desire or drive to lose weight. I have to get more into that mindset because I know I should lose more weight.
While taking Ozempic, he feels full faster. This makes him eat half of what he used to eat prior to being on the medication.
I eat half a sandwich and say Oh, Im full. Thats why I lost weight, he said.
After being on Ozempic for a few years, he became accustomed to responding to the full feeling.
Im able to put that other half sandwich down and I try to stop eating when I realize Im full, Michael said.
Susan also learned to eat smaller-sized portions due to Ozempic, and said it affected her desire to drink alcohol, too.
I wasnt a big drinker and drank socially before, but now if I have a second glass of wine or drink, it makes me feel ill, so Ive cut down, she said.
Since the Dixons are both on Ozempic, they said it helps them manage their weight together.
Michael not wanting to eat makes me not want to eat. We try very hard not to snack between meals. If I say, its time for dessert or popcorn before bed, and I notice he hasnt eaten them, then I dont have anything, said Susan.
In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration reported shortages of Ozempic. This created controversy due to some people taking the medication off-label to lose weight.
The shortage affected the Dixons in different ways.
For the entire time Michael has been on Ozempic, he was able to get the medication filled. However, for the past three months, his insurance stopped allowing a 90-day supply, which means he no longer gets the discount (which was paying for two months supply and getting one months supply free.) He now is only able to fill one month at a time.
Michael didnt have an issue because his dosage is lower than mine. At the time of the shortage, my dosage was at 1mg and I couldnt find that 1mg anywhere, said Susan.
Due to the shortage, she was unable to fill Ozempic for two-and-a-half months, and during that time, she regained 10 to 12 pounds.
This is common and expected, said Dr. Sethu Reddy, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. If people lose access to Ozempic like Susan did or their insurance coverage changes and they cant afford it, this could set back their health progress.
The effects of GLP-1 analogs are not permanent and if the therapy is discontinued, their therapeutic effects dissipate, Reddy told Healthline. Theoretically, these medications will be taken for several years, but it is well known that those with type 2 diabetes eventually lose their ability to make insulin and eventually will need insulin therapy.
Kumar added that a long-term commitment should be considered when starting any medication for a chronic condition, such as diabetes and obesity.
If someone is taking Ozempic off-label or Wegovy on-label, those would need to be continued for weight maintenance as well, said Kumar. Long-term use of medicine for weight management is not unique to the GLP-1 class of medicines, but is true for all medicines used for weight management.
By the time Susan was able to get Ozempic filled again in February 2023, her doctor increased her medication dose. Since then, she lost 5 pounds.
I dont feel as successful as I used to feel before I had to stop taking it. Its working still but not as well as it did in the beginning. My appetite is not as suppressed, but like before, food doesnt excite me, said Susan.
Ozempic has been successful at lowering her blood sugar, though. However, if her blood sugar continues to lower to the point where she is no longer pre-diabetic, her doctor told her she would most likely prescribe Wegovy to continue with weight loss.
I would be happy to no longer have to take Ozempic for blood sugar control, and Id take Wegovy to try to lose more weight, said Susan.
Michael plans to stick with Ozempic as long as his doctor prescribes it for diabetes management.
I also take metformin for my diabetes, so Ill keep taking that and Ozempic since they both seem to be working, he said.
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My Husband and I Both Take Ozempic. What Our Experience Has ... - Healthline
Personal trainer Rosie Jackson
YOUVE nailed your step count, youre taking your cold water dips, youre stretching and breathing in front of your online yoga but something is still missing.
Do you still struggle to shift those unwanted pounds that have crept up on you when you werent looking, do you feel un-balanced and are starting to lose muscle tone ?
Research has shown that lifting weights or strength training is vital to preserving good health, fighting disease, lowering blood pressure and fighting weight gain.
In my classes and with my one-to-one clients, I talk a lot about future proofing; no-one wants to be that stooped individual worried about falls, knees and hips aching, all made worse by weight gain.
Building muscle stimulates the body to maintain existing muscle and to add more, the energy required to undertake this comes from sugar, stored fat or extra calories consumed.
When you lift weights, your muscles need to repair; this burns calories and bonus it continues for 24 hours. New muscle is also the gift that keeps giving, having muscle means the body burns more fat, even at rest.
Being strong is so important for supporting independent living; you can incorporate functional exercise into your strength building, this means the exercises you do help with day to day tasks such as walking, getting out of chairs, hiking across the hills, balancing on a ladder to dust up in that corner.
So, were fighting disease, were lowering blood pressure, were losing weight all important gains but there are many other wins to be had.
Getting stronger improves your posture, which in turn helps with balance, trip avoidance and lower back pain, it also means you can get out of that chair without making an ooomph noise!
Then theres the mental-health aspect; I know this is a bit of a buzz phrase at the moment, but feeling strong is such a positive to how we feel about ourselves.
Dont feel like theres no answer when that weight gain takes you by surprise, dont resort to unhealthy faddy diets, eat healthily, concentrating on packing your plates with protein and fibre, focus on strength, flexibility, bone health and disease prevention.
Its always a good idea to seek help from a professional, they can help you set achievable goals and ensure youre working safely and effectively.
Look after the body that has served you well!
More about protein intake and calorie tracking to come
Rosie Jacksonwww.rosiejackson-pt.com
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How to healthily reduce weight in middle age and onwards - LymeOnline
Boudicca Fox-Leonard
April 14, 2023
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When it comes to a healthy diet, experts believe a little bit of what you fancy does you good.
Clare Gray is a dietitian and chef. Having worked in acclaimed restaurants such as Spring at Somerset House in London and Chez Panisse in California, she feels passionately about helping her clients enjoy a healthy, balanced diet, which includes desserts too. What I see so often, when people talk about healthy eating, is that the enjoyment and pleasure of food is lost, says Gray.
And yet denying ourselves can lead to unhelpful behaviour and in her practice she sees many people buying low-fat, low-sugar alternatives to their favourite foods. They say, I bought the WeightWatchers version, but then I ate the whole packet.
All of which results in feelings of shame around food and unattainable weight goals, says Jordan Vyas-Lee, psychotherapist and co-founder of mental health clinic Kove. We get lost in a range of negative emotions around food, weight and self-image.
Over time, restrictive eating causes us to become ever more fixated on the very foods were trying to cut back on, and then we tend to dwell on our perceived lack of willpower.
While obesity is undoubtedly a problem, denial culture doesnt help. Research suggests that roughly 80 per cent of people who shed a significant amount of weight dont maintain it and, according to studies, on average dieters regain more than half of what they lose within two years.
If you are restricting your diet, thats just not sustainable and will often result in a blowout, says Gray. The key to preventing it? Breaking the cycle of yo-yo dieting and allowing yourself the odd treat, which is better for our health and waistlines.
Weight-cycling has been shown to be inflammatory and bad for our heart health, and it can also contribute to gut issues and diabetes, she adds. When we restrict the things we love, things happen in the long term that arent about willpower. Your metabolism slows down and hunger increases.
Rather than restriction, the key is to develop healthy eating habits that are balanced and sustainable.
The reality is, if you binge on Easter eggs, you will feel unwell, says Gray. But having them as an occasional treat wont make a major difference if your diet is otherwise healthy.
Eating a little of what we fancy prevents negative cycles, keeps blood sugar stable and promotes good mental health, agrees Vyas-Lee. Heres how...
Chocolate
As a post-meal treat, your Easter eggs have a place in a healthy diet, providing you eat something that will give you energy and a balance of nutrients first, says Gray.
While low cocoa solid chocolate can be high in sugar and fat, dark chocolate, containing more than 70 per cent cocoa solids, is a source of polyphenols. These are bioactive chemicals that can have real nutritional benefits, says Gray. Its also pleasurable, which in itself is a benefit when eaten in small amounts.
Potatoes
Despite being a vegetable, potatoes dont count as one on Harvards Healthy Eating Plate because they are high in the type of carbohydrate the body digests rapidly, causing blood sugar spikes.
Theyre a starchy food - like bread, rice and pasta - which have an impact on our blood glucose levels, says Gray. New potatoes are a great option because they have a lower glycemic index, but thats not to say you cant have a few roasties.
When youre having chips, Gray says, think about what else you have on your plate. Are there some vegetables as well?
Bridget Benelam, of the British Nutrition Foundation, adds: Potatoes are a source of potassium and thiamine and also contribute vitamin C and fibre, so they can be part of a healthy diet. Just avoid adding lots of fat or oil when cooking and eat the skin for extra fibre.
Pasta
Italians traditionally eat pasta as part of their primi piatti. In other words, a small portion that is generally followed by a secondi of vegetables and meat or fish. The way we eat pasta in the UK is often quite unbalanced, with large portions and minimal vegetables and protein, says Gray. So think about the overall balance of what else youre eating.
Cheese
Theres not a huge amount of science on it currently, says Gray, but cheese is one of the oldest fermented foods which we know is good for gut health.
However, it is also a source of saturated fat. Although relatively high in saturated fat and salt, there is some evidence that full-fat cheese does not raise cholesterol in the way that might be expected, says Benelam. This may be due to its nutrient content, but it is still not a good idea to eat cheese to excess.
Putting some veg on your cheeseboard is also a good way to put balance back into your treat. Cheese and biscuits isnt a balanced meal, so add some celery, apple, grapes or chicory, says Benelam.
Red meat
There is an association between red meat and colon cancer, says Benelem, but adds: Red meat is a source of important nutrients including iron, zinc and B vitamins. So while many of us could do with cutting back on our intake, it doesnt have to be cut out altogether.
Gray draws a distinction between red meat and processed meats. The former being something a lot of women who are iron-deficient could benefit from: You can obviously get iron from plant-based sources, but the reality is that its much harder to absorb.
Coffee
Caffeine is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances in the world and the reason many people struggle to sleep. But in small amounts, it can increase diversity in the gut microbiome due to the soluble fibre and prebiotic properties found within it, which can also help improve mood.
A study from the University of Bath suggests that drinking coffee on an empty stomach, as a way to wake you up, may lead to increased blood sugar levels after breakfast and greater energy dips later in the day, says nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert. So drink coffee with your breakfast.
Drinking too much coffee [600mg+ a day, which is roughly six cups] may lead to anxiety and heart palpitations, adds Lambert. And stop drinking it at lunchtime for better sleep.
Alcohol
A glass of red wine has been touted as being healthy due to the compound resveratrol. However it doesnt have anywhere near the amount needed to have an effect. The reality is that alcohol is a toxin and even in small quantities can be quite damaging. However, while knowing this, many of us still enjoy a tipple.
The science is quite clear, says Gray. That being said, on a celebratory occasion, people will want a drink. Her advice is to not drink more than a couple of times a week, to always make sure you are eating when youre drinking, and to stagger alcoholic drinks with soft ones or water.
Be mindful in your drinking process. Dont sit in front of the TV and drink wine. Choose one you really like and be conscious of your drinking rather than knocking it back.
The Daily Telegraph UK
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Why you can enjoy cheese, chocolate and pasta - and still lose weight - Sydney Morning Herald
Billy Gardell is feeling a lot healthier these days.
In an interview published Monday, the Mike & Molly alum opened up to Entertainment Tonight about losing 150 pounds as he now "floats between 205 and 210."
"I think you got to find peace with yourself and at some point, look in the mirror and go you know, it's probably time to take care of you. Then I didn't get that note early on," Gardell, 53, shared. "So I'm a big believer that when you get it, you get it. It doesn't matter when. As long as you get it."
While the sitcom star joked about the "little things" he didn't like dealing with because of his new weight, he said that "for the most part, [it's all good.]"
One advantage is the ability to shop at more clothing stores, the actor said. "It's been a real gift, on top of all the health stuff. That was the big thing," he added.
Gardell revealed that his type 2 diabetes is now "gone. No diabetes, resting heartbeat went from 113 to 68. Walking around pretty healthy these days."
To maintain good health, Gardell told ET that he asked his producers to put a weight bench and some adjustable weights in his trailer so he can exercise when he has the opportunity on set.
As for his diet, the Bob Hearts Abishola star said, "I go small, but I eat very healthy. I eat like all the people I used to make fun of, to be honest."
But Gardell isn't missing on any of the foods he used to consume, telling the outlet, "I've got my fill and now I'm at the place where I can have a couple bites of something decadent if I want."
However, Gardell said he continues to receive criticism no matter his weight: "Of course, there's always people online that when I was heavy, they're like, 'You're too heavy.' And now it's like, 'Are you sick?' Can I just walk through the Earth please?"
On what he has learned since striving for a healthier lifestyle, Gardell told ET, "Self care is important, and I think I finally got there. My last vice I got left is I'm still smoking cigarettes, but I'm working on that one."
"I have a child, and as you hit 50, you start doing that dad math, like, 'If I can live 25 more years, then he'll be 40. So I want to be here for him," he noted.
As a result, Gardell believes his relationship with his son William, 20, has changed by becoming a role model for him in this capacity.
"I've been an example in a lot of good ways for my child, but I feel like it wasn't a good example of health for him," the actor shared. "And so I want him to see that it doesn't matter what age you are. If you are willing to do something a day at a time, you can change anything. That's the message I wanted him to get."
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Gardell then revealed that he underwent a gastric bypass operation two years ago, after backing out twice before. "The only thing I would say is understand that the operation is not the end, it's the beginning," he told ET.
"Because what you have to commit to on the other side of it is what you need to look at ... if you're not willing to commit to that routine. Don't do it," Gardel explained. "But if you're ready to commit to that on a daily basis, proof's in the pudding."
When asked why he couldn't undergo the weight-loss surgery the first two times, Gardell recalled, "I couldn't even get my head around that. But as my knees started to hurt more, as my blood numbers started to get worse and worse; you know, in this life, sometimes you have to surrender."
He continued, "Asking for help is the thing people are most terrified about, but is it is the very thing where strength is born in my opinion. When you get when you are strong enough say, 'I can't do this on my own,' then the troops come up over the hill."
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Billy Gardell Gives Update on His 150-Pound Weight Loss - PEOPLE
With summer fast approaching its time to kick start your healthy eating plan to help you feel great inside and out.
Thats why weve teamed up with Slimming World, to share delicious meal ideas, inspirational real-life stories, tips, and advice to help you slim down for life.
Inside this weekends Sunday Mail, youll find an 8-page recipe special in 7-Days magazine which is packed with tasty and easy-to-make meals such as Cheesy Courgette Pasta, Pork Burgers and Calzone Frittata. Plus, for those of you who have a sweet tooth, you can also find recipes for delicious desserts like Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream Sundaes and Banoffee & Chocolate Fool.
So, whether youre short on time or looking for meals the whole family can enjoy, theres something for everyone inside this handy recipe special.
As well as this, youll find an exclusive offer to join your local Slimming World group for free or, if you'd prefer to lose weight online, a discount to sign up to Slimming World's digital-only service inside this weekends Sunday Mail too.
Dont miss out pick up your Sunday Mail on April 16th to get your FREE Slimming World recipe special!
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Tasty Slimming World recipes to help you lose weight inside your Sunday Mail this weekend. - Daily Record
A woman who gorged on a multipack of crisps every day has lost seven stone after gastric sleeve surgery - and is now splashing out 12,000 to remove loose skin.
Melissa Jones, 38, from Herefordshire, saw her weight rocket after eating 24 packets of crisps a day, as well as eating fast food at least three times a week.
Unable to stick to diets or lose weight naturally, Melissa, then a size 24 and weighing 19 stone, decided enough was enough after not being able to fit in a pedalo seat on holiday with her young sons.
After returning home in October 2013, she started looking into getting surgical help to shift her weight.
Melissa visited her GP who suggested she applied for a gastric sleeve and she was put on an NHS list.
After a three-year wait, in February 2016, Melissa's sugary was confirmed and the GP told her that she'd have to lose at least two stone before the surgery to reduce the risk of medical complications.
Determined to slim down, Melissa ate a strict yoghurt-based diet and was able to shift the weight needed.
In May 2016, Melissa underwent NHS gastric sleeve surgery, which dramatically reduced the size of her stomach, and she lost six stone in just seven months - taking her to a svelte dress size 14 and weighing 13 stone.
After maintaining her slimmer figure for 12 months, a bad break up saw Melissa slipping back to old ways and she soon found herself ballooning to 19st 9lbs.
But the single mum-of-two didn't give up and in June 2020 underwent an NHS-funded gastric bypass.
A gastric bypass is when the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower 'remnant' pouch thus restricting the amount of food that your stomach holds.
After losing so much weight, Melissa, now a size 12 and 12st 6lbs, has been left with 'piles of sagging skin' and is currently awaiting a body lift at a private hospital to remove it.
She is funding her third surgery, which costs over 12,000, using her early inheritance from her family.
Melissa, a carer, said: 'I was a massive comfort eater- it's always been my down-fall.
'My go-to comfort food was crisps because of the crunch, I'd get one of those 24 multi packs and polish off the lot.
'I'd go on holiday with my two boys and I wouldn't be able to fit in the pedal boats. It was embarrassing for me and them.
'After the gastric sleeve I felt great but emotionally I was in a terrible place. I'd had a few broken relationships and my fibromyalgia had gotten worse.
'I was comfort eating and my mobility was awful. But after having a gastric band, I've felt great.
'The weight just dropped off me and I started to feel human again. I feel great and more importantly, I'm able to be the best version of myself for my two boys.
'Now I just need this excess skin removed and I can really start my life afresh.'
Melissa, who is mother to Macauley, 15, and Morgan, 10, credits her rocky relationship around food with always feeling like the 'bigger friend' during her school years.
She said: 'Growing up, I was always the bigger friend out of the group. It would get me down and so I'd comfort eat.
'When I was in secondary school, I was wearing a ladies size 18 skirt. I can't remember a time when I wasn't a size 18.
'Growing up, I never felt attractive compared to my friends who were slimmer- I just wanted to be 'normal'.'
Melissa's turbulent relationship with food continued into her 20s and after the birth of her sons, in 2007 and 2013.
Desperate to lose weight, Melissa turned to yo-yo dieting, weight-loss groups and extreme calorie counting but none of them made a long-term impact.
By October 2013 , Melissa was 19 stone and decided to register for a gastric sleeve to be fitted at Gloucester Royal Hospital, Gloucestershire.
A sleeve gastrectomy is where a large part of the stomach is removed so it's much smaller than it was before resulting in an individual eating smaller meals and losing weight over time.
She said: 'After trying and failing at shedding the weight, I knew I needed something drastic and so that's when I decided to get the sleeve fitted.
'I met the criteria for one and before I knew it, I had one booked. To prepare for the surgery, two weeks prior I was living on high protein foods such as yoghurt and milk and only allowed to eat up to 800 calories a day.
'I was nervous but excited for my life to begin. It was hard to get used to initially because I was not only recovering from the keyhole surgery but the change of lifestyle.
'But I felt really lucky that I'd had it done and I soon started to see results.'
By January 2017 the-mum-of two had lost six stone and had slimmed down to a size 14.
Melissa said: 'I felt great and I was able to move around so much more. I even joined the gym and was able to play football with my boys. They were also proud of me which meant the world.'
Despite her amazing progress, a relationship breakdown as well health problems meant the mum-of-two once again turned to late night snacks.
Whilst Melissa wasn't able to eat huge meals, she would regularly comfort eat, gorging on multiple packets of crisps and chocolate each day.
By July 2019, Melissa had put back on more weight than she'd lost.
'It was definitely my lowest point, to keep myself together for my boys, I just turned to takeaways for convenience and late-night snacking on crisps and chocolates.
'Cheese and Onion was my real weakness. The trouble was I was unable to burn that off because of the pain I was in.
'It was emotional eating more than anything and I'd gone back to my teenage days when I'd shut myself off.'
But not willing to give up, Melissa got funding for an NHS gastric bypass at the same hospital as her first surgery, in May 2016.
Melissa said: 'I'd had enough of not being able to be the best version of myself for my two boys and I knew that something had to change.
'This was my second procedure and so I knew this time had to count long term.
'Weight loss surgery is never a pleasant thing; you have to inject yourself with hormones in preparation and follow a strict diet.
'But I'd felt thankful to the NHS for having this second surgery because it's changed my life for good.'
Melissa has been able to lose a staggering 7st 3lbs through healthier eating choices and regular exercise.
The slender mum only eats one main meal a day, usually at lunch and then will opt for something light for dinner.
Melissa said: 'I try and cook most meals not only because it's healthier but I enjoy it.
'I love a roast that is packed with vegetables and protein but I do have a cheeky packet of crisps every now and then.
'I cook all the time now with a healthy version of lasagne, roast dinners and spaghetti bolognaise being the first favourites in my house!
'It's all about listening to my body, if I'm not hungry, I won't eat for the sake of it.'
Melissa has even found a love for walking and maintains her slim 12st 6lbs figure.
'I've ditched the five-minute car drive to the shops in favour of the 15-minute walk,' she continued.
'I also walk to pick Morgan up from school and it's lovely that I'm physically able to do that now.
'He loves it too but I'm sure it won't last forever as he'll be a teenager before I know it!'
But she is awaiting her final procedure, a body lift, under private treatment that she hopes to have by summer of this year
The treatment will remove excess skin from Melissa's arms and stomach and she has taken early inheritance from her mum's side of the family to fund it.
Melissa said: 'I am really proud of the weight I've been able to maintain. Looking at old pictures of myself, I don't recognise the unhappy person in them.
'I'm really looking forward to getting my body lift - it will be the final flourish in my weight loss journey.
'At the moment I'm always keeping my arms covered because I hate the way the skin sags.
'I still feel a bit gross because of my loose skin and I like to wear a long top that covers my stomach and bum.
'I'm hoping to have it done before our family holiday to Trecco Bay in Wales, in June. I've told my boys that if all goes to plan, I'll be wearing a bikini.
'Now I'll be able to embarrass my kids on holiday for a very different reason!'
Originally posted here:
Woman who gorged on 24 packets of crisps a day loses SEVEN STONE after gastric sleeve surgery - Daily Mail
Chantelle Houghton looked incredible as she showcased her fourstone weight lossin a red bikiniduring a sun-soaked Tenerife getaway.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star, 39,displayed her slimmed-down figure in the eye-catching two-piece while on the beach.
She left her long dark tresses loose and opted for natural makeup.
The TV personality cooled off in the warm weather by heading into the ocean for a dip.
Chantelle showed off her new physique by reclining in the shallow water as she enjoyed her relaxing beach day.
Having hit 13 stone in 2021, the mother-of-one overhauled her diet and exercise routine after splitting with her ex-fianc Michael Strutt.
Chantelle recently told OK! Magazine she was motivated to get fit after being mistaken for a pregnant person.
She said: 'My tummy has always been my problem area. My limbs are like sticks, but the weight goes to my tummy and it's always been the case.
'People used to come up to me thinking I was pregnant. I was in a shop and a lady asked me when I was due, and then the same thing happened just weeks later.
'It happened so many times that I just went along with it and brushed it off. It didn't upset me because I knew I did look pregnant.'
She overhauled her lifestyle and she has now dropped to a size eight, but insisted she is not on a strict diet.
Chantelle took to Instagram in February to reveal she is planning on being her 'own Valentine' this year because she is focusing on 'self care and self love'.
She admitted she is her 'own worst enemy' and has 'hated' herself for years before finding herself in a lengthy social media post.
Chantelle, who has previously been targeted by vile trolls over her weight, said she is 'finally in a place where I like myself' again and has started to 'heal'.
The TV personality showed off her slim figure as she flashed her toned midriff in a mirror selfie in a pair of black leggings and a blue cropped sports top.
Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Be your own valentine.self care and self love is so important, I HATED myself for YEARS, Id tell myself the most awful things, I was my own worst enemy.
'Im FINALLY in a place where I like myself, Im ok, Im doing great and healing. Ive been through SO MUCH and the girl I see in the mirror NEEDS my kindness and Im giving her that .
'My healing journey has only just begun and I am so proud of myself for surviving what I went through and I am EXCITED for the future!! Im LIVING instead of just SURVIVING!
'Whatever youre going through, take time for yourself, practice self care, meditate, read books, go for a walk, talk to friends, reach out, you are a SURVIVOR. I am NO longer a victim. I am a SURVIVOR.'
It comes after Chantelle ruled out ever having cosmetic surgery again at the end of last year - despite being tempted after she gained three and a half stone during lockdown.
She last went under the knife in 2016 when she had her breast implants removed, saying the original surgery was her 'biggest regret'.
Speaking to The Sun, she said: 'When I had my breast implants removed completely, I knew that was my very last cosmetic surgery. I made a promise to myself I'd only go under the knife again for medical reasons.'
The star said she promised herself she would not have surgery again except for medical reasons.
