Fat Profits: Watching Oprah's Weight

 

Say the name "Oprah" and you think of authenticity, integrity and living your best life. Ms. Winfrey has always advocated for living your best life "now" instead of later. Oprah is trusted. That is why her brand carries weight. So, were you surprised like I was to see her Weight Watchers commercial peddling the fantasy of finding yourself later -- after you lose weight?
Oprah's heartfelt message implies that you are a different person, a better person, underneath your fat. We know that isn't true. Ask any bariatric patient who lost over 100 pounds only to trade their food addiction for a transfer addiction, like alcoholism. Oprah has lost significant amounts of weight before, as well, only to struggle before gaining it back. She knows that a skinny life isn't automatically a better life.
However, it sure sounds good to think about, doesn't it? And, even better, Oprah can be your friend as you venture to this new and better skinny life of your dreams. There is the magic in her commercial's message: "let's do this together." That's right, you were missing when Oprah lost weight before and that was the problem. So, when you join forces with her this time (and pay), then weight loss will be sustainable.
The cynical part of me believes she has only figured out how much you lose by not investing in the $100 billion per year diet industry that is financially dependent on dieting and failing -- over and over again. After all, Oprah invested in Weight Watchers in October. If the investment was truly about health, we could have all been losing weight "together" for the past several months. Instead, Oprah's 'come lose weight with me' message was saved for the new year when millions of Americans make (and spend) on weight loss resolutions. Can you say "cha-ching?"
Then, there is the optimist part of me who considers her track record. That part of me wants to believe that Oprah has figured out the secret to sustainable and healthy weight loss and wants America to be healthier. If that is true, then I have no problem with her being well compensated for that.
When I authored the online course: "The 10 Commandments to Love Your Body - As Is," I knew it was a mindset, not scale set, that makes a woman love her body and life. You like your body when you decide to, not when you decide to lose weight. So, as a body peace coach dedicated to unconditional body acceptance, I cannot support any message that says like yourself after the condition of weight loss (or any other condition) has been met. However, I can accept a supportive community where women come together to make positive health choices while they enjoy and appreciate the body they have. Let's hope that is what occurs while we watch the weight of Oprah's attract women in droves to the new and improved Weight Watchers program.

Mariah Carey’s 45-Pound Weight Loss In Swimsuit Stuns: Diet And Beauty Secrets

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Mariah Carey showcased her 45-pound weight loss on Instagram Dec. 27 in a gold swimsuit while vacationing in Aspen, Colorado.

Mariah wore a gold one-piece swimsuit while standing in a hot tub in an outdoor sauna surrounded by snow and ice.
Carey spent the Christmas holidays with ex-husband Nick Cannon and their two children.
Mariah has struggled with weight for years, but lost 70 pounds after giving birth to twins in 2011, Examiner reported.

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Carey’s weight has fluctuated since then, but she recently lost 45 pounds with a portion-controlled diet and low-impact water workouts.
Mariah admitted she hated her body when she was heavy and has come to realize that eating less is critical for weight loss.
“Since having the babies, I realized that 90% of losing weight is my diet,” said Mariah, who has her own bestselling perfume line.
Carey, who at 45 doesn’t have a wrinkle on her face, said her anti-aging beauty secrets are sunscreen, hair masks and lip gloss.

“Always avoid the sun to save your skin from getting sun damage,” Mariah told Cosmo. “I can’t live without lip gloss, SPF30 tinted moisturizer and matte brown eyeshadow.”
To keep her shiny and strong, Carey uses moisturizing hair treatments to relieve split ends and keep her hair from getting dry.
“I love to use hair masks enriched with aloe vera and olive oil,” said Mariah. “And I swear by hair cholesterol treatments to keep it healthy and nourished.”

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: 8 Week Weight Loss Challenge!

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Will The 'DNA Diet' Be The Future Of Weight Loss?

What if your doctor could create a perfect diet, one based on your DNA, in order to help you lose weight?

To some people it may sound like a concept from the future. According to scientists, a diet customized for each and every person might actually be something that can be of help in the next five years. These genome-specific diets could be the answer for people trying to shed pounds where previous diets have failed.

Researchers, in a new study, analyzed genetic tests, research on weight fluctuations and genomic research to try and find a relationship between the two, which one again confirms the connection between obesity and genetics.

Moreover, in the study, multiple genes related to obesity were identified. But the researchers said it was unclear what the exact impact of each was on the human body. One gene, for example, appears to automatically store energy as fat rather than burning it through normal activity, but why?

The researchers said, although a genetic basis for obesity and body composition has been well established and also similar studies has provide evidence that a person’s genetic plays an important role in response to weight loss or weight gain.

By 2020, these DNA diets will likely be integrated into people weight management plans and as with more diets, will only be effective when combined with an exercise routine, said Dr. Molly Bray, geneticist and the study’s lead author.

Saliva sample provided by the patients will be analyzed so that to create a customize diets by using a computer algorithm. Moreover, together with a person DNA, their environment, activity, diet and stress levels will all be taken into consideration to create an ideal meal plan for the person.

When people are informed that their genetics may be enhancing their risk of obesity, in some cases this may motivates them to try harder to lose more weight.

Get some sleep: A weight-loss tip to take seriously

We realize the Internet is flooded with weight-loss tips. And there’s no way you could possibly adhere to all of them, especially considering more than a few contradict each other. Often the more out-there advice monopolizes the conversation (think infrared saunas, cryotherapy, and intermittent fasting), but health and wellness expert Dr. Frank Lipman reminds us that sometimes the simplest tip can have the biggest effect.
Lipman’s top weight-loss tip is one you’ve heard a thousand times, but you probably don’t take seriously — and you should, because there are mounds of scientific evidence backing it. The tip? Sleep. Before you write it off, find out how lack of sleep really affects your body.

Weight-Loss Resolution? Watch 'In Defense of Food' First

January is looming, and we all know what that means: A resolution to lose weight and get healthy. Just like the 2015 declaration. And the one before that.

What diet to choose this time? Low-fat? Low-carb? Gluten-free or prehistoric? Or just throw out the scale and surrender to fate and French fries?

Stop, take a breath and consider instead a seven-word alternative offered by prominent food writer Michael Pollan that embraces clarity and shuns extremism.

Here goes: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.

Behind that advice is a wealth of scientific, medical and anecdotal evidence as explored in the documentary "In Defense of Food," airing 9-11 p.m. EST Wednesday on PBS stations (check local listings).

Pollan is an amiable, engaging guide through a buffet line that includes the how and why of the modern diet, the ever-shifting barrage of confusing, conflicting decrees (Don't eat eggs! Eat eggs!) and, most importantly, realistic alternatives to chew over.

"The more I worked on this issue, the more I realized that painting things in black and white is not the way to help people move, because people move incrementally," said Pollan, whose books include "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" and "The Omnivore's Dilemma."

"Relaxing about our eating is really important, too. I don't want to make people more anxious about it," he added. "We already are made very anxious."

But there is reason for concern. A sharp rise in U.S. obesity and diabetes parallels our devotion to a diet heavy in meat, white flour and fat.

And sugar: We consume about 1,000 percent more of it per day than we did 200 years ago, Dr. Robert Lustig , a professor at the University of California, San Francisco, says in "In Defense of Food."

Among the guidelines Pollan offers in the documentary:

— "When I say, 'Eat food,' I'm basically saying eat the kinds of things that people have been eating for a long time," including meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and grains, but everything in moderation.

— Avoid supermarket center aisles that harbor the processed foods that Pollan labels "edible food-like substances" that don't deserve to be called food. "If it came from a plant, eat it. If it was made in a plant, don't," he says.

— Use smaller plates and glasses to reduce portions.

Pollan says his inclusion of meat — in limited quantities — hasn't made his approach popular with carnivores who feel he's dissing their choices or with vegetarians. But it reflects his approach to being a happy and healthy eater.

"Absolutism in the quest for food is a huge mistake," he said.

Even those eager to change their diet face daunting challenges. Processed foods are convenient, loaded with the salt, fat and sugar that "really push our evolutionary buttons" and are backed by multibillion-dollar marketing efforts, Pollan said.

And there are communities where residents have limited or no access to affordable and nourishing food (although the correlation between bad eating and such "food deserts" is more complicated than has been discussed, Pollan contends).

Whatever the obstacles, he refuses to give Americans a pass when it comes to making better choices.

Start by dropping misguided ideas and self-imposed restrictions, Pollan said. Food doesn't have to be local or even fresh to make the grade, with frozen and canned vegetables good nutritional choices. And try cooking instead of bringing home dinner in a fast-food box, even if it's just once a week to start.

Homemade meals can be economical as well as healthy, he said. They do take time and planning, but Pollan urges us to consider the payoff in our well-being.

"Part of my argument is this is so important its worth making a priority. When the (food) industry represents such an easy alternative, it's very attractive. But you can't let them set the agenda for you," he said.

Mariah Carey Strips Down & Flaunts Cleavage In Plunging Gold Bathing Suit In The Snow

 

 Even a little snow can’t stop Mariah Carey from stripping down and showing off her cleavage — and that’s just what she did in a sexy gold bathing suit! Did you love her sexy, festive style?
Mariah Carey, 45, is the ultimate ski bunny — and while most of us bundle up before we hit the slopes, the ultimate diva showed off her figure in nothing more than a gold plunging bathing suit as she stood up in a hot tub, all smiles with the wintery backdrop behind her. Mariah is practically the queen of Christmas, and her sexy holiday style has become a signature tradition — and her latest look in Aspen on Dec. 27 isn’t surprising in the slightest! What did you think of her sexy gold swimsuit? Mariah’s plunging gold bathing suit put her cleavage and her svelte frame on display — no wonder she was all smiles as she posed in the sexy silhouette! The songstress always heads to Aspen for Christmas, and that’s exactly where she was as she indulged in a little rest and relaxation in her festive swimsuit.

Trainers Pile on Lbs. - To Lose Weight Alongside Clients - in New Show Fit to Fat to Fit

On A&E's new reality show, Fit to Fat to Fit, 10 personal trainers aim to prove their weight loss strategies really work by taking their own advice – after intentionally gaining weight to lose it with their clients.

"I feel this deep need to help people," trainer JJ Peterson – who intentionally gains 60 lbs. for the show – says in an exclusive sneak peek. "I have done difficult things. I don't think any of those things are going to compare to this journey. I'm going to throw away years of fitness to adopt the lifestyle of my new client."

How will he lose the weight after intentionally gaining it? Peterson and other Fit to Fat to Fit trainers are sharing their best tips to effectively drop pounds and keep them off.

JJ Peterson: I'm never hungry and I'm never full. I'm constantly feeding my body what it needs all day long. This helps a ton with digestion and absorption. It also helps eliminate the peaks and valleys of energy some of us experience day to day.

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Katie Mack: If you're feeling unmotivated, follow your feet. Just walk into the gym, or start your run, or head to a class. Once you're there, you might as well start. Start off doing what you can do, and then slowly challenge yourself. Can you do 10 squats? Awesome! Then ask yourself, "Could I do two more?"

Corey Taylor: The best fitness equipment you have is your body. Putting together a circuit of body weight exercises like jumping jacks, high knees, leg lifts and squats for 15 minutes in the morning may seem simple, but it's highly effective. Ditch the equipment and be your own tool.

Fallon Mercedes: Always log your food! Sometimes you don't realize how much you actually eat until it's in black and white right in front of you. Food journals keep you in check by making you realize even the little things add up.

Seth Kaufmann: Eating a protein with every meal is extremely important for weight loss. It changes how your body metabolizes all the food you consume, keeps your energy levels more stable throughout the day, and gives you satiety longer.

Steve Pfiester: You can't compete with what you eat. Too many people rely on exercise for weight loss. The best way to lose weight is to restrict calories. The best way to get in shape is to work out.

Tramell Smith: The most effective workout is a deadlift session. It's the most bang for your buck exercise, and almost anyone can do them. Total body compound movement is the most effective at building muscle and burning fat.

Jump-Start Your 2016 Weight-Loss with "Fat-Burning Machine" Diet Tips

(NEW YORK) — With the New Year just days away, it may be time to jump-start your 2016 with the number one New Year’s resolution: losing weight.
Mike Berland, who authored Become a Fat-Burning Machine: The 12-Week Diet: Lose the Belly, End Sugar Cravings, Gain Energy, Overcome Metabolic Syndrome along with Gale Bernhardt, appeared on ABC News’ Good Morning America and shared his tips and recipes to help those who want to change their habits in 2016.
Watch the video below to learn more about his diet:

Medical weight loss—a new New Year's resolution

With the New Year approaching, people are reflecting on the past 12 months and looking forward to the next. As in years past, weight loss will top the list of resolutions for many Americans. Nearly a third of Americans resolved to lose weight in 2015 with another 37 percent committing to stay fit and healthy.
For some people, weight loss does not mean wanting to lose 5 pounds—it is a medical necessity. Weight loss resolutions that are destined to fail after the first month are not an option. Many of these people could increase their odds of success by seeking out expert assistance.

Growing support for medical weight loss

Recently, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association endorsed weight loss surgery as a means of improving the health of obese patients. This adds to existing support from other groups, including the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons.
 The recent increase in support for bariatric surgery is the result of an increased level of understanding about obesity and the dangers it presents. According to Dr. Catherine Beck of the Utah Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery, "Adults with severe obesity are at risk for other serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and certain cancers." This growing list of dangerous medical problems has caused many physicians and patients to evaluate the risks of obesity.

For most patients, the health risks associated with obesity outweigh any potential risks of weight loss surgery. Research has shown that patients who undergo weight loss surgery can live longer that an obese patient who does not have surgery. Weight loss surgery is now as safe as having your gallbladder removed. 

Resolving to lose weight

Physicians and their patients have long realized that obesity is accompanied by a long list of health concerns. For people in the "overweight" weight range, those weight loss goals can be achieved by eating healthy foods, controlling portion sizes, and engaging in regular physical exercise.
However, many patients in the "obese" weight range, with a body mass index greater than 30, will find that the traditional methods for achieving weight loss are insufficient or altogether ineffective. Due to genetic and metabolic factors, some people's bodies do not respond to diet and exercise in ways that allow for significant, sustained weight loss. Lifestyle factors—including demanding work and family schedules—can also make it very difficult for severely obese patients to lose weight by traditional means. These individuals may be good candidates for bariatric or weight loss surgery.
Of course, weight loss surgery isn't right for everyone. All patients considering bariatric surgery should consult with a qualified physician and should undergo a thorough evaluation. Many credible weight loss experts will provide a free initial consultation to determine whether or not a patient is a good candidate for surgical intervention.
As the New Year approaches, many Americans will be thinking about weight loss. If you, or someone you know, are making a New Year's Resolution to lose weight, talk to a medical weight loss specialist, or you primary care provider. Working with a bariatric surgeon may be a worthy, life-changing goal for the New Year for you and your family.

Otter Weightloss Launches New Website With Tips to Keeping Your Body Healthy

Staying in shape is as much about your mental game as it is about your physical prowess. It’s a philosophy Otter Weight Loss understands well, and have worked into the content they offer on their site. Their goal is to offer regular blogging that gives quality and up-to-date information on the latest health and fitness news, deals, tips, and insights that today’s health nut will find invaluable.

The reason www.otterweightloss.com are so good at gathering the highest-caliber fitness info on a regular basis is because they have a team of knowledgeable health professionals who are working around the clock to bring you the most relevant and quality content around. The blog is more than a list of everyday tips and tricks, it has real-world solutions to your problems. Sometimes it comes down to getting access to the perfect product, or sometimes it’s about connecting to a community that will help drive you forward. It’s up to you to find the engagement that will benefit most, but it’s their job to help you in your search.

Do we really appreciate how fortunate we are? Living on our remarkable planet, we have seafood, one of the finest foods you can think of, available in abundance. Seafood affords us the opportunity to have superb meals and at the same time provide us with numerous health benefits.

Take a look www.otterweightloss.com and you won’t be disappointed. They are always updating, so feel free to check back the next time you need a boost to your workout routine.

Health is the greatest of all possessions; a pale cobbler is better than a sick king.

Self Motivation is the First Step for Weight Loss

By: Sameer Shetty, MD

Obesity is a growing epidemic. More than one third (about 78 million) of U.S. adults are obese. This number is spiraling upwards so it is important for everyone to know the medical impact of this disease. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes and joint disease and it can even reduce life expectancy.
Obesity has been a hot topic for many years with a lot of information available. If you ask a health care professional, he or she will drown you in a plethora of words which sometimes make it more confusing. We all, however, acknowledge that this is a problem which impacts everyone in some form or another. We ask our health care providers about losing weight but we hear the same advice; eat healthy and exercise. As we see our physicians for our annual physicals, we make this an annual ritual. We all make New Year’s resolutions which are forgotten by the end of the first week of January. We let time go by and fail to lose weight, until it becomes a gigantic problem.
Yes, some of us are able to make better choices in our lifestyles regarding food and exercise but the majority fall through the trap of our stressful lifestyles. I have been overweight and have worked very hard on my weight. As a physician, I have all the resources and knowledge at my disposal and yet I find it hard to tackle this issue. It all comes down to the daily choices I make; getting 30 minutes of exercise a day, avoiding that delicious pie on the dinner table, drinking water instead of soda.
I have come to believe that the most important thing is to acknowledge, educate and self-motivate. My goal with patients is to first, acknowledge there is a problem. Obesity management is a lifestyle change and that motivation for change can only come from the inner self. Most patients’ weight loss success stories have one common thread; they were all motivated to make a change in their lives. They all experienced resistance or challenges in their path, but they stuck to their goals. There is no magical solution which will take all the weight away.
If you are ready to get serious about losing weight, a medical weight loss program can provide a safe, reliable and non-surgical option. Medical weight loss is a physician-directed weight management program which combines FDA-approved medications and healthy lifestyle strategies to target the root causes of obesity and weight gain. These strategies, along with continuing support from your health care providers, friends and family, can help you achieve and sustain a healthy weight. But as I mentioned, the most important person in the whole process is you, the individual, who has decided to lose that weight.


Dr. Sameer Shetty is a board certified Internal Medicine physician who takes special interest in managing obesity related conditions. His office Premier Primary Care and Wellness is located in Suite 203, Medical Arts Building, 3 Hospital Plaza, Old Bridge, NJ. Call 732-210-8165 or visit www.sameershettymd.com to make an appointment or for more information. 

Are Pecans the Perfect Weight-Loss Snack?

 Raw or roasted, pecans are one of the best foods for supporting a healthy body weight. They’re an incredible, nutrient-dense food that satisfies your hunger, keeps calories low, and stimulates your metabolism. Pecans also supply protein, antioxidants, and more than 19 vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium. As a weight-loss snack, they simply can’t be beat!

The Nuts Paradox

For years, the medical authorities warned against eating nuts because of their high fat and energy content. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutritionnoted, “nuts are a high-fat, energy-dense food, but the evidence indicates that they pose little challenge to and may even aid weight management.” ^[1] This apparent contradiction is commonly called the “nuts paradox.”

It turns out, when it comes to your weight, pecans are one of the best foods you can eat. These tasty nuts contain high amounts of healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly called PUFAs. The research shows people who get a lot of these PUFAs tend to have lower body weight. A review of 31 studies found people who ate nuts regularly had slimmer waists and had an easier time keeping weight off. ^[2]

Pecans: Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss

In even a snack size serving of pecans, you get a big dose of important minerals like calcium and potassium and essential vitamins like C, A, and the B-complex that supports energy. But it’s the vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium in pecans that help with weight loss.

Together, vitamin E and vitamin K build red blood cells that increase oxygen availability to your cells and increases metabolism. Vitamin E also helps build muscle, and by replacing muscle more efficiently, your muscles work better and you increase your lean muscle mass. A study involving 246 participants found those with higher vitamin E levels had less abdominal obesity. ^[3]

Zinc improves the way you use and metabolize sugar. ^[4] This prevents fat buildup and keeps the pounds off. Plus, zinc supports your immune system and wound healing.

And magnesium contributes to more than 300 different metabolic functions throughout your body. It plays a role in how quickly your body converts glucose into energy. In this way, it creates more energy and keeps your blood sugar low. Studies have found people who increase their magnesium lose weight faster and have a more active metabolism that helps maintain a healthy weight.

Antioxidant Properties in Organic Pecans

Out of 277 foods and nuts tested for antioxidant value by the USDA, pecans rank #1. These antioxidants keep your cells safe from free radicals that would disrupt the systems that regulate your metabolism. The powerful antioxidant beta-sitosterol makes up 90% of the antioxidants in pecans.

Vitamin E also plays a role. In addition to its role in metabolism, it’s also a powerful antioxidant. Two of the eight different forms of vitamin E, the alpha- and gamma-tocopherol found in pecans, also act as antioxidants and clear the blood of dangerous free radicals.

What Can a Handful of Nuts Do for You?

As reported in both the Harvard Gazette and the New England Journal of Medicine, nut eaters are more slender. ^[5]

Pecans contain protein and fatty acids that make you feel full while supplying you with rich nutrients. And on top of that, you get vitamins and minerals that help regulate blood sugar and stimulate your metabolism. If you want to take full advantage of all the benefits of eating pecans is best to consume organic pecans.

In the comments below, tell us about the snacks you enjoy that help you maintain a healthy weight.

'Bringing Up Bates' Season 3 Spoilers: Wedding Fails And Family Weight Loss Challenge

(Photo : UP Network) The Bates Family, stars of "Bringing up Bates," will debut season three of their reality series on Up TV in January.
"Bringing Up Bates" will feature the upcoming wedding of Michaella Bates as the core story of season three, but that doesn't mean the season will be any less entertaining with its myriad of other vignettes.
The past year has been one of enormous change and growth for the Bates.
In the Season 3 premiere, the Bates clan rallies together to help Michaella finally find the wedding dress of her dreams.
Later, the family braves a stormy outdoor wedding for Kelly Jo's sister and celebrates Gil's dad, Papa Bill, with an awesome 4th of July birthday party!
As the series moves into its second episode, Michaella's wedding takes center stage as her parents, Gil and Kelly Jo, wager to see who can get in shape to look their best for the big day.
Kelly Jo enlists daughter Tori to motivate her and help with workouts, Gil finds that his coach, son Lawson, uses a more hands-off approach to whipping him into shape.
A preview of the new season was published on the family's official page on the UP website.
According to the show's official website, the new season of "Bringing Up Bates" begins with both excitement for the family as the clan readied for Michaella Bates' wedding to Brandon Keilen.
Viewers of the series will have a front-row seat at the huge 800-guest wedding, including some Duggar pals in attendance.
The Bates family has a longstanding friendship with the Duggar clan of "19 Kids and Counting."
The two families met during a homeschooling conference many years ago and remain close.
It will be a tearful moment for Michaella, who will leave the family homestead and move to a new home with her husband in Chicago.
"With 19 kids, three grandchildren, a multitude of incredible personalities, and never ending love, there's a lot going on in this fun and loving family," said Amy Winter, general manager and executive vice president of UP TV in a press release.
"Bring Up Bates" season 3 debuts Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. EST on UP

Oprah Winfrey Motivates People to Become Their Best Selves in Weight Watchers Commercial: "If ...

Oprah Winfrey knows how hard it can be to lose weight—and to keep it off.

In October, the television titan announced that she became a spokesperson for Weight Watchers just after she purchased 10 percent of the company's shares. Following in the footsteps of the brand's previous celebrity spokespeople (Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Hudson, Sarah Ferguson, Jenny McCarthy and Lynn Redgrave), Winfrey filmed a commercial to promote her partnership. The U.K.'s advertisement was released via YouTube on Christmas Eve, and Winfrey's U.S. campaign is expected to roll out soon.

The one-minute video shows Winfrey sitting in a chair and explaining why she joined Weight Watchers. "Inside every overweight woman is a woman she knows she can be. Many times you look in the mirror and you don't even recognize your own self because you got lost—buried—in the weight that you carry. Nothing you've ever been through is wasted, so every time I tried and failed, every time I tried again, and every time I tried again, has brought me to this most powerful moment to say, 'If not now, when?'" says Winfrey, whose best friend Gayle King is also a member. "I feel that way, and I know million son other people feel that way. Are you ready? Let's do this together."


VIDEO: What Oprah Winfrey did to stay out of jail

Winfrey joined the program in August and lost 15 lbs. by the time she appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in late October. "I am excited about Weight Watchers being able to bring a healthier more holistic approach for everybody," she told Ellen DeGeneres.

In November, during a conference call with analysts, Weight Watchers CEO Jim Chambers confirmed that Winfrey "will be part of the upcoming winter season marketing effort, inviting prospective members to join her on her journey." The partnership is already seeing returns, he added. "We have seen significant improvement in visitors to our website, which has translated into a strong response in the business," Chambers said.

Winfrey's involvement with Weight Watchers isn't just making her thinner—it's making her richer. The 61-year-old's stake in the company was worth $43.2 million the day she bought it. As of November, that investment was valued at more than $145 million.

Weight Loss Surgery May Weaken Bones

Certain types of bariatric or weight loss surgery aren't risk-free according to a recently conducted Taiwan-based study. Some surgical procedures may actually make your bones increasingly fragile heightening the risks for fractures.
While surgeries like the gastric bypass help extremely overweight patients kick obesity for good by deliberately lowering the amount of food the stomach can take in, patients also run the risk of getting a reduced intake of important nutrients needed to fight off osteoporosis.

"The commonly lost nutrients are vitamin D and calcium, which are related to the development of osteoporosis. And maybe there are other mechanisms associated with the development of fracture," told Dr. Kuo-Chin Huang of National Taiwan University, the study's lead author as quoted saying by Reuters.

The research involved a comparison of 2, 064 obese patients who had weight loss surgeries and 5, 027 similar patients who never had surgeries between 2001 and 2009.

The Taiwanese experts found out in their study that patients who underwent bariatric surgery had 21% greater risk of having bone fractures in the next five years according to a published article by Northern Californian.

The researchers, however, clarified that only the 'malabsorptive' type of procedures- those that block the absorption of food nutrients such as the gastric bypass- are the ones that significantly raise the risk of having weakened bones.

On the other hand, the 'restrictive' type of surgeries- those that simply limit the intake of food- are not linked to fracture risk.

But not all weight loss experts are convinced. Some critics noticed that most of the reported fracture increases were in the long bones of the arms and legs and not in areas where osteoporosis was more common.

"If you are seeing more ... leg fractures and stuff in patients that had bariatric surgery, I would argue this might actually be a result of the fact that these patients are exercising more - maybe they had fallen off their bicycles when they are trying to lose weight," remarked Dr. Andrew Duffy, of Connecticut's Yale-New Haven Health System as mentioned by Citizen Digital.

PeaceHealth Medicare patients get help with weight loss

By Columbian staff writer
Published: December 28, 2015, 6:01 AM

Roy Schneider hasn’t always been overweight. In fact, he’s been thin most of his life.
But five years ago, after undergoing cancer treatment, his weight ballooned to 290 pounds. That weight gain was enough to scare the Vancouver man into action.
In the last eight months, the 71-year-old has lost nearly 35 pounds and brought his body-mass index — a measurement of body fat based on height and weight — down from 42.1 to 37.1. A BMI of 30 or greater is considered obese.
He’s accomplished the feat by setting — and reaching — diet and exercise goals and regularly meeting with dietitians.
And Medicare has paid for the program.
“This is a wonderful program,” Schneider said. “I can’t imagine getting on anything better.”
“It’s a godsend for me,” he added.
Schneider is one of 62 people who have participated in PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity program — a Medicare-covered one-on-one counseling program with registered dietitians.
The program pairs eligible adults with dietitians who help them set goals, take steps to reach those goals and lose weight — all with the aim of bringing their BMI down low enough to no longer be considered obese.
“Medicare started this to not only help people lose weight, but also to help people improve their quality of life,” said Chris Collins, one of two PeaceHealth Medical Group registered dietitians participating in the program.
Medicare approved the benefit back in 2011, and PeaceHealth Medical Group began offering the program in 2013.
The program is open to adults who have Medicare Part A or Part B and a BMI of 30 or greater.
Medicare covers a maximum of 22 one-on-one sessions in a 12-month period. The 15-minute sessions are every week for the first month and every other week for months two through six.
During those sessions, the dietitian and patient work together to set diet, exercise and behavior goals. They also review the participant’s diet and exercise log and discuss obstacles to their success.
“It’s very individualized,” Collins said.
Participants need to lose 6.6 pounds in the first six months in order to remain in the program. If that requirement is met, the counseling sessions are once a month. Those who don’t meet that goal can re-enroll in the program after a six-month waiting period.
Participants can continue in the program as long as they meet the requirements. But once their BMI drops below 30, they are no longer eligible for the program.
“The minute they’re under 30, they’re no longer eligible,” Collins said. “And it’s a shame.”
Someone with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 is still considered overweight. Some program participants who drop below 30 could probably go on to get healthier and lose more weight, but they don’t get the support of the program, Collins said.
Karen Marcacci of Washougal enrolled in the program in May with a BMI of about 34. She phased out of the program at the end of September, but she enrolled in Weight Watchers in an effort to keep her weight-loss momentum rolling.
Since May, Marcacci has lost 25 pounds and brought her BMI down to 27. Her cholesterol has come down, her energy levels are up and her joints are no longer bothering her. Now, she’s a healthy 77-year-old, she said.
“I’m no longer obese,” Marcacci said. “I’m just fat. I can live with that.”
“I’m enjoying feeling well,” she added.
Marcacci isn’t the typical program participant, though. She’s one of only nine people who have phased out of the program because their BMI dropped below 30.
Like Marcacci, the majority of participants begin with a BMI above 32. But about 23 percent of the participants have been removed from the program because they gained weight and another 29 percent didn’t lose the required 6.6 pounds, Collins said.
For some patients, their progress was hampered by other medical issues — one patient needed knee surgery, for example, and couldn’t exercise. Others just weren’t in the right mindset for weight loss, Collins said.
But 16 percent of participants lost 6 to 10 pounds with the program, 13 percent lost 11 to 15 pounds, and another 13 percent lost 16 to 20 pounds. The remaining 6 percent lost more than 21 pounds.
Collins had to scale back her expectations when she started the program. She hoped to see big weight loss in her patients but soon realized that’s not always realistic. Many of the program participants have complex medical issues and are limited physically due to arthritis or other joint issues, she said.
“We may not have great weight losses,” Collins said. “But 10 pounds off someone, it improves their breathing. It improves their blood pressure. It helps them move better. It improves their quality of life.”

Weight-loss classes for children being offered by Merseyside charity

Overweight Boy aged 6-8 pinching fat around his waist

A charity is attempting to counteract the UK’s growing obesity epidemic by providing free weight-loss classes for children.

The classes are run by Fre-Set, an innovative volunteer-run weight-loss organisation in St Helens that launched two years ago.

The classes normally consist of around 16, 11 to 13-year-olds, although some participants may be slightly older or younger.

During a session healthy eating messages are combined with fun exercises - including playground and theatre-based games. Often parents take part too.

The week-day classes usually run for an hour and fifteen minutes but Fre-Set has organised day-long workshops during school holidays too.

St Helens-based David Russiano is one of the founders of Fre-Set. He told the ECHO that the classes are less about getting children to lose weight but more about “getting them excited by healthy eating.”

Group of Nutritious fruit and vegetables organic for healthy

He said: “We find it difficult to engage children in healthy eating as it’s not a fascinating topic, so we tie the messages up with high energy games and activities.

David, who used to run the Merseyside Youth Theatre, said he chose to focus the classes on 11 to 13-year-olds as “at that age we can get them interested in both the activities and the more intellectual side”.

According to data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, 25.2% of year six children in St Helens are either overweight or obese.

The ‘St Helens Health and Well-being Pupil Survey’ (March 2013) also found that only 13% of secondary school pupils eat five or more fruit and vegetables portions per day

David said: “We wanted to create something that is as commonplace as Scouts and Brownies, but while they focus on camping and cooking skills we do fun activities with a focus on healthy eating and fitness.

“These types of classes are much more important now than ever before.”

David is aware that there’s a “careful line” to be drawn when promoting weight-loss classes for children. He said: “Whether we put ‘weight-loss’ in the adverts depends who’s reading them. We phrase the ads in different ways depending if they’re read by parents or children. But we’ve never faced any sort of backlash.”

8 healthy drinks for weight loss

It is really important to see what's in your glass as much as to see what's on your plate. People always concentrate on what they are eating but ignore what they are drinking. There are people who eat healthy, but ruin it all by drinking sugary drinks like soft drinks and sodas.

According to nutritionists, even if you do not follow a strict diet plan, choosing the right drink will help you lose weight. Here are some healthy options.

Water 
This is the best drink ever! Drinking more water will help you in losing more weight than you're actually losing. You can add lemon to make it healthier. Make sure you drink lemon water before your workout session. This will help in burning more fat.

Vegetable Soup
Full of nutrition, it boosts your metabolism. Drinking vegetable soup before dinner will help consume fewer calories.

Green Tea
Green tea extracts are useful for weight control and help to regulate glucose in body. If you can have 2 cups of green tea daily, it will benefit you even more. Green tea protects the body against various diseases and thus improves our immune system too!

Vegetable Juice
It has same benefits as vegetable soup. You can drink juice in summer season and soup in winter season. Just ensure that it is low on sodium.

Black Coffee 
Black coffee also boosts your metabolism. It helps in reducing fat at a faster rate and increases your energy levels. Black coffee contains caffeine which helps in burning more calories even when you're resting. But having it on an empty stomach and more than twice a day may actually impact your metabolism negatively.

Skimmed Milk
Skimmed milk is rich in lean protein, Vitamin D and calcium which keep your bones stronger. The main reason why you should have it is, you get your daily dose of vitamins without adding to calories.

Many of the prints were given to Deepak Puri, former photo editor of Time-Life News Service's South Asia bureau, by photographers out of respect and affection

Red handprints frame Australian photographer Stephen Dupont's 2001 photo of a woman wading through the waters during the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage that takes place every 12 years.

On it, Dupont - who for two decades has travelled the world, shooting for publications such as Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone - has scrawled a mock suicide note and fond words for Deepak Puri, the legendary general manager and photo editor of Time-Life News Service's South Asia bureau.

"A damn good bloke!" writes Dupont. "Thank you... would be an insult!"

His photo is one of more than a hundred that make up the Deepak Puri Collection, a stunning chronicle of defining moments and personalities from the past two decades.

And with most of the photos in the collection signed and addressed to Puri, they are also testament to his friendship with some of the biggest names in photojournalism, among them Sebastiao Salgado, Raghu Rai and Steve McCurry.

Puri, 63, this year donated most of the photos he has amassed over 25 years to the Museum of Art and Photography in Bangalore. The collection, which is travelling around India , can also be viewed online.

From war photographer James Nachtwey's sobering photos of the 1992 famine in Somalia to Diane Barker's 1997 photo of the Dalai Lama, hands clasped in deep meditation, his collection of photos used to plaster the walls of his Delhi office.

Puri, who retired seven years ago, says: "I remember very fondly the compliments paid by Steve McCurry, Jim Nachtwey and Raghu Rai during their visits to my office. They would say, 'Deepak, nobody in the world has this kind of photo collection. It is exclusive.'"

When Dupont stopped by in 2001, after covering the pilgrimage, he was amazed by the collection.

"He wanted to thank me for my help during his Kumbh assignment and offered me a couple of prints for my gallery," says Puri, who is married with two children. "I jokingly told him that if you want to see your photos hung here, then send your prints with a 'suicide note', which he literally did."

Puri has long been regarded by correspondents from all corners of the world - regardless of their publication - as fixer and handyman, mover and shaker, jetting photographers in and out of dangerous places, and winning their regard and fierce admiration.

When Salgado was stuck in the Congo looking for a helicopter ride, Puri made that happen.

In thanks, photojournalists would travel to Puri's office, offering up prints for his collection.

Loved for his generosity and perseverance, Puri says he had always hoped to make his collection public. And in the Museum of Art and Photography, he found a good and caring home.

He says simply: "I wanted to share my 20th-century archive of iconic photos with students and lovers of photography all over the world... My dream of sharing is fulfilled."

Khloe Kardashian Flashes Nude Butt After 35-Pound Weight Loss: Diet And Workout Tips

Khloe Kardashian flashed her naked butt on Instagram to promote her new reality show, “Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian.” A premiere date has not yet been set.

Khloe said her sister Kendall Kenner had snapped the nude photo when they vacationed together in St. Barths recently.

“Even though I’ve worked really hard on my mind and body to get to this point, I am still shocked I had the courage to do this shoot,” Kardashian wrote on her subscription-based website.

Khloe said her recent 35-pound weight loss has given her a hot “revenge body” that’s she’s very proud of.

“It’s for all my critics who called me ‘the fat one’ for my entire existence,” said Khloe.

On her upcoming show, “Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian,” Khloe coaches other people to lose weight and transform their looks.

Khloe Kardashian’s weight loss secrets are waist training, a dairy-free diet and 5-day-a-week workouts. (Photos: Women’s Health)

“Looking great is always the best revenge,” said Khloe. “It’s so exciting to be able to mentor these people through their full-body makeovers and I can’t wait to see the incredible results at their final reveals!”

Khloe, who has been called “Sasquatch,” “Bigfoot” and “ugly sister,” credited rigorous workouts, waist training and a dairy-free diet for her dramatic weight loss, Examiner reported.

Khloe shared her diet, workout and happiness secrets with fans in her book, Strong Looks Better Naked.

Khloe reveals her weight loss, diet, exercise and happiness tips in her book.

Kardashian said her daily diet typically looks like this:

• Breakfast at 5 a.m. – “A huge glass of water followed by black coffee.”

• Snack at 11 a.m. – Apple with peanut butter or nuts.

• Lunch: Chinese chicken salad, more water and and chopped vegetables.

• Dinner at 7 p.m. – Steamed vegetables and fish.

• Evening snack – Greek yogurt and fruit.

Khloe snacks on pre-cut vegetables and fruits like strawberries and blackberries during the day and drinks almond milk instead of regular cow’s milk, which she says causes bloating and weight gain.

Kardashian said she was overweight for many years because of her mindless snacking and emotional overeating. “I was a mindless eater,” Khloe wrote in Strong Looks Better Naked.

“I ate for comfort. I also ate out of boredom and habit. I ate when I was unhappy. I even ate chips because I love the crunchy sound they make. And I didn’t give much thought to what I was eating, or what I was putting inside my body.”

Khloe lost 35 pounds with a dairy-free diet, waist training and rigorous daily gym workouts. (Photo: Instagram)

Khloe said her 35-pound weight loss was sweet revenge against fat-shamers who have criticized her body and weight over the years.

“It’s for all my critics who called me ‘the fat one’ for my entire existence,” said Kardashian.

Khloe, who has been called “Sasquatch,” “Bigfoot” and “ugly sister,” said working out regularly became a habit after she kept it up for three months.

While Khloe loves the weight loss she has experienced, she says exercise relieves her anxiety and depression. Kardashian added that she exercises a lot because she loves to eat.

“I’m a foodie,” said Khloe. “If I could control what I eat, I would have the best body ever, but because I have no self-control I have to work harder. I would rather work out harder and eat what I want, in moderation.”

In addition to rigorous workouts, Kardashian says regular corset waist training has helped her get flat abs.

Khloe and her sisters Kourtney and Kim Kardashian also do corset waist training to flatten their abs and slim down their waistline, as Celebrity Health & Fitness previously reported.

Waist training (or the Corset Diet), is a weight loss trend some women use to winnow down their midsection.

“This is a remarkable way to train your waist to be smaller,” said plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Sinclair, who claims some of his patients have lost up to six inches.

Kim Kardashian says wearing a waist trainer gave her an hourglass body. (Photos: Instagram)

Khloe’s sister Kim said she wore a waist trainer to bed every night to make her waist smaller ahead of her May 2014 wedding to Kanye West.

The measure sounds drastic, but actress Jessica Alba credited wearing double corsets around the clock for three months for her dramatic weight loss after each of her two pregnancies.

Natalie Portman Channels Jackie Kennedy: Her Vegan Diet, Beauty And Makeup Secrets

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Natalie Portman looks eerily like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in a newly released photo from the movie “Jackie,” which comes out in 2017.

In the stunning photo, Natalie wears the red wool Christian Dior dress Jackie O wore when she gave a televised tour of the White House in 1962.

Jackie’s days in the White House were tragically cut short after husband, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in 1963.

Portman’s movie will chronicle Jacqueline’s marriage to JFK, her wedding to Greek shipping billionaire Aristotle Onassis, and her later years as a New York City socialite and philanthropist.

Portman, who lives in Paris with her French ballet dancer/choreographer husband Benjamin Millepied, looks radiant at 34.

Natalie’s beauty secrets are a vegan diet and anti-aging wrinkle creams that help her maintain her radiant glow, as Celebrity Health & Fitness previously reported.

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“Diet is a big part of it,” said Natalie. “I’m vegan, and I drink a lot of water. If I have dairy, I break out immediately.”

Portman, 34, resists eating cheese and croissants even though she lives in Paris.

“All the baked goods are made with butter, so I don’t have croissants either, which is a challenge,” said Natalie.

Natalie Portman joins a long list of celebrity vegans, who credit the 100% plant-based diet for its weight loss and anti-aging beauty benefits. Other celebrity vegans include Beyonce, Carrie Underwood and Demi Moore.

Beyonce’s longtime trainer, Marco Borges, said The 22-Day Revolution diet helped Beyonce lose 65 pounds several months after she gave birth to daughter Blue Ivy in 2012

The 5-foot-7 Beyonce, who once weighed 195 pounds, has since maintained her weight loss and looks better than ever.

Beyonce lost 65 pounds in 6 months with a vegan diet.

Portman said her makeup and beauty secrets are simple. Below are Natalie’s must-have makeup and skincare products:

• Diorskin Star Concealer. “I’ve got dark circles, and my eyes look closed when I wake up. So I use Diorskin Star Concealer—that saves me—and Diorshow mascara.”
• Lucas’ Papaw Ointment. “You can use this Australian balm for everything. Just put it anywhere that’s dry.”
• Dior Addict Lip Glow. “This is amazing because it brings out your own lip color, and it’s super-moisturizing.”
• Dr. Bronner’s Lavender Castile Soap. “I like these fair-trade liquid allover body soaps. This lavender is a good one.”