Game-changing fitness challenge helps Aussie women lose 10kgs while still eating ice cream
If the thought of stepping into swimmers feels you with dread — you're not alone.
But what if we told you there's an effective weight loss solution, that still allows you to eat and drink all your favourite things?
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
That's exactly what mum of two Kayla did to shed 10kgs of weight, all while managing thyroid dysfunction and hashimotos.
Her journey began when she joined Train With Ash's Free 5 Day Fat Loss Challenge, and after the short program 'blew her mind,' Kayla continued on with the 12 week program.
This non-restrictive plan focuses on the mindset, fitness and non-restrictive dieting to achieve incredible tranformations.
'Before TWA, mentally I was not in a great place and I was incredibly unhappy,' says Kayla.
'Physically I knew I needed to change I hated what I looked like, I didn't want my hubby to see me. I really just needed something else to focus on so I could get out of the rut I was in.'
Fast-forward to today and Kayla says since joining Train With Ash she feels 'empowered.'
' Seeing the results of this program just confirms that I can do hard things! By doing this program I feel like anything that is thrown my way I can do it or I can make it happen.'
After shedding 10kgs, Kayla says that her health journey has not only improved the way she feels about her body, but it's also improved her relationship with her husband too.
Unlike traditional programs that rely on restrictions, Train With Ash is designed to fit into the lives of busy, everyday women, especially mums juggling it all.
Founded by Ash Lane, the multi-million-dollar coaching business changes the lives (and waistlines) of thousands joining the 12-week weight loss program.
Rather than restriction, deprivation and tactics, Train With Ash focuses on the mindset, fitness and non-restricitive dieting.
'I had no doubt training and eating well would change my physical appearance but to feel how I look was something I never thought would be possible,' says Kayla.
Changing the lives of thousands of Aussies, Training With Ash empowers clients through education, flexibility, and sustainable habits - not punishment.
With a massive online community, transformational results, and a waitlist growing by the day, Train With Ash is one of Australia's most impactful women's health programs.
To achieve your own incredible transformation, TWA is hosting commencing the next FREE 5-Day Fat Loss Forever Challenge May 5.
A great way to kickstart a healthier version of yourself, be sure to get in quick to join 5,000 women joining the program.
The last intake sold out in just 48 hours, with women across Australia calling the program 'life-changing,' 'refreshing,' and 'the first thing that actually worked.'
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7 hours ago
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Robotic surgery at St Vincent's Hospital saves Melbourne man's voice and ability to eat
Melbourne man has had his voice and his life saved by cutting-edge robotic surgery, performed in a world-first procedure at St Vincent's Hospital. Jordan Robotis works in before-and-after-school care and said it all started around Christmas time. 'I sort of was noticing my voice was kind of changing,' he said. 'And then further down, my cousins noticed that there was a lump in my throat. So then I got that checked out from the doctors.' Initially, he said: 'They were a little bit unsure about it,' and after ultrasounds, CT scans and a biopsy, he ended up at St Vincent's Hospital. 'They were able to give me a better understanding of what it actually was,' Robotis said. 'They also put a camera in my nose and into my throat and I was able to actually see the tumour, which was pretty confronting.' The tumour was in a highly complex part of the throat, located between the voice box, tongue and side wall of the throat where critical nerves and arteries are tightly packed. 'I was a little bit, I guess, in shock,' Robotis said. 'Sort of unsure on what it is because obviously you hear about it, you see it everywhere. But when it's you, it's a little bit confronting.' 'You sort of go into survival mode... What do we do now?' After being told at another hospital he might never speak or eat again, Robotis was referred to St Vincent's Professor Ben Dixon, Director of the ENT Head and Neck Service. 'They actually did tell me that I'd lose my voice completely. I would never speak again. I'd never eat again. I would have a feeding tube, all that fun stuff,' Robotis said. 'They said they would do their best to avoid all of those, I guess, critical parts and from what I heard, they were one of the best at what they do.' Professor Dixon told 7NEWS the surgery required 'complete removal with a margin around it,' but the challenge was to preserve critical functions such as breathing, swallowing, speech and voice. 'With a more standard or larger approach… it may have left him with more swallowing dysfunction, voice dysfunction, even potentially requiring a permanent breathing tube,' he said. The team used the da Vinci robot to operate from the inside of the throat outward. 'We were able to go in through the mouth, define the limits of exactly where the tumour was, make precise cuts around the lining of the throat and the voice box so that we could maintain function in as much of it as possible,' Professor Dixon explained. 'Then we were able to go externally through the neck and remove it knowing that we'd made the internal cuts in all the right areas.' 'You need to get it all out in the one go… If you leave bits behind or have positive margins, that could be a disaster.' Jordan had no idea the surgery would be done by a robot. 'I was a little bit unsure at the beginning because obviously you don't really expect to be hearing something like that,' he said. 'But I had full trust and faith in the medical team, so I didn't really stress too much. I knew I was in good hands.' After the tumour was removed, plastic surgeon Dr Edwin Morrison used the Simani microsurgical robot to help reconstruct the area using tissue from Jordan's thigh. 'It's one of a kind. There is no alternative to it,' Dr Morrison said. 'It provides us with unparalleled abilities to operate at the microscopic level. Some would say superhuman. It's probably not that unreasonable to put it that way.' He explained the tissue transfer involved repairing blood vessels just 1mm to 1.5mm in diameter. 'We're restoring a circulation or bringing it back to life, if you will,' he said. 'The confidence in repairing vessels… less than one to one and a half millimetres, is not there (without robotics).' Dr Morrison said their goal was simple. 'At the end of the day, we reconstruct defects, we restore form and function - but what it's really all about is restoring patients… and in Jordan's case, their quality of life after their treatment,' he said. The operation took place on May 5th. Recovery was not easy. 'Coming out of surgery, I was in all sorts. It was a lot. It was probably the hardest few weeks of my life,' Robotis said. 'But after getting out of the first few weeks and coming home, it was a lot easier to kind of start healing.' He's now focused on getting his strength back. Returning to the operating theatre where he underwent his surgery 7NEWS was there as Jordan thanked his doctors for saving his voice and his life. 'I guess… thank you. Just for everything they've done. Just how efficiently and quickly it all kind of happened,' he said. 'That's all I can really appreciate is that I'm here.' Professor Dixon said the case highlights how robotic-assisted surgery is transforming outcomes for patients. 'Jordan being a young man with a tumour in a difficult spot… it's a great example of how using technology in the right case can really allow someone to live with a very high quality of life,' he said. 'And really importantly, offer this to as many people in the public as possible.' And if you're still unsure about robots in the operating room? 'The surgeon still controls the robot,' Professor Dixon explained. 'It is not an automated robot. It's fully controlled by a surgeon.'
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
"I was a high-functioning drinker": the silent risk few know about
A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A popular consumable entrenched in Australian culture may make us feel good at the time, but it's slowly destroying our health, yet the federal government's known for decades. Reaching for a bottle of pinot or a can of tasty pale ale may come with confronting warnings (just as cigarettes do) in the near future, with experts pushing for the truth to be brought into the light. In 1988, alcohol was revealed to be as toxic as asbestos, radiation and tobacco, and labelled a Group 1 carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet it's a widely unknown fact. Read more from The Senior: Cancer survivor Belinda Stark, 56, from Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, described herself as a "high-functioning heavy drinker" before becoming sober three years ago. She now wonders whether her lifestyle contributed to her diagnosis. "I was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, and I knew there was a slight [cancer] risk, but I chose to put my head in the sand and continue to drink," the women's alcohol coach said. "My GP, radiologists, oncologists and surgeons - not one ever asked me how much I drank or if I should stop drinking." Ms Stark is concerned others battling cancer still aren't being warned of the dangers of drinking alcohol, or if it puts them at a higher risk of the disease returning. "A lot of women my age treat it as a reward or an escape," she said. "[Especially women with menopause], alcohol was like pouring gas on the fire." Around one in three people (31per cent or 6.6 million Aussies) aged 14 and over consumed alcohol at risky levels in 2022-2023, according to the 2022-2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). Researchers from the University of NSW are pushing the Federal Government for mandatory warning labels on all alcohol products so people can make informed choices. University of NSW Research Officer of the Drug Policy Modelling Program, Dr Sarah Clifford, said the labels were more 'palatable' than reducing trading hours or price increases. "People like to be able to make their own decisions and I think providing evidence on a label is a good way to enable that," she said. Dr Clifford added that labels don't victim-blame and were accessible to everyone. In 2019, Canada had a short-lived campaign putting cancer warning labels on alcohol, before the alcohol industry threatened to sue. At the same time, South Korea warned of liver cancer on its alcohol products. But in a world first, Ireland pledged in 2018 it would mandate labels stating "a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers" on all alcohol products from May 2026, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International. This has now been delayed three years after the alcohol industry lobbied the Government and fears of increased trade tariffs with the USA, according to the Irish Post. Cancer Institute NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Professor Tracey O'Brien told The Senior it's the ethanol in alcohol that is the cancer-causing compound because when the body breaks it down, it becomes "a toxic chemical which can damage the DNA of cells". "Drinking alcohol is linked to eight different types of cancer including breast, liver and stomach cancer and causes an estimated 5800 cancer cases in Australia each year," she said. The other cancers linked to alcohol consumption are mouth, throat, larynx (voice box), esophagus and bowel. Caroline Bellenger, 56, from the Gold Coast, gave up drinking 16 years ago after it nearly "destroyed" her life. "I just partied a lot right through to my 30s," she said. "I wouldn't have stopped drinking if there had been labels because I smoked too and I knew that was bad." But after drinking more at home after the birth of her child, Ms Bellenger became addicted and checked into rehab. Now she has a life full of fitness, a successful business as a corporate wellness speaker, and "positive relationships". "I've lost a father and a brother to cancer, but I never, at any point, connected alcohol to cancer," she said. Ms Bellenger believes the younger generation are now more health-conscious and having labels could impact them. Cancer Council Deputy Chair of Nutrition, Alcohol and Physical Activity Committee, Julia Stafford, said it's "very well established" that alcohol causes cancer and it wouldn't cost the Government much to implement warning labels. "It's a no-brainer for governments to be working towards requiring the alcohol industry to include mandated, standardised, tested, noticeable health warning messages on alcohol products," she said. Ms Stafford said both the alcohol and advertising industries are "largely left to write their own rules" on how alcohol is marketed, especially around sport. "That does nothing to protect the community ... particularly young people," she said. Many consumers of alcohol have been led to believe certain types are healthy - such as products that are low in carbs, gluten-free, have antioxidants or are low in sugar. But as long as a drink contains the alcohol, it is considered unhealthy, according to research. "The only people who benefit from that myth that red wine is good for you, is the alcohol industry," Ms Stafford said. Professor O'Brien believes there is "no level of alcohol" that is completely safe and every drink consumed can increase a person's chance of getting cancer. "There is evidence that among NSW adults aged over 45 years, the risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer increases by 10 per cent with every seven standard drinks consumed per week," she said. Other countries have specific guides on alcohol consumption and diseases, such as Canada, which states: "3 to 6 standard drinks per week, your risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, increases at this level." The problem with Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines, is it isn't cancer specific and all alcohol-related diseases are thrown in together. University of NSW Drug Policy Modelling Program Senior Research Fellow Dr Claire Wilkinson said it took 16 years to get warning labels telling Australians the danger of drinking while pregnant. "If we want to introduce a cancer warning label, we have to be aware that it occurs in this very politicised area where there's a lot of money involved, " she said. "It's likely also to face resistance in being implemented." The University of NSW academics said labels in Australia could take at least eight years to be approved and implemented by the government - and that is the best-case scenario. "I think it's worth being aware of the fact that governments do receive lobbying and donation from these [alcohol] groups," Dr Clifford said. But for all the money the Government raises from alcohol sales is just a drop in the ocean to the real cost to society. The estimated social cost of alcohol was a whopping $66.8 billion in 2017 - 2018, which includes healthcare, crime and lost productivity, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. But only $7.5 billion was the expected alcohol duty to be paid to the Government for 2022-23, the ATO states. Sydney-based Feng Shui Master Jane Langof has been sober for nearly 20-years because of health reasons and its link to cancer. "I used to go to breast cancer parties where they were raising money," she said. "It was called Bubbles and Boobs. How ironic is that? "They're trying to raise money for cancer, [with one of the] biggest carcinogens." Knowing alcohol can also contribute significantly to weight gain, giving up alcohol was easy for Ms Langof. "I'd rather eat my calories than drink them," she said. For anyone thinking of giving up drinking but finding it hard, Ms Bellenger wants them to know what a rich life is waiting for them. "I don't feel like I've given up anything. I feel like I've gained a lot more," she said. Do you or someone you know have a problem with drinking? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Best weight loss program in Australia: The proven solution helping Aussies shed kilos fast
Struggling for motivation this winter? You're not alone. Dark evenings and cold temperatures make it more tempting than ever to stay indoors and fuel up on carbs. But the arrival of spring in a matter of weeks has Aussies turning to a 'miracle' weight loss program. Offering a solution to shifting stubborn kilos while still eating your favourite foods like pizza, ice cream and doughnuts, this balanced program has been a game-changer for thousands. Train With Ash is a growing online community helps Aussies transform their bodies. One member that had incredible results is 40-year-old mum Lani, who lost a whopping 25kg while eating her favourite foods, including chocolate. After feeling trapped in a cycle of restrictive dieting and gruelling workouts, Leilani joined Train with Ash's Fat Loss Forever program — and never looked back. She uncovered a different approach to weight loss, one that showed her how eating more and training smarter could actually help her shed kilos. Of course she isn't the only one to experience an incredible transformation thanks to Train With Ash. 53-year-old Lisa joined the community back in May 2024 after hitting breaking point. Looking back at her 'before' photo, she sees a woman in pain, hiding behind food, carrying shame and feeling like a failure. But her journey has been incredible, both physically and mentally. Lisa has now rebuilt her confidence, found a peaceful relationship with food and learned how to nourish her body without punishment. Feeling strong, capable and in charge of her future, her journey is more than just a physical transformation. Train With Ash is a growing online community that attracts thousands of people each intake thanks to its balanced nutrition and minimal training approach. Founded by Ash Lane, the multi-million-dollar coaching business changes the lives (and waistlines) of thousands. Unlike traditional programs that rely on restrictions, Train With Ash is designed to fit into the lives of busy, everyday women, especially mums juggling it all. The 12-week weight loss program does this without restriction, deprivation and tactics. Instead, it's centred around your mindset, your fitness and non-restrictive dieting. With the next free five-day challenge beginning September 1 — you could be the next to transform your body and mind. Train With Ash is hugely successful for thousands of Aussies across the country, and was built off Ash's own weight loss journey. — hours in the gym, cutting carbs, skipping cake at birthday parties, and counting every calorie. 'I thought that's what it took to get results,' she tells Best Picks. 'But I was miserable, and the moment I stopped, the weight would come back.' After years of trial, error, and education, Ash discovered the science behind fat loss — and realised women didn't need to live in a cycle of restriction and guilt. Instead of deprivation, women needed sustainable nutrition, minimal but effective training and education — so people understood why this approach works. 'Training? Just three sessions a week — and no, you don't have to live in activewear or cancel dinner with friends to make it work,' Ash says. What started as a small coaching business from Ash's home office is now a massive online movement. Thousands of women around the country are dedicated to Train With Ash, with hundreds sharing their success stories and progress shots. 'I want women to know they can have the body, health, and confidence they want — without giving up the things they love,' Ash says. 'It's not about punishment. It's about a plan that fits your life, not the other way around.' The next free five-day challenge starts on September 1. For more information and to get involved, head here now. Typical day on a plate with Train With Ash
