Latest news with #HannahMai
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Woman says she lost 10st in two years - without Ozempic - by doing one daily exercise
A woman who gained 10st (6.3kg) because of a rare hormonal disorder credits one daily exercise for helping her lose the weight without the help of Ozempic in just two years. Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease in October 2020 after she put on 10st in two and a half years. The condition is caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. Some of the most significant symptoms of the disease include weight gain around the middle of the body and around the upper back, as well as a rounded face. It is the same syndrome that US comedian Amy Schumer discovered she had earlier this year, having been diagnosed after receiving comments about her 'moon face' appearance. Hannah, from Coventry, Warwickshire, underwent brain surgery in February 2021 to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition and was placed on steroid medication to control it. Then in 2023, she was taken off the steroid medication and became determined to lose the weight she had gained because of the disease. At the time, she weight 20st 5lbs (approximately 129kg) and was a dress size 26. However, she says that doing pilates everyday, in tandem with a high-protein diet, has helped her slim down to 10st 4lbs (approximately 65kg) - all without taking weight-loss jabs which are currently soaring in demand across the UK. Commenting on Ozempic, which is a diabetes medication but used off-label for weight loss, Hannah said: 'I think Ozempic is great for people who need it, and for medical reasons. 'It is really helping some people, but I feel if you give yourself a chance, you can really push yourself. 'Once I started losing the weight, I just kept going. 'It isn't easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be.' Hannah first noticed she started rapidly gaining weight when she turned 30, putting on seven stone in just a few months that took her from nine stone to 16st. She visited the doctor multiple times out of concern, but kept being asked if she was pregnant or that the weight gain could be blamed on hormones. She said: 'I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight. 'I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more. 'I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones. 'I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest.' Then in October, more than two years after the sudden weight gain started, she said she woke up one morning with a hunched back. She turned to Google to research the symptoms, including the weight gain, and came across Cushing's disease, prompting her to go straight back to the doctor with a printout of the list of symptoms. Hannah was referred to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, where she underwent a blood test and MRI scan that confirmed the had the condition. 'I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis,' Hannah recalled. 'I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me.' She underwent brain surgery in February 2021 to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition. A small, benign tumour of the pituitary gland is the most common cause of spontaneous Cushing's, which accounts for around 70% of cases, according to The Pituitary Foundation. The tumour causes the pituitary gland to produce too much of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), which then triggers the release of too much cortisol - leading to Cushing's. Removing the tumour usually solves the issue, as Hannah found, but she had to be on steroid medication to control the condition. She got better after two years on steroids and was taken off it. She said: 'It wasn't easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better. 'I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease. 'I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day.' Hannah, who is now raising money for The Pituitary Foundation, was able to shrink from a size 26 to a size 10, which was the dress size she wore before being diagnosed with the syndrome. She added: 'I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back. 'I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can't believe I was that size. 'When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come.' Amy Schumer was diagnosed with the same condition in February 2024, after fans pointed out how different she looked from normal in a televised interview. In an appearance on the Call Your Daddy podcast earlier this year, the I Feel Pretty star said she initially ignored comments about her 'swollen' face as she put them down to trolling, but then physicians began expressing concern. She said: 'Doctors were chiming in in the comments and they were, like, 'No, no, something's really up. Your face looks so crazy.'' She noticed that people were speculating that she could have Cushing syndrome. 'At first, I was like, 'F*** off,',' she said, before recalling that she was 'getting steroid injections for my scars' from her breast reduction surgery and Caesarean section after she and her husband Chris Fischer welcomed their son Gene in 2019. 'So I was getting these steroid injections and so it gave me this thing called Cushing syndrome — which I wouldn't have known if the internet hadn't come for me so hard,' Amy explained.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I lost half my bodyweight but it had nothing to do with Ozempic – a simple daily exercise helped me shed the pounds
Hannah Mai says that fat jabs weren't for her NO WEIGH I lost half my bodyweight but it had nothing to do with Ozempic – a simple daily exercise helped me shed the pounds Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed how she lost 10 stone in two years without Ozempic thanks to one simple daily exercise. Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease - a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol - in October 2020, after gaining 10 stone in two and a half years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Hannah Mai gained 10st due to a rare condition that saw her balloon to 20st Credit: SWNS 8 She has now lost the weight in just two years Credit: SWNS 8 However, Hannah did it all naturally without the help of fat jabs Credit: SWNS Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition. In April, 2023, Hannah was taken off her steroid medication and was determined to shed the 10 stone she gained due to the disease as she now weighed 20st 5lbs and was a size 26. In two years, Hannah slimmed down to 10 stone 4lbs and a size 10 by eating high-protein meals and doing pilates every day. Hannah, who is currently unemployed, from Coventry, Warwickshire, says: "I think Ozempic is great for people who need it, and for medical reasons. Read More on Weight Losss WEIGH TO GO The 60p food dubbed 'poor man's Ozempic' that 'mimics' the miracle fat jabs "It is really helping some people, but I feel if you give yourself a chance, you can really push yourself. "Once I started losing the weight, I just kept going. "It isn't easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be." When she turned 30, Hannah noticed she started gaining weight and went from nine stone to 16 stone in a few months. She said she kept going to the doctor, but would always be asked if she was pregnant, or the weight gain was blamed on hormones. Hannah says: "I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight. Doc gives advice on how to tackle Mounjaro side effect of excess loose skin "I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more. "I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones. "I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest." In October 2020, more than two years after she started gaining weight, Hannah woke up one morning with a hunched back. Hannah googled the cause, and it mentioned Cushing's disease, and after seeing the other symptoms - including weight gain - she went straight to the doctor. The doctor transferred her to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood test confirmed she had Cushing's disease. Hannah says: "I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital. "There, I had an MRI scan and blood tests, which confirmed that I had Cushing's disease. 8 She switched up her diet to calorie controlled and fresh ingredients Credit: SWNS 8 As well as healthy eating she also practiced pilates every day Credit: SWNS 8 Hannah says that anyone can lose weight if they put the hard work in Credit: SWNS "I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis. I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me." Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition. Then, after two years on steroid medication -to control her condition - Hannah was taken off her meds because she started to get better. After she came off her medication, Hannah says she knew she was better and became determined to lose weight. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training She adds: "It wasn't easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better. "I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease "I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day." In two years, Hannah was able to shift the pounds going down to 10 stone from 20 stone. She went from wearing a size 26 clothes to wearing a size 10 - back to where she was before Cushing's disease. Hannah says: "I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back. "I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can't believe I was that size. "When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come." Hannah is currently raising money for The Pituitary Foundation, to donate click here 8 Hannah is 'so much happier' now she has lost the weight Credit: SWNS
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
I lost half my bodyweight but it had nothing to do with Ozempic – a simple daily exercise helped me shed the pounds
A WOMAN has revealed how she lost 10 stone in two years without Ozempic thanks to one simple daily exercise. Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease - a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol - in October 2020, after gaining 10 stone in two and a half years. 8 8 8 Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition. In April, 2023, Hannah was taken off her steroid medication and was determined to shed the 10 stone she gained due to the disease as she now weighed 20st 5lbs and was a size 26. In two years, Hannah slimmed down to 10 stone 4lbs and a size 10 by eating high-protein meals and doing pilates every day. Hannah, who is currently unemployed, from Coventry, Warwickshire, says: "I think Ozempic is great for people who need it, and for medical reasons. "It is really helping some people, but I feel if you give yourself a chance, you can really push yourself. "Once I started losing the weight, I just kept going. "It isn't easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be." When she turned 30, Hannah noticed she started gaining weight and went from nine stone to 16 stone in a few months. She said she kept going to the doctor, but would always be asked if she was pregnant, or the weight gain was blamed on hormones. Hannah says: "I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight. "I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more. "I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones. "I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest." In October 2020, more than two years after she started gaining weight, Hannah woke up one morning with a hunched back. Hannah googled the cause, and it mentioned Cushing's disease, and after seeing the other symptoms - including weight gain - she went straight to the doctor. The doctor transferred her to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood test confirmed she had Cushing's disease. Hannah says: "I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital. "There, I had an MRI scan and blood tests, which confirmed that I had Cushing's disease. 8 8 8 "I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis. I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me." Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition. Then, after two years on steroid medication -to control her condition - Hannah was taken off her meds because she started to get better. After she came off her medication, Hannah says she knew she was better and became determined to lose weight. The 5 best exercises to lose weight By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you? As a PT and fitness journalist, I've tried everything. I've taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates. Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas! The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit. My top five forms of exercise, especially if you're trying to lose weight, are: Walking Running Pilates High-intensity interval training (HIIT) Strength training She adds: "It wasn't easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better. "I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease "I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day." In two years, Hannah was able to shift the pounds going down to 10 stone from 20 stone. She went from wearing a size 26 clothes to wearing a size 10 - back to where she was before Cushing's disease. Hannah says: "I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back. "I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can't believe I was that size. "When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come." Hannah is currently raising money for The Pituitary Foundation, to donate click here 8 8
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Health
- Wales Online
'My rare condition made me gain 10st - I lost it all by doing a daily exercise'
'My rare condition made me gain 10st - I lost it all by doing a daily exercise' Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease - a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol - in October 2020, after gaining 10 stone in two and a half years Hannah Mai, before her weight loss journey. (Image: Hannah Mai© SWNS ) A woman who piled on 10 stone because of a rare medical condition has impressively shed the weight in just two years by committing to daily exercise. Hannah Mai, 37, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease - a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol - in October 2020, after gaining 10 stone in two and a half years. Five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, Hannah underwent brain surgery to remove the pituitary tumour that causes the condition, and was placed on steroids to control her condition. Come April 2023, having been weaned off steroid treatment, Hannah was determined to lose the 10 stone she put on as a result of her condition. At her heaviest, she weighed 20 stone 5lbs, wearing size 26 clothes. In two years, Hannah slimmed down to 10 stone 4lbs and a size 10 by eating high-protein meals and doing pilates every day. Hannah, from Coventry, Warwickshire, said: "Once I started losing the weight, I just kept isn't easy, you really have to push yourself, and focus on who you want to be and think about who you want to be." Having noticed an unwelcome weight gain when she hit 30, Hannah found herself rapidly going from nine stone to 16 stone within mere months. Article continues below Hannah Mai, before her weight loss journey. (Image: Hannah Mai© SWNS ) Hannah shared her ordeal, recalling how repeated visits to the doctor left her frustrated as her concerns were often dismissed with queries about pregnancy or attributed to her hormones. Hannah added: "I was always around nine stone, but I noticed how I started to gain a bit of weight." "I knew there was something wrong with me, but people around me thought I had changed my diet and asked if I was eating more." "I was asked if I was pregnant six times, and told that my weight gain could be caused by hormones. I went up to 20 stone at my heaviest." In October 2020, more than two years after she started gaining weight, Hannah woke up one morning with a hunched back. After researching, Hannah discovered Cushing's disease could explain her condition. After seeing the other symptoms - including weight gain - she went straight to the doctor. Hannah Mai, after her weight loss journey. (Image: Hannah Mai© SWNS ) She took concrete steps towards diagnosis as her situation worsened: "I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital." The doctor transferred her to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire, where an MRI scan and blood test confirmed she had Cushing's disease. Hannah said: "I printed off the list of symptoms and took them to my doctor, who then referred me to the hospital. There, I had an MRI scan and blood tests, which confirmed that I had Cushing's disease. "I was relieved but scared when I got the diagnosis. I had been saying for years that there was something wrong with me." With a conclusive diagnosis, Hannah underwent critical surgery: five months after her diagnosis, in February 2021, she had brain surgery to remove the tumour causing her condition and began steroid therapy for management. Hannah was eventually taken off her steroid medication after a two-year period, once her condition began to improve. Hannah Mai, after her weight loss journey. (Image: Hannah Mai© SWNS ) After she came off her medication, Hannah said she knew she was better and became determined to lose weight. Hannah added: "It wasn't easy to lose weight whilst I was still on steroids, as soon as I came off them, I knew this was my body and I was a lot better. "I really pushed myself, I worked super hard, cut out all sugar, cut out dairy, and gluten after I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I have a low-carb, high-protein diet with lots of vegetables, and I do pilates every day." Over the course of two years, Hannah successfully lost a substantial amount of weight, dropping from 20 stone to 10 stone. Hannah Mai, after her weight loss journey. (Image: Hannah Mai© SWNS ) As a result, she went from wearing size 26 clothes to fitting into a size 10, ultimately returning to her pre-Cushing's disease weight. Hannah said: "I am super proud of myself, I am always worried that the weight will come back. "I feel so much happier. When I look back at myself, I just can't believe I was that size. "When I look back at old photos, I feel very sad about what happened to me, but it makes me think that I need to be proud about how far I have come." Article continues below Hannah is currently raising money for The Pituitary Foundation.
