Latest news with #Monique
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
How an Aussie mum lost 11kg in 8 weeks with an affordable family-friendly program
If your diet journey has hit a standstill and no amount of working out seems to make a lasting difference, it might be time to turn to the professionals. But fear not, that doesn't have to mean extreme gym schedules or flavourless meals, because there are expert-led programs who promote a much more achieveable (and enjoyable) approach to health and fitness. Think simple yet tasty meals, short workouts and daily walks, all with the help of one easy-to-use app to track and maintain your progress. An Aussie mum, Monique, managed to lose an impressive 11kgs in just eight weeks, all by following a PT-certified '8 Week Challange' from the comfort of her home. Like many busy mums, Monique found herself snacking on 'half-healthy' foods while juggling the demands of parenting, leaving her feeling low on energy. Her turning point came during a simple family moment: 'I realised I was avoiding being in photos with my kids. I was disappointed in how I looked and felt. That's when I knew something had to change,' Monique tells Best Picks. Monique's journey didn't begin with crash diets or complicated gym routines. Instead, she turned to the 28 by Sam Wood app — a platform she'd used in the past but hadn't committed to. This time, she made it work for her whole household. 'I stopped snacking all day and started eating proper meals filled with protein, veggies, and good fats. My daughter even started picking meals from the app — and that's when it clicked. We could do this together.' In the 8-Week Challenge, Monique lost 11.1kg — going from 61kg to 50kg — purely through simple meals, short workouts, and daily walks. 'The 10-minute HIIT sessions with Anna and DanceFit with the kids became our new normal.' She now swears by a 'less is more' approach. 'You don't need fancy food or long workouts. You just need something realistic — something that fits your life.' Monique has since been 28 by Sam Wood's 8-Week Challenge winner where she received $5,000 for the most incredible transformation. 'I'm excited with my prize because the challenge has inspired me to invest it back into my health,' she says. 'I am looking to purchase, a medical grade air purifier, a sleep monitoring ring, and a membership to a longevity clinic to check out all the biohacking, anti-aging, and health promoting treatments they have'. Her advice to others starting out? 'Start small. Eat real food. Get your family on board. It doesn't have to be perfect — just consistent.' As for how she feels now? ' Energised, clear-headed, and proud. I'm no longer running on sugar spikes. I actually want to move my body.' The 28 by Sam Wood app is home to plenty of delicious recipes that are full of fresh flavours, and easy to prep and cook in your own kitchen. A typical day on a plate for Monique looks a little like this: Breakfast: Almond milk coffee with collagen protein; sometimes a breakfast shakshuka or bacon, eggs, zucchini, avocado, and sweet potato fries. Lunch: 28 Lamb Stir Fry loaded with veggies or homemade burrito bowls. Dinner: Sam's Satay (a family favourite!) or other meals from the 28 app. Snacks: Very minimal — the 28 meals keep me full. Tried & Tested Best Picks Acting Commerical Editor took the 28 app for a spin — here are her honest thoughts. The issue I'm often up against when it comes to kickstarting a healthy routine is lacking motivation and consistency, allowing myself way too many 'cheat days'. But having access to an app to track my progress helped to hold myself accountable and a reminder that you can still have delicious food in a balanced diet. While I'm not the most tech-savvy person, I found the app itself so user-friendly, easy to navigate between movement and meals and the automatic notifications give me a gentle nudge to make some time in my day to put my wellbeing first. I tend to seek out yoga and pilates workouts, but I was surprised at how much I've enjoyed more cardio-based training sessions too (hello HIIT making its way into my favourites). Across the board the instructors are super informative yet not intimidating, and keep the classes fresh and fun. And someone with a busy nine-till-five schedule, it's been surprisingly easy to incorporate the 30 minute workouts, and the fact that I feel great after every single one is a bonus!
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mother of murdered teen reacts to school worker's arrest for tampering with evidence
A woman who works at an Orange County school is behind bars at the Orange County jail, after Osceola deputies say, she tampered with evidence involving the murder of an Osceola teenager. We talked to the teen's mother about the arrest. Monique Meza says, 'It makes me scared for parents. To have someone like that around their children.' Whispering Oak Elementary food service worker Jessica Rivera is walked out in handcuffs. Osceola deputies say, she tampered with evidence relating to the murder of 19-year-old Nekko Herrera. The school district says she was arrested after hours for a situation unrelated to the school. And will not be returning. Monique tells us, 'Every parent's worst nightmare is losing your child.' Investigators say Nekko was shot to death, back in April while riding in a car with friends. 'I'm glad they made some arrests, but it doesn't bring him back.' Deputies arrested Orvill Osorio-Ortiz for murdering the teen. They say Rivera was his girlfriend. They haven't said what evidence she tampered with. We asked how her son knew the couple, 'He didn't, he didn't. he was in the car with four other boys, the driver of the car had a problem with a 17-year-old.' Monique misses her son dearly, 'Nekko was one of the most kind, intelligent and outgoing. He was an entrepreneur at heart. 'She says Nekko was a clothing designer who planned to open a business. And keep his memory alive, the family is launching his website. 'We are launching his website Rags to Riches. He wanted to live, he was excited about his future.' And Monique says deputies told her, that anyone involved in the murder of her son will be held accountable. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Black America Web
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
MFT: Kash Doll Remembers Her Acting Debut On 'BMF'
STARZ Kash Doll has already conquered the music world, but the Detroit-born rapper is now proving she's got the acting chops to match. Making her acting debut on the Starz hit series BMF , the Detroit-raised emcee stepped into the role of Monique, a fierce and complex character who added another layer of drama to the show. For 'My First Time,' she spoke with us about her whirlwind first time in front of the camera which came rather easy given her personal connection to the story and most of all setting as a native of the Motor City. RELATED: My First Time – Estelle Takes Us Back To Her First Time In America The rapper-turned-actress didn't just jump into an ordinary TV show; she joined a cultural phenomenon. Produced by 50 Cent, BMF tells the real-life story of the Black Mafia Family, a Detroit crime empire led by the Flenory brothers. Rooted in grit, ambition, and family ties, the show mirrors the hustle integral to Kash Doll's rise to fame. Taking on the role of Monique, a sharp, street-smart woman navigating her own struggles in the tumultuous world of BMF, Kash Doll revealed that her music background helped her embody the character's strength and vulnerability. Kash Doll's debut on BMF marks the beginning of a promising acting career, showing that no challenge is too big for her to tackle. If her first portrayal is any indication, there's a lot more to come from this multi-talented star. The article 'MFT: Kash Doll Remembers Her Acting Debut On 'BMF'' was created with the help of SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
ABC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Queensland IVF patient told her embryo didn't comply with new laws gets go-ahead for transfer
A Queensland IVF patient who had to cancel her embryo transfer because it did not comply with new legislation has been told she can go ahead with her treatment. The mother of one, who's in her late thirties, had used a donor from the US sperm bank Xytex for her first child, and to fertilise her frozen embryo. Earlier this month, Monique, who asked we not use her real name, was told by her fertility clinic the treatment could not go ahead, because they did not have the necessary information about her overseas donor. "I made decisions based on what was acceptable six, seven years ago." Under Queensland legislation passed last year, fertility clinics must keep more detailed records for all their donors. Monique's clinic Queensland Fertility Group (QFG) told her they were unable to get the extra information from Xytex that they needed to comply and could not go ahead with her treatment. Days after being told it would be impossible to conceive a full biological sibling for her primary school-aged son, QFG said "after further conversation with Queensland Health" her transfer could go ahead. QFG also told her she could use the last vial of the donor's sperm she had stored. The back-and-forth has cost her a treatment cycle and left her distressed. It has also highlighted the difficulty legislating what had, until September last year, been a largely self-regulated industry in Queensland. QFG is not the only clinic affected. Earlier this month, Monash IVF wrote to 11 affected patients, telling them the clinic would be in breach of the legislation if they provided treatment, including already-created embryos, without first getting contact information for their donors. The ABC can reveal Queensland Health's Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine McDougall sent a letter to IVF providers on Friday, in which she said the new regulatory scheme was "not intended to be a barrier to people receiving treatment". "I want to reiterate that Queensland Health has not advocated for patient treatment to be stopped on the basis of [the laws] as this is counter to the intent of the Act and introduction of the regulatory scheme," she said. "Whether cycles will be continued is a clinical matter for you and I would encourage you to discuss this internally to decide what pathway forward there may be for your patients." Dr McDougall said although the current section of the Act requires strict compliance — "without which a gamete cannot be used" — Queensland Health is considering whether that section "properly achieves its intended purpose". A spokesperson for Health Minister Tim Nicholls said Queensland Health "has been clear with providers that they are currently taking an education-based approach to the new laws" while amendments to the legislation are explored. A Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) spokesperson said this "highlights the urgent need for a nationally consistent approach to how assisted reproductive therapies are regulated in Australia". "In our submission to Queensland Health in February 2024, FSANZ urged the government to pursue harmonised legislation with other jurisdictions, rather than implementing a fragmented state-based regulatory model," she said. "We expressed concern that divergent state-based rules could increase patient costs and restrict access to care. "Some of the challenges now emerging appear to be unintended consequences arising from the legislation's drafting, rather than the result of deliberate policy decisions." Monique was approaching her mid-30s when tests showed she had "sub-optimal fertility". She was told creating embryos would give her the "best chance" of becoming a mother. "I had two options, either go with a local or an international donor, but the local donor options were limited, and it could take months or even a year to access a local donor," she said. With "time being of the essence", she opted for the American sperm bank Xytex. She had her son using an embryo made with the donor sperm. Earlier this year, she felt ready to try for a second child, using an embryo made with the same donor. Five days before she was due to have her last stored embryo implanted, she got a call from QFG telling her the treatment had been cancelled because of requirements under the legislation. "I did my first of the two transfers last month, which wasn't successful, and I was scheduled to do my last transfer on Wednesday, when I got called on Friday afternoon saying it was cancelled … because of the changes to the Queensland legislation," she said. She felt blindsided. "They said they thought they would be able to get the information they needed from Xytex but they found out [this month] that wasn't going to happen, so they said that was the catalyst for calling me to say it wasn't possible," she said. "I feel like I could have been notified a long time ago that this could potentially affect me. Xytex did not respond to the ABC's questions. Days later QFG sent her an email apologising for the delay and distress caused and confirming her she had been approved for treatment. "I can confirm that after further conversation with Queensland Health that we can approve your treatment to proceed with the embryo created with XYTEX and the XYTEX frozen sperm in storage," the email said. "Your treatment cycle can be planned at a time convenient to you." Monique is relieved but said the process had been "ridiculous". "I have trust issues at this point," she said. "I'm mostly angry at Queensland Health, but also pretty upset about the last eight months [when] I should have known about the situation from QFG." She said she wanted her son's sibling to be his genetic sibling. "I don't know if my heart would be in a new donor," she said. The ABC asked QFG how many other patients were affected, and whether they too had been allowed to use their embryos. QFG said it was "actively working with Queensland Health to finalise the details of a more appropriate, patient-centred resolution to this difficult issue". The information collection requirements of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act are currently enforceable.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the 'Real Housewives of Rhode Island'? Instagram offers speculative cast list.
While the official announcement that Bravo ordered the new show "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" came on May 7, for months, a social media account has been speculating – or planting clues – about who might be cast. A spokesperson for Bravo declined to formally confirm cast members of The Providence Journal, but an Instagram account with the handle "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" has been teasing information about potential cast members since December. The posts have included pictures of the homes of some of the speculative cast members. A typical "Real Housewives" show has five to nine cast members. So far, the Instagram account has teased six couples and seven houses for the show. Based on those teasers, here's who could be on the show. A separate Instagram and Twitter account known for posting reality television news also posted a potential cast list, that matched "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" account with some additional names. Real Housewives of Rhode Island Local enthusiasm played role luring 'Real Housewives' to RI. What we know about the show. The Instagram account posted this about a North Kingstown home: "Seven minute drive from Mount View Beach lies an adorable three car garage. One bedroom, one bathroom and one amazing walk-in closet! Home to a fabulous housewife who is serenaded by her husband, a professional Frank Sinatra impersonator" Later, a post named Rosie and her husband, Rich, from North Kingstown. Rosie Woods DiMare is married to professional Frank Sinatra impersonator Rich Dimare. She's a former television news reporter and anchor, as well as DJ and emcee. She posted in November 2024 about buying a house that looks just like the one the account teased. In one of the house teases, the Instagram site dropped the clues that housewife "is expected to stand by her husband, a former professional athlete, while he faces charges for allegedly assaulting an 82 year old man at Planet Fitness." And later the account named Monique and Patrick, who are most likely Monique and Patrick Pass. Patrick Pass, who lives in North Providence, was arrested in September 2024 for allegations of shoving an 82-year-old man to the floor at Planet Fitness. He played seven seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowl titles. That case is still traveling through the courts. Another speculative cast member of "Real Housewives of Rhode Island" is Elizabeth McGraw. The Instagram account teased a Cranston house with the clues "This waterfront dream house is what we call the golden tuna! Married to a cannabis king and sports fisherman, this SMOKEshow is one hell of a catch." Later, they introduced the couple Elizabeth and Gerard. Elizabeth McGraw is married to Gerald McGraw, the president of Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, a medical and recreation cannabis business in Rhode Island. He also runs a sport fishing business out of Newport and Florida. Next up on the speculative list: Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, a financial planner married to podiatrist Brian F. Pontarelli. The account posted "Rulla from Lincoln" and her husband, Brian, in January. In sharing the Lincoln house, the Instagram account teased "Here lives the Queen Bee Boss Lady! Her husband is a Podiatric Surgeon and waits on her hand and FOOT." When posting about the Cranston house, the Instagram account said the potential housewife who lives there "is a cool and sculpted beauty! Her husband is a HIGH performing mortgage lender who is top four on his team." Later, they posted "Say hi to Joellen from Cranston" as well as her husband, Gary. Gary Tiberi is a mortgage loan officer with Mortgage Movement, out of Providence, married to Jo-Ellen Tiberi. Another couple the account posted was Alicia and Bill from Providence. In post about the Providence house, the clue was "this ranch built in 1960 is located on the East Side of Providence, the city's most prestigious neighborhood! It is home to Rhode Island's first Housewife! She is the fiancé to a highly educated Democratic small business owner." Carmody is engaged to Bill Kitsilis, who owns Angelo's Palace Pizza in Cumberland, and Antonio's Pizza by the Slice in Pawtucket in addition to recently opening Pizza Mamma in Cranston. A list posted by the reality television blogger account Dorinda Deadly, that describes itself as "the ultimate fusion of US and UK Reality TV and Pop Culture," has eight names of Rhode Islanders it expects to be in the cast. They are include the five mentioned above as well as Brianna LaTorre, Stephania Costa and Kelsey Swanson. Swanson in particular is heavily speculated to be on the show as one of the house teasers included a reference to a former Miss Rhode Island, a title she held in 2017. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Real Housewives of Rhode Island cast: Meet possible cast members
