Latest news with #SlimFast
Metro
3 days ago
- Health
- Metro
I've tried all sorts to lose weight - but my latest attempt is my most extreme
Miah Carter was just 10 years old when she was put on a waiting list for gastric surgery. The schoolgirl had struggled with emotional eating and a hormone imbalance from an early age, both of which had left her clinically obese. 'I was one of the first ten-year-olds on the waitlist for gastric surgery for severe obesity,' the 22 year old content creator from Reading, Berkshire, tells Metro. ' I was referred to King's College Hospital in London and had regular appointments – however, in the end, my family and I decided not to push it due to the severity of the operation.' Miah's decade-long battle to be at peace with her body – which she says is due to health concerns rather than body image – has seen her explore a rollercoaster of weightloss methods, from fad diets to supplements, and even a spell using semaglutide injections, which left her feeling like she was having a heart attack. 'I tried every diet you can think of from Slim Fast to Weight Watchers. I've bought fat metabolisers and weightloss pills, and even saw private dieticians in London,' she explains. 'We went back and forth with different approaches, but nothing helped. Being autistic, I don't absorb information the same way as others, so found it really hard to retain what the dietitians were telling me. Sticking to routines is also tough for me – that's part of why it didn't work. 'I did a lot of emotional eating – food gave me comfort and made me happy,' Miah adds. 'Because of the size of my stomach, I could eat and eat. My hormones also played a big role. I'd eat until I was full – or even sick – and 10 minutes later, I'd feel empty again. I'd keep eating until it became physically painful.' By 16, Miah's weight was spiralling and she was desperate for a solution. 'I remember going into the chemist to buy weight-loss tablets – the kind advertised on TV. I can't recall the exact name, but they didn't do anything,' she says. As years went by, she went on to make a name for herself as a body positivity influencer, calling herself 'your self love big sister', with posts reminding her followers about the importance of self-acceptance, while also being honest about her own struggles with her weight and body image. As Miah continued to search for new ways to lose weight, she began to read about jabs, such as Mounjaro and Ozempic, that were originally created to treat diabetes. Scrolling through Facebook groups, looking at miraculous before and after images, she began to feel hopeful. 'I was heavily influenced by people online who were taking it and seeing results,' Miah remembers. 'I thought 'this is the solution – I'm finally going to lose weight and change my life'.' So she decided to try them. 24 hours after filling in an online form for the Saxenda injection, Miah went to a high street chemist to collect it. There, staff checked her eligibility and she was assessed by a doctor, then handed the drug, which she was told to inject daily and expect her appetite to reduce. 'I was quite gobsmacked at how simple it was,' she adds, pointing out that the chemist didn't offer any follow-up support. With high hopes, Miah started her injections, however, like many who take weight loss jabs, she began to suffer from side effects. 'I had really bad pain in my heart and started to feel sick, like something wasn't right in my body. I felt so run down and it was just horrible,' she remembers. Miah says that her heart would sometimes race so fast it felt like it was going to explode out of her chest. 'It would hit me out of nowhere, sometimes multiple times a day and each episode lasted minutes – but felt like hours. 'I'd be lying in bed or just standing in the kitchen and suddenly feel dizzy, short of breath, and completely overwhelmed. There were moments I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack. 'After a really severe episode, my first thought was, 'I bet it was the weight loss injections'. I had only been on them for a few weeks – less than a month -soI decided to stop. A few weeks after that, I was completely fine.' After coming off the jabs, Miah realised it was time once again to reassess her weight loss plan. This time, she finally made the bold decision to have gastric surgery last October – more than a decade after she had been put on the waiting list as a child. 'This was the biggest operation I've ever had – there is no going back,' she admits. 'You're essentially having part of your body removed and I now only have about 20% of my stomach left. It's a huge decision – but knowing what I know now, I should have done it earlier, as it's changed my life.' Miah has documented her weight loss journey to her to her 3 million followers, including the surgery – which has seen her lose 11stone since getting the gastric sleeve. However some people have hit back at her decision to get surgery, deeming it contradictory to body positivity. Miah disagrees: 'I did it for my health, not to change how I look. I was 32 stone and nearly on my deathbed at 20. My legs were hanging and I was struggling to walk. It was a massive decision, but one of the best I've made in my life. 'Every day, every hour, every minute I get hateful comments, but I don't care. I want people to see what I go through. Those sorts of comments used to hurt, but they don't touch me anymore. Now I just think – you're pushing up my views and paying my bills.' While the injections may have had an adverse effect on her health, Miah knows that they may work well for others. 'I'm not judging anyone or telling anyone not to take it—everyone's journey is different. If it works for you and improves your quality of life, I respect that.' More Trending 'But for me, it wasn't the right solution because when it comes to weight loss – there isn't one size fits all.' In a statement to Metro, Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Saxenda wrote: 'At Novo Nordisk patient safety always comes first. An increased heart rate (tachycardia) is a known uncommon adverse reaction for Saxenda (liraglutide) and is listed in the medicine's official information. If a patient experiences a sustained and clinically relevant rise in their resting heart rate, it is recommended they contact their healthcare professional. Any decision to start, stop, continue or change treatment should be together with a healthcare professional, based on their professional judgment of what's right for that individual. View More » If you are taking any medication and believe you might be experiencing a side effect, please speak to your healthcare provider and report it through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. MORE: 'I used a fake profile to hunt my aunt's murderer' MORE: Vogue has started using AI models — what does it mean for beauty standards? MORE: Chloe Ayling: 'I can't believe I'm still talking about being kidnapped eight years later' Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Perth Now
10-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Teachers reveal worst end of year gifts including half eaten chocolates
Teachers admit the worst gifts they've received include opened chocolates and second-hand jewellery. The school year is drawing to a close in the UK, with parents no doubt planning some end-of-year presents for their child's teachers. According to a new survey by Moonpig, one in two teachers admit to receiving gifts they didn't like. Among the worst they've been given include second-hand jewellery, half eaten chocolates, used handmade candles, and even SlimFast items. It's not surprising that 37 percent of those surveyed admitted they have re-gifted pupils' presents at least once in the past. Almost three quarters of teachers said they'd be happy with a card, with others preferring vouchers, chocolates or wine. However, 80 percent still agreed that end of term gifts are given with the best intentions. A spokesperson for Moonpig commented: 'Teachers go above and beyond every day, and end-of-year gifts are a great way to show our appreciation. "We have curated a selection of some of our best gifts that we're sure won't disappoint, so whether you want to make a grand gesture or even a small thoughtful token of thanks we've certainly got something that will help you score top points in class.' One in four teacher's would be disappointed if the gifts, even if less then 10 percent of the class give their teacher a present. According to Moonpig, the most appreciated teacher gifts include - in order - gift vouchers, food or drink items, a personalised card, a gift experiences, or a personalised item. Items on Moonpig are available to buy with 20 percent off all gifts and flowers using the THANKYOUGIFT code until July 21. The full range can be found at
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Billionaire Slim-Fast founder S. Daniel Abraham dead at 100
S. Daniel Abraham, the entrepreneur who turned a line of meal-replacement shakes into the weight-loss powerhouse Slim-Fast, has died at the age of 100. His death on June 29 was confirmed by American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, where he had served on the board, according to Bloomberg News. Abraham, whose net worth was estimated at $2.4 billion by Forbes, made his fortune after introducing the powder-based diet product in 1977. Advertisement 4 S. Daniel Abraham, the entrepreneur who turned a line of meal-replacement shakes into the weight-loss powerhouse Slim-Fast, has died. He was 100. ASSOCIATED PRESS SlimFast, mixed with low-fat milk, was marketed as a meal substitute and quickly gained popularity, thanks in part to endorsements from public figures like former New York City Mayor Ed Koch and Major League Baseball manager Tommy Lasorda. 'It's your life. Feed it right,' the company's slogan read. Another campaign promised, 'Give us a week, we'll take off the weight.' The product line still exists today under the name SlimFast, though it has struggled in recent years amid the rise of pharmaceutical weight-loss drugs. Advertisement Abraham was also a significant political donor and philanthropist. He co-founded the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace in 1989 and was a major supporter of the Democratic Party. A 2020 report by Americans for Tax Fairness and the Institute for Policy Studies ranked him as the 15th most active political donor among American billionaires, with nearly $22 million in contributions to federal candidates and political groups, almost entirely to Democrats. Born on Aug. 15, 1924, in Long Beach, NY, Abraham served in the US Army during World War II. Advertisement 4 Abraham became a billionaire thanks to the success of Slim-Fast meal-replacement shakes. Adriana – He began his business career in the 1940s by joining his father in selling over-the-counter remedies such as itch relievers and throat soothers. Together with his father, he acquired Thompson Medical Co., the maker of the anti-itch ointment San-Cura. Abraham took the company public in 1979 and later took it private again in the late 1980s. 'I knew these products worked, and, just as important, I knew that these maladies were so common that they would generate repeat sales,' he wrote in his memoir. Advertisement 4 Abraham was a prolific donor to the Democratic Party. He was also close to Bill and Hillary Clinton. AP Before Slim-Fast, Abraham had success with Dexatrim, an appetite suppressant that reached $50 million in sales in 1979. The product later came under scrutiny when the FDA raised health concerns in 2000 about its key ingredient, phenylpropanolamine, which has been associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke. By that time, Dexatrim was owned by Chattem Inc., which changed the formula. NVE Pharmaceuticals acquired the product in 2014. The concept behind Slim-Fast emerged from the 1970s trend favoring high-protein shakes over solid food. Abraham marketed it as a complete program whereby users would drink Slim-Fast for breakfast, lunch and a snack, and then eat a 'sensible' dinner, for a daily total of 1,500 calories. 4 Abraham also maintained high-level contacts in the Middle East. He is seen left with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. AFP via Getty Images In the 1990s, he expanded the Slim-Fast brand to include frozen entrees, snacks and other diet products. Sales grew approximately 20% annually, reaching $611 million in 1999 with $125 million in profit. The brand's profile skyrocketed in 1989 when Dodgers players Orel Hershiser and Kirk Gibson challenged their manager, Tommy Lasorda, to lose weight for charity. Advertisement Abraham offered Lasorda $20,000 for his chosen charity just to meet and discuss using Slim-Fast. Lasorda took on the challenge with the high-fiber version, Ultra Slim-Fast, and lost more than 30 pounds in three months. He became a television spokesman, famously declaring, 'If I can do it, you can do it.' Sales tripled to $300 million almost overnight. In 2000, Unilever acquired Slim-Fast Foods for $2.3 billion. However, under Unilever's ownership, US sales declined 40% between 2009 and 2013, according to SymphonyIRI Group. Advertisement In a 2013 Consumer Reports ranking, Slim-Fast placed last in overall satisfaction among do-it-yourself diet plans. Abraham expressed frustration with the brand's decline, telling Bloomberg News in 2013: 'Unilever is sleeping on it. If I still owned it, it would not be that way. I would be fighting harder. It's a damn shame.' At the time, Unilever stated that investments and 'exciting changes' were planned for the product. Advertisement Kainos Capital bought the brand from Unilever in 2014 for an undisclosed amount, with Unilever retaining a minority stake. In 2018, Kainos sold Slim-Fast to Ireland-based Glanbia Plc for $350 million. Glanbia put the brand up for sale again in February. Abraham had four daughters with his first wife, Estanne, before their marriage ended in divorce. He later married Ewa, with whom he had a son and a daughter.
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
S. Daniel Abraham, Billionaire Founder of Slim-Fast, Dies at 100
S. Daniel Abraham, the New Yorker who became a billionaire by tempting dieters with Slim-Fast meal-replacement shakes and selling his company in 2000 to Unilever NV, has died. He was 100. He died on June 29, according to American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, on whose board he had served.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
S. Daniel Abraham, the Force Behind Slim-Fast, Dies at 100
S. Daniel Abraham, an entrepreneur who turned a tiny family business into a giant that dominated the weight-loss industry with popular brands like Slim-Fast and Dexatrim, died on Sunday at a hospital in Manhattan. He was 100. His death was confirmed by a spokesman for the family, Rabbi Abe Unger. Mr. Abraham built his fortune on a pharmaceutical company that his father, a dentist, bought for $5,000 in 1947 after spotting it in an advertisement in the trade publication Drug Store News. Mr. Abraham expanded the company into an empire with a line that came to include Slim-Fast, a weight-loss product that involved no complex diets, calorie counting or weighing of ingredients, and that did not forbid specific foods or beverages. 'What I wanted to bring to market was a meal replacement in liquid form, composed of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and even a little healthy fat,' he wrote in 'Everything Is Possible,' a memoir published in 2010 and written with Joseph Telushkin. When Slim-Fast — since rebranded as SlimFast — was introduced in 1977, it was sold premixed in powder form, which buyers then blended with skim milk. The beverage was intended to constitute breakfast and lunch followed by a 'sensible' dinner, as its television commercials advised. A ready-to-drink version appeared in 1989. Mr. Abraham, whose family of six at the time lived in Israel for much of the 1970s, was also active politically, especially in his later years. In pursuit of Middle East peace, he cultivated relationships with top Israeli, American and Arab leaders, including Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a friend for more than three decades. Mr. Abraham was particularly close to Bill and Hillary Clinton, becoming one of the biggest donors to Mrs. Clinton's 2016 campaign for president. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
