Latest news with #TheFast800
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Michael Mosley's death changed my life - I'm free from pain explosions'
The shock death of Michael Mosley, whose legacy lives on through his transformative healthy eating advice, was the push Lorraine Kerr needed to finally change her bad habits The tragic news of Michael Mosley 's death this time last year forced Lorraine Kerr to put change into action. She had always been a fan of the TV doctor and heard about his popular diet plan two years ago, but was stuck in a rut of emotional eating. It was in June 2024 when the 55-year-old returned home from Greek-island hopping that sparked the start of a new journey of health and fitness. She too had been holidaying in Symi, the very same picturesque island where Dr Mosley had been staying and subsequently died. The health guru, known for popularising the 5:2 diet, was found dead in a rocky area of Agia Marina on June 5. He had said goodbye to his wife, Clare Bailey, at the beach before going alone on a two-mile walk, having left his phone at the hotel. Michael, 67, had taken a wrong turn and became lost. Police said he died of natural causes, and an inquest last December concluded his death was "most likely attributable either to heat stroke (accidental) or non-identified pathological cause". The shock news made Lorraine, who weighed 14-and-a-half stone and is now more than six stone lighter, want to honour the medic's lasting legacy. "I first heard about The Fast 800 by listening to Dr Michael Mosley 's podcast about two years ago," she told the Mirror. "I'd already put on a lot of weight and thought the plan would be a sustainable option for me, but at that point I wasn't ready to do anything. I've always been an emotional eater, and after losing both my mother and sister in a very short space of time, I found myself turning to sugary foods. It took a toll on my health and my GP said it had put me on the path to pre-diabetes." She added: "When the news broke about what had happened to him, it kind of galvanised me to stop dithering…and in a way I felt like I wanted to honour him and all the work he and his team had done." She began with The Very Fast 800 – the programme's most rapid weight loss approach, which involves up to 12 weeks of eating two to three Mediterranean-style meals each day, totalling approximately 800 - 900 calories per day. In those first 12 weeks, she dropped to 12 stone 5lbs. Today, she is just 6lbs away from her goal weight of 8 stone 4lbs. Much of that weight loss, says Lorraine, is the result of a complete change in her eating habits. A typical day of eating might have been an extra-large Danish pastry from a bakery at the end of her road, lots of coffee with cream and artificial sweeteners, a steak pie and a packet of crisps for lunch, plus several chocolate bar snacks or biscuits throughout the day and more coffee. Dinner was likely to be pizza or spaghetti bolognese – albeit homemade, as both Lorraine and her husband Nick enjoy cooking. However the new diet inspired Lorraine to embrace a lot more vegetables, particularly greens that she doesn't particularly enjoy. 'I found the first 12 weeks difficult at first," she said. "I was very hungry but absolutely determined and I knew there was an end to the very low calorie restriction. The galvanisation really helped me to get through it. 'I always loved the kale recipes, in particular the Harissa Greens and Halloumi, which featured largely during my 12 weeks and since. I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but I absolutely love it." Typical meals for Lorraine now that she has moved onto The Fast 800's maintenance approach - The Way of Life - include baked oats, pears and walnuts for breakfast, plenty of Greek yogurt, different kinds of salad for lunch, and healthier evening meals that might include oily fish, meatballs or even vegetarian selections. If she's on the go, she'll make use of pre-prepared meals such as The Fast 800 Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Protein Bars. Perhaps the biggest motivation for embracing her new lifestyle permanently is the huge improvement in IBS symptoms. 'The amazing thing was that within three days of starting the programme, my irritable bowel syndrome, which I'd suffered from for a couple of years, had vanished, and it's never returned.' Lorraine now believes her problems were as a result of consuming too many artificial sweeteners. 'This isn't scientific, but as a test I reintroduced some artificial sweeteners and within two to three days the symptoms came back and were quite severe. "When I stopped eating the sweeteners, the symptoms vanished again. I tried the same thing one more time to check and the symptoms returned straightaway and disappeared again as soon as I stopped…I've not had one day of IBS since I stopped eating artificial sweeteners after reintroducing them briefly." Lorraine, who takes the Pre + Probiotic supplement, has also seen other health improvements. Her fibromyalgia - long-term condition that involves widespread body pain - symptoms have improved along with back problems caused by Coccydynia – permanent inflammation of the coccyx. 'I used to get explosions of pain; sometimes so horrific I needed morphine. I haven't had one since around the six month mark, so my weight loss has really helped with that too.' Alongside her healthier eating, Lorraine also began regular exercise. She started slowly, five days a week with resistance training, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training, which comprises fast-paced exercise in short bursts) and Pilates. 'My fitness was very poor and I was struggling to walk anywhere because of my weight. "I'm only 5ft and 1.5 inches with a very slight frame, so that was a lot of weight to be carrying around on a small person. It was really hard going just to do the basic level, but I lost quite a bit of weight in those first two weeks, which gave me the psychological push and my sleep improved too.' She now swims in the sea regularly and finds the 15 minute walk to and from the beach – including a steep hill on the way home, easy. 'I'm walking really quickly now. My body feels clearer and brighter. There are so many benefits,' she says. Lorraine is now adamant that the dramatic changes both to her body shape and health are not something she wants to reverse. 'It's had a massive impact on my wellbeing and health, so I'm really looking to make this a way of life because the changes have been so good. That's the whole point, isn't it?!' "I will be sailing past Symi at the end of next week so will give a silent nod to Dr Mosley and his lovely family - I can say I did it, I feel great, thank you."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mum quit Weight Watchers job and used weight loss jabs instead
Dianne is now slimmer than she was at 21 - and insists that using the medication was 'not cheating' A former Weight Watchers leader, sick of "fad diets", spent £2k on prescription-only weight loss injections to lose five-and-a-half stone. Now, people think she looks younger, and she says she has fallen back in love with her life again. Weighing 15st 7lbs and struggling to squeeze into a size 20 at her biggest, Dianne Carr claimed that she had "tried everything" to slim down. The 39-year-old went through phases of intermittent fasting, shake and soup diets, and detox programs, and even became a Weight Watchers group leader after shedding five stone on the plan. But she quit the job and soon gained back five-and-a-half stone - before deciding enough was enough. After seeing a video of herself from 2019, she became determined to lose the weight for good. In April, out of "desperation", the mum-of-two turned to Mounjaro, an injectable weight loss medicine that makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry, according to the NHS. Mounjaro produces more insulin and slows down how quickly food is digested. Originally prescribed for people with type-2 diabetes, it is now available to those struggling with obesity with BMIs over 35. In a year, she was able to lose five-and-a-half stone by injecting herself with the medication, spending £175 per jab and £2,000 in total. Now weighing 10st 2lbs and slipping into a size 12, Dianne says she feels "like I've had a fat suit taken off". She has since written a £3.95 guide called Mounjaro Mastery for others wanting to try the weight loss alternative and insists the jabs are "medicine" for larger people. It is not intended to replace medical advice and Dianne offers her own personal experience with the medication. Dianne, a TV marketer from Teesside in North Yorkshire, said: "I'm slimmer than I was when I was 21. People think I'm younger than I am and it feels really nice. I felt like I was trapped in my own body and now I realise that I am free." She struggled with her weight her whole life and was size 20 and 16st at the age of 18 after having her first child after "eating for two". The new mum signed up to Weight Watchers when her baby was six weeks old and managed to lose five stone and slim to a size 14. She even became a group leader but quit after five months. She and husband Aaron, a 39-year-old lecturer, went on to have a second child in 2014, and Dianne reached 17st and a size 20 again. To shed the weight, she claims she tried following Dr Michael Mosley's The Fast 800 guide on intermittent fasting, Cambridge Weight Plan's 1:1 shake and soup diet and nine-day detox programs. Dianne says that she "tried absolutely everything" but felt she "could eat the same amount as a skinny person and still gain weight". Last April, she bought her first dose of Mounjaro, and took it outside a hospital in case she had an adverse reaction. She has spent about £2,000 overall - and says that for her, it's been "100 per cent worth every penny". She added: "I immediately noticed how my appetite went down massively as well as the amount I could eat. Surprisingly, I stopped drinking alcohol - suddenly I just didn't crave it on a night out. The medication just made it easier to cut out things that aren't beneficial." Dianne insists she was "really lucky" and didn't experience very many side effects aside from hair shedding and constipation. Others taking the drug have reported experiencing nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Within two weeks, Dianne lost 9lbs and within a month she'd lost just under a stone. The jab put her off some of her favourite foods - including salt and vinegar crisps - and made her feel fuller more quickly, resulting in her eating much smaller portions. Dianne said: "I had gotten down to a size 16 and I didn't have to shop at the plus size sections anymore - a lot opened up for me. When I lost the first stone it gave me the confidence to swim again. I haven't swam since I was 15 and I didn't think I'd be able to swim again but I gave it a go and now I can do 60 lengths. Losing the weight made me fall back in love with being in the water." The weight loss eventually slowed down and Dianne now loses around 1lb a week. Despite this, she says losing five stone in 12 months was "great" as it usually took her two years to lose the same amount through dieting alone. She decided not to calorie count or follow diet while on the jabs, but to just focus on healthy eating through substitutes - such as sweet potatoes instead of chips and low-carb bread. Now 10st, she is aiming to get down to 9st before quitting the jabs all together, and focusing on healthy eating. From March 2025, you can be prescribed tirzepatide (Mounjaro) to manage your weight on the NHS. The treatment is prescribed by a specialist weight management specialist and will only happen if they feel it is the right treatment for you. If you have a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or more with specific weight-related health issues like hypertension or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend Mounjaro for weight loss, especially if diet and exercise haven't been enough. Before prescribing tirzepatide (Mounjaro), a healthcare professional will talk through the benefits and limitations, including any side effects you might get. People taking Mounjaro need to eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and take part in physical activity regularly while taking the medicine. Common side effects of taking Mounjaro include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, often occurring when starting or increasing the dose. More serious side effects, though rare, can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a potential risk of thyroid tumours.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
I was Weight Watchers leader but am sick of fad diets, I spent £2k on fat jabs & lost 5st, the side effects are worth it
Dianne Carr has sen astonishing results from the jabs WEIGHTY ISSUE I was Weight Watchers leader but am sick of fad diets, I spent £2k on fat jabs & lost 5st, the side effects are worth it IT ONCE boasted over five million subscribers and saw one million of us stepping onto the scales every year. But Weight Watchers is now filing for bankruptcy after slimmers are increasingly turning to fat jabs to shed the pounds. Advertisement 6 Dianne Carr was an avid Weight Watchers member then leader but she says the dieting never worked Credit: SWNS 6 She has since spent more than £2k on fat jabs and has lost five stone Credit: SWNS And former Weight Watchers leader Dianne Carabine isn't surprised after spending £2k on weight loss injections after becoming sick of 'fad diets.' Tipping the scales at 15st 7lbs and struggling to squeeze into a size 20 at her biggest, Dianne, 39, says she'd "tried everything" to slim down. She trialled intermittent fasting, shake and soup diets and detox programs - and even became a Weight Watchers group leader after shedding five stone on the plan. But she quit the position and gained back five-and-a-half stone - before deciding enough was enough. Advertisement After seeing a video of herself from 2019 she became determined to lose the weight for good. In April, out of "desperation", the mum-of-two turned to Mounjaro - a weight loss medication administered through weekly injections - after hearing about Ozempic and similar jabs. In a year, she was able to lose five-and-a-half stone by injecting herself with the medication in her thigh - spending £175 a month and £2,100 in total. Now weighing 10st 2lbs and slipping into a slender size 12, Dianne says she feels "like I've had a fat suit taken off". Advertisement She has even written a guide for others wanting to try the weight loss alternative and insists the jabs are "medicine" for larger people. Dianne, a TV marketer, from Teesside, Yorkshire, says: "I'm slimmer than I was when I was 21 - people think I'm younger than I am and it feels really nice. I lost 98lb on Mounjaro but it's surprise side benefit that's been life-changing "I felt like I was trapped in my own body and now I realise that I am free." Dianne struggled with her weight her whole life and was size 20 and 16st at the age of 18 after having her first child and "eating for two". Advertisement The new mum signed up to Weight Watchers - rebranded WW in 2018 - when her baby was six weeks old and managed to lose five stone and slim to a size 14. She even became a group leader but quit after five months. She and her husband, Aaron, 39, a lecturer, went on to have her second child in 2014, and Dianne reached 17st and a size 20 again. To shed the weight, she tried Dr Michael Mosley's The Fast 800 guide on intermittent fasting, Cambridge Weight Plan's 1:1 shake and soup diet, nine-day detox programs. Advertisement Dianne says: "I tried absolutely everything - every diet you can think of. 'I could eat the same amount as a skinny person and still gain weight." 6 Dianne says that she would eat the same amount as a skinny person and still gain weight Credit: SWNS 6 Dianne shed five stone on Weight Watchers but says that the 'fad' diet just saw her regain the weight Credit: SWNS Advertisement 6 She wants to remove the stigmas surrounding fat jabs Credit: SWNS Last April she bought her first dose - a 2.5mg injection of Mounjaro - for £150-a-month from MedExpress, taking it while stationed outside a hospital in case she had an adverse reaction. Mounjaro is the brand name for Tirzepatide - a drug that lowers blood sugar levels. It produces more insulin and slows down how quickly food is digested. Originally prescribed for people with type-2 diabetes, it is now available to those struggling with obesity with BMIs over 35. Advertisement Since then her dose has increased to 15mg a week and she pays £210-a-month. She has spent about £2,000 overall - and says it's "100 per cent worth every penny". She says: "I immediately noticed how my appetite went down massively as well as the amount I could eat. "Surprisingly, I stopped drinking alcohol - suddenly I just didn't crave it on a night out. Advertisement "The medication just made it easier to cut out things that aren't beneficial." Dianne insists she was "really lucky" and didn't experience very many side effects aside from hair shedding and constipation. Others taking the drug have reported experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. I was on a permanent high - in the summer I was feeling great Dianne Carr Within two weeks, Dianne lost 9lbs and within a month she'd lost just under a stone. Advertisement The jab put her off some of her favourite foods - including salt and vinegar crisps - and made her feel fuller more quickly, resulting in her eating much smaller portions. Dianne says: "When you're large you want to see something happen to know you're going in the right direction. "I'm really lucky to have this - I don't want to get back there again. "It's different now, being older makes you feel differently about these things - I do want to come off them. Advertisement "I was on a permanent high - in the summer I was feeling great. "I had gotten down to a size 16 and I didn't have to shop at the plus size sections anymore - a lot opened up for me. 'When I lost the first stone it gave me the confidence to swim again. "I haven't swam since I was 15 and I didn't think I'd be able to swim again but I gave it a go and now I can do 60 lengths. Advertisement "Losing weight made me fall back in love with being in the water." Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. The weight loss eventually slowed down and Dianne now loses around 1lb a week. Despite this, she says losing five stone in 12 months was "great" as it usually took her two years to lose the same amount through dieting alone. Advertisement She decided not to count calories or follow a diet while on the jabs, but to just focus on healthy eating through substitutes - such as sweet potatoes instead of chips and low-carb bread. Now 10st, she is aiming to get down to 9st before quitting the jabs all together, and focusing on healthy eating. A friend of Dianne's recommended she write a short book to help others taking the weight loss medication. She says: "There wasn't much of a community at the time. Advertisement "When I was looking for information, I searched for podcasts or blogs, anything. I want people to know that they aren't greedy - it's biology Dianne Carr "It was quite new in the UK and the only information I could find was from weight loss forums on Mumsnet. I thought I would give it a go." Dianne's £3.95 guide - called Mounjaro Mastery - is not designed to provide medical guidance. She says it comes purely from personal experience along with research that she shared with sources. Advertisement Dianne adds: "I want to be an advocate for these injections and remove the stigma. "I want people to know that they aren't greedy - it's biology. "If we have a headache, we take paracetamol. If we break a leg, we have an x-ray to find the problem - this is the same thing. 'We can't change biology on our own." Advertisement You can follow Danielle's story on Instagram at @MyJabJourneyUK
