Latest news with #healthjourney
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
I was horrified by how I looked at my sister's wedding - so I used weight loss jabs to lose 9 stone for my own big day - there were some grim side effects but it was worth it
A mother who was 'horrified' after seeing how she looked at her sister's wedding has called Mounjaro a 'lifeline' after losing 9st using the skinny jab. Hope Lancaster Colquhoun, who is originally from Texas but now lives in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, says her relationship with food had always been a challenge. She'd often overindulge in sweets, crisps and chocolate as part of a reward, or whenever feeling low, with no limits. At her heaviest, she weighed 18st 8lbs. Hope's turning point came after seeing the snaps from her sister's wedding where she was a bridesmaid, leaving her 'horrified'. The 42-year-old knew something needed to change, especially when she was rushed to hospital as her body had started to shut down due to the pressure of her weight. She was prescribed Mounjaro, an injection used to treat diabetes and help with weight loss - and has lost a staggering nine stone in just over two years. 'On my sister's wedding day, I felt defeated,' the content creator said. 'While everyone was getting their glam done, I was helping set up because at that point, my looks didn't matter. 'I was just the "bigger one" in the background. 'I dreaded walking down the aisle, as I knew people would look at me and judge how heavy I was. 'I've always been made fun of. 'Once, I got a call from my niece saying someone took a photo of me at our local grocery store and captioned it: "Whales shouldn't be put in clothes". 'Even to this day, I struggle wearing shorts in public out of fear my photo might get taken again. 'People have nicknamed me "marshmallow". 'It's been isolating and made me deeply self-conscious. 'I didn't leave the house except for groceries or to pick up my kids from school. 'Scrolling on social media or watching TV became quite tough. 'There was a constant reminder that I should be thin. 'If I wanted to be accepted, or partake in certain trends, I had to lose weight. 'I was a complete shell of myself, with no social life, happiness or motivation. 'Not only that, my health was suffering, too.' Hope used to have McDonald's for breakfast, followed by leftovers from the night before for lunch and carbohydrate-heavy dinners, such as pasta and chips. She had tried to lose weight naturally, including going to the gym, having consultations with a dietitian and using other weight loss medications. Unfortunately, this had little-to-no success. After months of unexplained illness and frequent fainting episodes, she was rushed to hospital as her blood sugar levels were 'dangerously high'. Hope was diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed Mounjaro by Oushk Pharmacy for £189 a month to help manage this. And the effects were 'life-changing'. She said: 'The weight just slipped off me. 'Not only that, my blood sugar levels improved and I felt like a totally new person. 'I couldn't believe it. 'It was like I had found the answer I'd been searching for my whole life.' Hope switched up her diet to include lots of fruit and vegetables, as well as healthy protein such as lean chicken – and at least five litres of water. She joined a gym and used to chase her sister's spider monkeys around the house. She said: 'I found myself craving healthier foods, drinking more water and just overall more active. 'Within a month, I noticed I wasn't feeling so depressed either. 'I reversed any health issues and was able to come off my medication as I didn't need it anymore. 'My diabetes is now excellently controlled – and considering I was on the brink of death with it, I'm pretty proud of myself.' While Hope suffered some minor side effects, such as regular burping, diarrhoea and headaches, the positive outcome was all worth it. She's now gone from a UK dress size 22 to an eight. Hope tied the knot on April 17, 2024 and says she had 'never felt more beautiful'. She added: 'I've completely got my life and confidence back. 'My family are completely overjoyed by my transformation. 'They've watched me struggle for years, but now they're so proud of the person I've become. 'People have said I'm cheating or commenting that I've lost too much weight. But none of them told me to stop eating when I was slowly killing myself being obese. 'During the weight loss, at one point, I compared my stomach to a bull dog's face [due to the excess skin]. 'But over time, my skin has shrunk. I've also lost seven of my teeth, with four needing fillings, so I've been given a partial denture. 'I never had an issue with my dental health before; though doctors think it's just because I've lost so much weight in such a short frame of time. 'I'd encourage people to consider the jab because of how life-changing it's been for me. Even my sister and mum both take it now. 'Weight loss journeys are hard and all of our stories are different. 'This isn't the easy way out, as some might say, as we still have to make healthy food choices, stay active and prioritise our health. 'For those of us with multiple conditions, such as myself, it's been a lifeline. 'I credit Mounjaro for giving me another chance at life.'
Gulf Business
3 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Business
Human Garage's Garry Lineham on stress and the science of 'unwinding'
Image: Supplied In a world where stress often feels like a constant companion and true wellbeing seems elusive, meet Garry Lineham, co-founder and head of H Aaron Illathu — on behalf of Gulf Business — spoke to Lineham during his recent trip to Dubai, where he shared insights into Human Garage's philosophy, the science behind their signature 'unwinding' process, and how alignment isn't just physical — it's emotional, chemical, and spiritual too. Through Human Garage, Lineham said he and his team aim to restore humanity's natural flow, one body at a time. Here are some excerpts from the discussion. How did the Human Garage concept and 'fascial maneuvers' originate, particularly in response to your personal health journey? It started from a place of performance, particularly when my body got 'into trouble'. After 20 years of pain, I went into clinical practice and managed to get myself out of pain, but it required three to five treatments a week. When Covid-19 hit, my pain flared up again. I started doing these maneuvers, and at first, it was just about relieving my own pain and being able to do it myself. As I went through a process of unwinding and unraveling trauma and stress, I found the maneuvers consistently reduced my overall stress. I had more space, more desire to laugh, and even experienced emotional breakthroughs. I initially thought I was just fixing mechanical issues, but I soon realised the primary target was stress. This also sowed the seeds for the inception of Human Garage, which I co-founded with Cynthia Leavoy, Jason Van Blerk and Aisha Rodrique . You mentioned fascial manoeuvers significantly reduce biological stress. Can you elaborate on the impact and the scientific backing for this? Fascial maneuvers reduce 75 to 90 percent of biological stress in the body within the first 7-10 minutes. We've conducted a couple of hundred anecdotal tests, and doctors worldwide have tested it, though official peer review is still pending. The reality is, if you can remove 75 per cent of your stress twice a day, your baseline stress index drops. This increases your capacity to perform, combat issues like hormonal imbalances, improves sleep, and generally enhances measurements of lifestyle. Taking stress out became the core focus. Human Garage uses social media to engage people. How do you move people beyond seeking quick fixes for single problems towards sustained self-care? People often look for a quick fix for a single problem, like a knee or an elbow. While fixing a single problem won't work long-term, it provides immediate pain relief and builds belief in the system. As they experience relief from one pain, they try another maneuver for another. Eventually, they realize the benefit of doing a full 15-minute or 30-minute routine. Our goal is to draw people back to self-care, helping them believe that minor, consistent actions can have long-term, multi-faceted effects. You have a background in encryption and government data, where information is compartmentalised. How do you see this mirroring the structure of modern healthcare? In my background, information is compartmentalized so nobody knows the whole picture, allowing control. This is what we've done in healthcare. A hundred years ago, your doctor, psychiatrist, oncologist, OBGYN, and physiotherapist might have been the same person. Today, we have over 600 specialties, and more are emerging daily. This over-specialization leads to sending people from one specialist to another, with general practitioners, who navigate these specialists, being the lowest paid and least educated. The model is completely upside down, evidenced by the all-time high rates of dysfunction, disease, and illness. You stated that no measurement of human health is better today than it was 30 years ago. Can you expand on this? Indeed. The only thing that was claimed to be better was living longer, but health data was altered 15 years ago by removing infant mortality from the pool, making it appear we were dying younger. We are now officially dying younger. Stress, anxiety, and all kinds of allergies, especially food allergies, are up. Over half of children today are diagnosed or treated as if they are on a spectrum. If I ask an audience if they or someone in their immediate circle has a chronic illness, 95 per cent raise their hands, which wasn't true even five years ago. We're diagnosing symptoms instead of addressing underlying issues. With half the doctors worldwide having left their stations since 2020, and a massive increase in people seeking help, how does Human Garage address this crisis? We answer up to a million health questions a month through our social media channel. These aren't simple questions; they're about severe conditions like POTS or glioblastoma. People seek answers from us, Google, or ChatGPT (which has become a better diagnostic tool for them) because they can't get reasonable answers from the traditional system. We don't claim cures. Our approach is founded on the basic principle that the body heals itself. We help the body heal by giving it a better environment, reducing stress, improving movement, and breathing better. You mentioned the body is becoming more dehydrated. How does this impact health, and how do fascial maneuvers, along with other practices, address it? The average person is 60-65 per cent water today, down from 70 per cent 30 years ago, and 80 per cent before that. Our primary construct is water, which is the conduit for electricity and signaling through the fascia, connecting the nervous system, nerves, glands, and organs. When water and minerals are deficient, the signal cannot be carried properly. Our solutions are simple: mineralis e the body (addressing dehydration), clean up the environment, and move the body. Fascial maneuvers are simple, non-invasive, and work with the fascia to allow the body to make decisions and move better. How do emotional and physical trauma become stored in the body, and what does it take to truly release it? Trauma is the body's inability to resolve a triangle: an event (physical, emotional, or perceptual insult), an attached emotion (anger, grief, fear), and a story you tell yourself about it. When the body is taken out of stress, I found personally that I could look at the event from a new angle, tell a new story, which affected my emotions, and allowed the trauma to release. While talk therapy works on the story and emotional regulation on the emotion, the memory of trauma is stored in the fascia. When that connection is broken by factors like heavy metals or dehydration, the memory can't be resolved. You have a unique perspective on memory, suggesting it resides in the body rather than just the brain. Can you explain this? I believe the body is the computer, and the brain is the processor running programs. If the brain just runs the same program over and over, it's not truly intelligent. The body's real processing capacity is immense. Consider the detail with which a 112-year-old woman can recall an emotion or smell. The body is the greatest computer. If you forget a phone number, your fingers might remember it on a keyboard. The subconscious and memories are in the body; the brain is just the recall mechanism. The brain is very 'trickable', as seen in magic or advertising, but the body is not. Can you elaborate on your belief that 'we are fascia'? From conception, a baby begins as a ball of plasma (fascia). All nerves, tendons, glands, organs, and bones grow within and are connected by fascia. It's the intelligent casing that holds everything together, moves it, and facilitates communication. You can remove every bone, nerve, gland, tendon, or organ, but you cannot remove fascia. Therefore, I propose that we are fascia. Our organs and systems make no sense without this 'house.' Furthermore, I suggest fascia extends into the energy field around us, enabling rapid responses like ducking before the brain is consciously aware of a threat. We need to look at the body in a new way because the current perspective isn't working. Have you seen a shift in how mainstream medicine is viewing somatic and fascia-based healing? Absolutely, they're flocking to it. Five years ago, few Western medicine doctors followed us; three years ago, a few world-renowned orthopedic surgeons reached out. Today, many more are adopting our methods. Younger doctors, especially, are realising the old ways aren't working and are using technology to seek better answers, engaging in research as a scientist should. While Eastern medicine has historically been more inclusive, both Eastern and Western models are failing, prompting practitioners to look for new solutions. We estimate about a million practitioners globally are now prescribing fascial maneuvers daily, with a growing number being medical-related. Our recent tour across 11 countries and 40 events confirms this shift in engagement. Can you share a transformative story that particularly sticks in your mind? I was just working with actress Eva Longoria recently, and ex-footballer David Beckham also called us to work with him. I publish these transformations on social media to give people belief that it can happen, but I'm careful not to imply that I'm the only one who can do it. This whole thing is not about me. I want to do less and less of it. I love when people take care of themselves. Even if a practitioner can only do 80 per cent of what I do, it's better to have millions doing 80 per cent than just me doing 100 per cent. I've even had people offer me hundreds of thousands of dollars to fly and see them, but I typically decline unless they are committed to helping others and sharing the information. That's worth more to me than the money. What is the biggest challenge in getting people to believe in your approach, given that it sounds intellectually difficult to grasp? If I explain it intellectually, it sounds hard to believe. That's why I don't do that. Instead, I get people to do it. When you feel the change in your body instantaneously – like feeling taller or straighter after a maneuver – it's hard to deny. You can argue logic, but feeling is undeniable. I want people to develop their own belief because if it's my belief system, they'll never contribute back to the whole. The days of gurus are gone. I'm on my own journey, inspiring others, and sharing information openly. Fascial maneuvers intellectual property is free and open-source because we want to reach people fast. Read:
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I was sick of trying fad diets and not losing weight but now I've shed FIVE STONE without fat jabs or silly eating plans
A MUM who shed five stone through gastric band hypnotherapy has described the treatment as life-changing – saying it completely rewired her brain. Laura Bell dropped from a dress size 22 to a 14 without surgery or fad diets. 7 7 The 42-year-old, from Hertfordshire, spent years yo-yo-dieting and even considering going under the knife. Before committing to gastric band surgery, the mum-of-three decided to try hypnosis instead after a chance encounter with a hypnotherapy teacher. Incredibly, the therapy was a major success – seeing her go from 18.5st to 13.5st in a year. 'I was actually thinking about having a gastric band and surgery," Laura said. 'I thought, before having the gastric band, I'll try hypnosis.' Gastric band hypnosis is a therapy that uses guided relaxation and visualisation to make someone's mind believe they've actually had a gastric band fitted. It aims to help people feel full with smaller portions and change their eating habits. The four gastric band hypnosis sessions, which cost around £500, were spread over a week – and Laura says she saw immediate results. Each face-to-face session included deep relaxation, calming music and vivid visualisations – including the sounds and smells of the hospital. Laura explained: 'When you're doing the suggestions during the gastric band one, you envision you having the actual surgery. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry 'The smell of Dettol to help you visualise being in hospital.' During the hypnosis, new suggestions were planted – like only eating until full and ditching snacks and alcohol. Laura added: 'When you're in the space between falling asleep – the bit where someone can plant new suggestions in your mind – such as you're going to drink more water, you're only going to eat until you're full, not use your tummy as a waste bin. 'When you wake up, your brain automatically believes that.' After just one session, Laura found herself reaching for soup instead of pizza at lunch. The mum says the technique left her only wanting small food portions and her cravings completely disappeared. 7 7 She said: 'We went for lunch and I went for the soup and not a pizza. I didn't want anything more. 'I'm not even thinking about crisps, cake or chocolate. I'm not interested. 'I've stopped drinking alcohol for the last year or so – it's empty calories. If I'm not having any of the other stuff, why would I have alcohol?' Laura now goes to the gym three to four times a week and says her energy has soared. She said: 'I feel like I've had a glow-up, my energy is so much better, and what I'm able to do with the children is so much better.' 7 7 But she still listens to monthly recordings from her hypnosis sessions to keep her mindset topped up. She said: 'I listen to them mainly once a month just to keep me topped up. 'Once the gastric band is done, then that is done.' Laura discovered the programme through a client as part of her work in strategy for small businesses. The hypnotherapy teacher invited her to join a workshop as part of her own self-care. Inspired by her own experience, Laura went on to become a qualified clinical hypnotherapist herself. What is gastric band hypnosis? GASTRIC band hypnosis is a psychological technique used for weight loss. It's a form of hypnotherapy that aims to convince the subconscious mind that you've had a gastric band surgically fitted around your stomach, even though no actual surgery takes place. The aims of sessions are to reduce portion sizes, encourage healthier eating habits and decrease food cravings, especially for unhealthy foods. Sessions are typically conducted by a trained hypnotherapist. Each face-to-face session includes deep relaxation, calming music and vivid visualisations – including that your stomach is now smaller and that you will feel full after eating less food. She now runs her own business helping others change their relationship with food. Laura said: 'I was at a pretty bad place when I started my hypnosis journey. 'I thought, enough was enough. I was going into my 40s, I was a mum of three co-parenting. 'I needed to do something that worked once and for all. 'I always yo-yoed with weight. 'I wanted to do something that would change my relationship with food forever where I could do it on autopilot and wasn't following a routine or anything.' Now Laura believes she's finally cracked it. She said: 'The hypnosis undoes all the things you've been told through tradition and society. 'It means when you are losing weight, you're doing it on autopilot, you're not even thinking about it. 'I've had a similar experience to if I'd had the actual gastric sleeve. 'I only eat when I'm hungry. 'I only have small portions and that was immediate – straight after I had my first session. 'I've forgotten my body shape has changed. 'I still buy the wrong size clothes or look at things and think there's no way I'm going to fit into them – but I do. 'It's been life-changing, to say the least.' How cutting out sugar can help you lose weight It might sound obvious, but cutting out sugar can help you lose weight - and this is why Reduced alorie intake: Sugar is calorie-dense but not nutrient-dense, meaning it provides a lot of calories without making you feel full. By cutting out sugar, you naturally reduce your overall caloric intake, which can create a calorie deficit and lead to weight loss. Lower Insulin Levels: Consuming sugar, especially in large amounts, causes spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage. By reducing sugar intake, you can help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, making it easier for your body to burn fat. Decreased Cravings: Sugar can be addictive and lead to cravings for more sugary foods. By cutting it out, you may find that your cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods decrease, making it easier to stick to a healthier diet. Improved Satiety: Foods high in sugar are often low in fiber and protein, which are essential for feeling full and satisfied. By replacing sugary foods with more nutrient-dense options like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can increase your satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption. Better Nutrient Intake: When you cut out sugary foods, you often make room for more nutritious foods. This can improve your overall diet quality, providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally, which can support weight loss efforts. Reduced Fat Storage: High sugar intake, particularly from fructose, can lead to increased fat production in the liver, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Cutting out sugar helps to reduce this effect. Enhanced Metabolism: Reducing sugar can improve metabolic health, including better insulin sensitivity and lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which can facilitate weight loss. By cutting out sugar and replacing it with healthier options, you can create a more balanced and sustainable diet that supports weight loss and overall well-being.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mum with £19k Red Bull "addiction" goes cold turkey after fatty liver diagnosis
A mum who had a £19k "addiction" to Red Bull has gone cold turkey after being diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Lucy Parker, 35, went for a CT scan after having pain in her thighs which revealed a cyst on her ovary and also highlighted a build-up of fat in the liver - which could lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, if it got worse. After cutting her three energy drinks a day habit - which saw her spend almost £20k on the energy drink over 15 years - Lucy claims doctors have seen improvements in her liver and says has no damage like fibrosis which means her condition is reversible. She has also been using Chat GPT to help her make "little swaps" in her diet and help her understand her condition more clearly - which she's hoping to fully reverse after going cold turkey on the fizzy energy drinks.
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Bindi Irwin seen in public for first time since undergoing harrowing emergency surgery
Bindi Irwin is on the road to recovery after a difficult few weeks. Spotted on her first public outing since she underwent emergency surgery in New York earlier this month, the 26-year-old was seen back on her feet and looking in good spirits on Monday as she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from the Big Apple. With her mum Terri Irwin by her side, Bindi acknowledged photographers who appeared to wish her a speedy recovery as she made her way to a waiting car outside the terminal. Despite her recent hospitalisation, the Aussie conservationist was strong enough to tote her own carry-on bag while dressed in a relaxed maxidress for the cross-country journey. On Monday, Bindi also took to Instagram to tell her followers that she was on the mend following emergency surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York after suffering from a ruptured appendix. During the operation, doctors also found 14 new endometriosis lesions that had to be removed, and they also repaired a large hernia Bindi had acquired when she gave birth to her daughter Grace four years ago. 'Healing. Thank you for your incredible words of support and kindness,' she wrote on Instagram yesterday alongside some photos of her on the mend. 'The reason I share my health journey is because more girls and women desperately need answers to their undiagnosed pain. I've battled with endometriosis for more than 12 years. 'This disease is crippling and can make you feel incredibly isolated,' she added of her condition in which the cells that line the uterus also grow in other parts of the body, which can cause painful scar tissue. 'We need to raise awareness and change the narrative for women's health. I see you, your pain is real, and you deserve answers and genuine health care.' Bindi had travelled to the US earlier this month with her mum and brother, Robert Irwin, to attend an annual gala for their late father Steve Irwin in Las Vegas. However, she didn't make the event after she was rushed to hospital on May 12. 'Hey guys, Bindi here. I just wanted to thank you so much for your incredible well wishes. I just got out of surgery about an hour ago,' she groggily said in an Instagram video shared at the time. 'I had my appendix removed. I also had 14 new endometriosis lesions that had to be removed and they kindly stitched up my hernia as well.' 'I'm sorry if I'm a little out of it in this video. But I just wanted you to know that I'm on the road to recovery one step at a time and I am so lucky to have so much love in my life from my beautiful family.' Robert, 21, held down the fort for Bindi at the gala in Las Vegas, but told reporters at the event that her hospitalisation had come as a shock to the family.
