THEGAYUK

Tag: Weight Loss

All the latest breaking news on Weight Loss. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on Weight Loss.

  • Guys: Five health signs that something might be wrong

    We spoke to doctors from The Online Clinic to seek advice on the most important symptoms for men to be on the lookout for.

    Men's Health, prostate worries,
    If you’re suffering any of these pains, you might want to get yourself to the GP

    It can be hard to know what health issues are really important to look out for with men’s health. The internet throws all kinds of signs and symptoms at us, and googling only results in permanent paranoia. To try and understand what we really should be keeping an eye out for, I’ve been speaking to doctors from The Online Clinic to highlight the most important health signs. They gave me information on the following top five health signs which should be a warning signal to men to go and get a check-up.

    Urination

    Be sure to keep an eye on your urine – as this is often the first sign that something is wrong with your prostate. If you have a poor stream or find there is hesitation when going to pee, this can be a strong indication of prostatic issues. Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible and put your mind at ease.

    Unexplained weight loss

    Another sign is weight loss – if you are losing weight without intention, it’s a good idea to get this investigated. The doctors at The Online Clinic have said that it could mean you have a symptom of a metallic disorder such as thyroid disease, diabetes, or even cancer in the extreme cases.

    Statistically, middle-aged men are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes than women, so it is important to rule this out. If you notice that you are beginning to lose weight, make sure you see a doctor ASAP.

    Coughing

    Coughing can be another sign of a more serious health problem – if you’re a smoker, don’t dismiss a cough that lingers for more than three weeks as just being a nasty cigarette side effect. It could be a sign of something much more serious, like a lung disorder – or even cancer. If you find that a cough does last longer than three weeks, be sure to get this checked as soon as possible. And, if you don’t smoke, a cough longer than 6 weeks could indicate the same thing.

    Painful ejaculation

    Pain when you ejaculate is unpleasant and can be distressing. If this happens make sure you take note and go to the doctors, however embarrassing it may be.

    Regularly check for blood in your sperm or discharge from your penis. If you do find anything unusual it’s a good idea to go and get an STI test. These are all symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.

    Pain

    Lastly, it’s important to remember that pain, in general, is usually a sign that something’s wrong: listen to your body when it tells you that something is amiss and seek advice from a doctor.

    Advice given by Dr Elizabeth Kershaw-Yates, GP and one of the medical team at TheOnlineClinic

  • COMMENT | I committed the gay cardinal sin… I got overweight and old

    When I was young gay bars and nightclubs were at the height of popularity and exclusively gay. I had no trouble finding men and no intention of settling down with one. Why have the same meal every day when all the menu was there to be sampled?

    In my 30s I struggled and became distant from the “scene.” It was at this juncture I discovered the part-time poof. Straight in everyday life, some even married; but all with a high sex drive, just needing a discrete and understanding friend. Some regulars lasted for years. This was in the days before the Internet and mobile phones. I was a safe option and a place to develop themes and try out new things they could never do anywhere else.

    In my 40s I was a publican. It’s true, so often “The difference between a straight and gay man is about 8 pints”.

    The problem is when sober, some feel they have been duped as they cannot accept self-responsibility and others can be convinced to do it again, but they want free beer. Free beer is never a good thing, it is just like paying for it and I was not up for that.

    When I left the pub trade I entered a barren wasteland of no sex and no gay contact. The problem was I had committed the worst of gay sins by getting old and overweight.

    Experience counts. I had quite a lot of the play with part-time poofs into kinks. Oh the delights of BDSM. I do like a younger man. Those who would never look at me twice in the real world, fall at my feet to serve when I am an expert in their fetishes. Now it seems I am to grow old disgracefully, an ageing kinkster in the twilight of his perversion.

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Which teas are the best for weight loss?

    Far too often natural remedies burst onto the scene having been touted by celebrities as the next wonder supplement only to fade away again with little evidence of their efficiency.

    Green tea has been an exception to this rule, however, with celebrities and nutritionists alike singing its praises and study after study highlighting its ability to aid weight loss. Off the back of green tea’s success, numerous ‘diet teas’ have emerged onto the market, but few have made an impact.

    Natur Boutique’s new diet tea blend, however, has been put together by a team of expert blenders and nutritional experts to encapsulate both scientific evidence and taste and looks set to change the way we view ‘diet’ teas as it launches in Holland and Barrett stores nationwide this month.

    The makers of the blend have chosen four teas that are known to help complement dieting, each thought to aid weight loss in a different way.

    Green tea is the best known of the teas for its weight loss properties, with studies showing that it may work through a number of different mechanisms, ranging from decreasing hunger1 to increasing metabolism.

    Pineapple tea is most commonly drunk for its taste, but the fruit is also packed with a natural substance called bromelain. Bromelain has been shown in studies to exhibit an apparent ability to slow down the growth and multiplication of fat cells.

    Java tea isn’t normally associated with weight loss, but recent research is showing it appears to be able to help reduce body weight, appetite and fat levels; with researchers suggesting this is due to the plant enhancing the effects of leptin (a hormone associated with controlling appetite)in our bodies.

    Finally, hibiscus tea is added for yet another potential weight loss mechanism and it is thought to help block the uptake of carbohydrate by the body.

    The nutritionists haven’t had it all their own way though and the teas aren’t included in the blend purely for their physiological benefits. Like all the drinks in their unique range, Natur Boutique’s Diet Tea is registered organic. The company use only organic ingredients to produce their teas, not only because they believe it produces a fresh and more intense taste, but also because they care about the world around them and believe in the ethics of organic agriculture. The blend of organic teas creates a drink that is unique and refreshing and has a taste and aroma that will appeal to everyone, whether dieting or not.

    Natur Boutique’s Organic Diet Tea is available in Holland and Barrett stores nationwide and costs just £3.49 for a box of twenty individually wrapped teabags.

    Please note: pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before use

  • BRITISH MEN Are Clueless When It Comes To Calories and Overeating

    British men are clueless about the calories in their favourite foods, according to a new study.

    One in six blokes believe they are allowed to eat between 3000 and 5,000 calories a day – considerably more than the recommended 2,500.

    And many men think that consuming 53 grams of saturated fat daily is within the recommended amount, when this is also twice as much as they should be having .

    So great is the lack of awareness that the average man will unknowingly consume DOUBLE their daily intake of calories on an evening out with their mates.

    The poll of 2,000 men, commissioned by Fitness First, reveals blokes are baffled by the nutritional content of foods such as burgers, kebabs, crisps, curry and pizza.

    The research revealed that alarmingly, on an average night on the town, men consume at least three pints, a bag of sharing crisps and a portion of chips – which equates to an additional 2,544 calories.

    Indeed more than half of blokes admit they have no self-control when it comes to what they eat and drink on a lad’s night out.

     

    Kate Toland, Head of Marketing at Fitness First said: “We were really surprised by the findings of this report – the level of confusion about calorie content is more prevalent than we’d anticipated.

    “It’s good that men are taking a relaxed approach to food – we would never encourage obsessive calorie counting. However, it’s the difference between being fanatical and understanding that a curry and a few pints will take you way over the recommended daily allowance.”

     

    The study found the average male believes there are only 350 calories in a standard 225g bag of sharing crisps, when in fact there are almost 1200.

    Blokes also assumed there were only 444 calories in a portion of chips, when the reality is at least 795.

    And many men would think nothing of consuming a chicken korma curry with rice and naan, but would underestimate the number of calories by 400.

    Even a pizza can leave blokes puzzled – with many assuming a cheese and tomato is 706 calories rather than the actual 1296, and a pepperoni is thought to be 787 calories rather than a stonking 1712.

    Other foods which caused bewilderment include hotdogs, salted peanuts, tortillas and kebabs.

    In fact, the only snack food where men OVER-estimated the calorie content was a standard cheeseburger, with men guessing the calorie content to be around 540, when it’s closer to 300.

    Kate Toland from Fitness First continues:

    “Our researchers discovered that while the average male likes to look lean and stay fit, being low on time or energy can affect their approach to food.

    “Most men cite their busy lifestyles as the reason why they don’t pay much attention to what they eat, and this is likely to affect the amount of times they exercise as well.

    “Exercising regularly to counteract calorie intake is a great way to achieve all round health. Even 30 minutes of exercise three times a week will put men on track for a win in the fitness stakes.”

     

    FOOD TYPE ESTIMATED CALORIE CONTENT ACTUAL CALORIE CONTENT

     

    Cheeseburger 539 316

    Doner Kebab, 600g 741 1000

    Chips, 333g 445 795

    Sharing crisps, 225g 350 1179

    Sharing tortillas, 225g 362 1117

    Pint of beer / lager 343 180

    Pint of cider 342 210

    Korma curry, naan, rice 637 1069

    Margherita pizza, 8 slc 707 1296

    Pepperoni pizza, 8 slc 787 1712

    Hotdog, 455g 494 1078

    Salted peanuts, 100g 410 619

     

    by Emma Elsworthy

  • Perez Hilton Shows Off His Slimmed Down Frame

    Perez Hilton has treated his fans to a topless picture showing off his remarkable weight loss.

    The celebrity gossip has posted a picture on Instagram of his amazing continuing weight loss although he has taken a little break from his fitness regime because of an exceptionally busy week.

    He said,
    “I didn’t make it to the gym once this week!! It’s been so exceptionally busy! BUT, I have committed to my healthy eating and this coming week should be less crazy. Life can be challenging, but I am committed to being healthy and being as happy as possible!”

    Perez posing before shifting his weight. In an interview, Hilton has claimed to have lost 70 pounds.

  • COMMENT | Rise Of The Dad Bod and Proud Of It

    Well, I never… Sometimes one can be totally of the moment without doing a darn thing. It turns out I have a Dad Bod.

    The Dad Bod had been much blogged about of late; it is, and I quote, a physique that says‘’ “I go to the gym occasionally, but I also drink heavily on the weekends and enjoy eating eight slices of pizza at a time.”

    Okay, someone has clearly been reading my diary.

    The problem is that we live in a time where everything has to be overanalysed and commented on, that being Average has to have a big fat (well, if not fat exactly, then definitely lacking in killer abs) label shoved on it and described as a trend.

    Believe me, thousands of us go to the gym, begrudgingly spend 30 minutes on a treadmill and then spend Saturday night getting our moneys worth at the Chinese buffet long before it became a thing for Buzzfeed to get itself overheated about.

    Much has been written in the last few weeks about slightly gone to seed middle aged blokes. Basically we are so hit right now. That is not to say that there is not a more serious point here about what healthy looks like. Frankly though it’s rather nice to see a relatable physique put up on a pedestal for once because as much as I enjoy the stream of the shirtless and godlike on my Instagram feed, it can make one feel a little bit inadequate. And fat…

    Of course, the gays are not above shoving people into categories. “Bears” – our version of the Dad Bod, in theory at least. For the unitiated, and if you are then why the heck are you reading this website, according to Wikipedia this is a “often a larger, hairier man who projects an image of rugged masculinity.” Having been to bear club and seen the crowd reaction when the DJ drops a Kylie record, I could dispute the rugged masculinity part but that’s another story.

    The problem is that within the language of the bear community the sheer number of different boxes according to type is exhausting. To name a few ‘’panda’’, ‘’otter’’, ‘’grizzly’’, ‘’koala’’, “chub’’, “wolf’’.

    Yep, us gayers definitely like our labels. And not just on a designer jockstrap.

    Articles like the stuff about Dad Bods is yet another example of good old click bait, creating a story out of nothing to get it shared and debated on social media. Very 2015.

    But as a middle aged bloke with a bit of body hair, a love for red wine and a workout schedule that is at the moment best called “light’, I’ve often wasted time wondering where I belong on the gay scale. Not beefy or furry enough to be a bear and I vaguely remember that actual otters have webbed paws so I’m not entirely comfortable comparing myself to them.

    So Dad Bod… Yes, it’s a silly term but the good news is I read the blurb and think “Yup, that’s me’’.

    Now if you excuse me, I must work on my physique. There’s a bottle of merlot and a large Four Cheese pizza calling me and I just answer to keep on trend.

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Men, You Need To Laugh To Lose Weight

    A How to guide by the Men’s Health Forum charity, and supported by Public Health England, was the first to show how to adapt and run weight-loss programmes that are tailored specifically for men.

    A shocking 67% of men are overweight or obese, which is significantly more than women at 58%, yet men are much less likely to join weight-loss programmes. Only 10 to 30% of those in weight-loss programmes are men, and some weight-loss programmes attract almost no men.

    The evidence-based guide, ‘How to make weight-loss services work for men’, aimed at local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers, follows important new research, led by the University of Aberdeen with the University of Stirling and Bournemouth University, which looks into male attitudes and behaviour in relation to health. It showed that the majority of weight management programmes are regarded by men as ‘feminised spaces’, and they often feel uncomfortable joining.

    In addition, being big may be regarded as a good thing by some men, as socio-cultural influences can encourage a larger more masculine body. Men may also not know or care if they have a weight problem, and tend to be more cynical about ‘health messages’.

    The guide offers advice for local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers who are trying to attract men to weight-loss programmes. The guide highlights that:

    programmes that include exercise and behaviour change components as well as dieting are more successful in helping men to lose weight

    men respond well to programmes that have a higher degree of personalisation, such as setting individual goals, as it increases their sense of control

    weight-loss programmes based in the workplace or associated with professional sports clubs have been particularly successful

    using humour and encouraging camaraderie makes programmes more attractive to men as does knowing that there will be other men there

    NHS programmes have a higher referral rate compared to private programmes illustrating the crucial role of NHS staff in encouraging men to join

    offering a ‘male only’ group may make it more likely for men to join

    use of a pedometer and ‘gadgets’ also make programmes more appealing

    Martin Tod, the Men’s Health Forum’s chief executive, said, ‘Men are not getting the services they need on weight-loss either from the NHS or commercial providers. Even though men are more likely than women to be overweight and obese – and more are likely to die from weight-related disease – men are still only a small minority of those in NHS-funded weight-loss programmes.

    ‘It is crucial that local government and the NHS put the guidance into practice and develop programmes that appeal to and work for men. Otherwise men will continue to dis-proportionately suffer from avoidable disease and unnecessarily early death.’

    Professor Kevin Fenton, national director of health and wellbeing at Public Health England, said, ‘Weight-loss programmes have conventionally disproportionately targeted women and now is the time to address the gender imbalance. This guidance presents a vital opportunity for local authorities, commissioners and weight management providers to support men to lose weight and ultimately improve their health.

    ‘Being overweight or obese significantly increases your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and colon cancer, all of which are preventable. Cutting calorie intake by having smaller portions and eating healthier meals, snacks and drinks alongside being more active can help us lose weight and lead healthier longer lives.’

    Stephen, 44, from Wigan, went to ABL Health’s ‘Trim Down, Shape Up’ programme to lose weight and talks about his experience:

    ‘A side on photo my daughter took of me on holiday was the final straw. I had to change! There was a burning desire to live longer and come off blood pressure tablets. I think I have used the wrong approaches in the past which led me to failure and resulted in me doing more of the bad stuff like eating and drinking too much. I found it very difficult to lose weight as a result. Friends and work colleagues at work had tried a local programme so I thought I would give it a go.

    ‘I’ve finally found the right approach. I love the camaraderie of being in an “all blokes” session and the realisation that others are there looking like me with aims like mine. The exercise is the most enjoyable part and I continue to enjoy the sessions. It’s like a lads’ night out with exercise instead of beer. It’s a laugh with serious outcomes and it’s free! I really hope the service continues.

    ‘Since I’ve been doing the sessions I have more energy. I can now fit into ‘normal’ clothes. I save £150 a month on petrol because I cycle into work each day. It used to take me 1.5 hours to cycle to work whereas now it can take as little as 22 minutes and I’m not out of breath at the end.

    ‘Nice comments from friends really keep me motivated. My blood pressure is right down – no more nose bleeds. I sleep better and have lots more self-confidence. I would advise others to see your doctor first for a check-up, start with small changes and sign up for a programme. You’ll soon be flying and enjoying life once again!’

  • COMMENT | The Dangerous Relationship Between Obesity and HIV

    The Dangerous Relationship Between Obesity and HIV

    According to recent data from the SUN (Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV and AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy), which includes 494 patients, approximately 61% were either overweight or obese. Obesity was associated with insulin resistance, elevated cholesterol, increased inflammation and atherosclerosis.

    A reduction of dietary intake of 500 calories per day for 8 weeks resulted in a 6% decrease in body weight. What was remarkable in this study was the dramatic decline in systemic inflammation observed in the study participants. Indeed, two reputable markers of inflammation, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and C-reactive protein, were reduced by almost 50% in only 8 weeks of calorie reduction.

    Inflammatory diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), kidney problems, osteoporosis, cogitative impairment and fragility, are becoming increasingly common in people living with HIV. As the prevalence of obesity and HIV-associated co-morbidities continues to rise, and concerns for the spiralling economic and social costs escalate, innovative management strategies beyond primary care are urgently needed. Many traditional lifestyle interventions can be implemented with the assistance of professionals, including:

    • Maintain a maximal viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy
    • Reduce or stop smoking
    • Lose at least 5-10% of body weight (if overweight)
    • Exercise
    • Consume more fruits and vegetables
    • Reduce alcohol intake

    One reason why people who are infected with HIV have high levels of inflammation is that HIV destroys the structure of the intestine (gut), causing bad bacteria to strive, and changes the dynamics of the gut microbiota.

    Toxins produced by bad bacteria cross the wall of the intestine and into the blood stream to instigate and fuel inflammation, and cause age-associated diseases. Similarly, alterations of the gut microbiota and mucosal barrier have been identified as a novel CVD risk factor and are associated with metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    Incredibly, probiotic treatment using Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 has shown great promise in reducing body weight and liver inflammation in animal models.

    The increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes demonstrates the difficulties of conventional treatments and interventions to curb these diseases. Efforts to identify new therapeutic strategies to modulate gut microbiota are now a high priority for public health and, to date, probiotics and/or prebiotics seem to be the most effective tools.

    Diet, especially high intake of fermentable fibres and plant polyphenols, appears to regulate microbial activities within the gut, supporting regulatory guidelines that encourage increased consumption of whole-plant foods (fruit, vegetables and whole-grain cereals) and providing the scientific rationale for the design of efficacious prebiotics.

    Polyphenol-rich cranberry extract has been proven to protect mice from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, although the effect might have been mediated by the regulation of intestinal inflammation. Recent human studies with carefully selected probiotic strains have shown that ingestion of viable micro-organisms with the ability to hydrolyse bile salts could lower blood cholesterol, a recognised risk factor in obesity-related CVD.

    1. Overton ET. Metabolic complications of HIV infection and its therapies. Top Antivir Med 2014,22:651-654.
    2. Palmer CS. Inflammation speeds up the aging process in people infected with HIV, 2014, http://www.naturalimmunity.com.au/hiv.html#B.
    3. Palmer CS, Crowe SM. How does monocyte metabolism impact inflammation and aging during chronic HIV infection? AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014,30:335-336.
    4. Stenman LK, Waget A, Garret C, Klopp P, Burcelin R, Lahtinen S. Potential probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 prevents weight gain and glucose intolerance in diet-induced obese mice. Benef Microbes 2014,5:437-445.

    Dr Clovis Palmer is a graduate of the University of Sydney, Australia, and holds a PhD in plant biochemistry and molecular genetics. He conducted postdoctoral studies in immunology, liver disease and obesity at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

    Dr Palmer is a reviewer for several top ranked international journals including Hepatology, AIDS and Antioxidants and Redox Signalling. He is the chief scientific editor for Natural Immunity-Health, Australia (www.naturalimmunity.com.au).

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.