Tag Archives: after

Breast cancer survivor shares her “life-saving” 5 stone, 10-pound weight loss

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Sandra Dalton-Goldspink, 49, from Hull had a series of health problems, including breast cancer and fibromyalgia. Her health issues kick started Sandra’s determination to change her life, inspired by her dream wedding vow renewal. Sandra lost 5 stone 10 pounds following the Fast 800 programme, transforming her health.

“I used to eat mindlessly”, explains Sandra. “I loved takeaways on a Friday night, and I ate a lot of processed foods. I would have a slice of pizza or a pasty, snack on my son’s leftovers, followed by dinner and then crisps or a toastie in the evening. I didn’t realise how much food I was eating. You think you’re doing no harm, but realistically you are. I was a size 24, and weighed 18 stone 12 pounds at my heaviest.”

Sandra’s weight impacted her overall health. “I had no energy, I couldn’t walk very far without getting out of breath. My joints were so painful from carrying the excess weight that my husband had to rub cream on them in the evenings. I have fibromyalgia, and the doctor said I was severely obese and needed to lose weight to improve my health. I also have IBS, which of course was connected to what I was eating. I didn’t realise that the processed foods I was eating were amongst the worst things I could eat for my IBS until a nutritionist told me. Even a family member said I should lose weight. But I didn’t listen to anyone until I got breast cancer.”

In late December 2020, Sandra started to experience pain in her chest, and was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I have had a full mastectomy, and I wear my scar with pride. I am now cancer free, but this was the wakeup call I needed. My breast cancer was caused by exposure to oestrogen, and the doctor said I needed to eat more healthily to improve my recovery. I am vegetarian and liked to eat soya and tofu. I didn’t know that these two foods were connected to oestrogen production. I became terrified to eat anything, I thought with every mouthful I was putting oestrogen in my body. Then I discovered the Fast 800 – a science based programmewhich was developed Dr Michael Mosley – and my life changed.”

 

Sandra followed TV presenter and Fast 800 ambassador Saira Khan on Instagram, and started to join in with her daily exercise sessions on social media. When Saira talked about the Fast 800, which follows the ethos of the Mediterranean diet, Sandra thought the diet could help her.

 

“I was already trying to be a bit healthier”, says Sandra. “But I was still having takeaways every week – I thought that because it was a vegetarian meal it would be fine. When Saira shared the plan, I felt that as it’s only a 12-week programme, it was achievable. I started the Fast 800 in July 2021, and lost nearly two stone in the first two weeks. At first, I felt a bit hungry as I was getting used to the quantities of food. But after a few days, I felt full! I was so used to eating so much food, it was a shock to the system, but this new plan showed me the amount of food my body actually needed.”

 

A new way of life

“I had never eaten half of the stuff I eat now, but it’s so tasty”, says Sandra. “This is my lifestyle for the rest of my life now. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Sandra’s health, and confidence, has transformed following her new lifestyle. “I can walk a lot more easily now and can bend my body properly. I don’t get out of breath in the way I used to. And I am so much more confident. People used to make cruel remarks to me in the street, which only made me comfort eat more. Now, I feel like the person I used to be years ago, before the weight crept on – which was about 15 years ago.”

Sandra and her husband Andrew’s families were friends, and the pair have known each other since childhood. Andrew has wanted to renew their wedding vows for years, but Sandra has resisted due to her weight. Now, it is intended to happen next year. “I had a crush on my husband since I was eight. We wanted renew our vows as we didn’t get married in a church. Andrew always wanted to do it, but I wouldn’t agree as I felt too big. Now I want to celebrate our marriage, and I’m going to treat myself to a new dress to wear on the day. I never liked having my photo taken, but I’m excited to see photos from my big day.”

 

As Sandra invested in her health, she started exercising more too. “I follow Saira’s exercise sessions on Instagram, and the Fast 800 have a brilliant exercise portion of their programme too. I never dreamed I would be able to wear leggings like other women, but now I do. It’s the little things that help me understand how much my life has changed.”

Sandra realised how much weight she had lost when her extended family got together for her dad’s birthday. “Due to Covid-19, I hadn’t seen everyone i n a while, and no-one could believe it was me! My cousin said I looked like a whole new person. My mum said I looked really nice in my outfit. It used to be so rare to get a comment like that, it was lovely to receive that compliment.”

 

Sandra’s experience following the Fast 800

“The Fast 800, and Saira, have saved my life, I really do believe that”, says Sandra. “If I can transform my health, anyone can. It is the best thing I have done in my life. I am so much happier and healthier now. I didn’t think I would have the willpower, and I feel so much better. I would tell anyone in my position to be positive, and try it for themselves.”

 

Sandra shares her favourite elements of the Fast 800:

“The food is lovely. The plan has such a variety of food to choose from, it cut the shopping time in half and stopped me worrying about what to eat”, Sandra says “And the exercise tips help. I like the meditation section, it’s a nice, soothing way to start and end my day. I also like thespecial shakes you can eat as part of the plan– the chocolate is my favourite.”

“The community is amazing. People share their stories and motivate each other. Someone said I was a true inspiration, and that meant so much to me. I’d love to help other people going through what I did.”

  • A 12-week programme on www.thefast800.com costs £99 and includes:
    • Meal plans for The Very Fast 800, The New 5:2 and Med-style diets, with vegetarian options
    • Three calorie-counted meals per day based on healthy, gut-friendly Mediterranean-style food
    • Over 400 tasty and easy-to-make recipes unique to the online programme
    • Shopping lists – just print and go, or use the list to help with your online grocery shop
    • Guided exercise plans – all suited to the home, no equipment necessary
    • Lots of tips and support on how to adapt your routine
    • Health Coaches on hand for advice, support and motivation
    • A lively and inspirational cohort of members, united by a common goal to improve health
    • Weekly motivational articles and videos, so you can make these changes for life!

 

Brides Embrace Grey Wedding Dresses After Kim Kardashian’s Vogue Cover

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She is not exactly known as a high-fashion icon but it seems that notorious Vogue cover really has given Kim Kardashian some of the credibility she craves, along with some fashion kudos. eBay has seen a mammoth 260%* surge in sales of grey wedding dresses since Kim Kardashian’s recent appearance on the cover of Vogue (with fiancé Kanye West), wearing a similar design.

 

Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashianweddingdress bridesmaiddress image greyweddingdress

Despite growing rumblings about ‘Kimye’s’ upcoming ceremony in France, the chosen design for Kim’s wedding dress is still tightly under wraps. But it’s the stunning grey number she wore on the fashion bible’s April cover – with a sweetheart neckline and nipped waist – that British brides-to-be are coveting, proving that this surprising trend is one-to-watch this spring.

Credit: Vogue. (http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-cover/)

Credit: Vogue. (http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/kim-kardashian-kanye-west-cover/)

Muted grey tones, punchy floral designs, pastel blues and girlish greens were among the big hitters at the London Bridal Show in April, all prompting many women to reconsider the conventional white dress. Sales of these fashionable colours have similarly increased on eBay, with green wedding dresses up by 72%, blue gowns by 95%, and floral prints up by an incredible 107%*.

 

 

Famous People Who Became Successful Later In Life

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It just occurred to me today that I have spent far too much of my twenties trying to fit a lot of stuff in before I hit 30. And I actually have no idea why. Nothing huge is going to happen when I become 30, I doubt any huge revelation will happen. I actually reckon it will exactly be like becoming 29 only with one more year added on.

Of course it matters to other people. And bitchy people too. The moment I turned 25 people started asking me how I felt about being 30 soon, I mean, calm down. But who cares what other people think anyway, especially when they are rude. Of course, these people will be 30 themselves one day and will probably have someone younger than them act the same way towards them. That is one of the joys of aging: it’s equality. Nobody escapes.

What I have realised is that, actually, the only thing that bothers me about getting older is feeling that I have not done enough to be that age. But even that goes out of the window when I read about the amazing people below. Success doesn’t have an age limit, and neither does talent. In fact, when I hit 30 I will be married, have a successful business and a few other careers, I will have traveled and have amazing friends. Life can only (hopefully!) get more amazing from this point.

 

Deborah McKinlay

That Part Was True book

Deborah is the poster girl for life beginning at 40: she had a baby, got a seven-figure advance and a film deal for her novel, That Part Was True, and went back to University. The University just happened to be Cambridge. She was pregnant when she wrote her thesis and says: ‘You never know when life is going to turn around.’ She truly is an inspiration.

 

Betty White

BettyWhiteJune09

Betty White was a jobbing actress for decades but it was her role in The Mary Tyler Moore Show that made her famous. She was 51 at the time. The now 92-year-old actress has won numerous Emmys and was also a Golden Girl. Still working: she stars in Hot In Cleveland and hosts her own show Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.

 

Leslie Neilson

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It was his role in the classic 1980s movie parody Airplane! that made him famous at the age of 54. He starred in over 50 television shows in 2 years before that and worked for decades before making it big.

 

Hulk Hogan

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After failing to find work in movies Hulk became a wrestler and found fame in his 40s. This strategy worked as, after finding fame as a wrestler, he got work in movies and became a huge star.

 

Steve Carrell

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Made his name with The Office when he was 43 after sharpening his skills on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart for 6 seasons. He is now a movie star in his own right.

 

Morgan Freeman

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Became famous at the age of 52 after starring in 1988 film Driving Miss Daisy. He was Oscar nominated for his role. Morgan has starred in over 90 films and paid his dues for decades before finding fame.

 

Vera Wang

success later in life

Vera Wang only started designing wedding dresses in her 40s after failing to make it on the US Olympic figure-skating team and then being passed over for the editor-in-chief position when she was an editor at Vogue. She is now an incredibly famous and successful designer. So there you go.

 

Burt Reynolds

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Became an actor after an injury sidelined a professional football career. Burt Reynolds has starred in over 70 movies. His breakthrough role was in 1972 film Deliverance. He then became famous and has his own star on the Walk of Fame.

 

Steven Seagal

seagal

Steven Seagal starred in Above The Law as a favour to a student from his dojo. He was a martial arts teacher before that point and Under Siege became a box-office hit a few years later making him an action hero at 40-years-old.

 

Samuel L. Jackson

success after 40

A former crack addict and alcoholic, Samuel decided to turn his life around in his 40s and is now one of the most famous and hardest working movie stars with over 100 movies under his belt. His breakthrough role was in Spike Lee’s 1991 film Jungle Fever.

 

Julia Child

Julia Child, Miami Bookfair International, 1989

Published Mastering the Art of French Cooking when she was 50 and then got her own show The French Chef which was successful. She discovered French cuisine after moving to Paris with her husband in 1948 when she was 36. She enrolled at the famous Le Cordon Bleu to learn how to cook. The rest is history.

 

Alan Rickman

alanrickman

Got his first film role in his mid-40s after plugging away for decades.

 

Feeling inspired? Have any thoughts? Comment below.

 

Why We Should All Calm Down About Vogue Photoshopping Lena Dunham

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Some controversy I just don’t get. Like photoshopping. When I watch a film I know it is not reality, and when I read magazines and see posters I don’t expect that to be reality either. Which is why those making a huge deal about Lena Dunham being photoshopped in Vogue (of all places, Vogue is all about fantasy) are making a fuss over nothing. And the gleefulness of some people about the ‘before’ pictures is just bitchiness on a high-school level- she doesn’t look like a supermodel, but that doesn’t mean she is not beautiful. Beauty is debatable.

Dunham has said she is ‘confused’ about the uproar. Frankly, so am I. Jezebel even paid $10,000 for the unretouched pictures and featured them. Why? Models are also retouched in Vogue. Why is Dunham singled out? If anything her differences should be applauded. Dunham did a great Tweet on it.

In fact pretty much everything in the media is photoshopped. The sky, food…the list is endless. Of course men and women are photoshopped, yet it is only when women are photoshopped that the media have a huge hissy-fit about it. The same media that encourages the practice. You may noticed I said women. I meant it. Have you ever seen a media-storm about a man having his pot-belly removed or been made to look younger? I haven’t. Men don’t care either.

Jezebel article on Lena Dunham being photoshopped. Credit: Jezebel.

Jezebel article on Lena Dunham being photoshopped. Credit: Jezebel.

In my opinion it is just another form of sexism. Women are made to feel bad about their bodies so they can be exploited out of their hard-earned money with an endless parade of celebrities whipping themselves into shape weeks after birth, or starving themselves for two days a week. Then they are made to feel bad about not feeling good about their bodies. We can’t win.

Here is my opinion on photoshopping: I love it. I really love it. In fact my idea of hell is being in the media, especially in print, and not being photoshopped. Every flaw is highlighted when photographed. I don’t even care if they photoshop out an arm, as long as they make me taller, thinner and better looking. After all, it’s not reality and it’s not supposed to be.