‘I tried Pope Leo XIV's fitness routine — he's Mass-fit'
'For a man of 69, he was surprisingly fit — you could see he exercised,' said Valerio Masella, an instructor at the gym who put Leo through his paces and offered this week to give me the papal workout — or to put it another way, to show me how to pump iron like a Pope.
Since he was named the world's first American pontiff and took the name Leo XIV, thousands of
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The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
I lost seven stone WITHOUT Mounjaro – here's three very simple things I've done that have helped me slim down & tone up
A MOTHER has revealed that she lost seven stone without using Mounjaro. According to Lucy, instead of injecting herself with fat jabs, she swears by three very simple and straightforward things to slim down and tone up. 2 2 Posting on social media, the mum, who is from the UK, gave her followers a before and after look at her weight loss, leaving many totally stunned. Rather than forking out the cash and travelling abroad for weight loss surgery, this mother swears by eating right and exercising to get a body of dreams. And not only does she look incredible, but people are struggling to believe she is the same person as the woman in her 'before' photos. The stunner, who has slimmed down and is now '7 stone lighter' attributes her weight loss to three healthy habits - eating in a calorie deficit, walking and weight lifting. Lucy explained that she is breastfeeding, so isn't able to use Mounjaro. As a result, she took matters into her own hands on a mission to slim down and when it comes to her diet, rather than eating nothing but fruit and vegetables, she swears by a big focus on protein. She confirmed that she consumes 180g of protein every day, as well as 27g to 30g of fiber. When it comes to walking, the savvy mum stressed the importance of doing 10,000 steps every single day, which she has been doing since 1st September 2024. And when she's not walking, she's exercising in the gym. According to this content creator, who believes strongly in being consistent, if you want to feel your best and lose weight, lifting weights is key. I'm a 'former fatty' who lost 12 stone WITHOUT jabs - being slim means I don't have to eat in the car to avoid judgement This mother confirmed that she goes to the gym four times a week and does two glute focused sessions, one catered to full body exercises and another on her upper body. After putting the effort in, less than a year since kicking off her health and fitness journey, Lucy has now reached her goal weight and doesn't want to lose any more. The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. Social media users gush Her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ lucy52915, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 844,000 views, 21,600 likes and 1,169 comments. Social media users were gobsmacked by Lucy's weight loss and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this. One person said: 'You can tell this is natural too. No Mounjaro and excuses here! Well done for creating new habits and not cheating. This will set you up for life.' Another added: 'That is an amazing achievement. You should be so proud of yourself.' 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. A third commented: 'Wow you look amazing!! Well done.' At the same time, one user gushed: 'Wow!! You look like a younger version of Jennifer Aniston now. Very well done.' Meanwhile, someone else gasped: 'If that's the same person fair play.'
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
8 easy ways to get more steps into your day
It's widely believed that 10,000 steps a day is the gold standard to aim for to boost health – but is this just an old wives' tale? A new study, led by academics from the University of Sydney in Australia, suggests the actual number to aim for is a more manageable 7,000 steps. Advertisement The researchers examined data from dozens of studies from around the world on tens of thousands of adults, and found that people who walked 7,000 steps each day appeared to have a protective effect against a number of diseases including: a 25 per cent lower risk of heart disease; a 14 per cent reduced risk of type 2 diabetes; a 38 per cent decrease in dementia and a 22 per cent reduction in depression. Furthermore, when people walked 7,000 daily steps, compared to walking 2,000 steps, they were 47 per cent less likely to die during the follow-up periods of the studies analysed. However, the experts noted that '10,000 steps per day will still be better than 7,000 steps' – with the higher step count leading to more health benefits. So, what are some easy ways to increase our average daily step count? We consulted a fitness expert to find out… 1. Park further away Don't choose the closest spot 'People tend to park in the nearest possible place to their office and spend a fortune on parking, but often the cheaper or free parking spots are further away,' says Andy Carr, a personal trainer. 'Choose a parking spot further from the entrance. It might only add a minute or two to your walk, but over the course of a week, it makes a difference. Advertisement 'If you have a designated parking spot, I recommend getting to work 15 to 20 minutes early and going for a walk around the block. Give yourself that extra time to get your steps in rather than rushing into work.' 2. Take walking meetings Try doing some of your meetings on the move 'We like to take our meetings out on the road when we're in the office,' says Carr. 'Walking meetings are particularly good for in-person meetings. We have a couple of parks near our office, so we often go for walks around one of those during a meeting. 'It gets everyone moving, means we are getting some fresh air and gets everyone off to a good start of the week. If the meeting is online, just pop some headphones in and go for a stroll.' 3. Set a timer to move every hour 'A gentle reminder to stand up and take a short walk every 60 minutes can really boost your NEAT movement,' says Carr. 'NEAT movement stands for Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which basically means all the calories you burn through everyday activities that aren't structured exercise all add up and play a huge role in overall health and weight management. Advertisement 'If you've got a day stacked with calls, and you've got a five-minute break at the end of them, get up and have a stretch and go for a walk around the house or the office.' 4. Buy a walking pad Walking pads can be easily integrated into a home or office environment 'Walking pads are booming in popularity,' says Carr. 'You can use them when you are having a meeting and don't need your camera on, or when you are watching TV. They are a great way to get some movement and extra steps in during activities that you'd usually be sedentary for.' 5. Use the stairs 'It sounds simple but choosing stairs over lifts or escalators is a quick way to boost your step count and get your heart rate up at the same time,' says Carr. 6. Walk during TV time 'Try pacing during ad breaks or marching on the spot while watching your favourite show,' recommends Carr. 'It might feel a bit odd at first but it's an easy way to move more without sacrificing your downtime.' Advertisement 7. Make chores count Mowing gets you moving and gets your heart pumping Housework and gardening are great opportunities for extra movement. 'A lot of people save all their housework and chores for the weekend, but I recommend spreading them out across the week so you get some movement at the end of your work day,' suggests Carr. 'There's various different jobs around the house that can all add to your step count activity such as hoovering, cleaning and mowing the lawn.' 8. Get social with your steps Catch up during a walk in the park 'Instead of meeting a friend for coffee or a meal, suggest a walk instead,' recommends Carr. 'It's a great way to catch up, get some fresh air and move at the same time. 'You can also go to a pub, but adding in a walk beforehand helps you get some extra activity in. I'd also recommend going to a local parkrun as they are a great opportunity to socialise with new, like-minded people that are interested in being active.' Advertisement
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Venice locals win bid to convert abandoned island into sanctuary
A small island near Venice once used as a plague pit is set to become a public park for the city's residents. Part of Poveglia, an island south of the Italian city, has been deserted and closed to visitors for decades, its dilapidated hospital buildings frozen in time, its imposing fort now abandoned and its rumored mass graves still hidden. Its grisly past covers both the countless unknown plague victims thought to have died on the island and the lobotomies reputed to have occurred there when the hospital served as a mental asylum in the 1920s. In 2014 the Italian government sold the island for £400,000 as part of an Italian government strategy to sell off unused property to address its budget crisis. But a group of Venetians launched a campaign to protect the island from commercial development, calling themselves 'Poveglia For Everyone' (PFE). Following a protracted battle, PFE won control over the island. The activist group won a six-year lease, beginning next month, beating competitors including Venice's mayor Luigi Brugnaro. The grassroots group asked Venetians to donate money to help preserve the island from development and turn it into an oasis for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist-laden city. Patrizia Veclani, one of the founders of Poveglia for Everyone, told the Times: 'We woke up with a nest egg of €460,000 (£400,887) and a community full of high-level professional skills.' Her group will pay little more than €1,000 (£871) a year for the renewable lease. PFE says it is joining forces with the University of Verona to transform the northern part of the island 'into a lagoon urban park open to citizens and respectful of the ecosystem and the landscape elements that characterise the lagoon.' The group faces an uphill battle to regenerate the island, however, as there is currently no water or electricity, nor is there a proper pier. Earlier this year, furious Neapolitan locals attempted to crowdfund the purchasing 'back' of a tiny island in the shadows of Mount Vesuvius after it was listed for sale at over £8million. The island of Punta Pennata, which spans an area of just 70x500 metres, lays a mere 100 meters offshore the town of Bacoli in the Gulf of Naples. Despite being a favorite fishing retreat of locals for decades, the rocky peninsula was put up for sale by luxury auctioneers Sotheby's. Residents and officials from neighboring towns are not simply accepting the island's sale though, with Bacoli mayor Josi Della Rangione leading the campaign to place Punta Pennata under the stewardship of the local community. Italy as a nation has already dealt with vast levels of overtourism and a plethora of foreign tycoons buying up similarly prime real estate from under local's noses. In a bid to stop Punta Pennata from falling into the hands of another exorbitantly wealthy businessperson or celebrity, Mr Della Regione drummed up support from all over Italy in the hopes that the local community can raise enough funds to 'buy back' the island.
