Latest news with #Krista
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
'I lost 12 stone without jabs or surgery - but I have one big regret'
Krista started her weight-loss with a free online tool and avoided extreme diets A woman who has lost 12 stone says she has one regret after dropping from her maximum weight of 300lbs. Krista Macinko, 5ft 7in and now 35-year-old, says her big regret is that she has so few photo memories. She said: 'I avoided the camera for years. I hid behind my kids. I offered to take the pictures. I cropped myself out. I just didn't want to be seen. And now, I regret it more than anything.' From birthday parties to holidays, Krista was barely visible. 'I was present for every hug, every laugh, every late-night snuggle,' she says. 'But there's hardly any photo proof I existed. I thought I was sparing myself the pain of seeing how I looked, but I ended up robbing myself and my children of moments we'll never get back.' Krista's 12 stone weight loss wasn't the result of crash diets or extreme plans. It was slow, deliberate, and rooted in sustainability, a message she passionately promotes online. " It took me four years to lose the weight, and I've kept it off for another year since then,' she says. "I didn't wake up one day and suddenly start eating 1,500 calories. I worked my way there.' Her journey began with a TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) calculator — a free online tool that helped her understand how many calories she burned each day. 'For me, it was around 1,500 calories a day,' Krista explains. 'So if I wanted to lose weight, I had to eat under that. If I wanted to maintain, I stayed around that number.' The trick? She didn't overhaul her diet overnight. And Krista has amassed more than 624K likes on TikTok by sharing her no-nonsense journey of losing and keeping off 170lbs (77kg). 'At first, I just shaved off a couple hundred calories each week until I hit my goal. That gradual drop made all the difference. It wasn't easy, but it was doable.' Perhaps Krista's most surprising tip is that she didn't cut out her favourite foods. 'If you want the bread, eat the bread!' she laughs. 'You just need to make sure it fits within your calorie allowance.' Even today, she plans ahead for meals out with friends. 'If I know I'm going for Italian later, I'll have a lighter lunch. I'll skip the heavy creamer in my coffee. Little adjustments here and there mean I can enjoy my food without guilt.' Krista warns against restrictive diets. 'They never worked for me. The minute I told myself I couldn't have something, I'd end up bingeing on it later. So now I focus on balance and planning.' And her golden rule? Track your food before you eat it. I use MyFitnessPal, but any tracker will do. Don't wait until after — once you've eaten it, it's too late to adjust. Plan it in advance and stay in control.' Another myth Krista busts is the pressure to get your protein-to-carb ratio perfect from day one. 'People obsess over macros at the start, but it's just not necessary,' she says. 'Of course protein's important, especially for staying full. But in the beginning, just focus on one thing: hitting your calorie goal. Master that first. Macros can come later if you want to fine-tune.' And what about workouts? Krista's answer might surprise you. 'No, you don't have to exercise to lose weight,' she insists. 'If you're in a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight, whether you hit the gym or not.' That said, Krista loves how exercise now makes her feel. 'It's great for your energy and mental health, and it does give you more wiggle room with calories. But I don't want people to feel like they have to work out to make progress. Fix the food first, the rest can follow.' Despite all the hard-earned pounds lost, it's the emotional weight of years spent hiding that lingers most. 'Our kids don't care what size we are. They care that we were there. And now, they notice I'm not in the pictures.' It's a message she shares with other mums struggling with body image: 'If I could go back, I'd show up. Messy hair, double chin, big body and all. Photos aren't about being perfect they're about proof. And I was there. I just didn't let myself be seen.'
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
'I lost 12 stone without extreme diet, op or jabs - but I have a regret'
'I lost 12 stone without extreme diet, op or jabs - but I have a regret' Krista says you can lose wieght without exercise or cutting out our favourite food Krista at 298lbs A woman who has lost 12 stone says she has one regret after dropping from her maximum weight of 300lbs. Krista Macinko, 5ft 7in and now 35-year-old, says her big regret is that she has so few photo memories. She said: 'I avoided the camera for years. I hid behind my kids. I offered to take the pictures. I cropped myself out. I just didn't want to be seen. And now, I regret it more than anything.' From birthday parties to holidays, Krista was barely visible. 'I was present for every hug, every laugh, every late-night snuggle,' she says. 'But there's hardly any photo proof I existed. I thought I was sparing myself the pain of seeing how I looked, but I ended up robbing myself and my children of moments we'll never get back.' Krista's 12 stone weight loss wasn't the result of crash diets or extreme plans. It was slow, deliberate, and rooted in sustainability, a message she passionately promotes online. "It took me four years to lose the weight, and I've kept it off for another year since then,' she says. Krista did not allow photos to be taken when she was big "I didn't wake up one day and suddenly start eating 1,500 calories. I worked my way there.' Her journey began with a TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) calculator — a free online tool that helped her understand how many calories she burned each day. Article continues below 'For me, it was around 1,500 calories a day,' Krista explains. 'So if I wanted to lose weight, I had to eat under that. If I wanted to maintain, I stayed around that number.' The trick? She didn't overhaul her diet overnight. And Krista has amassed more than 624K likes on TikTok by sharing her no-nonsense journey of losing and keeping off 170lbs (77kg). 'At first, I just shaved off a couple hundred calories each week until I hit my goal. That gradual drop made all the difference. It wasn't easy, but it was doable.' Perhaps Krista's most surprising tip is that she didn't cut out her favourite foods. 'If you want the bread, eat the bread!' she laughs. 'You just need to make sure it fits within your calorie allowance.' Even today, she plans ahead for meals out with friends. 'If I know I'm going for Italian later, I'll have a lighter lunch. I'll skip the heavy creamer in my coffee. Little adjustments here and there mean I can enjoy my food without guilt.' Krista now helps others to lose weight Krista warns against restrictive diets. 'They never worked for me. The minute I told myself I couldn't have something, I'd end up bingeing on it later. So now I focus on balance and planning.' And her golden rule? Track your food before you eat it. I use MyFitnessPal, but any tracker will do. Don't wait until after — once you've eaten it, it's too late to adjust. Plan it in advance and stay in control.' Another myth Krista busts is the pressure to get your protein-to-carb ratio perfect from day one. 'People obsess over macros at the start, but it's just not necessary,' she says. 'Of course protein's important, especially for staying full. But in the beginning, just focus on one thing: hitting your calorie goal. Master that first. Macros can come later if you want to fine-tune.' Krista did not use drugs or surgery to lose weight And what about workouts? Krista's answer might surprise you. 'No, you don't have to exercise to lose weight,' she insists. 'If you're in a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight, whether you hit the gym or not.' That said, Krista loves how exercise now makes her feel. 'It's great for your energy and mental health, and it does give you more wiggle room with calories. But I don't want people to feel like they have to work out to make progress. Fix the food first, the rest can follow.' Despite all the hard-earned pounds lost, it's the emotional weight of years spent hiding that lingers most. 'Our kids don't care what size we are. They care that we were there. And now, they notice I'm not in the pictures.' Krista's 12 stone weight loss wasn't the result of crash diets or extreme plan Article continues below It's a message she shares with other mums struggling with body image: 'If I could go back, I'd show up. Messy hair, double chin, big body and all. Photos aren't about being perfect they're about proof. And I was there. I just didn't let myself be seen.'
Refinery29
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
I Tried The Viral Korean Lash Lift — & It's Honestly Superior
I'm no stranger to a lash lift. Anything that saves me from wrestling with my almost-rusty lash curlers every morning gets my attention — and I find them especially brilliant in summer, when mascara tends to end up halfway down my face by lunchtime. When my lashes look that perky, I tend not to reach for it. My TikTok algorithm knows this about me, which is why it constantly serves up mesmerising before-and-after videos. Lately, though, a new style of lash lift has been taking over my feed. @angelssbeautyyx OBSESSED…😱 Korean lash lifting #forupage #stepbystep #tutorial #korean #lvl #lashlifting #locallashes #insporation #beforeandafter ♬ original sound - Mick Willow What is the Korean lash lift & what makes it different from a standard lash lift? According to experts, the Korean lash lift takes a more health-conscious approach to curling and lifting lashes. Rather than using harsh, drying glue to fix lashes to a silicone pad, it typically relies on a cystemine hydrochloride lotion to gently soften the hairs, making them easier to shape and lift. In addition to the gentler solution, the service takes inspiration from thorough Korean skincare routines. It includes various hydrating and protective serums containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, leaving lashes soft and strong instead of dry and brittle. I booked the service easily through Fresha, the salon app I use for all my beauty appointments. While plenty of salons offer the Korean lash lift, I went with BIYU in Hanover Square — just a stone's throw from London's Bond Street — and added a lash tint to maximise the results. What happens during a Korean lash lift & what are the benefits? Make no mistake — the Korean lash lift is infinitely more relaxing than the traditional lash lifts I've had before. It also feels more thoughtful. BIYU Lash technician Krista began by applying a satisfyingly cool gel pad under each eye, followed by a few strips of tape to further protect my skin from the softening formula, curling solution and later, the dark lash tint. Before applying the softening solution, my lashes were gently cleansed with a lash shampoo, which was rinsed off using purified water. Krista began by gently pulling my eyelids taut using a Japanese sensitive-skin tape, then applied a cooling silicone pad to each eyelid to prevent the softening solution from transferring. Next, she used a waxy balm to brush my lashes upwards, ready for the solution, which she pulled through my lashes with a soft, angled brush. At the tips, Krista applied another serum to boost moisture in my delicate lash hairs, then covered my eyes with clingfilm. 'The heat and minimal air contact encourage the solution to work,' she told me. 'I also like to place an eye mask over the covered lashes, allowing the heat from your skin to process the softening solution.' This usually takes 12 minutes, but for stronger lashes like mine, an extra five minutes might be needed to ensure they're soft enough for curling. Once the softening solution had taken effect and been removed, Krista applied a pH-balancing lotion to neutralise the acidity, preventing my lashes from becoming too soft or overprocessed. It also prepped them for the main event — the curling solution. Before that, though, she talked me through the different curl options. Krista explained that in Korea, there are close to 20 versions of lash pad, depending on whether you want your lashes to curl dramatically upwards, look more natural or sit flicked slightly downwards for that 'puppy eyes' vibe — a look that Krista tells me is super popular in Korea and Japan. I opted for something between the first two, and my newly softened lashes were painted onto the silicone strip to take shape. Again, Krista drenched the tips in the same moisturising serum she'd been using throughout to counteract dryness. 'The ends of our lashes are always very delicate, so I always apply more serum when I put the second solution on,' she told me. Once the curling lotion had worked its magic and been removed, Krista applied the tint, which sat for around 10 more minutes. After the dye was wiped away, I was instructed not to get my lashes wet for the next 24 hours and was sent home with a small vial of nourishing oil to help counteract any dryness. Honestly, though, I felt that I didn't really need it — my lashes have never felt softer. Since Krista brushed them into place, the initial result was much like a strip lash, appearing a little spaced out and doll-like. So cute! When I got home and showed my partner — who didn't know where I'd been — he complimented the way I'd done my mascara. When I told him I wasn't wearing any, he didn't believe me. The strip lash effect didn't last long, but the final results, after finally washing my face 24 hours later, were fuller and fluffier, rather than spread out. Most days, I forget to apply mascara (usually the last step in my makeup routine), but when I do, the result is something major: thick, perky and impossibly long lashes that don't drop all day. I've lost count of the number of compliments from friends and colleagues! How much does a Korean lash lift cost & how long does it last? Is there any aftercare for a Korean lash lift? At BIYU Lash, the Korean lash lift and tint takes around an hour and a half and costs £80, though prices may vary depending on add-ons. The curled results typically last six to eight weeks, hingeing on how well you care for your lashes, while the tint usually fades after about three weeks. Regular maintenance, like oiling your lashes, can help prolong the results. Unlike lash extensions — which tend to grow out unevenly — a lash lift fades gradually as new, straighter lashes grow in, replacing the curled ones. It's a pretty seamless transition. Where can I get a Korean lash lift in the UK? The Korean lash lift is becoming increasingly popular, and finding a technician who offers the service is easy with a salon booking app like Fresha. While it's not the cheapest option, I can't recommend a Korean lash lift over a traditional one enough — not just because the results are more striking, but because my lashes feel healthy, not parched. To me, that makes it well worth it.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I shed 170 pounds and learned that ‘skinny privilege' is real — here are the things I couldn't get away with when I was fat
Here's the skinny on what a former overweight woman's life is like now that she's skinny. Shrinking down from 298 pounds to 130 pounds is a massive change, says Krista, a 30-something from Colorado, who's dropped 170 hunks of excess chunk sans anti-obesity shots, as the Daily Mail previously reported. But, according to the newly slimmed siren, an even more massive change since losing the weight has been the lifestyle habits she can now 'get away with,' which were previously impermissible when she was plump. It's much like pretty privilege — when the world becomes one's oyster owing to their hotness. However, when that favor comes only after fat loss, it also comes with a bit of a sting, per Krista. 'Three things that skinny people can get away with that fat people cannot,' she began in her TikTok countdown. 'No. 1, now that I'm skinny, I could literally not workout another day in my life and nobody would care,' said the brunette. 'But the second you're fat, everybody has an opinion about what you're doing and how you're moving your body.' 'And if you're not actively moving it, you're just a lazy disgusting person.' Krista went on to say that acting like a jerk is a slender person's perk. 'No. 2,' she listed, 'now that I'm skinny, I can get away with being a b- -ch more than I could when I was fat.' 'When you're fat, people automatically respect you less because of your size,' she surmised. 'So the second you have an attitude or you're not nice or you're too opinionated, the [derogatory] names start coming out and people just don't like you.' But much to the millennial's shock, her tremendous weight loss came with the green light to be mean whenever she liked. 'When you're skinny,' continued Krista, 'you have these same opinions you maybe had when you were fat…but now they respect you.' 'And it's okay for you to say those things now because you're skinny.' But Krista says the most fab side effect that's come with her new physique is the freedom to dress how she pleases. 'I can wear whatever I want whenever I want,' she stated as the No. 3 benefit of being fit. 'I can wear baggy clothes, tight clothes — literally anything, and look put together.' 'Being skinny is the outfit.' 'When you're fat and you wear tight clothes, you feel like you look disgusting,' she continued. 'You feel like you just can't win. Getting dressed when you're fat is just super hard.' 'Moral of the story,' Krista said with a smirk, 'being skinny is superior to being fat.' And her virtual viewers agreed. 'Skinny privilege is insane,' a commenter crowed. 'Also eating whatever I want in public without fear of being judged,' another onlooker added to Krista's list, prompting her to concur, writing in response: 'Omg yes this one!!!.' 'It's so cute and quirky if a skinny girl eats a lot of food — like whoa what a big appetite,' noted a separate supporter. 'But a big person having a normal meal is like, 'Hmm should you be eating that?.'' 'Brutal,' another remarked, 'but true.'
Powys County Times
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Powys County Times
UK Northern Lights: Once in a decade display this month
A once in a decade display of the Northern Lights could be visible in parts of the UK in the coming weeks. Increasing numbers of displays have been spotted, with more of the country able to take in the spectacular sights. The Aurora Borealis stunned the nation last year, with dazzling light displays being visible as far south as Dorset, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire. In short Aurora Borealis sightings have increased in recent years and the explanation is well known in the science community, according to the Met Office. Krista Hammond, a Manager at the Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC), said: 'Activity on the sun, and in particular the number of visible sunspots, varies over roughly an 11-year period, known as the solar cycle.' The last solar minimum, which is when the Sun had the lowest frequency of visible sunspots in the solar cycle, occurred in December 2019. This means that the sun's activity is currently increasing, with the next solar maximum expected this month. As a result, more of the Sun's electrically charged particles are travelling towards the Earth and getting caught in its magnetic field, thus producing more of the aurora effect. Krista added: 'Over the coming years, as we continue towards the solar maximum, we can expect to see an increase in the frequency of space weather events, with more chances to see the Aurora Borealis over the UK.' Can I see the Northern Lights in the UK? The Royal Museums Greenwich said: 'The aurora borealis can be seen in the northern hemisphere, while the aurora australis is found in the southern hemisphere. 'While the best places to see the aurora are concentrated around the polar regions, the aurora borealis can sometimes be seen in the UK. 'The further north you are the more likely you are to see the display – but heightened solar activity has meant that the northern lights have been seen as far south as Cornwall and Brighton. 'The conditions do still need to be right however. Dark and clear nights, preferably with little light pollution, offer the best chance of seeing the aurora.' What causes the Northern Lights? The Royal Museums Greenwich explained: 'Solar storms on our star's surface give out huge clouds of electrically charged particles. These particles can travel millions of miles, and some may eventually collide with the Earth. 'Most of these particles are deflected away, but some become captured in the Earth's magnetic field, accelerating down towards the north and south poles into the atmosphere. This is why aurora activity is concentrated at the magnetic poles.' Royal Observatory astronomer, Tom Kerss added: 'These particles then slam into atoms and molecules in the Earth's atmosphere and essentially heat them up. 'We call this physical process 'excitation', but it's very much like heating a gas and making it glow.'
