Latest news with #Loughton
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum shed 4st ‘almost immediately' after simple tweak when ‘vicious cycle' saw her spiral to 18st
Eliza Loukou, Health Reporter Published: Invalid Date, A MUM trapped in a "vicious cycle" that saw her reach 18 stone saw four stone drop off her after kicking a key habit. Kyra Dawson, 31, was a self-confessed "party girl" throughout her teens and would go out "nearly every night" in her 20s. 13 13 13 13 She could easily guzzle down two bottles of prosecco and wine each time - followed by a full bottle of vodka and shots at the club. While hungover, Kyra would order up to five takeaways - including a full-English for breakfast, a kebab for lunch, a Chinese takeaway for dinner, and snacks like Gregg's sausages rolls - before starting the cycle again. At her biggest, she tipped the scales at 18st 5lbs and was struggling to squeeze into a size 18. Kyra confessed that her drinking "spiralled" out of control and knew she a "problem" when she hid her heavy boozing from adoptive mum, Marie Dawson. In 2021, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Reo, now three, and said his arrival "saved" her life. The mum-of-one credits her weight loss to ditching booze, saying she started shifting the weight after becoming sober. She lost a total of nine stone and dropped down to 9st 10lbs, now wearing a size 8 to 10. Kyra, a beauty therapist, from Loughton, Essex, said: "There is so much sugar in alcohol - as soon as I stopped drinking I lost about four stone. "I really hit rock bottom and knew I had to change. "I was determined to lose weight and look after myself. I'm a mum of two, did drugs, drank wine everynight and didn't think I had an issue - it wasn't until a night at my parents which made me realise I was a functioning alcoholic "My little boy saved my life. "He gave me something to live for and I promised I would be everything he needed. "At my worst, I was ordering five takeaways a day while hungover. "I would eat all day and then start drinking in the evening - and repeat the cycle." 13 13 13 Drinking to cope Kyra grew up in foster homes, before being adopted at the age of 10 by her mum, Marie. She admitted being a "difficult" teenager and using to alcohol to cope. Kyra said: "I had a tough childhood before being adopted. "As a teen, I was rebelling against the world. I started drinking aged 15. "I didn't know I had a problem, I thought I just liked going out and partying. "But all of my friends were drinking alco-pops, and I was having vodka." While hungover, Kyra would order up several takeaways a day including donor kebabs, fish and chips, pizzas and burgers. By the time the evening rolled around, she would go back out with friends and start binge drinking again. Tragedy struck in 2018 when Kyra sadly lost her adoptive mum, Marie, after she developed sepsis while undergoing chemotherapy. Kyra said: "I looked after her and I had to make up her medicine. "It feels unreal, thinking about that time. "I lost her the day after my birthday, very suddenly, she died in my arms. "It was so painful and made things worse. "I partied more, and when I wasn't drinking, I was ordering takeaways and eating junk food. "I battled suicidal thoughts and even attempts after losing her. "Anything to help me cope with the loss." 13 13 13 'Son saved my life' Around August 2020, Kyra met her ex-partner and made the decision to quit-drinking and to start eating more healthily. The real turning point came in February 2021, when Kyra found out she was expecting her first child, her son, Reo. She said: "I'm not with my ex-partner anymore, but we're still on good terms. "I was five months sober when I found out I was expecting my son. "I got pregnant quickly and it really shocked me. "My little boy arriving saved my life. "I wanted to do better for him - make sure he didn't have the childhood I did." I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health Kyra Kyra completely overhauled her diet and started eating more nutritious meals, putting herself in a calorie deficit. She got herself a gym membership and started going on long walks to help shift some weight, walking up to 10k steps a day. Kyra also credits "dancing everywhere" to her weight loss, and she started making TikTok videos of her busting a move on her account. She said: "There was so many calories in alcohol - especially wine and prosecco. As soon as I stopped drinking, the weight fell off. "Then I ditched the obsession with wanting to eat hungover all the time. "I loved dancing - music really helped me too. Dancing is like therapy and music was an escape. It got me through some dark situations. "I found dancing and moving my body a great way to lose weight, and help my mental health." 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. By 2024, Kyra had dropped a whopping nine stone and is now down to 9st 10lbs. She said: "With recovery, it's so important to get into AA. "It's very hard to quit by yourself and I've had huge support from that. "I can't believe how far I've come looking back. "I love talking to people and helping them anyway I can. "Hopefully anyone reading my story will take something positive away from it. "You can turn things around with the right support." 13 13 What to do if you think are an alcoholic IF you're struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support - You don't have to face it alone. Seek Professional Help GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options. Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies. Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary. Consider Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – A well-known 12-step programme that provides peer support. SMART Recovery – A science-based alternative to AA, focusing on self-empowerment. Local Support Groups – Many communities have groups tailored to different needs.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Workplace Injuries Are Reduced with Employee Appreciation
Research finds that employee recognition can decrease workplace injuries among French workers by up to 50% LOUGHTON, England, June 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Latest research reveals that frequently recognising employees for their efforts and achievements can decrease the likelihood of workplace injuries among French workers by up to 50%. This is a key finding from O.C. Tanner's 2025 Global Culture Report which gathered data and insights from 38,075 workers from 27 countries including 1,208 from France. The report highlights how feeling unappreciated worsens mental health and this then increases the likelihood of workplace accidents. Robert Ordever, European MD of O.C. Tanner explains: "There's a clear link between deteriorating mental health and greater instances of workplace injuries, with mental illness often leading to decreased concentration, reduced cognitive function, and impaired decision-making abilities. Workers struggling with their mental health have their condition worsened when they feel unappreciated by their managers and colleagues." The Report highlights how regularly recognising employees for their efforts and achievements, not only improves workers' wellbeing, but noticeably reduces the odds of them reporting a workplace accident. Employees suffering from burnout are 50% less likely to have a workplace accident when their organisation has a formal recognition programme in place. For those workers with probable depression, their odds of reporting a workplace accident are 11% when their organisation is WITHOUT a recognition programme. For workers with probable depression but WITH a recognition programme in place, their odds of reporting a workplace accident are reduced to just 8%. Ordever says, "Implementing a recognition programme that allows all employees to regularly express gratitude to colleagues, not only reduces the likelihood of burnout, anxiety, and depression, but also cuts the number of workplace injuries. But it's important to note that having a recognition programme is not enough in itself. The organisation must champion the giving of appreciation on a daily basis, and encourage recognition that's sincere, tailored to the individual and meaningful. When the importance of recognition is understood and prioiritised, organisations can enjoy truly impactful business outcomes." About 2025 Global Culture Report The O.C. Tanner Institute uses multiple research methods to support the Global Culture Report, including interviews, focus groups, cross-sectional surveys, and a longitudinal survey. Qualitative findings came from 27 focus groups among employees, leaders, and HR practitioners of larger organisations. About O.C. Tanner O.C. Tanner is the global leader in personalised employee recognition solutions that improve workplace cultures so people feel appreciated, do their best work, and stay. Its Culture Cloud is a suite of apps and solutions, including recognition, service awards, wellbeing, leadership, and celebrations that help people thrive at work. O.C. Tanner provides these and other services for thousands of the most respected companies in the world. For more information visit View source version on Contacts Liz Boote, Loudhailer PR E: T: +44(0)7795 362727 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two arrested after 'dog bites woman's arm'
Two people have been arrested after a woman suffered an injury to her arm following a reported dog attack. Essex Police said a woman in her 30s reported being bitten by a dog in Highwood Lane, Loughton, at 14:50 BST on Tuesday, 13 May. The dog was with another dog at the time of the incident and both have since been seized by police officers. A 61-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman, both from Loughton, have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a dog dangerously out of control and both have been released on bail. A police spokesperson said: "Our inquiries are ongoing." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Essex Police
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Two arrested after 'dog bites woman's arm' in Loughton
Two people have been arrested after a woman suffered an injury to her arm following a reported dog Police said a woman in her 30s reported being bitten by a dog in Highwood Lane, Loughton, at 14:50 BST on Tuesday, 13 dog was with another dog at the time of the incident and both have since been seized by police officers.A 61-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman, both from Loughton, have been arrested on suspicion of being in possession of a dog dangerously out of control and both have been released on bail. A police spokesperson said: "Our inquiries are ongoing." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Essex crews stop shed fires spreading to homes in Loughton
Firefighters have stopped flames from three sheds that were ablaze from spreading to Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Barfields, Loughton, at 16:47 BST to reports of a shed on fire. When crews arrived they found three sheds "completely alight and two houses were affected". The service added that firefighters from Loughton and Waltham Abbey stopped the fire spreading to the homes but the sheds were "completely destroyed". A crew from Brentwood will remain at the scene into the evening to dampen down and check for hotspots. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
