Why Octo-mom lost 145lbs!
05/03/2010 at 07:56pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Octo-mom Nadya Suleman lost 145 lbs after giving birth to her octuplets, but her motivation didn't come from health concerns nor wanting to be fit enough to play with her children - it was all for the cash, according to a recent interview.
"The main reason was obviously revenue and I'm the first to admit it," said Octo-Mom. "I'm very, very open and honest about that."
She claimed it's because she needs to figure out how to support her children.
"Every single hour of the day, I contemplate how I am going to do this, to be able to support them," she said.
"It is a Catch-22. If I go back to school … I couldn't possibly earn enough money to take care of them … So the only other option is to delve into other opportunities … you know, doing interviews … to make the money."
So, the question is: did she do it healthily, or did she have medical help, in the same way she did to become pregnant with her eight little ones?
Octo-mom pre-birth of her octuplets
Five ways to make exercising without a gym work for you
01/03/2010 at 07:45pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
The fantastic team at Kettler have helped put together this list of five easy ways to get active without joining a gym or fitness club. Any to add? Feel free to leave your thoughts below!
Four million people in the UK are members of a gym, but a whopping nine out of ten stop going regularly after just six weeks. With average memberships adding up to around £400 a year, why not think outside the gym box for your fitness fix...
1. On your feet! Have a nice park, common or scenic paths near your doorstep? Then all you need is a good pair of running shoes. Running for just 30 minutes burns around 300 calories. Prefer walking? Walking burns around 200 calories in the same time and means you can spend time with your children, a pet, your partner or simply clear your head and watch the waistline diminish. To figure out exactly how many calories you’re burning, try an online calorie calculator such as www.weightlossforgood.co.uk/calorie_calculator.htm.
2. Two wheels are good. It not only burns around 600 calories per hour, but it is also a fun way to get around and get to know your local area. Simple steps like ditching the car for short trips could make all the difference. Check Kettler (www.kettlerdirect.co.uk) for a range of bikes. Another handy website, www.sustrans.org.uk, offers information and advice on all aspects of cycling – including your local cycle paths.
3. Bring the gym to you. This is a good way to keep yourself motivated come rain or snow. New at-home fitness equipment, such as Kettler’s fold away rowing and running machines are now easy to put away, so there’s no need to commit a whole room to exercise equipment. A run or cycle whilst watching your favourite TV programme will hardly feel like a chore.
4. Get bouncing. These days, trampolines are not just for your kids but also great for some adult fun. Jumping around for just 20 minutes will burn around 400 calories – not bad for a bit of child’s play. If you don’t have a garden or enough space, you can also get small, one-person trampolines.
5. Go local. Local sport groups are a great way to not only get fit but also make friends along the way. Check your local council’s website and you might be surprised about the variety you find. 
Exercise trampolines, or 'rebounders' are a great way to get active
4 in 5 men will be overweight or obese come 2020
17/02/2010 at 07:23pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Ladies, if you are worried about your guy’s weight, or are finding all too often that all the guys out there come with extra baggage – probably in the shape of a stomach paunch – this study won’t do much to make you feel better.
The latest predictions straight from the Office of Doom and Gloom say that eight out of ten men will be overweight or obese in just ten year’s time, whilst 70% of women will be in the danger category.
Research suggests child obesity may be levelling off but the outlook for adults is less optimistic with tens of millions at risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Oxford University's Prof Klim McPherson, who led the study, said: "We are being overwhelmed by today's 'obesogenic' environment with its abundance of energy-dense food and sedentary lifestyles."
Peter Hollins, of the British Heart Foundation, called the figures "devastating". Some 41% of men aged 20 to 65 will be obese by 2020 and 40% will be overweight, according to the study – the first I’ve read that predicts that obesity will outweigh (pun maybe intended) people in the overweight BMI weight category.
Meanwhile, 36% of women will be obese and 32% will be overweight.
If these figures sound far-fetched, think again - a quarter - 24% - of men and women are already obese.
The report comes as a new government health drive begins. Swap It Don't Stop It suggests swapping watching sport on TV for taking part – something which would no doubt please soap-starved WAGs (wives and girlfriends for those not familiar with the blanket term footballers’ wives and girlfriends are tarnished with – and by extension actual wives and girlfriends), amongst other proposals.
Recently, Scottish actor Gerard Butler was spotted looking a world away from the fantastic toned and muscular physique he sported in hit film 300 - are more men destined to pile on the pounds? Admittedly, most aren't starting with the body Butler was once the proud owner of, but still...
Will more men be 'doing a Gerard Butler'?
Reality star Kelly Osbourne drops 28lbs to turn heads on Naomi Campbell runway
16/02/2010 at 06:54pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Kelly Osbourne, foul-mouthed daughter of famed bat-biting rocker Ozzy and sharp tongued reality TV judge Sharon, has quite literally danced her way to being slim, showing off a healthy looking figure on the catwalk of Naomi Campbell’s ‘Relief for Haiti’ fashion show.
Kelly, formerly a star of hit MTV show "The Osbournes" has been battling with her weight for years within the media, but like her brother Jack, finally seems to have learnt just how beneficial exercise can be, after reportedly losing 28 pounds.
British Kelly looked fantastic in a shiny red dress on the runway, and was blunt in her disapproval of crash dieting, highlighting her stint on America’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ as the kick her weight loss needed:
"I’ve tried so many stupid fad diets to try to lose weight, when all I needed to do was start dancing.”
Airbrushing experts claim she looks to have slimmed down to about a UK size 8, the equivalent of an American size 4, if my transatlantic conversion skills are up to scratch.
Kelly Osbourne reportedly dropped 28 lbs thanks to 'Dancing with the Stars'
Which is the fattest region in the UK?
15/02/2010 at 07:50pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
If you live in the East Midlands, I’ve got bad news for you. You’re probably fat.
According to a poll on obesity, people in the East Midlands are the fattest in the UK, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 28.9, based on people's weight and height ratio.
Londoners fared well in the study, with an average BMI of 26.1 – 1.1 beyond the ‘overweight’ threshold.
The research showed that the average BMI of Brits was still within the overweight category – something that is perhaps not too surprising.
If your BMI level measures between 25 and 29.9, you are regarded as overweight, whilst a BMI level of between 30 to 39.9 plonks you within the obese category. To measure your BMI, simply multiply your height by itself, and then when you have this number, divide your weight in kilograms by it.
For instance, if you weighed 60kg, and were 1.6m (5 ft 3 in) tall:
1.6 x 1.6 = 2.56. 60 divided by 2.56 = BMI of 23.43 – within the healthy range.
Dr Ian Campbell, a GP and obesity expert, said the high BMI index in the East Midlands means residents in the region have a higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
In the cities there tends to be more obesity than in rural areas, he added.
The South East and North East had levels of 26.9 putting them next to London in the table.
The West Midlands with a BMI of 28.1 was third highest followed by the North West with an average BMI of 27.9.
The results are based on a survey by Slimming World and YouGov which polled a total of 2,148 people across the UK about their weight.
Here is the full breakdown – see how your region stacked up:
Obesity in the UK - BMI levels
East Midlands - 28.9
Scotland - 28.4
West Midlands - 28.1
North West 27.9
Wales - 27.8
East - 27.5
South West - 27.5
Northern Ireland - 27.2
Yorkshire/ Humberside - 27
South East 26.9
North East - 26.9
London - 26.1
Tell us below - do you think these results are reflective of the area in which you live?
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