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?
Jillian Michaels, her diet pills and the questionable US legal system
14/02/2010 at 09:04am by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
Take one fitness and weight loss star, mix it with one box of ‘what was she thinking?’, add two parts ‘ridiculous, money-grabbers’ and you have where we’re at right now with Jillian Michaels.
Jillian Michaels, star of hit NBC show, "The Biggest Loser," is being sued by Christie Christensen and piggyback-claimant Stephanie Creer, who both claim they didn’t lose weight with diet pills endorsed by Michaels.
Christensen said she was ‘duped’ into buying the "Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Calorie Control" product last month, and is seeking class-action status for the case, filed in Los Angeles.
The lawsuit specifies that the pills did not lessen Christensen's appetite and that she didn't shed any pounds as the product promised.
A photo of trim Michaels and her endorsement of the supplement appear on the product’s package, billing her as "America's Toughest Trainer." It also includes the claim "Two Capsules Before Main Meals and You Lose Weight...That's It!"
Now, I have a serious, serious issue with people within the public eye, especially one who people look up to with such regard, endorsing anything so quick-fix as diet pills. The dollars in her eyes must have obscured the view that diet pills can never be anything but a stop-gap, a diversion from the path of healthiness, which will inevitably lead to a good-looking physique (apologies for terribly journey-based metaphor. Will have a word with myself). I am disappointed that somebody who publicly represents the fitness industry I’m so proud to belong to would put her name to something which promotes anything other than a healthy, balanced diet and activity.
As the lawsuit states: "Ms. Michaels knows better - taking two pills before eating does not miraculously cause weight loss."
My disappointment however should not overshadow the ridiculous, self-seeking nature of this lawsuit. Us Brits, and I imagine many others internationally, have a certain view of the American legal system, one that in our mind allows anybody to sue anybody else, for pretty much any reason that pops into their head, presuming they can afford the initial legal costs.
Christensen, whose suit notes that she has "struggled" with her weight for her entire life and bought "Calorie Control" because of Michaels’ endorsement, is a greedy, unbalanced person in my eyes.
The suit seeks damages to the tune of $5+ million – a sum so blatantly contrived it is small wonder her representation had her stop there. I mean, how do you come up with a figure like that in the first place? How do you put a value on a situation that is no different to the circumstance you would have been in had you not bought said wonder pills?
The pills have (surprise, surprise) not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their claim to help weight loss, but this whole scenario is especially worrying, given that the issue of obesity has no other role model out there, despite being such a big problem in America and the UK. I cannot see how Michaels can recover from this with respect from both the fitness industry and consumers intact. 
Jillian Michaels' diet pills
Arlene Phillips drops two stone after kicking her dairy habit
10/02/2010 at 07:27pm by Rich Leigh, weight loss expert, Fat Free Fitness
66-year-old choreographer Arlene Phillips is now a petite eight stone after slimming down in the months since she was axed from Strictly Come Dancing.
Miss Phillips, who now appears as a judge on the BBC's new dancing show So You Think You Can Dance and is touring with the Strictly Come Dancing stage show, has lost more than one and a half stones with her diet overhaul.
She was spurred into action after her weight crept up to 10st 2lb, which she felt was too heavy for her 5ft 3in frame.
The mother of two said she has given up high-in-saturated-fat cheese, and carbohydrate-heavy bread and potatoes and sticks to fruit, salad, turkey and chicken.
'I've lost about a stone and a half just by cutting out calorific foods like cheese and roast potatoes,' she said.
'I'm 8st 6lb which feels just right for me - I'm not very tall - and fortunately my body seems to have sprung back.
'There's still enough flesh on me, but now I'm not carrying around any excess weight I feel far freer and more energetic.'
Miss Phillips denied speculation that her newly fresh complexion was down to a facelift.
'I'm sure I will [have cosmetic surgery at some point]. I think losing weight has made me look younger.
'I don't have Botox, I hate needles, but I use a Botox alternative you can apply yourself.
'I also have this facial once a week with a rotating instrument that pulls, stretches and tightens.
'I'm very conscious of the way I look because I'm on TV - as opposed to real life where I'm content with myself. At home, I wear flat shoes, no make-up and don't bother with my hair.' 
Arlene with So You Think You Can Dance co-judges Louise Redknapp and Nigel Lythoe.
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