Do you have a weight loss story you'd like to share? Email us at editor@nzww.co.nz

Do you have a weight loss story you'd like to share? Email us at editor@nzww.co.nz

Do you have a weight loss story you'd like to share? Email us at editor@nzww.co.nz

Catch up with all of April Ieremia's diary entries and accompanying exercise regimesLast week of this aerobic stage. Next week we move into a more specific and increased intensity sessions. To save reading

Symptoms, triggers and what to do about it.

April Ieremia hits the wall in week six

Dear April oy before photo…. have struggled to choose one, I always feel self conscious these days and always try to hide my stomach. My goal is to be able to stand by my son and feel proud. Starting wt 86.7kg, body fat 42.5%, chest 99cm, waist 92cm, hips 111cm, thigh 65cm, bicep 34cm… hopefully […]

To help you achieve your weight loss quicker, here is a healthy muffin recipe provided by the highly talented and experienced Specforce Chef, Emma. She will be providing a? quick and easy recipe every week to help those struggling to find healthy snack and meal option. Low fat fruit muffin 1 Egg 1 & 1/2 […]

We all know that part of losing weight and leading a healthier lifestyle involves adjusting our nutritional intake. Here, Scott Cottier provides a complete and comprehensive guide on how to eat smart and eat healthy.

A spare tyre increases your risk of Alzheimer's.Being overweight - especially once you get to your forties - can raise your chances of dementia later in life, according to recent research.A Swedish team

A twisted ankle puts April Ieremia into a spin

Week five of April Ieremia's fitness programme is a shortened version for easier reading. Keep going! April managed to exercise even with a twisted ankle.

Introduction To save reading through the same information each week, the program has been condensed and easier to read and follow. If you reached this week then you should be pretty up to date with how to do the exercises. Week four The Hill walk on Wednesday does not count towards your overall total for […]

Melbourne is Australia’s restaurant and shopping mecca. It’s the perfect place for those who want to eat, drink, buy and be merry. But it’s total hell for people like me who don’t! It’s a bugger. The last thing you need when you’re trying to lose weight is the temptation of all the things you have […]

Scotty is the man. I only see my trainer once a week, but look at what he’s done! He’s motivated me to lose another 1.6kg this week, delivering an overall loss of 4kg in just two weeks! Surprisingly, Scotty got me back into running at record speed. I didn’t think I could do five runs […]

Introduction This training program lasts for another three more weeks as this is designed to develop a hypertrophy effect of the muscles, a relatively strong aerobic base and a good grasp of nutritional requirements. Weight loss may not be as quick as you hope or perceive as it is dangerous to be stripping a high amount of […]

This is my before photo, hiding behind my baby. Looking forward to not hiding my body from photos at the end of the weight loss journey! From Annabelle

Today Iam starting the journey in losing weight… weighing in at 94 kgs, its time to change.When your not feeling happy within yourself it doesn’t matter how tall you are!!I will be following the food and training plan on the specforce website.I’m hoping to lose between 10-20kgs but getting under 90kgs is going to be […]

Hopefully we're starting to get the message that exercise isn't just something you should be doing when you're young - it's important for people of all ages to help us stay healthy. You're never too old to get fit, although the type of activity that's best for you is bound to vary depending on your age.

Hi everyone, Just started last week keeping a food diary and have been more active than usual this week and am proud to say goodbye to 1.7kg. I too have 20-25 kgs to lose and am very inspired by April’s article and all the wonderful stories here. Can’t wait to wear beautiful dresses this summer […]

Hi April, I’m Louise, 25 years old and on a weight loss journey with you April, the picture I have uploaded is a picture of me (i’m in the black dress) and some of my friends at a wedding in March. When I saw this photo, I cried. It didn’t feel like it was actually […]

It seems so many things we enjoy are terrible for our health, that's why I love it when something that's supposedly bad for you turns out to be healthy. For example, you probably know that red wine and chocolate can be good for you, but were you aware that going shopping may be better than going to the gym?

April Ieremia and trainer Scott Cottier join the Weekly to bring you tips about weight loss, as well as April's personal journey.

Catch up with all of April Ieremia's diary entries and accompanying exercise regimesINTRoDUCTIoN This training program lasts for another five more weeks as this is enough time to develop a hypertrophy

We mothers are very wise beings who want our kids to be as healthy as possible, so we're always dispensing advice. But are those tips we're passing on to our kids - which usually came from our own mums - actually any use?

'I'm going to lose 30kg!'

A friend who usually has normal blood pressure got a shock recently when a check showed it was borderline high. Her doctor says going through menopause is to blame. There are certain times in a woman's life when we're more prone to high blood pressure than others. Here's when to be especially vigilant about getting it checked.

There are no symptoms of high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, so it's often difficult to appreciate the damage that it can do to your body. Having your blood pressure checked is quick, easy and painless and if you find out yours is on the way up, there are lots of things you can do to try to bring it down.

Needles freak out a lot of people, but there are many others who happily turn to the ancient practice of acupuncture to treat everything from headaches and joint pain to insomnia and constipation. Now research shows that the therapy can be useful in helping women with a range of gynaecological and hormonal problems.

Seeing the terrible injuries people suffered in the Christchurch earthquake made me wonder if I'd know what to do if I was ever in an emergency situation where people were getting hurt. It's been a long time since I did a first-aid course and I think it's time to brush up on my skills. You never know when they could help you to save a life.

oigraines are horrible, hideous things and although medication to treat them can be effective, doctors don't know how to stop them from happening in the first place. However, there are some factors that may trigger migraines, and if you know what brings yours on, you may be able to take steps to avoid them.

ovarian cancer is not very common - less than two percent of women get it. But it's one of the deadliest, because it's hard to detect in the early stages and often, by the time it's found, it has spread. Being aware of early warning signs, and whether you have an increased risk, may help catch this disease before it's too late.

I'm a huge fan of quizzes - I love Trivial Pursuit and pub quizzes - so I thought this week I'd compile my own, using some of the health and wellbeing facts I've learned while researching my columns in the Weekly. Good luck - if you get 10 or more right, you're doing brilliantly!

I hate that horrible churning sensation you get when you feel like you're about to lose the contents of your stomach. Sometimes it's immediately obvious why you feel so rough, but on other occasions the cause may not be clear. Here are some reasons for feeling nauseous.

Itching skin can drive you mad, and the more you scratch, the worse it tends to get. It's not always an easy problem to fix - it can be tricky working out what's causing you to itch. In the meantime, it's important to find a way of relieving symptoms. Here are some common causes of itching and ways of dealing with them.

I've frequently written about the importance of having your heart health checked, but never gone into detail about exactly what that involves. So I asked the Heart Foundation of New Zealand for help explaining what happens. Here's what they told me.

I spend lots of time reading about studies into all sorts of fascinating factors that affect our health. While many of the outcomes aren't conclusive, with researchers admitting there often needs to be further investigation, it's interesting to find out if they really can make any difference to our health and wellbeing. Here are a few that seem to work!

When I was a kid, I didn't have to be nagged to eat breakfast. I had Vegemite on toast and a piece of fruit every day for most of my childhood and wouldn't have dreamed of heading to school without a full stomach. But getting kids to eat breakfast can be hard - especially foods that are healthy and will give them the energy they need. Here are some ideas.

Feeling grumpy? Sick of battling colds? If you don’t feel 100% it could be due to what you’re eating – or rather, what you’re not eating. Nutritional shortages due to a poor diet can cause a variety of symptoms. Here are a few and how to remedy them. Symptom: Tiredness Possible deficiency: Iron Other signs: […]

There are hundreds of weight-loss books available in shops but only a handful of them are written specifically for New Zealanders by New Zealanders. Here are several that take differing approaches to losing weight and keeping it off, each one written with the Kiwi diet, lifestyle and attitudes towards food in mind.

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Could you give up meat, cheese, bread and sugary treats? Ngaire Cooper wasn't sure she could but when health researcher Jason Shon Bennett encouraged her to change her diet for the sake of her health she went ahead and followed his advice. Read on to see what a difference it's made to her wellbeing.

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Happy New Year! It's resolution time, and if you're really serious this year about improving your health, then read on. Jason Shon Bennett made a vast difference to his health by changing his diet, and now he wants to share his knowledge and experience with others.

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

Want to know how much you can safely lose to look great? Slim yourself down at the click of a button and then follow our healthy meal plan!

With the new year fast approaching, here are some great gift ideas to get off 2011 on the right foot!

There aren't many families who aren't touched by arthritis. While we tend to think of it as an inevitable part of getting old, it can affect people at any age and in some cases, be utterly crippling. There is no cure, but here are things sufferers may be able to do to make life easier.

We all know an apple a day is good for us, but so are all types of fruit. Eating fruit regularly can cut our rates of disease, assist us to keep weight under control and help us to live longer. Here's a look at some of our favourite fruits - including some more exotic types - that not only taste good but are great for you.

I've had a couple of letters from readers asking about Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). This may sound like a rather odd condition but it's no joke - in severe cases, it can have a huge impact on people's lives. It has been described as "the commonest movement disorder you've never heard of" and affects around 10% of all people.

There's nothing like the onset of summer - and wearing fewer clothes - to make you realise you need to lose weight! If you want to get rid of extra kilos, here are some practical tips that can help. Remember, fad diets don't work - the key to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is to adopt sensible eating habits and a lifestyle that you can sustain permanently. And focus on being healthy, rather than thin!

In the last four decades breast cancer rates have been getting steadily worse. Around one in every nine Kiwi women will develop the disease at some stage in their lives. So what is making us more prone to this type of cancer? Scientists still don't know exactly what causes it, but there are plenty of theories about factors that may play a part.

If you've ever broken a bone you'll know how painful it is. Imagine breaking your wrists, your hips or the bones in your spine again, and again, and again. This can happen if you have osteoporosis. Not only does it hurt but it can severely impact your confidence, independence and general well-being. Surely it is worth doing what you can to prevent this.

Science was my least favourite subject at school, but I have to admit that now I'm fascinated by health and medicine, I wish I'd paid more attention to my biology teacher. I love reading about the research that scientists around the world are doing, and the amazing things they're learning about how our bodies work.

one of our most widely planted natives is the humble hebe. With around 80 species and more than 500 cultivars, there is sure to be a hebe to suit any garden style or situation from contemporary to cottage, coastal to alpine. Large variations in leaf form and colour, combined with a range of flowers and timing of flowering, all add to the appeal. oost garden cultivars form attractive, compact shrubs and are very easy to grow - what more could you ask for?

Discovering a lump on your body can be one of those awful heart-stopping moments – you automatically think the worst. Fortunately, most of the time lumps are not a sign of cancer but are in fact harmless. Still, it’s always worth getting them checked just in case they are a sign of something sinister. BREAST […]

Your wedding is one of the few days in your life when you are the centre of attention, and every bride wants to look beautiful. But there’s more to being radiant on your big day than a pretty dress and well-applied makeup. If you truly want to glow with good health, here are some helpful hints to follow in the weeks approaching your big day. […]

oany of us are very lax when it comes to getting our eyes checked – we often only bother if there are noticeable changes in our vision, or if we have to do it for an official reason, like renewing our drivers’ licences. But eye checks should be taken as seriously as other health checks. […]

If I could turn back the clock and return to childhood to improve the state of my health now, one thing I’d do is take better care of my teeth. It’s crucial to establish good dental habits early on, and encourage your kids to visit the dentist regularly. As I’ve found to my cost, it’s […]

My beloved nana had Alzheimer’s and having seen first-hand how cruel this disease is, I’m keen to do anything I can to avoid it. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes it but research has shown there are some things you can do that may be able to keep it at bay. They’ve got to be […]

Ahh, food cravings… I know that feeling of being so desperate for a particular type of chocolate bar nothing else will do. The trouble is cravings are usually for fattening foods, and if you get into the habit of eating them all the time, you can end up gaining weight and risking your health. Here […]

I have to admit, I’m partial to bacon sandwiches. Thick slices of fresh bread, lots of brown sauce and, of course, crispy bacon – yum! However, I’m having to rethink how often I indulge in this treat after the publication of a study that shows eating processed meats like bacon may have a serious impact […]

Lucky you if you’re planning to escape the depths of the Kiwi winter by heading off overseas, but don’t forget to look after your health while you’re away as getting sick can ruin your whole holiday. Here’s some advice on steps to take before you go, and precautions that’ll help keep you well while you’re on your travels. BEFoRE YoU Go Check out any […]

There are foods that are good for you and then there are those that are bad. But sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart – it’s not always as cut and dried as you think. A recent British investigation into some foods that you may have put on the “naughty” list has turned up some […]

The message about too much salt being bad for us seems to be getting through. However, even if you are cutting back on the amount of salt you add to your food, you may be consuming more than you realise because it has already been added to what you’re eating – it’s often in the […]

Having a bad back is not a lot of fun. I once worked with a woman who went from being the life and soul of the party to a shell of her former self after she hurt her back. It was so sad to see her suffering. Although back pain is very common, in most cases it clears up on its own without incapacitating […]

Reader Rita Fletcher wrote to the Weekly after we ran a story about an Auckland woman'scolostomy bag medical mishap. Rita, who wears a colostomy bag herself, sympathised with the woman's plight, but wants

our mothers play a vital role in shaping our attitudes to many things in life, including health. And when we become parents ourselves, it’s our responsibility to raise our kids to be as healthy as possible. This week, two well-known Kiwi mums tell us how their mothers influenced them, and what messages they’re trying to […]

I’m a huge fan of trivia – I love Trivial Pursuit and pub quizzes – and one of the things I love about writing this column is the wide array of fascinating facts I come across while researching. For example, apparently blondes have more hair than brunettes. Here’s a few I’ve found about health and […]

I’ve fainted several times in my life, including once on the London Underground in rush hour, and another time at a supermarket check-out (no, it wasn’t a reaction to the enormous bill!) Knowing you are about to lose consciousness is not a nice feeling but for most of us, fainting is not a symptom of […]