We found the secrets to staying skinny AND eating everything we want – the best part? We're having better sex than ever

Fans of this new diet are crediting it with remarkable weight loss results... here
Fans of this new diet are crediting it with remarkable weight loss results... here two women give their verdict
WEIGH TO GO We found the secrets to staying skinny AND eating everything we want – the best part? We're having better sex than ever
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MOVE aside, Mounjaro – there's a new weight-loss trend taking over and (spoiler alert) it doesn't involve pricey injections.
Not only will it cost you nothing – it actually SAVES you cash as you slim.
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Karena Sophia, left, and Ami Goff, right, give their verdict on the OMAD diet after trying it out
Credit: Lorna Roach
The One Meal A Day (OMAD) diet has recently exploded on social media, where the hashtag #OMAD is used once every 72 seconds.
It's a type of intermittent fasting which sees dieters limit themselves to – you guessed it – just one meal a day, with no calorie-counting or faddy food restrictions.
But there's a downside, with experts warning of risks like nutritional deficiencies and binge-eating.
Despite those fears, OMAD obsessives are reporting remarkable weight-loss results, saying it cuts cravings, boosts energy and even turbo-charges sex lives.
So is OMAD a dangerous fad, or a weight-loss wonder? Two women who tried it speak out…
'FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK IT'S CRAZY, BUT I'VE LOST 3ST'
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Ami, 44, lost 3st after following the One Meal A Day diet
Credit: Supplied
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Ami reveals: 'OMAD is proof that our bodies don't need all the food we stuff in it'
Credit: Lorna Roach
Retail assistant Ami Goff, 44, lives in Bristol with her partner Anthony, 32, a retail consultant, and their 14-year-old daughter.
She says: 'DIGGING into a creamy chicken curry with a side order of onion bhajis, I noticed my friends staring at me enviously.
They were picking at their low-calorie, grilled fish dishes and couldn't believe I was demolishing something so indulgent while maintaining my slim, size 8 figure.
I've shed 3st – and kept it off – by eating just one meal a day. And I feel more amazing than ever.
My weight battles started when I began working as a consultant for a confectionary company in 2016.
At the time I weighed 9st 2lbs and was a size 8. But the office was always full of chocolates and sweets and I was constantly snacking, then eating a big meal at night with my partner, Anthony.
By 2018, I'd put on 4st 2lbs, tipping the scales at 13st 2lbs – much too heavy for my 5ft 3in frame.
Can drinking nothing but fizzy water for two weeks really help me shed my excess weight
Now wearing size 14 clothes, I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable. Anthony had also put on 2st working from the office, so we decided to try to lose weight together.
Atkins, SlimFast, the cabbage soup diet, Weight Watchers… you name it, we tried it. But nothing seemed to work.
Then, in 2021, Anthony suggested OMAD, after reading about it on social media.
Initially, I was sceptical, worried I'd feel deprived because I had such a sweet tooth. But in desperation, we decided to give it a go and agreed we'd have our one meal between 5pm-7pm.
It wasn't easy and ditching endless snacking was a shock to the system. I was plagued by cravings for chocolate and sweets, my belly rumbled constantly and I felt light-headed. I almost packed it in so many times.
It took enormous will-power, but Anthony and I encouraged each other and by the time I hit the three-month mark, the cravings disappeared.
I have more energy and focus and our sex life is great. I feel so much more self-confident
Ami Goff
It helped that we could have whatever dinner we fancied, from burgers or pasta to chicken and veg. It felt like such a reward for getting through the day.
Meanwhile, the weight melted away. Within a year, I'd lost a stone and by the start of 2023 I'd shifted 3st and was back to a size eight and 9st 2lbs.
Anthony also lost 2st, but even though we'd reached our target weights, we decided to continue with OMAD because we both felt so fantastic.
Now, I'm glowing. I have more energy and focus and our sex life is great. I feel so much more self-confident.
Our daughter isn't a fan, though. She lectures me that it's unhealthy, because that's what she's learnt in school. She eats at normal meal times and is convinced we're bonkers.
My friends and family cannot fathom how I have the willpower to eat only one meal a day, but OMAD has completely cut my cravings for chocolate and processed sugars.
I never feel hungry and my body naturally wants healthy proteins, vegetables and fruit at dinner time, although I'd never say no to – or feel guilty about – a creamy curry if I'm out with friends.
OMAD is proof that our bodies don't need all the food we stuff in it. For me, it's a lifelong eating change, not just a diet plan.'
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.
'OMAD IS THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE TO WEIGHT-LOSS JABS'
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Karena, 44, lost 1st 9lb with OMAD
Credit: Supplied
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She reveals: 'OMAD has changed my life – for the better'
Credit: Lorna Roach
Feng shui consultant Karena Sophia, 44, who is single, lives in Worcester, Worcs, with her 18-year-old twin girls.
She says: 'SCROLLING through social media in June 2022, I saw a post about OMAD and my interest was immediately piqued.
I'd always worked out twice a week at the gym, doing weights and cardio to keep my weight down, but after separating from my husband in 2019, I had to focus on building up my new business, The Graceful Healer, and raising my twins, so I couldn't seem to find the time.
My weight crept up 2st, to 11st and a size 14. At 5ft 6in, I felt self-conscious and uncomfortable, although I appreciate it's not huge.
In a bid to slim down, I tried the Keto diet, which involves cutting carbs and replacing them with fats and proteins. But since I'm pescatarian and only eat fish, it was tricky to follow.
The idea of OMAD seemed much more straightforward, so I decided to give it a go.
In the first couple of months, I had some minor cravings, but water and coffee or the odd slice of watermelon – which is allowed as an occasional snack due to its high water content – would fix that.
Within just two months, I felt amazing and more energised and within a year, my weight was down to 9st 5lbs and I was a size eight.
Before OMAD, I'd eat a big lunch, then be hit by a mid-afternoon energy slump, but that's a thing of the past.
The thought of returning to three meals a day feels so overwhelming
Karena Sophia
Now, I eat at 5pm every day with the twins – everything from curries and fish and chips to stir fries and the occasional takeaway, followed by dessert. But my teens still eat three meals a day and love their snacks.
The thought of returning to three meals a day feels so overwhelming. Now, I get far more done, without feeling deprived of the foods I love.
The 'food noise' – those persistent thoughts about what I could eat next – is gone. A friend who uses the weight loss medication Mounjaro says the jabs have done that for her, so OMAD seems like the natural alternative.
OMAD has taught me that when people think they are hungry, they're actually thirsty. If I feel peckish I drink water and it does the trick.
Some acquaintances see it as self-imposed starvation, others worry I am too slim or depriving my body of nutrients.
But I always try to explain how much energy and freedom it has given me.
Now, I am focussing on building my business, but losing weight and eating in a way that suits me makes me feel sexier and more body confident.
OMAD has changed my life – for the better.'

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Wales Online

6 hours ago

• Wales Online

I took Mounjaro and the results changed my life

I took Mounjaro and the results changed my life Jess always struggled to manage her weight, however a year after using the controversial Mounjaro vaccine, she has now lost 100 pounds Jessica shared the moment where she was able to travel abroad - without using a belt extender (Image: Jessica Miles ) For Jess Miles, a 37-year-old secretary from Newcastle Emlyn, weight had always been a shadow in her life. It was a battle that stretched back from her childhood and stubbornly into adulthood. "I've been overweight since I was a kid. It got worse after I had my son, nearly 16 years ago," she says. "I've tried everything - Slimming World, Weight Watchers - you name it! I'd lose a couple of stone, then binge eat, put it all back on and give up until the next time." ‌ However, the wake up call came with two gut wrenching moments: stepping on the scale and seeing 24 stone and four pounds, and the whisper of her late mother's final wish. ‌ "I lost my mum just before COVID," Jess shared. "One of the last things she ever said to me was that she wanted me to lose weight. She was a big woman too, but after getting diagnosed with diabetes, she changed everything. She went from a size 26 to a 14 - it was really amazing to see. She did it - and she wanted the same thing for me." This echoed through Jess' mind when she looked at herself last year. "Reaching 24 stone.... I cried. Honestly, I felt ashamed of myself. I thought that if I don't do something, I won't live to see my son turn 18." A year ago, Jessica weighed 24 stone and four pounds (Image: Jessica Miles ) Article continues below That's when she found Mounjaro - a weight loss option that has become increasingly familiar in the public eye - for both positive and negative reasons. Jess had started seeing the name crop up on Facebook and TikTok, the latest buzz in weight loss. "It was everywhere," she recalled. "But I didn't know anyone who had tried it. Back then it was so new, so I was very apprehensive about it." It wasn't just the unknown that made her hesitate. It was the cost - upwards of £250 a month. "I kept putting it off, thinking 'I can't afford this'. But one day I just thought, b****r it! Something has to change and nothing else has worked!" ‌ Armed with this sudden burst of determination, she booked a consultation with Iechyd Teifi Health, a private clinic. On July 4, 2024, she walked in, shaking hands with the consultant with a pounding heart: "I actually said out loud, 'I don't know what I'm doing here.' I was so incredibly nervous." Jess was honest from the start about her biggest worry: the side effects. "The list was terrifying," she admits. "I have read that there are possible cases of thyroid cancer, liver and kidney issues.... not to mention the more common stuff like nausea or constipation." These concerns weren't unfounded. The NHS website notes, "Common side effects, include: ‌ Feeling sick Indigestion Constipation Diarrhoea "There can be some more serious side effects, such as low blood sugar, gallstones and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)." Fortunately, Jess had no underlying health conditions that would have put her at severe risk with the treatment. Through further discussion with the doctors at her workplace, Jess was given the green light to proceed - with agreement to have regular blood tests to keep everything in check. ‌ From the moment she took her first injection, almost a year ago, Jess says something shifted. "I had my first injection the day of my consultation. That night, I remember sitting down to eat and I just... couldn't," she said. "There was a full plate of food in front of me, and I managed about a quarter of it. I physically couldn't eat more. It was shocking. Normally I'd eat massive portions without a second thought." That initial shock was quickly followed by nausea, a side effect that lingered for the first few weeks and continues to take hold. "I wasn't used to it in the beginning. I felt sick a lot, especially the first weekend. I barely ate anything," Jess says. "But weirdly, I sort of needed that reset. It forced me to stop and think about what I was putting in my body." ‌ That thought struck after a late night stop at her local chippy. "I had a portion of chips and my gosh was I ill that night. It must have been all the grease and fat... From that point on, I realised I had to actually change what I eat." Jess didn't give up all her favourite foods - she didn't need to. But her relationship with them has changed. "Chocolate used to be my downfall. I used to be able to eat a whole bar of Galaxy in one sitting. Now? A square or two and I am genuinely satisfied." Jessica shared that she had always struggled with her weight but since taking the injection has seen an incredible difference (Image: Jessica Miles ) ‌ Her drastic change in appetite has also impacted her daily routine. "I don't eat breakfast now. A coffee keeps me going until about half ten and then I'll have a small portion of fruit before lunch. If I have a proper lunch, sometimes I don't have supper. I have cut down on all my snacking. The injection has changed everything." And yet in those early months, people didn't believe it would last. "I think a lot of my family and friends thought I'd give up like I always had before, and I don't blame them! I had a history of starting strong and then slipping back into old habits. "But this time was different. They started to take notice when I hit that two-stone mark. That's when they realised I was serious." Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here ‌ Jess' biggest cheerleader wasn't around to see it, but Jess knows that her mother is with her in spirit. "Honestly, she remains my biggest motivator, through all the tough moments. I know my mother is looking down on me and is proud of what I have achieved!" Week by week, stone by stone, the weight has come off. "I weigh myself every morning before work. I go in and tell the girls, 'I lost three pounds!' and they're just as excited as I am. Everyone has just been so amazing and supportive." For Jess, her biggest milestone came during a shopping trip. "I didn't really want to go clothes shopping because of how much my weight was fluctuating, but it got to the point where I was looking stupid going to work because of how oversized my normal clothes were. ‌ "I remember on that trip, picking up a t-shirt in New Look in my usual size 24, without thinking - it drowned me. So I grabbed a size 18 - still too big. I ended up buying a size 16. I hadn't been that size since school." She stood in front of the store, holding the old size against her body - gobsmacked. "I nearly cried. It wasn't about the clothes. It was seeing for the first time how far I come. No matter how much I look in the mirror, I can't register the changes, but in that moment it became undeniable." Now 49 weeks in, Jess has lost seven stone and two pounds - exactly 100 pounds. ‌ Jessica said that her friends and family can't get over the difference Mounjaro has made (Image: Jessica Miles ) "I still can't believe it," she says. "That weight is basically equal to a size of a small child.... it's crazy! It blows my mind." Beyond the physical changes, there has also been a change in mindset. "A small part of me used to dread weekends. I've got a little balloon business on the side, and I'd find myself sweating, exhausted putting party displays up. But I now find myself with this new lease of energy that makes me get up and want to do it." ‌ That renewed energy carried through to every part of her life - even travelling, something that once brought discomfort and embarrassment. "We went to Mallorca last year and to get on that plane and not need a belt extender? Oh my god, that was the best day of my life!" Those kind of moments - picking up a smaller size, getting through the weekend without feeling breathless, not using a belt extender - have defined Jess' year. She is now a comfortable size 18, with aspirations of reaching a size 16. "I'd say lose another two stone and I am happy. I am now preparing for my final injection - I will be stopping after this month. With the £250 a month I have been spending, I plan on putting it towards going to the gym and swimming to tone up! ‌ "I am so proud. I have honestly never been happier and that's really why I am sharing my story. I have seen so much bad conversation surround this injection and people who are on it are too embarrassed to even talk about it - but I am living proof of it working. "If you have no underlying health conditions - and I say this in big, bold, capital letters - then I would 100% advise anyone to take it. The impact it has had on me has been out of this world." There is a slight sting that this injection may become readily available over the counter after a short consultation - at the cost of an NHS prescription. The possibility was difficult pill for Jess to swallow, she confessed. ‌ "I was heartbroken," she says frankly. "One of the girls in work told me and I was swearing, ranting and raving. People are going to be able to walk into a doctors and get it for free when I've spent thousands. "That did hit me quite hard." Still, she understands the benefits of wider access - especially when done safely and with the right medical support. "I know it's safer through the NHS, because they have your full medical history. That's what really matters - making sure it's done properly." ‌ And for Jess, peace of mind was worth every penny. "I know I could've gotten it cheaper online, but I didn't trust it. I wanted to be supported and monitored. I felt safe doing through the clinic and I don't regret that." As Jess prepares to step into the next phase of her journey - one without Mounjaro, but with motivation - she hopes her story helps others feel less alone. She's already had dozens of people reach out through her social media. "Some people message me saying I've inspired them to try it. Others are asking about the side effects. I always say the same - for me it was mainly constipation and some nausea at the start. But nothing major. The nausea only hits if you overeat, because your body just can't handle it anymore." Article continues below Her routine is different now, more mindful. Smaller meals. Higher protein. Regular movement - even if it's just walking the dogs or getting her steps in during her lunch break. Yet her message is clear: "Be honest. Don't take it if you have underlying conditions. It's not a shortcut, it's hard work - but it does work."

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

• Daily Mirror

Busy mum-of-three ditches regular diets to lose four stone

Makeda, from London, suffered from joint and back pain but turned to a health app to change her lifestyle Losing weight is difficult, and it's especially so when little help is available. It gets even harder when there are so many different bits of advice floating around, from Atkins to intermittent fasting - finding the right one that works is like swimming in a sea of misinformation and fake Instagram accounts. However, one London mum-of-three managed to shed four stone with the help of an app, Simple. Makeda says she was at her heaviest - 18.5 stone, or 117.5kg - after the birth of her twins, where she already was mum to a daughter, who was under five at the time. Despite having one of the busiest lifestyles possible, it was her children that motivated her to lose weight - bringing her down to an incredible 14 stone (88kg). Makeda said: "I had got up to about 18.5 stone. I am very happy to be a mum, but I just really felt the pressure. I had gained a lot of weight. It's the heaviest I'd ever been, and I was just always in a lot of pain. I had a lot of joint pain and back pain, and I just felt like I just couldn't keep up. "And one of the goals for me was, yes, I wanted to lose the weight and I wanted to feel good in my body, but I also wanted to feel strong in my body. I wanted to know that if one of the twins needed picking up, I could carry both of them at the same time or push the double buggy and carry my other daughter." Before Makeda found Simple - a health app that helps people track their nutrition and aids in intermittent fasting - she tried a multitude of other diets without success. She continued: "I really was just struggling. Struggling to form any form of habit, and I tried all the diets, every diet I tried it, and I would do really well for maybe the first week, two weeks, maybe even a month, but I just realised it wasn't bespoke to me and my lifestyle. "It was kind of like they were trying to, these diets were trying to fit me into a particular category, and it just didn't work. I just couldn't be consistent with it." Makeda - who is also studying to be an occupational therapist while raising her little ones - managed to shift the weight with small lifestyle changes, aided by the Simple app. Currently, the app is offering a 60% discount with the code REACH60. This state-of-the-art AI coaching app crafts customised weight loss programmes based on lifestyle, activity levels, health objectives and timeline - promoting a balanced diet that yields sustainable, long-term results as users can continue to enjoy their favourite treats. Makeda shared that using the Simple app, which provides users with a personalised diet plan that may incorporate intermittent fasting - eating wholesome meals during specific hours of the day and fasting for the remaining time - helped her reassess her nutrition and revamp her lifestyle. She continued: "I didn't change my lifestyle too much, other than I just was really enthusiastic to move my body more. I woke up when I woke up, I was pain free, and full transparency, there were times when I stopped using the app. You know, and my weight fluctuated due to starting studying or due to stress or just life in general. But the really nice thing was I could always come back to it, come back to it, have a reset, and then get back on program." Makeda also praised the integrated AI app, Avo. It helps you plan exercise routines and diet plans, as well as giving reminders for things like when to fast. Simple also allows you to track food by taking a picture of the ingredients. It then translates the food into a meal score based on the nutritional intake. She said: "The AI really is very, very intuitive, it really works for you. You get your reminders, you get the support, but it's very much for you. So I really, I really like that aspect of it." Makeda added: "What makes me really happy now is I go out, take walks, I hike, I go on adventures with my daughters, and I have enough strength and stamina and resilience to do that." There's a wealth of other apps available that aid users in shedding pounds, much like Simple. For instance, Lifesum is free to download and enables users to monitor their meals, displaying calorie and macro information, with advice on what to consume and even an intermittent fasting tracker. In the same vein, Noom is a weight loss app that centres on healthy lifestyle alterations and behavioural psychology, offering personalised plans and support for its users. Meanwhile, Simple has a 4.3 from 30,217 reviews on Trustpilot. One happy user wrote: "Easy to use, not about calories about healthy eating and no guilt." Another added: "I initially joined Simple for the wall Pilates programme but have really enjoyed the food nutrition guidance and the fasting advice.. I have lost weight, I'm eating healthier and am enjoying the workouts!" A third wrote: "Without a doubt, AI has been a great experience. I never would have believed that a computer-generated person would be of so much help! But here we are in a new world of possibilities. This might be the best money I've ever spent. I thank you." However, some users reported issues, with one person saying: "So far I'm losing weight by being accountable and intentional about my food choices. I'm not very good with technology, so navigating the Simple program is challenging. I'll get better going forward."

Daily Mirror

4 days ago

• Daily Mirror

'Doctor said I had testicular cancer, in my chest, and I was pregnant'

A man who had a cough and fever that wouldn't go away was told he had testicular cancer - in his chest - then a test showed he was pregnant. Anthony Bianco, who was a 21-year-old university student at the time, thought his recurring chest infections were down to working and playing too hard. He said: 'I was in my last year of university and it's fair to say I was burning the candle at both ends. I had these recurring symptoms of getting a slight cough and a fever, but it would go away and I would think nothing of it. However, the cough progressively got worse, becoming like a smoker's cough, even though I'm a non-smoker and have never smoked in my life.' While Anthony's doctor wasn't initially concerned, a history of pneumonia prompted an X-ray, which raised alarms. 'He put the chest X-ray on the screen and then all I could see was this massive white cloud on my chest. And I'm thinking, 'Oh, s**t. I'm screwed,' because it was 11 by 15 centimetres,' he said. His doctor initially suspected lymphoma - a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system and weakens the immune system. Anthony underwent surgery to remove a lymph node from his neck, but the results came back negative. A second operation was then carried out to biopsy the mass in his chest and the findings were startling. 'When I was called in for my diagnosis, the first thing they said to me was, 'You've got testicular cancer,'' Anthony said. 'I started to panic because I'm thinking it's spread everywhere and I'm not going to make it. However, they did loads of scans and blood tests and they found that the cancer was only in my chest area.' Anthony was diagnosed with a primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (PMNSGCT) - a rare type of cancer that develops from germ cells. These cells typically form tumours in the testicles or ovaries, but in rare cases, they can appear elsewhere in the body. This unusual placement is linked to how the body develops in the womb. As organs form, germ cells migrate to their final destinations, but occasionally, some are left behind in other areas. Years later, these misplaced cells can become cancerous, causing tumours to grow in unexpected places, like the chest. This type of tumour can also produce unusual test results, as was the case for Anthony. 'The difference between this germ cell tumour and testicular cancer is that this particular tumour releases proteins that I shouldn't have,' he says. 'They're the same proteins that are released in the bloodstream when women are pregnant. My blood results were showing up as positive on a pregnancy test like I was two weeks pregnant. My first response was, 'Is it mine?' I had to find humour to deal with the hand grenade that had just been thrown into my life.' While Anthony was able to see the funny side of his diagnosis, PMNSGCTs is a potentially deadly form of cancer, as it has a five-year survival rate of around 40%. There were further risks as it was growing around his vital organs. "It was wrapped around my heart and lungs to the point where it was interfering with my blood flow,' he said. 'Just before I was diagnosed, it had started pushing the veins against my chest so you could clearly see them appear in a spider-like pattern. That was the only sort of physical indication of it, as well as a swelling in my neck.' Treatment typically involves intensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, followed up by surgery to remove any remaining mass - a procedure that carries risks due to the tumour's proximity to vital organs. Anthony responded well to chemotherapy, and the tumour shrank so significantly that doctors couldn't tell whether it was still active, reduced to scar tissue, or gone entirely. After continued monitoring, he was deemed 'clear' in late 1995 and reached the milestone of five-years cancer-free in 2000. Now a father-of-two aged 51, Anthony recalls being conflicted over how the treatment could affect his fertility at the time of his diagnosis back in 1994. 'I did ask my doctor about the fertility question but that's not something you really deal with as a 21-year-old,' he said. 'He said it was possible I could be left infertile, but frankly at the time I just wanted to just get things going with treatment. I was trying to stay alive, and I didn't care. 'I got tested a couple of years later and it was fine. I've got two daughters, 11 and 14,' he said. 'But then I didn't want any more kids, so I've made sure of that.' Having survived his ordeal, Anthony would love to see more awareness, funding and research directed at rare cancers, including the one he endured. 'There's no research directed at rare cancers, and you basically get the dregs of other research from other more common ones, which unfortunately leads to poor survival rates. If you have cancer as a young adult, you're a statistical outlier, and it's usually a rare one,' he explains. 'My doctor said I had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting this kind of cancer. And I checked. The lottery odds are one in 8.5 million and this cancer is one in 10 million, which annoys me because I still haven't won the lottery. 'But going through this changed a lot of my attitudes,' he adds. 'While I've done a lot with my life, sometimes the voice in my head is asking, 'Are you doing enough?' I think the biggest mistake anyone could ever make is to think they have time because you have no idea when your time's up.'