Scot dad gets blood pressure warning from doctor but makes change to lose 2 stone
Marcel Botes, 33, from Edinburgh, struggled to resist the urge to snack, particularly after dinner. But after making one simple change, he's shed nearly two stone in weight
Scottish dad Marcel Botes, who has an 11-month-old son, has dropped 12.5kg (nearly two stone) in three months by utilising an innovative AI-powered coaching app named Simple.
Battling concerns over his health such as heightened blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Marcel grappled with late-night cravings. He shared: "Initially my biggest challenge was avoiding snacks, especially after dinner, but the app helped me make informed food choices."
Reflecting on his weight loss journey, Marcel remarked: "So far I've lost 12.5kg. I reached my original goal weight of 87.6kg in two months. I set a new target of 83.5kg, which I achieved a month later. Even after reaching my goal, I still log my meals and activities multiple times a day."
Proudly sharing news of his recent health assessment, Marcel continued: "After a health assessment, my doctor noted my BMI, blood pressure and cholesterol were in healthy ranges, and asked me to keep going."
Simple offers users a highly personalised weight-loss experience, tailor-made to suit individual lifestyles and aims. The process kicks off with a unique quiz that adjusts fasting advice based on several aspects like exercise habits, health objectives and desired timeline, reports Cornwall Live.
By using an intermittent fasting tracker, the Simple method doesn't involve calorie counting, eliminating essential food groups, or weighing every bite. Based on individual input, the app assists users in selecting a fasting schedule that best suits them- whether it's a balanced 12:12 split, a moderate 14:10 or the 16:8 routine.
The 16:8 routine is the most popular intermittent fasting method where users eat during an 8-hour window - such as 10 am to 6 pm - and fast for the remaining 16 hours. During the fasting period, food must be avoided but calorie-free beverages can still be enjoyed.
To help users keep track of their nutrition, the app has various methods for logging food including typing, voice commands, or photographs with the nutriscanner. It also offers personalised exercise routines, from strength training and cardio to wall pilates.
Now, those keen to start shedding pounds can emulate Marcel's success and grab a fantastic 60% discount on personalised weight loss programmes via the Simple App by using the code REACH60.
What makes the Simple App so effective is the addition of Avo, the built-in coach powered by artificial intelligence. Avo acts as a personal wellness companion, always ready to instantly respond to users' questions, ensuring advice on wellbeing and fitness is just a tap away any time they need it.
"I love that I can take a photo of my meal and Avo can track the nutritional value for me," continued Marcel. "I frequently use Avo's recipes. Interacting with it feels more like someone who is invested in my health, rather than an AI."
For those looking for something outside the Simple app, there are numerous other healthy lifestyle apps to explore. The Lifesum App, for instance, helps users log their diet and physical activity, encouraging healthier choices.
Myfitnesspal is another popular app, renowned for its food diary that offers meal planning, calorie tracking, and exercise routines. While both apps are free, they offer premium versions for those seeking extra support and resources.
Mother-of-two Laci Gilbert has also achieved significant success with the Simple app, dropping from 275lbs to 116lbs by utilising Avo's workouts and meal planning.
Laci said: "As working moms, wives, mothers, just family members, life takes over and sometimes we don't have time in the evenings to get ourselves to the gym or sometimes we just don't feel like moving. The Simple App gives you a no-excuse reason to get up and move, especially when you can do it at home with no equipment.
"It is great for a busy person who needs something to do at home or somebody who cannot afford a gym membership, equipment. All you need is yourself and a wall and you've got it," Laci said, promoting her regular wall pilates workouts done from the comfort of home.
The Simple app has garnered a commendable 4.3-star rating on Trustpilot, accumulating opinions from 29,591 users. A well-pleased user remarked: "It is an encouraging way to lose weight."
Another app user praised: "This app is amazing. It's so easy to use and I love all of the interactions.
"It's easy to follow," another client notes. "I'm actually losing weight I've been stuck with forever."
However, the app hasn't been universally straightforward, as one individual disclosed: "I am finding the program a little difficult to use."
The Mirror also shared its perspective, highlighting: "Simple's range of features are very reminiscent to what you'd get with a personal trainer: someone to hold you accountable, provide you with meal plans and recipes, and to give advice and encouragement."
They continued: "There are limitations to it, with the app being a robot, which makes the programme more suited to those who are just getting started or don't know where to start. If you need more advanced help or your weight loss is stalling, that's a good time to pick up the phone to a PT."
The review went on to say: "However, its food logging and recipe functions makes it worth the price of admission alone. Even though I'm keeping my PT, Simple will help spice things up for me going forward. I highly recommend this app."
The Simple app is currently available at a 60% discount with the code REACH60. This is not medical advice but a personal experience.
Results may vary, and you should consult your healthcare professional for any medical conditions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Family's outrage after nurse missed motor neurone victim mouthing 'help me!' at video monitor as he choked to death in his bed
Struggling to breathe and mouthing 'help me' at a video camera in front of his bed, the deeply distressing footage of Steve Carr's agonising final moments haunt his family. Upstairs, a nurse, who was meant to be monitoring the video feed in case his breathing tube became blocked during the night, failed to respond – even though it is understood that an emergency alarm sounded loudly for more than 40 minutes. By the time she finally came to his aid, it was too late. Steve, 67, who had motor neurone disease (MND), had passed away in the most appalling of circumstances. The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Steve's horrifying ordeal has been investigated by the police for more than two years but there have been no charges. Shockingly, it is claimed the nurse is seen on the video apparently attempting to unblock his airway around 20 minutes after telling his wife that she believed he had passed away, which his family fear may have been an attempt to cover up how he died. Now his wife Maggie, 69, and sister Tracy, 63, want to highlight what they see as a shocking failure in Steve's care and prevent such a tragedy from happening again. 'I watched my husband die in the most terrible way, distressed and alone, and this is something which will stay with me forever,' Maggie said. 'This should not have happened with everything that was put in place to keep him safe. Our experience shows the unimaginable vulnerability of people in the 'care system'.' MND is a progressive neurological condition that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Public awareness of the disease has increased in recent years after Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir and rugby league legend Rob Burrow, both MND sufferers, raised millions to find a cure. Weir died in 2022, aged 52, and Burrow died last year, aged 41. Steve, a former delivery driver from Witham, Essex, was diagnosed with MND in 2021. After seven months at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, he was discharged in March 2022 and, a popular figure on his ward, was clapped out by medical staff. Despite his terminal condition, his family said he had a 'zest for life'. He refused to sign a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order because he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his grandchildren. Steve had undergone a tracheostomy to insert a tube into his windpipe, which was then connected to a portable ventilator. An agency was commissioned to provide 24-hour care, with carers and nurses working two 12-hour shifts. A key task for them was to keep his airway clear with a suction machine. The person working the night shift, from 8pm to 8am, was meant to stay awake in an upstairs room and monitor Steve's condition via a camera, which Maggie had installed in his downstairs bedroom, linked to a baby monitor. At around 3.20am on May 22, 2023, a nurse woke Maggie and told her that she believed Steve had passed away. Maggie, who was married to Steve for 18 years, was shocked as he had just enjoyed 'a good day' and had not appeared to be deteriorating. She later viewed the video footage recorded by the camera and was 'devastated' by what she saw. She said: 'It showed my husband in severe distress, struggling to breathe, obviously needing a suction to clear his airway and mouthing 'help me'. The alarm carried on for more than 40 minutes and the nurse did not come to him.' The MoS understands the nurse was employed by an agency subcontracted by the primary agency responsible for Steve's care. The woman, who this paper is not naming, also worked as an NHS midwife at a London hospital. It is claimed the video shows how, after Steve's death, the nurse made a phone call to a colleague. She is then allegedly seen undertaking a suction procedure, which involves inserting a tube into the patient's airway and then turning on a machine to remove mucus. Maggie last night raised questions about why the nurse would carry out this procedure despite apparently believing Steve had died. His sister Tracy added: 'It was strange that she did that after the phone call.' Steve's family believe the nurse failed to respond because she had fallen asleep while possibly wearing earphones. She is understood to have denied this. This paper understands that the nurse is suspended by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and that an allegation of neglect was upheld after a safeguarding enquiry by Essex Council in 2024. Maggie said: 'If I hadn't had a camera in my husband's room, we would never have truly known what had happened. I would encourage people in our situation to have a camera put in place.' The primary agency responsible for Steve's care, which subcontracted another agency to look after him on the night he died, refused to respond.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Eye-watering cost of ADHD handouts in Scotland revealed – and experts warn it'll only get bigger
The next year there was a 28-times increase to almost £14million 'BALLOONING' BENEFITS Eye-watering cost of ADHD handouts in Scotland revealed – and experts warn it'll only get bigger Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ADHD handouts are set to hit £100million just three years after the payments were introduced. Social Security Scotland handed out £500,000 in 2022, after taking over the benefits. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The cost of ADHD handouts have skyrocketed to £100million in three years Credit: Getty 2 Liz Smith said Scotland's benefits bill is "ballooning out of control" Credit: Alamy The next year there was a 28-times increase to almost £14million. This ballooned again in 2024 to £35million, while this year the figure is predicted to top £50million. And experts warn the bill for sufferers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will only get bigger. Scottish Tory social security spokeswoman Liz Smith said: 'Scotland's benefits bill is ballooning out of control. 'While it is essential that adult disability payments support the most vulnerable, it's also essential there is a strong focus on getting as many people as possible back into work.' Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: 'The system is broken. We should be spending far more to prevent and treat mental health conditions.' In the past three years, 13,896 adults have applied for ADHD payouts, with 8,204 approved. Those on a standard rate get almost £4,000 a year, while the average claimant has received £8,000 since the system went live. Around two to four per cent of adults have the condition and new Government stats show a surge in benefit applications. Claimants do not need a formal ADHD diagnosis for approval but must have supporting information from medical specialists. New sinister threat issued in ongoing Scotland gang war It emerged this week that firms are offering a 'no-win, no fee' service to help with ADHD claims. John O'Connell, from the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'The surge in claims for certain conditions calls into question the whole benefits system itself, which is designed to help people in need. "Politicians must ensure only those genuinely deserving receive support.' But Bill Colley, chair of the ADHD Coalition Scotland, said: 'Awards are made not on the basis of a simple diagnosis but on the severity of symptoms and thus impairment, particularly where ADHD leads to complex mental health difficulties.' Since disability payments launched, SSC paid out £2.9 billion, with £1.2 billion going to new applicants and £1.6 billion to those transferred from the DWP. The Scottish Fiscal Commission recently warned of a cash crisis, predicting ministers will be spending £2.2billion more on benefits than they receive from the UK Government by 2030/31. This would see the total welfare bill balloon to £9.4billion, about 15 per cent of the total Scots budget. A SSS spokesperson said: 'Social security is a human right. We are committed to ensuring eligible people get the support they deserve. 'While a diagnosis is not required to apply, we do need supporting information from a professional such as a doctor or psychologist who knows how the person's condition impacts their daily life.'
Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
Chris Hoy calls for systemic change in testing for prostate cancer
Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy has called for systemic change in the ways men get tested for prostate cancer. The 49-year old cyclist was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023 and was told last year that it has spread to his bones and is terminal. NHS guidance says men over the age of 50 are at highest risk of developing prostate cancer, but Sir Chris wants to help men get screened earlier. He said: 'I was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer at 47. By this age, my prostate cancer was advanced and could have been progressing from when I was 45 or even younger. 'With prostate cancer, the earlier you find it, the easier it is to treat. We need the system to change to enable more men to get diagnosed earlier, and stop them getting the news I got.' One option is a PSA blood test which checks the level of prostate-specific antigens in the blood, A high reading may be a sign of a prostate condition. NHS guidance says these tests are not routinely used as they are not reliable, but men over 50 can ask GPs for one. Sir Chris's comments came after Prostate Cancer UK urged the UK Government for an overhaul of NHS guidelines to encourage GPs to proactively speak to men at high risk from 45 years old. #ProstateCancer has become the most common cancer in England. However, for a disease that affects 1 in 8 men, there's still no screening programme and outdated NHS guidelines prevent lifesaving conversations with men at highest risk. ➡️ Read more: — Prostate Cancer UK (@ProstateUK) January 28, 2025 According to the charity, around one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer, which occurs when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way and, if not detected early, risks spreading. Sir Chris added: 'I believe men at highest risk, for example men with a family history like me or black men, should be contacted by their GP earlier on to discuss a simple PSA blood test that can check for signs of prostate cancer. Then if there are any issues, they can get it treated it at an earlier stage. 'I've told my story to help raise awareness about the most common cancer in men and get more thinking about their risk and what they can do, but it shouldn't all be men's responsibility. 'I've faced many challenges in my life, and going public with my prostate cancer diagnosis was certainly one of them. 'I've been incredibly lucky to have so much support from my family, friends and the general public. The kindness has lifted me up and given me a sense of purpose, and I'm committed to taking that forward and using my platform to raise awareness of the most common cancer in men and help more men at risk to come forward and get tested.' The Scottish cyclist has launched his own charity cycling challenge, Tour de 4, with the aim of changing perceptions around stage four cancer. The challenge will take place on September 7 in Glasgow with a final registration phase open for riders to sign up. Speaking about Sir Chris, Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'His bravery and tireless work to raise awareness has already made a huge impact. 'In just a few months after Sir Chris went public with his diagnosis last year, over 286,000 people used our online risk checker to learn more about the disease, find out their own risk and learn what they can choose to do about it. 'His bravery has inspired so many men to take action, and he has undoubtedly saved lives. 'One in eight men will get prostate cancer. The earlier it's found, the easier it is to treat — but there's currently no screening programme in the UK. So if, like Sir Chris, you have a family history of the disease, or if you're black, we strongly encourage you to speak to your GP about testing from the age of 45. 'We don't think it's right that the responsibility is all on men's shoulders, so we're calling on the Health Secretary to overhaul outdated NHS guidelines so that GPs are empowered to actually start conversations with these men at highest risk.' A Government spokesperson said: 'This Government has been clear we would like to see screening in place but the decision must be evidence-led, which is why the UK National Screening Committee is looking at this as a priority – including reviewing the evidence for screening men with a family history of prostate cancer. 'While the review is taking place we are getting on with improving cancer treatment and prevention, as well as funding tens of millions of pounds of research.'
