Medically reviewed by Isabel Smith, M.S., R.N., C.D.N.

You’ve probably heard of intermittent fasting. There are hundreds of thousands of posts dedicated to the trend on social media, and celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz swear it’s how they maintain their fit physiques.

Famous bods aside, the eating pattern has been linked to a number of health perks, including weight loss and reduced risk for Type 2 diabetes.

That said, if you were hoping that “intermittent” meant something different than regular ol’ fasting — it doesn’t. It still means that you’re not eating for long periods of time — maybe even the whole day, depending on the type of fasting method.

The practice of abstaining from food for periods of time has been around for centuries, but the long-term effects of intermittent fasting are still being studied. This is especially important to note for women and people assigned female at birth: Preliminary results from a recent study found that people who restricted their eating time to eight hours a day as part of intermittent fasting were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death of women in the U.S.

Read: What Women Need to Know About Cardiovascular Disease >>

Here’s what you need to know to get up to speed on intermittent fasting.

We partnered with The Great Girlfriends Show to answer some important questions about melanoma.

Expert guest, Dr. Janiene Luke, answers some common questions:

• What Is Melanoma and How Common Is It?
• Do Melanoma Symptoms Appear the Same for Everyone?
• Does Surgery to Remove Skin Cancer Leave Permanent Scars?
• What Is Genetic Tumor Testing and Should You Consider It?
• Are There Clinical Trials for Melanoma? How Can You Learn About Them?
• Steps Women Can Take to Lower Their Melanoma Risk

Listen to the podcast here.

Brain stroke is the second leading cause of death the third leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death around the world. Every year World Stroke Day is observed on October 29th to emphasize the serious nature and high rates of stroke. The day is also observed to raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of strokes.

This year, 2024, the World Stroke Day Theme is “#GreaterThanStroke active challenge”. This theme leverages the emotional power of sport to raise awareness about stroke and encourage action on stroke prevention and rehabilitation.

The emotional power of sport is remarkable for raising awareness about stroke, as it connects people across all demographics and communicates complex health messages in an inspiring, impactful way. Athletes who have personally experienced strokes or support stroke awareness campaigns can serve as powerful advocates, sharing their stories of resilience and recovery. This inspires audiences to recognize the risks and signs of stroke and motivates them to take preventative action.

Recognizing a Brain Stroke:

Recognizing a stroke attack quickly is crucial, as early intervention can significantly improve outcomes and reduce potential brain damage. Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. It is a medical emergency.

B.E.F.A.S.T is an acronym, to help identify a stroke attack. Each letter stands for:

B—Balance: Sudden loss of balance, coordination, or dizziness can be an early sign of a stroke. It could also be a red flag if someone seems unsteady or has trouble walking.

E – Eyes: Vision changes, such as sudden double vision, blurred vision, or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes, are common during a stroke.

F – Face Drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb. Ask the person to smile; an uneven smile can be an indicator.

A-Arm Weakness: Arm or leg weakness on one side of the body is a classic stroke symptom. Ask the person to raise both arms; difficulty lifting one arm is a warning sign.

S – Speech Difficulty: Slurred or difficult speech is another major stroke symptom. Ask them to repeat a simple sentence to check for clarity.

T – Time to Call Emergency Services: Call emergency services immediately if any of these symptoms appear. Rapid action is essential to reduce potential brain damage.

Knowing these signs and acting quickly can save lives and reduce long-term disabilities associated with stroke.

The Emotional Power of Sport to Raise Awareness:

The emotional power of sport is remarkable for raising awareness about stroke, as it connects people across all demographics and communicates complex health messages in an inspiring, impactful way. Athletes who have personally experienced strokes or support stroke awareness campaigns can serve as powerful advocates, sharing their stories of resilience and recovery. This inspires audiences to recognize the risks and signs of stroke and motivates them to take preventative action.

For example, basketball player Chris Bosh, who experienced blood clot-related complications, raised awareness about stroke prevention and the importance of understanding one’s health risks. Similarly, former NFL linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke in 2005, and after recovery, he returned to professional football, later becoming an advocate for stroke awareness.

Ref:
https://www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/world-stroke-day
https://www.pacehospital.com/world-stroke-day-29-october-theme-and-importance

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Quote she live by “Life is not a dress rehearsal, you need to go out to live each day with intention“

Regan Anne Hillyer is a Serial Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Energetic Coach, International Speaker and Mindset Coach and the CEO and founder of, amongst other ventures, Regan Hillyer International (RHI), a global 8-figure business. Originally, she graduated as an Architect (BArch) then was attracted to the personal development and business success niche, qualifying as an Certificated Master of NLP, Master of Hypnosis, Time Dynamics Specialist and a Success Strategist, amongst other certifications and training.

Regan Hillyer International (RHI) is primarily an enterprise dedicated to inspiring and motivating people to help them have it all in their life, on their terms.

In addition, Regan is the creator of the world’s Number One Manifestation Method – the “Energetic Architecture MethodTM” a unique manifestation modality that uses the quantum field to allow people to manifest the lives that they desire. Her results include, but are not limited to, enabling people to build multiple six and seven-figure businesses location-free, using powerful mindset changing tools and cutting-edge business development strategies.

Regan is a true thought leader in her industry and is a published, best-selling author of multiple books as well as featuring in a variety of media outlets including Forbes Magazine, Huffington Post and Cosmopolitan Magazines, and appearances on the ABC, NBC, and CBS networks.

In addition to her media appearances, Regan has appeared on the covers of and modeled feature spreads for; Forbes, Glamour Magazine, L’Officiel, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, LA Weekly, GOSS and In Touch magazines.

Born and educated in New Zealand, Regan is now principally based in Costa Rica, however, she has an internationally renowned presence and reach. Through her online platforms, Regan’s wisdom has gone viral on social media and via her in-person speaking engagements and retreats, Regan continues to empower and impact the lives of millions of people.

RHI website: https://www.reganhillyer.com/
Regan IG: https://www.instagram.com/reganhillyer/
Regan FB: https://www.facebook.com/ReganHillyer
Regan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ReganHillyerCoach

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Regan Hillyer an exceptionally talented, world-leading social media personality, model, Serial Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Energetic Coach, International Speaker and Mindset Coach here she talks about her business venture Regan Hillyer International (RHI), programs she offer, her fitness routine, her diet, and her success story.

Namita Nayyar:

You were born and educated at New Zealand and later shifted to Costa Rica a distance of 9000 miles away. This later propelled your career to the height where you are the CEO and founder of, amongst other ventures, Regan Hillyer International (RHI), a global 8-figure business. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?

Regan Hillyer:

After graduating from University, at the age of 20, and being what was, essentially, a broke student, I explored various wealth strategies, including property investment, currency trading, sales, business start-ups and marketing. Although my initial startups were remarkably successful, earning over a million dollars, I walked away from them because I wasn’t fulfilled in running those businesses and none of them brought me true happiness or fulfillment. They did not make me feel that my working life was worthwhile or that I was in any way impacting people for the better on a broader scale, and I was still searching for what my actual life purpose was.

It was my tenacity and the desire for entrepreneurialism and self-determination that spurred me on to continue the search for that purpose, and that subsequently propelled me forwards on a personal development journey, to become a Certificated Master of NLP, Master of Hypnosis, Time Dynamics Specialist, and a Success Strategist, among other certifications and training. And, eventually to create Regan Hillyer International (RHI).

Namita Nayyar:

You graduated as an Architect (BArch) but was attracted to the personal development and business success niche, qualifying as an Certificated Master of NLP, Master of Hypnosis, Time Dynamics Specialist and a Success Strategist, amongst other certifications and training. What has been the catalyst that led you to changing your profession as an architect to Mindset Coach and a Success Strategist?

Regan Hillyer:

I graduated with a BArch, but my heart wasn’t sympathetic with the work niche, hence the tangent into personal development qualifications. I was trying to discover my purpose and looking for the ‘thing’ that would bring me the most happiness professionally. During this period of personal development education and up skilling, I found myself casually helping and supporting friends, including old school peers, who were struggling with depression, drug addiction, and low self-esteem. Using my new qualifications and achieving significant results with them, I received referrals via these friends, to help others. These early experiences made me realize that facilitating healing, growth and learning in others brought me the most pleasure and fulfillment.

This realization led me to establish my coaching and personal development business, Regan Hillyer International (RHI), which has since grown exponentially into a global, multi 8-figure, live, and online enterprise. I developed the “Laser CoachingTM” system, recognized as an industry gold standard method that empowers trained and certified coaches to achieve maximum results for their clients in record time.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2024 Women Fitness

Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

For millions of people living with obesity, the class of weight-loss medications known as GLP-1 agonists have been game-changers (think Wegovy and Zepbound). Studies show that people on these medications can lose more weight than they can with just lifestyle changes alone.

But for one group of Americans — people on Medicare — at least some of these drugs have been off-limits because Medicare is not allowed to cover medications prescribed for the sole purpose of weight loss. With ample evidence that obesity itself increases numerous health risks and new indications that these drugs lower risks of heart disease and stroke, those limits may be changing.

A bipartisan bill, the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA), moving through Congress would allow Medicare to cover weight-loss medications for the first time.

Experts argue it’s about time.

“The passage of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) is crucial for protecting women’s access to obesity care as they transition to Medicare,” said Fatima Cody Stanford, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.A., associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and obesity medicine physician-scientist in the Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center.

Stanford explains that TROA improves comprehensive coverage while improving equitable access to care.

“The TROA aims to expand Medicare coverage to include a wider range of obesity treatments, including FDA-approved medications and intensive behavioral therapy. This ensures that women can continue their established treatment regimens without interruption,” she said. “The TROA addresses disparities in healthcare access, ensuring that all women, regardless of their financial situation, can receive the necessary treatments to manage their obesity effectively.”

This educational resource was created with support from NovoNordisk, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, right around the same time the first FDA-approved cold cap came out. I’d heard about the potential hair-saving helmet on the news, and I crossed all my follicles that it could work for me as I prepared to start chemotherapy.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a candidate for scalp cooling therapy. Back then, the cooling devices were only approved for early-stage breast cancer and less potent types of chemo. I was stage 3 and taking doxorubicin, also known as the “red devil.” So, yeah, pretty potent stuff.

Although I was disappointed that I couldn’t try cold capping to reduce hair loss during chemo, just knowing it was out there made me hopeful for advancements in cancer treatments. Hair loss may seem like a small thing when talking about disease, but it can be really devastating. One recent report cited up to 14% of women won’t consider chemotherapy because of hair loss.

Cold caps don’t work for everyone, and results vary from person to person depending on a lot of different factors. But new research shows using cold caps can help some people keep a good amount of hair during chemo — even people getting the red devil: In one study, 71.4% of people on doxorubicin saw successful hair retention. That’s a hair flip in the right direction.

If you or someone you know is interested in cold caps for chemo-induced hair loss, here’s what you need to know.

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Tal como se relató a Erica Rimlinger

No sabía que estaba atravesando la menopausia. Estaba experimentando “el cambio”. Al igual que muchas mujeres de mi generación, crecí en un hogar, en una comunidad y en una sociedad en dónde no se hablaba mucho del “cambio” y de los “problemas” que se presentaban cuando llegabas a “cierta edad”. Aprendí de generaciones pasadas de mujeres en mi familia y de mi comunidad que no se deben usar palabras claras en conversaciones corteses. No sabía cuál era la apariencia ni la sensación de una menopausia normal: Solo sabía que debíamos murmurar sobre la menopausia, los sangrados y la salud uterina, si alguna vez llegábamos a conversar sobre esos temas. Consecuentemente, no sabía “nada” o, mejor dicho, nada sobre los síntomas normales y anormales de la menopausia y en qué ocasiones mencionar estos síntomas a mi doctor.

A pesar de eso, pensaba que sabía mucho, o al menos suficiente acerca de la salud de la mujer. Siempre me he preocupado por mi salud y en mi trabajo como instructora de gimnasia, me enorgullece ayudar a que mis clientes den prioridad a su salud. Siempre he asistido a todas mis consultas anuales con mi ginecóloga obstetra y he programado todas mis mamografías de rutina. Tenía un estilo de vida saludable y era un ejemplo para mis alumnos.

Pero no reconocí un síntoma importante del cáncer endometrial o uterino porque pensé que sangrados ocasionales e infrecuentes eran una parte normal del proceso menopáusico. Bueno, eso era lo que pensaba. De hecho, ni siquiera se me ocurrió contar los meses desde mi último período menstrual. No lo estaba monitoreando.

Después de unos años de tener estos síntomas, se me ocurrió mencionar a mi doctor, casualmente, que todavía tenía manchados y sangrado, el cual se estaba volviendo cada vez más abundante. Interrumpió lo que estaba haciendo, me miró y dijo, “ya no deberías tener eso”. Solicitó una ecografía.

Me hicieron la ecografía pero unos días después me mudé a una ciudad nueva con otro doctor y un nuevo plan de seguros. La atención médica en Estados Unidos, o más específicamente, los seguros de salud, no nos acompañan de un lado a otro durante nuestras vidas. El radiólogo indicó en los resultados que la mucosa de mi útero era un poco gruesa. Pero mi doctor nunca hizo seguimiento conmigo para hablar sobre la ecografía, así que pensé que todo estaba bien.

Mi siguiente consulta con un ginecólogo obstetra, nueve meses después, fue una pesadilla. Mi doctora nueva estaba preocupada sobre mis síntomas e insistió que me haga una biopsia. Dijo que tendría un poco de incomodidad, pero nada muy grave, así que hizo el procedimiento sin anestesia en su consultorio. Nunca había sentido tanto dolor en mi vida mientras ella cortaba un pedazo de mi útero sobre la mesa de examinación. Normalmente no me quejo del dolor, tuve dos partos vaginales con solo una dosis ligera de medicamentos relajantes durante uno de ellos, pero el procedimiento al que me estaba sometiendo ahora era un baño de sangre. La doctora me dio antibióticos, hizo un pedido para otra ecografía y me refirió a un oncólogo. Me dijo que me acompañe otra persona a esa cita médica y que le mantenga informada.

Puesto que nunca tuve ninguna enfermedad ni cirugía importante, hueso roto ni hospitalización, no estaba familiarizada con la mayoría de términos médicos y ¡no sabía lo que era un oncólogo! Cuando regresé a casa, mi hija me informó que una referencia a un oncólogo solo podía significar una cosa: Tenía cáncer. Eso me sorprendió.

El día de la consulta con el cirujano oncológico, me acompañó una amiga. El doctor hablaba rápidamente y usaba términos médicos con los que no estaba familiarizada. Mi amiga, quién no es tímida, le pidió al doctor varias veces que hable más lento y que nos explique lo que decía. Mi amiga lo hacía educadamente pero cada vez más asertivamente mientras que el doctor nos explicaba el plan, sin hablar más pausadamente y sin explicar una palabra de lo que decía. Toda la cita, de inicio a fin, duró 15 minutos. Quedé conmocionada y más confundida que antes de la consulta médica.

Abrumada, en la consulta médica acepté tener una cirugía durante las siguientes dos semanas. Se suponía que tomaría dos horas, pero en realidad tomó cuatro horas.

En mi evaluación postquirúrgica, me informaron que tenía cáncer endometrial 1B de categoría 3 y que no se detectó cáncer en mis ganglios linfáticos. Incluso el tipo de cáncer era otro término médico que no entendía claramente: cáncer endometrial. Desafortunadamente aprendí entonces que eso se refería a cáncer de útero.

Mi cirujano me dijo que necesitaría de seis a ocho rondas de quimioterapia y de cinco a seis semanas de radiación pélvica. Nuevamente, sentí que el doctor hablaba sin importar si yo entendía la información o no, por lo que decidí obtener otra opinión. Otro doctor recomendó de cuatro a cinco rondas de quimioterapia y cinco semanas de radiación pélvica. Cada uno de los doctores tenía un plan diferente, y ninguno parecía escuchar mis preocupaciones o contestar mis preguntas integralmente en una forma que yo pueda entender. Hasta este punto, había asistido a las consultas médicas confundida y conmocionada. Pero reaccioné entonces y comprendí lo siguiente: Necesitaba más del equipo médico que estaba a cargo de salvar mi vida. Merecía ser un miembro activo de mi propio equipo. Decidí obtener una tercera opinión.

Fue entonces cuando conocí a la Dra. Kemi Doll. Ella era diferente. Cuando hablaba conmigo, me veía a los ojos. Dedicaba tiempo a escuchar mis preguntas, explicaba las opciones terapéuticas usando un inglés sencillo y se aseguraba de que yo entendiese lo que decía. Me preguntaba, “¿qué acabas de escucharme decir? ¿Qué entendiste de lo que te dije?”

Recomendó que considere la braquirradioterapia, un tipo de radiación que se aplica internamente y que es menos perjudicial para los órganos cercanos. Sigue siendo invasiva, y no solo porque implica insertar una sonda en la vagina. Siempre me pareció que demasiado personal médico me examinaba y proporcionaba terapia en estas consultas médicas. A lo largo de mi tratamiento, la Dra. Doll me motivó a que crea en mí sanación, diciéndome que yo iba a estar bien.

La Dra. Doll estaba haciendo investigaciones para obtener respuestas para una pregunta importante pero sencilla del cáncer endometrial: ¿Por qué las mujeres de raza negra tienen el doble de posibilidades de morir de cáncer endometrial a pesar de que reciben el diagnóstico a tasas parecidas a las de las mujeres de raza blanca? Quería construir una comunidad y grupo de apoyo para mujeres de raza negra para que establezcamos conexiones y aprendamos acerca de la salud uterina. Deseaba estudiar en qué forma la educación y la concientización podrían mejorar las tasas de supervivencia. Me pidió que fundemos ECANA (Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African-Americans), juntas.

“¿Deseas ser mi paciente y socia?” preguntó, después de mi última sesión de quimioterapia. Dije que sí, sin comprender completamente las implicaciones. Pero eso ha sido muy importante en mi vida. Actualmente, ECANA trata de eliminar disparidades mientras construye una comunidad de mujeres de raza negra que luchan contra el cáncer endometrial. Tenemos clases de movimiento, grupos de apoyo, sesiones de educación y más.

A lo largo de mi proceso y de mi trabajo con ECANA, comprendí cuán poco las mujeres hablan de la salud uterina, incluso con sus propias familias. Mi hermana me contó que mi mamá había tenido una histerectomía un poco después de haber cumplido treinta años y que tuvo fibromas, al igual que yo. Nunca lo mencionamos cuando conversábamos entre nosotras, a pesar de que muchos problemas de la salud uterina son genéticos.

Actualmente, estoy en remisión. Tengo cuatro nietas y hablamos abiertamente acerca de la salud uterina en mi hogar. Quiero que mis chicas entiendan cuál es el funcionamiento de un útero saludable y a quién deben acudir si tienen preocupaciones acerca de su salud.

Desearía que las generaciones anteriores de mujeres, tales como las de mi mamá y yo, no hubiesen crecido en una cultura que hizo que la salud uterina sea un tabú. Siempre recomiendo a mujeres que hablen sobre su salud endometrial. Motiva a tus hijas a que escriban diarios. Habla sobre el sangrado. Si te tienta ignorar un problema que consideras “embarazoso” o si lo ocultas por vergüenza, confusión o información errónea, di lo que piensas de todas formas, y sigue haciéndolo hasta que sepas que entiendes todas tus opciones. Es un tema demasiado importante para que te mantengas en silencio.

Este recurso educativo se preparó con el apoyo de Merck.

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