Jonathan Van Ness, the star is best known for his charming on-screen presence on Netflix's 'Queer Eye', has shocked fans with a drastic new look. The 37-year-old recently went on social media to announce he has lost 66 pounds, posting before-and-after photos highlighting his impressive weight loss. Though his journey involved the use of GLP-1 medications, Van Ness also made considerable changes to his lifestyle in order to reach his outcomes.

Van Ness, who has always been open about his body image and mental health struggles, posted his weight loss progress through Instagram Stories. The comparison pictures showed an older picture of his with more of a fuller build next to his current, thinner version of himself. The overlay caption boasted, "Lost 66 pounds!" and was accompanied by the MyFitnessPal logo, insinuating that the use of dietary tracking helped in his makeover.

His honest disclosure immediately fueled discussions, not only on his remarkable weight loss, but also on the regimen he used to get there. One month ago, Van Ness had also quelled rumors, confessing in a TikTok video that he was taking an GLP-1 medication—one of the most buzzed-about weight-loss drugs in recent years.

Van Ness confirmed that he had been prescribed a GLP-1 drug after a consultation with his physician. GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone that regulates blood glucose and hunger. Originally intended for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, such drugs—such as brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—have become trendy among celebrities and the general public for their weight-reducing attributes.

"I've lost and gained weight many times quite publicly, but this time, I required a little bit of additional assistance," Van Ness described, pointing out that his most recent weight gain had been motivated by private personal struggles in the last couple of years. He acknowledged that binge-eating disorder was the central reason behind his weight changes, causing him to experience compulsive eating and guilt.

After attempting a pill form of the medication to no avail, Van Ness moved to an injectable GLP-1 in September 2023. The effect was near-instant. "For the first time ever in my life, I had control over what I ate," he explained, noting the medication has been "massively helpful."

Lifestyle Changes That Made the Difference

Although GLP-1 drugs were part of his change, Van Ness stressed that his weight loss was not only because of the medication. He consciously and sustainably changed his lifestyle so that he would take back control of his well-being.

"I want to mention GLP-1s have been a huge help, but I have also made huge other changes," he said in a social media post. These included:

Healthier Diet: Van Ness overhauled his diet, adopting healthier and more balanced meals.

Reducing Alcohol Consumption: Reducing alcohol consumption was an important factor in enhancing his physical as well as mental health.

Adopting Group Fitness: He emphasized that group Pilates had been the most important modification in his process, enhancing his overall mental and physical health.

"My mental state and overall mood is a different world since last year, and the most significant change was group fitness," he added.

Psychological Impact of Weight Loss and Body Image

Van Ness has been a long-time advocate for mental health awareness, frequently writing about the overlap between body image and emotional health. His recent weight gain, he conceded, had left him feeling "depressed and out of control." He credits medication, but also therapy, exercise, and self-care, with helping him find balance again.

His tale emphasizes a significant discussion regarding weight loss and the emotional price it extracts. Most people struggling with weight issues go through phases of bingeing, self-criticism, and anxiety. Van Ness' honesty regarding his experience motivates others to reach out and find various methods that suit them.

Are GLP-1 Medications a Growing Trend in Hollywood?

Van Ness is not the first public figure to speak about taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Over the past few years, a number of celebrities have admitted to taking the drugs.

Whoopi Goldberg has revealed that she lost considerable weight after taking Mounjaro, a GLP-1 drug taken for Type 2 diabetes.

Oprah Winfrey has talked about taking a GLP-1 agonist, although she has not revealed which exact drug.

Kelly Clarkson also revealed taking a weight-loss drug, though she claimed it was not Ozempic but did not provide more information.

The increasing discussion of these drugs has led to arguments about their availability, long-term health impacts, and ethics. Though they have been a miracle for those with weight-related health conditions, there is still fear of their overuse and social pressure to achieve specific body ideals.

With all the ongoing talk about GLP-1 meds, Van Ness' openness reminds us that weight loss isn't simply numbers on a scale but about being better, whole, and complete.

As we today observe the World Dance Day, let us look at what dancing can help us with. Of course, the physical benefits are there. When you move your body, do any sort of physical activities, you are working out in some form and it helps you stay fit. Like everyone have their fitness regime, your dance routine can also help you stay fit. In fact there are certain fitness regime, including Zumba that keeps you fit through dance.

However, the benefits go much beyond just physical fitness, dancing can actually help you live a stress free life.

TikTok Dances For Mental Health

In one of the latest trends in TikTok, people are bringing back pangs of nostalgia to the internet with their 90s dance on rapper Doechii's song 'Anxiety' from the "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air".

Why is this trend important? With big names also jumping in and dancing to the rhythms, including Wil Smith and Tatyana Ali, experts say that this is helping ordinary people normalize anxiety.

Certain anxiety disorders are marked by persistent, or excessive worry. It could be fear about situations. As per the Mayo Clinic, these moments of anxiety can include panic attacks and sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort

Research suggest that creative activities, including dancing can help relieve this stress. Dancing also engages multiple areas of the brain and demands full attention, which can then shift the focus from anxiety feelings. Supporting this idea, a 2021 study from UCLA Health found that conscious dance led to mental health improvements in a large majority of participants, particularly those dealing with anxiety, depression, or a history of trauma.

Dancing: A Complete Stress Buster

Dance involves full-body movement and coordination. This kind of physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins—natural chemicals in the brain that act as mood boosters and stress relievers. During a panic attack, when anxiety can feel overwhelming, these endorphins help calm the body and mind.

Engaging in dance also activates deep breathing patterns, especially in structured styles like Indian classical dance. This is important because panic attacks often lead to rapid, shallow breathing or hyperventilation. The breath control involved in dancing can help slow things down and regulate the body’s response.

In addition, dance improves body awareness. When someone is in the middle of a panic attack, they often feel disconnected or dissociated from reality. Focusing on movement—on the placement of your arms, the rhythm of your steps, the tension in your muscles—can bring attention back to the present. This grounding effect helps reduce the intensity of the attack and prevents it from escalating.

Dance as a Distraction and a Mindfulness Tool

Experts explain that one reason dance can be so effective is because it serves as a powerful distraction. Instead of spiraling into anxious thoughts, the brain is forced to concentrate on movement, rhythm, and coordination. This temporary shift in focus can prevent panic from taking over.

Dance also builds mindfulness, a practice often recommended in therapy. Whether it's through a slow classical routine or a high-energy freestyle session, dance requires attention to the now. The combination of mental focus and physical release gives the body a chance to reset and relax.

Last year in June, when a woman collapsed on an escalator at Buffalo's airport, and Phil Clough, who is an experienced emergency medical responder knew exactly what to do. He and a bystander, as the Washington Post reported, quickly laid the woman flat on her back. They checked her pulse and breath. Her pulse was faint and her breathing was shallow and erratic. A few moments later, she stopped breathing altogether.

Realizing she might be experiencing a cardiac arrest, Clough immediately began performing chest compressions. He pressed hard and fast on the center of her chest while other bystanders called 911 and fetched an automated external defibrillator (AED). Within seconds of receiving a shock from the AED, the woman opened her eyes. By the time the airport rescue team arrived, just minutes later, she was conscious and able to speak.

Clough’s quick actions saved the woman’s life, but he credits his preparedness to a life-changing incident several years earlier. After witnessing a woman collapse at his gym and feeling helpless, he took a college course to become certified as an emergency medical responder. This training allowed him to respond with confidence when faced with a life-or-death situation.

The Challenge of Cardiac Arrest

The woman in Buffalo was fortunate that bystanders knew how to respond. Unfortunately, most people who experience cardiac arrest do not receive immediate help.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the U.S. annually. Tragically, 90% of these individuals do not survive, often because help arrives too late. For each minute that passes without intervention, a person’s chances of survival decrease by 10%. However, with prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an AED shock if necessary, survival rates can double or even triple.

Despite the importance of swift intervention, fewer than half of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting receive immediate assistance. This lack of action is often due to a lack of training and preparedness. Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, but with public access to AEDs and trained bystanders, survival rates could improve dramatically.

The Role of AEDs in Saving Lives

A crucial part of treating cardiac arrest is the use of an AED, a portable device that delivers an electric shock to the heart. The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm and guides the user through the steps to apply a shock if needed. Although many states require AEDs to be available in public places such as airports and malls, they are not always easy to find. A study spanning 2019 to 2022 revealed that in public settings, AEDs were used only 7% of the time, and CPR was performed 42% of the time after a cardiac arrest incident.

To address this issue, PulsePoint, a nonprofit organization, has registered 185,000 AEDs in 5,400 U.S. communities, reports the Washington Post. The group’s goal is to help communities build their AED registries and integrate them with local 911 services. In addition, PulsePoint’s mobile app alerts trained CPR responders about nearby cardiac arrests and identifies the closest AEDs, enhancing the chances of saving a life.

Overcoming Barriers to Bystander Intervention

While CPR and AED knowledge can save lives, many people hesitate to intervene during an emergency due to fear of making a mistake, lacking confidence, or worrying about legal liability. However, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. have “Good Samaritan” laws that protect individuals from legal consequences when they provide help in a medical emergency.

Lack of CPR training is another significant barrier. A study found that only 18% of people had received CPR training within the last two years, which is crucial for skill retention. Although many people have received CPR training at some point in their lives, the skills may be outdated or forgotten.

To address this, some states have made CPR training mandatory for high school graduation, and countries like Denmark and Norway have implemented similar requirements. In the U.S., CPR courses are widely available online and in-person, and many take just a few hours to complete. These courses teach individuals the basics of CPR, which involves performing chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of at least two inches.

You may have heard people say that they are allergic to things, whether it is gluten, soy or peanuts. These people avoid these items, even going as far as not dining in certain places where there is a possibility of cross contamination.

While it may seem like an overreaction, allergy symptoms can range from just a few rashes to cause of death. There are many people who did not and still do not take allergies seriously. As one of the most common allergies, many people who have close ones with peanut allergy, many places have opened “nut-free” zones including schools, offices and many public spaces.

While there is no cure for allergies, a new clinical trial results show that exposure therapy with peanut allergies has proven successful.

Why Do We Need Exposure Therapy?

The research team reported in the journal Allergy, April 2025, that a significant majority of the participants, more than two out of every three (67%), were able to eat at least five peanuts without triggering an allergic reaction after undergoing the treatment. This marks a positive step forward in managing this common and often severe allergy.

Seeing as expansive as the risk associated with allergies is, researchers have continued working towards proper cures and treatments. While there are precautions like avoiding the allergens, reducing exposure, when a person with a sever, allergy is exposed to the allergens, the chances of them going into anaphylaxis is a lot, so many people care EpiPens or epinephrine shot that can counter allergic reactions for a while.

How Does Exposure Therapy Work For Peanut Allergies?

The way exposure therapy works is pretty simple but needs to be done carefully. People who are allergic to peanuts are given very, very small amounts of peanut protein every day. Over time, the amount is slowly increased. It's like gently introducing the body to the thing it's allergic to, little by little. This helps the body learn that peanuts aren't actually a threat, and it starts to react less strongly. It's a gradual process, but the goal is to build up a person's ability to handle peanuts without having a dangerous allergic reaction.

In this study, 21 adults who were allergic to peanuts took part. Every day, they ate a small amount of peanut flour mixed in with their food. The goal was for them to be able to eat a small amount of peanut flour every day for at least a month without any problems. After that, they were tested to see how much peanut they could eat. The researchers were very happy with how well the treatment worked, saying that the results were similar to what they've seen in studies with kids.

The study showed some really impressive results in how much more peanut the participants could handle after the treatment. The researchers mentioned that on average, the amount of peanut they could eat without a reaction went up by a hundred times!

Why Are Researches Like This Important?

What makes this study really important is that it's the first-time scientists have specifically looked at how well exposure therapy works for adults with peanut allergies. Usually, this kind of treatment is done with kids because their bodies are still growing and changing. However, this new research shows that even adults, whose bodies are already fully grown, can still become less allergic to peanuts with this type of treatment. This opens up a whole new possibility for adults who have lived with this allergy for many years and haven't had many treatment options before. Many said that the treatment was "life-changing" and they no longer lived in constant fear of their allergy.