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I’m a Brit who went to summer camp in America – it was like living a 1990’s Hollywood film and you can do it too
STICKY hands from melted s’mores, handmade friendship bracelets stacked up your arms and the California heat beating down on your back as you throw an American football.
This was my summer as a Camp Counsellor in the U.S.A.
For generations, thousands of Americans have spent their childhood summer holidays at a traditional summer camp.
Designed to keep kids entertained over the summer vacation (and to give their parents a break) they’ve become a huge part of American culture.
And as a Brit brought up on a diet of American moviews and TV shows, I’ve always longed to be a part of it too.
Thankfully, I could. As summer camps often look for international staff to bring their skills across the pond.
Through companies like Camp America, young people from all over the world can get sponsored to go and work in the U.S.
You get to live the summer camp dream, make friends from all over the world, plus when it’s over you get 30 extra days to travel across the States.
But is it actually like The Parent Trap? Is it all singing, dancing and talent shows like in Camp Rock? To be honest? Yes.
It was everything you see in the movies and more. Campfire songs, telling ghost stories under torchlight and creating dance routines to Cotton Eye Joe.
My days started at 6:30am – going from snoozing my alarm at home, to getting kids’ teeth brushed, boots on and out the door before 7am was quite the change from my routine as a 21 year old back in England.
Each morning we’d gather on the sports field to raise the American flag, a key part of camp culture us Brits soon had to get used to.
After knocking back blueberry pancakes or French toast, and glugging down as much filter coffee as I could manage, the activities for the day began.
The days were filled with everything from archery to animal care, ziplining to basketball.
My group of girls and I would sit under a tree and make friendship bracelets, as they requested song after song by Taylor Swift on my Walmart speaker.
Our lunches were traditionally American: sloppy joes (bolognese in a burger bun with cheese), hot dogs and chicken tacos.
Afternoons were spent cooling off in the pool followed by chill time in our cabins.
Whilst some kids took the time to lay in their bunk and write letters home, others would come and point at my polaroids from home that decorated my bed, asking questions about life in the UK.
The kids were super curious about life outside of the States, but didn’t seem to know all too much.
My Kiwi co-worker convinced our bunk that New Zealand didn’t have wi-fi or technology, and feigned amazement as they explained to her what a mobile phone was.
The kids were always at the ready to jokingly mock my accent. They particularly loved making us British staff say “bottle of water”, as they tried through stifled laughter to mimic “bott-ul” and “wart-ur”.
I’ll also never forget hosting a camp quiz one night, where a group answered “What is the capital of England?” with a confident and unified “Paris!”
The kids would stay for one or two weeks at a time, but the camp environment made you grow close – so saying goodbye to them was always the hardest part.
We’d end the week with a campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing our favourite memories.
I found myself collecting letters and pictures over the summer, and those handwritten messages and drawings are still posted up on my wall today.
Although saying bye was tough, what came next was worth it.
I’d made friends from all over the world – Australia, New Zealand, Germany as well as with the American staff.
After ten weeks of hard work, I spent my earnings exploring California.
Whilst some hopped over to Hawaii and others jetted off to JFK, my closest friends and I decided to road-trip the Golden State.
We drove from Santa Rosa to Lake Tahoe, and spent a week jet-skiing across deep blue waters.
We then headed down to San Francisco for a night, before catching the night bus to L.A.
After hiking to the Hollywood sign, skating through Venice Beach and visiting Universal Studios, we headed down to sunny San Diego.
We ended our trip meeting sea lions at La Jolla beach and cheering on the San Diego Padres at a home baseball game.
If you’re looking for a summer in the U.S.A., this is definitely the way to do it.
You’ll come home sunburnt, sleep-deprived, and with a head full of campfire songs.
But the summer camp experience is true movie magic, and the chance to tick off your U.S. bucket list afterwards makes it even better.
HOW TO WORK IN A US SUMMER CAMP
If you fancy spending a summer in the states, there are three major companies that can sponsor your trip: Camp America, Camp Leaders and BUNAC.
Once you set up an account with one of these, they handle all of the paperwork, help you get a Visa, and get you matched up with a summer camp in the U.S. If you pay a bit more, they’ll organise your flights too.
You don’t need any previous camp experience – if you’ve led a sports club or drama group at a school, volunteered or worked with kids in some way, they’ll more than likely be able to find you a placement.
Once you’re placed, you’ll spend 8-10 weeks working with kids, and have 30 days left on your Visa to go wherever you want in the USA.
Inside disgusting house of horrors where Pheobe Bishop ‘lived with her killers’… as even ‘the air tastes dirty’
HARROWING footage has revealed the disgusting conditions teen Pheobe Bishop was living in with her two alleged killer housemates.
Towering piles of rubbish, chains, dog toys and dirty bed sheets can all be seen in the sickening home where Pheobe stayed with James Wood and Tanika Bromley.
Wood, 34, and Bromley, 33, were both formally charged with the 17-year-old’s murder earlier this month.
And just a day later, human remains were discovered on June 6 by police after a major three week search for a body.
As investigations continue into Pheobe’s tragic death, the shocking state of her home in Gin Gin has been uncovered.
Australian news outlet 7News managed to get access to the property and revealed the squalor Pheobe was enduring in the weeks before her passing.
Before entering, the landlord can be heard in the video announcing: “I can’t prepare you enough for this.”
In almost every room the floor was impossible to see due to the mounds of rubbish.
Footage shows mountains of half empty soda bottles, unopened packages and full black bin liners in each room.
The furniture was all out of place across the house with the sofas falling apart and the beds stained yellow.
Even dog poo appeared to be on the floors of the old Queenslander-style home.
Due to the horror conditions and poor cleaning, a major issue with the property was the smell.
The landlord added: “The air tastes dirty… I don’t know how people can be breathing this.”
He also revealed the home was officially leased out by Bromley six months ago but she had been given a notice to leave after a recent inspection.
Pheobe, from Gin Gin north of Brisbane, hadn’t been seen or heard from since Thursday, May 15.
Police first arrested Wood as he was the last person to see the teen as he reportedly took her to the airport.
Cops believe during the drive to the airport, Wood, his girlfriend Bromley, and Pheobe all argued over stopping on the trip.
Pheobe wanted to do her makeup in the car as she was on her way to Perth to visit her “high-school sweetheart” boyfriend, Wood said.
The teen got her way in the end as Wood said he pulled over less than a kilometre away from their destination.
He said: “We wanted to give her five minutes, give her her own space to do what she needed to do.”
Wood and Bromley then said they walked off and were away from the car for around five minutes.
When they returned, Wood said Pheobe and her bag were gone.
This was the last time Pheobe was seen as an intense search operation was launched.
On May 26, cops made a harrowing revelation.
They believed evidence of a potential murder had been moved to cover up what had happened.
On this same day, a new number plate was discovered to have been suspiciously painted and taped over Bromley’s Hyundai car which drove to the airport.
On June 5, police officially charged the couple with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse.
Cops allege Wood, Bromley and Pheobe were all in the car when it arrived at Airport Drive near Bundaberg Airport.
They believe that the trio never left the car.
Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said: “Our evidence will outline the fact that three people arrived near to the airport, and three people never exited that vehicle.”
The pair continue to say they had nothing to do with Pheobe’s disappearance or death.
Wood and Bromley will appear in court on August 11.
Pheobe Bishop timeline
May 14: Pheobe Bishop’s last known bank transaction takes place.
May 15: Pheobe is reportedly dropped off near Bundaberg Airport’s terminal by her housemates, James Wood and Tanika Bromley, in order to catch a flight to Brisbane and then to Perth to visit her boyfriend.
May 15, 8:30am: Pheobe makes a final phone call to her boyfriend before her scheduled flight. Her phone is then switched off and has remained inactive since.
May 15, post-8:30am: Pheobe fails to check in for her flight. CCTV footage confirms she did not enter the airport terminal.
May 16: Family and police initiate search efforts. Pheobe’s social media accounts show no activity during this period.
May 21: Police declare Pheobe’s disappearance as suspicious.
May 24: Nine days after disappearing, Pheobe’s distressed mum pleads the public for information. She says she is “absolutely begging anyone with any information to contact the Queensland Police Service”.
May 25: The search effort is widened to cover more area and homicide officers are brought in to help.
June 4: Police call off the “physical search for Pheobe, who has now been missing for three weeks.
June 5: Bromley and Wood are both arrested and charged with one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse
June 6: Police find human remains near the area Pheobe was last seen.
The UK’s newest national museum is more like an Ikea store – and Kate Middleton is already a fan
LONDON’S newest museum has finally opened – and I was one of the first to go down.
V&A East Storehouse is Stratford’s newest attraction, opening at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Joining the original V&A museum along with Young V&A and V&A Dundee, it is certainly a different kind of museum.
The four-floor museum takes up the space of 30 basketball courts.
The museum’s collection is broken down into three ‘themes’ – items that have a story, items inspired by the V&A and items that show a working museum.
An element I loved was the lack of walls where you can see everything while standing in one spot.
It almost reminded me of an IKEA warehouse with the simple plywood and metal structures and open concept.
But the variation of items (of which there are 250,000) means there is something for everyone.
Kids will be fascinated by the sword displays while I loved the items from important protests throughout history.
Architecture lovers will be taken by the famous Frank Lloyd Right rooms and there is enough art and memorabilia to keep all types occupied, from motorbikes and guitars to magazines and interiors.
Yet I can see how it could be overwhelming for some.
There is no themed areas unlike other museums which often base each room on certain eras or topics.
So you will have to walk the entire building while trying to spot something that interests you.
I don’t think you could spend more than an hour there, unless you are more interested in the concept of a museum rather than a collection itself.
Yet it’s a museum made for the modern day – every piece has a QR code to scan for more information rather than huge signs of text.
I loved this idea, as it also means I never felt awkward having my phone out when taking pictures.
It also meant you could see more of the attractions without being bogged down with text.
Kate Middleton has already visited the new museum, saying: “What a fantastic idea. What an opportunity for everyone to see these historic pieces in first person.”
“It’s so eclectic. And all parts of the process of displaying and curating.”
And there are some new additions coming as well.
Later this year it will open the David Bowie Centre, an archive dedicated to the six decades of the late singer’s career.
And next spring will see the opening of V&A East Museum, a 7,000sqm attraction space with live shows and pop ups.
But until then, V&A East Storehouse is definitely worth a visit while in Stratford – but you won’t need as long as perhaps the other V&A museums to explore.
Make sure to take small bags, as bulky coats and bags have to be put in one of the free lockers.
Food and drink is also banned inside but there is a small on-site cafe selling snacks and drinks for afterwards.
Here’s another £437million attraction opening in London next year.
Willie Mullins snaps up ‘one of the most talented jockeys around’ for £115,000 Royal Ascot rides
WILLIE MULLINS has snapped up ‘one of the most talented jockeys around’ for two blockbuster Royal Ascot rides worth £115,000.
The ink is still drying on Colin Keane’s mega new contract with racing titans Juddmonte.
But the six-time Irish Champion Flat jockey is set to ditch the famous pink, white and green silks for two Mullins runners on day one of the Royal meeting.
Mullins has entered a small army for the Ascot Stakes over 2m4f and the Copper Horse Handicap over 1m6f on Tuesday.
He won the first race three times in four years from 2015 but has been unsuccessful since.
While the Closutton boss claimed the Copper Horse the past two years – with Vauban bolting up before Belloccio last year.
Victory in both races is worth £115,000 combined this year, so it’s a serious money-spinner.
In Wednesday’s entry stage, Keane was down to ride the HOS Syndicate-owned Too Bossy For Us in the Ascot Stakes.
While he was also provisionally down to ride Pappano – owned by the same connections – in the Copper Horse.
Mullins had also moved to secure the services of Godolphin’s No1 rider William Buick.
Charlie Appleby’s main man gets the leg up on freak 100-1 Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros in the Ascot Stakes.
While Buick will look to make it back-to-back in the Copper Horse after he was pencilled in to ride £265,000 purchase Charlus.
Keane, who steered Field Of Gold to Irish 1,000 Guineas success after he was beaten at Newmarket, signed his new Juddmonte contract on Monday.
Willie Mullins Royal Ascot day one entries
Ascot Stakes (2m4f)
Charlus
Pappano
Poniros (Buick)
Reaching High
Too Bossy For Us (Keane)
Copper Horse Handicap (1m6f)
Charlus (Buick)
Pappano (Keane)
Poniros
Reaching High
Too Bossy For Us
The firm’s chief executive, Douglas Erskine Crum, said in a statement: “In the past we have had retained jockey relationships (including with Pat Eddery, Richard Hughes and James Doyle) but in recent years we have preferred to work with the many talented jockeys retained by our various trainers around the world.
“We have decided that the time has now come to revert to the security and consistency which comes from having a single jockey retainer relationship.
“We are delighted that Colin Keane has committed himself to Juddmonte.
“He is one of the most exciting and talented riders of his generation, he shares Juddmonte’s values, we know him well and we warmly welcome him to the Juddmonte team.”
Mullins has been busy giving plenty of big rides to up-and-coming stars at his Irish base.
Anna McGuinness has repaid her boss’ faith with a string of successes – while the son of a late jockey is making a name for himself too.
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- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
First pic of Austria school shooter Artur A. who killed 10 pupils in rampage & left mum chilling final video message
THE lone gunman who killed ten people in Austria’s mass school shootout has been pictured for the first time.
Identified as Artur A., the 21-year-old was a former student at the school who rocked the country with its worst mass shooting in modern history.
The attacker lived in a suburb of Graz, and had left the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school two years ago without successfully graduating sixth grade.
He had no previous convictions and was only known to the police as a victim of pick-pocketing.
Former classmates have said he was subjected to severe bullying during his school years, according to local reports.
There is speculation he targeted the school in an act of furious revenge, though officials are yet to specify a motive.
When cops searched his house, they found a non-functional “pipe bomb” and a suicide note.
Cops also found what appeared to be abandoned plans for a bomb attack during the search of the shooter’s apartment, according to local media.
In the “farewell letter”, Artur A. reportedly said goodbye to his parents and framed himself as a victim of bullying, reports Krone.
He also reportedly recorded a video and sent it to his mother where he spoke of his imminent atrocity and said he was acting “of his own free will”.
Police investigating the mass shooting say the gunman had no prior criminal record.
Artur A. stormed through two classrooms, firing with a Glock pistol and shotgun – both of which he owned legally.
Ten people were killed in the horrific attack.
A further 12 were taken to hospital with serious injuries, and an adult woman became the tenth victim to pass away on Tuesday evening.
Lea Bajrami, 15, was named as the first victim of the tragic mass shooting.
She was one of the six girls to be killed alongside three boys and a woman.
Another 15-year-old girl named Hana Akmadžićis has been identified as the second victim of the tragedy.
Her uncle Ilhad paid heartfelt tributes to his niece and said: “She was my child, not just my niece. A flower of paradise. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
All the 11 surviving victims are aged between 15 and 26 years – and are currently being treated in hospitals. They are understood to be out of danger.
Eight of them are from Austria, two from Romania, and one from Iran, according to the police.
Austria was stunned by the senseless violence, and three days of national mourning was declared.
Horrifying video from the scene yesterday showed pupils hiding in a classroom as gunshots rang out nearby.
Other clips showed students running for their lives as heavily armed cops made their way inside the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school.
A dad told local media that one of his sons lay down on the floor and pretended to be dead to escape gunfire.
The youngest victim of the fatal mass shooting was only 14 years old, while other students were between 15 and 17. A 59-year-old teacher was also killed.
Immediately after the killing spree, the attacker went into a toilet and turned one of the guns on himself.
On Tuesday evening, government officials attended a memorial service in Graz Cathedral, and thousands gathered for a candlelight vigil in the city’s main square.
Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker said: “Today is a dark day in the history of our country.”
There is no record of a mass shooting in Austria with a death toll this high in the post-war period.
A nationwide minute of silence was observed Wednesday morning, and flags on official buildings were flying at half-mast.
Crisis centres were set up to support Graz locals, with specially-trained psychologists on hand to support students and parents associated with the school.
Austria’s Red Cross said it had deployed 65 ambulances to the scene and 158 emergency staff.
It was looking after 300 students in the Helmut List Hall, a converted factory, and 200 parents and relatives in the ASKÖ Hall, a sports complex.
Sports channel disappears from millions of Virgin Media TV boxes – but there’s another way to keep watching for FREE
A MUCH-LOVED sports channel has disappeared from Virgin Media boxes this week – but there’s a way to continue enjoying the matches for free.
Channel operator DAZN has made changes that affect all viewers, whether they’re on Virgin Media or watching via other platforms.
Over a year ago, a DAZN Women’s Football was added to Virgin Media TV at no extra cost.
The move provided viewers with access to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F, Saudi Women’s Premier League and more via a dedicated linear channel.
On Virgin Media, the channel sat at number 554 and was streamed.
It was available on other platforms too like Samsung TV Plus, by tapping 4637 on your remote.
But now DAZN Women’s Football appears to have shut – at least as a linear channel.
The sports streaming giant has confirmed to The Sun that the channel has indeed parted ways.
But the same women’s football content will remain accessible – and free.
“At the time of launching the channel of Virgin Media, DAZN’s free account model was not yet live,” a DAZN spokesperson said.
“To maximise access to our women’s football offering, we partnered with distributors who could increase the visibility of the content.
“Since the launch of our free platform last year, all our women’s football content has been free to watch and this barrier to entry no longer exists meaning all audiences can watch the content natively on DAZN for free.”
The DAZN app is also available on Virgin Media boxes, meaning customers need not miss out.
Those not with Virgin Media can find the app on smart TVs too.
RECENT CHANNEL CHANGES
TV services are constantly evolving with new channels launching and others closing.
The most recent high profile closure was that of ITVBe, which ended after more than 10 years of broadcasting.
Most of the big reality series on the channel, like TOWIE, have moved over to ITV2.
Fortunately, ITV hasn’t left a huge gap on your TV guides as a result of the move.
Instead, ITVBe’s slot has been replaced by a new channel, ITV Quiz, filled with some of the network’s biggest game shows.
Image credit: ITV
Stacey Solomon soaks up the sun in orange bikini on holiday – despite admitting she felt ‘self-conscious’ stripping off
STACEY Solomon looked great as she soaked up the sun on a luxury holiday in Lake Como, Italy.
The TV star, 35, slipped into an orange bikini and sunglasses as she relaxed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
She was pictured unwinding and enjoying some me time poolside in the sunshine.
The five-star hotel, which costs more than £2,000-a-night, boasts incredible views of the picturesque lake and surrounding hills.
Stacey recently opened up about her struggles with body image on holiday.
She wrote on Instagram: “I haven’t committed to the gym this year the way I was able to last year. I don’t know why but for some reason I was conscious about it before coming away. I Worried people would notice (so silly I know as I usually don’t even think about those things, but I felt a weird pressure).
“However looking back on pics from the beach yesterday I can see I’m still so beautiful. I look a little different from my last holiday but just as beautiful.”
Just days ago her husband, Joe Swash, revealed the two things they can’t go on holiday without.
The 43-year-old former EastEnders star said they always have a crafts box to keep their young children entertained, and flotation devices to keep them safe in the water.
Joe said: “Stacey likes to travel with a craft box so the kids can stick out things together and do a bit of drawing.
“But we also like to do things with the younger ones, Belle and Rose.
Rex not so much now as he’s a bit older and he can swim really well, but we make sure we get the armbands for swimming properly.
“You can go on holiday and then it’s a nightmare if you can’t get the right ones.
“We always want to make sure they have the right swimming equipment so they’re safe before we go, so we know that box is ticked.”
Joe revealed the family are weighing up where to go – but that decision is out of his hands and will be down to the kids.
Joe said: “We do like to go away with a lot of family as well so I’m sure there’s going to be more than just us lot.
“We like to go to Turkey as that’s where the kids love. We’re not 100 per cent sure where it’ll be, but there’s going to be a lot of us.
“We are driven by what the kids love – wherever they want to go, we do.”
He added: “Our kids have never loved kids club, but they love water parks, swimming, playing sports, football and tennis.
“They’ve got huge amounts of energy to burn off and because we’ve got so many of them, there’s never a dull moment.
“I always say to Stacey that we need a holiday after the holiday.”
I lost 3st on fat jabs but still can’t wear a bikini thanks to side effect… and my waist wasn’t the only thing to shrink
PACKING for her holidays Ann Howard wonders whether to put her bikini into her suitcase.
She might have shed three stone after taking fat jabs but she knows deep down that the idea of wearing a bikini is a step too far for her.
Ann, 38, has fallen victim to an unwanted side effect as a result of taking the weight loss job Mounjaro.
“I dropped three stone but I’ve ended up with a four-inch muffin-top,” says the mum-of-two.
“Even though I have bought my first bikini in a decade, flaunting it on the beach this summer is a worry due to my new wobbly stomach.”
Mental health support worker Ann, 38, lives in Norfolk, East Anglia with her husband, Dan, 41 an IT manager and their two children aged 16 and five and says her muffin-top is not the only strange side effect.
She claims using the weight loss jabs not only took inches from her waist but also an inch from her height.
“I used to be 5ft and I have always felt like the smallest person in the room,” she says.
“Now I am 4ft 11. I shrunk an inch in height using the jabs.
“When you are short like me and only five feet tall you need every inch you can get.”
Height loss is not a common side effect of weight loss injectables but can occur because the body is losing fat and muscle quickly, especially in the core and back.
National Library of Medicine research reveals rapid fat and muscle loss can lead to a small loss of height because of the way a person stands.
If fat is lost from the feet, it can also impact a person’s height.
“I now have to hit the gym and do more resistance and weight training to make myself stand taller or grow back an inch,” Ann adds.
Growing up Ann says she was always an average size.
“It wasn’t until I moved out at 18 and started shopping and cooking for myself did the weight pile on,” she says.
“I went from a size 14 to a size 18 in just eighteen months.”
Ann met her husband through work and the pair started dating when Ann was 18.
“Our daughter, now 16, was born in May 2009 and I was a size 22,” Ann says.
“I couldn’t shift the baby weight no matter what diet I tried.”
WHY A BELLY CAN BE HARDEST TO SHIFT
Dr Bryony Henderson, a GP, obesity management expert and medical director at Numan, tells Sun Health: “Successful weight control requires more than simply lowering calories.
“Years of overeating can dull the brain’s response to leptin, the ‘I’m full’ hormone, so appetite remains higher than it should be.
“Plus, poor sleep or constant stress raises cortisol, a survival hormone that tells the body to store spare energy around the waist.
“Together these hormonal shifts can slow or even stop fat loss in people who feel they are ‘doing everything right’.”
HIGH levels of the hormone oestrogen can cause women to store fat around their hips and thighs and stomach, according to registered nutritionist Karen Preece Smith.
“In men, low testosterone can lead to increased body fat, especially in the abdominal area,” she adds.
“This is partly due to the conversion of testosterone to oestrogen by fat cells, which can contribute to hormonal imbalances and fat storage.”
You can combat this by boosting testosterone levels with a diet full of lean proteins (chicken, turkey), healthy fats (olive oil, avocado), complex carbohydrates (whole grains such as oats, brown rice), zinc (found in lean red meat, beans, nuts) magnesium (from dark green leafy vegetables) and vitamin D (in eggs, oily fish).
“Weight training, with a focus on multi-joint compound movements such as squats and lunges, can also stimulate testosterone production for men,” Karen adds.
Dominika Blonska, a personal trainer, nutrition coach and founder of DEFINE BY DOM, says: “Your liver is responsible for breaking down excess oestrogen.
“To help it out, limit alcohol, drink at least two litres of water per day and eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower.
“Improving your gut health will also help with oestrogen elimination.
“You can do this by avoiding inflammatory foods, such as processed products, sugar and seed oils, and eating fibre-rich food, like vegetables, chia and flax seeds.”
Tuck into healthy fats too – think avocado, coconut oil, nuts and sardines.
Ann and Dan married in April 2013 and Ann says she was an overweight bride.
“I had to wear a size 20 wedding dress,” she recalls.
“Everyone told me I looked amazing, but I felt like I had failed.
“After that I was always on diets. I lost some weight at Slimming World but then would regain it.
“I have tried soup diets, shake diets, and diet groups.”
At her heaviest Ann hit the scales at 17st 11 lbs and had a BMI of 49.9 putting her at risk of heart disease and a shorter lifespan.
The couple welcomed their second daughter in June 2019 with Ann vowing to find a way to lose weight that offered a permanent solution.
“I asked to be put on the NHS waiting list for free bariatric surgery but was told there was a waiting list of up to five years just to get an appointment with a consultant,” she says.
So, in November 2023 Ann flew to Turkey for gastric sleeve surgery.
“I lost three stone and then my weight plateaued, I was devastated,” she admits.
Ann also started regaining weight and after a visit to her GP discovered she was suffering early menopause as a result of endometriosis.
“At the time I was 36 suffering hot flushes, low energy levels and mood swings,” she says.
“I’d spent £5,000 on weight loss surgery, and I was actually putting on weight.”
After speaking to a friend who had used weight loss injectables Ann started taking Mounjaro in March 2025.
“Within a day the food noise was gone – it was the first time in over 30 years,” she says.
I won’t be showing off my bikini on British beaches yet – my wobbling muffin top has put an end to that
Ann Howard
Ann lost almost three stone and is now 12st 03 lbs.
“I am back to a size 12-14 and feel amazing,” she says.
“It’s been life changing and it is the first time I feel in control of my body and weight.”
However, Ann admits her rapid weight loss using the jabs has left her with a ‘muffin top’ or belly apron on her stomach.
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients’ sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients’ mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
“My jelly belly has developed in the last year, I know it’s due to rapid weight loss,” she says.
“No matter how many exercises or skin care products you use, I know not to expect your skin to ping back to its pre-fat tightness.”
Ann’s belly apron is four inches long and she admits she chooses clothes to hide its wobble.
“It bulks me out at the front. Until I have cosmetic surgery, I still have to wear loose clothes over my tummy,” she claims.
Despite this, Ann is planning to debut her new bikini on holiday with her ‘Mounjaro mates’, a group of female friends who all lost weight using the jabs or from gastric sleeves.
“We are all going on a girls’ holiday to Jamaica. I can wear my bikini with a cover up shirt and enjoy the sun to celebrate our weight loss,” she says.
“I won’t be showing off my bikini on British beaches yet – my wobbling muffin top has put an end to that.”
The mum has also revealed her marriage got a Mounjaro makeover as well.
We used to make love once a month, but now we’re enjoying adult time once or twice a week
Ann Howard
“Since I started using the jab my self esteem and body confidence has improved,” Ann says.
“I am not hiding my body all the time under black baggy clothes and our love life has improved dramatically.
“We used to make love once a month, but now we’re enjoying adult time once or twice a week.
“I feel like a teenager again.”
Ann is now saving for her Mounjaro mummy makeover and wants to have a tummy tuck and liposuction.
She is planning to renew her vows with Dan when they celebrate 20 years of marriage in 2033.
“I want to have the fun of being a slim bride,” she says.
“When we got married, I hated my body and didn’t get to choose the dress I wanted. I had to choose a dress that was ‘in my size’ and was a hand-me-down.
“I want to have a hot wedding dress, some sexy underwear, and to have the experience of being the bride I have always dreamt of.”
Club World Cup 2025: Fixtures, groups and FREE live stream info for new-look tournament featuring Chelsea and Man City
THE Club World Cup will get underway in the United States THIS WEEK.
Some of the sport‘s biggest names are set to feature, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe all due to be involved with their respective clubs.
Chelsea and Manchester City are the only English teams competing in the blockbuster new-look 32-team tournament.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his Real Madrid debut during the competition after Los Blancos paid Liverpool a £10million fee to complete his switch from Merseyside to Spain early.
The Club World Cup promises to be a thriller and not one you will want to miss.
SunSport brings you all the details you need on the blockbuster summer tournament.
When is the Club World Cup 2025?
- The Club World Cup 2025 will begin on Sunday, June 15, in the UK and Saturday, June 14, in the US.
- The tournament will run until Sunday, July 13.
- It is being held across 12 different cities and stadiums in the United States.
- The whole tournament will be broadcast by DAZN in the UK and US.
- Matches can be watched on DAZN TV or via the website/app.
- In the UK, Channel 5 will also air select games on terrestrial TV.
Club World Cup 2025 prize money
One of the main reasons why so many giant clubs are taking part in the Club World Cup is due to the mammoth prize pot.
The winning side will earn up to $125million/£97m, which is close to what the Premier League (£176m) and Champions League (£135m) payout to their winners.
Prize money of a colossal £775m ($1bn) will be shared between the 32 clubs, with a £407m ($525m) participation fee shared based on sporting and commercial criteria, and £368m ($475m) shared based on sporting performance.
Fifa is not keeping any revenue made from the huge tournament and it expects to share another £200m ($250m) with clubs as solidarity payments.
Watch EVERY match of the Club World Cup 2025 live on DAZN
Club World Cup 2025 prize money breakdown
Here is a full breakdown of what each club could earn from every round:
*Note: prize money accumulates as a club progresses
- Group stage (three matches) $2m/£1.4m win or $1m/£746k draw
- Round of 16 + $7.5m/£5.5m
- Quarter-final + $13.125m/£9.7m
- Semi-final + $21.0m/£15.6m
- Finalist + $30m/£22.3m
- Winner + $40m/£29.8m
Club World Cup 2025 groups
Group A: Palmeiras (Brz), Porto (Por), Al Ahly (Egy), Inter Miami (USA)
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain (Fra), Atletico Madrid (Esp), Botafogo (Brz), Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group C: Bayern Munich (Ger), Benfica (Por), Boca Juniors (Arg), Auckland City (Nzl)
Group D: Flamengo (Brz), Chelsea (Eng), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tun), Los Angeles FC (USA)
Group E: River Plate (Arg), Inter Milan (Ita), CF Monterrey (Mex), Urawa Red Diamonds (Jpn)
Group F: Fluminense (Brz), Borussia Dortmund (Ger), Ulsan HD (Kor), Mamelodi Sundowns (Rsa)
Group G: Manchester City (Eng), Juventus (Ita), Wydad AC (Mor), Al Ain (UAE)
Group H: Real Madrid (Esp), FC Salzburg (Aut), Al Hilal (Rsa), CF Pachuca (Mex)
Club World Cup 2025 fixtures
All times BST/ET
Sunday, June 15
Group A: Al Ahly vs Inter Miami – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 1am/8pm Sat 14th
Group C: Bayern Munich vs Auckland City – TQL Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group B: PSG vs Atletico Madrid – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group A: Palmeiras vs Porto – MetLife Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Monday, June 16
Group B: Botafogo vs Seattle Sounders – Lumen Field, kick off 3am/10pm Sun 15
Group D: Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group C: Boca Juniors vs Benfica – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Tuesday, June 17
Group D: Flamengo vs Esperance de Tunis – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 2am/9pm Mon 16
Group F: Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund – MetLife Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group E: River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds – Lumen Field, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group F: Ulsan HD vs Mamelodi Sundowns – Inter&Co Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Wednesday, June 18
Group E: Monterrey vs Inter Milan – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Tues 17
Group G: Man City vs Wydad AC – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group H: Real Madrid vs Al Hilal – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group H: CF Pachuca vs FC Salzburg – TQL Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Thursday, June 19
Group G: Al Ain vs Juventus – Audi Field, kick off 2am/9pm Wed 18
Group A: Palmeiras vs Al Ahly – MetLife Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group A: Inter Miami vs Porto – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group B: Seattle Sounders vs Atletico Madrid – Lumen Field, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group B: PSG vs Botafogo – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Friday, June 20
Group C: Benfica vs Auckland City – Inter&Co Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group D: Flamengo vs Chelsea – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 7pm/2pm
Group D: Los Angeles FC vs Esperance de Tunis – GEODIS Park, kick off 10pm/5pm
Saturday June 21
Group C: Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Sat 20
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Bosurissa Dortmund – TQL Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group E: Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds – Lumen Field, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group F: Fluminense vs Ulsan HD – MetLife Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Group E: River Plate vs Monterrey – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Sunday, June 22
Group G: Juventus vs Wydad AC – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group H: Real Madrid vs CF Pachuca – Bank of America Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group H: FC Salzburg vs Al Hilal – Audi Field, kick off 11pm/6pm
Monday, June 23
Group G: Man City vs Al Ain – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Sun 22
Group B: Seattle Sounders vs PSG – Lumen Field, kick off 5pm/12pm
Group B: Atletico Madrid vs Botafogo – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Tuesday, June 24
Group A: Inter Miami vs Palmeiras – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Mon 23
Group A: Porto vs Al Ahly – MetLife Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Mon 23
Group C: Auckland City vs Boca Juniors – GEODIS Park, kick off 7pm/2pm
Group C: Benfica vs Bayern Munich – Bank of America Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Wednesday, June 25
Group D: Los Angeles FC vs Flamengo – Camping World Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Tues 24
Group D: Esperance de Tunis vs Chelsea – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 2am/9pm Tues 24
Group F: Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HD – TQL Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Group E: Inter Milan vs River Plate – Lumen Field, kick off 11pm/6pm
Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds vs Monterrey – Rose Bowl Stadium, kick off 11pm/6pm
Thursday, June 26
Group G: Juventus vs Man City – Camping World Stadium, kick off 8pm/5pm
Group G: Wydad AC vs Al Ain – Audi Field, kick off 8pm/5pm
Group H: Al Hilal vs CF Pachuca – GEODIS Park, kick off 1am/8pm Wed 25
Friday, June 27
Group H: FC Salzburg vs Real Madrid – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 2am/9pm Thur 26
Round of 16
Saturday, June 28
Match 49: Group A winners vs Group B runners-up – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 5pm/12pm
Match 50: Group C winners vs Group D runners-up – Bank of America Stadium, kick off 9pm/4pm
Sunday, June 29
Match 51: Group B winners vs Group A runners-up – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off 5pm/12pm
Match 52: Group D winners vs Group C runners-up – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 9pm/4pm
Monday, June 30
Match 53: Group E winners vs Group F runners-up – Bank of America Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Tuesday, June 31
Match 54: Group G winners vs Group H runners-up – Camping World Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Mon 30
Tuesday, July 1
Match 55: Group H winners vs Group G runners-up – Hard Rock Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Wednesday, July 2
Match 56: Group F winners vs Group E runners-up – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off 2am/9pm Tues 1
Quarter-finals
Friday, July 4
Match 57: Winner match 53 vs Winner match 54 – Camping World Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Saturday, July 5
Match 58: Winner match 49 vs Winner match 50 – Lincoln Financial Field, kick off 2am/9pm Fri 4
Match 59: Winner match 51 vs Winner match 52 – Mercedes-Benz, kick off 5pm/12pm
Match 60: Winner match 55 vs Winner match 56 – MetLife Stadium, kick off 9pm/4pm
Semi-finals
Tuesday, July 8
Match 61: Winner match 57 vs Winner match 58 – MetLife Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Wednesday, July 9
Match 62: Winner match 59 vs Winner match 60 – MetLife Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
Club World Cup Final
Sunday, July 13
Match 63: Winner match 61 vs Winner match 62 – MetLife Stadium, kick off 8pm/3pm
How to watch Club World Cup 2025 FREE
All 63 Club World Cup matches will be broadcast LIVE on DAZN this summer.
Every game from the huge tournament will be free to watch on the platform across the globe.
You will need to sign up for DAZN to access the live streams of the matches, but you are not required to purchase a subscription.
Channel 5 will broadcast 23 of 63 matches from the Club World Cup on terrestrial TV in the UK.