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☆ I weighed 434 and my doctor said I could die. I lost 163 pounds by riding a stationary bike and focusing on portions and lean proteins.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-19 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. My wife, Teresa, got pregnant with our daughter, Sarah, now 33, and I did the classic thing of gaining sympathy weight. AdvertisementMiller and his wife, Teresa, before he lost weight. But it's a wake-up call when a doctor says your BMI is off the charts and you're morbidly obese. I now weigh 271 pounds and intend to lose another 20 to 25 pounds to reach my goal.

Persons: —, August Miller, Teresa, Sarah, I'd, Miller, I'm, Miller Teresa, They're Organizations: Service, Business, BMI Locations: Coke, Mexican

☆ A 104-year-old has been a professional lobster woman since she was 8. She says the secret to her longevity is keeping busy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"It's a family tradition," Oliver, of mid-coast Maine, told Business Insider. Related storiesShe told BI that she had never experienced sexism in the job and the lobstermen she'd met were "friendly." Virginia Oliver working on her lobster boat with her son. Oliver still enjoys the taste of lobsterShe told BI that she has not become tired of eating lobster. Do you have a powerful story about longevity to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Virginia Oliver won't, haven't, Oliver, Herbert Hoover, Willie, Mickey, JOSEPH PREZIOSO, she'd, Dale Shierholt, I've, She's, she's, Wayne Gray, BI he'd, Virginia Oliver, Gray, Maine Oliver, Shierholt Organizations: Service, Business, Disney, BI Locations: Maine, America, Virginia

☆ Sending our kids to summer camp was more expensive than a family trip to Europe. We enjoyed it so much we ended up moving to Portugal.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. My husband, Olly, and I calculated that we'd spend at least $12,000 sending them for 10 weeks. It wasn't as if they would be at camp all day — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead. Our kids integrated into the Portuguese cultureThen, in 2022, Olly's boss moved with his family to Spain full-time. AdvertisementI don't want to return to New York CityI don't worry about healthcare bills any longer.

Persons: —, Patrice Poltzer, Olly, Poltzer, I'd, We'd, It's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Brooklyn, Olly's, England, London, Europe, Croatia, Zagreb, France, Spain, Portugal, New York City, Patrice Poltzer Portugal, New York, Mexico City, Lisbon, I'd, Chicago

☆ A man born in Japan — where tipping is rude — is part of a growing number of Americans rejecting tipping in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Still, back in the US, he recognized the argument that low-paid workers in the service industry have traditionally relied on tips to earn a living wage. Ozeki never ordered food for deliveryBut he said that recent increases in the minimum wage have changed the landscape — at least in certain states. AdvertisementIn California, for example, the minimum wage for fast-food workers rose by law this year from $16 to $20 an hour. "The current minimum wage at a fast food place is higher than my starting salary 15 years ago," Ozeki said. Have you seen your tips dip recently as a service industry worker?

Persons: —, Ken, Ted Rossman, Rossman, jridley@businessinsider.com Organizations: Service, Business, Franciscan Locations: Japan, California

☆ My family of 4 moved to France. My child started school at age 3 and gets healthy meals for lunch.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. My wife, Kristi, and I were inspired to move to France after watching a documentary about British people who'd relocated there. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Kids start school at 3The education system in France is superior. Do you have an interesting story about living away from your native country that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Phil Coley, Kristi, who'd, Alicia, Haydn, pats, I've, they've Organizations: Service, Business, ex, pats Locations: France, Limoges, It's, —, French

☆ My family of 4 moved to France. My kids started school at age 3 and get healthy meals for lunch.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-11 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Persons: —, Phil Coley, Kristi, who'd, Alicia, Haydn, pats, I've, they've Organizations: Service, Business, ex, pats Locations: France, Limoges, It's, —, French

☆ I'm 89 and have always loved traveling. I've been to 92 countries and have no plans to stop.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-08 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

When I did the math with my granddaughter, Jennifer, I was amazed to learn I'd visited 92 countries. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. I've stayed in luxury hotels and camped in the booniesMy life has been a global adventure with too many memories to count. I've always joked that I've been everywhere but Antarctica. Do you have an interesting story about travel that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Nancy Strong, Jennifer, I'd, I've, hadn't, Strong, It's, Asa —, Taylor Swift Organizations: Service, Business Locations: London, Dallas, Petra, Jordan, China, Vietnam, Abu Dhabi, Canada, Paris, Australia, Lithuania, India, Normandy, France, Africa, Kenya, Argentina, Tuscany

☆ A 73-year-old lost 185 pounds by going to the gym and eating a low-carb diet. She reversed her diabetes and ditched her scooter.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Maureen Hagar ditched her mobility aids after losing 185 pounds through a healthy diet and regular exercise. "I'm very proud," Hagar told Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementThe trainer said low-intensity exercise suited Hagar better"One of our goals has been to redevelop her balance and dexterity in her feet," Conway told Business Insider. Do you have an interesting story about weight loss that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Maureen Hagar, Hagar, she'd, Derek Conway, Conway, Derek Organizations: Service, Business, Rocky Locations: California, Conway

☆ I'm a British mom living in the US. In the UK kids get a shorter summer break and have mandatory uniforms.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It's difficult to compare public school systems forensically because of the countries' vastly different populations and government infrastructures. However, feedback from my British friends has convinced me that the setup in the UK is more user-friendly for kids and parents. Kids in the UK start school as young as 4By law, children in the UK enter the publicly-funded British school system as young as 4. Kids wear uniformMost government-run schools in the UK require students to wear a school uniform. The protocols contrast those in the US, where most public school kids can wear what they want to class — albeit within reason.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business, Navy Locations: PISA, New York, Britain, Lululemon

☆ I was diagnosed with a severe fear of giving birth while I was pregnant. I'm not having any more kids.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. But the dread was affecting my mental health and the pregnancy as a whole. Related storiesSo, at around five months pregnant, I was assessed by a perinatal mental health team from the National Health Service (NHS.) Courtesy of Jemma SmithI told the mental health counselor that I saw childbirth as a giant mountain. AdvertisementDo you have a powerful story about a health condition that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Jemma Smith, we'd, I'd, tokophobia, Smith, She'd Organizations: Service, Business, National Health Service

☆ I changed my name to Kricket. I didn't feel like Ashley represented me, and it's a nod to my maiden name.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kricket Bushnell. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. But I didn't want to be Kricket Krick. So, I applied to legally change my name Kricket Bushnell — Bushnell was my future husband's last name — a few weeks before our wedding. AdvertisementDo you have an interesting story about your name that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Kricket Bushnell, Nancy Krick's, Ashley, Ashley Michelle, Kricket, Bushnell, Michael Krick, Nancy Krick, Mom, Dad wasn't, I'd, Kricket Bushnell — Bushnell Organizations: Service, Business

☆ I'm 89 and a huge Taylor Swift fan. I didn't let my age stop me from flying to Paris to see her in concert.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

We were going to Paris to see Taylor on May 9, 2024. AdvertisementStrong enjoyed every moment of the Taylor Swift concert in Paris. When Jennifer asked if I wanted to see Taylor with her in Paris, it was a no-brainer. Five of us went to the concert, including Jennifer, 32, another granddaughter, Brianne Pattison, 36, and my daughter-in-law, Kay Strong, 66. I'm happy that the younger generation knows there are older people like me who love to have fun in their life.

Persons: —, Nancy Strong, Jennifer, Taylor Swift's, We've, — I, Taylor, I've, Taylor Swift, she'd, Asa, Strong, Jennifer Strong, Brianne Pattison, Kay Strong Organizations: Service, Business, MTV, Kanye West Locations: New York, Europe, Paris, Dallas, Reading , Pennsylvania, Reading, Antarctica, South America, Amsterdam, Anthropologie

☆ I had bariatric surgery and lost 120 pounds. It allowed me to run my first half-marathon at age 45.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Before I lost 120 pounds, I could barely run a mile, let alone the length of a proper race. I'd always been heavy-set, but by the time I reached my early 30s in 2010, my weight was a big issue. My heaviest weight was 350 poundsHe told me that he'd had gastric sleeve surgery and never looked back. AdvertisementQuintano had gastric sleeve surgery in April 2023 Courtesy of Anthony QuintanoMeanwhile, I'd developed a blood clot in my leg. I started walking laps around my hospital room.

Persons: —, Anthony Quintano, I'd, munch, Quintano, he'd, Anthony, you've, I've Organizations: Service, Business, KFC, Brooklyn, New York City Marathon Locations: Brooklyn, Maine, New Jersey, Central, New York

☆ My parents named me Denise, but I never liked it. After my mom died and my dad had dementia, I changed it to Elizabeth.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A few years after legally changing my first name from Denise to Elizabeth in 2008, I received a Christmas card from a friend that was addressed to "Denise Flagg." This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. I don't think Denise particularly meant anything to him — he just liked it. Some names sound beautiful in people's ears, but others don't, like Denise. AdvertisementDo you have an interesting story about your names that you'd like to share with Business Insider?

Persons: —, Elizabeth Flagg, Denise, Elizabeth, Denise Flagg, I'd cringe, Denise —, Elizabeth Zara, I'd, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, I've Organizations: Service, Business, Social Security Locations: Zara, Persian

☆ I'm a Brit living in the US. I dread Mother's Day because my mom lives over 3,000 miles away.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

My 93-year-old mom lives over 3,000 miles from me across the Atlantic. I envy families who are together on Mother's Day and can make their moms feel special in person. AdvertisementIn the run-up to Mother's Day this year, my inbox has been flooded with holiday specials. Every time I receive a new email with Mother's Day in the subject line, I can't help but feel sad. Related storiesMy husband suggested we go out for Mother's Day brunch a few years ago.

Persons: —, she's Organizations: Service, Mother's, Hallmark, Business Locations: England, New York, Portland , Oregon, British

☆ My husband and I combined our last names when we got married — it started as a joke, but then it just made sense
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Marcy Donnelly and Chris Buerger, 50 and 52, combined their last names when they wed in 2000. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Marcy Donnager. It started as a joke, then we realized it made senseNone of it seemed real, so we made up names for ourselves. But our adopted names didn't suit our last names, Donnelly and Buerger. Then, once we had our marriage certificate, we used it in the court proceeding to legally change our names to Donnager.

Persons: Marcy Donnelly, Chris Buerger, Donnager, —, Marcy Donnager, Chris, Sasha, Donnelly, Buerger, Sasha Donnager, Buergdonn, Marcy, Aidan, Austin, we're Organizations: Service, SeaWorld, Social Security, Business Locations: San Diego, San Francisco, Orange County, Las Vegas, Austin

☆ I earn $150K a year as a creator on OnlyFans. I work 9-hour days, 7 days a week.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Lauren Spencer is a top-performing OnlyFans content creator. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Content creators are in charge of their own promotionMy husband and I only have to rely on each other. I work on and off from 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., seven days a week, usually averaging about nine hours a day. On OnlyFans, content creators are responsible for promoting themselves.

Persons: Lauren Spencer, —, OnlyFans, COVID, It's, Spencer, Lauren Spencer Next, Max, I've, they're Organizations: Service, I'm, pedicures, Business

☆ A 100-year-old man chalks up his longevity to empathy, passion for music, and eating half-portions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Roger Wonson reached his milestone 100th birthday in April 2024. AdvertisementWhen Roger Wonson celebrated his 100th birthday with friends at his care facility, he provided the entertainment. "I get a lot of kicks from music," Wonson told Business Insider. He played saxophone and drums in several bands in his home state of Massachusetts. "I don't eat a lot," Wonson said.

Persons: Roger Wonson, —, Wonson, It's, Michelle Boudreau, Mary Sue, Wanson, it's, didn't, Ted Talks, I've, Declan Organizations: Business, Service, US Air Force, Beverly Locations: Massachusetts

☆ I left my $90K job to take care of my mom full-time. Now I make less than minimum wage.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alma Valencia, who once earned $90K in fashion, cares for her mom with dementia for $17.50 an hour. She is part of the "sandwich generation," simultaneously caring for her mom and her children. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . It made sense because we wanted the best for her — and our family struggled to afford full-time, outside help. I was stretched thin as a so-called "sandwich generation caregiver."

Persons: Alma Valencia, —, Mom —, Amelia, Daniel, texted, Alma Valencia I'd, Juan, Caregiving, what's, I've, I'm, Mom Organizations: Service, Social Security, Alma, Business Locations: California, Valencia, San Francisco

☆ My parents gave me a name that I hated. At 38, I legally changed it as a birthday present to myself.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The mom-of-two legally changed it to her beloved nickname as a birthday present to herself at 38. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . My 38th birthday was coming up in June 2000, and I knew exactly what I wanted to give myself as a present. I decided to legally change my birth name — which I hated — to my nickname. But my parents sometimes called me by my birth name, especially when they were angry or disciplining me.

Persons: Lissy Dunning, Phyllis, —, Elaine, Patricia Elizabeth, Phyllis Diller, Alexander, Alex, They've, Autumn, I'd, I'm, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Ohio, Michigan

☆ I spent over $50,000 on IVF treatments. Eventually, one of my sisters donated her eggs, and the other was my surrogate.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Stephanie, 41, stepped up as our surrogate, while Meredith, another of my sisters, was our egg donor. AdvertisementStill, we did a total of six more rounds of IVF, costing more than $50,000. But we're a very close family — Stephanie, Meredith, and my youngest sister, Samantha, lived through every high and low of our IVF journey. Meredith and Stephanie presented us with the most special gift in the world.

Persons: —, Jacyln, Stephanie, who'd, Jaclyn, Greg, We'd, Meredith, Turner, Mosaic Turner, Jaclyn Feiberg, endometriosis, Samantha, selflessness, didn't, David Berck, Barbara, hysterically Organizations: Service, Business, Health Locations: Westchester , New York

☆ I felt a lack of direction after I retired from being a CEO. Then I found a new career as a model at age 63.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. I did my first modeling shoot at 63. I thought I'd give modeling a tryI was on my computer a couple of months later, and a pop-up appeared. Rachael told me I looked sharp. Hurd told Business Insider that he never gets nervous ahead of a modeling shoot.

Persons: —, Anthony Hurd, Music, I've, Hurd, Rachael, David Gandy, It's, I'm Organizations: Service, UK, Business, Comic Relief, Nike, Reebok, Coca, BMW, Kentucky, Visa Locations: London, Paris, Sweden

☆ I always hated my first name and thought it was boring, but I didn't want to insult my parents by changing it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I was never happy about being named Jane. The nasties at school weren't imaginative and inevitably called me "Plain Jane" or "Jane the Pain." The godmother was delighted when her first granddaughter was named Jane. AdvertisementI thought about changing my name but worried what my parents would thinkI spent a good amount of time considering my sister's question. It's not as if they'd named me Lucrezia, one of the infamous Borgia poisoners.

Persons: —, Jane, Jane the, Ridley, Regrettably, Jane Ridley I, Jane I, Cressida, Hermione, Jane —, We've, Margaret —, I've, Pete, Peter, Charlotte, Jane Seymour, Henry VIII, Jane Goodall, Jane Austen, I'd, Dad, they'd, It's, Lucrezia, Borgia, Ophelia Organizations: Service, Business, Janes Locations: Marg

☆ I got addicted to painkillers after a difficult childbirth. Years later, I'm finally sober.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Minutes later, I'd frantically chop one of the pills with a credit card. When I woke up, one of the first things my doctor said was, "Where do we need to send your prescription for Oxycontin?" My husband was more worried than angry when he realized I was abusing prescription drugsSome days, I'd be sociable and charismatic, especially when showing apartments to prospective buyers. On other days, I'd retreat to my room, leaving my nannies to deal with the kids.

Persons: Alex Gardella, —, I'd, SIDS, Oxycontin —, I'm, liposarcoma, Gardella, Uber, It's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Manhattan

☆ My baby boomer mom was always dieting. I started doing it too, and finally broke the cycle when I became a mother.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementMy baby boomer mom raised me to dread getting on the scale, to fear every pound I gained. "I've gained weight," she'd say. "I can't wear that until I've lost a few pounds," she'd say. Instead, I'll say, "I am not feeling as strong today." We discuss the concepts of power and strength, like when we weighed Sofia for her new car seat.

Persons: —, Nicole Chapman, Sofia, I'd, I'm, She'd, I've, she'd, Chapman, Twiggy Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Sofia

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