April 2025 Starts - Thread 2

[QS90]

Following on from thread 1 - !

Michael Moseley did a lot of research into it, and concluded that rapid weight loss, was actually a lot better than "slow and steady" (despite the fact that slow and steady is usually recommended). His research and findings were really enlightening actually, and very convincing - there's a lot of information on it in his "Fast 800" book. But I imagine there's somewhere online which summarises it more succinctly, if you can't be bothered with a whole book.

I remember in one bit, he did a full three-day fast, where he had nothing at all but tea without milk. They took a load of measures of his body before and after (blood sugar, markers of inflammation, something else which showed risk of cancer I think too). His body was MUCH healthier AFTER the fast. If you do a very calorie restricted diet, it also triggers "autophagy", which if you don't already know, is when your body essentially eats any damaged cells. It's really good for you, when this happens. Obviously it's not for everyone, but the research shows that rapid weightloss, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

That said, I don't know what the implications would be, if you did this every day for weeks or months. I'm sure it was in the book, but as it wasn't relevant to me, I can't quite remember what it said!

Also, I think with extreme calorie restriction, you are likely to lose a lot of hair. It will thicken up again once you are eating properly. For me, it would be worth a bit of hair thinning to be healthier, but I imagine that's not the same for everyone.

I've also read that you are more likely to lose muscle (and thereby reduce your metabolism), if you lose weight quickly. I'd focus on eating fewer carbs, and more fat and especially protein, if you carry on as you are.

Lastly, I've heard that the more rapid the weight loss, the more likely you are to get loose skin. I'm not sure on the truth of this, long term. Obviously it will take a person's skin longer to "catch up", and might be looser during this period. But presumably if your skin has the capacity to shrink 20% over all, would the time frame make a difference? I don't know. And an individual might not care about looser skin, if their joints or whatever felt better quicker. Again, it will vary person to person.

Just realised what an essay this is, sorry! I think it's a really interesting topic 😂

@Potato1234 This summarises very (very!) briefly. Apparently he had originally planned to recommend 500 calories per day, as it's healthier, but in the end chose 800, because he thought it was more achievable. So not unsafe.

https://thefast800.com/lessons-from-dr-mosley-intermittent-fasting/?srsltid=AfmBOorV3jZUwMvT8JrwuIXq-9QlLRCuckEn1aHYkgOXPqWFZolFx5R-

Wow @QS90that's really interesting! Thanks ☺️

Thought I should post mainly to say thanks to everyone who has shared so far, I am W1D5 today and have found it incredibly helpful to see how you are all getting on and to compare the range of experiences.

Based on the excellent advice here I knew to focus on hydration (I have a tendency towards migraine so was a bit worried about that). But so far only very mild constipation as a side effect. Otherwise I just feel much more in control of my eating - I am describing it as there being a major boost to my impulse control. I just seem to be able to pause and think rationally “do I really want to eat this or shall I not?” instead of half a pack of biscuits being gone before I’ve thought about it 🤣. Still really enjoying my food but no mindless snacking and sticking to calories below my TDEE is so much easier than it’s ever been before. Hoping it continues like this and if it does I might try another month on 2.5mg, although I’m probably getting ahead of myself since I’ve only had one jab so far!

I wouldn’t worry too much about it if you feel otherwise quite well. Lots of people fast a couple of days a week for health and weight management. I lost a lot of weight doing this, but found it mentally exhausting. Make sure you are getting your fluids in and eating really nutritious food when you do eat, and loads of protein.

Hi everyone, took my first injection yesterday. Apprehensive but excited to see where this journey will take me.

SW: 126kg
GW: 85kg

Thank you, I have been using an online calculator or the convert option on apple calculator. Have just checked a few online calculators and some are coming up as the figures I’ve put and some are a few lbs different!
so not sure which to use now!
but at home I’m following the lbs and my scales are set to that, used the conversion on her as I know that’s what most use

Hmm, unsure what to do jab wise now. Woke up at half 1 in the morning with bad tummy cramps and upset stomach, so may be evidence of medicine having some effect on me (I do get cramps and upset stomach semi regularly anyway, but never in the middle of the night, it’s usually soon after eating). Weighed this morning and was down 2lbs since I last weighed HOWEVER I’ve been fluctuating between 13st8 and 13st 12 for about a month and a half anyway so not sure it’s really mj related (scales say 13.9 this morning).

I can never convert between the 2 for some reason it just doesn’t work out 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ best to just stick to what we use I guess

What did you eat in the last day or so, did you eat enough and enough protein?
I woke up with stomach cramps last week but I hadn’t eaten much the day before

Wow the side effects have kicked in - had a bad night (night 2). So much wind I feel like a balloon - sulphur burps etc and bad diarrhoea. Anyone else?

Hello April-ers. I was on the previous thread but had a severe reaction during the first week so dropped off screens for a bit (and didn’t take a jab in w2). Catching up on both threads and reading everyone’s ups and downs.

Thanks. I usually eat high protein anyway but today was different for some reason! I am worried about the hair loss as I had a baby in December too so I’ve noticed I’m having to clean my hairbrush out twice a day now and my hairs are everywhere! Any recommendations from anyone would be greatly appreciated about how to help this, collagen etc. I woke up today starving so think the calories are gonna balance out 😆

Not the best food day yesterday admittedly. Had burger, fries and cucumber for dinner last night (side plate size portion, no bun with the burger), jacket potato with prawn and Marie Rose sauce for lunch. I don’t eat breakfast. Maybe too carb heavy? Or dinner was too much ‘greasy’ food perhaps.

Feel like I’m coming off terribly based on my food choices, like people will think that I always eat that badly and I really don’t 😂 really couldn’t be bothered to cook properly yesterday and only meal in the freezer was burgers and fries, obviously tried to make it slightly less awful by not having a bun, and having a smaller portion (which was sufficiently filling).

The tummy upset didn’t bother me (though would have preferred it during waking hours!) as I deal with that semi regularly anyway. Just debating whether it’s evidence that it’s having an effect and I shouldn’t dose early, or that dosing slightly early is the right call for me..

Thanks for everyone who replied, I’m terrible for reading posts and then getting distracted and forgetting to reply! Will take all your advice on board

I’ve also been worrying about hair loss as my hair is really thin anyway. I’ve heard a lot of people talk about collagen powder being great for reducing hair loss so I’ve bought some to add to protein smoothies, but can’t yet comment on effectiveness sorry

So I've 1 week completed & despite no side effects or no obvious suppression I've definitely been more conscious of what I eat & have upped my step count making sure I get 70k a week and low & behold I've actually lost 6lbs over the week. I know this is probably a lot of water retention etc but I'm delighted & super motivated now after taking my second jab.
My goal over the course of 3 pens was to lose 2 stone as I felt that loss could allow my expenditure on them. Was hoping for 2lbs a week but this extra start allows for flexibility for some bad weeks to come.
Thanks everyone for the motivation & advice.

PS while I said I had no side effects I'm actually peeing like crazy!!!!!

W3D1 for me and lost another 1kg/2lbs which I’m delighted with. Just took my third 2.5mg dose and am expecting more of the same - hardly any side effects, way less food noise, and still enjoying food but just eating less of it and making much better choices. The only real change I’ve noticed is I’m slightly less regular with stools (going every 2-3 days as opposed to every day) but I’ve never felt constipated or uncomfortable so that doesn’t bother me much.

How is everyone else doing?

W2 D1 for me. I’ve lost 6lb in my first week. 2.5inches off my belly and 2 inches from my thighs.

Very pleased with that. Limited side effects, good repression. I have been weight training too. I’m drinking loads of water which is good. I had a headache the first couple of days but I think that was caffeine withdrawal!

I wish I’d started it sooner and not fretted so much!

You are literally me! Same loss this week, same goal. 😀

I’ve just listened to the first half of this, about collagen. Then just bought what was on Amazon with great reviews and a discount.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-liz-earle-wellbeing-show/id1230372957?i=1000702708200

Same here. W2D1, just jabbed - 2.7kg / almost 6lb gone! I did start feeling hungry yesterday, so glad it’s time to jab again. I like the not thinking about snacking whilst making dinner!

Ha, even our name is similar!

nice to have a few of us at exactly the same point.

Hi. Which one did you buy? I’m at the airport in Marrakesh so can’t do a podcast right now 😁

Took my second dose this morning. Can't believe the difference since I started last week.

I have always had an unhealthy relationship with food - I tended to eat out of boredom rather than actually being hungry. I also seemed to have an irrational fear of being hungry, so would just eat and eat. I tried dieting multiple times, but the food noise and temptation ALWAYS won. I am quite an active person, so my excess weight definitely was food related/being greedy 😬

I took my first 2.5mg dose last week, and I noticed a difference the next morning. My appetite drastically reduced. Instead of counting down the minutes until the next thing I could eat, I had to force myself to eat. But now, I am able to make healthier food choices and am not craving sugary unhealthy things. If there is cake at work, I can happily say no, whereas previously I absolutely could not say no! 😅

I weighed myself on 7th April and was 14st 0lb
I weighed myself today (14th April) and am 13st 6lb
So down 7lb in the first week! I understand this will probably calm down, but I am so happy so far. I feel healthier and happier already.

So far, I have been lucky enough to have no side effects. Fingers crossed this continues, although I have read sometimes they arise when you increase dose. Fingers crossed I am one of the lucky ones!!!