"Gut Reactions" and a 1 stone weight loss

[Lemonthyme]

I've been tracking my weight on an app for 2 years. It's only recently that I've found something that's worked for me, after trying the same methods I was using in my 30s, finally giving up on them c. 3 months ago.

My highest weight was 13 stone 4 and a half lbs.

I weighed myself today, 12 stone, 4 and a half lb.

I am 1 stone lighter than my heaviest.... Whoop whoop! But what's more is that less than 12 stone barrier looks like it's within my sights... I might get there in 2-3 weeks then consistently in a month.

I'm so proud of myself.

What the thing that changed everything was "reading" an audiobook called "gut reactions" on my library audiobook app. If you don't work in science or nutrition it's a bit heavy for some, or seams to be on the reviews and it doesn't really tell you what to do. What it does is tell you some of the science behind it all what . affects which hormones etc. Part way through reading it, I cut all added sugar, sweeteners and as many refined carbs as I could reasonably manage (still eating complex carbs) and also cut added nitrates (as it's not just about cancer risk but potential type 2 diabetes risk with these). By the end of it, I was prioritising fibre and protein (fibre being the most important) and I'd introduced a 24 hour fast. I have not counted calories at all. I know people love doing that here but I've never liked it for many reasons I've shared in other threads.

Evidence around other changes are also in there so you can choose what works for you and that's what I liked. It wasn't reading a book like people share "this is what worked for me" it was more looking at what has evidence then picking the bits which you think might work that fit into your lifestyle. There are still things I've not done yet (I wrote myself a list of things I could try, just the first stuff I tried, worked so there's more to go at.)

I know of course that what can start off working really well can all change as your body, especially at my age (late 40s) suddenly decides to change all the rules but it's working for me for now so I thought I'd share.

Thank you for sharing, I will add 'Gut Reactions' to my reading list.
In the last few years I have enjoyed learning about the science behind nutrition, it is really fascinating.
If you want a more political take on nutritional guidelines I can really recommend listening to Zoe Harcombe, she completed her PHD on examining the evidence base for nutritional guidelines.

It looks interesting but I immediately get a bit of the ick nowadays when I read a book with "the xxx diet" on the front and she's done one. I guess Editors love it but after reading some others, trying them, throwing them away, what I liked about this book (which I read for free so it was even better) was that it didn't say "do this" it said "this is what doing this will do to your body" and let you make up your own mind on what aspects to pick up and use.