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Hi Harry, I’m really enjoying your Substack - came to it a little late.. I love what you’ve written here- it’s so hard to talk about weight gain/loss without someone somewhere coming after you for something! I admire your honesty and nuance

I did think you might like to take a look at ZOE. I’m cringing here thinking I’m one of those people in comments who evangelises over something and says it’s “the answer “. I have nothing to do with them except been following the approach for 18 months now and just feel so much healthier, more energy, and ironically have explored lots more foods.

So apologies for the recommendation but I’m a fixer can’t help myself- they do good podcasts too

It’s all big data and personalisation which I guess is what Indyx is all about too in a completely different field. The way the world is going!

Loving this stack, thanks so much

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Thanks Joanne x

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I just found this and don’t think I have ever felt so seen. I wanted both to cry and to breathe a giant sigh of relief after reading.

I haven’t weighed myself in fourteen years. I’m no longer trying to force my beautiful incredible 6’1 body to fit into the same sizes as that of a woman a foot shorter than me. I no longer feel that I need to disappear.

And, yeah, I’m no longer only worried about dressing in a way that makes me look as small as possible. It is so liberating. My body is not something to be presented for other people to evaluate. Outfits don’t need to “highlight my waist” to show the world how much or little I’m limiting my intake of sweets right now.

I totally relate to the stress-induced weight gain over the past year. And I too would like to lose five pounds so I can wear a few pairs of pants again. But yeah, it’s actually coming from a place of knowing that at 40 I need to find better ways of managing my stress if I want to stay healthy as I get older — not because, gasp, my stomach isn’t totally flat anymore.

Until I have the energy to start doing some gentle exercise and planning healthier meals, I will happily wear the loose-fitting dresses and layers that make me feel like myself.

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‘My body is not something to be presented for other people to evaluate’ I LOVE THIS! Thanks so much for sharing X

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