📓 Daily Journal: Intermittent Fasting (16:8), ED Recovery and Weight Loss

[jeffy89]

@Daniel271 Thank you for your support Dan, it means a lot to me thank you for your kind words, and for being part of my journey!

[Lighteater]

@jeffy89

@LightEater For giving me an ego boost every time you drop by No but in all seriousness, thank you for your kind words, empathy, and encouragement to keep going. You gave me such high praise about consistency, honesty, and being an inspiration…you made me blush as much as you kept making my day. Hope IF is still going well for you, my friend from the North!

Welcome welcome, always most welcome

[hels_x]

Hi @jeffy89 - it’s taken me a few days but I’ve just finished reading your journal. I’ve only just started my Huel journey last Friday so I’m a newbie here!

It’s great to see the progress you have made on your journey, and how you’ve been overcoming your ED. It has been an inspiring read, thanks for sharing with us.

Hopefully we will all still see you around on here and wish you all the best for the future!

[MandyMo]

@jeffy89

I finally have Before/During pics to show for it.

Let me know down below if you guys would like to see it! xD

Hi @jeffy89
Now are you getting on? Give us a little update!

Also I would love to see the before and after pics!
I need some motivation to get started - it’s always inspirational to see a success story

[Huel]

Would like to see.the then and now!

[Madeleine]

Yes @jeffy89 would totally love an update on then and now

[mae24]

@jeffy89 Just finished reading this thread (it took me three days of procrastination from work lol ) and I have to say this is one of the most inspiring and heartfelt things I’ve read in a long time. As someone with intimate experience of an ED through the form of my partner, I actually found it really enlightening to read your thought processes in the darker days as it shed light on some things I didn’t really clock or register to be an issue, not being an ED sufferer myself. I want to congratulate you on how far you’ve come and I hope that in 2020 you are still well on the road to recovery Thank you for blessing us with your hard work and dedication

[anon40342979]

Hey there! It’s really great that people on this forum, essentially strangers, can come together with an open mind and be supportive of one another, regardless of what people have been through. It’s amazing and super important that we can all feel comfortable with sharing sometimes personal information

I began my own personal blog on instagram recently and I thought, I want to share my experiences and thoughts to what has been said on this journal.

Why?
Sometimes it’s best not to ask too many questions. If we simply asked why all of the time we’d never do anything This post may also be long behind but it’s still relevant @jeffy89

@jeffy89

Background

At the time of you writing this I was about the same age (a year younger I believe) and I was just starting my studies a the ripe age of 18 years old.
I too had an ED from 14 years old of which I didn’t mentally recover for another 7 years!! Luckily I knew what was up and recovering weight was fairly quick. If I dropped down another 1/2 a stone I probably would’ve been hospitalised.

One thing I did get develop out of this was Raynaud’s Disease (Raynaud’s disease)

Diagnosis Statistics (2010)
Age: 14
Height: 5’ 7"
Weight: 47.9KG (7.5 stone)
BMI: 16.1
Activity: obsessively active with cardio

I came across my documents recently and was shocked. When your disfigured perspective is in the thick of it you don’t realise what damage you’re doing - only the outside world can see this. One thing is for certain: there’s the disfigured perspective, there’s the healthy perspective mind you can see but can’t reach and finally, there’s the external perspectives that battle against you (Or with you, you decide)

Statistics 2021:
Age: 25
Height: 5’ 10"
Weight: 62.5 - 63.5KG (I tend to fluctuate in this range)
Activity: Active
Goal: Maintain lean muscle mass and health

@jeffy89

Day 2

Hey guys! So it’s Day 2 and I am LOVING Huel!

I felt the same way when I first go onto Huel! I began in February 2020 when I was a Barista and it was super useful. The pandemic hit shortly afterwards and that was when I began working at Tesco where I began making super lean gains!!

This was my routine from March 26th 2020 - current (I plan to stop working in September 2021 after my masters degree!)

Week: Monday - Friday: 6am - 2pm. Total 40 hours a week
Steps: 20,000 steps a day x 5 = 100,000 steps a week
Daily Diet
5.30am: Coffee
10am: Huel Black + fruit on mid-morning break. Coffee.
2pm: Home. Calisthenics Lockdown garage workout
4pm: Huel Black + Fruit
8pm: An overall balanced meal. Plenty of veggies, pulses, quinoa, meat alternatives (I’m plant based) and suitable amount of healthy fats.

I found I was used to Huel come March time though, it was a great way for me to hit my targets. I wanted to test myself and get as lean as possible (I love a challenge!!!)
Here are the end results in August 2020, before I decided that was as far as I wanted to go. I am definitely between 7% - 9% body fat here and I typically stay below 10% all year round.

Part of personality can sometimes mean I dedicate myself to something 110% which can be both extremely useful but also damaging - kinda all of nothing. So this is one of this little experiments I try from time to time (not just health and fitness but in all walks of life

Day 4

@jeffy89

Psychologically, I’m starting to be a taaaaad scared of eating normal non-Huel meals. I mean, I know it’s ridiculous because what I’ve been doing (IF-ing alone even) has been working so it’s nothing to worry about. But it kind of feels like everything else’s macros is estimated and can’t be as precise as Huel, so I get a little guilty eating other things. I guess I’m writing this out to help myself realise how ridiculous it sounds…anyone else start to have thoughts like this regarding non-Huel meals?

As somebody who experienced a similar ED around the same time as you I can totally agree. I think this experience will always be a part of you, no matter what age in time you are. There have been elements of thinking, ooooo this feels good and then you remember. I loosely base my lifestyle diet on IF. Typically I eat from 10am - 8pm, so 10:14 which is 2 hours +/- but that works for me and is sustainable It’s always about being in check with yourself and being true.

@jeffy89

To those who still read this: What are your experiences eating Huel at different times in the day? Which do you like best—morning, afternoon or evening?

I always have my Huel post-workout which is typically breakfast! Start the day off right and will full of energy!! Typically I’ll have Huel powder 4 x week and H+S 3 x week so I get a balance. Sometimes I’ll have two but only when I’m on the move🌳

@jeffy89

I still have, albeit not to the same extent, a problem with stopping-eating

To continue what I have been saying, having deadlines or a framework is something that is part of my personality and is quite common with people who go through using other methods to control anxieties. I found the most comfortable is when I’ve been in a relationship, there’s something comforting and relaxing when somebody else is doing the same thing with you.

Just to say, I’m all well and good 6 years on. I’m just pointing out the relationships between personality and mental health issues in people!

@jeffy89

Huel Review: I can barely taste the Matcha? (Edit: It’s subtle, but I quite like it!)

What are all these flavours!?!?! Guessing the brand began to change as it evolved and stuck with flavours that no other protein powder brand was doing - trying to be associated with the so-called magic weight-loss diet

@jeffy89

Question: how do you guys explain Huel to people when they see you drinking it?

Always the difficult questions!! haha most people just give me an odd look BUT I usually say hey it’s just food in liquid form - kinda like soup but better The following posts you made are all to do with integrating foods, no matter what form in a balanced diet - I can certainly say that most people on here go into bouts of 100% hueling right down do 20% but, I guess that’s what balance is all about hey?!

@jeffy89

know I binged a bit and exam stress sig

Man this feeling sucks!! It’s so easy when everywhere is 24/7 advertisements lmao. It’s been years since I felt I had to go hell for leather on a shit tonne of food (thank god!!!) though can relate to this. I’m sure other people that may read this feel similar.

Note to readers - This is tough but determined to make my way to the end of the blog. Practice makes for progress

@Stole_My_Sweetroll

One comment I’ve got to make here, is don’t stress about the scales, like seriously, and this is coming from a fellow ED sufferer…

I started a mini cut after a 2-3 year slow bulk and instantly lost 6lbs in a day!!! Guess what? Water!

Upon refeed day it comes back, so again likely glycogen and water, and then drops off after the Monday workout, that’s just the nature of the beast when it comes to fat loss I’m afraid.

Don’t sweat it. Your doing good.

BIG UP​:banana:

@jeffy89

Whoa it’s been 3 weeks straight of Huel! Feels like just yesterday I took the plunge and bought Huel at 3am in the morning xD

@jeffy89

• Also re: ED, I realise I’m not thinking about food as much as I used to. My world used to literally revolve around food especially when trying to eat as little as possible: planning meals, looking for low calorie recipes, looking up diets, tracking food, reading about nutrition, watching food I couldn’t eat, looking up food blogs, scouring the internet for healthy restaurants, eat my meals then keep thinking about my next meal…my activities were secondary to my food times. Food was the world. It feels quite liberating to not have to think about food quite as much. It feels a lot more like nutrition that I do enjoy.

THIS can be the benefit of Huel! Or at least, having a place in the day where you know you can adapt what you do and when ~ which is pretty much what everyone in 2021 still talks about. I guess this is just human nature

Song break - Spotify

@jeffy89

Day 27-33: Huel 100%: 1 Week Challenge

Seriously impressed by this. I only managed a day and that wasn’t 100% hahahaha I don’t think I could do 100% and wouldn’t be that comfortable in doing so unless I was so busy that I couldn’t sit down long enough to munch!!

One month read - fast forward to month 6 I have read it but I just don’t want to comment on too many things and only comment and share my experiences as I feel it relevant for this LOOOOONNNGGASSSSSSS POST

@jeffy89

Day 173

From whence I take off Hueligans! Wait until I get to the end just wait!

@jeffy89

Edit : This honesty and self-awareness definitely did not come easy nor quickly: it’s honestly a culmination of literally 3+ years of struggling and multiple setbacks and failures.

To anyone who’s out there reading this, and think you may be struggling with disordered eating, there is hope. I know it may seem like I’m ridiculously open about the ED & the thought process—which we often hide due to shame and I’m very inclined to—but there was a time when I didn’t even admit to myself that I had a problem, that I needed help. It’s terrifying, admitting it’s an eating disorder, and sometimes you might think “oh it’s not serious enough” but it’s never not serious enough to get help.

And once you seek help, you can finally begin the process of recovery and getting your life back. I still struggle, definitely, but I wouldn’t trade life to go back then. If you’re not yet ready to get professional help, I’m always a message a way, so feel free to chat with me (anonymously or not) any time!

HUUUUGE step forwards. I remember when I came out of that psychological rampage and I was like ‘where did the time go?!’

That’s the thing though, from the age of 12/13 - 18/19 my life was pretty much ruled by this disordered way of thinking. Is this a fault of the media or a combination of everything? Like genetics, peers, culture etc. etc. It wasn’t until 20yrs that I had my final 1-2-1 with me and the family and yes - it affects everybody around you. BUT we all get through it and through facing reality head on, you learn about who you are as an individual and I think, in some ways I’m more in tune with myself that other people who have led relatively straight forward lives. I’m content with who I am (even the closest people to me find it hard to pinpoint my personality hahah but people just accept you for who you are - that doesn’t mean I can’t connect with people though. I mean this forum is a safe place after all!!)

@jeffy89

Day 200

@jeffy89

Other Observations:

• I’m going to start counting my tiny recovery wins bc I’ve got to start somewhere!

woooooo amazing how life can go from one extreme to the other. AWESOMMME stuff here. I’m just sat in my room, listening to a chill beat and wondering what the fuck am I doing BUT alas I’m here and looks like this post goes allll the waaaaaay to February 2020 so it looks like people on here are still impacted by this personal diary to the unknown of the internet. BIG UP👌🏻

fasts-forward - Chill Beat Interlude ~ Spotify

@jeffy89

Day 334

March 2019

@jeffy89

Did you celebrate pancake day?

OOoooofff those pancakes look tassssttyyyyy. I bet they would’ve tasted amazzzzing with Vanilla flavour Huel

@jeffy89

Pause Is this weird?? It feels it though a couple of years on the blog must go on!It ties in with my little IG blog too which is here in case you’re interested and have read this far lmao

harrythehueligan

@jeffy89

Other Observations:

• I think lowered cortisol is helping me lose weight maybe? Submitted my last essay yesterday ahaha YAHHHS
• I looked in the mirror and thought “daMn I nearly have the midsection I’ve always wanted”

YOU GO @jeffy89 WOOP WOOP! also 60.5KG > 47/48KG in less than a year!! That’s like my weight when I was 14 haha crazy times. At Day 350 all the way from Day 1 this is great to see another person’s similar timeline MUCH

@jeffy89

Success comes not when life is easy, but when you grit through it despite it being hard

When the perceptive of the self begins to develop and flesh out. Is when we can truly be content with oneself. Guru Harry has spoken lol

@jeffy89

I guess that’s one thing I’m taking away: Huel doesn’t actually detract from life but instead adds more flexibility to it. I can go to back to back lectures in a hectic schedule; I can meet friends; I can plan life without having to worry about starving throughout the day due to circumstance and being so hungry I overeat after. Since Huel can give me consistent fuel throughout the day whenever I need it :))

This is b-e-a-utiful This is certainly something the 2021 Hueligans can take from and mould into there own hands.

Keywords

Consistency
Flexibility/Ease
Happiness
Life (perspective)

Monumental and emotionally moving song interlude ~ Spotify

Day 357

@jeffy89

This is MAD how much the bars have evolved over two years!! The makeover from then until now is unreal

@jeffy89

Day 359

—Countdown: 6 Days ‘til Hueliversary!—

An awesome journey and here’s the countdown!!! I’ll later give my overall thoughts on this hella long post hahahah then I’m about my own things (unless somebody comments on this!)

@jeffy89

have you guys brought Huel overseas & on trips before? what was your experience like?

Everywhere and anywhere. Huel if lyfe. Lyfe is complete (no pun intended)

@jeffy89

Ahaha gearing up for my 6-Huel-Bar day tomorrow, lowkey excited and also scared for my bowels

Christ if I had 6 Huel Bars in one day my ass would be on fire the next day I swear

@jeffy89

Day 365

Whoa. This feels like a p momentuous day for me :’)

In no way have I achieved anything in comparison - I mean I just sat here
Though I think forums are a great place that acts as an outlet. No way have I or will I (maybe) go into this much detail about my personal experiences with ED - maybe glimpses though that’s for another post and time entirely. Maybe on my personal blog.

To have read through 1 years worth of a @jeffy89 journey and for people on here to be fully supportive and to simply just watch is amazing. THANK YOU HUELIGANS AND THANK YOU HUEL

This place is a crazy place but aren’t we all??!! Other places I’ve ever been have never been like this and I think we all need to remind ourselves to be whole to each other no matter who we encounter on this forum, no matter what is being said and to move forwards as one.

Now we’re in a time when environmental matters are as ever important as they will ever be. Some take aways from this is:

• Strive for mental health and well-being that works for you
• Don’t ever give up
• Be true to yourself and talk with trustworthy people
• Strive for awareness of the self and honour that self
• Be aware of current day issues, do your bit and most important take action and look after yourself
• Open your mind - NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

@jeffy89

–Huel’s Role–
Huel has been instrumental in both my weight loss and recovery, my goals from the very beginning. Surpassed my expectations ngl!

Why I’m Doing This:

• Lose Weight
• Get nutritionally balanced meals
• To start to see food more as fuel, instead of for my emotions
• Because if I’m getting all my nutrients from Huel…any binge cravings I’m likely to have are thus undeniably mental
• My exams are coming up, and I’m unlikely to have much time to do groceries and cook in my shitty college dorm

Physically , it gave me satiation and provided the nutrients & macros my body needed. Reduced physiological binge urges.
Mentally , it gave me the peace of mind knowing I was giving my body the nutrients it needed. It was clear: choosing to consume Huel, to me, was a victory in self-care. It was choosing to put my health first.

It also gave me the safety net I could always return to after exploring with different foods (some of them that I feared) and needing to recharge my ‘recovery energy’. It’s my safe haven—a godsent miracle.

very fed up with food and having to face it 3 times a day at least. The first time I read about the concept of “Soylent”, I couldn’t believe that such a miracle substance could possibly exist. Time to see how this fares and if it’s everything I’ve dreamt of. (Totally not getting my hopes up hahah)

Indeed, Huel has been everything I’ve hoped for and more. I could not be more thankful.

A great reminder and final closing note of this post, perfect for any newbie or old timer. These are some of benefits of Huel and its community can strive for.

A healthy approach to all things psychological, physiological and physical

. . . or in other words . . .

Mind, Body & Soul
namaste and PEACE OUT I’m going to walk my sore bum off

CLOSING TRACK ~ Spotify

[Coup]

@anon40342979

Diagnosis Statistics (2014)
Age: 14

@anon40342979

Diagnosis Statistics (2021)
Age: 25

I know it’s Friday night but this doesn’t look like right to me

[hunzas]

Agreed. I know when you are born on 29 Feb you only have a birthday every 4 years. Perhaps Harry was born on April Fool’s Day and something weird like that happens.

[anon40342979]

Oops! Well that’s awkward haha have resolved

@hunzas maybe it was my alter ego who was in charge then