20/01/2026
𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 👆
Because this is the part no one explains properly…
Dieting is usually the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 of someone’s journey.
👉 Clearing inflammation
👉 Reducing swelling
👉 Identifying food triggers
👉 Fat loss
👉 Preventing excessive mechanical strain on the gut
I.e. All good things.
But prolonged dieting is 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆.
And stress always comes with consequences.
In this second blood test 🩸 for one of my male clients, we can clearly see the effects of staying in a deficit for too long:
👉 Reduced thyroid output
👉 Lower DHEA and testosterone
👉 Raised cortisol
👉 Higher triglycerides
👉 Slower gut motility
👉 Increased liver stress
👉 Dropping B vitamins
👉 Reduced nutrient uptake
This is why being in a calorie deficit forever is not the goal.
It’s like trying to drive 200 miles a day with 100 miles worth of fuel 🚗…
Eventually, something gives.
Now here’s the part most people miss 👇
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝗯.
He’s leaner ✂️
Inflammation is down 🔥
Joint pain is dramatically better 🦴
Energy, sleep and stress are all improved 🔋
He can see his abs for the first time in years 💪
So what do we do next?
We stop taking from the body
and start giving back.
This is where the repair phase begins:
🆙 calories come back up slowly
🧈 food variety increases
🏋️ training output improves
💤 recovery is prioritised
🦠 the gut is nurtured, not punished
Over the next 8 - 12 weeks, the goal is simple: bring him back to maintenance, restore function and allow the body to thrive again.
Because long-term health isn’t built in restriction… It’s built in nourishment.
Society is obsessed with taking from the body, real health comes from knowing when to give back.
Jamie
