I used to be borderline overweight, BMI about 25 but now I’m just under 20 and quite lean.

I tried the GI diet which wasn’t too different to my previous diet and lost a stone (14lb, 6.36kg) over a six month period but I put it back on over the following 18 moth period. What was worse, I looked fatter since I’d probably lost muscle on the previous diet, as you know BMI is only a very rough indicator.

I gave up dieting for awhile and continued with my borderline unhealthy weight. Then when I become unemployed I decided to do something about it. I went on an Atkins-like diet and no I didn’t buy the book, just read up about low carb diets on the Internet and tailored one to suit me.

I completely omitted white carbs from my diet (rice, bread, potato etc.), reduced the sugary fruits (apple, banana etc.). I ate more low carb vegetables (broccoli, mushroom, cabbage etc.), more protein and a little more fat (though not too much of the latter).

The diet was a success, the weight fell off really fast, over a stone in a couple of months! The great thing was, even when I went back to my old diet but was careful not to pig out, the weight kept falling off. My doctor was so worried about my weight loss, (another 10kg over a year and this time without dieting), he got me tested for diabetes and the results were negative

I wondered why the weight has continued to fall off. I know I don’t have the same appetite as before and I feel full quicker. I think my metabolism has changed and from what I’ve read on your site it seems like it has. I think my insulin sensitivity has increased. I was certainly closer to diabetes before the diet than afterwards. I also think my stomach capacity has been reduced. On the low carb diet I felt full for longer, didn’t eat so much and fat has a higher energy density than carbs so I physically ate less in volume. Since coming off the diet my stomach didn’t stretch much and my better insulin response means I eat less so the weight continued to fall off.

The thing that now concerns me is part of me still wants to loose a lot more weight and is paranoid about putting it back on again. I see fat on my body and want to get rid of it. Now I can understand how people can suffer from anorexia nervosa, something I just couldn’t comprehend before. Logically I do know that loosing another 5kg would put me in the underweight category and could damage my health so I try to think about that before leaving half of my meal or saying no to dessert.

I don’t fit the typical anorexic stereotype. I’m a 29 year old male which makes me only sympathise more with teenage girls who don’t want to be fat. I’m currently 174cm (5’8.5)” tall and weigh 60kg (132lb, 9st 6). People already say I’m too skinny and should put on more weight. I suppose I’m probably fine as I am and shouldn’t loose any more.

Just one question: I’ve heard that dieting can be a trigger for anorexia nervosa. I know certain vitamin deficiencies can blunt appetite but could it be that increased insulin sensitivity and reduced stomach volume could also be to blame? It seems like a vicious circle to me, in my case I hope I’ve stopped it before it’s started.