Comments on: 095: Susan Peirce Thompson on Bright Line Eating & Sustainable Weight Loss

By: katie

katie — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 03:47:00 +0000

I looked into BLE after your podcast and it initially made SO much sense to me. I wanted to shout her unique perspective and solution from the roof tops. Unfortunately, not only did the program not work for me, it caused me considerable emotional damage as I realized I had labelled myself as a food addict and told myself there was only ONE way to eat if I wanted to see success. I always knew I was susceptible to food issues but I had never thought of myself in such a negative light before. Not only that, but I started looking at food in a very impractical and black/ white way that was very detrimental to my weight loss efforts and ability to maintain a balanced approach to food. I felt like if I “fell off the wagon” and ate some kind of flour or sugar that I was a failure and would spiral out of control so much faster and harder. I really feel that you should consider taking this episode down and retracting your support of her methods. So much about her “weight loss first and health last” approach is contradictory to everything you stand for. I love all of your work and have followed you for years but this is just not right. It may work for some but this recommendation, from you – someone I trust so incredibly much, has caused me a lot of undue harm mentally. Completely cutting out all sugar and flour for life is honestly just ridiculous and not sustainable – though that does not by any means mean I think it should be a regular part of anyone’s diet. As I go through this healing process I realize more and more that balance IS possible and mindset is key. Thanks for all that you do.

By: Marie Davis

Marie Davis — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:17:32 +0000

The way of reframing overeating as a brain disorder as opposed to a lack of willpower is very empowering. However, I must say that the weight loss program results less in “free” than it does obsessive. I have been constantly hungry, and in plugging my calories into My FitnessPal, I’ve found I am eating under 1,200 calories most days. Susan herself acknowledges that metabolism on the BLE weight loss program slows down to about 70% of normal, and that fatigue is not unknown, but casually says: Oh, it dissipates in about 6 months.

I wonder, as well, how successful and sustainable a program is if it requires a 14 Day Challenge, then a Boot Camp, then a ReZoom program, each at an additional cost. If a program is sustainable why does it take continual ReZooming and an endless number of sales pitches for additional programs?

By: Marie

Marie — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:14:08 +0000

I wonder, as well, how successful and sustainable a program is if it requires a 14 Day Challenge, then a Boot Camp, then a ReZoom program, each at additional cost. If a program is sustainable why does it take continual ReZooming and an endless number of sales pitches for additional programs?

By: Dacie

Dacie — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 01:39:07 +0000

In reply to Katie – Wellness Mama.

Katie, I can’t seem to find another post on Bright Line Eating from you. Have you written one yet? I’m anxiously awaiting 😉
I did BLE for about 3 months, 2 years ago and lost 40 pounds. Trying to start it again as I have gained 1.5X what I lost, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how much fat I should be eating. The plan ends up being about 1200 calories and that’s NOT enough for me! I added a fat at breakfast, but I’m wondering if I should be adding more fat to lunch and dinner. I’ve previously done keto, so having these extra carbs and very light fats is difficult for me.

Again, I can’t wait for another post from you! You’re my go-to!! I literally google anything health and beauty related and then add Wellness Mama to it 🙂

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 01:33:26 +0000

I’m revisiting this post. I first found BLE last December, and I ordered the book and the 14 day bootcamp. At the time, I just couldn’t do it. More importantly, I found it somewhat discouraging and depressing to think that my whole life was ruined because I am, and will forever be, a food addict. I put it aside and never even did the 14 day bootcamp, gave SPT my feedback. Over the summer, I found a program called 2B Mindset and it has been a GAME CHANGER for me. So incredibly positive! I have been having amazing success with 2B and have lost 20 pounds over the last two months. The recent BLE boot camp ad push had me revisiting the 14 day program. I was able to easily glide into BLE and I am basically combing the two programs. I highly recommend you review the 2B Mindset (it is offered through Beachbody but honestly, I feel like it is an odd partnership), and I wanted to say, I really enjoy weighing my food. I don’t weigh it for deprivation. I weigh it for reassurance. I know that when I weigh out my food (I am a six foot tall female, and I did bump up my protein amount, but as SPT says, make your modifications and stick to them) it takes all the guess work out. There it is. I know from experience it is enough food. I won’t be hungry. I know from experience that I feel so much better battling hashimotos when my diet is heavy on veggies and fruit and quality protein. I’m glad that you are doing an updated review on BLE, I think it is an amazing program.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 14:35:59 +0000

In reply to Anna Humberstone. No flours at all, including almond flour and coconut flour.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 04:11:08 +0000

I’ve been doing ble for a couple of weeks. So far, I kinda love it. I was keto for almost a year, lost 10 lbs the first few months, then nothing. I have about 40 lbs to lose. I’m wondering if anyone doesn’t lose weight doing ble, and what your personal journey with ble and the results have been.

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:00:26 +0000

In reply to Audrey V. I am and I'm working on a post detailing more of my approach to BLE - be on the lookout!

By: Audrey V

Audrey V — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 17:23:24 +0000

Hi Katie,
I received your email last year about Bright Line Eating. I think the email said you tried the diet and it worked for you. Would you mind telling me if you are still on the BLE diet and how it worked for you overall? Thanks! I love your blog!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 14:46:18 +0000

I thought the FB community cost extra as well but once you sign up for Bootcamp it’s included. I had to chat with support to find out. The support is amazing and the people that run the FB groups have a lot of work. You have the same people in your group for life once you do the Bootcamp. When it comes to not having support for the jumpstart, it bummed me out when I was first looking into BLE but now that I’m in it, it makes sense from this point of view. Maybe one day they will consider having a support group just for jumpstarters. Here’s hoping! It would be a nice addition since the support, for me, has been the biggest key for accountability and getting through tough times.

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 14:03:48 +0000

I actually bought this book a few months ago. Having had issues with eating disorders in the past, In thought I’d try it. I .can honestly say that this “diet” is not for everyone. You maybe thin, but definitely not happy or anywhere near free. Exercise with caution, as this nearly pushed me over the edge. Also, you have to enroll in boot camp to get the online community support, so roughly $500. You don’t even get this support for the two week jumpstart and even if you are a boot camp member, you pay $10/mo for the Facebook community. No FB, no community support.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 18:28:06 +0000

After hearing your recommendations I gave it a try and I definitely lost some weight on it. Shortly after starting I slipped in to a one month-long plateau and then ended up on the craziest sugar binge I have ever experienced. I feel like they convinced me I was an addict so I started acting like one. I understand that these foods are very addictive and that they cause people to demonstrate addictive behaviors but I feel like it was detrimental to my mental health to be branded as an addict and to accept that I must eat in this restrictive way for the rest of my life. It did sound very promising initially but very quickly became a poor experience. I have such a love for combining ingredients to make healthy and nourishing meals. I feel like this program doesn’t really allow for that and I became obsessed with meticulously weighing each ingredient and I stopped enjoying cooking. It’s possible that this program may work for many people but unfortunately I am not one of them. I am now looking into keto in hopes of losing these last stubborn 20-30 pounds that I have literally never been able to get rid of since I was a teenager. I’m intrigued to know why BLE worked so well for you, but yet keto did not, when you seem to highly recommend them both. Like many, I greatly value your opinion and advice and I am really curious to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

By: Logan

Logan — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 01:55:14 +0000

In reply to Amber. I am breastfeeding and just started BLE in November! It doesn’t seem to be affecting my milk supply. My baby is 8 months old and is eating solid foods as well as breastmilk. I will say that eating so few calories (usually it’s between 1,000 and 1,200 each day) has zapped my energy and made me feel very sluggish and foggy. It’s not an ideal state to be in with an active baby, in my opinion.

By: Jess

Jess — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 19:15:48 +0000

Has anyone with adrenal fatigue joined the program? My blood sugar drops if I don’t eat every 2-3 hours and gets more sensitive if I go outside of this window. I don’t eat sugar or grains and am always looking for ways to lose weight. Please share if you have tried BLE with adrenal fatigue.

Thank you!

By: Bethany

Bethany — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 01:48:06 +0000

Can you email me with the updated info? I’m reading her book and enjoy the science and info about addiction. Not feeling good about her food plan though. I’m wondering if I could make up my own “bright lines” and make it work

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 02:39:41 +0000

Is BLE safe while breastfeeding? Did I miss this conversation already?

By: Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie - Wellness Mama — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 01:56:33 +0000

In reply to Alice. Thanks Alice. I really appreciate your perspective and that you brought this up. I actually sent out an email recently that answered some of the questions and will be updating this post with more in depth info soon.

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:42:21 +0000

In reply to Jessica. The book would definitely give you enough of an idea to implement the diet with success!

By: Jessica

Jessica — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:36:59 +0000

Hi Katie!
Since your email came out about BLE I’ve delved into it, watching the 3 video series Susan has released. I was curious, when you started with BLE, did you do it all based on her book, or did you go through the bootcamp that is offered on the website? This is something I am most certainly interested in trying, as I’ve struggled with weight especially since having my daughter, but the boot camp just isn’t something I can afford at the moment.
Thanks so much!

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:59:02 +0000

In reply to Hannah. I'm a big advocate for eliminating sugar and flour from the diet, even for kids. This article explains why. If we don't feel comfortable requesting certain foods during social situations when we are being hosted, I'll usually offer to bring a side dish or something I know those in my family with allergies can eat.