Television personality Josie Gibson has left fans astonished after unveiling a remarkable physical transformation, having shed an incredible five stone. The 40-year-old presenter, known for her candidness about her body, has historically fluctuated between a size 20 and a size eight.
The 1970s Diet Experiment
After years of struggling with yo-yo dieting and publicly vowing to avoid weight loss injections, Gibson believes she has finally discovered a sustainable method. Her solution involved fully immersing herself in 'the 1970s diet', meticulously replicating the food, drink, and general health culture of that decade.
This unique journey is the focus of her new two-part Channel 5 programme, 'The 1970s Diet: Could It Work for You?' The show, which airs this Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm, investigates whether the eating habits of the seventies could provide answers to contemporary obesity issues.
Smaller Portions and Surprising Fitness
Guided by an authentic period meal plan from a nutritionist, the mother-of-one adapted to smaller portions and foods like boiled potatoes, liver, and spam. She committed fully to the process, stating to The Mirror, "If I'm taking on this experiment, then I'm showing it all... If you don't show the experiment, what's the point?"
A surprising revelation for Josie was her fitness level. Despite being overweight at the start, tests showed she was at a 'superior fitness rate', a result that amazed her given her consistent exercise routine.
Fashion, Vanity Sizing, and Lasting Change
The experiment also extended to 1970s fashion and exercise regimes. While she adored the era's style, trying on vintage clothes brought the shock of 'vanity sizing', where modern clothing sizes differ from historical ones.
Josie emphasised that her five-stone loss was achieved without surgery or weight loss jabs. In an Instagram post earlier this year, she credited getting "off my big a**e, moved more, ate less and educated myself." Her approach included the 'Do The Unthinkable' plan from MuscleFood, involving delivered meals and workouts, with a disciplined six days on, one cheat meal off structure.
The former Big Brother winner remains opposed to pharmaceutical shortcuts, preferring a natural route. This isn't her first foray into wellness; she released workout DVDs in 2014 and a diet book, and underwent a tummy tuck in 2016 to remove 6lbs of loose skin.
Josie summarised her Channel 5 experience: "Taking on a full 1970s diet was no easy feat... It was a fascinating journey - viewers are going to love it." Her slimmer figure continues to draw attention during her appearances on This Morning.
