As someone who has gained a lot of weight presumably from medications I am on, I can empathise, but wow, that's a LOT to put on in 3 months when you are eating so little! Glad you are better now!

I don't think going down to 24 inches is excessive, as said before, it is usually advised when getting fitted for a corset to go for a size that's 4 inches less than your natural waistline because that's the level of waist reduction many people prefer. 24 inches isn't a tiny tiny waist.

I think your man is looking out for you, it's maybe an "I love you the way you are, you don't need to be smaller" thing. My boyfriend does this too, even to the point of saying that skinnier girls we see out and about look too thin (even if they are a size 10!) which I think he only does to make me feel good as there is really nothing wrong with how they look and I would be happy at their size myself. I guess he means well.

I'm thinking of tightlacing myself, for waist reduction and shape as well as to improve my posture and back condition if possible. I take a 26 just now, not sure what to aim for as a goal waist size yet.