Summary

The content discusses a personal perspective on the challenges and advice regarding weight loss, suggesting that moderate changes in diet and exercise are more effective and sustainable than extreme weight loss measures.

Abstract

In an honest and reflective article, the author grapples with the difficulties and disappointments of attempting severe weight loss methods. As a former participant in demanding diets and intense morning gym sessions, the writer reveals a cycle of moderate success followed by weight relapse. The narrative goes beyond physical transformations; it addresses the psychological trials, the societal beauty standards, and the rational fear of health risks resulting from excessive weight. Positioning radical diets such as Keto and dramatically reduced calorie intakes as counterproductive tactics, the author recommends small, incremental tweaks to eating habits supported by light exercise, exemplifying their own shift toward protein-rich breakfast, the removal of unnecessary meal times, and a propensity for power walks, which lead to gradual, unnoticeable and hence more sustainable weight reductions. The author defines health by how one "feels" rather than how much one weighs and warns against constant weigh-ins, often leading to discouragement because of fluctuations that don’t always reflect healthiness.

Opinions

Fad diets are not sustainable and frequently result in weight regain.
Drastically reducing calories can lead to hunger and a feeling of deprivation, affecting the long-term success of weight loss.
Over-exercising is not necessary for health or weight loss and is compared to having a “slight stroke.”
Self-compassion is crucial: not achieving weight loss goals does not warrant self-criticism.
Modifying eating habits, such as avoiding high-carb breakfasts or unnecessary meals, can have a significant impact on weight management.
Moderation in dietary changes and exercise is advocated over extreme measures for long-term health benefits.
Regular walking is a valid and underestimated form of exercise for weight loss and general health.
Continuously weighing oneself can be counterproductive and detrimental to one's mental health.
Weight is not the sole indicator of health; how a person feels is also important.
Consistency in making healthier choices over time is the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight without excessive sacrifice.

Losing Weight Is Too Over-Rated For Everyone At This Point

Sometimes it’s just not needed.

There’s no hope for me anymore.

I’ve tried almost every fad diet I can imagine. I attempted doing the Keto, but all that did is deprive me of my favorite foods. I tried cutting down my calories and it made me a starving pig for the whole day. Now I get what the social justice warriors mean when they say there’s no such thing as a “healthy” diet.

If you’re like me and you want to lose thirty pounds or more, here’s a small tip: Make slight changes to your eating habits and that’s all you should do.

And I mean slight.

Here’s why.

I tried beyond hard to lose weight, but I always go back to square one.

I once tried losing weight at a crazy pace.

My biggest fear in the world was being 5' 3'’ and almost two-hundred pounds. You can’t imagine how terrifying that doctor’s visit was. I already have a family history of diabetes and cancer.

I felt like I should be on my deathbed then and there because I let myself go so much. If you look at pictures from my elementary school years compared to now, it’s sad. Every human being struggles with their weight in some capacity.

I just thought losing weight should be easy.

When I got to college I’d slave away in the gym. I’d get up at 5:30 am and dedicate one hour of my blood, sweat, and tears to the cardio gods.

I worked myself out so hard at times it felt like was having a slight stroke.

My gym regimen, along with eating only Chobani yogurt and pistachios for breakfast is enough to make anyone die of hunger. Heck, I even forced myself to eat this terrible chicken for dinner to keep my shape in order.

After I went home for winter break…poof.

Seventeen pounds came running back to my body as soon as that Christmas macaroni dangled in front of my face.

I give up now.

I get self-conscious about my weight, but I can sleep well at night knowing I ate slightly better than I used to.

Now, I still don’t want to be two hundred pounds, but what can you do when you’ve given it your best shot and it all went to shit?

As I always say, eating habits matter more than exercise.

Change your eating habits over time.

I almost gave up too. However, I don’t think anyone should beat themselves up too much over weight loss. It’s hard.

Everything should be done in moderation.

Here’s a glimpse of how I changed my eating habits in the last few years:

I stopped eating sweetened cereal for breakfast — it had way too many carbs and I couldn’t even make it to lunchtime without getting hungry.
I stopped eating lunch — I eat mostly eggs and bacon for breakfast now so it fills me up to the point where I don’t need to have lunch.
I changed my order at Chipotle — instead of getting a burrito, I get a bowl because the tortilla from the burrito has more calories.

If you keep taking away and adding things over time to your diet, you’ll lose weight. Soon you won’t even feel like you’re on a diet.

Power walk a few minutes a day.

I’m not a runner.

Adequate exercise shouldn’t be running to death and having a sore body. You can do that if you want, but my doctor always said that you can lose a substantial amount of weight by eating healthy and walking for thirty minutes a day. The most I’ll do is powerwalk.

So I’m trying to get out and walk more than usual for a few minutes each day so my legs don’t turn into jelly.

Avoid weighing yourself.

If you’re already self-conscious about your weight, what do you think weighing yourself is going to do?

When you weigh yourself at the gym and you find out that you had that long workout only to gain four pounds…it’s enough to make anyone want to fight. Now that will weigh on your mind until you can lose the weight (no pun intended). Weight loss isn’t even the best sign of a healthy person.

A healthy person feels healthy.

Remember, you can be skinny and still feel unhealthy.

Final Thoughts

Losing weight the “right way” is over-rated to me.

I understand that a happy body is a happy life, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice all of your snacks and lazy times for it. It’s possible to have the best of both worlds. If you modify your eating habits slowly over the years, powerwalk a few minutes a day, and don’t weigh yourself, it’s possible for you to achieve your goal weight without knowing it.

All it takes is consistency.

Get my free writing guide that can teach you how to build a writing habit in 90 days or less here.