Weight Loss Programs and Weight Loss

 

In 2019, Americans spent $78 BILLION on diets and weight loss programs. Facebook is drowning in weight loss advice and - you guessed it - amazing products and programs to melt away the excess pounds in 2 weeks with no dieting or exercise. There are diet plans, supplements, gym memberships, exercise programs, psychological support and more available to everyone everywhere, anytime. And yet, here in the US, the obesity rate is at an all time high of 42.4%. This is up from 30.5% in 2000.

That's right. Despite spending nearly $80 billion a year on weight loss promises, we are fatter than ever. What's going on?

People do not become obese over a weekend. They work at it for years, decades. Pound by pound they add weight. There is no secret to how they do it. They consumed more calories over time than their body was able to burn and the rest was stored as fat.

Yet when it comes to losing that weight people want to believe that there is a secret formula or pill or program that will let them shed all that weight in a month. In fact, the exact same reality applies. If they burn more calories than they consume, they will lose weight. That may not be easy for most people, but it really is that simple.

I can say that it is the approach that has worked for me. I was never obese but I was definitely overweight. And I lost nearly 40 pounds over 6 months doing nothing more than burning more calories than I took in. No special foods, no restrictions (other than calories), no programs. There are two ways to do this. Eat less or exercise more.

People do want to lose weight, but they usually do not look forward to doing the work. Any time that kind of situation exists, its not long before an industry grows up around them promising them the impossible. Save your money and go back to basics.

I've posted here in the past about my own weight loss experience, but if anyone wants a summary of what worked for me, I am happy to share. Reach out to me in the comments, or on Facebook. You can do this.