How the diet industry lied to us

Weight loss is often surrounded by a cloud of mystery and perceived complexity. There are many fad diets promoting quick weight loss and so much conflicting information online, it's hard to know what is true and what isn't. 

The diet industry thrives on exploiting people's desires to lose weight quickly and effortlessly, often resorting to misleading claims. 

Many people believe that there must be some secret formula to shedding pounds and getting in shape. They tend to think of themselves as unique individuals who require personalized advice or special attention in order to achieve their weight loss goals. Additionally, there is a prevalent belief that our metabolisms are somehow flawed or broken, making it even more difficult to lose weight as we age. This leads to the idea that we need specific diets tailored to our body types or blood types.

However, the truth is far simpler. We are not as special as we think when it comes to weight loss. The fundamental principle remains the same for everyone: we need to create a calorie deficit. Our metabolisms don't actually break; the main difference lies in the fact that we tend to lead more sedentary lifestyles, resulting in fewer calories burned. Ageing also plays a role in weight gain, mainly due to decreased physical activity levels. Lifestyle factors also influence weight gain, but the basic strategy for weight loss remains unchanged.

Weight loss is not a rapid process in most cases. Instead, a healthy and sustainable rate is around 1-2 pounds per week. Any additional weight loss beyond this can be considered a bonus, but it's important to focus on the non-scale victories and leading measures of progress such as long term habit change rather than solely fixating on the number on the scale.

The foundation of successful weight loss lies in creating a calorie deficit. While our starting points may vary there is no need for complex and specific diets based on body type or blood. By understanding the true nature of weight loss, we can implement effective strategies and achieve our goals, regardless of our individual circumstances.