For a long time, I believed something was broken in me. I thought I was just meant to be fat — like I got dealt a bad genetic hand and that was it. I tried everything: diets, pills, cardio until my knees screamed. And when nothing worked, the only thing left was guilt. Then in 2002, everything changed. I lost 127 pounds in 6 months — but not because I found some magic diet. It’s because I finally learned the truth. And if you’ve ever felt stuck like I did, maybe these truths will help set you free too. 1. Ultra-Processed Foods Were Messing with My HeadI used to eat a full meal and still feel like I was starving. I blamed myself. "Why don’t I have willpower?" But it turns out the food was designed to do exactly that — override my hunger cues. Ultra-processed foods are engineered to be addictive, delaying fullness so you eat more without realizing it. It wasn’t weakness. It was chemistry. 2. I Wasted Money on Magic PillsFat burners, detox teas, "metabolism boosters" — I bought them all. Why? Because I was desperate. But here’s the science: even the best fat loss pill gives you, maybe, a 1–2% edge. That gets wiped out if your habits are out of line. You can’t out-supplement overeating. No pill fixes a lifestyle problem. 3. I Didn’t Understand Calories In vs. Calories OutWeight gain felt like a mystery. One day I ate “healthy” and still gained weight. I felt helpless. But fat loss really does come down to energy balance: eat more than you burn, and your body stores fat. Simple as that. Understanding this gave me control again. 4. I Didn’t Track My Food — So I Had No Clue What I Was EatingI thought I was eating clean… but my portions were way off. Most of us underestimate our intake by 30-50%. Without tracking, I was flying blind. You can’t change what you don’t measure. 5. I Chased Diets Like Lottery TicketsKeto, juice cleanses, low-fat, no-carb — I did them all. Each time, I hoped this one would be the answer. Truth is, they all “work” the same way — they reduce calories. The best diet isn’t the trendiest. It’s the one you can actually live with. Fat loss isn’t about finding magic — it’s about finding your system. 6. I Blamed Carbs… Then I Blamed FatOne week I feared bread, the next I avoided peanut butter like it was poison. But neither carbs nor fat are the villain. Overeating is. Demonizing food groups distracts from what really matters — your overall intake. 7. I Avoided Lifting — I Just Wanted to Get SmallerI thought lifting would make me bulky, so I ran and ran… and I did get smaller, but also tired, and weak. Turns out, strength training actually makes fat loss easier. It helps preserve muscle, keeps your metabolism humming, and makes your body feel strong — not just skinny. Lifting doesn’t make you big. It makes you powerful. 8. I Thought I Was Doomed by Genetics“It runs in my family,” I told myself. And yeah, genes can influence your hunger, cravings, and where you store fat. But they don’t control your destiny. Your habits and environment have way more say. Genetics load the gun. Your choices pull the trigger. 9. I Thought Being Overweight Was Just… MeAt some point, I stopped trying. I told myself this was just who I was. But that’s a lie. We’re not stuck with our identity — we can shape it. You can become someone new. I did. You don’t need to change who you are. Just how you think about what’s possible. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed — I see you. I was you. But I’m living proof that change is possible. You don’t need magic. You need the truth, a little patience, and a plan that actually works. And if you want help with that plan… I got you. The LeanOS Fat Loss System is on sale right now. It’s the exact system I wish I had back then — simple, science-backed, and built to last. Check it out below...
Stay strong, |
I lost over 125 lbs and it changed me forever. Now I write about mindset, health, and life in general through that perspective. Join me and get my free 28 page Nutrition Cheat Sheet.
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