The SECRET to weight loss

You see ads all the time promoting the latest crazy diet fad, medication, or device. All of them claim to have the "secret" to weight loss that you've been looking for. All of them claim to know more than the last company trying to sell you something. All of them want you to trust them. 

So, what is the secret to weight loss? What is the secret to losing weight and keeping it off? And why is it a big secret? The answer is simple. The secret to weight loss isn't a secret at all, it's just that nobody wants to admit the truth. 

The secret to weight loss is to stop eating junk and get moving. The secret is that you have to burn more calories than you consume. The secret is that there are no fad diets that work. The secret is that you can't wake up tomorrow 20 pounds lighter. The secret is that it takes work. It takes dedication. It takes HONESTY. It takes commitment. It takes a strong person. The secret is that these weight loss companies know this, but they also want to turn a profit. The secret is that they know most people are lazy. They know most people want a quick fix. They know most people don't want to put in time and effort to lose weight. So, they prey on your emotions and your desires to change your bad habits with a pill, powder, or shake. They know you're desperate and you'll try ANYTHING to lose weight. That is, anything that doesn't require actual hard work. 

Unless you have some underlying medical condition causing your weight gain, the truth is that your weight didn't show up overnight. So, it's unrealistic to expect it to disappear overnight. You can't keep putting junk food in your mouth while you binge watch Netflix and expect to see results. You can't eat processed junk and think you eat healthy because the box has some buzz words on it like "low fat," or "heart healthy." Real food doesn't have labels. If it doesn't grow in the ground, on a tree, on a vine, on a bush, or have a face, it doesn't belong on your dinner table. If it's been so heavily processed that it's no longer food, but is more like a chemically altered food-like substance, don't eat it. If the only exercise you get each day is walking to the refrigerator, you need to move more. 

Nobody is saying that you have to go from couch potato to bodybuilder running marathons overnight. But, you do need to be realistic and make a commitment that you will treat your body better. You need to eat mindfully and be aware of what you're putting in your body. You need to make exercise a routine part of your day. You need to get up and get moving. That's the secret. And, you didn't have to pay 6 payments of $19.99 to get it from me!