I’ve come to realize that the weight loss tips I’m most excited to follow are usually the ones that are worst for me

Weight-Loss, Diets & Keto
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“If you just exercise, you can eat whatever you want!”

“Sure,” I thought, not considering that the person giving this advice doesn’t have my urge to eat like a trash-raiding raccoon.

“Just quit eating once you feel satisfied.”

“Okay,” I replied, failing to account for the fact that my own internal ‘fullness gauge’ is completely broken.

“Life is too short—just eat the brownie.”

“Fine,” I agreed, not realizing that for me, giving in to a trigger food just awakens a monster that won’t stop.

What did all this advice have in common? It wasn’t necessarily that it was incorrect; after all, it worked for the person saying it. The real commonality was how much I wanted to believe it. My brain, or at least the part with a dysfunctional relationship with food, wanted to believe I could have it both ways. I wanted to believe I could keep my bad habits and still be physically fit.

I wanted to believe I could simply out-train a massive appetite. I wanted to believe that ‘stopping when full’—which to me feels like being totally stuffed—would lead to a healthy weight. I wanted to believe I could stop at one brownie without triggering a binge that clears the whole tray. Because I followed that ‘fun’ advice so eagerly, I ended up gaining back every pound I had lost.

But this time? I refuse to regain those 200+ pounds. I’m staying away from advice that sounds too appealing. Now, I pause and ask, “Is this something I actually need, or is it just what my food-addicted brain wants to hear?” If it’s the latter, it’s probably a trap. The strategies that actually lead to a healthy mind and body aren’t nearly as ‘fun’ as the bad advice. It requires accepting that I’ll never have that fantasy relationship with food where I can eat anything I want and still have a six-pack.

So, how do I identify truly good advice? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. All I know is that bad advice is everywhere, and in my experience, it’s much easier to swallow than the truth.

Thanks.

17 Likes
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The ‘life is short’ logic would be fantastic advice if I actually possessed the ability to stop after a single brownie.

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Generic tips can be really harmful if you don’t analyze your specific situation and just follow them blindly. Often, the issues facing the average dieter aren’t the same ones causing your obesity. This is especially true when getting suggestions from friends or family who repeat the same clichés without any context. I don’t blame them, though; they aren’t in your body and don’t know your specific struggles. Only you can really figure that out, as even a doctor isn’t watching your daily habits.

The main difference between my successful attempt and my failures was focusing strictly on CICO. I’ll add ‘healthy’ activities only if I don’t despise them (like hitting the gym), but if I hate it or if it violates CICO, I skip it.

Everything else is just trial and error for me. I do what works for me regardless of popular opinion. I have different strengths and weaknesses than the average person. If there’s a problem, my blood work will show it. This time, I don’t hate my strategy, so I can keep it up forever because I’m only doing what I want within the framework of CICO.

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We tend to gravitate toward advice that validates our own desires.

If we don’t want to deal with the structure of counting calories, we’ll search for any source that says it’s unnecessary. We tell ourselves that if it works for someone else, it must work for us too, right?

The reality is that many fitness influencers have never actually been obese—at least not to the level of their audience—and they don’t understand what real ‘food noise’ feels like. They mistake a simple craving for food noise.

Take it from someone who was 250 lbs at 5’4" a couple of years ago: you have to turn the uncomfortable parts of CICO and better food choices into a permanent lifestyle. For real weight loss, it’s pretty much mandatory. Every ‘fad’ diet that actually works is just CICO in disguise.

If you’re going to eat something high-calorie, plan for it and manage your portions.

Incorporate some exercise to build muscle and give yourself a bit more caloric leeway.

Losing weight is hard work. Anyone claiming otherwise is just a scammer trying to sell you junk.

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Everyone loves hearing positive things about their negative habits.

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If you’re looking for more unsolicited, awful suggestions: I think you definitely deserve a maintenance break, man. Everyone needs those!