Weight Loss is Worth it, but Hard for a Reason(s)

Go figure: weight loss is hard!

It makes sense, as weight loss is very difficult for many people. It’s not surprising, either, given the awful food pyramid that hundreds of millions of Americans grew up with, teaching one generation after another to eat copious amount of processed (and subsidized with our tax dollars!) carbohydrates.For our youth, it doesn’t help that PE has been deprioritized in school in favor of more testing (how has this helped our youth, exactly?).

Being fed and surrounded by processed foods and being less active in school sets up youth for an uphill battle in life, weight-wise and in the ability to enjoy an active life.

Basically, the environment is working against us.

We’re surrounded by ultra-processed, hyper-palatable foods designed to be addictive. They’re cheap, convenient, and everywhere — loaded with added sugars, refined carbs, seed oils, and artificial flavors. These foods hijack our hunger cues, spike our blood sugar, and leave us craving more, all while providing little real nutrition.

On top of that, for decades we were told to base our diets on the old food pyramid — filled with processed grains and low-fat everything — while red meat, eggs, and healthy fats were pushed to the side. That advice didn’t make us healthier. It led to more obesity, more chronic disease, and more confusion about what “healthy eating” even means.

And let’s not forget physical activity. PE programs have been cut back or eliminated in many schools, and screen time has replaced outdoor play. This early lack of movement sets the stage for a sedentary lifestyle that carries into adulthood.

The truth is simple: a healthy life starts with eating real, whole, unprocessed foods — like vegetables, fruits, quality proteins, and healthy fats — and moving your body regularly. Exercise doesn’t have to be extreme; it just has to be consistent. Walking, strength training, or even short workouts at home can make a huge difference.

We can’t change the food industry or school policies overnight — but we can choose to take back control of our health, one real meal and one workout at a time.