Thank you so much for your questions in the “Ask Coach” section on the website. The response has been overwhelming, and while I can't answer every single question, I’m grateful for every story, concern, and inquiry. One question that’s come up a lot recently is about how to approach weight loss, particularly as a person currently experiencing obesity. This is a topic that hits close to home for me because I, too, struggled with obesity as a child. However, achieving a healthy weight today is far more complex than when I was young when eating less and exercising more were the only tools you needed. Today, you need those, but also holistic support. Big Farming, Big Food, Big Pharma, and Big Health Insurance (the four horsemen of the obesity apocalypse appearing in the 1990s and changing our food) stacked the odds against us, but it’s not impossible to overcome them together. Here’s my perspective, backed by personal experience, studied expertise, and evidence-based research.
Childhood Obesity Then and Now
When I was growing up, it was easier in many ways to manage weight. Sure, I struggled with obesity, but back then, food wasn’t packed with the enhanced sweeteners, preservatives, and pesticides that we find today. The prevalence of high fructose corn syrup, for example, is a recent addition to our diet, and studies have shown it contributes to obesity and metabolic disorders (Bray, Nielsen, & Popkin, 2004). Pesticides like glyphosate, which is now widely used in agriculture, have been linked to disruptions in our gut health - a critical factor in maintaining healthy body weight (Romualdo et al., 2023).
And it’s not just adults facing these challenges. Childhood obesity has skyrocketed since the 1960s. In 1963, about 4% of children in the United States were classified as obese. Today, that figure is closer to 20%, and among adolescents, it’s even higher (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). FIVE TIMES MORE OBESE?! That is not a lifestyle change alone. We’re living in a world where our food system, culture, and daily routines all seem designed to encourage weight gain. This isn’t just a personal challenge; it’s a public health crisis that demands policy-level changes. Vocal advocates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could play a significant role in lobbying for these changes.
Beyond "Eat Less, Move More"
It’s often said that the solution to obesity is simple: reduce your caloric intake and increase your physical exertion. But that’s an oversimplification in today’s world. Those two imperatives are necessary but insufficient. Modern-day weight loss requires a hybrid approach that includes not just nutrition and exercise but also mindfulness, connection to nature, and even community. Let’s break it down.
