Why I Don't Talk About Obesity & Fat Loss

It’s a thing that I have steered away from my entire career. Yet, I am a fitness professional, a personal trainer, a coach.

Why is this? Well, a colleague of mine recently shared an image that may explain it:

And in case that doesn’t show up, here’s a link to it that allows you to zoom in on:

Obesity Map

Now, if your first thought is, “Oh my god! That is so confusing!!” Then you would be 100% right.

The Core of Fitness

As far as I am concerned, the fitness industry, which I am part of, is about building capacity. It’s about building strength, mobility, and endurance. It’s about developing performance. It’s about putting “money in the bank” for when we get older.

Part of that is keeping our body composition under control. But the thing is, if you’re the kind of person who exercises and trains with frequency and regularity, then this mindset will carry over to your other habits. Your eating, your sleep, your socialisation, your stress management, and so on.

Most of which is found in one small area of the above map.

The Fitness Industry's Limitations

So really, what the fitness industry does is help a small subset of people lose body fat by exercising and building muscle, thereby increasing capacity while changing eating habits to ensure a calorie deficit. It doesn’t help those people elsewhere on the map.

Here’s a little thought for you all: If you’re a person who has committed to developing their capacity—building strength, mobility, and endurance—then all you would have to do is adjust your food, sleep, and stress management. You ought to see a change in body composition.

Understanding Others' Struggles

But never look at a person who can’t make that commitment without considering the uphill struggle they may be facing. Do not fall for the online nonsense that reduces fat loss to “eat less, move more” or, even worse, uses fearmongering and shame to sell their wares.

As fond as I am of saying, “Simple, not Easy,” don’t ever think I am minimising the effort involved.

The Complexity of Change

Simplicity is only available after gaining a deep understanding of complexity. Anyone who can and does make real information sound simple is the coach, trainer, or professional to follow. These individuals know it’s not easy. They understand that making change, especially deep change, is extremely hard. Yet, they will offer up simple steps.

There may be several thousand steps, and it may take years to take them all. But each individual step will be simple and will move you forward from the last step.

Beware of Charlatans

And the charlatans? Well, they’ll tell you it is easy, convince you it is easy, and then they’ll run with your money while you are on a hiding to nothing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of fitness is not merely about physical transformation. It involves a holistic approach that includes mental and emotional well-being. By understanding the complexities of fitness, we can better support ourselves and others in this journey.

Regards,

Dave Hedges

www.DaveHedges.net