Read time: 5 minutes.
This is your permission to pause and take a little time for yourself.

They sometimes come with so much pressure and guilt that it can become difficult to separate our weight from our worth.

But, for some people, weight loss is a legitimate goal. For others, it isn’t. Neither choice is inherently good or bad, as long as you understand where it’s coming from.

Let me give you an example.

Growing up, I was an overweight kid.

I’ve talked about that before, but there’s something I haven’t shared as much.

I vividly remember visiting one particular relative who would always comment on my body. I was barely in the door before I would hear: “Jay, you’ve gone so fat.” Or: “Jay, you’ve gone so skinny.”

What’s interesting is that it didn’t really matter which one they said. Both affected me. I hated going to that house because I knew that, at some point, my body was going to become part of the conversation.

Eventually, when I set a weight loss goal for myself as an adult, I had to reflect deeply on whether it was coming from a place of empowerment or disempowerment.

The question we should be asking isn’t whether weight loss as a goal is good or bad, but rather: Where is the desire coming from?

Is this something you genuinely want for yourself, or are you still responding to the voice of criticism?

Your goals don’t require anyone else’s approval. But, whatever goal you decide to work toward, I hope the decision comes from a relationship with yourself that is rooted in care rather than criticism.

Love,
Jay ❤️

Everyone tells you there’s a different way to lose weight. Count calories. Start running. Lift weights. No wonder it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. Simple takes a different approach: focus on small, sustainable habits that actually fit into your life. Instead of following another complicated plan, take our quiz to get a personalized weight loss plan plus 24/7 coaching that adjusts as you go. Start with one simple change, build from there, and keep going.

Last summer, I spoke with geneticist, author, and Cambridge researcher Professor Giles Yeo about one of the most persistent beliefs in modern health culture: that all calories are created equal, and why weight loss is harder for some people than others. Together, we challenged the shame-based narratives that often surround body weight conversations.

Remember, I’m in your corner today, tomorrow, and anytime you need a little permission to believe that everything is going to work out.

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