Ever wondered why losing weight (and staying lean) is so damn hard?

While many wish to become leaner, more people are struggling with weight loss than ever. This isn’t a coincidence; it's the result of the same weight loss mistakes being made repeatedly.

In this newsletter, I'll unveil the key mistakes that might be hindering your weight loss efforts. But more importantly, I'll guide you on the right path. You'll learn strategies for making choices that lead to that lean, healthy, and attractive body you'll be proud of.

Let's dive into the common mistakes I see people make and how you can avoid them.

The Repeated Delusion

Before we delve into the common weight loss mistakes, I want to share an observation with you:

Most people are really bad at honest self-reflection. Here’s how I noticed.

I always ask new weight loss clients one question: What do you think is the main reason you're overweight?

Their answer might shock you. 9 out of 10 times, they say they eat healthily and not too much.

It's like a burglar caught red-handed saying, "I didn't know anyone lived here, and I didn't pick the lock."

Of course, you're eating too much, and it's probably not as healthy as you think. People don't become overweight from eating too many apples, roasted chicken breasts, or cauliflower.

You know that, and I know that. Yet, almost every weight loss client has convinced themselves it's not about the food.

They blame their genes, their metabolism, or the lack of a special weight loss training program.

Please, don't be that person. Don't live in a delusion. Just be honest with yourself.

Be honest with yourself is the best advice I can give. And that leads us to the first mistake people make.

Mistake #1: Asking the Wrong Questions

Ever caught yourself asking:

• "Which diet guarantees the fastest weight loss?"
• "What's the ultimate fat-burning workout?"
• "How can I drop 10 kilos super quickly?"
• "Do those weight loss pills actually work?"

You're not alone. But here's the problem: these are the wrong questions.

They stem from the wishful thinking that weight can vanish overnight, with barely any effort.

Guarantees don’t exist, but I can guarantee this:

Pursue these questions, and you will struggle with weight for the rest of your life.

Instead, start asking the right questions:

1. What's a healthy weight for my height and gender?
2. How much weight do I need to lose to be in that range?
3. Am I willing to commit to what it takes to reach and keep a healthy weight for good?

Honesty is key here. If you’re not in it for the long run, maybe it's time to make peace with where you're at. Recognize the health implications, put this newsletter aside, and carry on.

But if you're genuinely geared up for change, keep reading.

Mistake #2: Chasing Information

When it comes to losing weight, most folks think they just need two things from me:

1. A diet plan
2. A workout schedule

But here's a little secret: you don't need a coach for that. A quick search for "weight loss diet plan" or "weight loss training plan" on Google will hand you tons of options. All for free.

So, why isn't everyone in top shape? It's simple.

Success in weight loss isn't about gathering information. Really, the formula is pretty straightforward: eat less, move more. There, I've spelled it out for you.

But let's be real, that's not going to cut it, is it? Here's the crux of the matter.

Knowing what to do is one thing; doing what you know is a whole different ball game. Pause for a second and let that sink in.

True change is about action, not knowledge. And that's where many fail. It is as simple as it sounds, and yet it’s proven to be very hard.

So start with doing what you already know you should be doing: Increase your physical activity and decrease your energy intake.

Weight-loss Expectations:

- You must go on a diet
- Fats make you fat
- Carbs are the enemy

v.s Reality:

- Become mindful of what your eat
- A calorie excess makes you fat
- Carbs fuel your brain and training

Don't fall for every weight-loss tip online.

— Bart Jessen (@Bart_Jessen) February 8, 2024

Mistake #3: Starting With the Wrong Thing

If you failed a math exam, you need to know what you did wrong.

You don’t just start with learning anything about math. No, you need to be specific. What did you do wrong? Where do you need to improve?

The same goes for losing weight. You don’t start with learning anything about nutrition, exercise, or other related topics. You start with looking at where you are.

How do you live your life? What habits do you have? What factors contributed to your current shape?

People always overlook this. They want to start at level 12, thinking they just take the shortcut. Yet, there are no shortcuts; you have to start at level 1 to get to level 12.

In my online course Lasting Lean Life, I mapped out the whole weight loss journey for you from A to Z. The first lesson of the ‘foundation’ is “Why are people overweight?”

The first step to achieve anything is awareness. You need to gain awareness about how you live, what factors contribute to overweight, how your mind and behavior change works.

Without that knowledge, you will try to attempt level 12 indefinitely without success. You will fail your math exam for the rest of your life. Don’t do this to yourself, start at level 1.

Start with assessing your current lifestyle. Examine your current diet, activity level, exercise, and anything related.

Mistake #4: Having a Short-term Mentality

Weight loss isn't just about shedding pounds. It’s about being lean for the rest of your life.

Think about it. What's the point of temporary changes that revert before you even realize it?

The real issue isn't how much weight you can lose; it's whether you can keep it off.

Many fall into the trap of believing short-term fixes are enough. They think a temporary diet will lead to permanent weight loss. Just hit your target, revert to old habits, and you're set, right?

Wrong.

Let's face it, lasting results don't come from temporary efforts. You don't reap benefits from work you haven't done.

You want te become lean for life?

It's about more than just a diet plan and training schedule; it's about a complete lifestyle overhaul. If you're not ready for that kind of commitment, it might be time to rethink those dreams of a lean physique.

Results for life require changes for life.

— Bart Jessen (@Bart_Jessen) January 18, 2024

Commit to a Lean Life

Remember that weight loss isn’t the goal, being lean for life is. Being lean isn't about quick fixes or surface-level changes; it's about sustainable change and the intentional transformation of your lifestyle. Temporary work will never lead to long-term success.

If you're ready to dive deeper and truly commit to a lean life, my Lasting Lean Life program is designed just for you. From understanding the root causes of weight gain to building sustainable habits, I’ll guid you through the whole process. You can go at your own pace and take all the time you need.

Ready to make a change that lasts? Join us and start your journey to lasting leanness today.