This Mindset Monday, we’re taking a look back at the history of the weight loss industry and asking a big question: Why are we so focused on chasing weight loss when we should be chasing health?
The answers are rooted in history, culture, and messaging — but by understanding how we got here, we can start to change the conversation for the better.
A Brief History of the Weight Loss Industry
The weight loss industry, as we know it today, has roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- In the 1800s, weight was viewed as a sign of wealth and health, but as food became more widely available, societal ideals shifted. Slimness began to be equated with self-control and attractiveness.
- The early 1900s brought fad diets like the “chewing diet,” which required people to chew food excessively before swallowing.
- In the mid-1900s, companies like Weight Watchers and diet pill manufacturers gained prominence, and the media began pushing thinness as the ultimate beauty standard.
- By the late 20th century, the industry had exploded into a multibillion-dollar empire, offering everything from meal plans and supplements to fitness gadgets — all promising quick fixes and dramatic results.
While this history shaped cultural norms, it also perpetuated the myth that weight loss equals health — a message that’s still everywhere today.
Why We Chase Weight Loss
The obsession with weight loss is deeply ingrained, thanks to decades of societal conditioning:
- Media Messaging: Ads, magazines, and social media promote an ideal body type that’s unrealistic for most people, fueling the belief that we need to shrink ourselves to be accepted.
- Quick Fix Culture: Diets promise instant results, making weight loss seem like an easy solution to complex health issues.
- External Validation: Compliments about weight loss often reinforce the idea that smaller bodies are better, leading to a cycle of dieting and self-criticism.
But here’s the truth: weight loss and health are not the same thing.
Why We Should Chase Health Instead
True health is about so much more than the number on a scale. Here’s why shifting our focus is so important:
- Health Is Multifaceted:
Health includes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. You can lose weight in unhealthy ways that harm your body and mind, but when you chase health, you prioritize sustainable habits that improve your energy, strength, and happiness. - Weight Is Not the Whole Picture:
The scale doesn’t measure muscle, bone density, energy levels, or mental clarity. Metrics like strength, stamina, and overall vitality are far better indicators of health. - Healthy Habits Have a Bigger Impact:
Habits like eating whole foods, moving your body regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing stress are the real game-changers. Weight loss might be a byproduct of these actions, but the goal is feeling good in your body and life. - Sustainable Change Beats Quick Fixes:
Diets often lead to yo-yo weight gain because they’re not sustainable. Pursuing health means adopting habits you can stick with for life, creating lasting change.
How to Start Chasing Health
- Ditch the All-or-Nothing Mentality: Focus on small, consistent actions instead of perfection.
- Celebrate What Your Body Can Do: Instead of obsessing over appearance, take pride in your strength, energy, and resilience.
- Make Nourishment a Priority: Choose foods that fuel your body and mind without deprivation or guilt.
- Stay Active in Ways You Enjoy: Find movement that brings you joy, whether it’s lifting, walking, or dancing.
- Practice Self-Compassion: You are more than your weight. Treat yourself with kindness and patience.
This week, let’s reframe our mindset. Instead of chasing weight loss, let’s pursue true health — the kind that helps us live longer, move better, and feel more alive.
Because at the end of the day, health isn’t about being a certain size. It’s about showing up for your life with energy, confidence, and purpose.
Which area of health will you focus on this week? Reply to this email and let me know!
Here’s to chasing health, not numbers.
With gratitude,