Why We Eat

Super insightful book exploring metabolism, genetics, and why is obesity more and more prevalent these days. Beyond the availability of crappy foods, the diet culture has but exaggerated the problems of trying to get to a lower bodyweight. He explores metabolism and how to work towards resetting the set point for weight - the weight our bodies naturally want to return to, as defined by diet, genetics, weight fluctuation, exercise, and other factors. Explaining why diets don't work, and really strengthened my resolve to continue working on focussing on healthy behaviours with my clients, rather than the number of the scale. It will follow in the end.

I listened to this as an audio book at 1.5 speed because that's how I roll. Even then the following issue persisted: the first parts of the book paint a very hopeless picture to anyone who is struggling with their weight, worried about its consequences or otherwise is agonised by the topic. During this time I felt I was going to be miserable about the book and its bleak views for the entire however many hours I had left.

The author explains himself in the later parts of the book: understanding the theory is required to pave the way for the actionable steps at the end. This makes sense but the way the book is written nearly made me quit it. If I were reading a physical book I would've quit within the first few chapters, so hopeless did the future feel as a fat person who has already gained weight and has a plethora of predisposing characteristics to life long fatness.

I have not cross referenced the book so I can't say much about how solid the science is. I can warn you about the beginning though. If you manage to sit through it, there will be actionable steps that can possibly brighten your outlook a little bit. If you don't want to hear or read about weight loss, risks of things that are linked to body weight or consistency in one way or another and other such topics this is not a book for you.