I grew up in a pretty macho society. My parents sent me to school a year earlier than they should have. This could have had some positive effects, but in this particular society, it meant that, as a ‘shy,’ small, skinny kid, I was continually mauled by the bullies in every possible contact sport, especially rugby, which was mandatory. I was never bullied, but I certainly wished to be bigger and stronger. So, I ate copious amounts of anything that was fat and greasy in an effort to achieve this. I loved junk food. It also didn’t help that all my girlfriends were in awe of how much fatty and greasy junk food I could eat without gaining weight. Breakfast? English breakfast +, please—pork sausages, steak, egg, and chips; bacon and beans; toast with jam and mushrooms—whatever. And everything with extra salt and sugar, please.

What a hero, right? No. Did it help me increase my weight, bulk, or size? No. Did it have a serious negative impact on my health? Not that I could tell. I am active and maintain a healthy weight. But it sure did kill me slowly—along with alcohol. Did I suffer from obesity, chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, or a weakened immune system? Not yet, but it did reduce my energy dramatically, and it certainly affected my happiness—so much so that I started looking for reasons why. I remembered my father, who consumed alcohol daily, yet preached religiously about eating healthily. Of the very few things he (almost) taught me in life, this is probably one of the most important.

I started small; after all, I had spent most of my life eating junk. But, boy, what a difference it made! I progressed—I started eating salads with my meals. I cut down on fat, sugar, and salt. I ate more fruits and vegetables. And boom! Mental and physical energy levels went up. And honestly, these were just a few small changes I made, slowly, over time. I learned that for me, and probably for most people, it is safer, healthier, and more sustainable to make small, incremental steps.

Proper nutrition encompasses much more than the few small steps I have taken so far. It should be taught in schools and should be a lifelong study for each of us. But the good news is that with a few easy steps and a bit of patience, real change is possible. Proper nutrition will change your life for the better—that’s science.

At the risk of making myself very unpopular—but the truth matters, right?—if you consume fewer calories than you burn through activities like walking, you will lose weight. Many people struggle with excess weight, and only a very small percentage actually have a medical condition that prevents weight loss by consuming fewer calories than they expend. Yes, this simplifies the problem, but it is also a fact.

Transform your life now. Start taking small steps today.

Yours,
John Honey