“You’re kidding me. It’s called FCUK?”
I was standing in the checkout line of a well-known pharmacy that, by the time I got there, had stretched past the cologne and perfume shelves. French Connection United Kingdom was just one of the many crazy examples I saw of what I like to call conventional stupidity.
Most of the products I was standing next to were named after celebrities. Instinct by David Beckham, Curious by Britney Spears, Fame by Lady Gaga, Killer Queen by Katy Perry, Incredible Things by Taylor Swift, are we out of our minds? Why do we need celebrities to help us choose a fragrance?
The final straw for me was Victoria Bitter: The Scent. Do I really want to smell like beer? Worse, would men actually buy this product because they like the beer? I don’t get it.
Even in my own industry, this kind of logic has taken over. Today, this is how people choose a so-called “healthy living” program for themselves.
Unbelievably, in the past twelve months, one of the most searched phrases on Google was “Adele diet.”A famous singer, who is not a dietitian, doctor, chef, or trainer, is apparently the most trusted source on weight loss. I say again: conventional stupidity.
What Is Conventional Stupidity?
Maybe you’ve joined a gym recently, or maybe you’ve been at one for years. Have you noticed that when you take a class, Full Body Fusion, Circuit Training, HIIT, Water Aerobics, Cycling, Bootcamp, Zumba, the same people appear month in, month out?
Even if you don’t take classes, the environment keeps you there. There’s always someone fitter, leaner, or stronger than you, and gyms rely on that. They keep you stuck in the loop of doing what looks right, instead of doing what actually works.
If what you’re doing isn’t improving your fitness, health, or life, maybe it’s time to ask some questions:
- Am I taking advice from real experts?
- Am I killing myself at the gym 4–5 times a week and not improving?
- Why am I starving every 2–3 hours?
- Why am I waking up at 2 a.m. every night?
- Why am I bloated or reacting to certain foods?
If that sounds familiar, it’s time to stop following the crowd.
Something to think about: around 70% of the calories you burn each day come from simply being alive, this is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Did you know that only about 15–30% of your total energy expenditure comes from physical activity? So, killing yourself with hours of training won’t make a massive difference to the total energy you burn.
The truth is, you’ve been sold an oversimplified story by the “calories in, calories out” crowd.
The Aerobic System, Your Real Engine
The aerobic system plays a vital role in almost all physical activity. Between 95% and 99% of the energy used for endurance sports, even competitions, comes from your aerobic system.
That includes running, biking, swimming, tennis, golf, and basketball. So why are we all obsessed with working harder? Because it feels right, even though it’s completely wrong.
If you’re training like a maniac and still not losing weight, here’s your wake-up call:
Focus on nutrition first, not more exercise.
For a breakdown of how food impacts fat burning, read Do We Really Need to Eat Carbs? and Calories In, Calories Out.
Let’s Talk About Food
The fitness and sports industries have been lying to you about nutrition for decades.
Many dedicated people get trapped in a cycle of overtraining, carb loading, and calorie counting, and never see real change.
Here’s the truth:
Fat was the preferred fuel for humans throughout evolution. Most of our energy came from stored or ingested fat. But today, our high-carb, grain-based diets have overridden that system.
Too many carbs cause excess insulin production, which leads to a host of health issues collectively known as metabolic syndrome, a rollercoaster of blood sugar highs, crashes, and cravings.
Every individual is different. Some people handle carbs well; others don’t.
Listen to your body. If you feel tired, bloated, or hungry all the time, you’re probably not metabolically flexible.
If you’re going to eat carbs, make sure they come from real food, vegetables, a bit of fruit, or unprocessed sources. Skip the pancakes, bread, pasta, and oats. Otherwise, you’re storing fat, not burning it.
For more context, see Why Do We Get Fat?.
Step One: Stop Eating Grains
Grains are cheap calories that quickly convert into glucose.
They have minimal nutritional value, spike insulin, and contain anti-nutrients that interfere with digestion, immune function, and nutrient absorption. They also drive systemic inflammation.
If you want better energy, focus, and body composition, start by cutting out grains.
For a practical perspective, read Bread Is Not the Enemy.
Step Two: You Don’t Need Dairy
Not all dairy is bad, but it’s not essential either.
Many people can’t properly digest lactose (milk sugar) or react to casein (a milk protein). The result? Bloating, inflammation, and sluggish recovery.
Try eliminating dairy for two weeks and see how your body responds. Replace it with healthy fats, avocado, olive oil, and grass-fed meats.
So What About Adele?
Adele’s “Sirtfood Diet” combines low-calorie meals and green juices, limiting intake to 1,000 calories per day initially and 1,500 later.
Sure, it causes weight loss, but that’s just starvation dressed up as a plan.
When she returns to a normal diet, the weight will come back. It’s not sustainable, it’s not metabolic improvement, it’s deprivation. It will also ruin her metabolism and screw up her Thyroid.
No credible coach or dietitian would ever recommend 1,000 calories a day. That’s survival, not health.
Your body deserves better than celebrity clickbait.
As I said earlier, trusting a pop star with your nutrition is as logical as buying Victoria Bitter cologne because you like the beer.
What Actually Works: Real Food and Common Sense
Back in December 2014, I dropped the carbs I loved and focused on real foods and healthy fats. My GP told me not to, he said my cholesterol was too high. He was wrong.
After six months, my results shocked both of us.
- I lost stubborn belly fat, aand 15kgs
- I could run 15km without needing to eat for hours.
- My energy and mental clarity skyrocketed.
Five years later, that same approach still works, for me, my family, and many clients. Our kids eat better, we feel stronger, and we live with more balance.
This isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle based on how the human body was designed to function.
The Takeaway
Your health is too important to base on a celebrity endorsement.
If you want to lose fat, think long-term.
If you want energy, eat real food.
If you want health, stop following trends and start understanding your body.
Because real transformation doesn’t come from a singer, a brand, or a quick fix.
It comes from awareness, education, and consistent action.
For mindset support, read Choose Your Mindset.
FAQs
Q: Why shouldn’t I follow Adele’s diet?
It’s based on severe calorie restriction, not metabolic health. You’ll lose muscle and energy, not just fat.
Q: What’s a better way to lose fat?
Eat real food, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and healthy fats. Limit sugar and grains.
Q: Are grains really that bad?
Yes, they raise insulin and inflammation in most people. You can learn why in Why Do We Get Fat?.
Q: Do I need dairy?
No. Many adults react poorly to lactose and casein. Try removing it for two weeks and see how you feel.
Q: Is fat safe to eat?
Absolutely. It’s your body’s natural, efficient fuel, not the enemy you’ve been told it is.
Key Insights
- Celebrity diets sell headlines, not science.
- Restriction slows metabolism; real food restores it.
- Fat is your most powerful and stable fuel source.
- Grains and dairy often trigger inflammation.
- Sustainable change starts with mindset and self-awareness.
