For years, people living with obesity have been told the same thing: “Just eat less and move more.”
It sounds simple enough — and for some, small lifestyle changes can indeed make a difference.
But for many others, especially those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35, this advice simply doesn’t work.
At Blackrock WeightCare, we see this every day — people who have spent years trying every diet, every exercise plan, every new trend, only to regain the weight again and again. The truth is, obesity isn’t a failure of willpower. It’s a complex medical condition that affects the body’s hormones, metabolism, and even the way the brain processes hunger.
Let’s explore why “eat less, move more” isn’t the full answer — and how modern medicine, including bariatric surgery, can offer real, lasting change.
Obesity Is Not About Willpower – It’s About Biology
When someone gains weight, their body doesn’t just store extra fat — it adapts to it. Hormones such as leptin, ghrelin, and insulin start working differently:
- Leptin, which signals fullness, decreases, making you feel hungry even after eating.
- Ghrelin, the “hunger hormone”, rises, increasing appetite.
- Insulin resistance develops, making it harder to use energy efficiently.
In short, the body begins to defend its higher weight as if it’s normal.
So even when someone eats less, their body fights back — slowing metabolism, conserving energy, and increasing hunger signals.
This is why so many people lose weight initially but quickly regain it. It’s not a lack of discipline. It’s physiology.
The “Set Point” Problem – Your Body Wants to Stay Where It Is
Every person has a natural weight range that their body tries to maintain — known as the weight set point.
When you diet, your body perceives it as a threat to survival.
It responds by:
- Slowing down your metabolism (burning fewer calories at rest)
- Increasing hunger and cravings
- Reducing energy levels, making activity harder
For people with severe obesity, this set point becomes fixed at a much higher level.
This is why dieting alone rarely works once BMI passes 35 — the body simply fights too hard to maintain the higher weight.
The Emotional and Psychological Side of Weight
Obesity doesn’t happen in isolation. Stress, trauma, low mood, and emotional eating can all play a role.
Food can become a comfort, a coping mechanism, or a moment of relief — especially when the body’s hunger and reward systems are already misfiring.
That’s why every patient at Blackrock WeightCare is supported by a multidisciplinary team, including a psychologist, dietitian, nurse, physiotherapist, and endocrinologist.
Weight loss is about much more than numbers on a scale — it’s about emotional balance and sustainable habits.
Why Bariatric Surgery Can Be Life-Changing
For patients with a BMI above 35, especially those living with conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnoea, bariatric surgery becomes the most effective and lasting treatment option.
It works not just by reducing stomach size, but by resetting the body’s hormones and metabolism.
After surgery:
- Hunger decreases dramatically
- Fullness signals return
- Insulin sensitivity improves
- Energy levels rise
In other words, surgery helps your biology work with you again — not against you.
Bariatric surgery is the treatment proven to sustain significant weight loss over the long term for patients with severe obesity. It also dramatically reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and premature death.
Taking the Right Action – Not the Harder One
Many people spend years trying to diet their way out of obesity, blaming themselves when the results don’t last. But once BMI reaches a certain level, dieting harder isn’t the answer – treating the condition properly is.
At Blackrock WeightCare, we believe in support, not shame.
We help patients find the approach that works for their bodies – combining expert nutritional support, and psychological guidance with the best of modern surgical treatment.
“Eat less, move more” is a helpful idea for general health — but it’s not a cure for obesity.
Obesity is a chronic, biological condition that often needs medical and surgical care, not willpower alone.
If you’ve been doing everything right and still not seeing results, it’s not your fault — your body might simply need a different kind of help.
Blackrock WeightCare is here to guide you on that path, helping you achieve lasting weight loss, better health, and a renewed sense of confidence.
Your Health. We Care.
