The 3 Weight Myths Holding You Back And What Actually Works Instead
If weight health were really about trying harder, most of us would already be “done.”
We’ve counted, tracked, powered through cravings, blamed ourselves, and promised to “get back on track” more times than we can count.
According to registered dietitian Ashley Koff, the problem isn’t effort, it’s that many of us are still playing by rules that don’t match how the body actually works.
Here are the three biggest weight myths Ashley sees every day in practice, and what actually works better.
Myth #1: “I Just Need More Willpower”
If you’ve ever thought “Why can’t I just stick to it?”, you’re not alone.
But here’s the truth: there is no muscle in the body called willpower. It literally doesn’t exist. So beating yourself up for not being able to “flex” it harder is like blaming yourself for not having wings.
What does exist are weight-health hormones. These hormones influence appetite, blood sugar, fat storage, hydration, bone health, basically all the things we blame on “self-control.”
Even when they’re working well, these hormones only stay active for 2–5 minutes at a time. Ashley calls them “motion detectors.” They’re great in theory, but in real life, especially during stress, hormonal shifts, or metabolic changes, motion detectors often aren’t enough.
Most of us need support that lasts longer, something that helps keep appetite and eating cues steady for hours, not minutes. That’s why Ashley often includes Calocurb in patient protocols, whether someone is using a GLP-1 medication or not, to support appetite regulation in a way that works with the body, not against it.
Myth #2: “More Is Better”
More protein. More fiber. More workouts. More discipline.
Sound familiar?
Ashley often sees bodies waving a white flag long before people realize it. The body is quietly saying, “More? I can’t even handle what you’re giving me right now.”
Yes, nutrition and movement matter, but more isn’t the goal. Optimal is.
In the USA TODAY bestseller Your Best Shot: The Personalized Plan for Optimal Weight Health: GLP-1 Shot or Not, Ashley explains how to figure out what your body can actually use, and why digestion has to come first.
One reason she recommends Calocurb is that, unlike GLP-1 medications, it doesn’t slow gastric emptying at extremely high levels for days at a time. That means the body can still absorb nutrients and use them effectively, supporting fat loss while also helping preserve bone and muscle.
Sometimes the answer isn’t adding more, it’s helping the body better use what’s already there.
Myth #3: “You Are What You Eat”
We call foods “healthy” or “unhealthy,” but your body has a different system.
To your body, food only “counts” if it can:
- Break it down
- Absorb the nutrients
- Deliver those nutrients where they’re needed
If digestion isn’t working well, even the best food choices may not support weight health. That’s why Ashley always brings the focus back to digestive health first.
Alongside Calocurb, she often guides patients through a digestive tune-up, using specific nutrients that help repair and optimize digestion so the body can actually benefit from what you’re eating.
Want the Bigger Picture?
In Your Best Shot, Ashley helps you move beyond one-size-fits-all advice and shows you how to:
- Work with weight-health hormones instead of fighting them
- Optimize digestion before piling on more rules
- Personalize your approach, whether you use GLP-1 medication, non-pharmaceutical support, or a combination
- Build a plan that works now and adapts as your body changes
The book also includes a bonus opportunity to connect with live human coaches inside the community, because personalization is easier when you’re supported.
Weight health isn’t about trying harder.
It’s about understanding your body, and giving it what it actually needs.
