An Australian dietitian has delivered a no-nonsense message about why so many people struggle to lose weight.
Leanne Ward, a Brisbane-based dietitian and nutritionist, is known for her straight-talking posts on Instagram.
But it was a recent one titled ‘Warning: this may hurt… but you need to hear it’ that cut straight to the heart of the issue.
In it, Ward listed the hard truths she often sees behind her clients’ struggles, challenging some of the most common explanations people give for not losing fat.
‘It’s not your metabolism – you’re just not consistent,’ she wrote.
‘A calorie deficit does work – you’re just not in one. It’s not your hormones – it’s the snacking, poor sleep and no structure.’
She continued with more wake-up calls: ‘You don’t need a gut cleanse – you need more fibre, plants and less ultra-processed food,’ and ‘You’re not addicted to sugar – you’re under-fuelled, over-stressed and emotionally exhausted.’
While the message may sound blunt, Ward isn’t dismissing the genuine struggles many people face.
Leanne Ward, a Brisbane-based dietitian and nutritionist, is known for her straight-talking posts on Instagram
In fact, she acknowledged that medical conditions and complex factors do play a role in some cases – but argued that, in her experience, they account for ‘the few, not the many’.
Her words have sparked a huge response online, with thousands sharing and commenting in agreement.
So what does this actually mean for everyday Australians trying to improve their health?
The overarching message is simple: consistency matters more than perfection.
Many people assume their efforts ‘aren’t working’ after a week or two of healthy eating or exercise, but real change requires months of sustained habits.
Tracking food honestly, setting regular meal times, and reducing mindless snacking are all small, tangible ways to get back on track.
Ward’s reminder about sleep and stress is also crucial.
Lack of sleep and high stress levels can throw off hunger signals, fuel emotional eating, and make people crave sugary, high-calorie foods.
Many people assume their efforts ‘aren’t working’ after a week or two of healthy eating or exercise, but real change requires months of sustained habits
Creating simple routines around bedtime, incorporating movement into the day, and asking for help when overwhelmed can all make a difference, not just for fat loss, but for overall wellbeing
Creating simple routines around bedtime, incorporating movement into the day, and asking for help when overwhelmed can all make a difference, not just for fat loss, but for overall wellbeing.
She also touched on a growing trend: intuitive eating.
While it works well for some, Ward warned that if someone is used to overeating, their internal hunger and fullness cues may be unreliable.
In those cases, eating ‘intuitively’ might not be effective until habits and signals are reset.
Finally, Ward’s post ended with a reality check: ‘You say you’ve tried everything – but you haven’t been consistent with anything.’
It’s a statement that resonated with thousands, and one that many say helped them reflect on their own patterns.
In a time when social media is flooded with quick fixes, detoxes, and conflicting advice, Ward’s post serves as a much-needed reminder that health doesn’t need to be complicated – but it does require honesty, structure, and patience.
Her advice may not be sugar-coated, but for many, it might be exactly what they need to hear.