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Have you ever wondered why you can lose weight on a diet, only for it to come back with a vengeance? If you’ve blamed yourself for a lack of willpower, our guest today argues you’ve been misled. The old mantra of “eat less, move more” is failing us, and the key to understanding why lies deep within our biology.

In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Dr. Andrew Jenkinson, a bariatric surgeon and author with decades of experience in the science of metabolism. Dr. Jenkinson dismantles the calorie-counting myth and explains the powerful biological system that controls our weight: the "set point." He reveals how our modern diet and lifestyle have broken this system, but also provides a clear, science-backed path to fixing it.

Dr. Andrew Jenkinson is a consultant bariatric surgeon and the author of Why We Eat (Too Much): The New Science of Appetite.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why the idea that weight loss is simply about willpower is a damaging myth.
The science of the "weight set point" and how your brain fights to keep you at a certain weight.
How your metabolism acts like a "dimmer switch," slowing down to prevent weight loss when you diet.
The crucial role of hormones like leptin and insulin, and why our modern diet causes "leptin resistance" — the reason your brain can’t tell it’s full.
How yo-yo dieting can actually raise your set point, making you heavier in the long run.
A practical, step-by-step plan to lower your set point by changing what you eat, not just how much.
The truth about new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and their long-term effects.
How managing stress and improving sleep can be as important as your diet for sustainable weight management