Just because someone had success with a particular diet or workout program doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you.  The lesson: listen to your body and monitor what’s going on. Change as needed. Do what works for you. One-size-fits-all molds are nonsense. Know your body and be your own guru.

How you eat is your business and if someone judges you for it, they’re a jerk. How petty it is that we live in a world where people think they’re superior because they eat or work out a certain way. Any group claiming to be better than others because of their health and fitness lifestyle has eaten too many of their own B.S. sandwiches; don’t let them serve one to you, even if it’s organic and non-GMO.

There is no Villain.  Diets that blame a macronutrient (e.g., fat, protein, carbohydrates) or a food group (e.g., dairy) for hindering the average (non-diabetic) obese person’s fat loss efforts are mistaken. Calories matter. Food quality is important. Moderation is possible. But there’s no mysterious villain to blame for the rampant obesity problem, and looking for one is a waste of time. No one thing is to blame, and no one thing is the solution.

Trust everyone, but trust no one.  It goes without saying that you shouldn’t believe everything you read or hear, but not everyone is a charlatan.  Find the people who know their stuff, and learn from them.  There are no perfect people.  No “expert” is all-knowledgeable. Never consider ANY diet book to be the Bible by treating it as though it contains the 'inspired word of God'.   Don’t swallow everything that you’re told. Just because an “expert” is right about some things doesn’t mean they are right about everything. Keep an open mind while asking questions along the way, but allow yourself the freedom to pick and choose what is right for you, personally. 

Better do this. Better not do that.  Do you know what you should do?
Whatever the hell you want. What makes you happy. What makes you feel great.
What makes you the best version of yourself.
Your eating choices don't require Permission from others.