Everything’s Perfect…Except Fad Diets
Podcast: Everything’s Perfect
Hosts: Autumn Calabrese & Donald Stamper
Date: January 6, 2026
Episode Overview
In this New Year’s episode, Autumn and Donald tackle one of the most pervasive—and problematic—aspects of the wellness world: fad diets. As millions set resolutions to get healthier or lose weight, the hosts dissect why extreme diet trends are so appealing, share personal stories, and unpack a controversial Japanese health law that prioritizes prevention over punishment. With their signature humor and warmth, they break down real solutions for sustainable health while calling out the pitfalls (and absurdities) of crash dieting culture.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Resolution Trap: Why Fad Diets Tempt Us
- [01:24] Many people start the new year determined to lose weight and get healthy, but motivation quickly fizzles.
- Autumn: “You’re motivated for five seconds. But it’s hard to change a pattern.”
- The hosts stress that while many people dive headfirst into all-or-nothing plans, true change is about small, sustainable steps.
2. Japan’s “Metabo Law” – Collective Health vs. Individual Freedom
- [02:20–10:00] Autumn introduces a viral Instagram post about Japan’s Metabo law. This law enforces mandatory waistline screenings for adults aged 40–74 in response to rising rates of metabolic syndrome and related diseases.
Key facts:
- Waist circumference limits: Men 33.5 in/85 cm, Women 35.4 in/90 cm.
- If exceeded, citizens get mandatory counseling and lifestyle coaching—not fines.
- The focus is preventing disease, not shaming individuals.
- Results: Lower obesity rates (4%), lower health costs, longer life expectancy.
Memorable quotes:
- Autumn: “They’re not giving you like, it has to be at this number. They’re saying if it gets above this number, you’re carrying too much visceral fat and it’s a danger.” [07:42]
- Donald: “It sounds like their intervention is giving someone tools and access… It’s about overall health.” [09:21]
Cultural contrast:
- Western societies value personal freedom over collective health, making such laws unlikely in the US.
- The US often profits from chronic treatment rather than prevention.
- Autumn: “Western nations value personal freedom above collective responsibility. Most people reject mandatory screenings… The real lesson is, your waistline isn’t cosmetic, it’s metabolic.” [06:52]
3. Sensitivity vs. Honesty in the Obesity Conversation
- [12:08–17:00] The hosts grapple with the stigma and emotional complexity around weight.
Key points:
- Both share personal losses of loved ones due to obesity-related illness, emphasizing compassion over judgment.
- Donald: “Saying that doesn’t mean you judge that person. It’s really being compassionate.” [14:03]
- They acknowledge how generational, genetic, and lifestyle factors all play a role, and it’s not simply about willpower or personal failing.
4. What Actually Works—Behavior Change & Sustainable Habits
- [21:10–28:00] Donald and Autumn discuss taking small, actionable steps versus extreme overhauls.
Strategies discussed:
- “75 Hard” challenge—good for some personalities but not sustainable for everyone.
- The power of building new habits, e.g., drinking more water before tackling more complex changes.
- Autumn: “If you’re the bite-sized person… it could be picking one thing a week… That one thing alone, you would be so shocked.” [22:41]
On perfection and progress:
- Strict challenge rules (e.g., starting over if “75 Hard” is broken) can be demotivating; aim for consistency, not flawlessness.
- Autumn: “We’re not here to be perfect… but I understand it’s the mental challenge of sticking to it 100%.” [27:42]
5. Fad Diets: Stories, Science, and Silliness
- [29:52–47:56] The hosts recount and dissect a slew of notorious fad diets—some they’ve tried, most they regret.
Crash diet rundown [Notable timestamps & quotes]:
- Master Cleanse: Maple syrup, cayenne, and lemon water. Autumn: “If you really just want to f*** your body up, sure.” [30:31]
- Spiritual fasts: Donald shares a week-long fast (with only green drinks) as a spiritual exercise—and how he couldn’t replicate it for weight loss. [34:03]
- Juice cleanses, mono diets (grapefruit, cabbage soup, egg diet): Critiqued for unsustainability, “wild” claims, and, in the case of cabbage, digestive fallout (“Don’t come over!” – Autumn, [42:22]).
- HCG diet: Questionable hormone injections + extreme restriction. “All of these—of course you’re going to lose weight, but what are you doing to your body?” [46:27]
- Baby food diet: Donald admits trying it unbeknownst to its fad status—“Just trying to get back to my baby weight.” [44:24]
- Eggs and Chardonnay diet (from a 1970s magazine): Autumn: “First of all, be hammered. You’re going to work on two hard boiled eggs and a glass of chardonnay!” [43:34]
Consensus: These diets are not only ineffective long-term but can be socially, emotionally, and physically detrimental.
6. Resolutions That Stick: Goals & Mindset
- [48:07–63:06] The duo reviews the top 10 New Year’s resolutions and offers fresh takes on each:
Top New Year’s Resolutions:
- Exercise more (define specific, measurable goals)
- Lose weight/eat healthier (set real targets and plans)
- Save more money
- Reduce stress (focus on habits/identifying stressors)
- Get more sleep (cultivate routines)
- Learn new skills/hobbies (prioritize growth and fun)
- Quit bad habits (smoking, drinking, screen time)
- Spend more time with family/friends (balance with self-care)
- Improve mental health (acknowledge personal limits)
- Advance career/education (go beyond the bare minimum)
Strategy:
- Make goals specific and trackable, not vague (“exercise more” vs. “walk 3 times a week”).
- Autumn: “If you just say, I’m going to exercise more, it’s so broad and vague. Instead, say, ‘I’m going to walk three days a week for 30 minutes.’” [48:44]
- Build momentum with small wins, use public accountability, and find approaches that fit your personality.
7. On Resolutions, Accountability & Self-Compassion
- Neither host makes formal New Year’s resolutions, preferring daily and weekly fresh starts.
- Publicly stating goals or sharing with a trusted friend can provide the crucial accountability for achievement.
- Autumn: “If you’re the person that constantly says you’re going to do something and then never does it… That’s going to be your reputation.” [62:46]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On crash diets:
- “Maybe don’t try any of those diets Donald mentioned. They all sound pretty awful.” – Autumn [63:34]
- “Everything else—we support you, boo!” – Donald [63:37]
-
On making change:
- “You can make small lifestyle choices and lose 50 pounds in a year. And a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, I want to lose more than 50 pounds in a year.’ But every year goes by and they don’t lose any weight.” – Donald [21:10]
- “We’re here to help. And you can always email us… Let us know, do you set resolutions? What are they? If you have any, can we be of assistance?” – Autumn [63:39]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:24] – Why resolutions fail & the myth of the overnight overhaul
- [02:20] – Japan’s Metabo law explained
- [06:52] – Cultural differences: prevention vs. freedom in health
- [14:00] – Personal impact of obesity: family stories
- [21:10] – All-or-nothing vs. incremental progress
- [29:52–47:56] – Crash/fad diet confessions, science, and laughs
- [48:07] – Top 10 resolutions and how to make them stick
- [62:46] – The power of accountability (and reputation)
Episode Tone
Conversational, candid, and compassionate—Autumn and Donald blend humor, humility, and heartfelt anecdotes to demystify wellness trends and offer listeners grounded, judgment-free encouragement on their health journeys.
Summary prepared for: Those seeking motivation, science, and sanity about New Year’s resolutions, fad diets, and real ways to make progress that doesn’t require cabbage soup or chardonnay for breakfast.