What’s the key to losing weight? TheBlaze’s E-i-C Scott Baker has some advice

July 09, 2015

WRITER

Alasdair Wilkins chronicled his amazing personal transformation in "I lost 100 pounds in a year. My 'weight loss secret' is really dumb", and the story has gone viral. But rather than celebrate this personal achievement, Wilkins spends a good chunk of the story emphasizing the societal and environmental factors behind obesity, not the personal choice and action behind gaining and losing weight. What's the real message people need to be taking away from the story? Stu was joined by TheBlaze Editor-in-Chief Scott Baker to discuss the story on Wednesday's TV show.

While you can (and should) scroll past the video for a transcript of the full analysis of the article, Scott made some really important points about what it takes to lose make a huge life change and get your weight under control.

"I’m a certified CrossFit level one trainer, so I can speak with real authority on these things," Scott said. "I always say look, the best workout program for you is the one you’re actually going to do, and for this one, it was the guy walking on the treadmill. For somebody else, it might be yoga. For somebody else, it might be throwing heavy barbells around."

"We all, kind of using Glenn’s words, kind of have to hit a pivot point. Whatever change you’re trying to make in your life, this guy clearly hit a pivot point, and the biggest question is what’s going to help you make that decision? That’s true for all of us, whether we’re making a big change in our lives or a small one," Scott said.

Stu: Allow me to rant angrily about a seemingly innocuous topic for just a moment. A story caught my eye yesterday—“I lost 100 pounds in a year. My ‘weight loss secret’ is really dumb.” Catchy, so I bit. It’s also because I’m a little bit overweight, so I bit. I bite a lot, too much.

Guy’s name is Alasdair Wilkins. What’s his big secret to weight loss? “Just so we’re completely clear about how unqualified I am to tell people how to lose weight, I’ll run down how I lost that 100 pounds. Basically, I just went to the gym, and I walked. On a treadmill, uphill, at a brisk pace, for about an hour every day—and I do mean every day—from July to April. That’s more or less it!”

It’s the classic inspirational success story. So many people will look at this guy and say wow, I don’t need all the gimmicks, I don’t need all the pills, I can just start exercising and make this happen. This guy did it; so can I.

The only problem is you can’t do it, at least not according to Mr. Wilkins apparently. See, he was able to do it, but as we learn from reading the rest of the article, he’s a progressive who believes you can’t do it, much in the same way Michael Moore gets rich in America and says you can’t do it because the system is stacked against you.

This article highlights the fundamental flaw in the progressive ideology—I can do it, but you can’t. Therefore, the government does must do it for you. Mr. Wilkins made a list of things that he’s learned from losing weight. I love this one, number three, obesity is a societal and environmental problem, not an individual one. Wait, you just said all you did was walk, and all you did was lose 100 pounds. Only a progressive could just up one day and lose 100 pounds and then turn around and claim that society is keeping everyone else down.

He says “the obesity epidemic doesn’t exist because more than 200 million individual people lack willpower, or love food too much, or are too lazy to exercise, or whatever other crap is routinely trotted out to explain why any one person is fat.”

What? You literally just stopped being lazy. You went to the gym every day. How is that not directly related to lack of willpower, overeating, and inactivity? How is that crap? It’s exactly what happened to you.

If society was really the problem and it wasn’t an individual thing, guess what, Mr. Wilkins, you’d still be a fat tub of lard like me, because society hasn’t changed at all through that time period, yet you managed to change all on your own. Isn’t that kind of egotistical? I mean, isn’t that egotistical of you to think that you and only you can figure out how to lose weight in this horrible society? Come on.

He argues the real culprit causing fat America includes “easy access to lots of cheap but generally unhealthy food, the shift toward more sedentary lifestyles, a collective decline in leisure time…” because leisure time is so good for weight loss, “…and disposable income that leaves far fewer opportunities for people to find ways to eat properly or remain active…” and, of course, “…a whole bunch more.”

Scott Baker of TheBlaze joins us now. Scott, am I nuts or does this story frustrate you as much as it frustrated me?

Scott: Well, I will assume that I’m as frustrated as you, even though my Skype cut off, and I didn’t hear your brilliant and funny monologue. I apologize if I make any of the same points that you already made. We want to applaud this guy for losing 100 pounds, but look, just man up and say you did it yourself; it’s not society’s fault.

Stu: Yeah, I mean, here’s a guy trying to, I guess, give his ideology a pass when this is a real story of individual achievement. Here’s a guy who changed his life on his own. He didn’t need the government to do it for him. He didn’t even need a treadmill. He could’ve walked outside. He didn’t need anything except himself, and yet here he is with a litany of complaints about society.

Scott: Look, I think we do have to say that among the stories of formerly very heavy guys who have lost like 100 pounds, this guy is having a much better week than Jared, okay?

Stu: Very good point.

Scott: And I don’t know what was—I read his whole story. He’s very honest about losing the weight, but he also revealed that at age 26, never been kissed. I’m not sure what was exactly the more embarrassing part, right?

Stu: I suppose that’s true. The complaint, we have this a lot. Michael Moore says I’m rich, but you can’t get rich, you can’t do it, because society is stacked against you. Barack Obama says hey, look, society is stacked against people because of racism, yet here I am, the first black president. I feel like there’s that idea within progressivism. It’s a fundamental flaw with the theology or ideology which just kind of makes it so there’s always an excuse. There’s always something built in because you have to be dependent on government. You can’t do it without us. I feel like that’s the thing that just infuriates me about this. Here’s a guy with a great story, and yet this is the only point he can make out of it.

Scott: Remember, I’m a certified CrossFit level one trainer, so I can speak with real authority on these things. I always say look, the best workout program for you is the one you’re actually going to do, and for this one, it was the guy walking on the treadmill. For somebody else, it might be yoga. For somebody else, it might be throwing heavy barbells around. We all, kind of using Glenn’s words, kind of have to hit a pivot point. Whatever change you’re trying to make in your life, this guy clearly hit a pivot point, and the biggest question is what’s going to help you make that decision? That’s true for all of us, whether we’re making a big change in our lives or a small one.

Stu: Real quick, we’ve got about 30 seconds. The CrossFit thing, that was started by a libertarian, right? It’s about doing this stuff on your own, working hard. You have a group around you, but working your ass off to make something happen for yourself.

Scott: No, that’s absolutely it. He is a libertarian. I think we should probably get him on Glenn’s show at some point here. I think they’d probably have a great discussion. You can, everybody can change their life at any point in their life. You’ve just got to stick with it. It’s been five years since I’ve had a bowl of cereal.

Stu: Wow, it’s been like five minutes for me. That’s a little different, but Scott Baker from TheBlaze, thanks so much for coming on, man. I appreciate it.

Scott: Thanks, Stu.

Are Gen Z's socialist sympathies a threat to America's future?

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In a republic forged on the anvil of liberty and self-reliance, where generations have fought to preserve free markets against the siren song of tyranny, Gen Z's alarming embrace of socialism amid housing crises and economic despair has sparked urgent alarm. But in a recent poll, Glenn asked the tough questions: Where do Gen Z's socialist sympathies come from—and what does it mean for America's future? Glenn asked, and you answered—hundreds weighed in on this volatile mix of youthful frustration and ideological peril.

The results paint a stark picture of distrust in the system. A whopping 79% of you affirm that Gen Z's socialist sympathies stem from real economic gripes, like sky-high housing costs and a rigged game tilted toward the elite and corporations—defying the argument that it's just youthful naivety. Even more telling, 97% believe this trend arises from a glaring educational void on socialism's bloody historical track record, where failed regimes have crushed freedoms under the boot of big government. And 97% see these poll findings as a harbinger of deepening generational rifts, potentially fueling political chaos and authoritarian overreach if left unchecked.

Your verdict underscores a moral imperative: America's soul hangs on reclaiming timeless values like self-reliance and liberty. This feedback amplifies your concerns, sending a clear message to the powers that be.

Want to make your voice heard? Check out more polls HERE.

Without civic action, America faces collapse

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Every vote, jury duty, and act of engagement is civics in action, not theory. The republic survives only when citizens embrace responsibility.

I slept through high school civics class. I memorized the three branches of government, promptly forgot them, and never thought of that word again. Civics seemed abstract, disconnected from real life. And yet, it is critical to maintaining our republic.

Civics is not a class. It is a responsibility. A set of habits, disciplines, and values that make a country possible. Without it, no country survives.

We assume America will survive automatically, but every generation must learn to carry the weight of freedom.

Civics happens every time you speak freely, worship openly, question your government, serve on a jury, or cast a ballot. It’s not a theory or just another entry in a textbook. It’s action — the acts we perform every day to be a positive force in society.

Many of us recoil at “civic responsibility.” “I pay my taxes. I follow the law. I do my civic duty.” That’s not civics. That’s a scam, in my opinion.

Taking up the torch

The founders knew a republic could never run on autopilot. And yet, that’s exactly what we do now. We assume it will work, then complain when it doesn’t. Meanwhile, the people steering the country are driving it straight into a mountain — and they know it.

Our founders gave us tools: separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, elections. But they also warned us: It won’t work unless we are educated, engaged, and moral.

Are we educated, engaged, and moral? Most Americans cannot even define a republic, never mind “keep one,” as Benjamin Franklin urged us to do after the Constitutional Convention.

We fought and died for the republic. Gaining it was the easy part. Keeping it is hard. And keeping it is done through civics.

Start small and local

In our homes, civics means teaching our children the Constitution, our history, and that liberty is not license — it is the space to do what is right. In our communities, civics means volunteering, showing up, knowing your sheriff, attending school board meetings, and understanding the laws you live under. When necessary, it means challenging them.

How involved are you in your local community? Most people would admit: not really.

Civics is learned in practice. And it starts small. Be honest in your business dealings. Speak respectfully in disagreement. Vote in every election, not just the presidential ones. Model citizenship for your children. Liberty is passed down by teaching and example.

Samuel Corum / Stringer | Getty Images

We assume America will survive automatically, but every generation must learn to carry the weight of freedom.

Start with yourself. Study the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and state laws. Study, act, serve, question, and teach. Only then can we hope to save the republic. The next election will not fix us. The nation will rise or fall based on how each of us lives civics every day.

Civics isn’t a class. It’s the way we protect freedom, empower our communities, and pass down liberty to the next generation.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

'Rage against the dying of the light': Charlie Kirk lived that mandate

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Kirk’s tragic death challenges us to rise above fear and anger, to rebuild bridges where others build walls, and to fight for the America he believed in.

I’ve only felt this weight once before. It was 2001, just as my radio show was about to begin. The World Trade Center fell, and I was called to speak immediately. I spent the day and night by my bedside, praying for words that could meet the moment.

Yesterday, I found myself in the same position. September 11, 2025. The assassination of Charlie Kirk. A friend. A warrior for truth.

Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins.

Moments like this make words feel inadequate. Yet sometimes, words from another time speak directly to our own. In 1947, Dylan Thomas, watching his father slip toward death, penned lines that now resonate far beyond his own grief:

Do not go gentle into that good night. / Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Thomas was pleading for his father to resist the impending darkness of death. But those words have become a mandate for all of us: Do not surrender. Do not bow to shadows. Even when the battle feels unwinnable.

Charlie Kirk lived that mandate. He knew the cost of speaking unpopular truths. He knew the fury of those who sought to silence him. And yet he pressed on. In his life, he embodied a defiance rooted not in anger, but in principle.

Picking up his torch

Washington, Jefferson, Adams — our history was started by men who raged against an empire, knowing the gallows might await. Lincoln raged against slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. raged against segregation. Every generation faces a call to resist surrender.

It is our turn. Charlie’s violent death feels like a knockout punch. Yet if his life meant anything, it means this: Silence in the face of darkness is not an option.

He did not go gently. He spoke. He challenged. He stood. And now, the mantle falls to us. To me. To you. To every American.

We cannot drift into the shadows. We cannot sit quietly while freedom fades. This is our moment to rage — not with hatred, not with vengeance, but with courage. Rage against lies, against apathy, against the despair that tells us to do nothing. Because there is always something you can do.

Even small acts — defiance, faith, kindness — are light in the darkness. Reaching out to those who mourn. Speaking truth in a world drowning in deceit. These are the flames that hold back the night. Charlie carried that torch. He laid it down yesterday. It is ours to pick up.

The light may dim, but it always does before dawn. Commit today: I will not sleep as freedom fades. I will not retreat as darkness encroaches. I will not be silent as evil forces claim dominion. I have no king but Christ. And I know whom I serve, as did Charlie.

Two turning points, decades apart

On Wednesday, the world changed again. Two tragedies, separated by decades, bound by the same question: Who are we? Is this worth saving? What kind of people will we choose to be?

Imagine a world where more of us choose to be peacemakers. Not passive, not silent, but builders of bridges where others erect walls. Respect and listening transform even the bitterest of foes. Charlie Kirk embodied this principle.

He did not strike the weak; he challenged the powerful. He reached across divides of politics, culture, and faith. He changed hearts. He sparked healing. And healing is what our nation needs.

At the center of all this is one truth: Every person is a child of God, deserving of dignity. Change will not happen in Washington or on social media. It begins at home, where loneliness and isolation threaten our souls. Family is the antidote. Imperfect, yes — but still the strongest source of stability and meaning.

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Forgiveness, fidelity, faithfulness, and honor are not dusty words. They are the foundation of civilization. Strong families produce strong citizens. And today, Charlie’s family mourns. They must become our family too. We must stand as guardians of his legacy, shining examples of the courage he lived by.

A time for courage

I knew Charlie. I know how he would want us to respond: Multiply his courage. Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins. Out of darkness, great and glorious things will sprout — but we must be worthy of them.

Charlie Kirk lived defiantly. He stood in truth. He changed the world. And now, his torch is in our hands. Rage, not in violence, but in unwavering pursuit of truth and goodness. Rage against the dying of the light.

This article originally appeared on TheBlaze.com.

Glenn Beck resurrects the 9-12 Project to support Charlie Kirk's family

Glenn Beck is once again calling on his loyal listeners and viewers to come together and channel the same unity and purpose that defined the historic 9-12 Project. That movement, born in the wake of national challenges, brought millions together to revive core values of faith, hope, and charity.

Glenn created the original 9-12 Project in early 2009 to bring Americans back to where they were in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. In those moments, we weren't Democrats and Republicans, conservative or liberal, Red States or Blue States, we were united as one, as America. The original 9-12 Project aimed to root America back in the founding principles of this country that united us during those darkest of days.

This new initiative draws directly from that legacy, focusing on supporting the family of Charlie Kirk in these dark days following his tragic murder.

The revival of the 9-12 Project aims to secure the long-term well-being of Charlie Kirk's wife and children. All donations will go straight to meeting their immediate and future needs. If the family deems the funds surplus to their requirements, Charlie's wife has the option to redirect them toward the vital work of Turning Point USA.

This campaign is more than just financial support—it's a profound gesture of appreciation for Kirk's tireless dedication to the cause of liberty. It embodies the unbreakable bond of our community, proving that when we stand united, we can make a real difference.
Glenn Beck invites you to join this effort. Show your solidarity by donating today and honoring Charlie Kirk and his family in this meaningful way.

You can learn more about the 9-12 Project and donate HERE

Glenn's Show Prep

What’s the key to losing weight? TheBlaze’s E-i-C Scott Baker has some advice

Are Gen Z's socialist sympathies a threat to America's future?

Without civic action, America faces collapse

Every vote, jury duty, and act of engagement is civics in action, not theory. The republic survives only when citizens embrace responsibility.

We assume America will survive automatically, but every generation must learn to carry the weight of freedom.

Taking up the torch

Start small and local

'Rage against the dying of the light': Charlie Kirk lived that mandate

Kirk’s tragic death challenges us to rise above fear and anger, to rebuild bridges where others build walls, and to fight for the America he believed in.

Out of this tragedy, the tyrant dies, but the martyr’s influence begins.

Picking up his torch

Two turning points, decades apart

A time for courage

Glenn Beck resurrects the 9-12 Project to support Charlie Kirk's family