Recipe to losing weight | Anna Verhulst | TEDxMaastricht

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Anna Verhulst (23) is a fifth year medical student at Maastricht University, doing her internship in Eindhoven. She has a particular interest in the fields of oncology and sports medicine, but isn’t quite sure yet what kind of doctor she wants to become when she graduates in 2016.


On stage at TEDx Maastricht 2014, Anna will share a story that she has purposely kept silent for a long time. It is a story that has nothing to do with her work as a medical student, researcher or writer. It is her personal story, for which she has finally worked up the courage to share it with the public.


About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[MiaJohnson-xm]

The fact that nobody talks about the book Woman’s weight loss secrets: the unspoken truth, speaks volumes about how people are stuck in a trance

[Julia-vcby]

When she said, "To me, I still look like that" it really hit close to home. One of the major reasons I gained weight when I was younger was because I assumed I was bigger than I was, and so I was unable to recognise when I gained weight. This talk was so inspirational.

[wanderer_eri]

I love this talk. The title might me misleading but that's because we were taught for so long that losing weight is all about changing habits, eating less, and other 'simple' recipes that people always love to talk about.
The truth about it, is that losing weight is a challenge within oneself. Whether you talk about physically or emotionally a lot of us struggle in fighting our own battles. This talk taught me that comparing your recipes with others is not the right way to do it. You have to listen to your body and seek what is the right approach to do in order to lose weight. I am currently working on my work-out habits, and it is the best decision that taking everything slow in working out made me learn to love exercise and not despise it because I am pushing myself too much.
If you are struggling now and came upon on my comment, try to change things, and focus on your own pace rather than rushing yourself too much.

[melisaogundare]

From these comments I can conclude that only those that have struggled first hand with self acceptance can truly appreciate the sincerity and insightful nature of this talk.

[rachr]

This talk is everything. That ladies and gentlemen is body dismorphia, which normally comes with an eating disorder. The fact that she had the courage to say it out loud... I am there too, getting over my ed and this talk made my day. I am so tired of the stereotypes behind eds, and she is just perfect to represent what most of us, overcoming an ed look and feel like. Thank you very much for this talk!!!

[fantasia]

I wish more people would talk about the physiological aspects of losing weight and how to combat fear after the weight loss. Great talk Anna Verhulst.

[controlschemekeaton]

I was absolutely blown away when she revealed that was her. What a powerful message.

[toddmitchell]

This was a very moving talk. She doesn't give you the recipe to lose weight necessarily, but really gives one something to think about and a little insight into her thoughts after her journey. I was impressed and moved by her sharing. I will be sharing this video with others. Thank You!

[hplovecraftmacncheese]

The reason people fail is all the misinformation out there, most notably: "It's simple. Just eat less than you burn." That's like saying, if you want to climb Mt. Everest, it's simple - just keep going up until you get to the top. It's not simple. People severely underestimate how much of a task it is to force your body to do what it doesn't want to do - release its stored energy.

[user_bilal]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. If you're reading this Anna Verhulst, thank you for mustering up the courage to share your story.

[thewildybeast]

I lost 70kg a couple of years before lockdown. Unfortunately during lockdown I did put the weight back on. When I lost the weight people asked me how I did it. I told them, “Everyone will tell you what you should do and guess what? Yes, we all know what we should do. The most important thing about loosing weight is to do with being in the right frame of mind. If you’re not, then you will never successfully lose weight “.

[tarabrown]

For those of you who don’t want to watch, all she says is to conquer your fear and find a recipe to losing weight that works for you, pretty much standard stuff if you ask me. I don’t get these Ted talks sometimes.

[laurahow]

Oh thank-you Anna - this video has brought much comfort and hope to me. Having struggled with binge-eating disorder and the physical and psychological consequences, I know many of the struggles around weight, and I am grateful to you for sharing your story. You leave me inspired and hopeful.

[abeer]

unless you went through the struggle you won't get what this lady is trying to say a very deep and sincere message

[StormyG]

I think it's wonderful that Anna Verhulst shared her story! My weight has been something I have been struggling with for years. I am just now working on developing as she called it my own "personal recipe" for my weight loss. My most recent "recipe" was to record a personal self motivating message that I will play when tempted to eat bad foods! 

[kaboozle]

Wat een openbaring! Je talk heeft me een nieuw perspectief op m'n eigen leven gegeven, niet alleen op m'n overgewicht. Ik complimenteer je met je moed én de inhoud van je verhaal. En, als het helpt: het eerste wat ik dacht toen ik je op het podium zag was "wat een leuke vrouw!"...

[James]

The point is losing weight isn't simple. It's not a simple recipe you can follow, it involves emotions, fears, courage, and understanding of oneself. Weight loss is complex, and you need to create your own recipe so that not only will you look good, but feel good in your body.

[Fluffytigerb]

This woman spoke volumes to me. I was very large throughout school and while I disliked it I always assumed it was just the way I was. I ended up visiting some athletic relatives over the summer and joined them in their active lifestyle while there. During that visit I dropped 10 pounds, that didn't put me anywhere near a healthy weight but it helped me see that I could lose weight if I was willing to stop making excuses and start living healthy. Within a year I dropped 60+ pounds and went from 200 to 136 (I'm only 5'2"). Despite this every time I look in the mirror I hate myself, every time I go out to eat I don't feel like I deserve the food, I still see the 200 pound person I was and can't not see it. It's even worse when you don't pay attention and you walk by a mirror and see yourself in the corner of your eye and you see that you are thin but the longer you look the bigger you seem to get just standing there. It's harder to deal with that than it was to lose the weight and keep it off.

[mariaazzara]

I found this talk very emotional and inspiring. Thank Anna for sharing your experience with us. It will be precious for a lot of people.

[blainelittleford]

Incredible explanation, the things I've thought since I dropped all my weight and continue to conquer the battle was just organized in this talk.