Written by Jenn Hand, Holistic Nutritionist, Board Certified Health Coach, NBC-HWC
Breaking Stereotypes: Aaron Westby and his Journey to Food Freedom
When we think about struggles with food and body image, the conversation often centers on women.
While it’s true that many women face these challenges, there’s a narrative we’re missing: men experience their own battles with food, body image, and weight. Aaron Westby’s journey is a testament to this often-overlooked truth.
The Reality of Men and Food Struggles
Society tends to associate food struggles with women, perpetuating the stereotype that men are immune to issues like emotional eating, weight struggles, or unhealthy relationships with food.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Men, just like women, can feel the pressures of societal expectations. They can battle feelings of inadequacy when they look in the mirror, wrestle with diets that promise quick fixes, or feel defeated when the scale doesn’t move. Aaron Westby and his story sheds light on these challenges, showing us that men, too, can transform their relationship with food and their bodies.
Aaron Westby’s Story
Aaron Westby never experienced binge eating or extreme emotional eating episodes.
But for years, he struggled with his weight. Like many men, he fell into the cycle of yo-yo dieting—trying every fad diet under the sun, only to find that the results never stuck.
“I’d lose 10 pounds, gain back 15, and feel like I was failing all over again,” Aaron shares. “It wasn’t just about the weight; it was about feeling trapped in a cycle where it seemed like no matter what I did, I’d be caught in the same frustrating cycle.”
Aaron says, “I tried many diets over the years–some very extreme and others mildly restrictive. I struggled with the face that nothing ever seemed to click for me. It was almost liked I would look at ice cream and gain weight!”
Finding Balance and Building a Healthy Relationship
Aaron Westby said his turning point came when he stopped chasing quick fixes and started focusing on sustainable habits.
He realized that his relationship with food wasn’t just about weight loss; it was about learning to nourish his body and mind in a way that felt supportive and kind.
Here are the steps Aaron took to find balance:
1 – Shifted his mindset
Instead of seeing food as the enemy, Aaron began viewing it as fuel. He let go of restrictive rules and learned to listen to his body’s hunger and fullness cues.
2 – Learned what worked for his body
Aaron experimented with different foods, paying attention to what left him feeling energized and satisfied. He discovered that small, consistent changes—like adding more veggies to meals or drinking more water—made a big difference. He focused not on passing fads, but an overall healthy lifestyle.
3 – Focused on health, not weight loss
Constantly focusing on weight loss reinforces a restrictive mindset and keeps us trapped in cycles of obsession.
The more we obsess over losing weight, the more our minds want to follow food rules and control what we eat. This always backfires! Instead, see if you can shift your focus to
4 – Let go of perfection
Instead of striving for a “perfect” body or diet, Aaron learned to embrace progress over perfection. “I stopped beating myself up over one meal or one day,” he says. “I started looking at the bigger picture.
A New Chapter for Aaron Westby
Today, Aaron Westby has built a relationship with food that feels balanced and empowering.
He enjoys meals without guilt, moves his body in ways that feel good, and has made peace with the ups and downs of his journey.
“I used to think I had to be perfect to succeed,” Aaron reflects. “Now, I know that success is about consistency, self-compassion, and showing up for myself every day.”
Men and Food: Opening the Conversation
Aaron’s story is a reminder that struggles with food and weight are not limited to one gender.
His journey highlights the importance of speaking up and seeking support, no matter who you are. By sharing his experience, Aaron hopes to inspire others to explore their own paths and find balance in a way that feels true to them.
It’s worth noting that body image concerns among men can also include muscularity-oriented issues. A study found that many men feel the pressure to achieve a more muscular physique, which can impact their relationship with food and body image. This underscores the importance of recognizing that men’s experiences with food and body image are diverse and complex. Read more about the impact of muscularity-oriented body image concerns here.
If Aaron’s story resonates with you, know that you’re not alone. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or somewhere in the middle, remember: balance is possible, and your story matters, too.
