"Why am I not losing weight? I'm eating burgers and pizza just like you, Joe, but my pants don't fit anymore. What gives?"

I've had a lot of conversations with people about health, fitness and weight loss, and that question comes up all the time. In the past year I've probably eaten over 100 burgers and 100 pizzas for reviews. So how did I lose weight?

It's what you eat when the camera is off

The key component is what I eat the rest of the time: whole foods. Almost every meal is built around vegetables, fruits and lean proteins like:

• Chicken breast
• Salmon and tuna
• Extra lean ground beef, ground chicken and ground turkey
• And yes, vegetables, which have more protein than people think

The "healthy" sandwich trap

People tell me they're eating healthy and still can't lose weight. Then I ask what they're having for lunch. "A turkey sandwich." With what? "Lettuce and tomato." On what bread? "White bread." And? "Slathered in mayonnaise." That's not the healthy meal you think it is.

The 14-slice week

This past week I had the most pizza I've eaten in a single week since starting Health Happenings, about 14 slices between reviews and pizza at home. Watch the video to see what the scale did. When the rest of your diet is on point and built on whole foods, there's room for the things you love.

Wherever you are on your journey, come share your foods and exercises in the Health Happenings group on Facebook.

Joe is not a doctor or a dietitian. This is his personal journey. Talk to your healthcare provider before making big changes to your diet or exercise.