It's not that simple. You can still eat more of those than your body needs to fuel itself for the day, and then what? Plus, denying your desires completely is the best way to fall hard off the wagon. Like most things in life, it's about the balance. One bad day is recoverable, quitting entirely is not.

> You can still eat more of those than your body needs to fuel itself for the day

Have you ever tried that? Protein and Fat trigger the release of leptin[0]. Unless you're also eating a lot of fructose[1] with your meat, most people feel like they just can't eat anymore long before they get to the point where they would be eating considerably more energy than their body needs.

I know this from experience. Common wisdom in bodybuilding circles is to get 1g of protein per lean pound of muscle. For me, that's about 140g of protein a day. I find that number almost impossible to hit without the aid of protein powders, from an appetite perspective alone.

[0]: the hormone that tells your brain you're full. [1]: a side effect of processing fructose is the suppression of leptin production.

> Have you ever tried that? Protein and Fat trigger the release of leptin[0]. Unless you're also eating a lot of fructose[1] with your meat, most people feel like they just can't eat anymore

that's what happens to me

when it's proteins and vegetables, I find it just stays with me for 6 hours or 8 until I need it; otherwise just passes through. Carbs are too easy to jidest* and don't get that chance, nor do they carry any vitamins/minerals/nutrients worth picking out along the way.

in conclusion, I am amazing at life, and I need another beer

> 140g of protein

you, sir, are also amazing at life. I only need about 60. Envy your deity status.

jidest ?

with a username like yours, I would I think you would understand

You know, from experience, that this is the way it works for everyone? :p

The beautiful part about this particular topic is the ease with which it can be verified or debunked. Try it for yourself and report back!

Yes, clearly my adding one more data point would be conclusive about how it works for everyone.

> denying your desires completely

who said anything about completely? I just said to get them under control. False dichotomy.

> get your desires under control

this is by far the hardest part. anyone can do it for a few days, even a couple weeks. but for significant weight loss (20 lbs or more) you need to be consistent for months, and that, imo, is the essential reason that so few people succeed.

The problem is people tend to think they just need to try hard for a few months, then "I can go back to normal." But if "normal" is what made you overweight in the first place...

The only way to maintain a healthy weight, is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Forever.

maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn't a chore, it's a symptom of a driven individual's mastery of all tools available at their disposal

(not that you said it was)

It certainly isn't a chore once you're "in the flow of things," but transitioning is hard. It means making _major_ lifestyle changes, and often includes restructuring relationships around you (you may need to get a new set of friends, and potentially even a new partner).

it's a symptom of a successful life, but having it does not mean one has a successful life

> Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you

that's what worked for me.

> get your desires under control

OK... got any specific tips for that part? Because you've done the diet equivalent of saying "just go really fast" when describing how to get into orbit.

It's different for everyone, because everyone is different. I'm not trying to be cute. Somehow, you need to find that in yourself. That spark can come from anywhere though.

We (tech people) live such sedentary lifestyles that I'd suggest just a direct command of 1. WORK OUT (at least 20minutes of raised heartbeat each day) and 2. EAT WELL (whole foods/balanced/non-processed diet)... Are you doing this now? Well, get off your lazy ASS and BIG BELLY and JUST DO IT! :)

You're totally right that everyone is different and there's no One True Solution here. Which, I guess, is kind of what I was trying to point out.

I think your 1 and 2 are excellent bits of advice, even if convincing yourself to maintain them in the long term can be tough.

Interesting analogy...both problems involve large bodies. :)

start with what Jesus said. 'Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.'

I'm afraid that's even worse. I have a much harder time willing myself into believing in Yahweh than I have willing myself into not eating that extra slice of cake.

sorry to hear that. both work great for me

Different ability to exert willpower is part of natural human variation. Don't assume your personal experience makes for an accurate baseline.

However, I would not count being able to will yourself into believing things as a good thing!

keep telling yourself that. Powerful people take responsibility. Chapter 7.

Take responsibility for what?

For what I eat? Sure.

For failing to think that the myths of a certain group of Levantine tribes are not literal truth? That's not the sort of thing one needs to or even can "take responsibility" for.

Well, it's not always 'getting your desires under control'. If your insulin level is low (not critically, but lower than average), your fighting with a desire to eat something sweet will end in a sweet-eating attack. Knowledge is a bit more correct answer there. If you know what and why happens in your organism, it's easier to regulate the processes.

insulin level being low is just another symptom, like thirst, of being out of balance. Once you get the desire under control and your lardass eating the right foods, all that balances out. Research all the diabetics that dropped carbs and with it, their insulin shots.