After a sedentary recovery from surgery, I was classified as “overweight” according to the US CDC BMI index. I wanted to lose about 20 lbs, and had tried trendy diets in the past, but always struggled with maintaining them, whether out of boredom or inconvenience.

I went with these basic tenants:

Establish rules around alcohol intake - I would often have a glass of wine during the week with a meal, but now limit myself to drinking on the weekends, and mostly socially.

Replace soda with water - this turned out to be much easier than anticipated. I carry a refillable water bottle and track water consumption with an app on my phone. I target 76oz of water a day, and often hit my mark. Sparkling water, and the myriad of market choices, has really helped here.

Choose less processed foods - I cook dinner for the family a minimum of three nights a week and rarely eat processed snacks, but instead reach for a piece of fruit.

Start a regular exercise routine - I’ve taken to cycling and routinely log 50 miles a week. While I personally feel this has been a huge boon in my success in shedding pounds, regular cardio exercise has been immensely fulfilling for both hormone regulation and personal achievement. Start slow, establish a routine, and track all the data you can.

I tried a diet of just fruits and vegetables for a few weeks. Didn’t work for me. What worked for me is everything in moderation, and much less sugar.

Most definitely. Low methionine, low protein diet. Not only weight loss, but reduces inflammation and the conditions of aging.