How I lost 70 lbs. in one year.

[Silent3]

121. I've lost 60 pounds in 8 months without any fanatical purism or total elimination

I still eat potatoes and white rice and white bread, just less of them, fewer calories in general, and whole grains more often.

I drink plenty of fluids, but quite often in the form of iced tea or flavored seltzer water (no sugar or artificial sweeteners -- the kind with just a touch of fruit flavor), and less often, but hardly rarely, diet cola.

I certainly eat some "junk", it's just not a big part of my diet, more of an occasional treat. I had half a slice of French Silk pie last night. I ate a McRib last week. But I also consume a lot more of the calories I do consume in the form of fresh vegetables, some fruit, yogurt, lean meats, and some cheeses.

Since I don't have the physical limitations you have to cope with, I do exercise a lot. I speed-walked 31 miles last week, plus two 45-minutes elliptical rider sessions, and did some weight work (not enough last week) and stretching.

My last physical in October showed I was in excellent condition for 50. My cholesterol was down from 190 before I started all of my diet and exercise to 133, tryglycerides were at a very healthy low level (they had been a little high before), and all of the other numbers like blood sugar were great. (OK, one number out of 40 or so numbers, for chloride, was a tiny bit high, but the doctor didn't consider it a matter of concern.)

Maybe your difficulties in performing exercise mean that a stricter diet is more important for you. It's not a bad idea to stick with whatever works for you so long as your overall health improves. I don't think what you're suggesting is good general advice, however.

Many people may have success by totally eliminating X their diets, and eating/drinking a lot of Y, and/or performing trick Z, but I think that turns out to be more a matter of useful head games to give people a psychological focus for their diets than proof that X is practically poison, Y is the food/beverage of the gods, and Z is the Secret of Life.