First of all, I wish you the best of luck and to your wife as well. I hope she reaches her goals. Personally, I find satisfaction in not taking part. Simply not participating in anything "lifestyle industry" throws at me. When I want to know about the impact of diet on ones health I go through heaps of scientific studies. What I find is that the impact is overexaggerated. Not even close, not nearly as linear as today's "wisdom" want you to think.
I just wanted to throw a spark your way and see if it catches on. I think first step towards being satisfied and at peace (not happy, I don't care much for happy), is to stop taking advice from the industry that thrives on people not being satisfied. Just flick that "I don't care about how you think I should live/eat" switch and move on. Gaining weight? - cut intake and increase activity, losing weight? - increase intake. Always eat as diverse as possible. Always combine those "pure joy" foods with those very healthy ones.
I feel guilty throwing my health at people's faces, but I have no problems. I just stay active (no gym, though). White sugar, red meat, white flour, wine, whiskey, cakes, all those killers
Blood test sees me 15 years younger.
It's just moderation on my part. A day will go by when I eat nothing but a big salad (turkey breast, greek cheese, few fusili and all types of letuce, peppers, cucumbers, green onions and so on), but when I want to eat nothing but an enormous mortadela sandwich I always have a small bowl of olives, artichokes, chilli peppers and such aside, so it's always improved.
That's why when I have a "steak urge" I devastate a two pound stake and sleep peacfully.
I cook everything from scratch, but that's why when I want to go to KFC I take a bucket for two and stuff myself silly. No guilt.