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
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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.