I think we have a misunderstanding in regard to the definiton of “simple”. Likely my fault for adding this aside:
(It also happens to be a pretty integral part of life—so it makes sense for people interested in “winning” and optimizing their rationality to have a solid understanding of how to maintain a top-flight diet.)
I’m not saying actually executing a good diet is easy. I’m saying understanding what needs to be done to lose weight is simple.
Consuming fewer calories is very challenging—it can lead to fatigue, mood changes, etc., etc. Likewise, exercising consistently is easier said than done.
Add to that that some people have slow metabolisms, the fat-shaming that overweight people deal with in many cultures, the availabity of superstimulus foods everywhere. Maintain a healthy weight isn’t easy.
But the fundamental causal mechanism at play is very simple.
But the fundamental causal mechanism at play is very simple.
Sure, calories in vs calories out… Except it is not helpful when you cannot effectively control one or both without reducing the real or perceived quality of life to the level where people refuse to exercise this control. This is where most diets eventually fail. And you seem to agree with that, while still maintaining that “understanding what needs to be done to lose weight is simple”, where it is anything but, since it includes understanding of the actual doable actions one has to perform and still enjoy life. And this all-important understanding is sorely lacking in a general case.
I think we have a misunderstanding in regard to the definiton of “simple”. Likely my fault for adding this aside:
I’m not saying actually executing a good diet is easy. I’m saying understanding what needs to be done to lose weight is simple.
Consuming fewer calories is very challenging—it can lead to fatigue, mood changes, etc., etc. Likewise, exercising consistently is easier said than done.
Add to that that some people have slow metabolisms, the fat-shaming that overweight people deal with in many cultures, the availabity of superstimulus foods everywhere. Maintain a healthy weight isn’t easy.
But the fundamental causal mechanism at play is very simple.
Sure, calories in vs calories out… Except it is not helpful when you cannot effectively control one or both without reducing the real or perceived quality of life to the level where people refuse to exercise this control. This is where most diets eventually fail. And you seem to agree with that, while still maintaining that “understanding what needs to be done to lose weight is simple”, where it is anything but, since it includes understanding of the actual doable actions one has to perform and still enjoy life. And this all-important understanding is sorely lacking in a general case.