Maintaining weight loss in midlife doesn’t necessarily require strict dietary bans or extreme fasting protocols.
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Maintaining → maintain → bans
Carl Daikeler, co-founder and CEO of the fitness and nutrition company BODi, says a simple routine earlier in the day has helped him manage his weight while allowing more freedom at dinner.
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him → say → dinner
Los Angeles-based Daikeler, 63, who has led the health brand formerly known as Beachbody for 28 years, openly admits that he doesn't have an affinity for healthy foods.
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he → base → foods
"I eat like a third-grader, okay?
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I → eat → grader
Pizza's a food group," Daikeler joked in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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Daikeler → joke → Digital
"I'm just constantly trying to figure out how can I hack my way without having to overturn my life to become one of those diehard health and fitness people, because I'm never going to become that.
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I → try → people
"
When Daikeler turned 57, he found himself unable to lose 15 pounds he had gained around his waistline.
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he → turn → waistline
Rather than adopting a strict diet, he adjusted two specific meals during the day while leaving his evening schedule unrestricted, he shared.
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he → adopt → schedule
For breakfast, Daikeler replaced standard options with a nutrient-dense shake containing protein, fiber, prebiotics, probiotics and greens, totaling roughly 250 calories.
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Daikeler → replace → calories
"I got rid of breakfast, or I changed my breakfast to this shake that we've got called Shakeology," Daikeler said.
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Daikeler → rid → that
"I put some spinach in there and I put a banana in there."
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I → put → banana
For lunch, Daikeler prepares a large salad loaded with baby spinach, carrots and chicken, mixed with toppings that mask the taste of the greens.
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that → prepare → greens
"I hide it with some cheese, some nuts, some sliced strawberries, and it's delicious, and I put chicken in there ...
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I → hide → chicken
I don't feel like I'm eating a bowl of vegetables, but I am."
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I → feel → vegetables
By keeping breakfast and lunch relatively structured, Daikeler gives himself more flexibility at dinner.
"Now I've got a 'day pass' for everything else ...
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I → keep → everything
I eat whatever I want at dinner."
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I → eat → dinner
He does, however, follow a single guideline regarding alcohol intake.
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He → follow → intake
"I'm careful not to drink too much," he said.
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he → drink → much
"Now I've got a 'day pass' for everything else ...
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I → get → everything
I eat whatever I want at dinner."
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I → eat → dinner
"Once I did that — Shakeology for breakfast, a big salad for lunch, total freedom for dinner, limited alcohol — the 15 pounds just got wiped out.
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pounds → do → dinner
And it stayed off."
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it → stay → ?
Daikeler warns that overly restrictive nutrition plans are usually difficult to stick with long-term, leading many to abandon their health goals entirely.
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plans → warn → goals
"If you're trying to be too restrictive, I don't think that's life," he said.
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he → try → ?
So if it's too restrictive, it's going to break."
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it → go → ?
Instead of completely banning indulgence foods, Daikeler recommends using portion control and mindfulness to enjoy without overeating.
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Daikeler → ban → control
"I love pizza.
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I → love → pizza
But I've learned that I can enjoy pizza without eating the whole pizza," he said.
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he → learn → pizza
"I like doughnuts.
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I → like → doughnuts
I've learned that I can have literally a quarter of a doughnut and be like, that was delicious.
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that → learn → doughnut
But I get no additional satisfaction by eating the whole doughnut.
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I → get → doughnut
For Daikeler, that balance is part of a broader focus on "healthspan" — prioritizing quality of life and the ability to stay active as he ages.
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he → prioritize → life
"Healthspan versus lifespan is all about quality of life," he said.
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he → say → life
"I'm all for longevity, but it's really about quality of life — a way to live and enjoy life that is balanced with maximizing your time on earth."
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that → live → earth
While Daikeler said this approach has worked for him, weight-loss strategies are not one-size-fits-all.
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size → say → all
According to the National Institutes of Health, different eating plans can support weight loss, but the most effective approach depends on a person's individual health needs, preferences and ability to maintain the habits long-term.
uncertain
approach → accord → habits
Individuals are generally advised to consult a doctor or registered dietitian for personalized guidance.
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Individuals → advise → guidance
The Aporia
