GLAD TO BE OF HELP: Reader Sean Stickler writes:

This weekend I was casually browsing Instapundit and clicked on the link to the Practical Paleo book, which I’ll be buying. I’ve been meaning to write for quite some time with a plug to both to you as well as the Taubes “Why We Get Fat” book that you’ve recommended. On impulse, I bought the Taubes book about six months ago. When received, I read it cover to cover in 3 days. I began the Paleo diet the next day, sticking closely to the 20 grams of carbohydrate per day recommendation in the book.

Over the course of the next four months, my weight dropped from 216 pounds to 184 pounds and my BMI dropped by 6. I’ve not been to the doctor’s yet, so can’t report on my blood pressure, but I can only imagine it’s improved as well. I’m 42 years old and not a heavy exerciser. I play racquetball twice a week and walk at lunch twice a week when the weather is warm. This diet can and will work for anyone willing to be disciplined enough to stick to it. I’m 6’3″ so my current weight is something I’m comfortable with so I’ve gone into maintain mode and allow myself an occasional piece of bread, regular soda or potato chip. I have maintained 184 for two months without suffering.

Thank you for the recommendation and I can attest to the effectiveness of the Taubes method.

I get emails like this all the time; it really does seem to work. Let me just suggest that you add some Mark Rippetoe-style strength training to your workouts and you’ll really be amazed at the results. Since reading Rippetoe, I’ve gotten back into free squats and strictly following his pointers on form. The result is that my knees, hips, and lower back are the best they’ve been since I started using a computer.