The Best Life Diet
by Bob Greene
“The formula for weight loss may be uncomplicated, people are not.” So begins the latest book from Oprah’s weight loss coach and physical trainer, Bob Greene. That sentence is the reason I continue to review more weight related books than other types here.
Not only is weight management an almost universal challenge, it is more confusing and frustrating than ever at midlife. And, everyone is different.
Oprah’s introduction is a delicious appetizer to this multi-course plan. Her battle with food and the psychology of her overeating whets my appetite to read on. Oprah’s defining moment came when Bob asked, (she weighed 237 pounds at the time), “What is the best life possible for you?” She replied, “I want to be happy.” He told her that wasn’t going to cut it. What did that really mean? He then asked her the last time she was really happy. I won’t spoil it for you by giving you her response but that kind of question became her mantra for everything in her life. And so goes the book. If you feel it’s time for you to ask the tough questions as Bob would say, then I’d recommend you pick up this book.
Be forewarned if you want it to work; You Must Then Read It!
I know it’s exciting to get started once the urge strikes. May I
suggest that this is one instance where I think you’d benefit from at
least reading his introduction to his way of going about creating your
best life? Take in the information on emotional eating, water loss and
water weight gain, the 4 defining principles for success before you
jump to the actual what-to-do plan part.
There is some overlap in terms of what you already know—exercise,
eat more veggies, sleep well, limit sugar and ugly fats. I think you
can skim those parts but only if you really “get” their importance.
Take it in small chunks. Maybe start with the Oprah’s intro, skip to
Phase One, go back and read a bit of Understanding Your Weight etc. His
suggested approach is not the same old thing. He advises you, in Phase
One, to keep eating the same things you already do. What?
Yes, “the
primary goals of this phase are to change the way you organize your
meals and to increase your activity level” Bob writes.
Here is one bit of advice that I found interesting and wanted to
share—and remember all my still smoking friends, this is him speaking–
I’m just the messenger.
Quit Smoking!
“Kicking the smoking habit is the absolute best investment you can
make for yourself right now, at the outset of this program. Smoking is
the number one preventable cause of death; I can’t think of anything
that predisposes you to so many kinds of disease as readily as smoking.”
There is a whole other page on this subject which explains why not to wait; partly it’s about regaining weight but so much more.
I really like the 6 foods to remove; soda, trans fats, fried foods,
white bread, regular pasta, and high-fat dairy products. Here is
something exciting for us pasta lovers. Semolina pasta is not quite as
high glycemic—meaning it raises blood sugar too fast—as duram wheat or
plain white pasta so it doesn’t send your blood sugar level soaring
(then crashing down) the way others made from refined flours can.
You’ll be satisfied longer too, always a bonus when working to release some weight.
By the way, you’ll notice I often refer to losing weight as
releasing weight. Why? It’s something one of my favorite trainers told
me. If he, Rob Riopel, is trying to shed some pounds—another way to put
it in a proactive tense—why would he want to lose weight? When we lose
something what do we immediately do? Go looking for it. Releasing means
letting go. Bob Greene says if you’ll do the hard work of really
finding out what’s causing you to overeat or eat things you know are
not supporting health, you will be able to release them. He believes,
and I agree, the extra weight can then be released, too.
Oprah’s 7 day eating plan is included and I have to tell you, I’d
eat it. The dishes sound good, there is plenty of variety, and it is
pretty simple to put together.
There are recipes in the book for some of the items and a number of beautiful photos.
Bob also includes his Two Week Best Life Food Plan. It is simple and
based on 1700 calories per day. He includes adjustments for those with
other requirements 1500, 1600, 1800, 2000, and for the very lucky,
2500. What more could you ask?
Well, ok, you want a website with interactive tools and a chat room? You got it, but you’ll have to sign up to use it fully.
Start there and see if you could also benefit from the book. I’m glad it’s on my shelf.
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