Weight Loss

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Book On Weight Loss- You: On A Diet

Weight around the belly is dangerous for the heart- it is a fact well known. The more the waistline, the more harmful it is. You: On a Diet seeks to emphasize more on waist management than sheer weight. It is a book written by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen, regular guests on the Oprah show. They urge you to rely on the measuring tape and dump the weighing scale.

The book tries to dispel several false notions about weight loss and teach new techniques for better management. Appetite, say the authors, is not governed just by will power but by the general chemistry of the body. They explain the chemical processes in simplified terms so that the dieters get a better understanding of why they need to eat particular foods and avoid some others. Dieters on the plan lose two inches off the waist in two weeks.

The diet
Eating less is not recommended; the plan is to eat three meals and three small snacks at regular intervals. This boosts metabolism and the results last longer. But, nothing should be eaten within three hours of bedtime. Desserts can be taken only on alternate days.

Foods allowed on the diet are whole grains, lean cuts of meat, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Refined carbs, white flour and sugar are out. This helps eliminate craving for unhealthy foods. The book lists foods rich in fiber and whole grain carbs to give the feeling of fullness.

The list of allowed foods is small, as the authors think that too much variety increases appetite. The diet plan is designed to control splurging and overeating.

The authors suggest eating out of the following list in cases of hunger pangs:
Dried fruits, apples, uncooked vegetables, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese and soup.

Supplements
One multivitamin pill, two grams of fish oil and half a teaspoon of cinnamon is recommended per day. The supplements help guard against nutritional inadequacies.

Exercise
The authors recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking each day. If difficult to do at a stretch, dieters are allowed to do it in intervals. They also recommend five minutes of stretching exercises and 20 minutes of strength training, three times a week. The book illustrates how strength training can be done without equipment.

Positives

* Scientific theories are broken down for easy understanding.
* Helps reduce waistline and therefore the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
* Encourages healthy eating- no starvation.
* Boosts metabolic rate by encouraging daily exercise.
* No calorie counting.

Negatives

* Lesser variety in foods.
* The supplements reduce appetite.
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