Customer Reviews

The Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program : A Personalized Plan for Becoming Slim, Fit and Healthy in Your 40s, 50s, 60s and Beyond

5 star:		(182)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(35)

 

 

I have been using the book and the "diet" for a while now and will report that I feel terrific, which is even more important than my weight loss, which is happening. This book/diet does not promote a high fat/high protein diet like Atkins (which I tried and got sick from), but does promote a balanced low-fat, low-carb diet. Almost instantly, I was finding my energy levels elevated all day. Before, I would be sleepy late morning, mid-afternoon and early evening. Now, I can concentrate at work, and have the energy to exercise at night. That's been the most exciting change. It would be easy for some to dismiss this diet because of the reward meal, but the truth is that once you start the program, your desire to pig out at the reward meal goes away. Yes, I enjoy the fact that I can have dessert, but I usually don't want that much. Not because I am stuffed; I just don't have the strong desire I used to have! Anyway, give it a try -- but only if you pass the test and are a Carb Addict. Good Luck!

I too saw Oprah on October 4 and bought the book immediately. I read it and followed it. In one month's time, I have lost 13lbs (avg 2-3lbs per week). This program works when done properly.

What bothers me is all of the negative comments that are completely untrue. The Hellers are not condoning a high fat diet. They are not promoting "binge" eating. They are not endorsing a "one-size-fits-all" diet. This program was specifically designed for people who have an addiction to carbohydrates. When followed properly the dieter will see the desired results including:

1. loss of hunger that drives people off their "one-size-fits-all" diets

2. weight loss

3. lower cholesterol levels

4. more energy

5. freedom from yo-yo dieting

6. joy in learning it's not about will power.

If a person is not addicted to carbohydrates, they may see success with this plan and possibly with other plans. Of course everyone has to make their own decisions regarding health and fitness. Addicted persons CANNOT lose weight and heal their emotional wounds - weight and image related - on a carbohyrdate-rich eating plan. This program is empowering to the carbo addict in more ways than one.

And if I'm not mistaken, Oprah did not TELL anyone to do this. She merely stated that she would give it a try for a month along with whomever wanted to in the audience (and watchers). That is NOT the definition of "endorsing a program".

It is obvious that some people who have "reviewed" this book, COULD NOT HAVE READ IT.

This book has revolutionized my life! I am 51 years old and have been on diets since high school. Many of them over and over again. You wouldn't think that I should weigh over 200 lbs with all that dieting! But this diet addressed my carbohydrate addiction. Something I had never heard before. The diets I had been on before had me eating lots of the things I was addicted to, and had my family wondering, "Why can't she lose weight?" and, "She could be so pretty." When I started on "the diet", the first thing I rejoiced about was the fact that I was finally in control of what and when I ate. That was the most significant change in my life. Besides the fact that now I was eating the things that I had always wanted to eat in the first place! I don't experience those familiar cravings 2 hours after I eat a meal. I am satisfied at night and I'm not thinking about what I could eat after dinner,(until bedtime!) I have lost 18 lbs in 8 weeks and for the first time I'm not thinking, "as soon as I reach my goal, I'm going off this diet". This is something that I want to continue for the rest of my life, because my blood pressure is down and I won't get Adult onset Diabetes like my father has. I am so thankful for this discovery, that is isn't a matter of "willpower", but BIOLOGY! I love the new me!

My doctor recommended this diet to me since my cholesterol & triglycerides are high and I need to lose 50#. I was and still am skeptical because I never go on fad diets & since I have kept up with all the facts over the years (supporting low fat, high carb), and which was successful for me in terms of lowering cholesterol & losing 25#, but takes a great deal of willpower.

THIS DIET does not take any willpower, I love it. I have ALWAYS craved sugar, but starting the 1st day, there were no more cravings! I am reading everyone's reviews (thanks) and becoming more faithful that this is not just a fad diet, but a way of life. I lost 5# in a couple of weeks (which is the biggest weight loss I've ever had in that amount of time), it's too good to be true. It's just unbelievable how effortless it is. I have so much more energy than before, and lost the feelings of anxiety from feeling hungry all the time. The real test will be if the triglyceride & cholesterol levels come down, that will be the convincing factor for me.

This book is pretty good. The best part, to me, is that it gives guidelines for reward meals that really help you STAY on the diet and it makes real, practical, metabolic sense. LifeSpan outlines a plan that GIVES results, unlike the diets of most experts, who say that ours is an increasingly fat society. Yet for years the low fat, high carb diet has failed (300 gms. is the current carb FDA reccomendation!.) I see now that hope, while dieting, is fostered only with positive results. I have lost 20 pounds in just under one month and I feel great! My arthritis is gone, my energy up and I am determined to keep going. I know now that I can finally do it and I have fewer cravings with the daily reward meals! I have read THIS plan, the Protein Power Plan, by the Eades MDs, the famous Atkin's plan, Sugar Busters, the Zone, etc., they are all great, its a matter of personal preference. The message, is the basically the same in all of them. Dieters learn how metabolism, glucagon and insulin levels interact to cause cravings, weight loss and gain. They learn how to monitor the TYPES of foods eaten, and thus control their metabolism, insulin levels and glucagon levels to get the desired effect. What the so-called experts say about low carbs and high protein no longer maters to me because their high carbs and low fat diets don't work, at least for me. I see the outpouring of testimonials about this and other similar books and have concluded that the critics JUST don't get it! Do yourself a favor and see what the real experts say; those who have been fat and who are finally losing weight. The self proclaimed scientific community, now prolific critics of low carb dieting, WILL eventually jump on the bandwagon and come to the same conclusions that the Heller's, Atkins, Scarsdale, other physicians and PH.D's have discovered and pushed for decades. In fact, science is already talking about "syndrome X" and its relations to insulin levels! I applaud the Atkins, the Heller's and the Eades, and all the other doctor's who have the courage to go against the grain. But I remember that the majority, at one time in history, believed that the world was flat.

I started the diet on Oct 1,1999, as a last resort. I had left knee pain and was walking with a cane due to arthritis. On the 3rd day of the diet I lost my craving for pop and snacks. I was truly amazed. I lost 17# the first month and have had a steady wt loss of 5-7# a month. I exercised two times a week the first 3 months, water exercise. Since then I walk a mile,3x a week. To date I have lost 45# and also convinced my husband to join me and he has lost 43# since Dec. I cannot tell you how empowered I have become knowing I have choices. I don't feel deprived because I know my Reward Meal is coming every day. I have energy I haven't felt since my twenties. I'm 45 years old and my weight was well over 200#. If you need to lose, please try this diet. I can sure live with it. And I have been on many diets in the last 25 years to no avail. I really feel I can reach my goals, which is to lose 100# by December 2000. Just Do It!

I turned 40 in December and I wanted to begin the new century as a healthier, thinner me. The Heller plan is amazingly well researched and their version of a healthy diet seems to hit the bull's eye! In a minor miracle of achievement, I actually lost 20 lbs. in just 5 weeks! Unbelievably, I don't feel hungry (as I was sure I would) and apart from an increased energy level, I've noticed a DEFINITE improvement in concentration/awareness as well as my mood being elevated! Give it a try!

I received The Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program three days ago, and started reading. I was impressed by the thoroughness of the Heller's research and of their experiences with their own health and weight control. I immediately started the change in my diet, due in large part to the positive experiences of a friend and co-worker, who started the diet about 2 months ago. Yes, it has been only three days, however I have lost three to four pounds and, more importantly, I am devoid of cravings of any kind. This is very unlike me, who for far too long have had to have dessert with every meal, every day (plus carbohydrate snacks). I am a diabetic (II) and have had a drop in blood sugar according to my frequent tests during the day and night for the past two days. I stopped the medication on the second day because I was afraid that my blood sugar would drop too low. My blood sugar was more consistent and was far lower this morning than when on the medication (Amaryl). My doctor told me recently that I would someday have to take insulin before bedtime in addition to Amaryl in the AM. Since I've meditated off and on for years (TM), I started again this AM. I also went out and bought chromium GTF, and started that yesterday. AND, I don't know if this is serendipity, but my chronic sinus problem seems to have disappeared. I realize that it's far too early to say that the sinus problem is gone for good, but I'm feeling great, breathing easier, my mind is clearer, and I have energy to spare! I will write a follow-up in a few weeks. Thank you so much Drs. Heller for your amazing work and Amazon for providing this forum.

This is the third of the Hellers' books that I have read. This book refines the principles put forth in the first of the Carbohydrate Addict books, and gets far more specific with the details of acceptable and unacceptable foods. I've known since the first book that I was a carbohydrate addict, but have only decided to try it this time. This book gives you a guide to a specific way of eating, plus options to personalize the program to your lifestyle. This is meant to be a plan for the rest of your life, not just for a period of time until you lose the weight you need to lose. How did I do? Well, the first week I lost more weight than I have ever lost on any diet I have tried, including several who now advertise on television. Plus, there are no drugs or special foods to buy, AND YOUR CRAVINGS FOR CARBOHYDRATES GO AWAY WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS! I feel that the title says it all--it's going to be my "Lifespan Program" for sure!

WE PICKED THIS "DIET" BOOK TO FUEL THIS YEAR'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO LOSE WEIGHT. THE MORE I READ, THE MORE I SAW MYSELF, AND MY SPOUSE IN THE PAGES. WE DECIDED TO GIVE IT A TRY, AND HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE FREE FROM CRAVINGS AND HUNGER ON A DIET BEFORE. THIS PROGRAM IS WORKING FOR US BECAUSE OF THE "REWARD MEAL" APPROACH - YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT IN A BALANCED, CARBO RICH MEAL ONCE A DAY. WE DO NOT FEEL DEPRIVED AT ALL! THIS IS TRULY A PROGRAM YOU CAN LIVE WITH FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!