Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution [Hardcover]

Chris Powell (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 27, 2011

Don’t lose the will to become the person you want to be. Choose to Lose the weight, and start the next chapter of your life as the person you know you truly are.

EAT MORE CARBS

BURN FAT

BUILD MUSCLE

QUICK-FIX RECIPES

NO GYM REQUIRED

CHEAT EVERY OTHER DAY

From celebrated fitness trainer Chris Powell, star of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, comes this inspirational weight loss book to help anyone conquer their weight.

You’ve seen him change lives on television. Now, in Choose to Lose, Powell presents fast and easy workouts, diet guidance, basic recipes, and insight into finding the true transformation mindset. Following his Carb Cycle Solution, you can drop pounds safely and quickly while learning how to ‘listen to your body’ to optimize your overall health and fitness.

Powell’s easy-to-follow Carb Cycle Solution contradicts everything you’ve heard about avoiding carbohydrates in an attempt to lose weight. Not only are you encouraged to eat carbs, but he will show you how to use them to amplify your weekly weight loss. By cycling between high-carb and low-carb days, your body will alternate boosting metabolism one day and burning fat the next. You will never feel deprived of the foods you love because you can fine-tune the solution to suit your needs. Powell gives you complete control over your nutrition, plus plenty of opportunities to indulge, and offers many delicious recipes to help you stay on track. If you work it, the Carb Cycle Solution may very well work for you—for the rest of your life.

With detailed exercises and accompanying photographs, as well as guidelines on how to revamp your environment, support system, and more, Powell not only shows you how to lose pounds, but also works with you as a coach and mentor, teaching you how to finally take control of the incredible machine that is your body. His words of encouragement will be there day after day as you build unstoppable momentum, guiding your body toward your ideal weight. Great physical change begins with a psychological one: change your mind, change your body.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Powell appears as the fitness trainer of ABC's primetime show, EXTREME MAKEOVER: WEIGHTLOSS EDITION. He is the creator of the STAX Nutrition Lifestyle System and Reshape the Nation, an online weight loss program.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (December 27, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401324452
• ISBN-13: 978-1401324452
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (285 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diets & Weight Loss > Low Carb
  • #80 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 238 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Time Will Tell.... January 17, 2012

By oaklandish

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I started this program a week ago in an effort to lose the remaining 15 pounds on a 30 pound weightloss goal (after 3 kids in 5 years). I lost the first 15 on a coordinated weight loss program (one of the big ones) that was basically 100% carbs and all processed foods. Losing the first 15 was difficult, but doable. At 15 pounds, I plateaued and haven't been able to lose more. Given the expense of the other program, I decided to try my hand at doing it myself and also wanted a program that incorporated more whole foods. I'm impressed with Chris Powell's book so far. Unlike another reviewer's comments, I didn't find it a chore to read at all. It's very straightforward and easy to read and makes a lot of sense. I agree with the other reviewer that it's nothing you don't already know. The program consists of 7 days cycling on and off low and high carb days. For those who have done Atkins and the like, low carb days don't mean all you can eat avocado, sour cream, cheese, etc... Fats are limited on low carb days and prohibited on high carb days. High carb days allow for complex carbs only. The plan is also very vegetarian-friendly (for people like me). It's not often that you come across a diet book that mentions almond milk, textured vegetable protein and tempeh. Whereas other low carb Atkins-like programs are virtually impossible for vegetarians to follow, this plan is not at all.

Unlike others, I've not lost 6 lbs in 7 days (how does ANYONE do that???). But, I will say, that after spending 2 months at the same weight on the other diet plan I was following, I lost .6 lbs the first week of following the Choose to Lose plan. I am someone who eats healthy anyway and works out 4-5 days a week for 45 minutes each time.... I would expect that people who were largely inactive and eating poorly prior to following this plan would see greater weight loss the first few weeks. I view any movement downward as being in the right direction. Plus, this plan has such great variety in what you can eat and the fact that it alternates daily helps to keep you out of the dreaded dieters' eating rut where you eat the same things over and over. Whether the claim of carb-cycling revving up your metabolism has any scientific merit is irrelevant if the plan helps people achieve their weight loss goals. Mr. Powell presents himself as a likable guy whose results with hugely overweight people cannot be denied.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to adopt a weight loss program that focuses on healthy eating. It does require you to shop for your own food and prepare it yourself. So, if you want to drink a pre-mixed shake full of chemicals 3x a day, this program isn't for you. However, if you're looking to get a well-rounded plan that focuses on whole, non-processed foods, this is a great place to start. Read more ›

231 of 249 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Easiest, Most Sensible Plan I Have Ever Tried January 6, 2012

By Nia

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband and I started this program on Sunday, 1/1/12. I have been struggling with weight for some time and have yet to find a program that made sense to me until now. The exercise regimen is quite simple despite the fact that I am currently unable to walk without the assistance of crutches and have to use a wheelchair for long distances. I am still, however, able to do the exercises--albeit modified a bit to suit my present condition. The eating plan is wonderful. It took us about 2 days to really get an understanding of it and that was it (note: it helped to write out planned meals to get a sense of how much we should be consuming). We eat well-rounded nutritious meals every day! We totally have been enjoying our cheat meals to the fullest--with no negative effects. When I diet, I always feel anxious about being hungry and missing my delicious junk food (pizza junkie), we both, however, feel completely full through the day--so much so that we struggle to get through our last meal of the day.

Another benefit of the program I have noticed is improvement in sleep quality. I use to have difficulty sleeping and would wake up feeling exhausted, but by day 4, that started to change. I had the best sleep I have ever had in some time yesterday. I actually woke up feeling refreshed. I already feel my clothing loosening and my stomach has flattened considerably. My husband, who hates the idea of dieting, who loves his coffee (6 cups a day for about 10 years) and who can't live without dessert, is doing wonderfully on it. He actually managed to stop relying on caffeine. He has stopped drinking coffee; stopped taking "no-doz" and hasn't touched an energy shot all week.... He went into the program sure that he would need his caffeine and although the first day he craved it, he realized by day two that he didn't feel like he needed it.

I intended to wait a bit before posting a review, but this has been the best week I've had in a long time while trying to lose weight, and I just wanted to give credit where credit is due. When I have reached my goal weight, I will provide an update. I am scheduled to weigh myself tomorrow and based on how I feel and how loose my clothes are, I am sure the numbers are great.

Thank you, Chris Powell!! Read more ›

109 of 118 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Additional Info would be Helpful March 17, 2012

By Megan

Format:Hardcover

I purchased this book last weekend and started the diet on 3/12/12. Today is 3/17/12 and I lost 5 lbs. this week. My husband lost 8.5 lbs. I weigh 160 lbs. and he weighs 219 lbs. today. This is the only diet I have ever stuck to for more than three days and the only one I have been successful on EVER! I'm thrilled so far, and I'm not hungry at all. My husband has been hungry, so I a bumping up his portions a bit. There are a few reasons that I didn't rate this book with 5 stars. First, it was a little difficult to follow at first and it jumped aroung a lot. I agree with the other reviews regarding the lack of chapter numbers and an index. Second, I wish Mr. Powell would tell us how many carbs we can have on low carb days and how many carbs on high carb days. I've reviewed other carb cycling diets and they give you specific info for carbs, fats, and protein. That would help so much! Third, the recipes that Mr. Powell offers are bland, and don't offer a nutritional breakdown. I also think his list of approved foods is a bit lacking. For example,why isn't Kale on it, or Coconut Oil? Lastly, I was hoping the website would provide this missing information as well as a forum for us dieters to support one another, ask questions, and offer ideas that have worked. Ultimately, I would recommend the book, but supplement the information with further research for best results.

107 of 121 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Feel Deprived! January 9, 2012

By Eco-Friendly Feng Shui Designer

Format:Hardcover

I first became aware of Chris Powell as the fitness trainer on ABC's primetime show Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition and think he is awesome. So when I saw Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution, I snapped it up.

I love carbs...whenever I go on a diet that prohibits them. I lose weight quickly; but I also get moody ans sad...and then I "cheat" by eating carbs and the diet is over. I have been a yo-yo dieter for years. As of 1/1/12, I have 35 pounds to lose.

So I started this diet and exercise program on 1/1/12 and as of today, I have lost 6 pounds! Best of all, I feel GOOD. No moodiness or sadness....!

The 7 day carb cycle goes like this: every other day you are allowed carbs. This tricks our bodies into losing weight. The program works because it doesn't allow the body to adapt to one type of diet or exercise. On low carb days, you do strength and body shaping exercises "shapes" because protein is a body builder. Then, 6 days a week, you do cardiovascular exercise "shredders" to lose weight.

Powell shares with the reader secrets to permanent weight loss. For many of us, it's a whole new lifestyle; and much of this requires a change in the way we think.

Throughout the book, Powell shares weight loss success stories, beginning with a man who asked for his help when he was 26 and weighed over 600 pounds! Powell helped him to lose over 400 pounds....And with each person he helped, Powell has learned about the ways we lose weight--and what changes we need to make in our psyches to keep the weight off.

So, I have been on this diet for 9 days, so I am certainly not an expert. But, I can say I feel great; I have energy and am motivated as all get out!