Crack the Fat-Loss Code: Outsmart Your Metabolism and Conquer the Diet Plateau (Paperback)

by Wendy Chant (Author)
Key Phrases: maintenance cycle, cycle day, watch carb count, Type Key, Crack the Fat-Loss Code, Nutritional Value Protein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The New York Times Bestseller!

LOSE UP TO 25 POUNDS IN 8 WEEKS AND KEEP IT OFF!

The human body evolved to resist starvation by holding on to fat. No wonder it's so difficult to lose weight! Now a revolutionary lifestyle plan finally cracks the code for efficient fat loss. Developed by leading nutrition specialist Wendy Chant, the plan is scientifically designed to help you "outsmart" your body's natural cycles for storing and burning calories.

Crack the Fat Loss Code teaches you how to boost your metabolism through "macro-patterning"--a simple routine of alternating carb-up, carb-down, and baseline days. There are even built-in cheat days, so you can enjoy the foods you love. Once you get your eating habits on schedule, you'll find that you can lose weight . . . for good.

In just eight short weeks, you'll be able to:

• REPROGRAM YOUR BODY--to burn the fat and keep it off.
• FEEL HEALTHY, NOT HUNGRY--with limitless food options.
• CONQUER THAT DIET PLATEAU--once and for all.

"Crack the Fat-Loss Code brings you the most sensible solution to permanent weight management I have seen."
--Frederick C. Hatfield, Ph.D., bestselling author of Bodybuilding: A Scientific Approach, Hardcore Bodybuilding, and Ultimate Sports Nutrition

About the Author

Wendy Chant, MPT, SPN, is a certified personal trainer and a specialist in performance nutrition. She holds a bachelor of science in medical sciences and nutrition science. A champion body builder, she opened her own training center, ForeverFit®, in 1998.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007154691X
• ISBN-13: 978-0071546911
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (81 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,929 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #78 in

  Books > Health, Mind & Body > Diets & Weight Loss > Diets > Weight Maintenance

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 93 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, March 5, 2008

By	Thomas Cannold "tc" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's science, no it's magic, no it's Science, no it's Magic. Well, actually it is science...but it feels like Magic.

I'd already lost 60 pounds, using exercise and some basic nutrition, before my personal trainer turned me on to this plan. It had taken me about a year and a half to lose that initial chunk of weight, I had kept it off for about three years, and I was incredibly proud of what I had accomplished. The problem was, I was still kinda lumpy, and I couldn't get off the plateau I was on. I just couldn't get get any thinner.

Enter the plan found in this easy, smart book.

In about three months, 20 more pounds came off, and I was -- I can't tell you how thrilled I am to write this word -- THIN, and incredibly fit (I'm running marathons, and dancing WELL in hip-hop classes -- and I'm a male in my late forties!)

So, why did this plan work for me, when others hadn't?

First of all, this book is so cleanly and clearly written, that my fears of being overwhelmed by it (as I'd been by other diet books) were wiped out in the 20 seconds it took me to glance at a few pages. It's simple, it's fun, and it's even inspiring!

Secondly, it motivates on three different levels.
1) You can skip the science, and just do the plan -- every day is clearly mapped out -- and Magic occurs.
2) You can use the cutting-edge science (I swear, it's not daunting, it's just fun) to understand why you're doing what you're doing. Once I understood what affects my body, and why, I became even more enthusiastic about sticking to the plan. It actually became easier and more fun.
3) The stories -- and pictures -- of people who have accomplished so much on this plan, got me even more involved in it. I felt their stories, and I wanted to be one of them.

I've heard people say that the diet that works is the one you stick with. That's true, but this book goes one step further, because it actually changes the way your body, your machine, works. And believe me, you will be so excited when you discover that your machine, when properly primed, is a Formula One Racing Car, instead of the lumpy old minivan you thought it was. Join me in hip-hop class, and find out.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hungry for a better plan?, May 3, 2008

By	Cynthia Thomason "Cynthia" (Lake mary, Fl USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wendy's Plan Really Works.

Wendy's tenets:
1. Protect and Support Muscle
2. Level Blood Sugar
3. Create and Energy Deficit
4. Produce Heat
5. Manipulate Energy Stores

I purchased and read Wendy's book in the same night. I was hungry for a way to eat right and lose weight! I knew that it had to exist. As an ex-athlete (figure skater), 5' 9 and 173 pounds, I have seen women my age (43) keep the weight off but I couldn't understand why I was having the problem. I skated 4 times a week, took lots of walks and I was even doing occasional Pilates. By my calculations I was working out more than most of the thinner women that I knew. What was going on.

Almost immediately "Crack the Fat Loss Code" explained that I was eating incorrectly. It was obvious that I was eating a diet of carb-laden packaged foods. Even though they said "all-natural", "organic", "low-fat" and I paid more for them at the health food store, when I checked the carb count, I realized....I was a carb-junkie. According to Wendy's plan it seemed, I was never giving my blood sugar a chance to level out before constantly fueling up with more carbs and sugar. Not to mention the days of eating virtually nothing, only to overeat for days afterwards.

After a week of following Wendy's book, and 8 weeks in her Nutrition Boot Camp (which is the same plan of her book but she explains exercise and supplementation); I went from 173 to 161. My body fat index dropped from 26.5% to 21.5%. I also lost 4 ½ inches in my waist and 3 ½ inches in my chest.

What makes Wendy's plan different from others; (I tried most every of the other big ones including Vegan) there are no completely off limit foods; you eat carbs most every day; I never felt hungry not even once; and it is extremely simple to follow once you learn the code letters and create your little tracking sheets.

I still have trouble believing all the food I am supposed to eat and that I'm never starving myself. This was the most important aspect of this plan for me--as a skater I had to have fuel. I also have an extremely complex, thought intensive job where I have to remember and recall mass amounts of information every minute. Eating like a true athlete (which is how I describe Wendy's plan) has shown me exactly how my body works, stores, and uses fuel and when and how exactly to cheat.

For anyone trying to lose large or even small amounts of fat, you are wasting valuable time. Start using Wendy's plan right away. I also strongly suggest one of Wendy's remote boot camp programs; which I understand you can join from anywhere. This lady knows her stuff; down to the exact science.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Logical, flexible and the results are remarkable, February 18, 2008

By	C. Duvall "Care Bear" (Orlando, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

UPDATE (7/2008)! Still at it, folks, and still dropping. A little slower now and after a round of nasty, nasty steroids with the associated water weight gain. I STILL love the flexibility (and wine) on this plan. Especially with my hectic and varied work schedule, travel, client lunches, entertaining and gosh knows what else.

THIS PLAN IS NOT LOW CARB nor HIGH PROTIEN. It's BALANCED eating. You do have a lot of choices. Be creative, folks. Wendy is not a dictator here to run your life. Learn to use the plan to make decisions. Take responsibility for yourself - THIS IS KEY to any program. She's providing the map for your journey. Rock on and enjoy the rest of the trip. (BTW - I am down about 40 in 5 months. 14 more months until the wedding!)

Original post: (2/2008) If you're reading this, you might be like me... a diet pro. I've tried them all. Classes, mail order, As Seen on TV, in a bottle, pill or shot. I've tried everything but surgery. Won't go there.

My upcoming wedding and a not so great physical at 41 years old finally prompted me to take the diet attempts I had been playing with seriously. My cholesterol and blood pressure were creeping up. Hello, diabetes! I can see you hiding around the corner. Getting scared? I was.

Wendy Chant has put together a program that satisfies my two biggest "lifestyle" issues. It must MAKE SENSE and it must FIT INTO my crazy schedule. This program does both remarkably well. I eat real food when and where I want. Even 7-11 can supply me my afternoon snack if I am in a bind! I admit, I have to plan a tad more in the morning but that was what I was looking for: a program for life. New habits, new knowledge, new results. I understand how my body relates to food for the first time. I can feel how a bad choice makes me feel sluggish. And, I can revel in the newfound energy I have!


While the program had a few "day plans" to learn, I keep a small 3X4" blank notebook in my purse with my plan and results. (Guys, it would fit in your pocket!) It's all I need to record and remind me of my plan. At the end of the day, I don't feel deprived. There are PLENTY of carbs on this diet. And I'll not spoil the two-times-a-week surprise... OK, I will. Two nights a week after 3 PM, you can eat what you'd like. Anything. Cake, pizza, beer, wine, spaghetti and meatballs. (Just not all at the same sitting! :-) I rarely crave anything for too long. I just schedule that pepperoni pizza night and a movie with popcorn for a Saturday night. Or, the craving just melts away. In my first run through of the eight week program, I am on track to lose about 22 pounds. Not bad for a 41 year old, rather sedentary woman! (I haven't even added the exercise in yet. Looking forward to those results.)

So, if you're not interested in "Crack the Fat Loss Code", the last book that you'll ever need for heath and knowledge about how your body uses and NEEDS food, call me. I'll ship you the stacks of books I no longer need!