Fit for Life [Mass Market Paperback]

Harvey Diamond (Author), Marilyn Diamond (Author), Kay S. Lawerence (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1987

Nutrition specialists Harvey and Marilyn Diamond prove that it's not only what we eat, but also when and how that keep us trim and healthy. America's #1 health and diet book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"It is not only what you eat that makes the difference, but also of extreme importance is when you eat it and in what combinations," say Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, authors of this classic bestseller. Their program results in eating balanced, nutritious, high-fiber foods, making dieting "unnecessary and as obsolete as sealing wax."

The Diamonds explain that body functions have a daily cycle: noon to 8 p.m.-- appropriation (eating and digestion); 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.--assimilation (absorption and use); 4 a.m. to noon--elimination (of body wastes and food debris). Fit for Life aims to return you to a lifestyle based on your natural body cycles. That means 70 percent of your diet should be "high-water-content foods"--fruits and vegetables--which facilitate all body functions. Consume nothing but fruit or fruit juice until noon, then eat salad and vegetables with every meal for the rest of the day.

Two-thirds of the book is explanation and discussion; one-third is menu plans and recipes. You won't be hungry, your food choices will be healthy, and you'll lose weight without dieting. --Joan Price

Review

"A phenomenally successful health regime" Mail on Sunday --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books, Inc.; later printing edition (February 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446300152
• ISBN-13: 978-0446300155
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (269 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

282 of 295 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking back 16 years ago: An honest review of Fit for Life August 16, 2001

By Thomas ([e-mail])

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I remember how I discovered the Diamonds' books. It's was in the mid 1980's and I was watching the Merv Griffin Show. I was about 18 years old at the time. Harvey and his wife were on the show doing P.R. for their new book, Fit For life. As I listened to them, and saw their happiness and health and excitement, I felt a positive feeling about what they were saying. Something just clicked in my heart and I new it was something I should check into. At that time, I was always tired, out of shape, eating the Standard American Diet (which initials by the way are SAD) I knew that I needed something, and this was it. I was so excited. The very next day I got their book and read it cover to cover 3 times and highlighted parts that I wanted to remember. For about 6 years, I practiced the Diamonds' Methods. I stopped eating meat and dairy products, and threw out all of my white flower products and ate whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, Basically a vegetarian diet. Reading the Diamonds book was the catalyst that drove me deeper into a natural way of living. My whole life changed because of the Diamonds book, and for that I am eternally grateful. I started going to health food stores, making new healthy friends, reading books on natural living. Now, you have to remember, this was back in 1985 or so. Back then the fitness craze and "health food" was not as big as it is now. Many people back then thought health food people were "nuts". However, I didn't care, I felt like I had discovered something that nobody else new, and I was enlightened. For 6 years I lived the natural hygiene way. I also joined a gym and began working out 5 days a week ( mostly aerobic type exercises, I new nothing about weights then) .... I made sure I combined my protein and starches correctly, ate my food at the right times of the days. Got plenty of rest. I held strict to the plan. During the first year, my energy level went totally through the roof. I felt better, My thinking wasn't as foggy, I wasn't tired, I had no depression, I slept well, and for the first time I looked younger than my age. I continued eating that way for about 6 years, until I was 24 years old. During that 6 year period when I was following the Diamonds books and eating a natural hygiene diet, here is what I experienced....

During the first 2 years, I felt great, I lost all my excess body fat, and was very thin. Looking back now, I was way too thin. My height is 6'2" tall, and I was 145lbs at my lowest. I was pretty skinny and had no muscle tone. (however, I wasn't working out with weights. I was doing heavy cardio workouts, and not taking in extra calories to make up for it)

I realized that eating the natural way, required ALLOT of work because I had to prepare my own natural meals. During the 3rd year living the natural hygiene way, my life took a drastic stressful turn. ( life and job related things) so I no longer had time to really devote to making proper meals, I was not eating a variety of vegetarian meals, I would opt for whatever was the quickest. (Usually whole wheat pasta and vegetables.) So during that 3rd year on the natural hygiene diet, I began to feel tried and fatigued around the middle of the day. I was underweight, was lacking energy, and probably was not getting the proper nutrition that I needed. BUT let me say that looking back, it was NOT because of the natural hygiene diet. It WAS because I was not paying attention to making sure I was getting a variety of healthy foods in my diet. I wasn't eating enough calories to sustain myself. Eating a vegetarian diet or Natural hygiene diet, REQUIRES you to take the time and focus yourself on getting a variety of fresh wholesome foods in your diet. If you don't have the time, or the interest to do this, you will surly fail and not get proper nutrition. You will then probably make the mistake of blaming it on the Diamonds book or Natural Hygiene. The results work only as good as the effort you put into it. THIS is what I have found out looking back after 16 years. If I had taken the time to make sure my diet consisted of a variety of fresh natural foods, I would probably have had a different result during the 3rd year on the diet.

After the 3rd or 4th year on natural hygiene diet, I discovered body building. I needed to gain muscle and quality weight. I was just way too thin. So I started to incorporate fish in my vegetarian diet and eating soy protein shakes for extra protein and calories. I started to re-focus my energy on my diet and preparing healthy meals again. My weight started to increase back to a normal body weight, and I started to gain muscle. (however I was now working out with weights) During around the 5th and 6th year, I was about 24 years old or so then, I started to incorporate free-range, natural chicken into my vegetarian diet, along with the fish. BUT I continued to combine my proteins and starches correctly. Well, I filled out with allot of good muscle and stayed slim. I continued this way for the next 6 years. When I reached 30 years old, I had pretty much moved away from the Diamonds methods. However I am eternally grateful for them leading me into the path of natural living, health food, and health and fitness. I am blessed by Harvey and his wife and owe thanks to them. they truly inspired me 16 years ago, to get off my duff, and do something about my life. Finding and reading the Diamonds book, Fit for Life, changed my life for the better. Even though I don't practice their principals now, I still remember their teachings and the down-to-earth wisdom that they gave me.

So anyway, now I am 34 years old. I eat a diet very high in vegetables and fruit and whole grains, with some fish and chicken and protein powders. I work out about 5 days a week at a local gym. I am still 6'2" tall, but now weigh about 205 lbs. of lean muscle. People still think I am 22 years old! I don't look my age or feel my age. I am a health and fitness enthusiast and will be for the rest of my life. ( thanks to that little push by the Diamonds 16 years ago.) Health and fitness is in my life forever.

So in conclusion, living naturally and healthfully is a gift from God. I am telling you this from experience. If the Diamonds book does nothing more than jump start your life into the world of natural living, health and fitness, then It has done it's job. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling good, and looking good for the rest of your life. I am now trying to lower my meat consumption and increase my vegtables and fruits and still get all the high quality protien that I need for working out. With some education and work I can do it. Just remember...your health results can only equal the amount of effort you put into your lifestyle. I still remember the wisdom the Diamonds taught me 16 years ago.

God bless to all of those who help others by educating us with their knowledge and wisdom of health and fitness. These people brining us closer to a world of healthy living and happiness. Read more ›

276 of 289 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Proof of Fit For Life March 27, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I've owned this book for years. It's an excellent resource for eating healthier. ...Even though some of the principles, if followed to the letter, might be nutrient deficient, it truly produces good results. And not just weight loss, it truly improves your mental state. Your energy level will truly increase by following these principles. Just following the fruit 'til noon greatly increases your chances of success. You don't have to do anything you don't like...but fresh squeezed OJ with half an apple in the AM is more satisfying than you think. Not being a salad person, being able to add olives & sunflower seeds makes it more appealing...with a side of brown bread everyday for lunch, I lost 4 pounds in a week...and I cheated the rest of the day...I had cookies in between, 2nd helpings at dinner...but that AM regiman is what worked with moderate exercise. The book progressively enlightens you and is easy to follow. Menus for a full month help take the guesswork out of food planning. But it's easy to follow anyway. In the end, there are not an abundance of rules. Now I still drink milk in moderation, and I think that if you find the diet lacking in certain aspects..go ahead...make up for them. Just do it later in the day and in moderation, take supplements. Even without complete scientific backing, this "diet" (change of eating), is well worth looking into and can be fit into the way you live. It's an informative book well worth reading.

86 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I lost 60 pounds January 12, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Fantastic book. I started it on a recommendation from someone else, and lost two pounds the first week, and three the next, and . . . More than sixty pounds total, in just over three months, to get me to my goal weight and -- aside from one serious lapse where I didn't follow the program at all for several months -- then keep me there. And I felt wonderful the whole time, and was never -- and I mean absolutely never -- hungry when I finished eating or while running around all day, and I didn't and still don't limit portions.

The food is good, the program makes sense, and I recommend it without reservation. Do I lapse occasionally? Yeah, unfortunately. If I didn't have an eating problem, I wouldn't have been sixty pounds overweight to begin with. Does the program make it possible to stay at my target weight in spite of occasional lapses? Yes. And (from the one time I REALLY fell off the wagon) to get back to it easily and painlessly.

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars saved my health February 25, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I was desperate at 350 lbs. I was so toxic that I was constantly bloated and had horrible dermatitis on my face, I had a rapid heart beat when resting and I was only 23. My husband was hypoglycemic and suffered from chronic fatigue. I was sceptical but figured I had nothing to lose.The first day was amazing I ate fruit till noon and felt awesome, we had veggie sandwiches for lunch and a salad for dinner and for the first time in my life I was satisfied and did not feel deprived! Within one week my dermatitis was completely gone and now 4 months later I have not had a single outbreak, I no longer suffer form bloating and my heart rate is normal and healthy, my husbands health problems are also gone, we feel like 2 totally different people. I work out 20 min per day and love it! I have lost 5 dress sizes and close to 60 lbs! I am amazed. Thank you for sharing this information so that I may be healthy and enjoy my daughter! I recommend this book to everyone.