Customer Reviews

Fit for Life

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

I started eating the Fit For Life way after I had my first baby in 1985. I had that last 10 pounds that would not budge, despite eating well and nursing her for 8 months. I bought the book, enjoyed reading it, started the method and the pounds melted away.

This food is good - try the recipes! Try Marilyn Diamond's "American Vegetarian Cookbook" - those recipes are great!

I occasionally eat chicken, fish, and sometimes beef! Who can resist a hamburger just off the grill? Not me. Just skip the bun, eat them with veggies, save the carbs for another meal. Sometimes I cheat, but so what? Birthday parties happen, and I'm going to enjoy! :) If you eat this way 90% of the time, your health will be terrific.

I'm now in my mid 40's (that baby of mine is now 18) and my blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are low.

This method of eating has stood the test of time for me. I love the salad dressing recipes, almond milk and food combos as much as ever! Try the grapefruit juice salad dressing. Sounds wierd, tastes great!

This is by far the healthiest eating plan out there!

I was 260# 40" waist and could not lose weight, Doctors offered to operate on ym stomach as the only solution they could come up with. My back hurt constantly I was always hungry yet I still gained. I was about to graduate to a 42", then I discovered this book. In 9 months following these recommendations I was under 200#'s. After a year I was 185, wore size 32 pants and had more energy than I ever dreamed of. I saw my doctor in the grocery store 14 months after I started. He did not recognize me. I told him who I was, and he congratulated me on the success of my surgery. I laughed at him and said I did the Fit for Life method. "Oh," he replied, "That doesn't work."

Folks, this works if you follow it. Naysayers like to nit pick the terminology, but it based on common sense and logic, plus did I forget to mention that it works. I did this 12 years ago and I still weigh under 190 and wear size 32 pants. It works so fast you will not believe it. For one period when I was really strict I lost a pound every other day. I even cheated a lot, and still lost weight. I have more energy, feel stronger, and can outrun several people who have said that FFL is nonsense. All I can do is laught at theie close minded ingnorance. If you have tried it all to no avail, buy this book today.

The attitude of the negative reviewers on this book just amazes me. My take on this is simple.... LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! You ask ten different doctors their opinion on a particular subject and you will likely get 10 DIFFERENT answers. Some reviewers dispute the science of food combining... do yourself a favor; eat a traditional meal of steak with potato and veggies and notice how lethargic you feel aftewards. The next day eat just a steak and veggie dinner and miraculously notice how you DONT feel lethargic. Now "food combine" for a week and notice your energy level go through the roof and the pounds melt away. Continue for a few more months and notice how you are feeling better than you have your whole life and wait a minute... you have not been sick like everyone else in your family or your co-workers at work. It amazes me that 95% of the reviewers who have actually had the open mind to try the principles and the fortitude to make it through the first few days report that they have never felt better and say things like "it changed my life".... yet the cynics say "ya but, it is not scientifically proven".

All I can say to the people reading these reviews trying to decide whether or not to read this book is as the author says "don't take my word on it, try it out and listen to your body". Some people take this information and run with it to various degree's; some turn into a strict vegan, others (most) like myself, continue to eat meat just in proper combinations.

In ending let me just say that my lifestyle (i.e. eating habits) is not all that radical. I just follow a few basic principles; nothing but fruit until noon (75% of the time), don't eat proteins w/starches (75% of my meals) & no dairy products (I have pizza / ice cream a few times per month) and only eat sweets maybe once a week. As a result, I'm in great shape, I live an energetic life and am NEVER sick.

A hundred years from now we may find out that this book is not 100% accurate, but for now it comes a lot darn closer than any "credited" nutritionist or MD can come up with.

Give it a whirl and see for yourself.

I have read both "Fit For Life" I and II, and am now enjoying a much healthier and happier life than ever before. Having life long poor health, I never imagined the impact that a properly funcitioning body could have on not only my physical health, but on my mental and spiritual health. The principles of "Fit For Life" have completely changed my way of thinking about health, food, nutrition, and the food companies. I have learned about proper food combining, fresh raw vegetable nutrients, the importance of nutrient balance, and the lack of value in processed food. I now enjoy fully tasting food, craving nutritious living food, and very importantly, NOT being hungry all the time! There will always be those that try to discredit something honest, informative, and benefical to the people (you and me) that they, the discrediters look at as mainly a source of profit, through half thruths, paid of reserchers, and just plain lies. "Fit For Life", "earns their keep" by providing accurate useable information, the "where, when, and how", and most importantly, the TRUTH. Thank you to the Diamonds.

The thinnest and healthiest I have ever been was the year and a half I adhered to the eating habits in this book. It's a great way to detox your body, eat more healthfully, and also rid yourself of any gastronomic distress.

Harvey Diamond describes the human body as if it were a machine, and how that machine needs the optimal fuel to keep itself going. Bad fuel can clog up the machine, and good fuel can streamline it. The chapters on detox, body cycles, and the importance of water are worth the price of the book alone. . . I read this book again every now & then for motivation and to get myself back on the bandwagon of healthy eating.

If you feel uncomfortable at the beginning of the program, that's because you're releasing too many toxins too fast. (Read through the detox chapter before you start!) Stick with it, and you will see results. I lost fat, increased muscle mass, and had great skin while eating this way (working out moderately).

Take his ideas with a grain of salt, measure his arguments in your own mind, and try it for yourself. A lot of his theories, which were heretical in the '80s when he wrote it, are now being touted by universities and health authorities.

Thanks to this book I have developed a great respect for foods and their proper consumption. I am eating more fruits and vegetables than ever. I still eat chicken (rarely) and fish. Meats are no longer appealing to me. Thanks to this book and Marilu Henner's "The 30 day total health make over" I have gotten back in shape at the age of 36 and after having 3 children. I feel very strong, healthy and energetic. I love it when people who haven't seen me for a while open their eyes wide and ask me how I lost so much weight (20 pounds, all I needed to lose). These two books have changed my eating habits forever. The concepts are presented in a way that is easy to understand and that makes sense.