Customer Reviews

Fitonics for Life

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I would say that rather than flip-flopped, Marilyn has shifted directions a bit with her new husband, Donald. I don't think she just believes in whatever her current husband promotes, as has been suggested. People come across new information in their lives and change and grow. This is where she is now and it is working for her. She has moved from a very strict (and limiting?) position in Fit For Life into a more relaxed, balanced and still healthy lifestyle in Fitonics. I must admit that as I started reading Fitonics, I was really surprised to see that she had apparently abandoned principles that she had so strongly promoted and believed in. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that she isn't a vegetarian anymore. And I was surprised about recommending dairy after the strong stand against it in Living Health. But the longer I read, the more I understood that for her, as well as for the vast majority of the population, trying to adhere 100% to the principles of Natural Hygiene was becoming a very oppressive, joy-robbing task. And without directly saying it, I think she was implying that Harvey was really quite dogmatic about following the principles exactly. She probably went along with him so completely more out of intimidation than out of belief. It seems like in this book she is saying that she needed to come to these principles from a place of joy rather than a place of oppression. It is better to eat a steak with a happy attitude than to eat all the vegetables in the world in misery -- and in judgment of other people who aren't as strict as yourself. So, she adapted the principles to make them live-able for the masses. I think that people will benefit from this new perspective -- and if anyone hasn't read Living Health, read that too, because it is excellent. Things change in ten years. It is good to move forward, to reassess where we've been, what has worked, what hasn't, and to formulate and adjust our plan. Sticking dogmatically to one opinion, not being willing to expand ! and change and grow isn't helpful. I understand it's a bit confusing if you are looking for concrete answers and unwavering principles -- but life is movement and we need to be flexible. Fitonics is about that more than anything -- being in touch with what works for you, listening to your own inner guidance rather than relying on hard and fast rules. Even Harvey is now promoting supplements (read You Can Prevent Breast Cancer). Fitonics, for me, was a wonderful reminder to keep searching for truth and keep incorporating the principles of health into my life as much as possible without becoming fanatical about it. Like any other book, take what works for you and leave what doesn't. But you can't take anything if you don't read it. :)

Of all the many health/diet books I've read over the last 35 years, this is the one that makes the most sense to me. I read all of Marilyn's "Fit for Life" books, which were excellent, but a bit too dogmatic for my taste. Here she has a more "No more food guilt" and "no more 'food cops'" approach. She has taken the best of what she learnt from those years of her life, and with the help of Dr. Schnell, brought it up to a new level.

What she has to say about "inner cleanliness" in Chapter 3 I firmly believe is the secret to good health. For me, this is the most important chapter in the book, and a subject that is sadly neglected by many other health experts...as Marilyn says: "This is not a chic topic. Legions of authors aren't lining up to give you a heart-to-heart talk on this subject". But Marilyn does, and Dr. Schnell gives you the medical low down. A must-read chapter.

This isn't about diets, it's about a way of life, put forth in a logical, easy to implement way, and also includes a great set of exercises and some excellent recipes.

Bravo Marilyn ! May you keep learning, keep changing, and keep teaching.

I have read this book and any others on the subject of Natural Health and Food Combining. I was very impressed by the way the book is put together, and was surprised to read some of the negative comments by the other reviewers on this page. Especially the person who says that Marilyn has done an 'amazing flipflop' - let me ask you - did you read the book or just the contents page? She says that she PREFERS it if you eat a vegetarian diet - the meat there is mainly for those who are in transition mode. There are many people who have been eating 'the wrong way' for decades and can't just make the change 'overnight'. Marilyn talks about non-meat sources of protein and recommends that you use those instead - but you can use meat if you want. Personally, I will use as many non-meat protein sources as possible - why can't you do the same instead of just selectively reading the book and then making criticisms? My advice to anyone out there contemplating buying this book: DO IT! It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. After following the Fit for Life principles, I have found the weight drop off and my energy has increased amazingly! I am now applying the Fitonics for Life principles and I am very excited by the results. Do yourself a favour - buy this book, apply the principles - and see for YOURSELF the difference it makes! No one is asking you to believe it - just TRY IT for yourself - and you will convince yourself! The results speak for themselves! As they say in Fitonics for Life... Namaste!

About the Diet...

I read and enjoyed much of Marilyn's Book and tend to agree with some of her reflections on the Fit for Life experience. However, it gives too much room for error.

I found that I (like Marilyn) had a hard time sticking to the rigidity of the Fit for Life program. Like Marilyn, I had also adapted new information and flexibility to the plan. On my own, I had discovered a balance and it seemed to be working.

But Merilyn's plan left me with too much comfort and flexibility. Where I once had a clear plan and direction (even though I "cheated") I now had ambiguity and rationalization.

Before, when I cheated, I knew I was cheating and punished myself with the appropriate guilt. After Marilyn's book, the lines blurred, I relaxed, I rationalized, and I gained back the 40 pounds I had kept off for over three years.

I have now wasted two fat years trying to find that balance and make it work.

So now I am crawling back to Harvey and all his rigidity. I guess I am just a kid in need of some stucture. I am going to reread his first two books and I just bought his latest.

As for Marilyn, she is totally cashing in on the legacy that she and Harvey built together. One glimpse of the title and that is obvious. ... But, come on ... wouldn't you?

Unfortunately, the book has some harsh undertones about the end of her relationship with Harvey. For her readers (and his fans), she should have had more respect for the man that gave her so much and brought so many others to her. Nice professionalism.

Anyway, I enjoyed it for the gossip quality alone. Unfortunately, the diet plan has let me down. Hopefully this helps.

I bought this book for the "diet", but it's a BIBLE. I learned how to exercise in 12 minutes. I learned the most powerful meditation technique I've ever down and I learned health information that no doctor has ever told me about.

I lost 65 pounds with the diet and the delicious recipes. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a healthy lifestyle not just a diet.

I've followed the principles in Fit For Life and Fit for Life II for many years. Lately, I've fallen off the wagon, but plan on getting back on the program as soon as possible. When I follow fit for life, I feel great and have tons of energy. I'm mellow and happy. My skin and hair look a hundred percent better. People also tend to think I'm eight to ten years younger than my actual age. When I'm not on it, I look old, tired and puffy and feel tired and depressed much of the time. Having stated this, Fitonics is a total travesty. Marilyn Diamond is a big letdown on this one. What does she stand for? Making lotsa cash, it would appear. Fitonics is a mumbo-jumbo of basic natural health. It doesn't really follow food combining principles and you will not feel great or look great in my experience on this plan. Yes, Harvey Diamond's stuff is more rigid, that's why it works. You don't get something for nothing in this life, you have to put in some effort. If you really want to change your life, get Fit For Life II.

My wife and I have been on Fitonics for a little over a month and I have already lost 10 pounds and she has lost 6. It goes at the speed at which you want it to go. It teaches you about your body and why it does what it does when you give it junk food.

I read "Fit for life" a long time ago and loved it...everything is explained so easy everybody can understand it...! I follow it every day and I don't think it is all that hard! To me it sounds like Marilyn got re-married and with her old marriage not only dropped the husband but also most principles of her former lifestyle! Why do I have to take supplements now when all this time I have been in such a good health and full of energy? No, to me it doesn't sound like a good idea, sorry! Now they need all these fancy words like: fitonics, mindtonics, bodytonics, fruitonics...but still don't give me enough reason for most of the "new" principles in this lifestyle! Yes, yoga and meditation is all nice and good but that's simply not the reason why I bought this book! So, just don't buy it, if you read "Fit for life" and just want to read more by the authors...!

This book features a more wholistic approach to good health and is written in an easy-to-understand way. I was a fan of Fit For Life but found it too restricting. Fitonics offers a more doable way of eating, emphasizing fresh, raw foods. If you are not a spiritual person you may want to skip the parts about positive thinking and meditation, it's still good. I would highly recommend getting Fit for Life to accompany this book as it doesn't go into detail on proper food combining.

This book really reached me. It got me to change the way I think about dieting and exercise. Speaking of exercise it has a great routine. Both my wife and I do it every morning. I lost 15 pounds the first month with the exercise and the diet.