90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have been doing a simular weight loss program, March 26, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The L.A. Shape Diet: The 14-Day Total Weight Loss Plan (Hardcover)
I found this book very informative and an easy read. Dr. Heber's LA Shape Diet is proven within his scientific research and his patient's results. I had started a program similar to what he suggests at the beginning of March by consuming 100 grams of protein each day, except I have not been exercising, and only eating four of the suggested seven fruits and vegetables each day. My first 3 weeks I have had great energy, better looking skin and hair, less moodiness, zero cravings, nor was I hungry staying within 1400 calories a day. So far I've lost 9 lbs and 11.25 inches and I can actually see a little muscle definition. After reading about my own shape, I've made a few minor changes in my plan and can already feel a difference.
The LA Shape Diet covers all the areas why most dieters fail and offers advice to be successful. I especially liked all the recipies for filling,low calorie snacks and meals. Heber's discussions about how to choose and use herbal supplements is a well written tutorial to help the wellness seeker know what to look for when choosing safe, effective supplements as well as choosing the most nutritious kinds of food at the grocery store. If you want to learn how to exercise, eat healthy and find out what your personal best strategy is to lose weight and keep it off, this is the book for you. The CEO's of the Fast and Processed Food Industry and of all the diet fads out there won't want you to read it!
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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Healthy and realistic - and I get FULL at every meal, March 6, 2006
I've read some of the other reviews on this book and am a bit annoyed with most of the negative one.
Before answering the negative comments, let me say that I've been following the diet for 7 weeks and have lost 20 pounds. The thing I like best about it is that it's the ONLY diet I've found that allows me to eat the quantity of food I'm eating, and still keep my calorie count at about 1350. I love having a full plate and a full tummy. With this way of eating I get full at all 3 meals, have 3 snacks during the day, and am still able to lose weight. On Atkins I got full, and my lipids and sugar were great, but I didn't lose much weight because my calorie count was too high. On Weight Watchers I was always hungry, because I invested too many of my points in refined carbs and grains. This works for me.
I'm planning to use Dr. Heber's earlier book "What color is your diet," for maintenance. I have my physician's enthusiastic blessing for both.
BTW - I have no cravings. I'm easily able to say no to candy, chips, cake, cookies, etc. My pre-diabetic metabolism is loving this!
Here's a typical day's menu for me:
Breakfast: Shake made with 1C skim milk, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 a banana and 1/2 cup of frozen raspberries.
Lunch: Salad made with 3 C romaine lettuce, 1/2 a cucumber, a 1/4 of an avocado and 3 oz of roast chicken.
Dinner: 4 oz lean ground turkey burger smothered with sauteed onions and mushrooms, 2 C pureed cauliflower (a la Atkins), 1 cup thinly sliced butternut squash sauteed in a small amount of olive oil
snacks/dessert: 1 C non-fat cottage cheese with 1/2 c pineapple; 1 clementine orange; 1 c watermelon; 1/2 cup blueberries with 1 T low-fat coolwhip.
All this runs about 1350 calories, with 140g of protein (1 gram for every pound of lean body mass I have), and is about 20% fat. A smaller person, with less lean body mass, should be able to eat closer to 100 g of protein and still get all of the fruits and vegetables in, for fewer calories.
My reaction to other comments about the book:
1. I read the book cover to cover and (unless I missed it somewhere) I didn't see the name "Hebalife" anywhere in it. It does NOT promote any particular brand of protein powder. It does suggested using "flavored" shake mix (vanilla or chocolate), but I ended up getting plain unflavored protein powder (Genisoy) that I could mix with skim milk. If I want chocolate I add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa for 15 calories. For the person who said the shakes taste horrible, well, for goodness sake, try a different brand, and be sure to add some fruit!
2. How can anyone say this is not a healthy diet? You end up eating a huge amount of fruits and vegetables, healthy added fats like olive oil and avocado, and lean protein. No one needs grains in their diet. They're just not necessary. I use a computer-based program (fitday.com) to keep track of my calories/carbs/fat/protein and 32 different nutrients. I consistently take in well over 100% of the RDA's for all nutrients (except vitamin D, but you get that from sunshine too), without taking any supplements. And I get about 30 grams of fiber a day.
4. Even some of the people who said they liked the diet didn't seem to be really following it. A nutrition bar for lunch and a reasonable dinner? That's not what this diet is about. You're supposed to eat from all 7 colors of fruits and vegetables every day. You can't get them in if you don't eat them at every meal and for snacks. Nutrition bars are not recommended in this diet. Have a huge salad with meat instead!
If you follow the diet the way it's laid out, it's very healthy and satisfying. But like any diet, if you stop eating that way and go back to eating the way you ate before, yes, you're going to gain the weight back. That's how you got fat in the first place!
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