Lean For Life: Phase One - Weight Loss [Paperback]

Cynthia Stamper Graff (Author), Jerry Holderman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

This is more than just a book you read. It is a book you do! Whether you choose to lose five, 50, or 500 pounds, you will find this remarkable, results-oriented book -- and the clinically proven program it features -- a dynamic roadmap to results. This innovative two-phase approach to lasting weight loss has changed the lives and bodies of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and teenagers since 1971. As you do this groundbreaking program, you can: lose weight rapidly, burning excess body fat as fuel while safely maintaining your lean muscle; experience fewer cravings and feel less hungry, all while eating healthy, nutritious food; enjoy increased energy and feel terrific; reduce your risk of heart disease; lower elevated cholesterol and blood pressure; reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes; enhance both your mental and athletic performance; gain vital self-awareness while learning to maintain your new weight for life! This landmark program has helped people all over the world achieve their weight goals. It can help you achieve yours!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lean for Life is the only program I’ve ever tried where I didn’t feel hungry.” -- John Morgan, 43 Lost 63 pounds

This book powerfully advocates the benefits of an integrated mind-body approach to controlling your weight and improving your health. -- John Bradshaw - New York Times Best-Selling Author and host of television's The Bradshaw Difference

“But more important than how I look is how I feel— I have more energy than ever!” -- Elizabeth Wright, 23 Lost 90 pounds

“I lost 100 pounds in just ten months.” -- June M. Griesemer, 69 Lost 115 pounds

“I was self-conscious, fat, and fed up. In five months, I lost more than 40 pounds!” -- Margaret Kelman, 47 Lost 50 pounds

“This phenomenal program has given me back my life! I’m so grateful I found it.” -- Susan Gardanier, 37 Lost 85 pounds

From the Publisher

The Lean for Life weight loss plan was recently the subject for the cover story in First magazine, one of the best selling magazines for women in the United States.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Griffin Publishing; 2 edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580000886
• ISBN-13: 978-1580000888
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lean for Life, July 27, 2003

By 

"julene67" (Corona, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean For Life: Phase One - Weight Loss (Paperback)

This is in response to all of those who say that most people gain weight back on this diet plan. The truth is, people gain weight back on any type of diet, IF they return to their old eating habits or give into their cravings once they lose the weight. This diet does work, but it's something you have to stick to FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, just like any other weightloss plan.

The Lean for Life plan is a low carb diet, but it is different than Atkins in that it stresses low-fat types of high protein foods ~ and it allows for fruits, vegetables, and grains. It emphasis psychological efforts in dieting along with the usual eating and exercising information. It's easy to follow, and the weight loss is pretty rapid (which is very motivating). However, if you only follow the weight loss phase, and not the maintenance phase, the weight will come back on.

This diet may not be for everyone, but as with any weight loss plan, you have to find what works for you, and make it a lifetime habit.

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good program, but with a caution, May 4, 2002

By 

Anonymous (Glendora, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean For Life: Phase One - Weight Loss (Paperback)

I generally concur with the other reviews of this book, but I would add two caveats.

Basically, LFL is a low carb (between 50 to 100 grams a day), low fat, high protein (70 to 100 grams a day) diet. If you follow the program TO THE LETTER, you WILL lose weight. I lost 60 pounds in 5 months doing LFL. It was fabulous! However, I also WRECKED my metabolism.

The book does not warn you that if you do this program for a sustained amount of time that the low carb intake will eventually SLOW DOWN your metabolism to a crawl -- even with rigorous regular exercise. In fact, my metabolism got so slow that my body began to simulate a thyroid problem (e.g. my hair started falling out). After stopping LFL, it took my body about 3 months to recover and my metabolism to normalize again.

Also, the book doesn't say anything about the importance of STRENGTH TRAINING as part of the exercise routine. The book only talks about walking and counting steps. This is a MAJOR failing, in my opinion. Yeah, I lost weight on LFL, but I also lost a lot of muscle. This was very unhealthy. It wasn't until I stopped doing LFL and hired a personal trainer that I began to really get healthy. So, if you do LFL, start out walking (the first month, I was so heavy that was all I could do), but then after you drop some weight, mix in some strength training a few times a week and also flexibility training (like Pilates or Yoga).

So, if you want to lose weight and make healthy life changes, LFL is a great way to do it. You WILL be successful. BUT, be careful not to do it for too long...the consequences could be devastating...and add in some strength training along the way.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am loving this diet, August 19, 2002

By 

Cammi "crbowen" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lean For Life: Phase One - Weight Loss (Paperback)

I have read the other reviews and believe that there is more to the story of doing this diet than just reading and following the book. I bought the plan which came as a boxed set with four tapes; ketosticks, which are sticks that you place in your urine in the morning to determine if you're in ketosis; the Lean for Life book and enrollment for a 45-day session at the Lean for Life Web site. This program really has covered me on every side. Check out www.myhealthepointe.com for more information.

I receive daily messages via e-mail that encourage me. I can go to the Web site and log in my statistics, listen to Cynthia Stamper via Real Player or Windows Mediaplayer, and write to their support team for any questions I may have on the plan, and I have had several.

I have followed the program for five weeks now and have lost 14 pounds. After losing for four weeks, I am now adding food, and carbohydrates, so that I adjust my metabolism. I wonder if this very important step was missed by the people who lost their weight and then began regaining it. After I complete the two weeks of metabolic adjustment, then I will do another four-week weight loss module.

The reviewer who wrote that the book neglects to tell people to do strength training is correct. I have not seen coverage in the book on that topic. They do emphasize walking and taking extra steps. Hopefully, people who read these reviews and are interested in the book will buy some weights and a good exercise video or DVD and do those exercises as well as walking.