Customer Reviews

Lean For Life: Phase One - Weight Loss

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I am a lifetime member of weight watchers, I have done the grapefruit diet, cabbage soup diet, atkins diet, and any other diet that came my way. The Lindora program was the most effective and I lost the 14 pounds I wanted to lose in 6 weeks. I was amazed and thrilled. I also realize that if I go back to my old eating habits the 14 pounds will find their way back. So as long as I follow the Lean for Life maintenance program I will continue to maintain my 117 pounds and continue to be proud of my figure even at my age of 51. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who is serious about wanting to shed unwanted pounds.

This book was a life-saver for me. I carried extra weight on my body from 12 years old until my late 20s, despite numerous attempts to lose it. I was isolated, miserable, exhausted, and fed-up! I bought this book and read it 3 times through before I was ready to commit, but when I did, it was a miracle! I lost 35 lbs in 2 1/2 months, then continued losing over the next year to reach a total of 60 lbs lost. I am now 32, having kept the weight off for 4 years.

YOU MUST DO THE METABOLIC ADJUSTMENT PHASES!! I wonder if the other reviewers who had issues with this got so caught up with the rapid weight loss that they didn't want to take a break and let their bodies adjust. The two week adjustment is what makes this diet better than any other I've seen. It takes into account the body's tendency to plateau and rewires your metabolism to continue working throughout the process. I swear that I have a better metabolism now than I did in my 20s! I do not have to follow the diet anymore, I simply try eat a healthy balanced diet (a little heavier in protein, lighter in carbs) and do regular cardio and strength training workouts. Nothing excessive, just the standard recommendations. And when I start to indulge and put a few lbs back on... I do a cycle or two of Lean for Life and it's off in no time.

It is restrictive, and requires daily planning so you keep your nutrients in line. But when you start to see the results, and FEEL the results, it's hard to give up. And because it is quicker than many other weight loss programs, it's something that you only have to do for a limited time.
I have purchased 3 copies (I lose other things besides weight). Best 60 bucks I ever spent!

[...]

Because I work in the entertainment industry, I have been on so many diets and the one thing that was difficult was sticking to it. With this book, I learned how to live while eating. It struck a cord with me physically and emotionally - working on all levels. The diet was not only easy but something I could do whether working, traveling, or just relaxing at home. I learned how to eat, why I eat, and other ways to cope with life that did not include food. It is more than just another diet book, it is a way of life, and a way of believing in yourself because you see the pounds AND inches melt away - thus helping you stick to "the diet" and making it part of your life - a new life where you feel great because you are taking care of your body, mind, and soul. If anybody has ever wanted to lose weight and keep it off, you have to buy this book!! It is awesome and so easy to do - I can't help but rave about it - I'm so happy and 15 pounds lighter - for life!!

I was so excited when I discovered Lean for Life. I was sure I had found the answer. I quickly lost weight and found my cravings were under control. I wrote a glowing review recommending the book at this site.

But sadly, my happiness was short lived. Within 6 weeks, I found I really craved carbs. (Lean for Life is high protein). The strictness of the program was no longer freeing. My cravings were back full force and I couldn't stand to be on the program any longer.

The guilt. Here I had strongly recommended the book. Then I read "The Fat of the Land." In the book the author states that folks are so hyped up about quick weight loss with high protein diets that they share this with others. BUT Fumato goes on to say that the weight loss is almost always temporary. But by that time folks have recommended the diet to many others.

For this I apologize. It took several weeks for my system to get back to normal. I regained all that I lost and then some.
I have several Lean For Life email buddies and I am sorry to say that THEY ALL REGAINED THEIR WEIGHT. They have all switched to other programs.

Perhaps Lean for Life works for some. But please be aware its a high protein diet and one you will have to stay on for life.
Can you do it? Perhaps you are better off making small lifestyle changes that add up to big results. Think hard before you go on this plan and disregard my earlier glowing review.

Its hard to reveal that I failed with this plan I was so enthusiastic about, but I hope my sharing this will help someone else.

Lean For Life is a weight loss program that truly works--I personally went from weighing almost 260 pounds down to a very healthy 180 pounds in approximately 6 to 7 months. Although it IS a high-protein,low-carb program it focuses on eating healthy, low-fat foods and allows greater flexibility and gives you a better variety of foods to choose from. The encouragement and support I received from my local Lindora clinic's staff was also crucial to my success. Take it from someone who spent many years struggling with obesity: If you do the Lean For Life program correctly, IT WORKS!!!

I began the Lean for Life program on my 39th birthday on October 11th, 2001. Today, exactly 4 months later, I weigh 47 pounds less and am just 8 pounds from my goal weight. This is the most practical, easy-to-follow program I've ever tried. I started with the original Lean for Life book, and bought this new edition the day it went on sale. It's a fun, day by day format that kept me motivated every step of the way. I couldn't recommend this book (and the program it offers) more highly!

I lost 50 pounds on LFL, over about 5 months. I "cheated" a little bit, i.e. had a Grande non-fat latte everyday because I couldn't give it up. However, I followed it pretty closely most of the rest of the time. I danced 3-5 nights a week for exercise. After I lost the 50 pounds, I gradually went back to eating whatever I wanted and kept the weight off for over a year. In fact, I ate like a complete slob-whatever I wanted and still kept the weight off. Unlike some of the other people who reviewed this product, I definitely think that my metabolism rate was RAISED by this diet or I could never have eaten the way I did and not gained the weight right back. I also stopped dancing, because I was back in school and had no time. If I had just eaten reasonably, I am convinced the weight would have stayed off.

The only thing I did not like about the program, was the quick-start protein days. It was pretty hard to eat only protein for three days. The cravings were AWFUL. However, after the three days of cold-turkey no carbs, etc., I must say it was easier to follow the program. Also, I do like my carbs and it is a tough lifestyle for me to follow. I do give it a high rating overall though, because it performs as advertised- I did lose the weight. I have a friend who lost 100 pounds on it and has kept it off for several years. Also, two friends who have lost 20-30 pounds on it and kept it off.