233 of 238 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I lost 40 pounds in 4 months, June 20, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Mcdougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss (Paperback)
I think this is the best diet information available. I had read fit for life a few years ago and followed that for a while and put on some weight, I tried high protein diets and put on weight. I became a vegetarian and followed fit for life again and put on a lot of weight. I had read about how vegetarians were all skinny but the book never mentioned that eating oil, nuts, tofu, and peanut butter would cause weight gain. I picked up this Mcdougall book in September 1998 at a weight of 183 pounds (at 5"6). I followed it to the letter (except that I drink lots of black coffee) and I went down to 140 pounds in 4 months. I find it very easy to follow although I have not gone to any restaurants since I started which would be difficult. It is also important to mention that during this time I was eating huge quantities of the required foods and I had no time to excercise; so there was absolutely no deprivation whatsoever. I'm still on the diet and have had no cravings for high fat foods or animal products. I've never felt better.
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113 of 115 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be Flexible if you have to be, August 27, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Mcdougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss (Paperback)
Most people who reviewed this book are quite happy with the book, which is good, but there were a few negative reviews. It seems to me that those negative reviewers saw some benefit to this program, but saw some things in it they did not like. Well, I think too many people are caught up with being "perfect" and following diets/programs to the T. If you feel you need a bit more fat or oil in your diet, then add it, sparingly. If you want some pasta one night, then have it. I have lost over 80 pounds in 10 months on this program and I have been flexible. I eat vegan about 96% of the time, but I still eat a bit of shrimp once in awhile, or some egg whites. If I am too strict, I will most likely fail. I found a good balance. I think its okay to take away something from this book even if you are not perfect on it. It has a lot to offer.
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149 of 154 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good reference, but very strict., October 22, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: The Mcdougall Program for Maximum Weight Loss (Paperback)
In this book, McDougall delineates and refines his basic program to help increase weight loss. His books generally deal with heart disease reversal through diet. For both heart disease treatment and weight loss, this book is a good reference ONLY if you are able to stick to your committment to it. It has very clear guidelines that DO work if followed correctly.
Vegans will appreciate the all-vegan approach. Lacto-Ovo vegetarians who are not ready to go vegan may appreciate Dean Ornish's work more -- similar concepts to treating heart disease and obesity through controlled diet, but his program allows dairy and egg products where McDougall does not. People who are accustomed to eating meat will find neither Ornish nor McDougall's programs encouraging it as a food choice. It will NOT fit in with these programs, and if you are not willing to forgo meat you may find difficulty sticking to the diet. It has to be a lifestyle change, something you are willing to do forever to treat and control your heart disease/obesity.
The book contains menu plans and recipes along with the basic guidelines for the program. I find the recipes ok, but not fabulous because they lean heavily toward the "southwest" or "tex-mex" type food. They are easy to make, I just happen to not be a fan of tex-mex type food! Instead I bought the book as a reference and found other vegan cookbooks that suited my tastebuds better.
People who like to cook will find this no problem. People who are used to eating frozen entrees or eating out all the time may find difficulty learning how to cook and manage their time to be able to prepare their own meals. The book does give tips on how to best eat out in restaurants and still stick to the program, but overall, expect to have to at least cook a little. A lifestyle change does imply changing some habits.
Whether or not you like the book or find it useful will largely depend on how clearly you have your goals in mind and how far you are willing to change to achieve them.
I gave it 4 stars because while I liked it and it works for me, I can see where it will not work for my non-vegetarian spouse and may cause him frustration. He is simply not ready to go that extra mile at this time and give up meat.
CatR
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