Customer Reviews

The Rotation Diet

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I tried this diet for the first time about 15 years ago when I got out of college. I had tremendous success on the diet and was able to maintain my weight for several years after that... until I went through some changes in my life that resulted in a major lifestyle change (stopped exercising, changed my eating habits, etc.).

By that time, I had forgotten about The Rotation Diet. I tried many other diets (Atkins, juice fasts, vegetarian, etc.) in order to lose weight, but none were very successful. And, even when I had success, as soon as I came off of those diets, I would gain the weight again because none of those diets taught me how to eat when I was OFF the diet.

Recently, when going through some old boxes, I found my old copy of The Rotation Diet. The thing that makes The Rotation Diet work is that you are feeding your body highly nutritional, low-fat, low-calorie foods. Plus, with the concept of "free vegetables" (vegetables that are so low in calories that you can eat as much as you want) and "safe fruit" (a fruit that you can eat as a snack whenever you feel like you might cheat), you never feel hungry. However, critical to the diet is that exercise is a key part. You can still lose weight without exercise, but the weight loss won't be as effective.

During my first rotation on the diet, I lost 13 pounds. When I rotated off of the diet, I stayed off for three weeks and basically ate whatever I wanted. The three weeks on the diet has influenced my eating habits, however, and I ate much healther during those three weeks than I had prior to the diet. Furthermore, I continued exercising regularly. During that three weeks off the diet, I ate some sweets and some high-fat foods (though I didn't go crazy and eat them for every meal) and I didn't put on a single pound. I attribute that to my body's increased metabolism from exercising as well as my healthier eating habits as a result of the diet.

Also, because I had such success during the first rotation (both on and off the diet), I am highly motivated and excited about beginning my second rotation on the diet. Some people may be turned off by the restrictive meal plans (he basically tells you what to eat for every meal), but I found it very liberating. I never had to guess what I should eat for the next meal (and, therefore, give myself an opportunity to justify cheating). I also discovered that I like some new foods that I always thought I hated.

This is a diet that really works, but you must follow the plan to the letter. The back portion showing the calories in various foods has no standard portion measurements, making it imposible to compare apples to oranges (If you'll pardon the play on word)
The diet requires tremendous willpower because you will be very hungry on this extremely low calorie diet. It is important that you read the entire book so that you understand the priciples that make this diet work. If you aren't willing to make a permanent( although not terribly difficult) lifestyle change, don't try this diet. If you are serious about loosing weight and keeping it off, this really works. Because of the exercise and very low caloric intake, you might want to consult with a doctor before undertaking this diet.

I've been on many diets over the last 18 years and none of them compares to this diet on any level. I have been successful on this diet whenever I do it. I am a size 12 5'4" woman who has trouble losing weight and I just lost 15 pounds in one round (including 2 weeks maintenance)on this diet. That is diet amazing. You have to have the right mindset going into it and you have to stick with it even when it seems impossible, but you will achieve results. I don't follow the food plans of the diet at all.. I just do the calories.

I have found a few foods that have really, really helped so I want to share them. For breakfast I have one package of Quaker cinnamon roll oatmeal with 1/2 cup of applesauce stirred into it after it's cooked. I usually use those pre-portioned applesauces (50 calories) so it's really easy. Also, the thing that I just found this week is snack-sized cottage cheese. It's 90 calories and it keeps me from being hungry better than anything else for 90 calories. They are perfect. I buy yogurt (100 calories-key lime is the best), slim fast shakes (180 calories-cappucino flavor is delicious!!), 30 calorie fake cheese and 40 calorie bread (I toast the bread in the toaster, put cheese between 2 pieces and microwave the sandwich for *5* seconds to form a 110 calorie grilled cheese which is not that bad); wheat thins and tuna; and I fry eggs in no-cal butter spray and put them on 40 calorie toast with a little ketchup, salt and lot of pepper and it is very satisfying for 200-300 calories. I eat a 15 calorie popsicle when I want to eats something sweet. When I am starving and feeling like I might go off the diet, I eat as many dill pickles as my little heart desires with the caveat that I vow not to weigh myself the next day. Dill pickles are my go-to desperation food that I haul out when I can't do it otherwise. You will retain water, but you will have kept on your diet and that is the most important thing. Just don't weigh yourself the next day or your might lose motivation.

I eat the grand majority of my calories during the day before working out so I can actually focus at work. Then, I go home at night and eat at least a cup of sugar-free jello with a few tablespoons of lite cool whip on it. Then, I go to bed. Throughout the day I am prepared at all times with low calorie foods to eat. I don't find myself tempted to go get something because I have all my food with me all the time. I carry food in the trunk of my car, my refrigerator is never out of anything and I have food in my desk at work.

I've cut out caffeine for the most part except my 1 big cup of coffee in the morning. It's best not to drink soda, but if I do, I drink caffeine free diet soda. I've recently read that caffeine increases cortisol stress hormones in the body, which makes it hard to lose weight. Who knows if it's true, but I'm decreasing my caffeine anyway.

When you are hungry, go to bed. Get as much rest as possible. Between all the added rest you are getting (which also decreases your stress and cortisol levels) and the time that you are using exercising (I exercise medium intensity for at least an hour 5 days a week), then you only have less than 14 hours in a day to eat anything. Do as many non-food related activities as possible.

I hope this review is helpful. These are all the dieting tips I've got.

This diet worked for me 5 years ago (I lost 20 pounds!). You are only hungry the first three or four days when the calorie intake is lowest. After that, your calories are not as restricted and you won't feel much hunger if you remember to have the three snacks a day. I use fruit or one cheese stick as a snack. If you follow the book's advice, you will be eating 6 times a day, spaced out every few hours so you never feel too hungry. I am doing this diet again and I am already, after three weeks, at a weight I have not seen on the scale in two years. I am also eating much healthier than I usually do - and enjoying it! I am very happy with my results. This diet is nutritionally sound, satisfying (except for those first few days), and easy to follow. This is really the sanest way to diet! I feel healthier, my skin is clearer, and I am very encouraged at losing some weight that I was not too proud of!

If you are looking for a sane way to lose weight and eat like a normal person at the same time, this is for you. I have used this program several times over the years and it always pays off - not only in safe, healthy and consistent weight loss, but also (and more importantly) in retraining my eating habits.

You eat normal, healthy meals - without bizzare restrictions like no-carbs or no-fat. Bottom line, what you end up eating are reasonable, balanced meals on a regular schedule. The key is the healthy eating combined with an ever-changing calorie count per day. Basically, you trick your metabolism into remaining at a normal level while you eat fewer calories.

The other strong result of this diet is that it retrains you into a habit of healthy eating, which goes a long way toward keeping the weight off. Every few years, I end up backsliding into donuts and pizza three times a week and use this program to dump the pounds and get me back on track.

They insist you do a three-weeks-on, one-week-off schedule, so it is easy to stay on it for a long time. My first time on the program, I stayed with it for 5 months and lost a LOT - without feeling like I was dieting or anything.

Guys do particularly well on this program. I can generally count on dropping about 12-16 pounts per three-week cycle, more if I exercise regularly.

I have tried pretty much every diet that ever existed, so whenI saw this book while visiting my endocrinologist, I decided to give it a shot. I have done the diet three times, and even though I haven't been perfect, I am down from a size 14 to a size 10.
The recipes are great, I feel fantastic, and never fell deprived. Plus if you get the urge to cheat, you know that the diet is over in three weeks, so it's easier to resist the temptation.

I totally recommend this diet to anyone who has tried every other diet without seeing results

This is the one and only diet that has worked for me. I used it years ago to take off 25 pounds which I kept off for 8 years until I got pregnant. I am now using it again to lose post-baby weight. The unique feature of this diet is that it is only 3 weeks long, there is a definite end. Then, you take a break and do it all over again if you want. It's fantastic! Buy it, you won't be sorry.

I am so thankful for this book! I have tried many diets and have gained numerous pounds back more times than I like to remember. A nurse told me years ago this is the only diet she knew of which would work to keep off the pounds. I forgot about it until 2 weeks ago and then I began to read this book; I have followed the plan very faithfully and have lost 17 pounds so far. I am so thankful! I feel good and even though I have 2 daughters to cook and bake forbidden foods for, it does not bother me. I keep the book on my desk and keep reading it over and over. The recipes are good! I appreciate the shopping list in the book! This is a great book! I am telling my friends and relatives about it. For the first time in my life I feel comfortable about shedding the pounds because I know I will keep them off. Thank you so much!

and, I have tried them all: Diet Center, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, the Zone, Atkins.... I highly recommend that anyone seriously impatient with losing weight FAST use this book as their bible for three committed weeks and they will have a better body.

I thought this book was excellent. It tells you in plain English about diet theory and principles, then includes a guideline meal plan to follow for 3 weeks (different for men and women). The meal plans are NOT set in stone and you can adjust to meet your own tastebuds delights. I have used this diet a couple times and lost 14-17 pounds in 3 weeks. Why did I gain weight back later on? A lack of exercise and VERY poor diet! My OWN fault, not the author's! All you have to do is follow his simple principles on diet and "eat less fat and walk!" I highly recommend this book.