Customer Reviews

Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan

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Carmelized scallops on a bed of asparagus with plum tomatoes. Rice with artichoke sauce. A sliver of bread. Followed by a small scoop of lite chocolate ice cream with 2 plump strawberries dipped in chocolate.
All washed down with a fine burgandy wine.

Just a typical meal on "Dr. Shapiro's Weight Loss 30 Day Plan." The 30 day plan walks you day by day into a slimmer, healthier you. Part 1 focuses on how everyone from children to the elderly can benefit from "Picture Perfect" eating. Part II includes 4 weeks of developing a healthier lifestyle. Chapters include; Lets Go Shopping, Focus on Breakfast, A New View of Lunch and Snacks, Whats for Dinner, Lets Eat Out and Celebrate. Part III of the book includes information to make the eating plan a lifelong habit.

I discovered Dr. Shapiro's first book, "Picture Perfect Weight Loss" some years ago. In his first book and this one, he gives side by side visual pictures of food choices.
I thought the book was interesting, but couldn't see how it would really help you lose weight. After all there are many more food choices then the ones shown in his book.
BUT after trying a number of weight loss plans and ending up well with more extra pounds than ever I decided to actually try the program.

To my amazement it works. The pounds are sliding off with ease and I LOVE eating this way. It is definately a program I can follow for my life. The core of the program is FAT (food awareness training). You don't have to worry about counting fats, sugar, carbs, proteins, or calories. But you have to be aware of the calories in the foods you eat.

In the book, Dr. Shapiro shows picture comparisons of foods. For example he says you can have 1 soft pretzel at 480 calories OR you could have 4 boxes of Cracker Jacks for the same amount. You could eat 1 pint of premium ice cream OR 4 pints of sorbet, or 42 low cal. mousse bars. Dr. Shapiro does not expect you to eat 42 low cal bars of course. What he is saying is if you make the lower calorie choice you will not need as much to fill up and hence you will lose weight.

Well most of us know that eating fewer calories equals weight loss. BUT the caloric values of foods sink in better when you see pictures that give you a choice of food items such as one slice of zucchini bread at 580 calories versus eating 1 box strawberries, 1 honeydew melon, 1 nectarine, 3 apricots, 3/4lb grapes, 1 box blackberries, 1 roll (also 580 calories for all).

What you do is apply this knowledge. You don't have to count calories as I mentioned earlier. But by becoming aware of the calories in food items (by reading labels, etc) and frequently making the lower caloric choices in your every day life, you will lose weight. The visual pictures in the book will help hammer calorie differences home.

When I saw that I could eat 1 pint of rice for 440 calories or eat 8 boiled new potatoes, 1 baked sweet potato and 1 ear of corn. It was a no brainer. Now as I go throughout my day I think of my choices and choose the lower calorie food.
If I want junk food I eat a tootsie pop at 60 calories which lasts a lot longer than gummy candy at 100 calories per oz.
If I want a sweet desert I don't think I will be good by grabbing the tiny piece of lemon tart (450 calories) but know that I can either have the large piece of chocolate cake I really want for the same 450 calories or elect to have a lower calorie choice like a frozen mousse pop (40 calories) or chocolate dipped strawberries (about 10 calories each).

I find I can eat more of less caloric food, enjoy my choices and lose weight.

The plan works well for me. By making small changes the weight is coming off. The one drawback I see though for many folks is that Dr. Shapiro suggests eating veggie protein items instead of real steak, pork, burger etc.
Since I don't eat red meat anyway, for me its not a problem. Many of his clients also have no trouble making the switch.
But I imagine that others who have strong hankerings for meat would have difficultly. But the beauty of the program is you don't have to give up any food. You just should be aware of the choices you are making and make wise ones that will allow you to meet your goals. If you want a high calorie chunk of meat, by all means eat it, just make lower calorie choices throughout the day.

I love this method of weight loss. No more deprivation,or counting. Just becoming aware and making wise choices!

I've known for years quite a lot about nutrition, but nonetheless found myself more than 30 pounds overweight. This book just seemed to click for me. The idea of counting grams of this, or calories for this, or even "exchanges" on the Weight Watchers plan just didn't work for me. A diet is normally a temporary deprivation, or worse yet some kind of fad like the protein-pusher diets. This book struck home as really just common sense, yet provided the motivation to finally "change my relationship with food" which I think is one of his mantras. In 3 months I've lost just over 30 pounds, taking my body fat from 33+% to about 21%. I've got more to go, but I'm certain I'll reach my goal. I am literally NEVER hungry. I eat whenever I want, and eat until I feel satisfied. I just make better choices. The two biggest changes I've made are getting high fiber bread (5 grams of fiber or more per slice - Bran For Life is my brand) and high fiber cereal (10 grams per serving). The cereal I've chosen (Uncle Sam's) also has 3000mg of Omega 3 acids, which are healthy for lots of reasons. These foods are very filling, and they taste great. Of course it goes beyond just this (fruits, veggies, fish), but these changes really contribute to my feeling satisfied, while not consuming too much fat and calories.

I've really started to get serious now, and have started following Steve Zim's Hotpoint Fitness for my exercise. These two books together are turning me from a serious dough-boy into a guy not ashamed to take his shirt off at the pool!

Best of luck to everyone out there trying to get in shape! Read this book, and stay the heck away from white sugar, white flour, and red meat, and you'll do great!

Dr. Shapiro really out did himself. I really didn't see how he could make another book like his first one and not have it be just a repeat. But he has done an excellent job. Going from childhood, teenagers, middle age, elderly. His program makes so much sense. You don't have to give up anything, just make better choices. If feels like he is almost right there w/you. The book is written in such a personal manner. I really enjoyed the successes of others in the book. I think it's definitely the next best thing to actually scheduling an appointment w/Dr. Shapiro. I know this book is more expensive than most, but it is full of glossy pictures that really give a great visual, which really helps it to stick w/you. He outlines so many great steps and takes you through those steps..one at a time. It is well worth the extra money for what you get.

VC

This book just puts it simple. You either start eating healthy foods and eat more, or starve yourself into fat. And you have a choice!! It's not like, "you can't eat this or that" yes you can, but, would you want to? if you have far better options out there? Yes, it is about calories, but simple enough for not becoming a slave of counting calories. I notice why all other diets focus on "no diary, no meats, no breads", calories and fat!!! A veggie hamburger has half of the beef hamburger calories! What makes this book different than any other diet book, is that other plans do not give you a choice, you simply CAN'T EAT THIS OR THAT. The moment you start into a diet, you want to eat!!! Dr. Shapiro puts it in a much better perspective; visually, he shows you the options you have to eat better, healthier, fewer calories, and more! There is no other way around it: we need to add more veggies and fruits to our diet! period! I'm extremely visual, and this book did it for me. He puts a prettier face to adding veggies and fruits, and of course I choose that!!!

I have tried just about every diet that is on the market. I was somewhat skeptical about this book. But I ordered the book and it was one of the best things I did. The book was well written and the plan was easy to follow. My husband and I lost 30 lbs in approximately 4 months, our age is 52. The book has beautiful demonstrations and was quite informative. I have given the name of this book to countless individuals. I would like to say Thank You to Dr. Shapiro for this book. It made me realize that unconsciously I was taking in too many calories. I would recommend this book to everyone everywhere!!!!...

I used Dr. Shapiro's first book to begin my weight loss journey and lost 15 pounds. I kept it off for a year. I've got more than 50 pounds to go and this new book has given me the structure and meal plans that I've really needed to keep focused and motivated for the long haul. What I truly appreciate is my new lower cholesterol, my lower blood pressure and the higher energy I'm feeling. That energy has helped me start a fitness program as well. Thank you Dr. Shapiro!

This book is wonderful. It shows you everything you need to know to finially lose weight. I started it and lost fifteen pound in 3 weeks. You really get to see result fast. I did stray from the diet while on vacation and while camping. However, I never gained back a pound. I've started it back up and am losing again. Get it you can't go wrong. I should know I've tried every diet out there. This really works. I wasn't excersizing either. Although, I know I should. It easy to read and it is great to go back and look to see what you are doing wrong when you start to stray. It's easy to get going again. It's for life not just for 30 days.

Initially, I was skeptical about buying Dr. Shapiro's book. I had tried so many eating plans before, including the Zone. I figured I might as well try one more. To my amazement, in six weeks I discovered I had lost seven pounds. Until I stepped on the scale, I was convinced that I was gaining weight. I certainly seemed to be eating a lot. However, the clear picture comparisons and food journal helped me to make better choices in my eating habits, leading to slow and steady weight loss. I also appreciated Dr. Shapiro's section on eating disorders. As a former bulimic, I appreciated the fact that he considered unhealthy eating patterns worth addressing.
I highly recommend this book to people that are really ready to make a commitment to losing weight. The process is gradual. This is no quick fix. However, the benefits most definitely last a lifetime.

I, too battled with weight all my life. I am now 41, I picked up Dr. Shapiro's book and I was transformed. From a person who indulged in Hagen Daz to red meat 3 times a week or more, I am now 25lbs lighter. It is now one year plus later and the weight is still off, but more importantly I am a new person. I no longer eat red meat, no dairy food only soy, and I exercise everyday. This book was an eye opener. I am committed to a life change, not a diet. Thank you Dr. Shapiro.

this book was an eye opener to me .. To see in actual pictures of how much fat and calories food has . wow!! I love the way he shows you what you could have instead that is alot more satisfying . You wont believe your eyes when you see this book .