The book is decent, but the author demonstrates a certain naivety in many of the suggestions he makes, indicating that they're backed by significant research that just hasn't determined cause and effect.
Notably, he states that all of the "other" diets out there (note that he implies this book is not a diet, but it is - any method of eating is a diet) ultimately work by creating a calorie deficit as if to imply that by following this book, you can lose weight without a deficit - but thermodynamics would disagree. Do certain foods provide equivalent satiety to other foods but for lower calories? Yes, there's research behind that. But the author repeatedly states that cutting calories and creating a deficit isn't the right way to lose weight as it can hurt performance, and yet the *only* way to lose weight is via a calorie deficit. There is literally no other way.
There are additional points of information that are only correlation (e.g. those who eat breakfast are leaner than those who don't - and those people also exercise more, smoke less, and a host of other factors that make them healthier) and further statements that are generally debunked, particularly nutrient timing around whether it's best to eat carbs, proteins, or fats at different times of day (he says carbs in the morning, protein at night, but there aren't studies that he references or that I've found that actually prove causation here). Note that I'm not talking about post-workout nutrition which has been studied extensively and for which there is support for carb and protein consumption immediately post workout to maximize both glycogenesis and protein synthesis.
The author also states that if you eat carbs late at night, they are "more likely to turn to fat" which has been proven patently false over and over again (I'm tired of reading and hearing this). De novo lipogenesis (the conversion of carbohydrate to triglycerides) is jokingly low (a few grams a day) except in cases of extreme carbohydrate overfeeding. Carbohydrate is burned in preference to fats when present which thus, in a caloric surplus, will cause overall adiposity to increase, but carbs themselves are very rarely converted to fat in any significant quantity.
But overall, the book has decent suggestions and if you're going from a standard, untracked diet to a measured one, this'll help you, but let's call it was it is - a diet. The author would benefit from being more truthful to the science instead of pretending that there is a magical way to lose weight without going into a calorie deficit. Even despite many of the pros stating that they go to sometimes drastic measures to manage weight, he acts as though this diet makes it simple and easy. Peak performance is not natural, the body cares about survival, not a few seconds off your 5k. Elite performance will require sacrifice.
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![Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance (The Racing Weight Series) by [Matt Fitzgerald]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IQ4ZWtmVL._SY346_.jpg)
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Racing Weight Cookbook: Lean, Light Recipes for Athletes (Racing Weight Series)
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Maximum weight loss and maximum performance cannot be equal priorities for an endurance athlete at any given time.648 Kindle readers highlighted this- You will perform best and attain your racing weight quickest by maintaining a high training volume relative to your personal limits and by doing most of your training at lower intensities.604 Kindle readers highlighted this
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I want to preface my review by stating that I have extensive background in exercise science, nutrition and human performance. There is very little from a nutrition or performance standpoint that I am not already familiar with as I keep up with most peer reviewed academic journals. Having said that, I learned a great deal from Mr Fitzgerald's book. Perhaps more importantly, I was able to put this knowledge into practice. I cannot say enough good things about the brilliance that is this book. If you are serious about honing your performance, you should buy this book.About me: I am a serious runner in my mid 30's who averages about 100 miles per week. I mostly stick to 5k's and 10k's, but did my first marathon last year and came in at 2:59. I was a state runner at high school, but never quite fast enough to make the college grade. My 800m repeats are fast as are my miles, but I knew that in order to make serious PR gains I needed to drop weight in a healthy way. This book has been by blueprint for getting there. The book has proved to be so comprehensive, well-researched and insightful. It's principles are beautifully and artfully laid out. For the past 4 months I've been following closely the dietary quality score approach and managing my hunger and I've gone from 165 lbs to 155 (I hit my goal weight a few days ago!) The last 5 lbs were stubbornly difficult to shed, but I got there. This spring I'm going to see how my new racing weight will allow me perform at my 2nd marathon. Stay tuned!The Dietary Quality Score is such a holistic, refreshing approach to eating. I found it so outstanding that I created a family DQS chart for our little boy with magnets on the refrigerator. We challenge him to get as high of a score as possible every day. Thanks Mr Fitzgerald for your comprehensive work!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2017
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Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2016
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I want to preface my review by stating that I have extensive background in exercise science, nutrition and human performance. There is very little from a nutrition or performance standpoint that I am not already familiar with as I keep up with most peer reviewed academic journals. Having said that, I learned a great deal from Mr Fitzgerald's book. Perhaps more importantly, I was able to put this knowledge into practice. I cannot say enough good things about the brilliance that is this book. If you are serious about honing your performance, you should buy this book.
About me: I am a serious runner in my mid 30's who averages about 100 miles per week. I mostly stick to 5k's and 10k's, but did my first marathon last year and came in at 2:59. I was a state runner at high school, but never quite fast enough to make the college grade. My 800m repeats are fast as are my miles, but I knew that in order to make serious PR gains I needed to drop weight in a healthy way. This book has been by blueprint for getting there. The book has proved to be so comprehensive, well-researched and insightful. It's principles are beautifully and artfully laid out. For the past 4 months I've been following closely the dietary quality score approach and managing my hunger and I've gone from 165 lbs to 155 (I hit my goal weight a few days ago!) The last 5 lbs were stubbornly difficult to shed, but I got there. This spring I'm going to see how my new racing weight will allow me perform at my 2nd marathon. Stay tuned!
The Dietary Quality Score is such a holistic, refreshing approach to eating. I found it so outstanding that I created a family DQS chart for our little boy with magnets on the refrigerator. We challenge him to get as high of a score as possible every day. Thanks Mr Fitzgerald for your comprehensive work!
About me: I am a serious runner in my mid 30's who averages about 100 miles per week. I mostly stick to 5k's and 10k's, but did my first marathon last year and came in at 2:59. I was a state runner at high school, but never quite fast enough to make the college grade. My 800m repeats are fast as are my miles, but I knew that in order to make serious PR gains I needed to drop weight in a healthy way. This book has been by blueprint for getting there. The book has proved to be so comprehensive, well-researched and insightful. It's principles are beautifully and artfully laid out. For the past 4 months I've been following closely the dietary quality score approach and managing my hunger and I've gone from 165 lbs to 155 (I hit my goal weight a few days ago!) The last 5 lbs were stubbornly difficult to shed, but I got there. This spring I'm going to see how my new racing weight will allow me perform at my 2nd marathon. Stay tuned!
The Dietary Quality Score is such a holistic, refreshing approach to eating. I found it so outstanding that I created a family DQS chart for our little boy with magnets on the refrigerator. We challenge him to get as high of a score as possible every day. Thanks Mr Fitzgerald for your comprehensive work!
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021
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Top reviews from other countries
Terry Haggerty
Comprehensive and effective read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 27, 2019Verified Purchase
David Hull
More of a reference book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2019Verified Purchase
stubnitz
Not much new in here
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2015Verified Purchase
Grant
Simple common advice that actually works
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 11, 2019Verified Purchase
Stephen Moffatt
Great book - encapsulates a lot of smart though about ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2015Verified Purchase
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