Greene shoots straight with readers about what it takes to get fit and lose weight. The most lasting results, he says, happen in small increments as people learn to improve eating habits and activity levels. If there’s one downside to the program, it’s that it’s heavily slanted toward exercise advice. In a land gone awry with supersized portions, some dieters might need a bit more specific advice about exactly how much to eat.
Does the diet take and keep weight off?
That’s not clear. The plan is based on sound principles, but there are no scientific reports to show that this specific regimen works. The book and Web site do contain anecdotal stories of success.
Is the diet healthy?
Probably. However, since portion sizes aren’t specified it’s possible that dieters, when left to their own devices, could end up overeating.
What the experts say:
“This plan is a starting place,” says Lona Sandon, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. “It makes things relatively simple without being overwhelming.” Her one complaint: The diet requires a major time commitment (one hour a day) for exercise - something that not everyone can do. Leslie Bonci, MPH, R.D., director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center likes the general concepts of Greene ’s program. “The eating cut-off time is great,” she says, “and journaling and dealing with emotions-those things are vitally important.” However, Bonci thinks dieters may need to go elsewhere for more detailed eating advice, since Greene doesn’t specify portion sizes. “It may be nitpicking, but this is going to be a problem,” Bonci says. “You can’t just say popcorn or fruit is a good snack without giving people an idea of how much they can eat. It’s easy to go overboard, and calories count.”
Who should consider the diet?
Dieters who like to have some flexibility about what they eat but are clueless about what kind of exercise regimen is best. Anyone who eats when they’re stressed, bored, angry or sad should take a look.
Bottom Line:
In a world enamored with quick fixes, this plan’s gradual approach is refreshing. Although it might take some folks time to work up to the intense amount of exercise the program requires, this diet is a keeper.
Hi, I've battled my own weight loss for years and have experience with hundreds of weight loss programs and fad diets. When forming my list of the
I think that the Best Life Diet has good principles to live by. When you think about it this book is actually telling us to do what all the other healthy weight loss books say. I’ve read several different books and they all promote the same message. Portion control, fresh and raw, etc. My husband and I are trying the Best Life and so far it’s working well. It’s teaching us how to transform our bad eating habits into healthy ones. Pretty much any diet will work as long as you stick with it. We diet for 2 weeks and then quit and say that it doesnt work. We just need to be more committed thats all.