Each new year it seems I am always looking for a quick and easy way to lose weight. I haven't found one, have you? It seems most of my life I've carried some extra weight. I realize portion control is my issue, and the fact I swear I have extra sensitive taste buds :) Everything tastes so very good.
For 2010 The Mayo Clinic Diet struck my fancy when I saw it at the library. I especially liked this book because it is written by a team of Mayo Clinic Foundation experts. The organization, at least in my opinion, is well known and well respected.
So what is this book all about? The weight loss plan is not a fad diet. It is a realistic, long term plan that for most people would seem easy to follow.
Part 1 - The diet includes a first 2-week Quick Start plan that helps to get you motivated to lose somewhere between 6-10lbs during the first two weeks in a safe and healthy manner. There is even an easy quiz to take to see if this is the right time for you to try and lose weight (are you motivated enough). It asks you to find what it is that motivates you to lose weight (better health, more energy, look better etc); adding 5 habits; breaking 5 habits, and adopting 5 bonus habits.
Part 2 - This section discusses setting weight loss goals, calorie goals, burning calories and more.
Part 3 - All the extra Stuff encompasses - Your BMI, why you are overweight, health risks, nutrition, the healthy weight pyramid, changing behaviors, menus, dealing with challenges, eating out and burning more calories.
MY THOUGHTS - What I liked about this book was that it was well organized, beautifully illustrated with color photos, charts, graphs, menus, and exercise plans (yes, I thought I could somehow avoid the exercise, but no it is not an option if you are serious about your weight loss success). I liked the book a lot, but I do have to admit that I did not learn much that I did not already know, EXCEPT that I was not motivated enough, at least right now, to begin this diet plan. The quiz suggested that I reassess myself in the near future, which to me sounds like a plan. To me that makes a lot of sense considering I will be beginning a new job in a week.
If you are looking for a sensible diet plan, especially one with a quick start option, and you feel emotionally ready to take the plunge, then give The Mayo Clinic Diet a try.
RECOMMENDED (4/5 stars) (Library Book)
Sometimes it just takes reading the right book that motivates you!! Portion control is a big thing and we've all been conditioned to overeat...look at the portions we're served in restaurants...Great review!
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteI hope this is the right diet for you. Battling weight, even a few extra pounds can be depressing. When I as really over weight I tried everything from Jenny Craig to the cookie diet. Finally I started fun exercise. I found Tae Bo and in less than 6 months lost 80 pounds. Now I eat right and make sure I have fun when I exercise. I love my Wii and forget I am working out. I still battle the pounds from time to time, but over all having fun while exercising has really helped me stay on track.
I've actually heard good things about this book. Funny I talk about weight today at my site too - what's that they say about great minds??? ;-)
ReplyDeleteSB
not too serious i hope
Diane, this sounds like a sensible approach to weight loss. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great book. I think that it is so hard to follow a diet out of a book though, unless of course you have someone who is doing it with you.
ReplyDeleteI find that most of these books tend not to have much new to say, but are instead helpful if they have a plan that you can live with and that will accomodate your needs and lifestyle. I love reading health books, though I do have issues with following some of the advice.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about diets too - swimsuit season coming up. Uggh. Can one eat well and be on a diet???
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book and very realistic if they suggest this might not be the right time for you to try, but please come back later. At least they're not setting you up for failure from the get go.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I wish I had someone to feed me, like I feed my dog. She doesn't have much of a choice in how much she gets and I rather think that would work best for me too!
We just ordered this after my husband had an intensive 3-day Executive Health check-up at the Mayo Clinic and we found out just how much our diet and lack of exercise is endangering our lives!
ReplyDeleteI have extra sensitive taste buds too! And controlling those portions is my problem too!
ReplyDeleteBut I always think that exercise, walking and all that will help me in shedding this xtra weight... I HATE dieting.. i can't think of NOT eating. And whenever i resolve to control, hubby does something to make me want to eat LOL!
Thats quite a sensible quiz there, I had to go on a diet to lose baby weight and it took a good few months to get motivated enough to start it which I think (for me anyway) is half the battle.
ReplyDeleteThere's a fairly long hold list at my library, but I've just added my name to it. Would like to take a peek at this one. Weight Watchers has worked well for me, am thinking about going back...
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to their email list, and they send tips regularly about eating and health and nutrition - they are very good, even though I don't actually pay attention to them, if you know what I mean!
ReplyDeleteSari J...that is awesome for you; such an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteThomas...the whole exercise thing is such a big component of any successful weight loss plan. Why I have a hard time doing it is another story. Good Luck to both of you.
Veens....My hub is bad for my success in weight loss as well; he has a sweet tooth, and keeps telling me I look good....(I know the truth though).
Staci, SB, Susan, Alyce,Nicole, Step, Jill, Jess, Chris, Joanne,Black Sheep....thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and comments on this subject; good luck to those of you struggling with the "battle of the bulge" :)
I'm yet to find THE diet plan that works lol, so I gave up looking. I got motivated last year when I signed up at Sparkpeople, but now I don't follow any diet sites or books. I just go by what works - eat a lot some times and cut down other times.
ReplyDeleteUgh, diets are the worst but this one sounds pretty straight forward at least!
ReplyDeleteUgggh, I'm always looking for some way to lose some weight. I may see if the library has this one. I doubt I'll start anything now but it doesn't hurt to read. I keep trying to motivate myself enough to get back on Weight Watchers.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it would be incredibly helpful to me. I do exercise every day, and try to watch what I eat, but I have a few extra pounds on me that never really come off. I love that this book is so colorful and well organized, so I will have to see about picking this one up. Thanks for the great review on this neglected book!
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this book and I'm glad you find it useful. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI am completely interested in this book..thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteI get motivated about every week...for about two days, and then my motivation is gone! I'll probably read this one--I love reading diet books much more than actual dieting.
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