Review from Health Magazine
Thurmond seems to genuinely commiserate with dieters about the pain associated with being overweight. It's too bad his fitness advice lacks credibility. The plan he promotes is just another very-low-calorie diet that will peel off the pounds in the short term but won't do much for the long haul. And to tell the truth, Thurmond's food plans for various body types don't really seem all that much different. In fact, the whole concept of gearing diet to body type seems more gimmicky than scientific. On the exercise front, the jury is still out about whether or not slow long-distance workouts beat out high-intensity pursuits like brisk walking or working out on a stairstepper when it comes to fat burning. More importantly, exercising at a slow pace, as Thurmond recommends, isn't going to give your heart enough of an aerobic workout to keep it healthy. Also, his advice on abdominal breathing is not a proven fat-burner, although it's definitely going to a good strategy for relaxation. The book's 45 recipes, many of which are pretty bland-sounding-like a fruit shake made with lemon juice, sugar substitute, 4 cups ice, water, and 1/2 cup strawberries-should excite those who don't like spending much time in the kitchen.
Does the diet take and keep weight off?
Thurmond says the proof lies in his more than 20 years of work with thousands of clients. No scientific studies support his method, though. Is the diet healthy? Not really. Even though complex carbs are favored, it's a high-protein plan that's super-low in calories. Most days the meals add up to less than the safe level of 1,200 calories, which makes it likely that some nutrients will go missing.
What do the experts say?
"Don't get me started," says registered dietitian Leslie Bonci, director of sports-medicine nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She finds Thurmond's book riddled with all sorts of misinformation, the exercise advice in particular. "To tell people they should never workout on a stairstepper or an elliptical machine because they'll work too hard-well, excuse me, you're supposed to be working hard when you exercise. That's the point."
American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Lona Sandon, assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, admits that there is some sound info about carbs and portion size, but overall gives the diet a thumbs-down. "It will probably be motivating for dieters to see the numbers go down on the scale, but they'll be losing water weight, no fat," Sandon says. "You can't lose body fat this quickly." Plus, she's not convinced that foods can change your metabolism or that different body types require different foods to lose weight: "There's no science to support that."
Who should consider the diet?
Skip it. It's just another very-low-calorie plan that doesn't do anything to ensure long-term weight loss.
Bottom line: Eating smaller, more frequent meals may help control appetite, but this high-protein diet is way too low in calories to be healthy. And according to fitness experts, the exercise advice isn't all that great either.
Is the diet working? Is it really expensive?
to this site and I really need HELP!
Actually not as bad as I was. I seem to have lost 5 lbs. just running around planning this diet. 