The Body Fat Solution: Tom Venuto

Being hyped as the most important weight loss book of the year isn't an easy accolade to live up to. You never really know how much of the buzz is based on marketing hype or reputation for past works or both. Well, I'm here to tell you with a great deal of confidence - The Body Fat Solution did not disappoint.

Most of the books I read on the subject of weight loss tend to be missing something. Having read through a fair bit of diet books I've developed an almost sub-conscious criteria of which I use to determine the value of a book. This is one of the few books that satisfied all the criteria.

Tom Venuto has appeared to have found a rare balance of sorts. The book is;

• Easy to follow and yet not oversimplified.
• Steeped in very good science and yet not clinical-sounding.
• Comprehensive and thorough and yet compelling to read.
• Motivating but not fluffy.
• Promotes personal responsibility without casting blame or inducing feelings of shame. Cutting edge but not spurious.

Not to mention it punches holes in prevailing diet book wisdom without ad hominem attacks or arrogance.

The first couple of chapters are worth the price of admission alone. Tom is one of the few experts out there that recognizes the importance of removing the perceived barriers to achieving success. He understands that the best fat burning diet and exercise plan means nothing without a properly prepared mind. Tom has taken a collection of psychological strategies and broken them down into small, easy-to-understand steps. The section on reframing and freedom from emotional eating are particularly powerful.

From the physical standpoint, Venuto once again hits the nail on the head - touching on all of the important dietary and exercise elements necessary for fat loss (yes, you do need to be in a calorie deficit).

My only misgivings are in some of the exercise photos. The model's body positions aren't ideal in some exercises - the neck in particular is not in a neutral position.

Bottom line: The Body Fat Solution may just be THE standard when it comes to fat loss books. I think it should be read and kept close by for reference by anybody who is struggling with weight issues.

Read an exclusive interview with Tom Venuto Here.