The Best Diets of 2006

According to the bestseller lists "You on a Diet" is the runaway hit, and I think you had some notes on that a little while ago.

Personally, I never use recipe books - it complicates my life!!! I like getting ideas for new ways to use food, but I just do it my own way.

The only recipe book I've ever really liked was Stella's Kitchen, by Stella Juarez. I recommend that one.

Happy New Year!! I've mentioned this book before, Younger Next Year (There is also a women's version). I believe it is a well written, decent lifestyle plan. I know the title is odd. Has anyone seen this one? I do not recommend a book unless I really feel it would be useful and has merit.

I confess to being swayed by the recipes. In fact, a couple of years ago when I decided to start either the South Beach Diet or SugarBusters, the quality of the recipes was the deciding factor in buying the South Beach books. I hear the Sonoma Diet books have good recipes too.

"An impressive (or depressive?) list."

An informative list.

Diets don't work.

Have you ever noticed how many people you know go on a diet, and tell you loudly and enthusiastically about their weight loss? You hear about every kilogram.

Then everything goes quiet, and if you watch them over the next few weeks/months, all the weight (and then some) comes back on. At that point, don't even mention the 'diet'!

The only way to lose weight and keep it off is with permanent habit change. It's hard, but you have to knuckle down and do it. Then you have to do self-checks and regular weigh-ins for the rest of your life. It's that straightforward.

I've lost over 30 kilos and kept it off by making major lifestyle changes (moving to eating a wholefoods, organic, vegan diet and sticking with it), and I know it's not a 'diet'. It's a lifestyle change. And boy, is it worth it. But I do regular assessments of what I'm eating, and weigh in every week. If I see slips happening, I tighten the reins again.

Diets don't work. They never have and they never will. Because just the name 'diet' implies that it will end some day soon, and you can go back to old habits. Do that, and the old fat andill-health will come back with a vengeance.

Leanne said:
Diets don't work.[...]

Exactly. People learn the hard way, and some never learn at all.

I don't see why they can't just exercise and eat less/more. The amount of years they spend yo-yo dieting, they could've been enjoying being at their ideal weight.

We don't see why they can't...and they don't see why we can! Now the real question is..How do we change this?

Dr. J, I think I see why they can't. It all starts with wanting very fast weight loss. If you want to lose a ton of weight quickly, it will have to be through a very strict diet that probably also involves going hungry. This is unsustainable in the long run, and sets people up for major binges later. So I think the main reason most people can't maintain is the hurry they are in to lose weight for starters. If they made small changes, they could sustain them - but they wouldn't be able to lose 10lb in one month.

Leanne said:
The only way to lose weight and keep it off is with permanent habit change. It's hard, but you have to knuckle down and do it. Then you have to do self-checks and regular weigh-ins for the rest of your life. It's that straightforward.

Hate to tell you this, Leanne, but that is a diet. Maybe you meant that gimmick diets don't work?

Slow and steady makes a lot of sense, Jan! That's very useful advise. Like learning a new skill. Focus on the process and the results keep coming.

John, you and Leanne are both right. A diet is just a person's eating habits, what one eats. But a diet as understood by most people is something temporary, like the cabbage soup diet or this new fad the maple syrup master cleanse or whatever it is called. Something that you do for a certain amount of days, usually 1 month for these super faddish ones, and then go back to eating normally, and that is what Leanne is saying doesn't work.

Technically speaking, even the average American eating 3,970 calories of junk is on a "diet". His/her diet is the 3,970 calories of junk. But the common meaning of diet is what Leanne said.

It's impossible to write a book that fits everyone. Some people tell me that they buy my book "The California Wine Country Diet" precisely because of the recipes. Other people say that they have no time for the recipes and only want to follow the general guidelines. What's important is figuring out what works for you. A friend told me today that she had begun the new year by taking out all her diet books and remembering what had worked for her in each one. Now she's creating a diet/lifestyle that is really hers. It's the only way to avoid the rebellion that eventually comes when you're following some else's plan.

So many people are looking for a quick fix or magic pill. I have had people *literally* recoil in horror when they ask me how I lost weight. I hate to tell them the truth - a sensible diet and lots of exercise.

RedPanda makes a good point. I don't go on "diets" simply because they always seem to be a temporary fix. None of these diet plans can be permanent because there is always a key nutrient that is reduced or eliminated altogether. This usually causes a quick drop in weight because of the way your body takes whatever is left to derive its energy. For example, you hear about the low-carb diets in which fats and proteins are used to fuel the body. There was a man in my home town who swore by Atkins and lost something like 30 pounds in 6 weeks and started running regularly to maintain his new weight. He dropped dead of a heart attack during a 5K road race because his heart had been overworked and was deprived of essential nutrients that his diet was lacking. Obviously, that is an extreme case. But in order to keep weight off for life while also taking good care of your body, a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats coupled with exercise at least a few times a week is the only diet that will safely work for life. It can be hard to do, but it IS possible, i promise. I only believe that because it has worked for me and my family for years, and I don't see ever having to change a thing. Good luck in 2007!

The only diet that I have seen proof that it works for me is the Dr. Ian Smith's Fat Smashers diet. Also from Celebrity Fit Club, VH1. The detox portion was a bit tough at first, but then I realized that it wasnt so bad after all. All fruits, veggies, brown rice and oatmeal. I got used to it, only lasted 9 days. I ended up losing 15lbs over 2 mos, and I have kept all 15 off for 3 mos. Now, this is the kicker, I did no exercise. So for my "New Years Resolution" I will be kicking up the exercise portion. Like I said. I have tried alot of other "diets", and this one actually proved the weight loss. Stay Positive everyone!

I have always found diets ridiculous because you have to buy a bucketload of food, but are told to eat only a small portion of it. Um...okay I'll eat my snack of 12 almonds -- what do I do with the remaining 135? Okay, I know almonds keep a long time -- that was just an example, but you know what I mean if you've ever read through a week of planned food for a diet.

All this talk about people not wanting to use the word diet. We are not in this to argue semantics! Diet, lifestyle change, new way of living, call it what you want. The main thing you need to remember is that when you struggle to maintain a healthy weight it's something you are going to have to do for the rest of your life.
In September of 2004 I decided that I no longer wanted to be a fat guy. I was at 439 lbs. Today I am at 338, and still going. Granted I've still got a long way to go, but the desire to succeed is the strongest it's ever been. The weight came off fast at first and over the last few months has really become a struggle, but I am well aware through years of battling my weight that this is typical. Whenever you make a change in your eating habits the body will react on way or another. To go from a high fat, high sugar diet to something that is not high fat or high sugar is going to result in some rapid weight loss at first. Just giving up take out junk and sugary snacks will get you 40 lbs.
The body will adjust though, and when it realises that all that high calorie, high energy food is not being consumed, your metabolism will slow down. So now all those little things you were getting away with on your new "diet" such as low fat cookies, or chocolate puddings, or butter on your veggies will start to catch up with you and you will have to make further adjustments.
The key thing I have found is that you must come to grips with the fact that this is a "rest of your life plan". So a few occasions of "going off plan" are not only OK, but almost essential if you want to maitain your sanity. I am not advocating "cheating" every day, but you need to allow yourself a lttle indulgence every couple of months or so. First of all it gives you something to look forward to. A light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. As well; I think that trying too hard to lose weight, especially when you have 200+ pounds to lose like I did, will result in a derailment if you go too fast.
I have been going to a weight loss clinic ( I won't mention which one just yet ). I have not really been following their plan to the letter. Basically I've been doing my own thing and finding out through trial and error what works and what doesn't. The weight loss clinic has all kinds of over-priced product that they try to push on you, but I only buy the choclate bars because they give me a little sugar fix and help to keep me away from all the sugary junk I once craved.
Since I have renewed my membership there must be something of merit in my opinion about this paticular establishment. Well there is, the staff are great. Without their guidance and weekly support I would have fallen off the wagon months ago. Just knowing how proud they are of me would leave wracked with guilt if I gave up. It's like having my own cheering section. I recommend going to one of the clinics that stresses healthy eating from all 4 major food groups. There is no magic pill, and cabbage soup is great if you only need to lose a few pounds, but for long term success slow and steady wins the race. Exercise and 8 glasses of water a day are essential as well. I do a 45 minute walk at least 5 to 6 days a week.

Great post, Robert. I posted something like this once, about the fact that I can't honestly say I'll never have ice cream again in my life. So when I really want it, every couple of months or so, I go out and have ice cream. But I don't have it all the time. That is what a sustainable diet is supposed to be like. Some foods are your everyday staples, and some are rare indulgences, and that is ok.

I, like many other people, have made it part of my New Year's resolution to have a more healthy and active lifestyle, as I haven’t had much luck with diets in the past. Part of this "get healthy" resolution includes a family member that we don't always think about...our dog! Last time I took her to the vet, I was informed that her extra weight was having negative impacts on her health (and I thought she was cute chubby!). Now I'm making the effort to take her jogging with me, and cutting out the junk in her life too. I found some other great advice at PetStyle.com about keeping her healthy in the new year too (pet lovers: you need to check it out!). I know we aren't far into the new year yet, but so far having a (furry) running buddy has really helped me stay on track. I think it will be great for both of us. Give it a try!

Sue, I am an avid pet lover that's also trying to lose weight and get healthy this year. I actually began my new lifestyle at the end of last year, and one of my favorite activities is walking with my dog. My daughter is 25 and she takes the dog for runs. Health permitting, it is a great form of exercise (and stress relief) when you walk or run with your pet. I visited PetStyle.com and found it very helpful! Thank you for sharing this with us. I felt like I was watching TV. And that host is a doll, she was on Food Network and HGTV.