Gold Coast Cure: Firmer Fitter Faster Program

In 2006 Ivy Larson published the Gold Coast Cure - a dietary approach to easing health symptoms. This year Ivy and husband Andrew Larson, M.D. have followed up with the "Fitter Firmer Faster Program".

I recently read this book and believe it offers a sensible approach to nutrition and fitness.

There are no strict prescriptive plans in the book - but rather the guidelines for a whole foods diet. There is, however, a 2 week meal plan suggestion and a large section with recipes based on whole foods.

Larson suggests the following:

• Put trans fats in the trash can
• Stay away from Omega-6-rich vegetable oils
• Limit your intake of saturated fat
• Reduce your sugar intake
• Avoid foods made with refined flour
• Go for nutrient-rich and fiber-rich whole food carbohydrates
• Try to eat organic where possible

The book provides a guideline to overhauling nutrition for kids -- and also considerable space to a comprehensive fitness plan. This is no surprise given that author Ivy Larson is a certified ACSM fitness trainer. The fitness plan incorporates Interval Training and Resistance Training. The exercises are predominantly body weight exercise done at higher repetitions. There is also some dumbbell work and even some yoga. What's interesting here is that the authors are also the models in the exercise photos - lending an air of authenticity to the book.

Regarding supplementation, Fitter Firmer Faster recommends avoiding "mega-dosing" and "à la carte nutritional supplementation". A basic selection of vitamin and mineral supplements are suggested.

Overall this book offers a comprehensive program based on using "food as medicine" - or at least as a disease preventative. Given the book cover - physical appearance is also a focus - but a secondary one.