The Revival Diet
The Revivial Slim & Beautiful Diet has hit the bookshelves. The book is written by Dr Aaron Tabor along with his mother Suzanne Tabor. The diet promises an "average weight loss of 26 to 29 pounds in just sixteen weeks" and that you will "quickly reduce gelatinous belly fat".
The book is emblazoned with much of the typical diet book hyperbole; promising sexy nails, silky hair, gorgeous looking skin.
Dr Aaron Tabor established his successful soy supplement business Physicians Pharmaceuticals in 1998. The flagship product line is called Revival Soy. The products were originally intended to help women with hormonal imbalance issues, however, as time went on, it seems that Dr Tabor sought the weight loss angle.
The company is now trying to adjust its marketing to encourage physicians and dietitians to refer Revival Soy to patients trying to lose weight or suffering hormone problems, Tabor said. He is also trying to complete medical research this year to support claims that soy-based foods can help people lose weight.(via BizJournals - May 2005)
The Revival Diet is essentially a calorie-controlled, supplement-based diet. Clinical studies are cited, but, as the disclaimer says "Individual results vary based on starting weight, physical activity, skin condition, and faithfulness to the eating, physical activity, and supplementation plan presented in the book."
This style of diet is similar to The Perricone Weight Loss Diet - but with a leaning towards soy protein. Many diet books have cross-promotions or partnerships with supplement businesses. What's different about this is that the supplements came first, then came the diet plan.
This diet - along with many others - can lead to weight loss if followed correctly. Reducing energy intake and getting active is the key. However the concept of "magic foods" (such as soy) that have dramatic impact on weight loss is dubious. The health claims of processed soy foods are also the subject of controversy.
An excellent weight loss plan, or a sales vehicle for soy products? You be the judge.
UPDATE: The Revival Diet website appears to offer the program on-line.
I tend to stay away from any diet that claims you can lose fat in one spot. Studies show it just ain't s. Also soy is just too uncertain as to actual health benefits.
ReplyAs I understand it, the jury is still out as to whether soy is that good for us or not.
I'm not familiar with Dr. Tabor, but if this is a "supplement-based" diet and he has a supplement company...
Brian
ReplyI've purchased Dr. Tabor's Revival products in the past. The Revival Soy bars are very high in calories for a "snack bar" (over 250 calories). They aren't really very tasty and but are, at least, moderately filling. I have no idea how anyone would lose weight on this "program" if Revival products are the basis of the diet ... other than the fact that, if this is all you're eating, you don't want to eat because it tastes awful! Also, Tabor's Revival products have a very, very high amount of soy -- at the level that could have an impact on estrogen issues in the female body. There's lots of contradictory evidence about that ... some good but some very bad news.
Clearly this book is designed to sell Tabor's Revival soy products, period. Waste of money.
ReplyThank you all for the discussion.
This book is based on 5 clinical trials done at some of America's best hospitals. The main weight loss study was recently published in the journal of Metabolism (the main journal of the Endocrine Society). Unlike most diets, we actually have proof it works. It's a very reasonable plan with no crazy theories, just solid science. We have completed 2 skin, hair, and nail studies to back up our beauty claims.
The plan actually uses new milk protein-based meal replacements and/or soy protein-based supplements, along with a beauty vitamin.
This is a very specific solution. All of the general weight loss advice floating around in hundreds of books and the internet hasn't been put together by consumers in a meaningful way. The problem is getting worse.
In summary, if you want a proven plan (at least I proved my diet before I published it unlike 99% of the diet books, right?), then stop by to review us at http://www.RevivalDiet.com.
Keep up the good work diet-blog.com!
Be Beautifully Blessed, Aaron Tabor, MD
ReplyHey, you with the resources, please track down the guy who owns the formula for Rheo Blair's protein powder and start making it. DO NOT muck with the formula; it is already perfect. The whole egg powder and the lactose are there for a good reason. If you start producing it, I will faithfully buy it and spread the word as far as I can.
ReplyIs promising to get rid of "gelatinous belly fat" a gimmick, like, if someone doesn't lose their belly fat, is it because it was not of the gelatinous kind?
Personally, I think the fat on my thighs and belly is more like tapioca pudding than gelatin.
ReplyFamous Puddings! I'll trademark it before someone publishes it.
ReplyThey'll just have to complete their research about the ability of soy to help lose weight to prove its effectiveness. Until then, I'm not sure about their product and I doubt their claims.
ReplyMy analysis of the Tabor diet concluded much the same thing:
* could work if it's followed precisely
* depends on soy, that weight loss value of which has not been established
* has the strength includes exercise as part of the plan
Still, if you had to pick a plan, it's one of the half-decent ones.
ReplyI've ordered his soy revival bars and the bagged snacks in the past (based on a rec by hungrygirl.com) -- they taste absolutely DISGUSTING! I couldn't even force myself to eat the last few, even though I was throwing money away.
ReplyAlex, you took the word right out of my mouth! Plus, like I said earlier, these products do not taste good. Science shmience, Dr. Tabor, any "diet" that uses meal replacements is only a temporary fix. You might lose but when you return to eating "normally" all those hard fought pounds will return because meal replacements don't ever address the root problem that causes overeating. I yo-yo'd my whole life on gimmick diets and "dieted" myself to a size 22. It was only until I learned two basic things -- 1) portion control and 2) food isn't a substitute for "what ails ya" -- that I lost 105 lbs. Heaven help me if I ever rely on meal replacements or other gimmick diets again!
ReplyI guess I'm the only one who likes the Revival products. I LOVE the bars (however they are a bit too high calorie for me for every day), the chips are okay as are the nuts (I wouldn't cry if I didn't have them again). Essentially it is just fortified junk food, so moderation is the key. That is my issue with most pre packaged foods though, the whole "lose weight on chips and all the junk you are used to eating" doesn't solve much in the long run.
I wish they were cheaper and I'd order more often for quick snacks, but the price is insane. It is a good protein boost especially compared to other soy products on the market. I eat mostly vegan so my choices are limited, but for the amount of protein in the items, it is pretty darn good.
ReplyI use Revival Soy products (the shakes & protein bars, low carb versions) on a regular basis and enjoy them for the most part. It one of the few products I've ever used that have actually done for me what they say it does. It's helped greatly alleviate my PMS symptoms, clear up my skin, and more. Even my husband doesn't need further convincing to keep Revival Soy in my life...he doesn't miss the PMS witch at all! Even with the controversies that surround soy products, I stick with Revival Soy...I don't want to go back to what I was (or how I felt) before it.
I've read a lot of the new diet book by Dr. Aaron Tabor and his mom. I've got a lot of great tidbits and inspiration to help keep me motivated in my current weight loss journey. While I'm not doing the Revival Diet plan per se, (I prefer to stick with my low carb diet) I still enjoyed some of what the book had to say and gave me some new ideas and inspiration to work with.
The drawback is that the book does come off as a long informercial. I've caught myself rolling my eyes on more than one occasion...and I'm only 1/2 way through the book!
The book is not all bad...there is some practical information in there...not necessarily about their diet, but the psychology of going through the weight loss process. That to me was the valued gem in the book. Losing weight is not easy...but if we can keep a positive attitude about it - about ourselves - we will enjoy the journey of change better than just a quick fix plan.
My biggest complaint is that the products for the Revival Diet plan are $$$, more so than the current Revival Soy products I'm enjoying. Shame...as I really wanted to try some of their products.
ReplyThe Bottom Line: Calories are Calories, you lose weight because you reduce your caloric intake. You can lose weight on any diet consisting of 1200 calories a day. The only diet that works is one you can be comfortable with and enjoy. Eat what you love in moderation and you will lose weight. Why? because you can stick to it and enjoy it. I don't know about the rest of you, but if weight was not a problem for me, I still would not eat Granola Bars or drink Protein Shakes.
ReplyI ordered the Revival Diet variety packs with the non-naughty nibbles. The shakes were very good buttt....the bars were not! I did not try the yogurt almond allure bar due to out of stock. They replace it with another bar without telling me. The non-naughty nibbles were not good at all. So...I was not very happy drinking only shakes and eating bars with my dinner. I don't believe this is a very good or healthy way to lose weight. The soy is another concern. I start to have hot flashes more often. I will not order any more of this product. The cost of this product is way too much. Well, for thoses who like it, good luck to you and hope you lose all the pounds you need to lose. I can't say what I would like to because I'm trying to be civil. (smile)
ReplyRyan, I agree with you; could you please tell us what you think is the good reason?
ReplyToday, I started a "revised" version of this diet after reading an article in First magazine (long lines at the supermarket). I'm going to follow their "saving pennies" idea, especially after checking out the prices for the diet on the official website! So, I bought organic light soy milk, powder whey protein (chocolate flavor) and organic frozen blueberries for the shake part. The dinner is the usual lean meat and steamed veggies. They also recommended any Stouffer Lean Cuisine or Weight Watcher Smart Ones prepared dinners containing 20 grams of protein and less than 300 calories. My question for anyone who knows this diet is can I still have coffee while on this diet? I drink it black so no extra calories from sugar or cream but some plans restrict coffee. By the way, my homemade shake was excellent and cheap and gives the right amount of soy and whey grams recommended in the diet!
ReplyLeila,
ReplyI read the same article in First Magazine, please let me know how you feel after a week, I am seriously considering the same diet. Good Luck.
Lactose, while difficult to digest for some people, digests very slowly and seems to act as a fantastic protein sparer. It's interesting to note that lactose is the only animal-source carbohydrate.
That would be fine if calories were measured in a way that corresponds to how much energy the body yields from it.
ReplyActually, lactose is not the only animal carb. There are carbohydrates to be found in the form of glycogen; in liver or in whole animals (such as mollusks).
ReplyCharis and Leila, I was considering the same diet. I don't drink too much milk so I was trying to figure out how I could get the recommended dosages of soy and Whey without the soy milk. Any Ideas? I would love to hear what your eating Charis. Keep us posted, please.
ReplyGuess what? Any "diet" works if you stick to it. That having been said, let's get real. No doctor or nutritionist would tell an alcoholic, "Let's modify your behaviour so that you only drink alcohol once in a while and in reasonable quanities!" To do so would be ridiculous because the alcoholic has an ADDICTION not a loss of will power and reason. However, if you could let the alcoholic drink something or eat something that would considerably turn down the alcohol craving, would'nt that be great? That's what
ReplyDr. Tabor's revival soy and whey products are doing for me. I am a foodaholic(carbaholic) and following this plan actually makes my insatiable carb cravings go away and I don't feel like the stuffed tired bloated
individual that I usually do. I can stick to this because the beast inside of me is being tamed. That is worth its weight in gold.
My mother's doctor actually put her on a diet that includes the Revival products. When I saw the article in the First Magazine, I decided to give it a try myself, but thought buying the products through the doctor was too expensive. I went to Costco and purchased the Performance Protein they have (includes Whey and Soy) and am making my own shakes in the morning. I love the Mucho Mocha recipe...but without the banana. I have to agree with Charis that I have much more energy than ever before and find that I am not hungry all throughout the day like I usually am. I also seem to be feeling better mentally. Now, it could all be in my head because I want it to work that way, but I am not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I have a shake for breakfast and lunch with fruit in between and then chicken or lean beef for dinner. I have lost 10 pounds in my first 2 weeks, and I have not started my exercise routine. I am in my early 40's and need to lose about 50 pounds...hopefully by summer. Good luck to everyone, and I will keep checking this site for updates.
ReplyI so far love Revival for the frist time in along time I feel as though this could really work. In just the frist week I have lost 10 pounds without feeling hungry or deprived. I did this without exerciseing just to see if it would work I plan to add walking this week.
ReplyLeila, Charis & Debbie - I also read the article in First magazine - the Revival Program itself is out of my budget at this time and would like to try the alternative products available. Debbie did mention she purchased the Performance Protein Powder at Costco. Leila & Charis - which products are you using? Please include name(s) of soymilk products. I wish you all continued success in your attempt to get healthy in 2008. Please continue you postings - we can all use positive words of encouragements. Thanks
ReplyI also read the Revival Diet acticle in the First magazine and thought I'd give it a try. After reviewing the Revival website, I found the products and kits were too expensive. So went with the pinch your pennies option. I went to our local Vitamin World and purchased the soy protein and whey protein powders. Making sure the powder contained at least 20 grams of protein in each scoop. I then went to the grocery store and purchased the light soy milk. I drink a shake for breakfast, one for lunch, eat two snacks of fruit/veggies, and eat a sensible dinner. I find that I'm not hungry throughout the day, like I was before starting.
I did the Atkins diet several years ago and lost 40 pounds. After getting off the diet, I was able to maintain for about a year, then I slowly went back to eating the way I had before dieting. It wasn't long before I had regained all the weight I had lost, plus more. I'm determined that I will not let myself do that again.
Putting yourself on a 1200 calorie diet will help get the weight off anyone, but you can't let yourself go back to the old eating habits. (Eeasier said than done, I know, but I plan to give it another try.)
Good luck with your dieting.
ReplyI just started the Revival diet and love it! I ordered all the milk based products, because I have hypothyroidism and try to avoid soy. I'm off the charts when it comes to craving carbs and sweets and this is the only program I have ever been on that has taken ALL my cravings away. I'm never hungry, because of all the protein I'm getting. The cravings were gone the first day I was on this. No plan is for everyone, but this is the perfect one for me.
ReplyLeila, Charis and Debbie - I read the same article in First. I'm desparate to loose weight! I used to go to the gym 6 times a week and I even did a training competition. I dieted like crazy, down to eating chicken 6 times a day for a while. I hated chicken for the following 2 years! I gained it all back and more when I stopped (50 pounds). Plus, I was in college back then, so I had time to train a lot. I'm starting the revised diet tomorrow, cause the revival one is a bit too $$ for me. Any advice? Any product in particular I should buy?
Catalina - I'm soooo happy you said what you did about food addiction! I thought I was the only one who felt I was literally ADDICTED to food! I have no more will-power to stop! How long have you been on revival? Do you do the revised or real version with his product?
Thanks
ReplyI started the save pennies method recommended in First Magazine and I love the shakes, I have been able to loose 23lbs and I'm still going. I have lots of energy where there use to be none. I love this diet and recommended. Plus if you have done any research on soy, it very good for women. I recommend giving it a try. The shakes turn out to taste very good. I was a little scared of soy milk, but it has come along way, I recomment the Silk's Light Vanilla.
ReplyShelly - What is a typical day for you? I started this week. I drink a shake for breakfast, a fruit for snack, a bar for lunch, a fruit or veggies for snack and I have a reasonnable supper. I don't count my calories, but I know it's much better than my McDonald's and stuff I used to eat 4-5 times a week. I lost 2 pounds and it's only been 3 days!
ReplyCongrats on the 2lbs. That's Great. I've tried ever diet in the book and I know ever pound counts. My typical day is a shake for breakfast and I usually have celery and or carrots as a snack and then another shake for lunch with some crackers and maybe cheese as a snack. I really started looking more at the labels for the foods I choose as my snack. There are somedays that I don't even need the snack. I try to eat lean meats like chicken or lean pork. I was never much of a fish eater, but I have found that I really like Gorden's Grilled Fish Filets they are really good. I have spoke to my Dr about this diet and since my weight is out of control she wanted me to do something get 50lbs off quickly. I really love this diet, it has been easy for me. The protein is the key. I haven't had the cravings I use too. I use to want to eat all day, high calorie, high sugar snack. Like you said previously I also was addicted to food. I would tell my husband that food would make me high. LOL! Not anymore. I'm starting to get addicted to the scale, never thought I would love my scale. But I weight myself everyday, and somedays I stay the same and someday's I'm down an pound or two. I'm so excited that I can't wait to be able to buy smaller sizes. Keep it up. I wish you the best.
ReplyWow! Good for you! I'm glad to hear you found the one that works for you! I know how hard that is... So, we eat kind of the same things in a typical day. I also feel more full and my cravings are not as bad... Although, I am craving sweets right now, so I'm loading on water... I'll be up all night peeing! haha I find that I can't drink 2 shakes a day... I've been shopping around to find bars that have the same amount of proteins, calories and sugar, plus that have a good taste. I found a few... Atkins one and the Superstore brand (if you're in Canada). I find those cut my cravings for sweets cause they almost taste like chocolate bars! Well, let's keep at it and loose our pounds! :) Good luck!
ReplyI bought the Revival diet bars about 6 months ago, I was convinced after reading the Revival site, that I too could lose weight and look great on this diet, and when they came I just didnt do it, but them in the cabinet and never looked at them again. But now I have decide to re-think it, so I started using them 3 weeks ago, I dont think I am following the plan to a T, I have lost 10 punds but it has been 3 weeks, I eat a bar for breakfast, drink a small v-8 for snack, eat a salad or something healty for lunch, and then eat a bar for dinner, I am not starving, I am not really that hungry compared to before I started, but I dont have any energy, I walk on my treadmill but it is like fighting a battle to get through it.
ReplyI am almost done with the bars I have, and would really like to continue because they do help with the sugar cravings, but I figured it out, for a one month supply, of 2 bars a day, this is $200, so I am looking for a good alternative, if anyone has tried these bars and then switched with good results?
Lisa,
South Beach makes a meal replacement bar that has 19g of protein. Like you I tried the revival products and found them very expensive. I belong to another forum that is doing this diet. Several of us have had great success. We use the processioned engineered whey powder from Vitamin World and some add soymilk to the shakes to get the soy in. I prefer 1% milk and then at lunch I eat the South Beach Crispy Meal Bar. Also you need to eat fruit with each shake/bar and have two 100 calorie snacks.
ReplyI so far love Revival for the frist time in along time I feel as though this could really work. In just the frist week I have lost 10 pounds without feeling hungry or deprived. I did this without exerciseing just to see if it would work I plan to add walking this week.
ReplyKathy......
Replyyou talked about a forum your in for peeps on this plan,,could you please give me that addy. id like to have some new ideas.
I like so many read the article in First. I have been on weight watchers since March and have lost 35 pounds but would like to try something different to boost my weight loss. I have another 60 to go. I don't want to eat unhealthy but I would like to try a different path. Can anyone tell me the amount of their loss and how long it took on the Revival plan?
ReplyThere has been many people who have talked about soy and whether or not it is good for you. I suppose it is still in the air about it so I can only talk from experience. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Luckily the type of cancer that she has is very controlable and will probably live with it for many more years. They know that her particular type of cancer is estrogen receptive. As long as she has a low estrogen count the cancer cannot live or grow. Her dr. has told her to say away from soy products. As for me, I am going to take her doctor's advice and stay away.
ReplyI bought the products on auto-ship for about 6 months and did lose "some" weight, but not anything like I had wanted to and I decided to cancel my next shipment and go back to a low carb diet using regular foods. I have several boxes & cartons of the shakes & bars left so will use those up and try to incorporate low carb as I'm easing out of the Revival plan. I'll be honest in that I did not get tired of the bars or shakes as I thought they tasted good, but eating only the bar for lunch left me still hungry after I'd been on it for so long. I was actually eating more calories at lunch because the bar was not filling me up. It also has 230 calories with almost 30 grams of carb which I think is way too high. My cravings for carbs did not subside very much while on this program. I DID lose some weight, but we're talking less than 10 pounds and over a 6 month period. I need better results and not be left hungry after eating a meal replacement bar to want to continue with the plan. And at $150 a month, I decided I could save my money and perhaps do better with a low carb diet. Revival might work for some people but I can't sing it's praises a lot.
Reply