The Flat Belly Diet

Hi Paula,

Thanks for all the info, I am now tempted to try the jumpstart, specially after reading Stephanie's comments.

And Stephanie, congrats, 7 lbs is a lot in four days.

Wish all of you the best. I am currently on a vegetarian diet and will try out the flat belly from next month.

Many thanks for all your inputs.

Cheers

Im 16 years old and my mom saw this diet on tv and she wanted me and my dad to try it with her. Im on day 2 of the jump start diet and im about to give up. I know you cant see results in 2 days but since being on this diet ive been really wiped out with no energy. Also its getting in the way of my social life because now i cant just go eat with my friends or with the groups im in, i have to go home and eat the recomended foods. Normally i dont eat breakfast since i get up at 6 in the morning for school and eat around 10:30 and am not hungry until lunch. Is there any real benefit for the Sassy Water? I dont see what extra effect it has that water doesnt have. Should i stay on this diet or no? Also i play softball and we are starting some conditioning things and i found after that i was totaly wiped out and it wasnt even a hard practice. so, stick with it or no?

Paula-I used Mrs. Dash. I even used a couple of squirts of the salad dressing sprays.
Christina-Don't give up! I know it is very easy to do. What I did to help myself check for progress was to take a piece of string, wrap it around the largest part of your stomach and every 2 days check to see how you are progressing. The Sassy water is important becuause it helps you to get rid of water retention. Waiting until 10:30 to eat kills your metabolism. You should eat when you get up. Doing a lot of exercize on 1200 calorie day is hard. I exercized every day which I think helped with my results. Definately stick with it!

Hi,

Do you know if vegetarian is an option on the jumpstart and the plan that follows the four days ?

I am on day 2 of the flat-belly diet and I was hungry this afternoon. How do some of you handle cooking for someone else and only eating what is allowed on the diet? So far, it feels like a lot of planning and buying of food. Normally I cook very simple meals and hope that I am just in a learning curve.

Warning:I am absolutely for eating healthy and was looking into this diet. I noticed that some of the smoothie recipes ect. call for flaxseed oil. Even some health foods and herbs are dangerous in excess or when mixed with other herbs or medications. Flax seed can cause bowel blockage if you are useing more then a very small amout (couple teaspoons) a day for any length of time. I am not sure if this is true for the oil as well but you should always check herbs or other ingredients that you are not familiar with before useing them on a daily basis or in excessive ammounts. Even some "healthy" foods need to be used in moderation. I would not use more then 1 recipe a day with flaxseed oil in it a day. IT IS NOT LIKE OLIVE OIL OR OTHER OILS!

This may sound crazy,but I was considering the Belly Fat Diet to lower my cholesterol. I don't really need to lose weight....maybe 5 lbs.....but I have high cholesterol and my Dr. wants to put me on Lipitor. I read that a diet incorporating MUFAs in place of saturated fats help to lower cholesterol. But it is hard to find recipes. I thought maybe this would be the answer, but it sounds as if the recipes are not that great, eh?

can you please let me know how much weight or inches you lost the first week
thanks
need to lose tummy

Is the sassy water supposed to have some diuretic type qualities? I am trying to figure out why it's necessary.

Valencia asks:
"Is the sassy water supposed to have some diuretic type qualities? I am trying to figure out why it's necessary".

You will have the same benefit from any water as water is a diuretic and helps flush your body of impurities. Water also helps you to feel full and lessen cravings. flax seed oil is considered to be nature's richest source of omega-3 fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.It helps protect the body against high blood pressure, inflammation, water retention, sticky platelets and lowered immune function. The recommended daily dose for most people is at least 1,000 mg taken one to three times daily. Even better is adding flax seeds into your diet in breads, muffins or on salads. Scientific studies have used up to 30 grams of flax seeds a day safely and without side effects. Flax seed oil can take up to several days to actually absorb into your body depending on your well being.

I picked up the Prevention magazine yesterday and decided that I would have to give this a try for a week and see what happens.

For the sassy water, I could not find spearmint, but purchased fresh mint leaves instead. I would like to know the purpose of the ingredients in sassy water. I like to understand why I am consuming it.

I think that all the extra MUFA's being consumed helps one to feel more full, thereby minimizing the cravings. I started the 4 day jump start today and have not been hungry all day, which is rare.

My excess weight is mostly around my middle, so I hope to lose inches around my waist and stomach. I will post back soon.

Just another form of South Beach. Sounds likes lots of WHOLE FOODS and healthy monounsaturated fats. No secrets here at all. Just someone else raking in people's hard earned money. It's funny how much people are willing to shell out to learn common sense eating. See all those fruits and vegetables and whole grain products and real meat that line the outside walls and which surround the "meals in a box" interior of the grocery stores? Buy those instead and learn how to prepare them. It's not so much that people need a "diet". They need to learn how to cook and then take the time to do it.

Thanks for all this great information. I have been on a self made diet like this for a year. after realizing one morning that I was eating way beyond me needs. I call it my eating to live not living to eat. I am not very active except for chasing my toddlers all day.

I drink lots of water and wanted something different. thanks for the Sassy water recipe.

I don't do smoothies I find you can never get them sweet enough for my taste.

I just eat non processed foods. I don't drink milk (skim milk is processed many times to get the fat out. You get far more calcium from other vegitables Not microwaved or cooked to mush. From what I have read. There is alway the health food store to pick up the good brands of supplements.

I thought it looked like the next Diet and when loads of people can't commit they will call it a failure. With me I had to want it, And not be made to feel guilty if I wanted that serving of Chocolate cake. But here in America we have forgotten what a serving is. Just look at our kids. Now instead of fixing things ourselves we have surgery or we just eat more and blame someone of something else.

So I started watching my intake. 300 Calories for meals and 2 100 cal snacks each day. Everyday Don't skip. It looks small on paper but let me say it isn't your not hungry. and if you are have another small snack. Fill your day with good real food and you won't be hungry.

If it tool you 3 years to put it on don't expect it to come off in 3 days. Slow and steady wins the race.

I agree that this is yet another way for someone to help empty the pockets of the frustrated, overweight, miracle cure seeking public. However I also agree that anything you try to help you lose weight and get/stay healthy is a step in the right direction. A lot of the information on this 'diet' is good information. There is also a lot of information along the same lines in any medical journal, from any nutritional counselor/doctor, numerous web sites and believe it or not good old Weight Watchers. Many try it and leave it because they are simply not ready to make the life changes required to be successful. They start wanting a miracle cure for years of mistreating their bodies and letting their minds control how and what they eat. ANY 'diet' (I hate that word because the first three letters are DIE) that has you consuming food stuffs that are distasteful and overly strict will not last long and do not work. Healthy plans that advocates sensible eating, EXERCISE, and behavior modification will help you lose weight. The first thing to do is get your mind wrapped around the idea that you have to make LIFE LONG - LIFE STYLE changes to become and stay healthy. Unless and until you are willing and ready to do that NO DIET will work for you.
I speak from YEARS of experience chasing the ultimate diet dream. Until I spent time getting my mind set right - nothing worked. I am a stress eater as is a majority of the over-worked, multi-tasking, masses of our society. The first thing I did "this time" was to learn stress reduction. Now it is easier to step away from the donuts because I really do not like them and only used to only eat one to feed my stress monster.
I have not stumbled onto a miracle cure but I have lost 40 pounds in the past year and my blood work shows dramatic changes for the better. So find something that works for you, stick to it and enlist help to keep you on track.

You really do not need to buy into the hype. It is true that losing weight takes time and effort. You don't have to exercise while you diet, you will still lose weight. However, when you exercise it allows you to build more muscle and lose weight faster. Eating lean meats, even beef, that are prepared by baking, broiling, BBQ'g or boiling and incorporating green veggies and fruit on a daily basis is a good way to eat. Remember that portion is also key. When you are trying to lose weight, eat a portion of meat that is apprx. the size of the PALM of your hand. Eat your largest meal at the beginning of the day, with each subsequent meal a little smaller. Drink 8, 8oz (64oz)of water a day. Have 2 snacks in between meals such as fruit, nuts, etc. this allows your metabolism to burn more effeciently. Minimize your intake of potatoes, breads and pastas.
When you start to feel hungry, jump up and turn on the radio, dance around the room or clean house. Take on a project like painting or redecorating a room.
You will lose weight and your house will look fabulous.
I did this. I spent no money, other than for the food and some hand weights. I started the diet in February of 2006 at a weight of 184lbs. By June I was down to 161lbs and I kept the weight off simply by changing my eating habits. I'm not saying that it is easy, I had cravings, I had days when I didn't want to exercise and wanted to eat sweets but, it just depends on how badly you want it. Most any diet will work as long as you stay on it. So, when they say that diets don't work, its true! You have to make changes in your daily eating habits. You don't have to give up sweets and carbs forever, you just have to eat them in moderation.

Good luck to all!

My wife and I have tried this approach. It does seem to have certain things going for it. Such as:

The addition of nuts and MUFA's helps make it easier to incorporate into day to day life and stay consistent.

Eating 4 times a day is more realistic for most people with actual lives.

It seems to be a pretty balanced approach, but you are not going to enter any fitness competition's on this diet! The progress is slow after the initial emptying out (which is what the 4-day start is).

This appears to be a fairly healthy lifestyle. We are curious and waiting until our annual physicals to see if our blood work bears out the claims. It does seem to have the attributes of a program that can be a true lifestyle, not a diet. We have not been hungry on it. I have adjusted the diet upwards for a man. It is nothing new, just an easier way of reading the same info in any fitness magazine or Zone book.

One way to lose water weight or to prevent the holding of extra water weight on a continuous basis is to make drinking about 2 cups a day of diluted 4-Herb tea from www.herbalhalers.com a daily routine. Now, I am not associated with Herbal healers other than a satisfied customer, especially the 4Herb or Essaic tea. I sip on it throughout the day and have found that I retain less water and do not have a bloated belly feeling in the late afternoon. Whereas if I do not sip on the tea, I do retain water and am bloated.

Hence, I am just providing an alternative way to lose your water weight along with all the healthful benefits of Essaic tea.

wot kind of recipes are included in this book. i would like to order the book but i cant get either since i stay in saudi arabia and we dont really have an organised postal system so they cant deliver the book to me.
i would really like to give this diet ago but im a bit stuck for recipes. any recipes would be greatly appreciated and congrats to all those who have had sucess on the diet. good luck.

Do you only drink the "sassy Water for the first 4 days, or do you continue to drink as part of the diet? Thanks

Joanne said:
I picked up the Prevention magazine yesterday and decided that I would have to give this a try for a week and see what happens. [...]

I picked up the Magazine yesterday also. I started eating the meals in the magazine not realizing there was a four day jumpstart program. How did you get the four day diet without the book? Can you send me the four day diet. I have the sassy water recipe from this site. I really appreciate it and I hope to see results too.

I have just finished day 3 of the jump start. I can feel results already and look forward to continuing this journey for the next month. My eating habits have totally changed these past four days. I was breakfast snacker and then I would not eat again until dinner time. Now I am eating three meals a day with the smoothie as a snack. That change alone has made me feel so much better. For anyone thinking about trying the program, what do you have lose? I am so happy I bought the book. I think this plan is meant for me and cannot wait to see my results. I turn 40 this April so this is my time to get healthly.

The problem with the Fat Belly diet is that it lures you in with a promise of eating 1600 calories per day. But when you actually sign up for the website, it gives you less than 1200 calorie a day menus after the Jump Start. Anyone will lose weight on a severely restricted diet like that, MUFAS or no. The website is also full of contradictions, and the menus recommend, for example, high sodium and high sugar foods. The whole thing is frankly ridiculous and I agree with this article that it's pseudo-science. The study that the MUFA diet is based on had people eating a substantial amount of olive oil with white bread every morning. That's not what the Fat Belly does anyway. Don't waste your money.

The diet is terribly bland, you don/t get hungry, don't care for the sassy water and I lost 3-1/2 pounds in a day and a half. My weight was 136 on jump start day one. Jump start day two I weighed 134........at 2:00 pm on that same day I weighed 132.5. I plan to continue the diet but I do have one problem.........I got sick at my stomach and it really hurt in the after noon on both days and I was tired and exhausted.

The first day when I got a little sick and it started hurting......I ate l0 rasins and it seemed to help. The second day I ate ten rasins, then 10 more rasins and finally drank a smoothie instead of dinner and after a few of hours it quit hurting.......but now I am afraid to eat dinner.

Has anyone else had trouble with getting a little sick at their stomach and then having their stomach hurt pretty bad for a few hours?

Just a question. What are you allowed to drink on this diet? Especially after the four day quick start sassy water. Thanks!

The comments I've been reading here are helpful, but I haven't yet decided to purchase the book. Could someone share the "5 minute trick that can help unlock the trapped air in your digestive track"? It is supposed to be on page 70 of the book.

Paula, your comments have made me decide to order the book. I am going to try it and if I don't like the system then I will send it back before the trial is up. Stephanie, like Paula, your comments are definitely encouraging. I am purchasing an exercise bike next week which should help with the weight reduction. I read all the comments about fad diets, etc. However, I know that I do well with structure that makes sense to me...So, I'll let you know how it goes.

I am really tired of being pushed over-simplistic weight loss advice. I am even more tired of Prevention using their magazine and website to hawk yet another money-making diet scheme - wonderful. Is that why we subscribe? Gee, I thought we were counting on Prevention to help us with sound health advice. Which we already pay for through our subscription fees. And now we have to "buy the book and join the website" to get the information? Puhleeeeze. I am reconsidering my subscription at all.

Val - the 5 minute trick is to take a quick walk after your meal (p. 72) - it states moving helps release the air trapped in your GI tract, relieving pressure and bloating.

And - to answer everyone's question about what to drink after the 4-day anti-bloat - they really don't specify, but it's an implied free-for all. There's even a section about alcohol - which they say they say to just account for the calories -- so, I really don't think there are many restrictions - although, in the 3-day section, it mentions alcohol, coffee, tea, hot cocoa and acidic fruit juices are high-acid beverages which irritate the GI tract, causing swelling.

I'm on Day 3 of the anti-bloat. I'm not doing the rest of the 28-days, but the 4-day has been helpful to remind me of where I've been going wrong with my diet (it's been helpful to realize exactly what times of day you eat more than you should - although, a food journal would likely do the same thing).

I've really liked the set, no-brainer portions of the anti-bloat 4 day. And, yes, I know what I SHOULD eat, but having it all there and ready for you is what I needed for this short time to get me kick started on knowing that I can eat small meals and be ok.

My belly has felt bloated during each of the days so far, however, when I wake up, I feel a significant reduction when I wake up. I measured this morning (Day 3) and I was 1 inch less. But, after breakfast, I will guarantee you that I'm back up an inch (but it also might be because of all the water I'm drinking). I've lost one pound, but I've also been doing 30-60 minutes of cardio/weight training each day.

- and I HATE the flaxseed oil (it's really quite disgusting). I put up with it for the first 2 days, but I really don't think I can do it today. I'm going to continue with the rest of the day 3 and 4, minus the flaxseed.

If you can put yourself on a healthy 1200-1600 calorie diet, eating several times a day, so you aren't hungry, and exercise - you will get a flatter belly and certainly don't need the book. However, if you have trouble coming up with a balanced menu, and would like some tips on exercising (they also include walking and dumb bell exercises...and, yes... stomach muscle workouts using a ball)... this is a good tool to help get you on a healthier track of eating well and moving.

I'll report back after the 4-day is over with actual results.

I completed the 32 day program on the 5th. Lost 12 lbs and 6 inches from my stomach alone. Happy with these results. I plan on continuing with the plan. I encourage anyone who needs a jump start to give it a try.

Stephanie - no offense if you are for real, but you sound like a shilling. But, again, if you are for real, congratulations on your success and I'm glad you found something that works for you.

I just completed the 4-day plan and followed it religiously. I even ended up putting up with the flaxseed (which, btw, is best in the strawberry on day 4).

I'm maybe .5 less in the largest part of my stomach, and 1 pound lighter. I attest this to exercising every day and eating healthier than I have been. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with the diet - but I will be doing a modified version of my own - which is to eat healthy foods, include fruits and vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats - stay within a 1200-1600 calorie consumption range and exercise at least 4-5 times a week for 45-60 minutes. That, my friends, is the recipe for a flat belly and weight loss, MUFA's or no MUFA's. The key is consistency over a long period of time -- you really need to find something you can do and stick to it (I'm talking 6-12 months).

Good luck to each of you on your weight loss journey and lifestyle changes. I really believe you have to find what works for you -- and if the Flat Belly Diet is it - then kudos to you for taking those steps to a healthier you!

If anyone, ANYONE of the people above would stop B*%ching about people buying into something and at least for once mention the health benefits (not JUST the visual weight loss ones) then maybe we'd be on to some productive and meaningful comments. Hell, if it takes someone 31 bucks to buy themselves a book, sit down and learn about the fat cells and different types of fats in their body, and then modivate themselves to live a healthier lifestyle, than so then SO BE IT! Who wouldn't be willing to reduce the unhealthy "apple shape" and limit their risk for chronic diseases and heart disease (#1 killer of women). If anything at least these women are bringing attention to this. Maybe they can help some people live longer and healthier lives, and god forbid, make a living. Dieticians get paid, so why shouldn't they be paid for giving you advice? 31 dollars is probably a lot cheaper than your diebetes supplies or an appointment with a actual registered dietician. It is called Preventative medicine.

Cynthia--too bad it didn't work for you. How heavy are you anyway? No offense, but that might have something to do with it. I know it has worked for me and many of my friends. All together, we have lost 40 pounds and approx. 15 inches, and we feel great! Good luck finding something to help you!

Katie - When I started I weighed 179 with a 42" waist. I do believe if you follow the diet with exercise you will lose weight (from the sheer math of it all), but I don't believe adding MUFA's works on all body types to shed inches specifically from your waist, as the book alludes and as confirmed by my results. Obviously, ANY weight loss plan over a period of time will help you shed overall body inches and help you get a flatter belly. That's just cause and effect. Congrats to you and your friends!

Cynthia, I think it is offensive you would call someone names. Seriously? The 4 day jump start is going to work more for some than others depending on your habits. I like Stephanie have done well on the diet. As of this morning, I have lost 19 lbs since January 6th. I agree not every program is right for everyone but for anyone who it is working for, keep it up! My sister who has also started the program has also had great success-Hi, Angie!!

Hey, Sis! And great job to you and the others out there.
Bottom line is we are all are to blame for the hundreds of different diets out there. We all want to believe someone has the magic wand, pills, book, drink or whatever, but we choose within ourselves what will work and what won't. We choose to exercise or to sit on our butts. We choose to cheat or to stay on track. It is really that easy. I have lost 8lbs and a little over 8 inches all over in two weeks (start date 1/29).
Arms -1/4
Thigh -1/2
Calf -1/2
Hips -2 ½
Waist (stomach around belly button) -3 ½ (skinny part of waist upper where normal pants sit, I guess that is the waist -1
Bust 0 (still keeping the boobs!)

I have been exercising on my ball (if you don't have one go out and buy one) and running stairs (at home). I even do leg lifts in the kitchen and in my office at work. Here is a great one for the waist and abs in your office chair: Hands out in front of you holding your key board tray or desk twisting your trunk left to right (if your chair twists) keeping your chest forward now twist with your knee's up a little...it works! Also you can do lower crunches by just bringing your knees up and down holding them together(no twisting) sit up straight and hold onto desk or keyboard tray. Do squeezes...squeeze your buns together while sitting, driving, standing or laying down. Heck if laying in bed I will even do 25 crunches. We all know that cutting calories and exercise works. Guess what? So does mind set and will power. If you really want to get healthy you can and if you want to get into a size 8 you can...but the most important thing is to do it for yourself. If you want it bad enough and believe in yourself you will make it! Good luck to everyone and sorry for the long post just thought I would post somethings that have worked for me.

My husband and I both tried the 4 day jumpstart. At the end of Day 1 we both had headaches. On day 2, I started getting diarrhea and it lasted all day. The food is very bland, even though I used Mrs.Dash's to give our food some flavor. The quantity of sunflower seeds was too much for us to handle. It was like eating birdseed! The smoothies were pretty tasteless! We gave up and went back to Weight Watcher's. We are eating lowfat food that we can enjoy. A good diet should not have to be torture! I'm sorry I wasted my money on the book.

I think I'll wait for my local library to buy the book. $30.00 is a bit over the top.
It still boils down to the same thing. Eat healthy and expend more calories than you take in. Just staying away from processed foods is a giant step toward eating healthier.!

I would like to get a copy of the book: Flat Belly Diet!

How do I go about getting this and what would the cost be?

Many thanks,

Rejeanne

Steph:

Cynthia didn't call you names nor was she "offensive." She was quite careful apologize in advance if you were real but said that you "sound like a [shill not shilling]." She was suggesting that you seem to be a sales rep posing as a random consumer, which is unethical and will put people off the Flat Belly Diet far more than negative reviews. I myself will not support any company that hires people to make fraudulent endorsements on a web board.

I didn't agree initially, but when your "sister's" post followed yours immediately with more claims and hype, I went back and looked at what you'd said. It seems likely you're being paid to pretend to be an ordinary consumer. Why don't you try honesty for a change and admit what you're doing? Spam is bad enough, but lying to potential customers publicly is a recipe for failure and bad faith.

I am really interested in purchasing the "Flat Belly Diet" Book. I have tried so many diets that don't work for me, that this book really sounds lite it does work, And I "Really do need the help" Pat