Editorial January 2004 Diets & Fitness By Hilary Williamson
It's that time of year again, when we regret holiday over-indulgences, remember New Year resolutions, and look for help in meeting them. What do recent diet books have in common? Most of them tell us to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, drink more water, aim for smaller portions and exercise, exercise, exercise! It's easier to say than do of course, but it makes sense. The combination of smaller portions and exercise is the only approach to weight loss that has ever worked for me, with benefits in increased energy as well as fitting clothes long hidden in the back of the closet.
Last year gave us a plethora of weight loss books including Joel Fuhrman's Eat To Live which discourages eating animal protein; The pH Miracle by Robert O. Young & Shelley Redford Young that recommends an alkaline (high in vegetables) diet; James A. Joseph's Color Code which advises a semi-vegetarian diet; Dr. Shapiro's Picture Perfect Weight Loss with a pictorial calorie counting approach; and Arthur Agatston's South Beach Diet which restricts carbohydrates and sugars.
Confused yet? Maybe one of this year's offerings will help. Lisa Sanders gives us a user friendly Perfect Fit Diet, which guides readers to the choice of a diet approach (counting carbohydrates, calories or fats) that fits. If you need help on commitment to weight loss and eating attitudes, where better to get it from than Phil McGraw's Ultimate Weight Solution? And if you have the diet itself under control, but lack motivation to exercise, try Core Performance by Mark Verstegen & Pete Williams, an inspiring workout program originally designed for professional athletes.
