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53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, well-argued analysis, plus recipe book, 27 May 2005
Charles Clark talks in terms of programming your body to lose fat - he argues that his method enables your body to regulate its weight, to find the optimum level then sustain you there. Weight loss, he says, is not about iron self-discipline, bland diets, starvation or at least nagging hunger, and certainly not about pain. It's about being sensible. You should aim to lose fat, not weight - you want to look slimmer, feel healthier, you don't necessarily have to lose weight (muscle is heavy, but it's less bulky than fat).Clark argues that you have to understand how your body works, how it burns fuel. Most people who diet fail; they end up chasing elusive weight loss, yo-yoing from higher weight to lower weight and back again as they lose interest or momentum. Simply counting calories can leave you hungry ... prone to nibble or snack, disillusioned, demoralised, bored. If you give up, you lose faith in yourself, feel like a failure, feel bad. Clark says that the body needs a balanced, varied diet of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, however, are compounds of sugars and starches: they may be essential energy food, but eat too many and your body rapidly converts the excess to fat, storing it for future use rather than burning it to fuel your immediate needs. Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates, your body will not build up reserves of fat, you'll feel healthier, your weight will fall and, as well as losing fat, you'll find yourself feeling more energetic without feeling hungry. To lose weight, reduce carbohydrates, not calories. So cut out cakes, pasta, bread, rice, biscuits, beer - reduce carbohydrate intake to 40-50 grams a day while you lose weight, then maybe increase the level once your body weight has stabilised at its natural level (though eat wholemeal bread, pasta or rice then). Clark offers a very accessible book - it is easy to understand. He explains the science without talking down to or patronising his audience. His writing style is logical, supportive - you don't feel hectored, you don't feel he's lecturing you. This is good advice, well delivered, conscientious, thoughtful. Think about who you are and how you enjoy life. Don't just rush into a diet - understand the logic of it first. Clark offers some basic advice on exercise - keep active, but do it sensibly. He suggests that you eat a hearty breakfast - it sets you up for the day. And there are 150 pages of recipes. It's a useful range of meals - don't try to stick too rigidly to his suggestions, but use his recipes as a guideline for the sorts of healthy, enjoyably food you would like to be eating. What best suits your lifestyle? Think in terms of planning your diet for the week (allow yourself some flexibility), and use the recipes as a means of getting yourself into good eating habits. Identify what works for you, experiment, and find your own gastronomic routines. But, of course, you want to know does it work? Well, I'm a big, big bloke - 6' 2" and built like a heavyweight boxer. I don't drive - I walk a lot, I get a reasonable amount of exercise. I've also got a bit of extra weight around my middle ... and maybe other places ... legacy of a love of beer, biscuits, and sandwiches. I could afford to lose two stone, maybe a bit more. And I've never tried a diet in my life before. Well, I phased myself into Clark's diet. I finished off the bread, the cereal, the fresh fruit, etc., in my kitchen. I finished the coffee and milk. I started easing myself into the low carb diet. It was painless, I didn't feel hungry, I didn't crave foods. After a couple of weeks, and despite a relapse (I had a couple of beers ... well, maybe four pints to be precise), my weight is easing off consistently. I look slimmer, feel more nimble. Most significantly, I feel less tired, I feel more energetic. I've been inspired to investigate the diet a bit more, and I feel happy about it. I don't feel restricted, I don't feel like I'm putting myself through my own personal hell. In fact, I don't notice that I'm on a 'diet'. I'm not. I'm just eating sensibly and getting on with life ... which is what learning good habits is all about.
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by Dr Charles Clark
by Dr Charles Clark
by Dr Charles Clark
