Extreme Fat Smash Diet: With More Than 75 Recipes Paperback – April 3, 2007

I was an "Atkins girl" for 2.5 years. I lost 27 pounds on the diet, and unlike most, I found it fairly easy to live with. However, after 2.5 years, I grew very bored with the choices, and when I went abroad on an 8 day trip, I found that I fell into old habits (other countries do not cater to the whacko diet needs of Americans and most of the food that was offered was a carb lover's wet dream).Needless to say, I gained about fifteen pounds back after going hogwild on every carb I could get my mitts on. Once I fell into the trap, it seemed impossible to get out and I was certain of one thing: I did not want to gain all 27 pounds back. I was finally ready to give up my new love affair with Andy Capp's Hot Fries.I've seen many episodes of VH1's Celebrity Fit Club, and while the cast of characters is not necessarily to be taken seriously, some of the weight loss I witnessed was simply profound.I have just finished the first cycle of the plan (each cycle is seven days long) and I have, indeed, lost four pounds, just as the author promised. I have always been one for exercise, so that part is easy (expect to exercise five days per week for about sixty minutes per day). The food, however, is the best part. Every day you are switching up what you are eating, so you never get bored. Even better, each cycle allows more choices (alas! in Cycle 2 you are allowed to have whole wheat bread etc.) Furthermore, there is a log right in the book so that you can keep track of what you are eating every day (it is very helpful when you can actually look at what you have consumed in a day--I wouldn't recommend any plan that doesn't have you do this).You will eat four small, filling meals per day and are allowed two snacks. Best of all, there are "free snacks" of which you can have unlimited amounts (baby carrots, celery, pickles (one of my favorite foods, who could ask for more?), pickled peppers...)Though I have not yet finished the full three cycles, the book has thus far done exactly what it said it would do. This is a lifestyle I can live with, one that I believe most people who really want to lose weight can live with.Lastly, there is a maintenance phase (just like Atkins). Once you lose the desired amount of weight, you are given guidance for keeping it off.Believe me, I was leary about doing something so seemingly "popular," but when something works, it works. My only warning is that you must be committed. If you claim yourself to have no will power, you might want to go for lipo. Otherwise, this one is doable and livable for sure.P.S. If you are a semi-vegetarian (no beef or pork) like myself, you will find that this plan has you in mind. Lots of chicken, beans, fish, eggs...

Ok first off I was skeptical. I've never actually dieted before (never really had to until having kids) but I wanted to lose about 15 pounds so I tried it based on what I know about the author. This diet is not a joke, I will admit that I did NOT follow it to the T until half way thru the 2nd week. I don't like many of the things you have to eat each week but I decided to suck it up and see if the diet would work for me.I lost a total of 9 lbs, 2 inches in my waist, 1 inch on each arm, and 2 inches on my hips. I actually feel tighter and thinner. Like I said, I didn't do the diet the way it was written and only worked out once a day until the 3rd week,(which I don't recommend, if you want to maximize your potential--follow it!!) and I still lost weight. I'm in the middle of moving cross country and didn't want to buy all of the items I need for the diet this close to moving. I did try the brown rice (YUCK) and the beans get old, but try some tricks w/ them like adding the soy sauce or salsa (picante sauce) it makes it a little more bearable. Also look into the substitutes if you don't like the items given on the daily menus. You will find that there are some treats like frozen sorbet,small milk shakes, or smoothies that you may start to look forward to. You can free style on your snacks. Something I used were the 100 cal pre-packaged snacks you can buy and fresh fruits.I also could not stomach the Morning Star Veggie Burgers,I bought an alternative I REALLY liked, Boca burgers--I believe they are soy and look more like a burger and even have the smokey grilled flavor--dress it up w/ veggies!!I highly recommend the diet, I didn't think it was going to work but I did lose weight. I'm going to actually try it all the way thru the right way (even w/ the 2/day workouts) when I get settled.

Well, the title pretty much says it all. EXTREME. I don't know, I followed the diet and exercise guidelines to a 'T' and did fairly good with the weight loss part, however, I felt like crap for the entire time I was on it. I discovered this was in part to an "extreme" lack of protein in the diet. I don't know about everyone else, but I need lean protein during the day so that I don't turn into a total monster and start ripping people's heads off. The brown rice and veggies thing got old pretty quick (Showgirls reference anyone??) I did appreciate the different diet "types" and the different guidelines for the specific types. The recipes at the end of the book are pretty tasty too but mostly to be used for the maintenance part of the plan.

Finally, a well written book that tells you exactly what to eat, when to eat, and what exercise will be most effective in helping you drop weight. Dr. Ian is a well respected and educated expert. He does not impose ridiculous restrictions like "no more than 15 grams of sugar (Jorge Cruise), or eliminate entire food groups.Even though the calories are low, this diet keeps you full. The nutrition is well balanced. If you need to get yourself on the right track in a hurry, this is the way to do it. I only had 10 lbs. to lose, and this was easily accomplished in 3 weeks. I have maintained by repeating the 3 cycles. Some of the critics say it is too low calorie to maintain for life, but I disagree. I am doing just fine, have great energy, clear skin, perfectly heatlhy at age 55! I have never felt better. The human body does not need all that food to function normally...that's a myth. That's why America has an obesity problem...we eat far too much junk.Smaller portions of healthy quality food is the way to go, and Dr. Ian makes it very easy by telling you EXACTLY what to eat. If you follow his plan to the letter, there is no way you can fail, whether you have 10 lbs. or 200 lbs. to lose.