Fitonics for Life

Of all the many health/diet books I've read over the last 35 years, this is the one that makes the most sense to me. I read all of Marilyn's "Fit for Life" books, which were excellent, but a bit too dogmatic for my taste. Here she has a more "No more food guilt" and "no more 'food cops'" approach. She has taken the best of what she learnt from those years of her life, and with the help of Dr. Schnell, brought it up to a new level.What she has to say about "inner cleanliness" in Chapter 3 I firmly believe is the secret to good health. For me, this is the most important chapter in the book, and a subject that is sadly neglected by many other health experts...as Marilyn says: "This is not a chic topic. Legions of authors aren't lining up to give you a heart-to-heart talk on this subject". But Marilyn does, and Dr. Schnell gives you the medical low down. A must-read chapter.This isn't about diets, it's about a way of life, put forth in a logical, easy to implement way, and also includes a great set of exercises and some excellent recipes.Bravo Marilyn ! May you keep learning, keep changing, and keep teaching.

Interesting thoughts.

About the Diet...I read and enjoyed much of Marilyn's Book and tend to agree with some of her reflections on the Fit for Life experience. However, it gives too much room for error.I found that I (like Marilyn) had a hard time sticking to the rigidity of the Fit for Life program. Like Marilyn, I had also adapted new information and flexibility to the plan. On my own, I had discovered a balance and it seemed to be working.But Merilyn's plan left me with too much comfort and flexibility. Where I once had a clear plan and direction (even though I "cheated") I now had ambiguity and rationalization.Before, when I cheated, I knew I was cheating and punished myself with the appropriate guilt. After Marilyn's book, the lines blurred, I relaxed, I rationalized, and I gained back the 40 pounds I had kept off for over three years.I have now wasted two fat years trying to find that balance and make it work.So now I am crawling back to Harvey and all his rigidity. I guess I am just a kid in need of some stucture. I am going to reread his first two books and I just bought his latest.As for Marilyn, she is totally cashing in on the legacy that she and Harvey built together. One glimpse of the title and that is obvious. ... But, come on ... wouldn't you?Unfortunately, the book has some harsh undertones about the end of her relationship with Harvey. For her readers (and his fans), she should have had more respect for the man that gave her so much and brought so many others to her. Nice professionalism.Anyway, I enjoyed it for the gossip quality alone. Unfortunately, the diet plan has let me down. Hopefully this helps.

Let me start by stating that this book is a dietary disaster! As a person who has been very active in studying and learning about nutrition, the diet, and especially the recipies do not seem to follow any of the recomendations I have read. Any authorities in nutrition, Dr. Gary Null, Dr. Dean Ornish (all though he denies he's a "diet doctor") and yes, Harvey Diamond would not recomend fatty dairy products or philly steak. Having read the Diamonds previous book, and knowing a little about their history, Ms. Diamond's (notice she did keep the name) is exeedingly disappointing. She seems more concerned about making money off another person's success. Let us be completely honest, she has primarily written glamorized cook books that are added to the back of her ex-husbands book. Having read Harvey Diamond's latest book, I must commend him on not (directly or implied) insulting the very principles on which his ex-wife bases her life. This is in stark contrast to her subtle yet vicious attacks on the very foundation of the way of life that Harvey Diamond stands for and have made her quite rich. She has repackaged herself with a new, younger, doctor including a look perfected by Nieman-Marcus, and is pedelling easy answers, dairy products, turkey and philly steak. From reading the other reviews it is clear that many feel the same way. Also, from the number of used copies for sale, it is obvious that this book is a flop from any real perspective. It is clear that she and her new beau are still are quite comfortable from the initial sales of her fitonics book. However, it has come at the cost of her reputation. A prediciton: if she tries to come out with another book, it will do very poorly as her credibility is severely comprimised. I do not need permission to get off the fit for life diet, if I choose to, I will. No rationalization needed. Perhaps those that see her book as a "new" direction and "progress" should re-read fit for life. Harvey Diamond never states that one must be strict to be successful. In truth, at many points he states that fit for life is a direction: reduce animal products, food combining is recomended, reduce alcohol, don't get down if you fall off the way of eating, just start again. You can't mess that "diet" up because it's not a diet. It is a way of life and recomendations on improving the quality of life. If you are happy eating steak, dairy products, etc. do it, just don't expect the health and quality of life provided by the fit for life way of eating.

This book is an updated version of FIT FOR LIFE and the updates are important ones. What I got most is the authors pointing out a popular myth that we need to eat less food because our culture is overweight, when the truth is that we ARE eating less, but not eating enough greens and fruits. Understanding the shift in emphasis is a key point. There are also reviews and reminders about white sugar and some important basics that our culture is still not clear on. While some of the feedback may still consider this approach a little rigid, I find that it is already toned down some. I would recommend cutting out flour products fairly thoroughly and dairy as thoroughly as one can too. But the body needs to some adaption time so starting with this book is good. I give it four stars because it is a repackaging of information that is already out there. It is not a ground breaking book but a very good book written by some good summarizers and presenters.