The ABS Diet

A year ago I was discussing my diet plan with my neighbors, which were also on a diet. I told them about my plan to eat 5 or more times a day, try to eat SuperFoods and take a day "off" from the plan each week. They said, "That's what we are doing, we are on the ABS diet too!" I thought they were nuts! I had been working on this plan for a year, what the hell is the ABS Diet? Well, a few months ago my SIL's (sister-in-law's) trainer told her to get the book and get on it, and I asked her if I could borrow it. Yeah...it's my plan..sort of, and I actually liked the book.

The ABS Diet, by David Zinczenco, is probably one of the better diet books out there, and has been since it came out in 2004. If you can get past all the "abs are better for sex" crap and the fact that it seems at times to just be for guys, it is full of commons sense stuff and a reasonable and do-able plan..for anyone. 

The basic premise of the book is three fold;

1. Divide your meals from three large ones to 6 smaller ones. This keeps you feeling full longer, and avoids the metabolic dips that send most dieters off the deep end of a Lay's ocean.

2. Eat better foods. David Zinczenco does not call them SuperFoods, he calls them Power Foods, and he gives you the nutritional reasons behind eating them.

3. Exercise your core more, your torso. He gives compelling evidence as to why concentrating on your middle is better than concentrating on your arms and legs, and why he thinks lifting weights is better than jogging or cardiovascular work.

Now... what don't I like about it;

I don't like that fact that the author says it really isn't a diet. Those claims are really rather tiresome to be honest. It is. I calculated all the foods and recipes in his one week plan, and it amounts to around 1700 calories a day...it's a diet. I also don't like the near blatant rip off of SuperFoods. For example, walnuts are a SuperFood, almonds are an ABS Power Food.  Go down the line and they are slightly different but in the same general category. In his defense, I suppose the nutritional studies and benefits of certain foods can't be copyrighted.

For the record, you don't have to use his recipes or his diet plan, it is just an example, but you do have to eat the foods suggested.  I think the calorie count of his recipes is fine for a guy, but a woman may want to shave it down to 1500, depending on how much you have to lose. Having a meal "off" to eat whatever you want, or have been craving, once a week is a great idea and can help many avoid the craving binge that throws so many of us off track.

Overall, I would rate this book as one of the better diet books out there, past or present, and that is saying a lot if you knew the size of my diet book library. The exercises can be done at home, the food can be prepared easily and is good for you, the advice and science it sound and it is easy to read. If you are looking for a long term solution to your weight-loss problem, this could be it, and with a few modifications, it could see you all the way to your goals and beyond.

This book has the FatBlogger's blessing.

Comments

[The Therapist]

In the past, I have had success with the idea of 1 meal off per week. I have been able to stick to a plan, knowing that I can have one meal where I just don't worry about it. For some reason, this way works much better for me than counting points did in WW.

[FB]

Michelle, if I remember your picture right, your taller than me! 1500 is probably too low a number for you. Maybe you should bump it up to 1700 or 1800?

[Margaret]

If the calories are cut substantially, it sure FEELS like a diet. And that doesn't work for most people.

[Michelle]

I don't usually buy diet books, but I love the You On A Diet one that you also recommended. I'll peek in there periodically to remind myself why I shouldn't get in bed with a bag of Cheetos.

I, too, am tired of the "It's not a diet" crap. I feel like I am starving on 1500 calories a day, but that it what it takes.