Fit for Life: A New Beginning by Harvey, Harvey Diamond
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Book Reviews of Fit for Life: A New Beginning
Book Review: An Honest Review about the Fit for Life Books...
Summary: 3 Stars
I am giving this review 3 stars because I have not actually read this particualr book, but have read the Dimonds other 2 books, Fit for Life and Fit for Life 2. The first book Fit for Life, I would give 4 stars.I remember how I discovered the Diamonds' books. It's was in the mid 1980's and I was watching the Merv Griffin Show. I was about 18 years old at the time. Harvey and his wife were on the show doing P.R. for their new book, Fit For life. As I listened to them, and saw their happiness and health and excitement, I felt a positive feeling about what they were saying. Something just clicked in my heart and I new it was something I should check into. At that time, I was always tired, out of shape, eating the Standard American Diet (which initials by the way are SAD) I knew that I needed something, and this was it. I was so excited. The very next day I got their book and read it cover to cover 3 times and highlighted parts that I wanted to remember. For about 6 years, I practiced the Diamonds' Methods. I stopped eating meat and dairy products, and threw out all of my white flower products and ate whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, Basically a vegetarian diet. Reading the Diamonds book was the catalyst that drove me deeper into a natural way of living. My whole life changed because of the Diamonds book, and for that I am eternally grateful. I started going to health food stores, making new healthy friends, reading books on natural living. Now, you have to remember, this was back in 1985 or so. Back then the fitness craze and "health food" was not as big as it is now. Many people back then thought health food people were "nuts". However, I didn't care, I felt like I had discovered something that nobody else new, and I was enlightened. For 6 years I lived the natural hygiene way. I also joined a gym and began working out 5 days a week ( mostly aerobic type exercises, I new nothing about weights then) . I made sure I combined my protein and starches correctly, ate my food at the right times of the days. Got plenty of rest. I held strict to the plan. During the first year, my energy level went totally through the roof. I felt better, My thinking wasn't as foggy, I wasn't tired, I had no depression, I slept well, and for the first time I looked younger than my age. I continued eating that way for about 6 years, until I was 24 years old. During that 6 year period when I was following the Diamonds books and eating a natural hygiene diet, here is what I experienced....
During the first 2 years, I felt great, I lost all my excess body fat, and was very thin. Looking back now, I was way too thin. My height is 6'2" tall, and I was 145lbs at my lowest. I was pretty skinny and had no muscle tone. (however, I wasn't working out with weights. I was doing heavy cardio workouts, and not taking in extra calories to make up for it)
I realized that eating the natural way, required ALLOT of work because I had to prepare my own natural meals. During the 3rd year living the natural hygiene way, my life took a drastic stressful turn. ( life and job related things) so I no longer had time to really devote to making proper meals, I was not eating a variety of vegetarian meals, I would opt for whatever was the quickest. (Usually whole wheat pasta and vegetables.) So during that 3rd year on the natural hygiene diet, I began to feel tried and fatigued around the middle of the day. I was underweight, was lacking energy, and probably was not getting the proper nutrition that I needed. BUT let me say that looking back, it was NOT because of the natural hygiene diet. It WAS because I was not paying attention to making sure I was getting a variety of healthy foods in my diet. I wasn't eating enough calories to sustain myself. Eating a vegetarian diet or Natural hygiene diet, REQUIRES you to take the time and focus yourself on getting a variety of fresh wholesome foods in your diet. If you don't have the time, or the interest to do this, you will surly fail and not get proper nutrition. You will then probably make the mistake of blaming it on the Diamonds book or Natural Hygiene. The results work only as good as the effort you put into it. THIS is what I have found out looking back after 16 years. If I had taken the time to make sure my diet consisted of a variety of fresh natural foods, I would probably have had a different result during the 3rd year on the diet.
After the 3rd or 4th year on natural hygiene diet, I discovered body building. I needed to gain muscle and quality weight. I was just way too thin. So I started to incorporate fish in my vegetarian diet and eating soy protein shakes for extra protein and calories. I started to re-focus my energy on my diet and preparing healthy meals again. My weight started to increase back to a normal body weight, and I started to gain muscle. (however I was now working out with weights) During around the 5th and 6th year, I was about 24 years old or so then, I started to incorporate free-range, natural chicken into my vegetarian diet, along with the fish. BUT I continued to combine my proteins and starches correctly. Well, I filled out with allot of good muscle and stayed slim. I continued this way for the next 6 years. When I reached 30 years old, I had pretty much moved away from the Diamonds methods. However I am eternally grateful for them leading me into the path of natural living, health food, and health and fitness. I am blessed by Harvey and his wife and owe thanks to them. they truly inspired me 16 years ago, to get off my duff, and do something about my life. Finding and reading the Diamonds book, Fit for Life, changed my life for the better. Even though I don't practice their principals now, I still remember their teachings and the down-to-earth wisdom that they gave me.
So anyway, now I am 34 years old. I eat a diet very high in vegetables and fruit and whole grains, with some fish and chicken and protein powders. I work out about 5 days a week at a local gym. I am still 6'2" tall, but now weigh about 205 lbs. of lean muscle. People still think I am 22 years old! I don't look my age or feel my age. I am a health and fitness enthusiast and will be for the rest of my life. ( thanks to that little push by the Diamonds 16 years ago.) Health and fitness is in my life forever.
So in conclusion, living naturally and healthfully is a gift from God. I am telling you this from experience. If the Diamonds book does nothing more than jump start your life into the world of natural living, health and fitness, then It has done it's job. Nothing is more rewarding than feeling good, and looking good for the rest of your life. I am now trying to lower my meat consumption and increase my vegtables and fruits and still get all the high quality protien that I need for working out. With some education and work I can do it. Just remember...your health results can only equal the amount of effort you put into your lifestyle. I still remember the wisdom the Diamonds taught me 16 years ago when I read their first book. I will probably get this one to see whats new.
God bless to all of those who help others by educating us with their knowledge and wisdom of health and fitness. These people brining us closer to a world of healthy living and happiness.
Book Review: Mr. Diamond may be the victim of his own diet
Summary: 3 Stars
I actually am a fan of the "Fit for Life" books -- several things the Diamonds claimed back in the early '80s have panned out, such as margarine being worse for you than butter, eating many servings of fruit and vegetables a day, etc.
But beware following Diamond's "ideal" vegan version of the diet. (He goes on at length in all his books about how bad animal products are for your health, and does advocate a strict vegan diet -- with no supplement pills -- as the ideal one.)
Mr. Diamond, as he details on his website, has for years suffered from Peripheral Neuropathy, a condition that causes damaged nerves in the limbs. He believes the disease was caused by Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, and also claims to be "one of the longest known survivors of this devastating condition to still be walking around on his own without assistance." He credits this to his healthy plant-based diet. Could be.
But just Google "Peripheral Neuropathy." Go ahead, just Google it... and you'll see that ANOTHER cause of this disease is VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY.
That's right. Let me repeat that: Harvey Diamond suffers from a disease that CAN be caused by not eating any animal products.
I do think the "Fit for Life" principles can be used to structure a very healthy eating program... but think long and hard before cutting all animal products out of your diet.
Book Review: Effective Quackery
Summary: 3 Stars
I followed the Fit for Life regimen and successfully lost a great deal of weight with it. I also did feel more energetic while following it.
However, any research done into the pseudo-scientific claims that serve as this diet's underpinnings reveal the "science" to be largely bogus.
That being said, I think there is some validity to the idea that the way we combine our foods does have an impact on our energy levels. If you follow this diet for a week or so, you will notice that by combining foods as described, the lethargy that typically follows after eating a meal is non-existent.
I've found this diet an effective way of losing weight, but I don't think it's necessary to eat like this all the time.
Book Review: Fit for Life
Summary: 3 Stars
The Diamonds are very knowlegeable about weight loss. And I was curious to see if any new information had been added since I purchased the original book over 15 years ago. Although this version does offer some helpful information on fitness and exercise, it does not provide as much detail.
In comparison, I still prefer the original version because it provides a more in-depth explanation about the relationship and importance of food combinations as well as how long it takes the body to digest various foods. Understanding the food principles alone is worth buying the original version.
Book Review: Not as good as the first one
Summary: 3 Stars
This goes over much of the same info that is in his first book. Still a good read if you can manage to get through the repitition, but if you're easily bored and have read the first I would buy something else.