The Take-Control Diet by Ian Smith
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Book Reviews of The Take-Control Diet
Book Review: Fact-filled, plus common sense
Summary: 4 Stars
First, reading some of the other reviews, some people are reviewing the wrong book. Any review referring to "phases" should be completely discounted because it is a review of Dr. Smith's Fat Smash book.
Second, Dr. Smith isn't just some guy on tv, he's a Harvard and Columbia grad. Not too shabby.
But to the book...this was the first "diet" book I read that really made sense for me. This isn't a crash diet, you'll lose a moderate amount of weight by making simple changes. He really spoke to, as the title says, taking control of your life. You can't lose weight just by hoping or wanting it bad enough. You have to work at it.
The book has lengthy, but useful, exercises to find out things like your current level of consumption and activity. It is basic, yet teaches a lot of things that really need to be known to have a healthy weight loss plan. I've been on a lot of plans, read a lot of books, but never had it broken down for me in such a way that a) it made a lot of sense, b) didn't talk to me like I was a simpleton, and c) made it seem doable and not extreme.
Exactly what I needed.
Book Review: My view ofThe Take Control Diet
Summary: 4 Stars
I think this is a well balanced diet, it focuses on reducing calories and fat to lose weight not just cutting out entire food groups. It explains other fad diets and why they may have some success but ultimately why they are not the best choice. Easy to follow.Book Review: The take Control Diet
Summary: 4 Stars
When I bought this book, i thought it was a program to follow like another of Dr. Smith's books. This book did put me in the right frame of mind to succeed with a lifestyle change I needed to make.Book Review: Review by former Physiology Fellow/Biochemist....
Summary: 3 Stars
What I liked about the book is that it tells the truth about exercise and the need to eat good food. This isn't information that you can't find in many other places, but given this is a bestseller I'm happy to see this position take front and center.
I don't doubt that this system of weight loss will work, but you would need to be very disciplined and have a lot of free time to follow it completely. This may not be practical for most people.
I didn't find anything extraordinary about this diet book. What it does is to provide a structure for you to change your life gradually to a healthier lifestyle. I agree with one of the other reviewers that Andrew Weil's "Eight Weeks to Optimum Health" is at least as good or perhaps better. It is certainly more realistic.
I think the correct audience for this book is people that are very serious about losing weight and changing their living habits forever. Without a deep commitment to living differently, you aren't likely to stay with this program for long.
I agree with Dr. Smith that exercise is one of the most important factors to lose weight, regulate appetite and manage stress which often leads to overeating. I also agree that making gradual changes over time is the best way to make major life changes.
Where I feel the book failed is in providing more content, depth and added value. In my opinion, almost everything that was said in this book has been said in many others that are just as good or even better. This book is not a waste of money, but it is not a practical long term solution for most people.
I've also read the Fat Smash Diet Book and have similar sentiments about it. Neither of Dr. Smith's books is anything new and revolutionary. If you eat right and train hard, you'll lose weight. That's the bottom line.
I have also done a detailed review of Dr. Smith's latest book the FAT SMASH DIET. If you scroll down to reviews for August 21, you can see my comments about this book as well. This may help you decide which one is right for you or if either of them are right for you.
Book Review: Read the Book First
Summary: 3 Stars
Read the book first to make sure you understand what is involve, especially the Phase I plan. This is the plan where you cannot have coffee, pop/soda, and juice. Just water, 1% or skim milk, and herbal tea with you meals (are to drink water as much as you can). Make sure you eat plenty of veggies that you like, becauses everyone don't like all veggies.