Flat Belly Diet! Pocket Guide: Introducing the Easiest, Budget-Maximizing Eating Plan Yet!

I tried Weight Watchers for 3 weeks and lost nothing. I'm about 80 pounds overweight and am 56 years old. I was beginning to think that my metabolism was so slow that I couldn't lose weight anymore. This little guide is proving otherwise. Finances are tight right now, and I checked the large book out of the library and was pleased to discover that everything you need to know is in the pocket guide, including shopping lists and guidelines for eating out. I purchased it. I've been on the program a little over two weeks and have lost seven pounds. My clothes are already becomming lose. It's taken a palette adjustment, but I'm beginning to enjoy the food now. Realizing I needed to break my sugar/salt addiction, I drank the sassy water for a few days without any sweetner--not so great initially, but I got used to it. However, now I add a packet of Truvia to a large glass, and it reminds me of Sprite without the fizz--pretty good. I went off the diet on Thanksgiving and the day after and felt sluggish, and had gained a pound and half as a result, but I quickly relost it when I went back on the diet the next day. This feels like something I can live with--don't get hungry and generally feel satisfied. I think this is going to make a difference in my life. BTW, I love eating a multi-grain waffle with berries and dark chocolate for my evening snack. Yum!

I've got both the hardcover Flat Belly Diet and the Pocket Guide. They each have their own strengths, I'd say. I've been following this diet now for 22 days and I've lost 14 pounds so far AND lowered my cholesterol score by 13. I've been able to stay on this diet in airports, at a wedding rehearsal dinner and reception, and out with friends. Overall, there's a lot of variety and flavor to be had. I highly recommend the 4-Day Jumpstart (I usually skip this part of most diets). For me, it was worth it because I discovered that I was eating a lot of 'gassy' foods, I was eating when I was really thirsty, and I get hungry about every 4-5 hours. Now...do you need this book? Buy the pocket guide if: you're looking for a more prescriptive approach you want to buy groceries that will be used for more than just one meal you're a solo dieter you often eat out or on the run you want to take it with you Buy the hardcover if: you have someone dieting with you or that you can share multiple servings with you want a completely free-form approach you grocery-shop frequently or don't mind buying a few special ingredients for one or two meals you mostly eat at home you like to understand the background behind a diet you're looking for an exercise plan as well Personally, I have both books, plus the journal.

I loved this book. I have one in the kitchen and one in my purse for the grocery store lists. I didn't do the 4 day quick-start, but I did do the entire 28 days. At the end of that time I found it very, very easy to put together 400 calorie meals/snacks in just a few minutes. I felt there was a need for more fiber and veggies, so I substituted some veggies for part of the bread items. It's easy to find the foods, and it's easy to substitute for the ones you can't find.

This handy guide really seemed to have all the important information you need to accomplish the flat belly diet. It's the big book, minus the testimonials, heavy scientific talk, and journal pages. This diet works and is so easy to do. There are certainly flavor filled recipes out there to stay on target, but this little guide gives you a 28 day plan including every single item(and brand) you need to purchase as a head start. It may look monotonous, but you learn quickly how to substitute here and there with your own choices. Lists of instant item by item substitutions are given, as well as numerous other choices of menus, and the book ends with a thorough list of common restaurants and the exact choice to order from each to stay on track. It's VERY accomplishable in every day life and DELICIOUS even with the "Keep It Simple" menus provided. A whole grain waffle drizzled with dark chocolate chips smothered in strawberries?!?! Choices like that provide plenty of seemingly decadent eats to keep a sweet tooth and a carb lover happy, but it is a balanced nutritional choice in disguise. The calories are typical of a moderate weight-loss diet of 1600 a day - but the results have been exponentially faster than South Beach or other low-carb methods that I've tried. I lost 5.5 lbs. the first week and they showed in inches immediately. The concept of the diet is that eating MUFA's such as nuts/seeds, certain oils, avacados, olives, dark chocolate, and avacados, will target visceral belly fat in the weight loss process. Incorporating a MUFA at each of four 400 calorie meals seems to work some kind of magic. These MUFA foods also are very filling and delicious. It's been the easiest "diet" I've ever done. You get to eat meats, fruits, nuts/seeds, vegetables, bread, and even dark chocolate!

I don't "do" diets. This is so easy to follow, with meals that I would eat anyway. I lost 7 pounds in 11 days. I'm still losing!! I tried this on a recommendation from someone who lost over 30 pounds by following the Flat Belly Diet. She travels quite frequently and was able to do it. If you don't want to invest in the large book version...the pocket version has just as much information.