Fad Diet Du Jour: Fat Smash Diet
Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Celebrity, Stylish Living
(Click the photo for the Top 10 Fad Diet Flops!)
Fat behinds ruin the lines of Calvin Klein, and Dior doesn't come in plus sizes. It's time for a diet! But which one? A new one pops up every day. We help you sort them out with Fad Diet du Jour.
The catchy name: Fat Smash Diet
The story : In his book by the same name, Celebrity Fit Club doctor Ian K. Smith lays out his approach to diet and exercise, which involves "rewiring" your brain and "smashing" bad habits.
The
The anti-diet propaganda: "Not a diet, a lifestyle approach"
The regime: Four "phases" over the course of 90 days. You eat four to five small meals a day, exercise regularly and don't have to count calories, although some foods are "forbidden" during the earlier phases.
- Phase One is a nine day "detox" with lots of water, low fat, a limited range of food eaten raw, grilled or steamed.
- Phase Two is "foundation" and adds back in foods like avocados, coffee and lean meats.
- Phase Three, "construction," sees slightly larger portions and the return of bread and pasta, plus dessert!
- Phase Four aka "the temple" gives you back on beer, wine and pizza, but in theory you'll be able to manage them through portion and craving control learned over the past three phases, plus exercise.
Our judgment: Sure, this can help people develop a healthier approach to food, and eating several times a day does help with cravings, if you can watch your portions. They do get points for incorporating exercise into the program, which helps you see results faster, and makes you more likely to stick with it.
But since overweight people are notoriously bad at portion control (that's how we got here folks, right?) and there isn't any calorie counting or measurement built into the program, we believe this system is fatally flawed for long-term success.
Kristen 7-30-2008 @ 10:43PM
I totally agree. It's the portions that get you down. Or up, I guess, if we're talking weight. I can see where this would be great for dropping a few pounds quickly, but in terms of lifelong weight-loss, fat chance.
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Brandie 7-31-2008 @ 2:24PM
I have to disagree that the Fat Smash Diet is a bad "fad diet." As someone who did this program from Phase 1- "The Temple" I can tell you that it does indeed work and serves it's intended purpose of getting your mind into a different mode of habit with eating and portion control. It stresses that if you do "fall off the wagon" so to speak that you can get right back on and keep on with the good eating habits you have learned. It gives a margin for error which most diets don't have built into them but should. On this diet I have lost and MAINTAINTED my 40 pound weight loss for over a year. I even went back for a time to eating those foods not so good for me and STILL maintained. The ONLY reason I maintained is because of the Fat Smash Diet and what I learned about portion control and the benefits of daily exercise. The funny thing is, that the philosophies that are taught in the book are philosophies that people should have adopted LONG ago. If that would happen, this country would not be in an obesity crisis. Also, I would not call this diet a diet either to be honest. It is a total lifestyle change. The Phases in the book lead you up to the diferent mindset of eating better and smaller portions. You do however have to be in the right mindset to do the Phases but it can be done and in the end, the habits that you develop stick with you.
Also, though the phases seem stringent, if you veer off course, you don't need to worry. I ad libbed a lot, especially in Phase 1 and still lost my goal weight within 6 months and have maintained that goal weight for over a year.
This diet DOES work if given a chance and it is healthy. You do not starve yourself and it in fact stresses the benefits of not starving yourself. It is a great diet philosophy IMO.
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Phoebe 7-31-2008 @ 12:44AM
I don't know, I think for at least the first few phases it might be worth it. A big portion of healthy food is much preferable to the two pounds of Sour Cream and Onion chips I shoved down my throat today. If the diet truly is about breaking bad habits, maybe it can break the bad habits about what you eat and treat you to eat grilled rather than fried. The littlest bit helps.
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Tommisina 7-31-2008 @ 9:30PM
It s all about portion control. period!
www.portionpal.com
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Jayne 7-31-2008 @ 2:31PM
I am a personal trainer and someone that was fat as a kid. To me the best program out there tht teaches portion control and is an effective weigh of life is Weight Watchers. http://www.weightwatchers.com I lost 70 pounds back in my twenties, and have kept it off for over 25 years. I am also a big fan of the smartsole anti-cellulite insoles. They cause you to burn more calories with every step and are super comfortable as well http://www.smartsole.com I found a promo code that expires today for 15% off which is SMART15
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Brandie 7-31-2008 @ 2:36PM
I also wanted to say that the reason that calorie counting and portion control are not "built into" this diet is because if you stick with the portions recommended in the book for all phases, there is no need for it. The counting and control are done for you. The author of this article either did not read the book all the way through or did not read the book carefully enough.
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jcbrod1 7-31-2008 @ 2:45PM
thats kelly lebrok? omg..she must have gained about 100 lbs. she used to be soo beautiful
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FrenchGirl 7-31-2008 @ 3:08PM
I think portion control, calories and exercise are all important. But then again, what do I know? I'm 32 yrs old and thankfully I've never had to diet a day in my life. (Although when I was younger I would have loved to have been able to gain a few lbs.) But, no matter what you weigh, exercise is definately a must in order to stay healthy. I wish more diets would focus on the importance of exercise.
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Liz 7-31-2008 @ 3:24PM
Let's face it, some people are always going to be fat, some people are always going to gain back whatever they take off, some people are always going to be of moderate healthy weight, some people are going to starve themselves. Some people will exercise, some won't.
We as a society spend FAR too much time and effort and ink delving into these matters, lionizing food, then demonizing it.
Think of all the things people could be working on, like human justice, the environment, animals rights, fair politics, housing for all, fuel for the poor, a better educational system.
Nothing about our weight issues is going to change. Not ever. It is a very individual issue that can neither be collectively addressed nor collectively remedied.
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The Ween 7-31-2008 @ 7:48PM
I totally agree. Being obsessed with weight is what gets most people in trouble to begin with. In most cases if you leave well enough alone, you'll be just fine. My mother started me on diets while in grade school and I've never been thin. I think eating healthy and to keep moving is important, but obsessing about what it says on the scale just makes you miserable. I'm healthy and still not skinny. I don't care anymore. Age is just a number, and so is what's on the scale.
jules 7-31-2008 @ 3:39PM
With out reading up on this diet it sounds like another glorified Adkins diet, which has actually been proven dangerous to your body. Your body requires a certain level of carbs per day and without this it will start to shut down your internal organs. Any diet that restricts carbs less than 60 mg per day can cause life long health problems. Think twice before starting any "diet".
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Dean 7-31-2008 @ 4:13PM
they forgot to mention step five which is "get fat again". that's because this diet, like most, will not work and the people who are on a diet like this will just gain the wait back.
Obesity is not a fat problem, its an acid problem! Improve pH balance in your body by eliminating acid and incorporating more alkaline water and alkaline foods, and will not only get healthier, but you will also lose the weight
http://www.GetAlkaline.com
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Charles 8-01-2008 @ 1:19AM
If you people really want to be healthy and not just lose weight, google "weston-price foundation" and read, then read some more.. and keep reading.. you will be enlightened!
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TrueBlueWords 7-31-2008 @ 6:20PM
I eat what I want. That is, indeed, ANY kind of food -- pizza and everything. I only require a little meat, and only once in a while. Carbs work for me. Meat will pack on the pounds faster than a bullet, faster than anything. Pigging out is not for me, but if I eat a lot of something I am craving, I'll go light the next day. I eat only what I like and take a multivitamin. I am VERY healthy, and have no problem keeping as trim as I want. If you want to lose weight, do it five pounds at a time, then maintain for a week, then work on the next five pounds -- and give yourself some time. Each five pounds will inspire you to pay attention. Your stomach gets used to it, and then you won't need to pig out as often. I am hyperactive, so maybe that helps. I drink the real sodas and never drink diet. I never, EVER eat diet food. Eating diet food only makes you hungrier and makes you eat more of the stuff your body is crying out for. But that's just me. All of YOU have your own systems. I guess the trick is to learn what works for your own body and not worry about what someone eats. What someone else eats is more than likely apt to cause them to be sick, because they think they have to eliminate everything they like. Hogwash. Eating certain foods is only for newborns, babies, and small children, in order for them to grow. If you want to "grow," as an adult, you'll only grow one way -- wide. Also, kick everyone out of your life that gives you stress (EXCEPT your kids), 'cause contrary adults are just sabotaging your efforts.
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TrueBlueWords 7-31-2008 @ 6:44PM
Oh, one more point! DON'T take diet pills! Diet pills sent my sister-in-law to the hospital. They can even kill you. You may or may not get away with taking them for a while, but they are dangerous. See a doctor before taking any weight-loss pill, and I don't think a good doctor would recommend over-the-counter ones. Just beware, and avoid diet pills like the plague!
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Marian 7-31-2008 @ 7:57PM
I went on the Fat Smash Diet and lost 25 pounds in 5 weeks. I followed it to the letter and now that I'm no longer following it as strictly as I did in the beginning, I am very cautious of the foods that I put in my mouth with every meal. Losing that much weight that quickly eating healthy foods pointed me in the right direction. Mind set has to be right!! No diet or eating plan will work if you aren't ready to give it your all and stick with it. I go off the diet for a day but go right back on the next day. I find it very easy to follow. I gain a pound or two and in a day or two it's back off again.
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