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I come from a family of dieters. I'm not morbidly obese or anything, but I have been struggling with that extra 20 I'm carrying around since I started college. My mother has been fighting that extra 30 since she had my little brother. And when she tries something, I'll try it too, if she does well with it. So I've done them all: Weight watchers, E-diets, Atkins, South Beach, each with its own level of success (or lack of success). The thing is, with each of these diets, you end up having to eat stuff you don't like, or at the very least completely giving up something you totally love. Jorge Cruise's method is different, it focuses strictly on portion control. For me, eating healthy isn't the problem...I prefer whole grain bread/pasta, I enjoy roasted veggies, I generally eat lean meats. My problem is portion control. The beauty of this diet is that it's easy to start and easy to follow; you needn't buy anything special, no weird supplements, no prepackaged foods...if you are a serial dieter like me, all of the stuff you have on hand will fit into this as well. He makes allowances for the fact that you will eat out (including fast food options) and this is the only diet book I've read that says "If you mess up for one meal, not a problem, just renew the committment to yourself and stay focused on the future". The thing that is similar about this book to every other diet book is the mind-numbing repetition. I understand that there is a brand here, but the average "TM" and "R" symbol count per page is probably fairly high. I only read the first 3 chapters and had about enough. I found the visualizations patronizing, sexist, and disproportionately female-centric (I am a female, but I can see how a man would be very turned off by being told to visualize himself in a dress putting on makeup). On the plus side, I did like reading the "testimonials" with the before and after pictures. These actually looked like real people who gave practical advice. I also found the 28-day journal (to guide you through your first weeks on the diet) very helpful. The recipes are reasonable and the specific dining-out options are really great. So far, in 3 weeks I have lost 6 pounds (the 2lbs/week promised). I also find that on the occasions that I over-eat, I really feel it...so I've been less and less apt to binge. Plus, since I can have whatever I want, I don't end up craving something so badly that I end up eating 10 portions of it. Overall, this is a great easy diet. Easy to follow, easy to start, easy to restart when you fall off the wagon. It's slow weight loss, but it really helps you focus on how much you eat, rather than what you eat.Read full review
I bought this because I had read good reviews. It's a pretty good idea. You eat a meal or a snack every 3 hours. And I found the guides to what makes up a meal to be very easy to learn and implement. If you're looking for something that doesn't include long periods of starvation or restriction to celery, something that you might actually be able to run your life upon, then this book is something to look at. Dieting seems to be a matter of finding the program that works as a lifestyle. This may or may not be the one for you, but I think it's worth a look at Ebay book prices, which are usually very reasonable.
I've never seen Jorge Cruise speak, and have no desire to. There is something about this guy that really irks me. So, keep that in mind as you read my negative review, because I definitely could be unfairly biased. That said, Jorge Cruise calls the exercises he recommends "Cruise Moves". Isn't that enough to turn one off? No longer are they ab crunches, for instance, or swiss ball balance moves, they are "Cruise Moves". He now markets flax oil and it's "Jorge Cruise's Flax oil". The other criticism I have regarding this book is his recommended snacks. Cruise has a diet plan in place that includes two snacks daily. And, he makes no distinction in the quality of the snack as long as they are equal to approximately 100 calories each. This means that, according to him, two oreos twice per day--every day--is just fine. This might not interfere with weight loss, but these oreos or other foods like oreos are still devoid of any nutritional value and are still NOT good for you. No matter what you want to believe, 200 calories per day made up of 1 tbsp of peanut butter and an apple, or a whole wheat English muffin with cinnamon are both better choices than oreos. And, learning to choose what's better for your health in the long term--which includes learning to say "no" to oreos, is an important lesson to learn, I think. Save those oreos for your cheat meal which you're allowed one time per week. He also recommends a tsp of oil with every meal. Flax oil and other fats are very very good for you. Although, I'm not sure it's really necessary if you are eating properly and your diet includes lots of fatty fish, like salmon, and some red meat or chicken and if you use olive oil to cook your foods in. As healthy as certain fats are, they are still heavy in calories. And, no matter what, we still have to burn more calories than we take in to lose weight. I'm optimistic that this diet will work, though. He keeps calories to about 1425 per day for women, which is definitely reasonable for a moderately active woman. And, the basic information is compatible with the current health information. Eating every three hours is proven to keep your metabolism moving and to avoid going into starvation mode--which starts burning muscle for fuel-- a state we all wish to avoid. You might find Jorge Cruise is right for you. The information in here isn't groundbreaking, although the media would seem to say otherwise. Body for Life is still the best program, I think. I also think The Thin Commandments Diet is good, as are The Abs Diet (watch portion sizes, though, if you're a woman--the Abs Diet is written for men first, although it's great for women. Just decrease the portion size, remember) and-- only if you're truly really dedicated and fairly fit to begin with, The Ultimate New York Body Plan.Read full review
This book has helped me in so many ways. First of all, I am not overweight by any means. I am about 6'3" and weighed just over 225 when I started this diet. Most of the weight I was carrying was in the midsection (beer belly). I lost 8 pounds in the first week and felt great! I felt pretty bad the first couple of days but after that things seemed to get easier. I think the most beneficial parts for me was the addition of breakfast, increase in green vegetables, and the amounts of water I am drinking. I can now have just one serving at dinner instead of going back for seconds or thirds!!! After 6 weeks I have lost a total of 20 pounds. The best part about it is that after the first 3 weeks I could still have a couple of beers and eat whatever I wanted for the weekend and not gain anything back. Now would I say that Mr. Cruise is a guru, no. But the way he presents this information is easy to understand and follow. As far as the negative reviews for this book go, it probably just someone else trying to push a diet they themselves are on or are trying to market.Read full review
This diet is the best way to go, no doubt. You WILL lose weight. Even if you can't keep your portions as small as you should, if you don't go too far off it and keep the timing as you should you'll probably still lose weight, just not as fast. I lost 10# in 3 days the first time I did it (but I was working 12 hr days going up and down a lot of ladders at the time) and 20# in one month the next time. The first time I stuck to it exactly and the second time I didn't, but stuck to it as best I could. The book is well written and a big help if you want to do that diet. Well worth it. I bought this one as a backup or to give as a gift, haven't decided.
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