Comments on: The 4 Day Diet: Be Thinner By Friday… and Back Where You Started on Monday

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:05:14 +0000

Ha! The post title made me laugh out loud….literally. I love this blog!

By: Bryan @ The Health Pilgrim

Bryan @ The Health Pilgrim — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:18:15 +0000

OMG I can’t believe this is another one of those diet books that can actually make it out to the book shelf and ppl actually read it and try it :S I really wonder when society will start learning

By: roni

roni — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:31:39 +0000

BigTickles – I’m so happy you shared this story and your point of view and I’m ecstatic for your friend!

As I stated in the post, I DID judge this book by it’s cover. I was reacting to the culture of quick fixes which Dr. Smith is preying on. It’s the marketing that gets me.

I like the approach that everyone can stick to a diet for 4 days and I agree with him but combining that with “Be Thinner by Friday” is a gross appeal to the quick fix mentality. I would give this book more of a chance if the Subtitle was something like…

The 4 Day Diet: You CAN do it.

The 4 Day Diet: Baby Steps Towards your goal.

Or even..

The 4 Day Diet: A New Approach to Weight Loss

I just wish they realized how much harm the do fostering this quick fix culture of ours.

By: BigTickles

BigTickles — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:17:01 +0000

Roni, one of my friends has this book and it has worked well for her. She was just diagnosed with Diabetes and was told to shape up. This was the only book she could stick with. (Yes she even tried weight watchers).

It is not a quick fix book by any means. She has been using it for over 3 months and she has lost about 18 lbs. The book consist of 7 phases which range anywhere from 1,000 – 1,800 calories per phase. The phases last 4 days each. It teaches you how you can introduce food that you like back into your eating plan with feeling deprived. It also shows you how to substitute your old foods for new ones. You can chose the phases in order or switch them. It does not end at 28 days…he just gives you 28 days of choices.

When he says the 4-day diet he means that anyone can mentally stay on a diet for at least 4 days. That is why the menu changes every 4 days. He says in his book that it is not a quick fix at all but a lifestyle. The book promotes exercise in every phase and states that you may lose anywhere from 8-12 lbs a month, which I think is reasonable.

I am not sure if you read the book in its entirety or was just thrown off by the title. However, I am just giving a different point of view and the experience that I have witnessed from my friend. If you look beyond the title, the book contains very good information.

By: Deanna - The Unnatural Mother

Deanna - The Unnatural Mother — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:01:48 +0000

THANK YOU for posting this!! I’ve lost 58 pounds through diet and exercise – I FINALLY cleansed myself of all the diet fixes that I tried, finally! The other day at work this gal told me about the 3 day diet… because I was complaining about the last 10 pounds that I need to lose. We all know 3-day diet, it’s an oldie… vanilla ice cream, tuna etc, I thanked her and said – can’t do it, can’t go that route anymore. I mean, aren’t we past that? We’re 40 year old women doing the 3 day diet? We should be smart enough to know that these are not long term but quick fixes! Ok, had to vent! Love the sites Roni, love ‘em!

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:45:31 +0000

It’s so disgusting, isn’t it? HOW can a doctor advocate that type of diet?????!!!!!!! It angers me that a lot of people will trust him and buy the book because he has M.D. after his name and he’s semi- famous. I hate people who take their fame/degree title and use it to not only coerce millions of people out of their money but even WORSE, they start them on a diet rollercoaster of hell that has profound physical and EMOTIONAL side effects that will last these people for the rest of their lives.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:16:23 +0000

I have wondered about this book. He has been on weight-loss proograms and I think he does understand nutrition, but to advocate 800 is too low. Thanks for the heads up on this diet book.

By: Di

Di — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:38:02 +0000

wow that’s WAY low in calories!!!! I have eaten that much before lunch! 2 cups of coffee? WTH? Great it’s mostly a clean diet, but at such low calories not a HEALTHY way to lose weight!!! You’re gonna lose muscle mass which will reduce your metabolism, and therefore throw you back on the yoyo plan. Wow!

Also if any trainer is recommending this to you – GET A NEW TRAINER!

By: roni

roni — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:22:58 +0000

Christine –

I’m actually fascinated by the low cal movement.. I’ve read those studies about the longevity and health benefits. I just think this book goes about the whole 4 day diet mentality the wrong way. He is simply praying on those looking for a quick fix.

Like I said to a previous commenter my typical diet is similar to this but with WAY more fun and creativity thrown in. ;)

Off to you check out your post!

By: Lara (Thinspired)

Lara (Thinspired) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:19:04 +0000

So unbelievably ridiculous! That meal plan is a joke. Thanks for calling out this insane book, Roni!