I am not a follower or believer in most diet plans. For the most part, I think they are doomed to failure, almost from the get-go. The Shangri-La Diet by Seth Roberts has been the exception for me.
After years of slowly watching my weight creep up (and all the denial and elastic waist-bands that go with that scenario) I happened to find this book at a book sale and decided to give dieting ONE MORE TRY! I am so glad that I did. As of today, I am 22 pounds lighter than when I started The Shangri-La Diet (about 4 months ago) and I am feeling great. Not a fast weight loss perhaps by some standards but it's been consistent and I've kept it off with no backsliding.
So why has The Shangri-La Diet been such a good experience for me? First and foremost: NO HUNGER PANGS! Isn't that the death of even the most sincere diet efforts for most of us?
Some other great features of this diet: you eat what you normally would eat (sensible portions of course) but no crazy or unfamiliar/disliked foods that you must eat or absolutely forbidden fare that you can't.
If you are at all familiar with this diet you will already know that the basis is a "dose" or two of fructose-water or water mixed with light olive oil, taken a couple of times a day. I went with the fructose water (and only once a day for the most part)and it worked like magic! It may seem too simple to work but it does. And it's a realistic and very easy way to keep motivated and on track, whatever your food preferences are.
I've still got another 15-20 pounds to go, to reach my goal weight. I hope to achieve this goal in the next 2-3 months. I know that I need to step up my exercise regime, that's been a bit hit and miss with the winter arriving this year in BC with lots of snow. It's made for icy sidewalks and trails. Brisk walking being my favorite exercise and miles at a time has been hard to keep up consistently. I've been resorting to working out at home: aerobics, dancing etc...not the same but better than nothing. I'm going to increase my activity in whatever ways I can and hopefully will reach my goal sooner than expected. I'm OK with the weight loss rate that I've had so far. It's been almost effortless and it's really given me a boost in confidence already. Skinny jeans.....here I come!
If you'd like to read more about my diet journey to date, including several tips that have helped me keep on track and motivated and a link to Seth Robert's blog/site, here are my previous diet update posts at my cooking and craft blog: The Shangri-La Diet.
If you've been on this diet, do share your experiences here. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Shangri-La Diet. I'm a believer and I am so glad I picked up this book and gave dieting, one more try. This one's been the charm!
Overall rating for this book: Excellent. 5 out of 5.
I will follow your suggestion on this one!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is working for me!
ReplyDeleteJust curious if you are still doing this? How is it going for you? I am thinking about trying it.
ReplyDeleteStarted today 13/03/2012 - nothing to loose only about 50kgs! Using soya oil to start off with. Will keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteSince posting this are you able to please update us on your weight loss, im looking at buying the book that's all. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRe Update: I've been able to keep my weight fairly stable in the last few months. Still following (albeit loosely) the suggestions in this book. I still think it's an excellent way to take off the pounds. Nothing else seemed to be working for me but this plan did and almost without effort. Try it. You have nothing to lose but pounds. :<)
ReplyDeleteIronically, the author died of a heart attack this spring. He was only 61 and had recently blogged about how he ate a half stick of butter a day and a heart specialist had told him he'd die of a heart attack living that way but he knew better.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of Seth's passing until I read your comment today. His ideas may have been controversial and his own self-experiments at times did seem extreme. Nevertheless, his diet has helped a lot of people lose weight, including myself. I am sorry to hear of his death, much too soon. May he rest in peace. He was a unique individual and a very giving person from what I've read and from knowing him casually via email correspondence.
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