There is nothing groundbreaking about this diet. Greene's "diet" is synonymous with the phrase "lifestyle change."
"There's no going on and off this diet, because it's not a 'diet,.' " Bob says. "It's a lifestyle of healthy eating, with an emphasis on regular physical activity."
The Best Life Diet is tailored to a wide array of personal lifestyles, activity levels, and food preferences, he adds. It has lots of tips, recipes, menus, and useful tools to included to help dieters get and stay motivated. There is no calorie-counting, only a mindful approach to making wise food choices and monitoring portion sizes. Splurges are worked into the program during the third phase with an allotment of "anything goes" calories.
It appears very simple. You can enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods while slowly ridding your diet of unhealthier choices such as fried foods, foods containing trans fats, white bread, sugary soft drinks, regular pasta, and high-fat dairy. These foods are phased out and replaced with healthier foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and more. Weekly eating plans provide suggested meals.
RECIPES:
MORE ABOUT BOB GREENE
Some of you may already know Bib from the books he's written. His first book, published in 1996 and co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, was Make the Connection: Ten Steps To A Better Body -- And A Better Life.
"It is about how to live a healthier life, and also about how I met Oprah and began working with her in her lifelong battle against weight," Bob says. "Oprah and I were thrilled when the book became #1 on The New York Times Best Sellers list, and we went on to write another, A Journal of Daily Renewal: The Companion to Make the Connection"
More recently, you may have seen his articles in O Magazine--Bob is a regular contributor. His other books include Keep the Connection: Choices for a Better Body and a Healthier Life; Get With the Program! and Get With the Program!: Guide to Good Eating. Both books have been The New York Times and Amazon.com best sellers.
"Anyone whose books have been popular would be overjoyed, but I am particularly happy about their successes because it means my message is getting out." Bob says. "It's my goal to help as many people as possible commit to a healthier--and happier--lifestyle. I don't want to say I'm a fanatic on the subject, but I do truly believe that exercising and eating healthfully can change your life for the better. I want you to know that making health-conscious choices can ultimately make you look and feel absolutely wonderful."
Bob says he's been trying to get that message out since he was a child. "At the tender age of nine, I'd read about things in the newspaper--things like the health hazards of nitrates added to meats and the harmful effects of pesticides on fruits and vegetables--then lobby my parents to banish unhealthy foods from our table. Salt causes high blood pressure? I warned my dad about using the shaker so liberally. As the self-appointed guardian of my family's well being, I took nutrition news seriously."
In hindsight, Bob says, his family ate fairly healthy meals, especially when compared to the average family today. However, many of his family members struggled with their weight. In fact, his great grandmother was bedridden primarily due to excess weight. "I know this distressed me on some level, even as early as age seven," he says.
Bob's concern about his family's well being eventually led to a professional interest. He studied health and physical education at the University of Delaware and then went on to get a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Arizona. Along with being an exercise physiologist, Bob is also a certified personal trainer and a member of two distinguished groups, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. For the last two decades, he has specialized in fitness, metabolism and weight loss.
"I truly believe that all of us have the inner strength to make beneficial changes to improve our lives." Bob says. "My goal is to help you find that strength--and to guide you along the way to good health. My hope is that this web site will become a continuing source of sound advice you can rely on."
MEET BOB GREEN
MONDAY
12:30-2:00pm
Borders
150 North State Street, Chicago
TUESDAY
11am-1pm
Dominicks
2550 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago
BOB ON OPRAH WEBCAST
Bob will do the webcast Monday with Oprah at 9pm on Oprah.com. Register there for free.
