Phase 1: Reving Up



This initial phase of Bob Greene's plan is laying the foundation for a life of healthy living. You determine your weight then 4 weeks later weigh again. Scale is not your enemy! Next you honestly evaluate your level of exercise and increase it (after checking in with your doctor) because this is where your metabolism starts to take off.

The food issue is addressed with getting on a regimented meal routine - 3 a day and a snack. Emphasis on breakfast as this is where your metabolism gets started for the day and keeps hunger at bay until midday. Don't let your appetite be your guide, eat as soon as you get up. This also makes your brain start producing the chemicals that generate pleasure and lower pain senses.

Rules at this stage:

* No alcohol (don't worry it's only for this phase)

* Drink water with each meal.

* Starting taking a nutritional supplement, multiple vitamin with omega-3 and calcium included.

* Stop eating at least two hours before you go to bed.

At the end of the 4th week, weigh again. Goal is to have lost 1+ lbs a week. If that is happening, continue for 2-3 more weeks here. If your weight didn't drop much, move to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Switch

Now you are ready to see the pounds really fall off in this phase, which should last a minimum of four weeks. You will eliminate 6 foods from your diet and replace them with less fattening foods that will curb your appetite. Weigh yourself once a week. If the number goes up, don't be hard on yourself. Just see if you can fine-tune your efforts. Also, think about increasing your level on the activity scale. Exercise can provide some of the comfort you might otherwise find from eating, thanks again to endorphins.

When you have reached the end of the month, see how you are faring against your goal. If you are close, move on to the rest of your life - Phase 3. Otherwise, give this phase another month. The Bob Greene's diet book lists in greater detail what the parameters are in pounds on when to go to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Happily Ever After

Now you are ready to enter the healthy and full life you have always desired. Weight no longer a worry, there are a few areas here that can help to fine tune your food regimen to fit your life. As you are still progressing here, there will be a need to keep up the good eating and exercising habits. But with the success and relearning you have been doing, it is no longer work.

Maintain the changes you achieved in Phases 1 and 2, but add some "anything goes calories" - the foods you still hanker for. Everything you eliminated in Phase 2 is now allowable! Try to put "anything goes calories" toward "luxury foods" that are indulgent but still have something to offer, such as dark chocolate, full-fat cheese and yogurt, pizza with whole grain crust, or a glass of wine. Try to eat more good vegetables than any other food group. Keep eating two servings of fruit a day and whole grains instead of refined ones. As for sweets, eat fruit any time. Otherwise, continue to look at the packaging.

This phase allows you to add calories back in and not worry about gaining. Why? You are again raising your activities level. This will give you the freedom you desire in choosing foods without finding those pounds you have left far behind. Oh and goodbye botox too as exercise is now the way you will keep your youthful appearance. Weigh at the most every week and at the least every month.