Rating: 
Summary: Not Disappointed, but Very Pleased!
Review: After trying many other popular diet books on the market (low carb, low sugar, etc.), and being unable to find livable success with any of them, I found this book. After taking the quiz and beginning to eat the way Oz suggests for my metabolic type, I have been consistently losing body fat, maintaining my muscle mass, and have loads of energy! The quiz is easy and his list of foods are also easy to learn and apply, after a short period of time you know them by heart (until then, put up a copy on your fridge!). This diet is very easy to cook for and live with, (no chef needed at all!) and as a busy soccer, baseball, basketball, 40 something mom who drives across town to take kids to school and athletic events, I have little time for plans that are not easy. I have my whole family on this plan, and we are not all the same metabolic type! It is not hard! Anyone can do this. In my particular case, I have diagnosed low thyroid, and weight has always been a problem for me, so finding a plan that works for me has been a blessing!DON'T MISS THIS GREAT BOOK! Oz is well researched, and knowledgable about nutrition and health! He certainly has my respect and many thanks!
Rating: 
Summary: A Crashing Disappointment
Review: For many people trying to lose a few pounds, this book appears to be the ultimate solution - what a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT! The health/nutritional information offers nothing new, the questionaire is ridiculous and the diet suggestions require you to remember vast amounts of information as to what you can and can't eat. If you can afford to give up your day job in order to apply yourself to this diet, or of you have a chef in residence at your home, then go for it. But, if the questionaire indicates you are a mixed burner - then use the book as a door stop as it has no other use. For a no-nonsense approach to food choices, I strongly recommend Picture Perfect Weight Loss by Dr. Shapiro.
Rating:
Summary: It really does work
Review: I bought this book a couple of months ago out of sheer desperation. I took the test and was surprised to find that i had been eating all the wrong things. I started to follow the eating plan and by the second week I started to feel great. My clothes began to fit great, my bloated stomach disappeared and so did my pms symptoms. It was an amazing tranformation. My husband noticed right away and so did my co workers. I ended up photocopying the book for several of them. I have been off the "eating plan" for a month and I am back to sqaure one. Its not a diet, it's a way of life. I pulled the book out and I'm starting again today.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! It was just what I had been looking for!
Review: I had been experiencing swings in my energy, ability to concentrate, dizziness, and no matter what I ate or didn't eat, didn't lose weight. I sat down and read the first few chapters in one sitting, and could not put it down. It was describing me to a tee! After understanding why some diets didn't work for me and what led to my "out of balance" chemistry in my body, everything started making sense of what was going on with me. Immediately, once I understood what had been going on, I lost the desire to over-eat or eat the wrong foods for the first time in my life. The knowledge and understanding gave me such a sense of hope and seemed so "right" that my appetite just slowed down. In the past week, I have lost 4 pounds, have actually forgotten to eat lunch for the first time in my life twice this week! I am not having to make myself stop eating. It is like I choose not to eat too much or the wrong foods and it doesn't bother me at all. That came from understanding what was happening to me and having hope that I could finally get healthy and fit and my desired weight.
Rating: 
Summary: Big promises but it is the same old stuff
Review: I had high hopes for this book after reading others' glowing reviews. But it is the same old stuff; low carbohydrate, watch the fat, lean meat, lots of green and yellow vegetables, careful of fruit, no fruit juice, no sugar, no white flour, etc., etc., you know it all already. It basically amounts to a low calorie diet and exercise, exercise, exercise. (What is there for us who cannot exercise?)
I was also disappointed to see old, discredited nutrition "facts" such as simple carbohydrates being different from complex carbohydates. That was disproven years ago. Studies on glycemic indices showed that carrots were worse than table sugar for raising blood sugar. He also lists a number of theories for aging, including "free radicals" as just one of six, leaving the impression it is not a proven fact. But he then goes on to talk a lot about free radicals as if the 'theory' is fact.
He also subscribes to the well-worn idea that "modern man" is descended from evolutionary beginnings. Since evolution is just a theory, and pretty well disproved, it is hardly the proper basis for constructing a diet presumably tuned to one's metabolism.
We are all too complex to be sorted out as fast burner, slow burner or mixed burner. And the criteria for determining such is purely his own, tho he claims some ideas came from a few nutritionists.
All in all, I wish I had saved my money.
Rating:
Summary: Big promises but it is the same old stuff
Review: I had high hopes for this book after reading others' glowing reviews. But it is the same old stuff; low carbohydrate, watch the fat, lean meat, lots of green and yellow vegetables, careful of fruit, no fruit juice, no sugar, no white flour, etc., etc., you know it all already. It basically amounts to a low calorie diet and exercise, exercise, exercise. (What is there for us who cannot exercise?)
I was also disappointed to see old, discredited nutrition "facts" such as simple carbohydrates being different from complex carbohydates. That was disproven years ago. Studies on glycemic indices showed that carrots were worse than table sugar for raising blood sugar. He also lists a number of theories for aging, including "free radicals" as just one of six, leaving the impression it is not a proven fact. But he then goes on to talk a lot about free radicals as if the 'theory' is fact.
He also subscribes to the well-worn idea that "modern man" is descended from evolutionary beginnings. Since evolution is just a theory, and pretty well disproved, it is hardly the proper basis for constructing a diet presumably tuned to one's metabolism.
We are all too complex to be sorted out as fast burner, slow burner or mixed burner. And the criteria for determining such is purely his own, tho he claims some ideas came from a few nutritionists.
All in all, I wish I had saved my money.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for everyone - nutrition made simple!
Review: I have known Oz for about three years. I started as his patient and am now his friend. He helped me regain my health from a chronic illness. His book is an excellent summary of his practices. You can learn a lot from it - regardless of your age or body type. It is an easy read and his programs are relatively easy to follow. Of course, like any other diet or lifestyle plan, you need some discipline. However, Oz offers an excellent way of life, which is what such a program should be.
Rating:
Summary: The best diet book on the market!
Review: I have read many diet and health books. This one tops them all. It explains why we gain weight and how to prevent it. If you are looking for the answers to weight loss then look no farther than "The Balance."
Rating:
Summary: I lost 25 pounds using the Blance method
Review: I love the Balance. It is so easy to follow. I took the quiz--It was so easy and quick. Once I found out what kind of burner I was I ate the foods and took the supplements Oz suggested. I was never tired. In fact my energy level increased! I lost 25 pounds! I look and feel great and I eat so much healthier.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and Energizing
Review: I recently received a copy of The Balance and found the Questionnaire revealing about my metabolism. I relate to the chapter on slow burner since some of my complaints have been weight and tiredness. The book offered a comprehensive list of guidelines as well as an informative glossary on supplements.
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