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Summary: Finally, something that works!
Review: I cannot recommend this book too highly. I have been on the plan for two weeks (not very strictly the second week) and have lost ten pounds easily, without being obsessed by what I could or couldn't eat, without being hungry, without cravings. I have no desire to snack (although one can on this program), and I have even skipped meals. I have much more energy, and the asthmatic symptoms I've had for more than 15 years disappeared on the third day of the program. All this after fighting with my weight, dieting and gaining back even more, for 35 years. I was even desperate enough to consider obsesity surgery. This is the only program that has ever worked and that I can stick with. I am so grateful to the Hellers for researching and publishing this concept.The book is written in a clear and interesting way, and it makes perfect sense to me. I haven't tried any of the recipes, but the program is so simple that I don't feel I really need them. I have read all the other reviews and have a few comments: (1) you're on the plan but you're still hungry? Eat more at meals, or eat a protein/low carb balanced snack, such as celery with cheese. The program does not restrict portions, although I think using common sense regarding portions and food choices is helpful. (2) No milk on this plan? Not everyone needs it. Many American adults are lactose-intolerant, as I am. I haven't had a glass of milk for 25 years. And I understand that in many other cultures, only children drink milk. There are other sources of calcium and Vitamin D. (3) "Don't get excited about the reward meal". Excuse me? If we could eat whatever we want every day without gaining weight, we wouldn't need to change our eating habits, would we? As some wise person once said, "What everyone wants is for things to get better without changing." Sorry, but the world doesn't work like that. The point of this plan is that you don't have to give up the foods you love forever. You can have them in reasonable amounts, once a day. And sometimes you can be a little unreasonable. (While I was on vacation last week and eating dinner in restaurants, I had bread and dessert every night -- and the scales registered exactly the same when I got home as they did when I left.) This is not a straitjacket; it's a reasonable, healthy way to eat that we can stick to over a long period of time. The book also says that when you reach your desired weight, you can put carbs back into your diet until you find you're gaining weight again. The bottom line is: this may not work for everyone, but it's working for me, and nothing else ever has. If it were up to me, I'd give the Hellers the Nobel Prize for medicine.
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Summary: This plan works for carb addicts!
Review: I am a one-year veteran of the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet/Lifespan Program. I have lost 34 lbs and am 2 lbs from goal weight of 140. This book is slightly more restrictive than the first book, Carbohydrate Addicts Diet, but I like all the options in the Lifespan book. If you are a carbo addict, this book will eliminate your cravings which cause many of us carb addicts to overeat. I had gained weight and had high cholesterol when I followed a lowfat diet. Now that I have found this book, my cholesterol has dropped 60 points and is now under 200. I am at my goal weight range and am feeling great. The Hellers newest book, CA Healthy Heart, is also excellent.
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Summary: My Lifestyle Change NOT diet
Review: I still can't believe that I have been able to lose 40-45 lbs. and have kept it off for about 1 1/2 years. My cravings are definately different then they were before. It all makes sense when you think about insulin resistance and why it happens. Knowing what foods will trigger my "drunk" state, means that I really need to be aware of what I can eat. My boyfriend can really tell if I cheated that day and ate carbs other then at my reward meal because I get very sluggish and actually feel drunk. This diet was recommended by my sister who is a physician herself. I feel better and have been able to go from a size 14 to a size 8/10. What a difference..especially when I am wearing clothes I couldn't wear for a long time. I recently donated about 1/2 of my wardrobe to a battered women's shelter near me. I wanted to help and I also didn't need those chothes anymore since I have no plans to grow back into them. Try this as a lifestyle change and you will be successful. If you think of this as just a short term diet, it won't work well and won't last long at all. You will feel the difference and you will like looking into the mirrors again.
Rating: 
Summary: It works. A sustainable weight loss with few cravings.
Review: I have recently been under a great deal of stress with my wife's illness and trying to cope with it. I am in the military and can't afford to be overweight yet my weight continued to climb even with increased exercise and a sensible diet as recommended by nutritionists. After two unsuccessfulI watched a show concerning this book and the stress factor concerning insulin production hit a nerve. I bought the book and have stuck strickly by the plan. In 24 days I have shed 14 pounds with out the hunger pains. Although they allow deserts with the rewards meal, I have chosen to have fruit. I do want the sweets but am more concerned about weight loss for now. With each pound going away, the exercising becomes easier which sheds more pounds. I have tried other diets but rarely was able to continue them for long, I really missed the sweets. No longer, now I can have them too, just has to be during the rewards meal. Buy it, read it, understand it, and apply it. I don't think I was a true carbohydrate addict but after taking the test they provide, I was in the middle group. Doesn't matter now, their process works and is spelled out in laymans terms. Some of the receipes were not worth my effort to prepare them but we each have our own tastes.
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Summary: FINALLY......I HAVE ANSWERS
Review: After I saw the Hellers on the Oprah show I immediately went to amazon.com and ordered it. After taking a couple days to read this amazing book it all made such sense to me. I have watched my mother eat this way for years and years. And she has always been very thin. Then I started thinking about the way my thin husband eats and everything just started falling into place. My first day on this program was the best. Since Im not a breakfast eater I was thrilled that I didnt have to worry about that. After I had my carb free lunch I found that I was very full, right up to dinner time. The only time I had a little (very little) difficulty was in the evening, I dont really think I was craving carbs I think that just out of habit (and a very bad one at that) I felt like I should be munching on something. So I finally gave in and finished the leftover salad from dinner. Now if that isnt a step in the right direction I dont know what is.
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Summary: Consider the Schwarzbein Principle
Review: If you are looking for a sustainable, reasonable carbohydrate diet, consider reading the Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein, MD. The Carbohydrate Addict's plan is too contrived for me with the Reward Meals, lack of carbs at most meals and snacks, and the restrictions on certain vegetables that they claim cause cravings in some people. The Schwarzbein plan has you eating unrefined carbs and protein at each meal and snack, and is a more realistic approach to insulin and seratonin regulation.
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Summary: Shame on you Oprah
Review: I'm really shocked that Oprah is promoting this diet. I went on the carb addicts diet two years ago and it did change my life- I'm now more addicted to carbs than ever!! I could only last 4 months on this diet because it was so restrctive. Nearly all of my favorite foods were restricted to the reward meal-and even then the portions were really restricted. (which left me craving more than ever). But this diet isn't just incredibly restrictive, it's really unhealthy. My blood pressure went up and I was always constipated (theres very little fiber in this diet). And since when is cheese, butter, sour cream, and sausage better for you than fresh fruit, tomatoes, carrots, beans and milk? This book is like so many others- based on someones personal theory, and when I searched on the internet I found it wasn't backed up by any scientific studies either. Now Oprah has dragged several million unwitting people on the road to failure the way she did with her optifast diet in the 80s. You should be ashamed of yourself Oprah.
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Summary: It has removed the fog from my mind!!
Review: I have tried a lot of diets and this to me is not a diet it is a way of balancing an addiction. I learned about this from the Oprah Show and as they were talking, I knew they were talking about me. Well this program of balancing my addiction has given me a whole new way to enjoy my life without the cravings. I like the book because it gives me the understanding of what is going on in my body and shows me how to balance this addition, by what and how I can eat. It isn't a diet it is away to eat, to correct the biology of an addiction to carbohydrates. If you are addicted to Carbohydrates this is a must. I am learning that it is not will power but the biology of balancing an addiction that makes this work. I purchased this book 2 weeks ago, it is worth the read. Check out their web site it is also very helpful.
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Summary: Finally... A sensible diet
Review: The Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program is a well written, easy to follow program that actually allows it's participants to eat what they want and lose weight. I have been following the program for one week and have noticed a marked dropped in cravings. Of course, anyone who buys the book should understand that this is not a "diet". It is literally a dietary retraining. If you're looking for a wonderful alternative to living a life of obesity, the Carbohydrate Addict's Lifespan Program is a must.
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Summary: So Far, So Good!
Review: I have been following this program since last Tuesday (today is Sunday), with the most exciting result that my energy level is amazing now. I have spent most of my afternoons in a sluggish haze until the day after I started this program. Now, I do not get sleepy until nighttime. I have not had food cravings or been hungry between meals. I feel great! It has not been at all difficult to follow, and I have lost 2 pounds so far.
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