On April 15, 2005, I posted an article on how to lose 50 pounds using just a few simple rules. One just had to keep fat grams under 20 and eat at least 30 grams of fiber. I didn’t develop the diet, but thought I’d pass it along, as it worked for me and hoped others would find success in this as well. Here is a follow up letter I received about a month ago from someone who took me up on it:
Bert,Just wanted to drop you a short note of thanks. Back in April you ran an article on your blog about how to lose 50 lbs. I took you up on your suggestions, modified them a bit for my particular circumstances, and have been plugging away since the middle of April. To date, I've lost 40+ pounds. I have 10-20 more to go. But, I know I will get there.I want to thank you for sharing your insights - that you received and how you put them to work in your own life.Blessings,Chris
Congratulations, Chris! Has anyone else found success on this diet?
Does it count if I don't follow it strictly? B-)
Because of your post, I started paying attention to the amount of fiber and fat I was eating. I noticed that I didn't get much fiber at all, and so I changed to eating more fruits and vegetables as well as high fiber cereal.
I still eat ham or turkey and cheese sandwiches, and I still drink milk. I probably go over the 20 grams regularly.
On the other hand, I have been moving about more as well. I don't tend to lose weight unless I've walked quickly for 30 minutes, but I don't gain weight. I'm 185 lbs at the moment, and I was 195 in July of last year. If I exercised more regularly, I would probably have lost those ten pounds quicker, and I would probably have lost a few more.
I'd also probably be in better shape to play soccer again. That's one of my New Year's Resolutions.
So while I don't follow the Zone diet exactly, your post did help me change my diet and I have lost some weight because of it. I'd call it success.
Posted by: GBGames | January 19, 2006 at 01:38 AM
Bert - I was not an Open Loops reader back then, so I appreciate hearing about this now. On a related front, I have recently found the addition of some of these foods/nutrients really does help manage and reduce weight. And I learned I don't eat nearly enough fiber. I wish I knew then (20 years ago) what I think I know now...
Posted by: Lisa Haneberg | January 19, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Thank God i bumped into this site!!! thank you bert!! congrats for coming up into this kind of site!
Posted by: Weight Healthy | April 16, 2007 at 01:46 AM
Today is 05-08-07, i will start getting 30 g fiber, less 20g fat, and excersice moderately (dancing 15 minutes), i was 220 a year ago, in three months i edieted to 205, now i am 200 but cant go below that, hopefully this ll work for me, ill post next week
-diana
Posted by: diana | May 08, 2007 at 05:41 PM
Exercise and exercise if you can find the time of course...but just going for walks and eating right is the way to go.
Posted by: lose 10 pounds | July 22, 2007 at 09:46 PM