OUTSTANDING! This is the only method that has worked for me in weight loss in the last 30 years. After 3 months I have lost 14kg and I’m aiming for 14 kg more. I started at 128kg and definitely on track for diabetes and heart disease. The weight loss has been gradual but in the 1-2kg per week. I’ve gone up some weekends after a red wine & crisps indulgence but have always trended downward. As for the recipes, there is some work involved but who wouldn’t do it with results like this. I’m ‘over the moon’ thankful that this book came into my life when it did. Well done Dr Michael Mosely. ( )

If any of you have watched Michael Mosley you will be familiar with his down to earth and personable style, his books are no different.

The concept is very approachable and is based around intermittent fasting, the currently popular Keto diet and the healthy Mediterranean diet. He starts by explaining the ideas and science behind his diet and his experience as his very own test subject. Not only did he lose a substantial amount of weight but more importantly he managed to reverse his risk of developing diabetes. The second part of the book is made up of recepies, not totally unrealistic food but tasty nourishing food.

I have actually re-watched the episode covering this diet and also purchased the Fast exercise book which is also excellent and based on the high intensity from of exercise, they work together as a pair to encourage me to stick to my New Years resolution of getting fit and healthy. (If I can't succeed using this then there's really no hope for me)
If you are looking to lose some weight, improve your health and hopefully live longer then you won't regret buying this book thats five stars from me!

Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books and Dr Michael Mosley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc. ( )

Dieting revisited!

A combination of ideas put forward about food, exercise and losing weight by Mosley are ringing bells with me. Particulars he's mentioning are factors my doctor has been raising with me. Although my need is more to do with excess weight putting pressure on my arthritic knees.
The book is pithy, easy to read, not too complicated in its explanations, fairly straightforward and most importantly, held my interest.
The things that struck me most included:
that Mosley gives "a number of options so you can tailor the program to your needs, goals and motivation...based on 800-calorie fast days—it’s high enough to be manageable and sustainable but low enough to trigger a range of desirable metabolic changes." So changing metabolism gets a tick and there are Options available for the way you might approach the process. 800 calories is really not a hardship for me but alas there goes the glass of a particularly nice Sauvignon Blanc I've just purchased.
Some of the Benefits which also resonate for my particular needs are:
1. Better sleep
2. Cutting risk of type 2 Diabetes
Mosley references the idea of Intermittent fasting such as the 5:2 program alongside Time Restricted Eating which apparently helps with acid reflux (another little quirk I've developed.)
He does address the concerns about rapid weight loss equaling rapid weight gain and then it seems morphs into championing a Mediterranean type diet to counteract this.
Sadly I do know about foods that convert to sugar. (But between the knowing and doing I find there's a ginormous gap!)
He discusses Exercise. Once again there is a certain amount of symmetry with what Mosley puts forward and what my doctor's been saying. His hints for strength training are a plus. I liked his "12 ways to introduce more activity into your life" section. Using the exercise bike is one cross over, although my days of stomach crunches and squats have long gone. Tai Chi and water aerobics is more where I'm centered these days.
The chapter on Stress was a bonus, especially with the inclusion of practicing Mindfulness and a couple of short related exercises.
The Recipe section suggestions I feel would be easily incorporated into one's routine. Interestingly gluten free (such a buzz word) is mentioned only once, and then in a recipe.
As with all food control books the things on the NO list are what we all know about (no pun intended).
So there goes the Hagen Daz and Lindt and that rather delicious Savy B.
But wait maybe some of those can be incorporated on a Five day day! If I go for a 5:2 regime!
Despite what seems to be many pluses, I will say I am reserving judgement about the validity of Mosley's ideas for me until I can explore them further. Which for my particular needs could well be a good thing.

An Atria ARC via NetGalley ( )

A comprehensive review of the "Fast 800" health management plan. The book is well researched and referenced (list provided), includes details of the program and how to modify it for your lifestyle, and includes a handy menu planner and recipe guide at the back. Looks like a tough program to follow, but it seems to have a lot of positives. ( )

Very easy to read and comprehensive. It covers the lastest research on low calorie diets and time restricted eating, as well as HIIT exercise and includes some recipes. As I have his previous books it was quite repetitive and I would like something a bit weightier with more content, and it’s confusing when he says to stay away from tropical fruit then one of the first recipes is a mango smoothie! But overall good, and I’ve had some success with his diets so would recommend this especially if the concepts are new to you. ( )