10 Responses to “The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person Reviews”

1. 
   Western Gal on July 30, 2010 @ 4:02 am

   Review by Western Gal for The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
   Rating:
   This book uses cognitive psychology to help you lose weight. Cognitive psychology is based on the concept that the way you think affects how you feel and what you do. Cognitive therapy, then, helps you identify your self-defeating thinking and helps you respond to it so you can feel better and behave in helpful ways. Instead of leading you step-by-step through a diet plan, this book addresses the psychology behind why you can’t get yourself to follow one and lose weight. In this book, you pick the diet (and an alternative as a back up), and the book helps you follow it.

   The set-up of the book is a six-week plan. Week 1 is laying the groundwork, where you pick 2 diets. Week 2 is getting prepared to diet, Week 3 is starting the diet, Week 4 looks into responding to sabotaging thoughts, Week 5 is about overcoming challenges, such as staying in control when you go out to eat, and Week 6 is fine tuning things.

   All-in-all, I’d have to say that its a great resource to address the psycholgical side of eating. There’s no magic to it, just a little looking inside yourself and addressing any barriers you have that may be holding you back. Readers may also benefit from Exercise Beats Depression as well.
2. 
   minniecatt on July 30, 2010 @ 4:30 am

   Review by minniecatt for The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
   Rating:
   I have lost 90 pounds using the principles and techniques in this book. How can that be true when the book has been out for only one week? No tricks here – early in 2006 ( a year ago) I began a self-designed plan of eating right and exercising based on 2 things: 1. my many years of familiarity with every new diet and nutritional research discovery regarding weight loss; and 2. participation in a cognitive therapy-based group called DBT which teaches skills to increase emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, etc. A couple of months ago I started getting the Amazon plogs regarding Dr. Beck’s new book, and I enthusiastically pre-ordered. After almost a year of steady weight loss and working my way up to walking 3 miles a day (with Leslie Sansone DVDs)I had stalled out at minus 90 lbs, and need to lose about 30 more pounds. Receiving the book, I was amazed, because almost everything I did to motivate myself over the last 13 months was contained in this work. Of course, the principles are set forth much more methodically, professionally, and with more of a well-developed theoretical basis, than in my home-made plan, but every sentence in the Beck Diet rings with honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, compassion and hope.
   
   To be more specific, the book does not contain a “diet” and you are told to find a suitable nutritious food plan to follow, along with an exercise plan of your own. The strategies presented in the book do indeed ‘talk’ you through cognitive retraining techniques which change your thoughts about food and eating and hunger: identifying positive outcomes; ways to make a choice NOT to indulge; how to effectively deal with set-backs and limit the damage done; how to say no to friends /family who show love by sharing good food (I’m Italian; I know a LOT of them!)
   
   Interestingly, in the first 2 weeks you don’t diet at all – this is time spent planning and strategizing to re-train your thoughts. This involves completing motivational cards where you write statements to counteract any sabotaging thoughts that will come up. I found the process to be so similar to the strategies I used when I was successful in meeting the inevitable temptation, so I know that it works “in action.”
   
   On the 15th day you start your eating plan, and each day you have a checklist for reviewing the motivational materials (Advantage Cards, for example, list what YOU want to accomplish in losing weight.) Some of the basic concepts are to pre-plan for dangerous situations, acknowledge your accomplishments even if not perfect, and realize that resisting hunger and cravings is possible when you commit to using the skills Dr. Beck presents.
   
   I have read many, many books both on weight loss and psychology, and this book is “the one” for me, and I hope for you. You have to be willing to think ahead about eating, hunger and cravings. You have to commit to following the techniques daily. If you do, this WILL WORK!!!!
   
   I am going to be bold enough to add one additional technique that worked very well for me, and that is to “Redefine Your Treats.” I admitted to a friend one day that I am basically ‘treat-driven.’ That is, I feel deprived and inferior in some way if I can’t have a dessert, or eat a hearty portion of food. So I redefined treats – to me now it is buying bottled water; drinking Harry and David Tiramisu Coffee (no calories!!); playing Sudoku on the computer for 20 minutes. I feel like I’m indulging but it has nothing to do with actual food. So if you are “treat-driven” like me, try defining and then indulging in your own rewards.
   
   Reading this book made me feel positive; it made me feel like I can make it happen to lose the remaining pounds; it made me admire and respect Dr. Beck for producing a non-judgmental, encouraging, ‘mindful’ book that is written in an engaging style. I recommend it with 90 stars and more to come.
3. 
   skepticalis on July 30, 2010 @ 5:02 am

   Review by skepticalis for The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
   Rating:
   I first learned about this book a few months ago on a weight loss message board, then later, at a WW meeting, a member who had been losing consistently shared how following the tips in this book totally made a difference to her success. After hearing that I had to read it.

   I will say, if you have been watching your weight for any length of time, or read women’s magazines, or belonged to any formal diet program, much of the content will be very familiar ground to you. But even a veteran weight watcher like me will probably find at least one little tip that will be useful.

   It is not a diet per se, but a way at digging into the underlying practices and thoughts that lead to overeating. You could follow any of a number of regimes and use this as extra guidance. And the thoughts always precede the behavior, even if the thought is “I am now going into a trance so I can devour all this food and pretend like it was out of my control”.

   The author’s advice is based on cognitive therapy and research comparing behavior and thoughts of overweight and slender people.

   It helps in learning to recognize and change destructive thought patterns that lead to poor eating, overeating and bad lifestyle choices.

   The practical tips in learning HOW to notice these thoughts, and in using notecards to replace those thoughts, is useful.

   What I especially appreciated was the fact that the information is garnered from real people.

   The two nuggets that most benefited me was 1) the finding that chronically overweight consistently have a sense of unfairness (that they can’t eat whatever they want), and destructive thought patterns of self pity, “why me?”, and black and white thinking (“I ate one cookie I might as well eat 20″; “I can’t be a size 0, so I may as well stay fat”..etc), and 2) that ‘craving tolerance’ is a muscle that grows stronger with use. That was helpful and encouraging, and I think very true. You won’t always feel out of control or like it’s hopeless to try, if you hang in there.

   The realization that the ‘unfairness’ thought is a real stumbling block to lasting weight loss was a real ‘aha’ for me, because I realized I frequently entertained the thought ”why me”!? regarding a very slow and thrifty metabolism. So just for that reason alone, it was worth it, because when I start that thought process now I know catch it in time before it can sabotage my efforts at moderation.

   One thing I did NOT like was the constant use of the word ‘diet’ and ‘dieter’. After all, if it’s a lifestyle change, it is not a temporary ‘diet’. Using this word repeatedly flies in the face of the author’s central theme, in my opinion.
4. 
   C. Evans on July 30, 2010 @ 5:58 am

   Review by C. Evans for The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
   Rating:
   This book has great advice for developing the right attitude for weight loss. I am finding it very helpful in remotivating myself. The book consists of a short section of general info about the plan and then 6 weeks of day by day lessons. Everything that is in the book is in the workbook as well so I wound NOT purchase both. The workbook is probably the better buy because it is designed to write in and has preprinted “response cards” that tear out. If you are ready to commit to a weight loss plan, this is a great tool to keep you on track.

   Another great motivational book is 100 Days of Weight Loss by Linda Spangle. I like Spangle’s book a little better but that may just be personal opinion.
5. 
   Blanche Sarong on July 30, 2010 @ 6:49 am

   Review by Blanche Sarong for The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person
   Rating:
   This book was so great, I bought another copy for my daughter. It’s really more about making good habits, & not a “diet” book. It doesn’t tell you what to eat, or when to eat, but rather helps you follow any diet of your choosing. I have followed the advice in the book & am on my way to a desirable weight, and am even using some of these methods to improve other areas of my life. I highly recommend this book if you are really ready to drop the excess weight.
6. 
   Scarlet Monkey on July 30, 2010 @ 6:56 am

   Review by Scarlet Monkey for The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About
   Rating:
   Kevin Trudeau is indeed a scummy scam artist, but he stole his entire premise for this book from a brilliant doctor named Simeons, whose plan works. HCG injections (which are not illegal in the US–my doctor prescribed it for me, but it’s tough to get a doctor to do it for you) combined with the 500 calorie diet does really work. But you don’t have to waste your money buying this book. Simeons original manuscript is called Pounds and Inches. If you Google it you’ll find free copies all over the internet and they explain how to do this exactly. Trudeau wrapped the original, well-researched plan with his own additions to the program, including the insane “phase 1″ with it’s cleanses/colonics/massages/etc that no one has the time/money for. I followed Simeons’ original plan and lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. You have to be totally commited, but it does work. It’s just too bad that it’s wrapped up in the stench that surrounds Trudeau. Trudeau’s claims that the HCG is easy to get are just plain wrong–you have to either be lucky enough to have a doctor you can convince (I did but I’m in the very small minority, unfortunately) or be willing to order from an online foreign pharmacy. You have to do the injections yourself. There are oral forms of it our there, too, but there aren’t good studies yet to prove that it works as well as the injections. It’s definitely something that not all will do, but it’s worth it if you’re willing to take the risk. It’s too bad that this miracle cure had to be brought back into the light by someone as distrustful as Trudeau. Research Simeons, though, and you’ll find out about the real “cure” and won’t have to line this con artist’s pockets in the process.

   And for those of you who think this is HGH, it’s not. It’s an entirely different substance that has no known negative side effects. And for the “just eat less and exercise more” crowd…I’ve been down that road for the last 8 years, working out with a personal trainer 3 times a week (who was just as baffled as I was as to why I couldn’t lose weight), doing extra cardio on my non-trainer days, and eating a 1200 calorie a day diet for 18 months. I don’t watch television or sit around on my couch all day. Nothing worked until I tried this. It truly is an incredible thing but you have to be 100% commited to it. It works. Just don’t buy this book to find out about it!!!!
7. 
   D. Reifschneider on July 30, 2010 @ 7:26 am

   Review by D. Reifschneider for The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About
   Rating:
   I saw Kevin on TV and I admit, he’s quite a good salesman, but some reviews about this book are simply dead-wrong. First off, you are not advised to inject yourself with anything unsafe. HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) is widely used as a weight loss aid in this country and is ENTIRELY legal; you don’t have to get this from outside the country. I found a company that sells it at a reasonable price and in an oral form versus injection (I am not fond of needles). According to the book, this hormone signals your hypothalamus gland to start burning fat in your problem areas. Whether this works or not is debated. Read more about HCG and weight loss here: http://www.releana.com/. Of course I like to learn all sides of an argument so you can also read about a not-so-friendly article on HCG here: http://www.dietscam.org/reports/hcg.shtml. As Fox News tells you: You decide.

   There’s no doubt this regimen is for the serious person who really wants to change their life, habits, and body. It’s a long-term plan and not simply a get-thin-quick scheme. I am not obese, but took parts of the plan, applied them into my life, and after only 1 week on the program am already seeing results. Sure, Kevin recommends many things to assist with your weight loss, but you don’t have to do all of them. I think there’s over 50 suggestions in the month before you officially begin the regimen alone! I don’t think any of us have the time for something that drastic.

   And yes, the book is pretty boring reading and could have probably been just a pamphlet rather than a book. Because I’m one with a slow metabolism and has struggled with weight my whole life, I’m doing the full regimen. If 3 months out of my life can show me drastic results I’m game. It has cost me about $300 to get started on all the vitamins and HCG but seriously, aren’t you going to spend that on food or something else anyway???

   Bottom-line is that it’s a regimen not for the faint of heart. It’s going to take some hard decisions, serious effort, and a little money to do, what plan doesn’t that shows results? If you’re not willing to change your habits for 30-45 days DON’T waste your money.

   Here’s the question: What are you willing to do or pay to see significant change in your body? The principles in the book are nothing new and he is simply reminding us of what we all probably already know…that chemicals lace our food supply and we’re all FAT because of that and the fact we stuff our faces with tons of unhealthy food and sit around all day with no exercise! And despite Kevin saying you don’t need to excercise; I recommend you do.

   All the suggestions in this book are probably good for you and will lead to weight loss. From the teas, to organic foods, fruit, protein, walking outside, and water consumption, nothing is ground-breaking or revelation for dieters. If following some print in a book advising you to do what we all know we should makes you lose weight, then this book is worth the price. Eat well, decrease caloric intake (portions), exercise, and drink water; that’s the REAL cure.

   If you’re willing to sacrifice a little effort and money, you’ll see results with this plan. Long-term results take serious efforts; this is no secret and we’ve all learned that if it sounds too good to be true…IT IS!
8. 
   M. Caruso on July 30, 2010 @ 7:30 am

   Review by M. Caruso for The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About
   Rating:
   
   As with all Trudeau’s books also this one contains some good info but there is also a lot of stuff that calls for mistrust. The author suggests some practices that might not be at all safe and healthy. What’s the point of losing weight, if you get sick by doing that? The other problem with following Trudeau’s ideas is that one would have to spend tones of money on supplements, vitamins, and procedures. And I am absolutely against spending any money to buy some questionable injections… All in all the author has some good ideas but mostly they are too eccentric, and possibly dangerous. So I have a hard time putting my trust in his writings. Instead I suggest books like Cure the Incurable or “Can we live 150″ with plenty of safe and simple, natural solutions to health problems, obesity being one of them.
   
9. 
   Anonymous on July 30, 2010 @ 8:21 am

   Review by for The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About
   Rating:
   When you get this book you will discover that you need to take weekly injections of a prescription drug called hCG (WOW!!!!). You want get this drug without visiting a physician, who most likely will be unwilling to prescribe… This is just the oposit he used to advocate in his book Natural Cures… Is he serious or is this just a ploy to make money? In any case, if YOU are serious, look for better sources. The best for me is the book titled “Can We Live 150″. Check it out and decide for yourself!
   
10. 
    D. Hooper on July 30, 2010 @ 9:14 am

    Review by D. Hooper for The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About
    Rating:
    I would have given this 5 stars if it was solely about Dr. Simeon’s Protocol. But Kevin Trudeau has added some of his own methods to do before you actually start the diet. This is where he tries to sell you stuff.

    I’m sorry, but as I read alot of the negative reviews on this book I have to laugh. People that are posting negatively are the same people that read the book, decide that it is too hard, give up on at least trying, decide it’s not for them, they don’t have the time, then come here and post their negative garbage.

    I bought this book and fought through all the FDA/Fast Food Industry bashing before he actually got to the actual diet part. It is in “phases”.

    PHASE 1: This is the part where Kevin Trudeau(KT) is a true salesman. He even states that this is not part of the Simeon’s Protocol (the actual diet part) but a phase that he recommends. In this phase he tries to send you to websites where you can buy health products that he probably has some form of monetary interest in. Alot of these products can be bought from your local health food store…BUT IT IS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL SIMEON’S DIET.

    Phase 2: This is the actual beginning of the original diet. Taking the injections of hCG along with low calorie food intake. From the book it says, “The specific foods used cause chemical reactions in the body, combined with the hCG to activate the hypothalamus into releasing the secure abnormal fat reserves causing dramatic weight loss without the loss of muscle or structural fat.” Eating lower calories by itself does not work because your metabolism slows.

    Phase 3: This is second and last part of the original Simeon’s Protocol. Another diet phase without the hCG injections and pretty easy if you are used to the Atkin’s Diet.

    Yes, I am currently doing this diet and this is my 28th day on Phase 2 and I have lost 27 lbs. It works. You don’t have to do the things that KT “recommends” that you do, although I’m sure that they are good for you. You don’t have to do colon cleansing (another of HIS recommendations) ever other day like some people would have you believe.

    Kevin Trudeau is only reporting on a diet that is well known in certain circles but is not well known to the general US public. Sure, he tacks on more than a few products of his own that he would like you to go to some website and buy them up but the guy is writing the book for the money.

    As for getting the hCG, if you are reading this then you have access to the internet…Google it and get it yourself like I did.

    I’m not writing this to endorse KT’s methods in this book. I’m writing this to say that Dr. Simeon’s methods in this book work. You don’t have to do the things that KT “recommends” that you do.