That's not necessarily true. As a dietician, you have considerable skills and knowledge - but training programs don't really touch on the complexities of metabolic systems. Metabolism is a chemical reaction, not a mathematical one.
There are A FEW aspects of Dr B's diet plan that assist in fat loss (as opposed to muscle mass loss) - mainly the lack of fat content in the actual diet. Bodies going into starvation mode will always take the kind of energy that's missing (in this case fat).
You are correct though in saying that most people regain with Dr B's plan - and there is a metabolic reason for it.
Dr. B's diet is basically a VLCD (very low calorie diet) - that mimics Dr. Simeon's original HCG protocol, but with the new cal counts developed by Dr Emma. Dr B does his diet program without the HCG - OR THE PROTOCOL - and that's the problem.
Obese people can go on a VLCD for short periods of time with no harm to their health (if there are no other underlying issues). There needs to be a period of stabilization that's just as long as the actual diet (where no further weight is lost - but eating is not back to normal). THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A DIET - and the one that most diets fail at - miserably.
Most obese or overweight people have a very low resting metabolism (between 1000 to 1200 kcal's a day), making it difficult to lose weight - as the weight itself makes physical activities difficult (and excersize doesn't burn that many excess calories quickly enough). So a 250 lb woman would need to work at excersizing and dieting for over 5 years straight just to get down to a reasonable goal weight where her metabolism would kick in and help her keep it off. That's NOT realistic.
A VLCD - used as a time limited fast of 30 to 50 days - if followed by an equal period of highly structured stabilization and maintenance - gets the fat off quickly and raises the individual's metabolism to a more effecient rate (resting from 1600 - 1800 kcals). ....it's chemistry, not mathematics.
Unfortunately, Dr B's diet plan puts people on a vlcd - indefinately - until their goal weight is acheived, then leaves them there. So a new metabolic rate is not yet set, the body is overstressed and will automatically rebound to a higher weight. There is more to it than that, of course, but that's the simple explanation.
Dr. B's diet?? A fail. Not a good plan for the majority. May work for a few people.
Diet plans that do work for very overweight people with a slow metabolic rate: HCG protocol (only when administered by a doctor or clinic, not via the internet), Fast Metabolism diet (a current book), Atkins (to some extent).
Going on and off the samediet repeadedly is a pretty strong sign that it's NOT working for you.
Try taking some probiotics for a couple months and cutting out excess sugar, eating fibre but less yeast (so oats and flax but not raised bread - that kind of thing). Should help your digestive issues.
Hi Mukz, I was and i'm heavy person so I did the program for 6 month.I had no problem trying to stay in the program (disregarding the cost of $600..mth)if it really worked,but in my case did not work. On the first month I lost 13-14 lb. the next month about 10lb. ,the next month probably 2-3(can"t remember exact )then the last almost 3 month NOTHING ,but paid the $600.00.I want happy at all but they insisted to stay in the program bc. the body got to a Plato and it will start to loss again...?when nobody can tell..(big BS).I start losing losing hair badly they gave my vitamins..did not help,I start not having energy to stand up and have a normal life like before...they increase the potassium...no help. Every try this ,try that cost and no results...I did not find real support from them to the point of proving the program stop working for me in the last 3 month, my health is not better in fact was worst...so I had to give up the program after 3 month of wasting my money. They don't give you any credit if the program don't work hey blame you for not doing the program right, which wasn't my case. My health got me to the point to be very sensitive, irritated all the time, grumpy... If you keep there diet at 800-900 calories, take the potassium 2-3 times a day calcium&magnesium 2-3 time a day,B6 and B12 you loose weight on your own about 14 lb. a month and have left $600.00 on your pocket. I will be happy dr. Bernstein to argue with me on this after throwing money on his pocket and having those results and let me walk away on that health conditions I got after his program
The diet is tough but if you want to lose weight quickly it works. The problems I experienced included; constant hunger, irritability, and fatigue.
The diet includes a regimented list of food products involving vegetables, fruits and minimal proteins. It was a real culture shock for me but I lost 13 lbs in one week. I am continuing the program on a week to week basis but I sure do miss the foods I used to eat.
I am a 55 year old male and I hope to lose 50 lbs on the program. I hope I am successful.
IMO, the diet's secret is due to three factors (yes, I was on it) First, extremely low calorie, at 800 cals a day or less. Second, you are "monitored" by nurses who do nothing more than test for presence of ketones in your urine, review your meal log, and give you a needle. Third, a strong placebo affect with the injections; there is an implicit suggestion that the injections somehow magically help with weight loss, but there is no peer reviewed research to support thNote that Bernstein doesn't make any claims as to the purpose of the injctions. So...what is really at work here is the 800 cals a day and the monstrous way the nurses treat you. This has nothing to do with diet compliance, they charge you extra if you slip. Now, you will likely do very well in the early days and look at the positive commenters here: they are either staff or they are new to the diet. So, look before you leap knowing that there is no birthday cake for you, no summer beverage, no splurge. Ever. Does that seem sustainable to you? If you miss a check in day because of snowstorm, too bad: not complliant. The worst for me were the Nurse Ratchetts. There were some bright lights thre, it's true, but most were grumpy. Nothing to do with whether you are compliant or not. Just miserable. Finally, do some research on Bernstein himself. See if he's the kind of doctor you want to tryst with your health. Do your due diligence. The very sad secret is that many busineses take advantge of the overweight. Up to you to decide if this is one of them. So one final thought: ohip doesn't cover the services, only the very infrequent doctor visits. You pay what $500 a month? For 12 visits, so $40 a visit roughly. The vitamin stuff is pennies at the drug store. The final thing that keeps you on the diet: it's expensive. The conclusion is yours to draw, but none of this seems like sound medical reasoning o me. And yes, I lost a lot of weight - and gained it all back and then some. The dreaded yo yo. Maybe YOU are different.
Well, you have to have to have an extreme amount of willpower on this diet. Trust me but you have to stick to it 100% otherwise you will not see any weight loss and when I say 100% thats what I mean. No cookies, no nothing that isn't on the list and only portions they give you. Not even a pickle for a snack. That being said, on day 3 your cravings will almost subside for sugars, carbs and salts. It is an expensive diet as well so you sure want to stick with it otherwise it is just your money going down the drain. You will lost 15-20 per month. I think more around the 15 pound range which is darn good. In two months you will be way on your way !
What you should do...What matters is how healthy you feel.
Why is ketosis not a good thing? Ketosis is a normal state for a body that's breaking down fat for energy. You, and so many others, are confusing ketosis with ketoacidosis, which is indeed a dangerous metabolic condition.
"What you should do...What matters is how healthy you feel."
Is there a pill for that?
If you don't mind me saying, that's an asinine statement, especially for someone who should know better. People who feel great drop dead every day. It's nice to feel good, but it's a poor predictor of health.
I was sceptical about Dr Bernsteins diet before I started. In my entre life I have never really dieted before, but I probably should have. My sceptisim about the Bernstein diet has now changed to that of being a believer.
I am a male, 55 years of age and I weighed 248lbs when I started the program on Sept 1/13
Today is Nov 21, 2013 and I now weigh 192 lbs. In addition I no longer need high blood pressure meds, cholesterol meds, triglyceride meds, or a CPAP machine. In addition I dont have joint pain in my knees and feet any longer and I have more energy. Wow I had no idea that losing weight would help me in this way.
Before you say that this is crazy...trust me I was also in those same shoes at the start of this journey. Today I feel better than I have in years.
Make no mistake about it.....the diet is tough and you need to remain focused if you really want to achieve your goals. They early stages of the diet involved lots of cravings for things that included sugar and salt. That eventually changed and slowly my new dietary habits became the norm.
I am on the maintenance program now and I am intending on maintaining my weight below 195lbs. This is a life decision and not a diet decision. I am doing this for my health and for my family. I have no illusions that it will be another tough road to travel until I get myself firmly planted into the new routine but it is the right thing to do. No I will not be on the strict diet any longer but I will be on a changed food plan for the longer term.
If you want results and quick results this is the program for you....but you must be committed and comply with the reuirements.
Reading some extremely negative posts drained my energy away more than first 2 days of Dr. B’s. diet which I started exactly a week ago.
Your post however, is a true inspiration for people like myself. At the age of 47 I was 243lb, at night snoring like a bear, complaining about pain in my knees, stuffy nose and without enough energy to exercise. Today is day 7 of my diet “regime” as some call it, and I’m 229lb, the snoring and the stuffy nose are gone, the energy levels are back and I ride a bicycle about 30km every day. I do this for my health and for the family. The results are obvious but require huge amount of commitment and common sense not only through out the cycle of the diet but for the years to come. After all, the weight gain didn’t happen overnight but in combination of time, lousy lifestyle choices and c**p we eat every day. Because of that, I’m looking forward to maintaining healthy eating habits and encourage people around me to do the same.
For all these who are so negatively outspoken about Bernstein’s diet program, I would love to know what you have done that magically worked for you.
The diet works. I'm a construction worker. I have lost 26 lbs in 4 weeks. Never felt dizzy sick or faint. Exact opposite I had more energy and feel great. Is it hard yes is it tough yes dose everyone make it no. It worked for me I have met my goal and now am on maintenance. The foods aren't as restricted just the portions.
Hey - for anyone who is either on this diet, or thinking about it... I am currently on the Dr. B diet and have been since about the end of September 2013. In that time I've come close to losing about 80lbs, have successfully put my diabetes on the backburner, nixed any high-blood pressure I might have had, and reduced my lower leg pain by about 90%. I still have a way s to go but I am sticking to the plan and plan to follow through with the maintenance for about as long as I am on the actual diet.
In reading through the various posts and commentary, it's very evident that this diet doesn't work for everyone but I also know that many people cannot take constructive critiscm for what it is - and in so doing, they take what many of the nurses are saying as treating them like children or beratement when in fact, it's far from it. I'm not saying that all cases are like this and I am sure that some are truly being talked down to but here's some personal experience - the clinic I attend out here in BC is great. Everyone is vastly supportive the moment you step through the doors, they are quick to answer questions, huge on the support and when you have an off day or gain a little - there is no beratement, they just asked 'what happened'. Did I follow strictly? Did anything in my day-to-day habits change? It can be bad sleeping habits, eating later than normal, all habits we may not consider on our own that also add in to living a more unhealthy lifestyle. There is one nurse in particular I admit to not being crazy about - at least initially because I fealt she was abrupt, perhaps a bit condescending, etc... it turns out she was one of my biggest cheerleaders and when I hit a big goal and put my diabetes in 'remission as it were' - she actually cried for me.
That's when I realized that many of these nurses do really care, but the volume of people that go through their clinic who DON'T follow the program is quite large... Two of my family members tried it out and for the one it didn't work for, she admitted to cheating the whole time - her husband stuck to it and lost far better than she did. They are both in support of me doing the program and have supported me along the way.
Now - I've also done WW and JC in the past and what concerns me the most is that someone in here said that Jenny Craig was a better program to do than this one? That astounds me because that program does nothing to teach you about portions or making your own food. You are encouraged to eat their food and their food alone, and worst of all - it's all processed food. At least with Dr. B they discourage you from eating their foods and in fact restrict you to one item per day because they don't want your body getting used to or addicted to processed or fake proteins. There are great recipies out there and it's an opportunity to try a lot of veggies that you might not have done so otherwise. It's not restrictive - you're eating healthier. Yes the portions are smaller, but not all that bad.
I also suggest watching this movie: Hunger for Change - it ties in well and is an eye-opener in regards to what goes in to a lot of our processed, daily foods.
If you have extended medical benefits, like my employer, try to put the B12 and B6 shots through your employers benefit plan. I am not currently on this diet, I am a registered nurse for a company, I have had a few employees come in and let me know that our medical benefits actually cover the $599 cost for the injections/ month.
I believe the individulas who are gaining the weight back are going back to their old bad habits. If you are committed to making a lifestyle change, and when you go off of the diet you stick to it, and increase physical activity you should be fine.