You: On a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

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You: On a Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

3.67 of 5 stars 3.67 · rating details · 3,308 ratings · 401 reviews

For the first time in our history, scientists are uncovering astounding medical evidence about dieting -- and why so many of us struggle with our weight and the size of our waists. Now researchers are unraveling biological secrets about such things as why you crave chocolate or gorge at buffets or store so much fat.Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, America's most trusted docto...more For the first time in our history, scientists are uncovering astounding medical evidence about dieting -- and why so many of us struggle with our weight and the size of our waists. Now researchers are unraveling biological secrets about such things as why you crave chocolate or gorge at buffets or store so much fat.Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz, America's most trusted doctor team and authors of the bestselling "YOU" series, are now translating this cutting-edge information to help you shave inches off your waist. They're going to do it by giving you the best weapon against fat: knowledge. By understanding how your body's fat-storing and fat-burning systems work, you're going to learn how to crack the code on true and lifelong waist management.

Roizen and Oz will invigorate you with equal parts information, motivation, and change-your-life action to show you how your brain, stomach, hormones, muscles, heart, genetics, and stress levels all interact biologically to determine if your body is the size of a baseball bat or of a baseball stadium. In "YOU: On a Diet," Roizen and Oz will redefine what a healthy figure is, then take you through an under-theskin tour of the organs that influence your body's size and its health. You'll even be convinced that the key number to fixate on is not your weight, but your waist size, which best indicates the medical risks of storing too much fat.

Because the world has almost as many diet plans as it has e-mail spammers, you'd think that just about all of us would know everything there is to know about dieting, about fat, and about the reasons why our bellies have grown so large. "YOU: On a Diet" is much more than a diet plan or a series of instructions and guidelines or a faddish berries-only eating plan. It's a complete manual for waist management. It will show you how to achieve and maintain an ideal and healthy body size by providing a lexicon according to which any weight-loss system can be explained. "YOU: On a Diet" will serve as the operating system that facilitates future evolution in our dieting software. After you learn about the biology of your body and the biology and psychology of fat, you'll be given the YOU Diet and YOU Workout. Both are easy to learn, follow, and maintain. Following a two-week rebooting program will help you lose up to two inches from your waist right from the start.

With Roizen and Oz's signature accessibility, wit, and humor, "YOU: On a Diet -- The Owner's Manual for Waist Management" will revolutionize the way you think about yourself and the food you consume, so that you'll diet smart, not hard. Welcome to your body on a diet.(less)

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published October 31st 2006 by Free Press (first published 2006)

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May 17, 2008 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: will-not-finish, nonfiction, humor

The concepts, at least what I was able to read, in this book make sense. But I'm just getting tired of it. I've tried two times to read it. It's always due back at the library and there are other books that are more pressing or interesting to finish before it.

I like any books that talk about healthy ways of eating and living. But I really don't like books (particularly ones on food and diet) that give you the suggested shopping list and recipes. I can't afford 3/4 of the stuff they recommend! An...more

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Dec 08, 2008 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a doctor myself, I can say that there is some great information in these pages- a lot about fat and the detriment that it's causing in our culture. Some doctors like to suggest cures to symptoms instead of cures for the problem and it appears that these gentleman may be doing just that. The gimmicky (and funny) "waist management" technique is interesting and fairly unique from what I've seen, but it can be seen as just a diversion. Maybe people who are obese need a diversion and need to stop...more

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Jan 22, 2008 MelissaS rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who wants to eat well

Though the title of this book is "YOU on a Diet" - this book is not really a "diet" book, as in how to lose weight fast ... it is more of a "lifestyle change" book. The premise of the book is this: if you truly understand how your body works, you will be more motivated to eat healthy and exercise. This lifestyle change will enable you to find your body's optimal weight, and make weight loss more permanent as you develop consistent eating and exercise habits.

The key what has made the book popular...more

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Dec 27, 2008 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

You on a Diet wasn't as interesting for me as You: Being Beautiful. In this book they talk about changing your pallet so you don't need to eat things that are as sweet. They also talk about what foods are good for snacking and what foods keep you fuller longer (i.e. cinnamon, who knew!?). They also give great recipes for foods that will help change your pallet. Very interesting and well written.

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Nov 09, 2007 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I love Dr Oz the co- author of this book. For me the book isn't so much about diet. Actually it's not about being on any type of diet. What the book is about are the fundamentals of what goes on in the anatomy of the body. To read about the wonders of the human body is fascinating to me.. He is very specific in how the body takes in food and breaks down food. I like reading about what happens, why it happens, and how it happens that the food you choose effects eveything that can happen to your b...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Nupur added it

So if you're one of those people who are trying to lose weight like me, am sure you suffer from information overload but help starvation. Well, here's some help.

For some time, I kept whimpering I needed to lose weight, but actually didn't know what to do different...I was eating the right kinds of food and knew had to get in some exercise. When I was diagnosed with Thyroid, I used that to justify why I was putting on weight. But I still wanted to lose it. Now we all know that we need to cut out...more So if you're one of those people who are trying to lose weight like me, am sure you suffer from information overload but help starvation. Well, here's some help.

For some time, I kept whimpering I needed to lose weight, but actually didn't know what to do different...I was eating the right kinds of food and knew had to get in some exercise. When I was diagnosed with Thyroid, I used that to justify why I was putting on weight. But I still wanted to lose it. Now we all know that we need to cut out carbs, sugars saturated fats and get in some exercise to be a picture perfect shape. In that sense, the book really isn't that different. So when the husband (who himself went from.230 lbs to 167 lbs in five months) saw Dr. Oz on Oprah one day, he got the book and actually thrust it into my hands. And me, with my ultra cynical view of the world kept thinking...”What can be so different about another diet book?” Was I wrong or was I wrong!!

What is different, and delightfully informative, about the book is that it explains the process behind us gaining weight and what we need to do (including the hows and whys) to lose it. And no, it does not go into scientific mumbo-jumbo...the entire book is in pure layman's terms. So you'll read about the science behind feeling hungry, why, where and how you store calories, what cholesterol does, what's the real deal with fat, why you should keep an eye on your waist size and not calories, why losing weight takes so long, etc.. and actually understand it.

Along the way, Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen bust some very common myths and provide the facts instead. Cartoons, examples, whatever they could use to simplify scientific jargon, they have. At the very end of the book, you get the YOU diet and activity plan which promises to shave off two inches off your waist in two weeks to get to your ideal size. To not exclude those with far more serious health problems and considering medical intervention, they also discuss current options for surgery and drugs.

So has it helped me personally? I think so. I did finally get my Bally's gym membership and try to be as regular as possible. But more importantly, I at least think I can do it. I don't constantly have to think about diet food anymore. A word of caution...this is NOT a diet book. It will not put a new spin on an old diet; it is not going to give you a plan on the platter and make you feel like scum if you have that one slice of chocolate cake; it is not going to make you starve till you get thin and put the weight right back on as soon as you stop. It is a book to make you understand the why and how of healthy living. So if you're tired of yo-yo dieting, doing so much and still not seeing results, I'd say pick it up and read it cover to cover. You have nothing to lose, except those extra rings around your tummy.(less)

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Sep 27, 2012 Kari rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book contains excellent medical information about how to arrange your eating style to lose or maintain your weight. Dr. Oz's TV popularity adds to the appeal of reading this book because I'm sure many readers feel like they "know" this author personally because of watching his daily TV program. Book gives great advice on meal strategies, waist vs. waste foods, hunger emergency foods, supplements, meal journaling, and being prepared with your healthy food choices. Weight management suggestions in...more

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Feb 07, 2012 Kelsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've been reading this book for about a year, slowly picking away at it. When I first started I was fascinated. It really breaks down how our bodies process food and why, in an easy-to-follow way with fun graphics. I learned a lot about the science of how our bodies work. As someone who has struggled with weight my whole life, I've read and learned a lot over the years and this book still taught me new things.
The second half of the book though, was where I lost some interest.
The food suggestio...more

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Jul 15, 2011 Greg rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Overall good concepts such as drinking water, making your eating plan automatic by eating from a short list of meals, eating often with protein and fiber to keep you satiated, enlisting support of friends and family on the journey, etc.

I guess my problem with the book is the exercise program they recommend. They claim that you can get all the benefits of exercise by walking 30 minutes a day and a 20 minute body weight circuit they came up with. Their suggestion may be a good start, but surely t...more

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Jul 13, 2010 Holly rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read this book a few years ago, and did the plan, but did not stick with it afterwards. I recently reviewed the book, and I think the main problem was too much time spent preparing meals and snacks, all of which were healthy. The book emphasises exercise, and gives some really great tips that I do like, and still do use, but it's hard to make good things into a habit. Here's the 99 second version of what the diet entails (based on a 14 day jumpstart- things change a bit after two weeks, but no...more

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Sep 02, 2007 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars

I saw a show on Oprah where Drs Oz & Roizon helped a chunky, tired middle-aged woman lose weight, tone up and eventually look really hot. I bought this book hoping it would motivate me to do the same. Somehow, I still have the same 20 pounds to lose.

The cutesy style with lots of puns and silly drawings gets annoying after awhile, but it has lots of good, solid advice on how to lose weight and live a healthier life. Someday, I intend to follow it.

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Jun 21, 2011 Theresa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Sadly, I was not impressed with this book. I love Dr. Oz, but I guess I just didn't feel like this book taught me much of anything NEW that I didn't already know about healthy living and eating. Which, I was looking for. What it DID teach me about, was all the in's and out's of my body, the way your body processes food, hunger centers, the way certain foods affect your body or brain. Some of it was interesting, other parts I just skipped over. Honestly, I wasn't looking for a science lesson, but...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Jinky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011, playaway-audio

(Playaway audio version, #9781436157926, 10.5hrs)
YOU-reka! A true manual ... it contains detailed-seemingly boring gist (biology and physiology of fat and such though I actually thought it was fascinating!), sprinkled humor (can get irritating if you listen/read through the entire book), illustrations (I had to get the bound book too), and index (cool).

If you're motivated enough and ready for the leap of healthy eating then this might be the book for you! It was quite informational and motivati...more

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Apr 14, 2010 The Sweet Bookshelf rated it 3 of 5 stars

GREAT diet book. Well, it's more of a healthy lifestyle book for idiots. Like myself. They break it down from medical terms into plain English. The plan is simple. Something you can stick with your whole life. Walk 30 min every day. Nothing about joining a gym and getting a personal trainer to kick your butt, just 30 min of walking. EAT! 3 meals per day plus snacks. I can't tell you how many yrs it's been since I've eaten 3 whole meals per day plus snacks.

I'm already incorporating many things, a...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Josh rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book contains an absolutely refreshing view of not only the way we should eat, but of the way we need to live our lives. Most diet plans are so extreme that it is not surprising that people are unable or unwilling to stick with them. Diet plans that are not sustainable will not work for anyone long-term, whether they are celebrity-endorsed, or promise a huge amount of weight loss in little or no time.

Most people simply need to learn about food, how digestion works, and what happens to the...more This book contains an absolutely refreshing view of not only the way we should eat, but of the way we need to live our lives. Most diet plans are so extreme that it is not surprising that people are unable or unwilling to stick with them. Diet plans that are not sustainable will not work for anyone long-term, whether they are celebrity-endorsed, or promise a huge amount of weight loss in little or no time.

Most people simply need to learn about food, how digestion works, and what happens to the food after you eat it. Knowing this information cuts through most of the bogus hype associated with the multi-billion-dollar-per-year dieting industry. You will be able to see empty and impossible claims from the time you first lay eyes on them. And by the end of the book, you will know what you need to do to begin your own waist management program.

Most of the book deals with the ins and outs of the way our bodies use the food we eat. It also discusses how we destroy our own bodies simply by eating foods we should stay away from. Roizen and Oz advise their readers concerning what we should eat, how much, and why those foods are beneficial to our overall health, wellness, and well-being. They do not endorse any exotic nutritional supplements; everything we need can be found at our local grocery stores. The way they present this information is very accessible and easy to understand.

If there is one thing that gets annoying about the book is their constant use of sarcasm when discussing bad eating and activity habits. A few of them are funny and charming, but the almost constant barrage got old and became almost counter-productive. However, the truth of their sarcasm is cause enough for each reader to think about their bad eating and activity habits and to propel them into a better, healthier waist management lifestyle.

I liked the book and would recommend it to anyone that is ready to do something about improving their lifestyle. If you are looking for another “diet plan” to try out, look somewhere else.(less)

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May 05, 2010 Matt Burgess rated it 4 of 5 stars

You, On a Diet (2006), Mehmet C. Oz, Michael F. Roizen

The title of this book doesn't do it justice. Initially, I thought it would be a bore, but the content was very relevant and interesting. You, On a Diet takes you through the socioeconomic conditions resulting in obesity, the anatomy of digestion, the body's physiological and chemical reactions to foods and a detailed diet with exercise plan. If anything this book is an incredible resource for those topics. I will admit the repeated exaggerat...more

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Feb 28, 2009 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am loving this book and all of the diet and exercise tips it gives. (Written by Dr. Oz of Oprah fame, and his friend--Dr. what's-his-name. ) The authors use a lot of "edu-tainment" in their writing, and the pages are filled with jokes and humerous, yet easy- to- understand drawings. There really is a lot of valuable information in this book, including a breakdown of our complex digestive system in a funny, "for dummies" style. He gives 2 weeks of menu examples and also a strength training work...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Kim added it

The book explains in layman's terms how food is broken down in your body. Some of the pictures are a little cheesy, but it was interesting to find out where the fat and other things in food are stored in you.

The diet part, however, I felt that they assume that the reader is a lazy slob who has a Monday - Friday banker's hour job and does nothing but sit in front of a computer all day long, eats junk and doesn't exercise at all.

Most of their recommended grocery list my husband and I already buy...more

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May 30, 2010 Kristi rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was an easy, motivating little read. The authors took complicated medical information and made it very understandable for the average person. I didn't really learn a whole lot of new information, but it reinforced the new healthy food/exercise lifestyle I've implemented since last summer. This book really just proves the importance of good food and exercise in living a long, disease/injury-free life. It does a great job of providing motivation to give your body clean, energy-producing, dise...more

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Sep 10, 2012 Lindsay rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

What I like about this book is that it is practical and encourages a balanced and healthy diet. It is not only informative but motivating and funny at times. There is a lot of information and science in the book, which is great, but if you're not into that then you can skip those parts and read the chapters that suit you. There are great tips about certain foods or supplements and what they do for you and your body. I like most of the recipes I've tried, the Garden Harvest soup is one of my fave...more

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Sep 04, 2007 Becca rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was trying so hard to be common person friendly in explaining it's science, that it made it harder to understand. There were too many metaphors and wasted dumb jokes that I was forced to read while trying to mine out the real information.

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Jul 14, 2009 Satia rated it 1 of 5 stars

I cannot finish this book. The format is distracting and frustrating. Although the information the book offers is good, unless you know very little about how your body works and/or exercise, there isn’t much of interest to be found within the pages. In fact, I’ve gone to the book as a resource to try to find answers to things and am always disappointed by the superficial and often shallow information.

So if you know little to nothing about digestion, diet, and/or exercise, then you’ll probably f...more

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Nov 06, 2009 Bradley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I found this book helpful as I implemented many of the changes it suggests for living a healthier lifestyle and loosing weight. I liked the fact that it wasn't some crazy suggestions like don't eat carbs or eat only meat... The ideal weight was set by waist size which I liked, rather than worrying about what you need to weigh it was get below a certain waist size and reduce your health risks. I also liked the suggestions for what to eat and what to look for in your food to get the most nutrition...more

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Jun 23, 2010 Tonya rated it 3 of 5 stars

While the humor in the book tried a bit too hard (and was at moments off-putting) the essential message was a good one. Eat sensibly, exercise sensibly and don't try fad diets. The recipes look good, the exercise in the book is doable, and the science in the book (in particular about why diets are destined to fail and make you feel worse) is fascinating.

I don't know that I am organized to follow the plan to a tee since it lists a "14 day plan" to put you on the right track, but I absolutely got...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Angineeki rated it 4 of 5 stars

First let me profess my bias. Dr. Oz can do no wrong. But seriously, I've lost some inches following one piece of advice in this book--walk 30 min every day. Most of the other advice in this book is just as simply put albeit hard to follow. I liked You On a Diet because the authors didn't just tell you what you need to do, but also explained why you need to do it, sometimes complete with crazy pictures. This was a very easy read My only complaint is that the authors use similes A LOT, which beca...more

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Jan 29, 2009 Darcie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club, self-help

It took awhile for me to get into the book at first. I'm not much into biology, and the first half of the book is about the biology of your digestive system. It uses cute diagrams and has many helpful facts and tips though that helped. The part that really applied to me was how our emotions and hormones affect our "waist management". As far as what needs to be done to lose weight, nothing is different than what we know already, eat right and exercise. It just explains better, from a scientific v...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Joy Weese Moll rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Dr. Oz fans and those appreciating a scientific background for dieting

This book seemed daunting at first with an astounding amount of scientific bits and pieces that fit into the weight loss puzzle. I don’t imagine anyone needs to know all of this in order to lose weight, but who knows which specific piece is going to be the one that makes it all fit for you or me? Fortunately, lots of diagrams and cartoons make it all more accessible. I loved learning that leptin, the hormone of satisfaction, increases as a result of a thirty minute walk. You might find the sugge...more

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Feb 22, 2010 Diets InReview rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://www.dietsinreview.com/videos/y...

YOU: On A Diet was written by Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen to help people identify a realistic approach to slimming their waistline, and not necessarily losing weight. By explaining ordinary body functions and processes, they teach you how everything you put inside your body affects those functions. And when the right balance of food and exercise are found, you'll realize noticeable changes in your body and health.

http://www.dietsinreview.com/diets/Dr ...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Sanyashnick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: self-help

I enjoyed reading this book.

Basically Dr.Oz and Dr. Roizen explain how our bodies' reaction to eating different types of foods, and they offer instruction on how to pick the most nutritious food. I found the doctors' opinion - that there is a direct connection between the foods we eat and our emotions, and that if we choose to eat healthier foods (i.e., low in sugar, nutrient-dense) we may have less psychological distress - to be interesting. Although this book is a common-sense approach to hea...more

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Sep 28, 2009 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2009

Obviously, I am trying to get into shape after having a baby four months ago. This book appealed to me because I like watching Oz on Oprah. This book is like a mini medical school for dummies and I enjoyed its simpleness. For all of us that didn't pay close enough attention back in our health science classes, it is a good refresher course. I would even say I have been motivated to eat better and avoid certain foods because I am more aware of how they affect my body. Only three stars though becau...more

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