Lauren Slayton - The Little Book of Thin: Foodtrainers Plan-It-to-Lose-It Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma

A goal without a plan is just a wish.

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPRY

Congratulations; I hear youre ready to graduate from dieting as you know it. Whether its the silly balls behind the ears, couscous only, baby food, the HCG diet, or cleansing, were all susceptible to diet hype. I have popped whole cloves of garlic and tried sword-fighting workouts because I heard they worked or I hoped they would. Inevitably, like you, Ive asked myself, What was I thinking?

A few things can be gleaned from the fact that the average dieter makes four attempts at weight loss a year. The optimist in me admires the tenacity. I take a couple of stabs at finding a missing glove and soon acknowledge it just might never be found. That said, four attempts also indicate that multiple diets or plans are failing. And thats per year. What about dieters who try to lose weight year after year? Does that really mean eight or twelve or more plans have failed them over time?

In initial sessions with new Foodtrainers clients, I ask about these previous forays into the diet world, as well as what did, and didnt, work for them. Sometimes I hear, Weight Watchers is good for portion control or I liked South Beach; I do better with fewer carbs. My favorite answer to this question came from a tough-cookie real estate broker who looked me in the eye and said, Lauren, obviously nothing has worked or I wouldnt be here. It was up to me to solve this clients diet dilemmas, and I did. Now Im here to guide you through your final diet.

After years of nutrition counseling, its easy for me to see where most food plans fall short. Whether its low carb or high fiber, portion control or vegan, almost all diets focus on food choices. Can you imagine if a therapist said to you, Here is a list of ways you should think. If you follow this list youll be happy. That sounds ludicrous (I hope). Diets that are based solely on food lists are exactly the same thing. But no matter how many diets youve tried, research shows perpetual dieters are not doomed. You are just as likely to shed pounds as diet virgins. The Little Book of Thin will help you figure out what really worksfor you, for the long term.

The key to successful weight loss is to know the diet strategies for various circumstances. What happens to your eating when you travel? Or when you bring an after-school snack for your kids but nothing for yourself? How do you make sure you dont arrive home after work and raid the fridge with your coat still on, keys in hand? If nutrition knowledge equaled weight loss, we would all be thin. We know what to eat until life gets in the way.

Winging It Doesnt Work for Weight Loss

When you wing it, you end up with the bagel at the breakfast meeting or the candy bowl in the afternoon. Believe it or not, more diets are lost because of a hectic schedule than an extra treat.

At Foodtrainers, I train clients to develop a skill set for tackling food challenges. I am a nutrition troubleshooter who has seen every possible situation that can sabotage even the most dedicated dieter. These challenges are not isolated to birthdays and holidays; for most people, frenzied is the norm. In this book, I share the strategies and tips to avoid the most common diet booby traps. You will learn what I consider to be the most valuable long-term weight loss lessons that will enable you to plan and prepare, and even to veer occasionally from your courseand still succeed.

Personal chefs and meal plans with prepared food work because you dont have to make food decisions. However, when you make food decisions in advance, you become the personal chef for a whole lot less money. The money saved? You can use it for new skinny clothes; perhaps a little black dress (LBD) after completing The Little Book of Thin (LBT).

The missing component in diet success is planning and anticipating food obstacles. Starting with the basicsthe Ten Steps to Svelte and a short list of no-nosand moving on to Smart Snacks and my Pre-Beach Procedures, youll find dozens of hints and tips to see you through the most common diet challenges. Most importantly, youll develop new thin habits that you can live with. Foodtraining is not about sentencing you to life without your favorite foods, or curtailing your social schedule. Lifes too short to cry over a caramel or a cocktail. Weight loss takes work but you dont need to feel deprived, choke down things you dislike, or live without the occasional indulgence. You certainly dont have to be overweight or unhappy. You just have to Plan-It-to-Lose-It!