Vaccariello - Flat Belly Diet!: A Flat Belly Is about Food & Attitude, Period. (Not a Single Crunch Required)

This book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your doctor. If you suspect that you have a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical help.

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Direct and trade editions are both being published in 2008.

2008 by Rodale Inc.

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Printed in the United States of America

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Direct edition photo credits: Back cover photographs (bottom left) by Kristine Larsen; (top right) by Marcus Nilsson, food styling by Anne Disrude, prop styling by Deborah Williams for Pat Bates and Associates; (tape measure photo) by Ted Morrison

Trade edition photo credits: Tape measure photo by Ted Morrison.

Cover and interior design by Jill Armus

Interior exercise photos Tom MacDonald/Rodale Images
Before/after/now photos by Kristine Larsen

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Flat belly diet! : a flat belly is about food & attitude, period. (not a single crunch required) / by Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief ; with Cynthia Sass. Rev. ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60529-959-4 (direct hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-59486-851-1 (trade hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-60529-562-6 (trade paperback)

1. Reducing diets. 2. Abdomen. I. Vaccariello, Liz. II. Sass, Cynthia.

RM222.2.F535 2008a

613.25dc22

2008010908

2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1 trade paperback

We inspire and enable people to improve theier lives and the world around them

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contents

acknowledgments

We dedicate the Flat Belly Diet to the readers of Preventionall 11 million of youwho have told us in no uncertain terms that belly fat is your biggest physical challenge.

Our gratitude to the Rodale family. For generations, through their magazines, books, and online properties, they have been committed to a special mission, that of giving people the tools and inspiration to live their whole lives. Our most heartfelt thanks to CEO Maria Rodale and former CEO Steve Murphy, whose leadership means Rodale is the kind of company where creativity is nurtured and the highest standards are setand metdaily.

Like magazines, books are a collaborative effort, and this one is no exception. Very special thanks to Gregg Michaelson (Lets make it happen!), Janine Slaughter, and Karen Rinaldi. To Robin Shallow, who never met an idea she didnt improve, and Karen Mazzotta and Bethridge Toovell, who are tireless in their enthusiasm, support, and belief in this plan. And to Fotoulla Euripidou, for her understanding of the Prevention audience and for helping us determine whether Prevention readers would be interested in this kind of diet bookby asking them!

Wed also like to extend our gratitude to the original members of our initial test panel, which was conducted in summer of 2007. They first opened our eyes to how special the Flat Belly Diet really was. Thank you Mary Aquilar, Syndi Becker, Katherine Brechner, Donna Christiano, Evelyn Gomer, Diane Kaspareck, Patti Lloyd, Kevin Martin, Nichole Michl, Colleen ONeill-Groves, Julie Plavsic, and Mary Anne Speshok for devoting your summer to this project and providing us with the essential insights that helped us develop this book beyond daily meal plans. Thank you also Gina Allchin, President, Health Trek P.T.T., who measured each and every one of our panelists with precision and compassiona tough combination!

You literally would not be holding this book in your hands without editors Andrea Au Levitt and Nancy Hancock. All thanks to their dedicated team, including Chris Krogermeier, Marina Padakis, Anthony Serge, Carol Angstadt, JoAnn Brader, Keith Biery, Hope Clarke, Wendy Gable, and Ana Palmiero. And of course, to Ina Yalofone of the fastest, most creative writers weve ever knownwe offer a round of applause.

Big hugs to Preventions brilliant creative director, Jill Armus, whose ability to communicate elegance, authority, and strength through color and design have infused the entire Prevention brand of products (most recently this book cover and interior) with new vitality. And to Prevention fitness director Michele Stanten, whose contribution to and extensive review of Chapter 10 have helped make it one of the most authoritative sources of information on banishing belly fat with exercise.

Thanks also to Miriam Backes, Merritt Watts, Amy Gorin, Katie Kackenmeister, and Kristen Watson, who assisted with coordinating the test panel and editing and fact-checking the manuscript, even during precious nights and weekends. To Susan Graves, Courtenay Smith, and Polly Chevalier: for their wise counsel and for keeping the trains running on time. And to the smartest photo and art team in the business, including Preventions Helen Cannavale, Kim Latza, Faith Enemark, Jessica Sokol, and Donna Agajanian. And of course to Rosalie Rung, who helped capture the enormous success of our test panelists on film and video.

Our deep gratitude to brand editor Leah McLaughlin, a longtime colleague and friend to both of us. Leah was critical to the launch of this booknot to mention the companion online subscription service, flatbellydiet.com.