The South Beach Diet Supercharged

April 21, 2008
Two publishers are trying to make two supremely successful books even more so.
The South Beach Diet Supercharged: Faster Weight Loss and Better Health for Life
Arthur Agatston
with Joseph Signorile
. Rodale
, $25.95 (368p) ISBN 978-1-59486-457-5

Releasing five years after cardiologist Agatston’s South Beach Diet
hit the shelves, initiating a megamillion-dollar franchise (cookbooks, a dining guide, meal replacement bars, frozen foods, etc.), this “supercharged” version of the plan guides readers into a healthy lifestyle for the long haul. While the first book focused on ending cravings and losing and maintaining a healthy weight, here Agatston introduces a 20-minute-a-day fitness regimen, developed with exercise physiologist Signorile and Pilates instructor Kris Belding. The two-part workout—interval walking (cardio) and total body (core)—geared to boosting metabolism and preventing plateaus, works in three phases in conjunction with the diet and can be adapted to different fitness levels and conditions. An overview of Agatston’s philosophy on optimal nutrition, a recap of the diet, detailed daily fitness routines, tips on exercising efficiently, sample meal plans and simple recipes (Moroccan lemon chicken; maple-almond flan) are among the many features that make this appealing, accessible volume a worthwhile update on the original. Photos.