The Obvious Diet

July 1, 2002
Literary agent Victor admits he's battled weight gain virtually his whole life. A few years ago, he successfully lost quite a lot of weight by adapting various measures from different diets, but regained the pounds within a year. When he slimmed down again last year, he decided that sharing his success story would also help him keep the weight off. Victor's "obvious diet" is not a clearly prescribed all-in-one program. On the contrary, Victor cheerfully argues, everyone knows what foods they should avoid and which measures will work (Victor must avoid bread, pasta and animal fats). This meal plan can incorporate the rules from other diet programs. For example, Victor uses a variation of the cabbage soup from the cabbage soup diet as part of his eating plan. In short, he's advocating a more balanced approach to eating, rather than the restrictions often associated with diets. Victor also incorporates a cleansing day, during which he consumes only fruit, vegetables, salad and vegetable soup. He also has a treat meal—once a week, he eats whatever he wants at one meal. This diet book delivers exactly what the author promises: practical if unoriginal advice on starting and sticking to a diet from an ordinary person, not a professional. Victor entertains and motivates; the book is akin to having a diet coach help people start a new way of eating.