Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, M.D., an Ottawa physician who specializes in bariatrics and writes the popular blog, Weighty Matters, is well known for his blustering criticisms of the food industry. He believes our environment is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic and as a result, is a very outspoken advocate for change.
But as intolerant as he is towards what he perceives to be the making and marketing of unhealthy eats, he is just as fervently vocal and compassionate towards and respectful of those who suffer its ill effects. Just check out his tweets when he angrily commented on the treatment of overweight contestants on the show, Biggest Loser.
He has now put his expertise together in a much needed common sense guide to healthy weight loss – healthy AND slow. The just-published The Diet Fix, Why Diets Fail and How to Make Yours Work (Random House Canada), tells you to forget about ideal weight and instead focus on a healthy lifestyle and weight that allows you to live a pleasurable life.
Yes, Yoni promotes taking pleasure in your life – but good health at the same time. There’s no staying home to make sure you eat properly when there are parties or holidays to celebrate.
Before he provides his 10-day Diet Reset Plan, he lists Dieting’s Seven Deadly Sins – sins anyone who has been on the diet rollercoaster and there are plenty of people out there who are on it right now – will likely recognize the behaviours and attitudes he describes. These sins and traumas make for failure – weight loss and then even more weight being regained. Yoni explains, in a very logical manner, why diets that promote hunger, perfectionism, blind restriction and sacrifice never work.
If you check the diet books out on the market, you will definitely find that most include one of these deadly sins as the foundation to their programs. Many promote evangelic behaviours that simply cannot be sustained.
His Dieting’s Seven Deadly Traumas include guilt, shame, depression and despair – all traumas that should have nothing to do with weight management and food.
For many, this information will be liberating.
But he also provides concrete steps to change your food style along with the scientific justification for his recommendations. Simply put, he ‘s pretty persuasive in getting you to buy into his philosophy and to get you off the diet rollercoaster once and for all.
Each of the 10 days has one focus – for example, Gear up (what tools you’ll need for the journey), Diarize (why and how to quickly log your food intake) and Banish Hunger (why hunger and struggling don’t work and how to organize your meals and snacks to avoid your stomach growling and cravings).
And of course, one day is about Life Includes Chocolate (why it’s necessary and how to include treats but also why cheat days are not a good idea.)
If you’re familiar with my philosophy, you know that I agree that treats are an integral part of healthy eating (My 10 rule).
Yoni has written an invaluable guide and one that is a must read for anyone who is embarking on any kind of weight loss program or for anyone who has done it all and has given up their quest.
In the epilogue, he writes, “ Your best weight is whatever weight you reach when you’re living the healthiest life you enjoy.”
This book is a breath of fresh air. Congrats, Yoni!
Enlightened Eater 
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