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My name is Lillea. I've been an avid health researcher for over 15 years.

I've changed my "diet" several times, but I've been able to keep my weight within 5-7 lbs of my ideal by paying close attention to calories. It hasn't been easy. In fact, like many people, I had to be very strict with myself to keep everything in check.
 

The picture above is me in the spring of 2009 after experimenting with the best fat loss & weight maintenance system I've found. I used it to quickly shed a few pounds that had crept up on me over the winter months. The wonderful thing is that I know that I can also easily and healthfully maintain my ideal weight this way for the rest of my life.

On this page you'll find my reviews of the best and second best books that will help you attain and stay at your ideal weight for the rest of your life too. 

ESE is the best book and program I've found on healthy fasting. All you have to do is fast for 1-2 times a week for a specific period of time

This is far easier to follow than other intermittent fasting programs which advise you to fast every day or every second day.

The author, Brad Pilon, writes clearly. He explains the science behind healthy intermittent fasting so anyone can understand it. He has researched and personally tested this method thoroughly. The research impresses me. At this point, with everything that I have learned and continue to learn about health I don't impress easily so that's very ... impressive :)

How Does It Work?

Short-term fasts go straight to the key of weight loss: CALORIE REDUCTION. In this case, it's calorie elimination because you don't eat anything for a specific period of time. Only non-caloric beverages are permitted.

Short-term fasts have incredible health benefits. For example:

- lower insulin levels

- increase in growth hormone levels - growth hormone is often referred to as the 'youth hormone'

- increase in fat burning enyzmes - body fat is more targeted   than it is with standard dieting - yes, you will lose more fat during a short-term fast than you will by cutting the same number of calories spread over several days.

With this way of eating (okay, not eating) you can achieve the same fat loss in 1-2 days a week that would otherwise take a week or more with standard dieting.

The human body adapts to short-term fasting quickly. After a few fasts you may find that feelings of hunger totally disappear. Strange but true.

No matter what kinds of foods you eat, ESE can work. It's *very* flexible. If you overindulge occasionally (who doesn't?) you can simply fast in the next few days and take care of it *quickly*.

My Results?

It's a relief to not be thinking about my next meal all the time which is where I'm at with most other diets. I can lose 1-2 lbs a week quickly and easily if I need to, or just maintain my weight.

Keeping my diet the same the rest of the time, as the author advises, and doing resistance training during the week guarantees success.

After only two weeks of following the guidelines in ESE I was noticeably leaner. I did not lose muscle tone. My energy levels and mental clarity on fasting days is very good - two of the long lists of benefits of healthy intermittent fasting. I'm happy with my results and the simplicity of this program.

Quibbles?

Pretty much none. Sometimes the sales site is a bit too sales-y for my taste (it is updated regularly), but the content of the book and quality of the research behind it is impressive so don't let that put you off.

NOTE:

This program receives my highest recommendation and rating. I hope that more people with try it instead of wasting their money and time on diets that are only good for short-term results, not long-term success.

PRICE: $39-$59 depending on the package you choose

GUARANTEE: 60 Day Money Back Guarantee

THE WARRIOR DIET was written by Ori Hofmekler, a former member of the Special Forces.

Ori offers a very unorthodox daily dietary system. It's based on cycles of under eating and overeating and usually has you eat most of your daily food intake at night. I classify this as intermittent fasting, even though the intervals are not as long as those in ESE and most other healthy fasting programs.

The WARRIOR DIET draws on examples from the Roman warriors to show how cyclical eating can make you stronger, leaner, and more youthful.

Ori's writing is a lot of fun. You almost feel like you're back in the Roman era, enjoying the benefits of healthy and tasty food eaten at a huge banquet at night.

My Results?

I've found THE WARRIOR DIET to be a very good system to use if you tend to overeat at night, as many people who struggle with weight issues do.

Eating a very small meal early in the day as Ori advises keeps me feeling light, strong and energetic until the nighttime feeding phase.

The feeding 'window' at night is limited - only a few hours.

I've followed something like this for years and it has always worked well, never mind what the never-eat-near-to-bedtime people say.

This style of eating has definitely kept my energy levels high and made it easier for me to keep my weight at an optimal level.

ESE is still by far my favorite for ease of use, scientific backing, effectiveness and long-term health, but THE WARRIOR Diet style of healthy fasting definitely deserves a mention.

Quibbles?

My research and personal experience indicate that unless you are a pro athlete, when it comes to fat loss, calories matter most. Ori disagrees. He believes that timing and specific foods, not total calories, make a big difference for everyone. He backs up his claims in his second book, MAXIMUM MUSCLE, MINIMAL FAT

Disagreements aside, I've found that it's easier to keep calories low and satisfaction high with the foods Ori recommends eaten at the time he recommends.

PRICE: Less than $20

GUARANTEE: 30 Day Money Back Guarantee