Wired For Health

Recently, Wired Magazine ran two pieces that might interest Brentwood Dieters.

The first article titled, "12 Shocking Ideas That Will Save The World" featured a whole slew of controversial planet-changing actions. But, one of the simplest ideas dealt with common sense: that people must take responsibility to save themselves or as the subhead explained, "Cheat Death." According to Ralph Keeney of Duke University, "55% of deaths for people age 15 to 65 can be attributed to poor decisions." Choices like not wearing seat belts, smoking, drunk driving, obesity, etc. The article went on to detail ways to incentivize or penalize people into making smarter choices.

The second article, titled, "The Buddy System," explored 50 years of medical data to reveal that our social networks effect our health and happiness. For example, researchers Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler reviewed the famous Framingham Heart Study to delve into the power of social networks. They found that overtime people got fatter--in 1948 10% of the population was obese and today, 40% is. But the kicker was that the key factor that predicted obesity was close, personal relationships. People were, "Fat by association." On the flip side, heathy habits were also contagious. In the 1970s, 65% of people aged 40 to 49 smoked and that number dropped to 22% by 2001. It seems that the company we keep really matters and influences our lives on levels we might not even be aware of.

Basically, the stories in the high-tech magazine backed up some tried-and-true wisdom with hard data. They related that both personal responsibility and other people impact our health immensely--and there's something both obvious and ironic about that. (Check out www.wired.com)

Phase One, Round Two

We're on the 10th day of our return to Phase One of the Brentwood Diet and doing all right. OK, it's really a quasi comeback: tomatoes, salmon and hangar steak made it past our lips. And I don't feel any guilt except for the steak. No sirloin or ribeye, the lean cut we tucked into still came with some saturated fat.

So far, I lost a little over four pounds. David did not weigh himself at the beginning, but thinks he lost about the same amount. That's just under half a pound a day--which isn't a world record for the Brentwood Diet, but isn't shabby, either. Certainly, we're tracking well, even with our cheats. We plan to return to Phase Two on Wednesday.

Although I'm fantasizing about fruit and yogurt at this very moment, things have not been so bad this time around. Hunger isn't an issue and cravings aren't intense. Again, we were pretty low-carb to begin with, so the adjustment was not huge. And mentally, two weeks or so is not a lot to endure.

Anyway, we'll go the distance to five pounds. That doesn't sound like much. But, it's funny: shedding just a few pounds makes a difference in how you feel.

Entertaining Shalts & Shalt Nots

I'd like to add an 11th commandment to the Brentwood Diet: inflict not the Brentwood Diet upon your guests.

While in Phase One, you may find it easier to cook for others than to be a dinner guest. You have total control over what's served. You don't have to make a big deal about your dietary needs. And don't need to ask if you can bring something. But unless you have a sadistic streak or want to discourage certain guests from ever eating over again, do add some civilian food and drink to the mix. Odds are that health-conscious guests will appreciate any low-cal, non-processed offerings. Course after course of Brentwood-Diet-only food might not win the cook compliments, though.

Most hosts ask about food prohibitions and preferences; and would keep carb-loving buddies in mind when making up the menu, anyway. But it's easy to slip up. Once we served a brunch and included whole slew of normal food, including dessert, but forgot to buy bread. Luckily, we had crackers on hand. Remember, people expect the basics--like bread, salt and butter. Of course, chocolate comprises an essential, fifth food group for some, if not one of their primary reasons for living.

Handling the temptations of leftovers is as easy as making up goodie bags for your guests. This worked well when we hosted Thanksgiving. People seemed happy to take home stuffing and pumpkin pie, etc. And hopefully, they shalt return for future dinners.

Back to Square One

We began the Brentwood Diet in April 2007. Phase One lasted for three months for both of us--and every moment felt like gastronomic boot camp. David lost 30 pounds and I lost 25. While our weight-loss stories didn't come with jaw-dropping before-and-after pictures, David's blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol numbers testify to the diet's life-changing effects.

The good news is that we've pretty much kept the weight off. I've strayed from the diet more than my husband and returned twice already to Phase One, each time for less than two weeks at a clip. Hey, it's a lot easer to take off five pounds than twenty. And certainly less painful to adhere to Phase One's hardcore restrictions for a short time.

Right now, we're going back to Phase One, again. For David, it's the first time since 2007. Which seems amazing to me, when you think about the yo-yo effects of most diets. For sure, it won't be as difficult as two years ago, because instead of giving up everything, we only have to close the eat-whatever-you-want-10%-of-the-time loophole and forgo a few Phase Two staples. For us, that means daily consumption of red wine, skim milk, low-fat yogurt and fruit. The fruit will be hardest for me. David only indulges in nightly blueberries with yogurt. (Blueberries being low in sugars and high in antioxidants and flavor.) Yesterday, we chowed down on Chinese food in a typical pre-diet binge. And today is sort of a transition day, because I didn't want to throw out a papaya and we're finishing off the remaining milk with our coffee. But, tomorrow it's back to square one.

Anyhow, we each want to lose five pounds. And there's no doubt that we will do it. The Brentwood Diet works. And once you've been on it, you have the confidence that you can control your weight for life--and that's quite powerful.

Travelers Tips

PHASE ONE:

Traveling during Phase 1 is tough. Your eating-out strategies come into play, but keep portability in mind. If traveling by car, keep water and your bag 'o vegetables near by. If you're staying at a motel without a fridge handy, buy Persian cucumbers and mini peppers for snacking. They don't need to be chopped, which is nice, too.

When you fly, plan ahead. My husband, David, was so militant during the first phase of the diet that he once travelled to Toronto without eating anything on the plane. A few weeks later, we made the same trip together. This time, we ate at home and each ordered a salad with chicken chunks on the plane (sans dressing, of course). I brought unsalted almonds to nibble inflight, too. (Yes, they're banned from the Brentwood Diet, but they were OK by Atkins. David didn't crack, though.) Upon arrival, we devoured a veggie omelette, which for some reason, required some negotiation at the coffee shop. Hard-boiled eggs and pre-packaged crudite trays from the grocery store helped a lot during our stay. We navigated shiva meals as best we could. For example, we both removed the bread from our tuna-salad sandwiches. David didn't realize that they contained mayo. I chose not to tell him. There are times when life calls for flexibility.

PHASE TWO:

People in the second phase of the Brentwood Diet can relax a bit. They also can prepare for the trip by going back to Phase 1 before they travel. The idea is to lose weight in anticipation of a slight gain. Of course, the Brentwood Diet lifestyle isn't just about watching weight. It's about keeping blood sugar, cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. in check. So, don't go hog wild on your vacation or business trip.

How To Avoid Becoming A Social Pariah

Unfortunately, the first phase of the Brentwood Diet can put a dent in your social life. The ninth commandment of the Brentwood Diet states: when going out, eat first. Heed it and you'll go a long way. Here are some more strategies you might consider to help you stick to the Brentwood Diet and avoid becoming a buzz kill.

BARS:

Mineral water, unsweetened iced-tea, black coffee. Needless to say, you will not be the life of the party.

RESTAURANTS:

Yes, you can order a salad with chicken chunks and oil and vinegar on the side. Grilled white fish and chicken breasts are a safe bet, too. But, most things on the menu come with salt. You'll need to consult with your food servers and have them check with the chefs to find if everything complies with the Brentwood Diet. Fortunately, for those living in the LA area, many restaurants are used to special orders. They don't upset us. Or at least, not too much. They can irritate your dining companions, though.

SOMEONE'S HOME:

This is much trickier than eating out. First, let your friends or family know that you have special needs. Your hosts may be happy to meet them. Of course your hosts can hear low-carb diet, whip you up something from the South Beach Diet Cookbook and be disappointed when you don't eat it. So, please be clear on things.

Offer to bring your own food. Your hosts may be OK and even relieved if you do. But, ASK first. Toting your own turkey meatballs might offend someone who's shopped and cooked something off-diet for you. And if you do bring your own food, don't just bring it for yourself: make enough to share. FYI: even non-Brentwood Dieters must deal with this. A friend's little boy is allergic to everything and she goes through this every time her son gets an invitation to a birthday party or play date.

Avoid talking about the Brentwood Diet at length. It's boring. Shortly after we went on the diet, a friend went on it, too. We went over to his house for a Super Bowl party. His wife not only added Brentwood-Diet-compliant food to the mix, she also made up signs for the buffet table forbidding guests to talk about the diet. Zealous converts to the Brentwood Diet, we'd also become pains in the ass.

FILL UP ON VEGETABLES:

Load your plate with them at every opportunity.

PHASE 2:

Remember the 90% on / 10 % off rule for Phase 2? Eating out and traveling are when it really comes into play. But, when you eat out and go off-diet, keep things in perspective. You might choose to have a beer, but forgo the Buffalo chicken wings dipped in blue cheese dressing.

Observations On Skinny People

I've made a lifelong study of skinny people. And not the kind who wage war on fat, no. I'm talking about the naturally thin, the effortlessly svelte, the slender types who've never dieted a day in their lives. Brentwood dieters may not be among their ranks, but they can learn something from the super slim. Here's what my unofficial research shows about them, including the different shades of skinny:

 

• Eat Anything Without Gaining An Ouncers: These folks lucked into revved-up metabolisms and can down strawberry milkshakes and gobble up large orders of chili-cheese fries without super-sizing their waistlines. They are the happy few. Although, a subset of this group actually struggles to keep weight on. Some underweight individuals even suffer health problems. Others must endure unwelcome advice or snarky remarks about their skeletal status. Also, food-related medical conditions like high cholesterol can plague the Eat Anything Without Gaining An Ouncers. However, they don't have much to teach Brentwood Dieters.

• Cruise Controllers: They possess built-in common sense or an internal regulator when it comes to healthy eating. They can limit themselves to three potato chips. They can keep a chocolate bar for a week and nibble a small piece of it every night. And it would never occur to Cruise Controllers to eat an entire package of Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies in a single sitting. They don't need willpower. Occasionally, they may tabulate what they eat. For example, if they want dessert, they'll forgo the Margarita and appetizer. But mostly, moderation in all things edible is automatic for them. The good news: Brentwood Dieters can compensate for the lack of natural-born culinary cruise control. Phase 1 is no problem: it's so structured and restricted, you don't have to think; just endure. It's like boot camp. Follow orders and you'll do fine. But, Phase 2 Brentwood Dieters can cultivate balance and accountability with good food choices, portion-control awareness and by adding exercise into the equation. 

• Sloooooow Eaters: They don't wolf down their food. They tend to be mindful eaters, savoring every morsel. They relax and converse at the table, too. Incidentally, since these people linger over meals, their brains send satiety signals their bellies in time to stop them from overeating. That's internal portion control in action. Slow seems like a good way to go, all around. (Hmm. There may be an overlap between Cruise Controllers and Slow Eaters. More study is needed.)

• Anti-Foodies: These freaks of nature could care less about food. OK, maybe that's a bit harsh. Perhaps, they're simply cursed with palettes that don't respond to flavor. It could be that the aroma of freshly baked bread does not arouse their appetites. Quite possibly, they are immune to satisfying textures like the silky frothiness of a chocolate mousse. It's almost as if Anti-Foodies lack the gene that permits the sensual enjoyment of food. Which is kind of sad, if you think about it. Certainly, these folks don't live to eat. They eat to live. Interestingly enough, Dr. Mizrahi mentioned "eating to live" when we first went on the Brentwood Diet. That notion didn't inspire me at the time. But, there is something to learn from the idea, on a whole lot of levels. 

Eventually, Brentwood Dieters enter the ranks of the skinny. But, Brentwood Dieters are converts: those skinny by choice, not by chance. And that's a big difference. Each and everyday, Brentwood Dieters consciously choose a better, healthier life.