Please — more think, less dumb.

I agree with you in general, but not in this specific case. One can address the problem of leukemia, for example, without having leukemia oneself. But to tell people that the best way to lose weight is to follow a certain diet and to harangue people about being overweight because they don’t follow that prescription while being grotesquely overweight oneself is a different story entirely.

MRE

The Taubes book isn’t coming out until the fall? I want to get my hands on this so badly–I’m gonna buy several copies and leave them on certain people’s doorstep!

I nominate any skinny dietitian who has never had a weight problem. They simply do not know how difficult it is to get it off once it’s been put on.

Hi LC–

I’ve read it twice now.  Once in it’s pre-edited 750 page form and once again in its cut down 400 page form.  It is well worth the wait – if it turns out to be your cup of tea.  It is excellent, but it may not be what you’re expecting.  It’s basically a history of how terrible science and a few forceful personalities made the low-fat diet the standard.  And it argues for why the alternative theory of low-carb should be given a chance.  It’s not really a diet book, and it’s pretty technical.  And it’s long.  I don’t think a lot of people will read it for pleasure.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hi Kathryn–

Pretty bad.  I don’t know how he can present his info with any credibility at all while looking like he does.

Cheers–

MRE 

Ah, yes, Richard Simmons.  How could we forget him?  He’s added to the list.

Best–

MRE 

I run hot and cold on Dr. Phil. I’ve read his book about weight loss and the chapters on the right reasons and motivations to succeed in losing weight and getting healthy are good but I’d definitely pitch the food advice chapters overboard and go to a book like Protein Power for that advice instead. LOL, that “Philistines” remark really tickles my funny bone! Pretty apt, I’d say.

Hi Esther–

Agreed about Ornish and Jacobson.  Agreed also about the food chapters in Dr. Phil’s missive to the Philistines.   Protein Power is a much better choice, if I do say so myself.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hi Victoria–

I agree completely about the dietitians.  I’ve met a few who have good sense, but they are strictly in the minority.

Cheers–

MRE 

Hi Tess–

I think it’s scheduled for this fall.

Best–

MRE 

Neal

Hi Neal–

An ad hominem attack is one in which the man is attacked instead of his argument.  In this case I like neither the man nor his argument, so it isn’t really ad hominem. 

Cheers–

MRE 

I guess I wouldn’t be the first to suggest ‘Dr Phil‘ as a worthy candidate;
Is it just me or do people over there also refer to his disciples as Philistines?

Cheers,

Malcolm

Hi Malcolm–

‘Philistines.’  Hahahahaha.  If they don’t refer to them that way, they should.

I think Dr. Phil is the poster child for his own diet.

Cheers–

MRE