At first glance, I thought the Bob Greene Diet Plan had it backwards.

I have always been taught that you start hard and gradually work back into the way you are hoping to live, keeping the weight off, for the rest of your life. And I thought that meant getting to go back to eating what I want. But as I started looking, really looking at his program, I realized that my thinking was what was backwards. I mean, this is what got me into this situation in the first place.

Not only that, but as the Ah-Ha light came on, I also recalled that most people fail at dieting because it is too hard to change your lifestyle so drastically so quickly. It started to click that in starting off slowly, you see success in getting healthy and that makes you want to become healthier. Then you will take it to the next level because you are liking what you are seeing and feeling. Furthermore, you will end up where you want to spend your life, eating healthy and exercising regularly.

Bob Greene says this about his best life diet – “Losing weight the right way – so you shed pounds and keep them off – takes time”. This is what inspired Bob Greene to create a ”for life” plan that requires you to only gradually make small but powerful lifestyle changes, like eating a nutritious breakfast each day and moving about more. And you will see the results you wanted all along, to not only slim down but to also live the healthiest, happiest life possible – this is your Best Life.

This is not your typical diet yoyo - you won´t go on and then off it. Instead, this plan will help you change your eating habits for life. And unlike so many other diets, the Best Life diet plan is based on the idea that eating is and always should be one of life´s pleasures. You can enjoy food guilt free while still maintaining your best weight.

The Bob Greene diet plan is broken down into 3 easy to follow phases each of which lasts a minimum of four weeks – Phase 1 prepares your body for weight loss by cranking up your metabolism and increasing your activity level which will in turn start the calories burning.  Phase 2 is focused on watching your calories by eliminating 6 problem foods. You´ll do this by managing your hunger using a tool called the Hunger Scale. Phase 3 is all about making YOUR life the healthiest it can be – your terms and your timeline. And now you have the information and experience to do this.

The only loophole I can see is the portion control. This is vital in healthy eating. However, an upside is you start increasing your activity level on day one up to 30 minutes 3 times a week. This is a great way to jumpstart your metabolism.

Bottom line – a good life is one that is based on balancing healthy eating and exercising on a regular basis, not on a lifelong diet. Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet promotes this lifestyle through honest answers that are the foundation of a healthy, active life which is the Best Life.

Phase 1: The Rev-Up

In the first four weeks, focus on moving more and changing your eating patterns. Step on the scale to get your starting weight. Then, put it away! Next, get moving! This is what revs up your metabolism and burns calories. You will determine where you are on the activity scale. If you are already exercising regularly, boost it one level. Zero activity level, go up two levels and start formal workouts right after checking with your physician.

Also, start eating three meals and one snack daily. And don’t forget breakfast! It gives your metabolism a jolt and will keep you satisfied until lunch. If you wake up without an appetite, eat anyway. Not only does this get your metabolism going, it gets your brain making endorphins that increase pleasure and decrease pain sensations. Can’t beat that!

Rules at this stage:

• Eliminate alcohol (you can add it back in later).
• Have a glass of water at every meal.
• Take a multivitamin, an omega-3 supplement and a calcium supplement if you’re not getting enough from your diet.
• Stop eating at least two hours before you go to bed.

Weigh yourself after four weeks. If you dropped a pound or more per week, you can stay in this phase two or three more weeks. If you didn’t lose much weight, your body is now ready for the weight loss that’s coming in Phase 2.

Phase 2: The Switch

Now you are ready to see the pounds really fall off in this phase, which should last a minimum of four weeks. You will eliminate  6 foods from your diet and replace them with less fattening foods that will curb your appetite. Weigh yourself once a week. If the number goes up, don’t be hard on yourself. Just see if you can fine-tune your efforts. Also, think about increasing your level on the activity scale. Exercise can provide some of the comfort you might otherwise find from eating, thanks again to endorphins.

At the end of four weeks, it’s time to check to see how you are doing. If you’ve met your goal weight, move to Phase 3. Otherwise, you can stay put here. There are a few other variables based on your weight goal that Bob Greene’s Best Life diet plan book explains.

Phase 3: Happily Ever After

Welcome to the rest of your life! You don’t have to add all the recommendations of this phase all at once, but do the best you can. You will continue to watch the way you eat and exercise as this is a work in progress. By now, watching calories will come more naturally (which you can do easily with the Bob Greene diet plan Advanced Pedometer).

Maintain the changes you achieved in Phases 1 and 2, but add some “anything goes” calories—the foods you still hanker for. Everything you eliminated in Phase 2 is now allowable! Try to put “anything goes” calories toward “luxury foods” that are indulgent but still have something to offer, such as dark chocolate, full-fat cheese and yogurt, pizza with whole grain crust, or a glass of wine. Try to eat more good vegetables than any other food group. Keep eating two servings of fruit a day and whole grains instead of refined ones. As for sweets, eat fruit anytime. Otherwise, continue to look at the packaging.

Getting to indulge in a few more of these extra calories may be one incentive to increase your activity level, which you should do again when you enter this phase. Exercise will help you maintain the weight loss you’ve achieved and allow you to eat more food without regaining. A plus is exercise also slows down the aging process. Weigh yourself no more than once a week and no less than once a month.

Here is the list of the 6 foods you must avoid on Bob Greene’s diet plan:

1. Sodas – Empty calories. Replace with plain or flavored (not sweetened) water, herbal ice tea or skim milk. To curb that sweet craving, have a cup of fruit juice cut with seltzer water.  You can drink diet soda, but keep it down to 1 a day so you can lose your desire for super sweet foods.
2. Fried Foods – Frying absorbs calories and the oil adds to it. You can eat oven-fried food – tossing with olive oil, salt and pepper and cooking in 400 degree oven until brown. Must eat chips? Try the baked variety.
3. White Bread – No refined grains. Replace with whole grain, which are more nutritious and high in fiber. Don’t be fooled by names, read the label and make sure the whole grain appears at the top of the ingredient list.
4. Regular Pasta – While you can eat some white rice and regular pasta, try replacing most of it with whole grain pasta, which also adds the fabulous Omega 3.
5. High Fat Dairy Products – Most dairy foods are excellent sources of protein and calcium. Make them low fat instead and you can still indulge.
6. Foods Containing Trans Fat – The worst to avoid are margarine and vegetable shortenings.  Watch out for  frozen meals, crackers, ramen soups, cake mixes, candy and chips. Replace oils with olive or canola.

Easy, only 6 and you have options with Bob Greene’s diet! Find 175 great ideas in the Bob Greene Best Life Diet Cookbook!