improving the quality of the participant’s diet for good
health and long-term weight maintenance. The partic-
ipant is asked to weigh themselves a minimum of once
a month but no more than once a week. Additional
nutritious foods should replace less wholesome foods
on shopping lists and menus. Physical activity remains
a focus and levels should be increased as the partic-
ipant improves their fitness.
SAMPLE MENUS.Week 1, Day 1
Breakfast: Skim milk, pear muffin, 1 fresh apple
Snack: Low-fat yogurt
Lunch: Walnut cannelini wrap + chopped green salad
High-calcium snack: Whole-grain crackers with
reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Dinner: Pasta with chicken or shrimp + mixed green
salad
‘‘Anytime treat’’: 1 oz piece of dark chocolate
Week 1, Day 2
Breakfast: Best Life Kashi Go Lean Mix with pecans
and skim milk, plus one half grapefruit
Snack: Iced vanilla soy latte with graham cracker
Lunch: Nut butter and pear whole-wheat sandwich
+ carrot sticks
High-calcium snack: Maple-nut yogurt
Dinner: Lemon and herb grilled trout + corn +
saute ́ed sugar peas with ginger
‘‘Anytime treat’’:Low-fat ice cream
Both theGWTP!andThe Best Life Dietprograms
are available either in book format or by joining the
specific online program through Greene’s Web sites.
Both online programs are affiliated with eDiets.com
and charge a weekly fee for membership, approxi-
mately US$5 per week.GWTP!is available in audio
CD or audiotape formats as well.
The print editions of both books contain the core
of Greene’s diet plan. They are roughly 300 pages long
and contain recipes, meal plans, and suggestions for
reexamining and making changes in one’s food
choices. Many participants find the information in
the books adequate for their needs. A daily journal is
available for purchase with either program. Two addi-
tional books can be used withGWTP!:Get with the
Program! Guide to Good Eatingcontaining supplemen-
tary recipes and menu plans, andGet with the Pro-
gram! Guide to Fast Food and Family Restaurants
covering over 75 restaurants and how eat healthy off
their menus.
Dieters who choose to pay a weekly fee for online
membership in eitherGWTP!or the Best Life diet
receive customized advice tailored to their age, weight,height, sex, and level of physical activity. The home
page of each website invites the user to fill out an
online form with this personal information as well as
their goal weight. The online fee forGWTP!‘‘Basic
Training’’ includes the following:
A workout plan based on the customer’s general fit-
ness needs and current activity level.
3-D animated exercises.
24/7 advice and support from experts
Access to a support group moderated by eDiets.com
nutrition and fitness experts.
Menus, recipes, and shopping lists.
Online tracking of the customer’s progress.
Current news articles on topics related to health,
fitness, diet, nutrition, and emotional well-being
A personalized diet plan in addition to the fitness
plan is available for an additional fee.Function
The function of Greene’s diet plan is a restructur-
ing of the participant’s present eating and exercise hab-
its, phased in gradually at the participant’s own pace.
This restructuring requires a committed intention to
lose weight based on a willingness to look honestly at
one’s patterns of food consumption, including emo-
tional as well as physical reasons for eating.Benefits
The benefits of Bob Greene’s diet program are its
commonsense approach to the necessity of personal
commitment to change as well as lifestyle modifica-
tions if people wish to lose weight and keep it off.
Many users find the plan’s emphasis on introspection
and emotional honesty helpful in breaking the psycho-
logical patterns that cause them to regain the pounds
after a period of successful weight loss.
The flexibility of food choices built into the pro-
gram makes it easier for participants with food aller-
gies or those who must cook for or share meals with a
family to use this plan. The foods Greene recommends
are moderate in cost; there are no pricey recipes or
ingredients in his plan. Vegetarians also find it easy to
adjust for an ovolactovegetarian or pesce/pollo vege-
tarian diet.Precautions
Dieters who select the individualized programs
offered on Greene’s websites should check with their
primary care physician to verify the physical exercises
suggested for them are appropriate. Diabetics andBob Greene’s diet