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No one knows the self-denial—and the failure rate—of dieting better than Suzanne Somers. The Three's Company and Step-by-Step star struggled with her weight for twenty years. But now, after years of experimentation and consultation with more than one hundred nutritionists and dietitians, Suzanne has developed a weight-loss plan that truly succeeds.
With over a hundred recipes for great-tasting creative and traditional dishes, Eat Great, Lose Weight will help you free yourself from food cravings, get off the diet roller coaster, and learn to love food again. You won't believe how easy it is to look and feel your best!
SUZANNE SOMERS is the author of twenty-two books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Sexy Forever, Knockout and Ageless, and the Times bestsellers Breakthrough; Keeping Secrets, Eat Great, Lose Weight; Get Skinny on Fabulous Food; Eat, Cheat and Melt the Fat Away; Suzanne Somers' Fast and Easy; and The Sexy Years. Somers can be seen in her weekly talk show, The SUZANNE Show, on the Lifetime Network and in Suzanne Somers Breaking Through, her YouTube internet talk show hosted by CafeMom. Visit www.suzannesomers.com for more information on her shows, products, and her phenomenally successful weight loss plan, Sexy Forever.
Many years ago, when I was just starting out in television, I landed a guest-starring role on a hit series called Starsky and Hutch. Three days before I was supposed to start, I got a call from the producer. My ears perked up when I heard his voice. He told me that he and the director had been sitting around talking, and they decided I was just 'a little too chunky' for the part. They recast the role and I cried myself to sleep. I was twenty-nine years old and twenty pounds overweight.
That's when my diet roller-coaster began. Determined to lose those pounds, I tried every diet in the world. The shakes, the calorie counting, the packaged foods, the fasting, the grapefruit, the cottage cheese, the celery . . . and guess what? They all worked. That's right. Every time I went on a diet, I lost weight. But, within a short time of going back to eating like a normal person, I would gain back all the weight and often a little extra. Then I'd scour the fashion magazines for the next dieting trend, and off I'd go on my path toward deprivation — all in the name of being thin.
What I really wanted was to find a way to eat healthy, nutritious, yet flavorful foods in substantial portions and still lose weight. And I'm happy to tell you I have found it. After working with many nutritionists, reading books, and practicing trial and error on my own body, I have finally found a way to control my weight without deprivation. I call my program 'Somersizing,' and Somersizing is not a diet. Diet is a nasty four-letter word that conjures up negative thoughts of sacrifice and obsession and guilt. Based on eating everyday foods in specific combinations, Somersizing is a lifestyle that will change your way of thinking about how to lose weight and how to increase your energy. Eating the Somersize way is a pleasure. It is a program for life, a program I will happily live on for the rest of my life.
There are a few basic rules you will learn, and then you're free to eat whatever you want, in a restaurant, at home, or on the road. On the Somersize program, you first eliminate a small group of what I call Funky Foods, foods that wreak havoc on our systems. Then you separate normal, everyday foods into four Somersize Food groups: proteins and fats, vegetables, carbohydrates, and fruits. Finally, you follow these seven easy steps:
Eliminate all Funky Foods.
Eat Fruits alone, on an empty stomach.
Eat Proteins/Fats with Veggies.
Eat Carbos with Veggies and no fat.
Keep Proteins/Fats separate from Carbos.
Wait three hours between meals if switching from a Protein/Fats meal to a Carbos meal, or vice versa.
Do not skip meals. Eat three meals a day and eat until you feel satisfied and comfortably full.
Since I started properly combining my foods, I have trimmed down from 130 to 116 pounds — the amount I weighed as a teenager. And since I reached my goal weight, I have fluctuated no more than 3 pounds. I eat delicious foods — I eat cheese, I drink wine occasionally, and you would be shocked to know how much chocolate I eat and still maintain my weight.
Some experts will argue that food combining is a myth — a calorie is a calorie and it doesn't matter how you combine them, it only matters how many you eat and how many you burn off. The debate has gone on for many years, and I'm sure it will continue for many more. All I can tell you is that it works for me. I can eat all the wonderful foods I love and still lose weight. I don't have to give up flavor. I don't settle for boring meals with no sauce. I enjoy rich and flavorful foods. I don't count calories or fat grams.
Throw everything you think you know about diets out the window. Somersizing is an easy and effective way to look and feel your best while enjoying life to the fullest. I put this book together to show you how I eat and to share how I cook for my family. I've compiled more than a hundred of my favorite Somersize recipes for you to try for yourself — everything from Thanksgiving Turkey with Mushroom Sausage Stuffing to Decadent Chocolate Cake — and I'm sure you will agree that this is a sinfully delightful way to Eat Great, Lose Weight. Enjoy!
Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2003
I have started this diet 4 months ago and I have already lost 45 pounds! for those ppl who dont believe this works and that its too good to be true, I strongly urge you to try this because I was once one of those ppl that thought I was going to be stuck in my skin forever, and guess what? It definetely works and the best part is that its so easy!!!! Just read the book if you're still doubtful, once you read all the success stories you'll want to start this and be a success yourself!
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Posted May 15, 2003
I am 36 and have tried many diets, I love to eat. whenever im dieting I feel deprived and it doesnt take me long to cheat. On this plan I dont count calories ,I dont feel deprived. I eat when im hungry. I really stick to the combinations because its quite simple after the first week.I feel good and im satisfied. I walk for exercise and the best part is that people were noticing a weight loss and telling me I looked good after the first two weeks. My husband is following the plan with me and we both feel so much healthier. We can live this lifestyle!
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Posted April 20, 2003
I do not feel the dinner plans are realistic. I cannot afford to purchase foods from gourmet stores, It would cost a tremendous amount of money to eat the suggested menu she has put forth in this book, I enjoy her breakfast menu because it is realistic. I feel like i have to study for an exam in order to know what to eat for dinner, someone please e-mail me and let me know what types of dinners you are eating!
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Posted July 21, 2007
I lost 120 pounds Somersizing! I have kept it off for more than a year. I went from a size pant size 24/26 to a 4 and my skirt size is a 0/2!! THIS WORKS!! My children and husband love the food and this easy to adapt to any lifestyle.
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Posted January 23, 2003
I was always thin until I got married and started having babies. Gained 40 lbs with the first one and just continued to go up instead of down. I love to eat!! I have tried every diet known to man and I starved. Suzanne's way is just perfect for me. I love meat and I can eat all I want. I have lost 40 lbs and have come to the knowledge that this is a way of life.
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Posted March 15, 2003
this book is great i finally found something that I can do!
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Posted September 4, 2002
I have been on the program (with weekly exercise) for seven months, and have lost over sixty pounds. I find it to be easy to stick to...I was never that crazy about starchy or sweet foods anyway.
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Posted May 24, 2002
This is not a diet, this is a way of life. If the surgeons who I work with now (who are doing gastric bypass procedures and making alot of money) knew that I rave to everyone about this diet, they would be really upset. They would be no more obese people in the world. I am a doctor and a mother of 2. I never needed to diet until I had my first baby. Then I couldn't lose the last 20 lbs. After the 2nd baby, no way I was going to gain another 20! I tried Suzanne's plan, and I dropped the weight that I had on me for the previous three years, in a matter of months (3). That was 1 year ago. I do not have time in my very busy life to count calories, weigh my food, bring food to work. All I do is follow the rules. I am NEVER hungry. And I cheat 1 every 3 days. That way I am not deprived and I have maintained my weight with ease. My husband also lost 30 pounds without any effort at all. I would love to be Suzanne's new spokesperson! P.s. I eat like a horse!
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Posted April 24, 2002
Great book, I lost 20 pnds within 2 months without any major exercise. Still eating great and hoping to loose more weight. Thank you Suzanne!!!!!
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Posted January 21, 2002
As the headline reads this is SPECTACULAR. I just started Somersizing on 1/14/02. I have lost 4lbs. as of today 1/21/02. Only one week. I haven't been hungry. The recipes are great. If you are thinking about trying this new way of life, I guarantee you won't be dissappointed. With Somersizing and 3-20 minute Aerobic exercises in one week, I've accomplished losing 4lbs. This is great. I learned about this new way of life through a co-workers wife. She has lost 45lbs. in 5 months. I think this is great. Go buy the book, its easy to read and follow. You won't regret it.
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Posted February 17, 2002
I have been on the diet rollercoaster for years. I thought this was another of those diets where you starve and end up cheating because your so deprived of food. Boy, was I wrong. I have been on the Summersize plan since January 10th,and have lost thirteen pounds. I have never been hungry and am enjoying making all the fantasic recipes in the book. Thank you for finally making a diet that is easy to make into a way of life.
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Posted December 30, 2001
I bought the book for myself just before Christmas and started the diet by reading the whole book; shopping and setting my mind first. I started the diet the day after Christmas and already feel better. What really surprised me was the recipes are really good. I have never met a brussel sprout that I could eat; but, Suzanne's recipe was super good! I plan on having some more after the farmers market trip on Saturday. Thanks, Cheryl
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Posted June 30, 2001
I was on this diet plan last year and immediately lost 10 pounds since then though i have quit the diet because of my laziness and lack of self control. However I am now ready to get back on the plan and I have one problem...which is I lent my book to my sister and I am not quiet sure of the rules. I remember to eat fruit alone...proteins only with veggies or carbs only w/ veggies but proteins and carbs cant be eaten together. If any one has anything else theyd like to share w/ me that im not aware of and if anyone would like to be an e-mail buddy with me for support please write me at belladonna8402@hotmail.com . Id love to have somenone to share experiences with as well as answer each others questions.Thanks a bunch - Gianna
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Posted March 13, 2001
Everyone I know seems to be on this diet. My relatives are all dropping pounds and swear by 'Somersizing.' Suzanne Somers discovered this diet while seated in a garden in a medieval French village. That tells me it must be a great diet! I love France. After finishing a delicious dinner, she stood up and picked some cherries from a tree overhead. Her host told her that would cause indigestion and keep her up all night. It turned out to be true and she discovered the centuries-old theory of food combining. This dictates that certain foods must never be eaten together. This diet allows proteins and fats to be eaten together, but never with carbohydrates. Her plan is low in sugar and carbohydrates, but permits all sorts of fruits. Fruit must however be eaten on an empty stomach. Vegetables, bread, cereal and pasta may never be eaten with fats or proteins. She has tried all the other diets and finally found one that worked for her. When she hit 40, her metabolism slowed down and she was getting fewer and fewer results. She finally tried food combining and it worked. She lost 20 lbs. She believes sugar was the enemy. She recommends going cold turkey the first week you are on her diet. Diet alone cannot help you loose weight, so she also recommends exercise. One thing she says is that you should give yourself at least a few weeks to start seeing the results. Her plan includes: Eliminating sugar, starch, white flour, caffeine and alcohol. You must eat fruit alone on an empty stomach. Proteins can be eaten with cheese, butter and vegetables. Pasta may be eaten with veggies. You must wait three hours between meals if switching from a protein/fat meal to a carbohydrate meal or vice versa. Eat at least three meals a day and don't skip meals. It sounds simple until you have to give up your buttered toast with jam and tea! I am going to try the fruit idea for sure and try to incorporate more of her ideas. I already hardly eat sugar because I found Stevia, which tastes so much better than all those artificial sweeteners. So, give this diet a try. My uncle has lost quite a few pounds and swears by food combining. He also loves to eat!
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Posted January 3, 2001
I have tried many other so called 'diets' in the past 8 years, but each brought me only hopelessness. I am so thankful that I have found Suzanne Somers' book! In the past few months I have lost almost 20 pounds effortlessly. What I liked most about reading her book is that it made sense and was written without becoming a science class. I had tried reading the Atkins book, but it quickly became too difficult for me to follow. Combining foods becomes second nature very quickly, and after the first week of being off sugar and white flour you don't miss it at all. I stopped combining during the Christmas holiday and really noticed a huge difference in how I felt and how my body worked. Check this out. You too will thank Suzanne!!!!
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Posted December 12, 2000
I have to admit; I was skeptical. It also took me longer to lose the weight than I had thought. After a couple of days I developed a headache that I attributed to lack of sugar and caffeine. But after that it was great. I have to say the recipe section was more restrictive; if you live in a warm climate and have access to all those fruits, etc. and a well stocked cabinet, it is great. However, I found I could easily adapt my own recipes by following the rules. I began the diet in September and after 2 months I lost 12#. I feel great. I can even eat 'funky foods' when I want as long as I go back to the rules. It is an eating style change, not a diet. If you're in doubt, try it. You have nothing to lose, but weight!
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Posted November 30, 2000
I have been trying to lose weight for over 2 years now and finally after using Suzanne Somer's Book I have lost 6 pounds in one week and hopefully I will continue to do this. I was so impressed by the weight loss that I encouraged my friend to get it but she has not lost one pound in 8 days. She is still going to continue but we do not know why this is happening and she is very depressed about it as she too has been trying to lose weight. Any suggestions? Question:-In the evening if after you eat a fruit 3 hours after dinner and the hunger is still there can I eat a few carb's ie:Wholewheat crackers. Thank you.
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Posted November 21, 2000
If I met Suzanne Somers on the street today, I'd bow down and kiss her feet! This book has changed my life! I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in Nov '97 and was never able to keep it under good control - my prescription for glucophage increased from one pill a day to three, with my blood sugars climbing into the 250 - 350 range. I ate a low-fat diet and managed to lose 22 pounds - but the blood sugars did not budge. I was petrified that insulin shots were in my future. Then my dear doctor recommended Suzanne's book and WAY OF LIFE (this is NOT a diet!) Although a little skeptical (and wary of how I could live without sandwiches!) I jumped in with both feet and haven't looked back. Within a few days (honestly) my blood sugars were in the 100 - 120 range and today my readings are 80 to 100! My AIc dropped from 9.1 to 5.3 in three months! I have lost 20 more pounds so far and I am NEVER hungry! You owe it to yourself to give this way of eating a try. There is plenty of good, healthy food on this diet. Unlike more restrictive low-carb plans, veggies and fruits are allowed and encouraged, as long as eaten in the correct combinations. This plan is all about combining your foods - and it works! Her second book is very similar, with more delicious recipes.
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Posted November 6, 2000
This is a very sound and balanced way of eating. Much much better than the Atkins diet which is way to restrictive. Her book is very personable, easy and fun to read, and best of all easy to follow. The food combinations are great so you don't feel too restricted. High recommend this book. Her 2nd book is actually not too different from this one, just has some more recipes.
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Posted November 13, 2000
As my headline says, I have tried them all and this one this way of living is a keeper! This is a well structured system and normal life is promoted. I cannot say enough about this diet. Even that word 'diet' does not fit. It is a new way of thinking. If you have tried them all......please take a minute and read this.....spend a couple of dollars and buy the book that will soon become your new way of life. Believe me if I can follow this.....anyone can. I have lost 87 pounds and am still going. Suzanne I cannot thank you more for your taking the time to share this 'new lease on life' with me. If ANYONE out there needs to shed some pounds.....this is the way to go......and it is a healthy normal way to live. THIS IS A KEEPER!!
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Overview
No one knows the self-denial—and the failure rate—of dieting better than Suzanne Somers. The Three's Company and Step-by-Step star struggled with her weight for twenty years. But now, after years of experimentation and consultation with more than one hundred nutritionists and dietitians, Suzanne has developed a weight-loss plan that truly succeeds.
With over a hundred recipes for great-tasting creative and traditional dishes, Eat Great, Lose Weight will help you free...