'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 97: Some Serious Concerns About The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet

Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller developed this strange low-carb plan

In Episode 97 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore," I decided to take a closer look at one of the more bizarre low-carb diets out there today--The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller. Although there have been a lot of people who swear by this odd nutritional plan, I have some serious doubts about how it can be healthy and effective for you over the long-term.

Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear today's podcast:

 "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 97 [14:14m]: LISTEN NOW | Download

The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet certainly sounds like a dieter's dream: eating whatever you want in whatever quantities you want for ONE HOUR a day for supper. In other words, you basically get a "splurge" meal EVERY SINGLE DAY (rather than every 6-8 weeks on my "planned splurge" strategy)! This includes consuming unlimited amounts of sugary desserts, starchy foods, and even fast food if you want it. Throughout the day, you basically eat a no-carb diet with very small amounts of fat and protein leading up to your BIG MEAL at the end of the day.

YIKES! My biggest concern about this diet is you never stop eating the foods you are addicted to. When I started the Atkins diet in January 2004, there were certain foods that I used to love that I could no longer have on a daily basis. Macaroni & cheese, pizza, donuts, sugary sodas, sausage biscuits, Little Debbie snack cakes, McDonald's French fries, and so much more. POOF! Gone forever from my life and four years later I don't miss them one bit!

Four ways to listen on your computer, laptop, iPod, or phone by:

1. Listening at the official web site
2. Going to iTunes
3. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via Podlinez
4. Subscribing to the RSS feed

What's your impression of the Hellers and their controversial diet program? Do you think it could work for you? Why or why not? And if you have tried this plan and had great success with it, then let me hear from you with your story. Tell us all about it so we can understand how this alternative low-carb plan might have worked for you. I personally could never see myself eating that way ever again even if it was for only an hour a day. NO THANK YOU!

We're coming up on my 100th podcast episode next Thursday, so stay tuned to find out how YOU can win some really cool prizes on that special day. Also, I have an interview coming up next Monday with my mom talking about her gastric bypass surgery experience that you won't want to miss. And come back on Thursday for another fun and exciting episode of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore"--the top-rated low-carb podcast show on the Internet today. THANKS so much for your support!

'Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show' Episode 43: Should You Fulfill Your Urge To Splurge?

If you ever wanted to know whether you can "cheat" on your low-carb diet, then you'll want to listen to Episode 43 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" today. You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that I believe you CAN. Learn all about it by listening to today's podcast:

 "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 43 [13:35m]: Play in Popup | Download

Can you really have a "cheat" or "splurge" when you are livin' la vida low-carb? That's a loaded question that needs more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

In Episode 43, I get into my philosophy about "cheating" (I REALLY hate that word, but it makes the point) on your low-carb diet. I've blogged about this issue several times before and put my thoughts all together in this podcast today.

Here are my previous blog posts on this topic:
- "Your Cheat Leads To Weight Loss Defeat"
- "Controlled-Cheating While Low-Carb Living"
- "Controversial Planned Splurge Strategy Needs Clarification"
- "Just Got Back From One Of My Splurge Meals"
- "Who Says You Can't Splurge On Low-Carb?"

Need more ways to check out the show? You can by:

1. Listening at the official web site
2. Going to iTunes
3. Calling (818) 688-2763 to listen via Podlinez
4. Subscribing to the RSS feed

Are you of the mindset that there is absolutely NO room for splurging when you are losing weight on low-carb? Please share why you feel it is important to stay on the straight and narrow when you are doing this lifestyle change. Or perhaps you agree with me that imploring a "planned splurge" or "controlled-cheating" approach will work for you. Tell me what you think and let's discuss this issue to help others understand if it's something that could work for them.

"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" has quickly become the top low-carb podcast show on the Internet today and I'm so very grateful for your support. Continue to spread the word about the show and even provide a link to TheLivinLowCarbShow.com on your blog, web site or e-mail. THANK YOU for spreading the message of livin' la vida low-carb!

Video: Your Cheat Leads To Weight Loss Defeat

"Aw, come on, won't you have it just this one time?"

"What's it gonna hurt you to go off your diet for a little bit?"

"Go ahead, taste this food because you know you want it!"

"Stop depriving yourself and enjoy life a little!"

"Get back on the diet tomorrow, why not cheat a little today?"

Raise your hand if you have heard any of the above statements at some point during your low-carb lifestyle. I know I have many times and it just goes to show you that people are clueless and don't understand what the meaning of a LIFESTYLE CHANGE really is. It's not about some temporary Band-Aid on some small cut that will heal in a few months. Nope. For most of us who have been morbidly obese for most of our lives, our weight problem is a gaping open wound that's 2 feet long and in desperate need of permanent surgery and stitching up.

That includes several lifelong changes that have to take place, including the mental awareness of what certain kinds of foods (specifically sugar and other refined carbohydrates) can do adversely to your body, the unshattered resolve to keep on resisting the temptations that will be dangled in front of you, and a steel will to make the right choices when the time comes. It's what distinguishes those of us who have been successful at livin' la vida low-carb and those who have not.

With that said, my Atkins videomaking blogging buddy Kent Altena has another new video this week dealing with the issue of cheating on your low-carb diet. He believes it is better to not risk the temptation and eventual (for most people) defeat on their weight loss plan. I have a different take on this topic than Kent which I will explain in a moment.

Check out his latest Atkins educational video:

CHEATING: IS IT INEVITABLE?



Kent and I do not necessarily agree on this point, although I can certainly understand his position very well. He believes that the low-carb lifestyle allows you to enjoy so many wonderful-tasting foods all the time that you don't need to "treat yourself" to any high-carb "cheat" meals or days. That is tantamount to rewarding your good dieting behavior with food.

"In the end for me at least, I’d be certainly on pathway back to starting weight," Kent contends.

Fair enought. While I agree that REGULAR "cheat" meals or days when you get off the plan is NOT a good idea for people who are livin' la vida low-carb, I certainly believe my controlled cheating approach is one that helped me immensely during my 180-pound weight loss in 2004. The idea of a planned splurge every 6-8 weeks for ONE meal is what got me through to reach my eventual goal. I have no doubt in my mind that it was an essential ingredient in my intial success.

This strategy is not without controversy though among low-carbers, including this response from Kent. But my fellow Atkins weight loss buddy made a very astute observation regarding this issue that is worthy of repeating again.

"In the end, it just comes down to knowing thyself, and acting accordingly. If you can plan and limit yourself to one meal or one day and that those foods still give you pleasure, having that control is a wonderful thing."

What's funny, Kent, is that now that I have been livin' la vida low-carb going on nearly three years now, my desire to have a cheat meal has almost entirely diminished. I just don't want that bread or dessert item I thought I could never live without anymore. And this is a point that Kent makes very clearly on the video: your desires will change and you will begin saying no to all those foods forever. The power of saying no is the greatest feeling you will ever have as a dieter and is something we all hope to attain. It is all up to the individual to decide whether they CAN make that choice and get back on the plan or if will cause them to stumble and fall.

Another outstanding video, Kent! THANK YOU!