Bob Greene's Get with the Program!

Get with the Program! calls itself a realistic, long-term plan that promises gradual weight loss. Realistic, maybe, but sticking with the program is no picnic. You must make a long-term commitment, symbolized by a signed contract that you hang on your refrigerator door. You have to follow through fully on the Bob Greene Diet program, completing all four phases, in order for it to work for you. And following up means keeping an array of daily journals, adding an increasing amount of exercise to your life, and eating sensibly.

To begin, you'll have to abandon those comforting excuses that helped you get where you are today. No more "I work too hard and have no time to exercise," "I'll start next month," or "My family would never eat that."

You'll soon have to follow your new way of thinking with real life changes to your eating and exercise plans that include drinking gallons of water and limiting alcohol consumption.

What makes Bob Greene's Get with the Program! a different Weight Loss Plan?

Get with the Program! doesn't pretend to offer an easy way to change your weight. It is a self-paced plan that doesn't promise a quick-fix, but instead offers slow, gradual weight loss if you fully commit to it. The plan stresses that psychological and emotional readiness are the keys to successfully making the commitment pledge. You promise yourself that you will change your exercise, eating, and mental habits for the long term. Full commitment and hard work are the paths to true happiness and health.

What is Bob Greene Diet Weight Loss Program?

Get with the Program! is a self-paced plan for making lifestyle modifications and dietary changes, as well as increasing the intensity of physical activity. The ultimate goal of this program is to motivate you to get real about the changes you want to make. And not even the author pretends that it's easy to follow this plan. Run away right now if you don't want to do the hard work.

Here are the main goals and requirements of each phase of the Bob Greene Diet plan:

• Phase 1: Soul searching, one to three weeks. You work to change that way you think by performing written exercises. You drink six cups of water daily and perform functional exercises three times per week. You also sign your Program Contract as a symbol of commitment and begin

• Phase 2: One to three months. You keep exercise, alcohol, and water logs. Increase water drinking to seven cups daily and functional exercises to four times per week. Add in 50 minutes of aerobic exercise each week. Limit or eliminate alcohol throughout the rest of the Bob Greene Diet program.

• Phase 3: One to three months. Limit emotional eating by eating only three meals and two snacks daily, and consuming no food two hours before bed. Drink eight cups of water daily. Perform functional exercises five times per week and increase aerobic activity to 100 to 125 minutes per week. Continue with journaling.

• Phase 4: The rest of your life. (Yes, really.) Drink nine cups of water daily. Weekly exercise goals: functional exercises five times, strength training three times, and minimum of 150 minutes of aerobic activity. Follow the "Limit 24-7" guidelines by limiting fats, eating two servings of fruit, four servings of vegetables, and up to seven servings of whole grains daily. Continue with journal entries.

What are the weight loss expectations?

Realistic weight loss expectations, according to the author, are about one to two pounds of fat loss per week on the Bob Greene Diet. You shouldn't expect yourself to match your weight and size as a high school senior: the plan suggests that you shouldn't choose a goal weight. You shouldn't weigh yourself during the first few phases of the plan. Use the fit of your clothing as a measure of your achievements.

Is exercise promoted?

Exercise is a major component of the Bob Greene Diet. Your commitment includes making time for physical activity and not letting yourself get away with any excuses.

You'll increase the time and intensity of functional exercises such as stretches and crunches, and aerobic activity such as power walking. When you get to Phase 4, you'll begin weight training. Diagrams provided serve as a great reference for the exercises.

Are supplements recommended?

There are no recommended supplements for the Bob Greene Diet.