The following post is reprinted from my Fit by Forty blog, something I started to chronicle my quest for weight loss and health by my fortieth birthday. I’m re-posting it here because it’s all about books.

Like my friend Kim, I’ve decided to make Sunday my official weigh-in day. I’m not sure of Kim’s original reasons for doing it, but I’m thinking it will keep me honest on the weekend when it’s a little harder to eat right.

I’ve had a great few days since New Year’s. I’ve lost a couple pounds! I also picked up a copy of The Mayo Clinic Diet book. I’ve looked at (and bought) many diet books before, but this one seems a little bit different. There’s no “fad” or “gimmick” element to it. It’s all about eating better and moving more. However, in my opinion, the information is presented in easily digestible and understandable bits. You start with a two week jump start program that has 5 habits to take on and 5 habits to break. They all seem pretty doable to me and I’m starting that two-week plan no later than next Sunday (I want to make sure I’ve got plenty of the right foods in the house. I’m also psyching myself up to really follow every guideline to the letter. Don’t worry, though. I’m not slacking until I start this. I’m already eating like I was back in late August. Lots of veggies, very little processed foods, smaller portions all around.)

The thing I really love about the book is that it’s in full-color and is very magazine-like: lots of sidebars and charts. My visual brain is responding very well to this book. Another book with a similar layout (though not full color) is True Food. It’s very much along the lines of books by Michael Pollan and Mark Bittman (whose Food Matters is wonderful) and covers local eating, whole foods, eating low on the food chain, etc. I’ve only flipped through it, but I’m impressed so far.

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