Prevention magazine's Flat Belly Diet by Liz Vaccariello. I normally don't indulge in fad diets; but this book caught my attention and as I thumbed through it, I realized I already support most of the concepts presented by this particular diet. The book boosts test study participants lost an average of 8.4 lb of which 33% was visceral fat (that's the really bad fat), and 1.6 inches from their wast in 28 days. While I'm realistic about my success with the diet, it does sound promising and the amount is not unrealistic on average.

I've fallen into a rut where I'm eating randomly without thought to what I've planned or committed to eat for a healthy lifestyle commitment. As I've discussed before, I need structure. I need discipline and I need it now. The book outlines a 4 day jump start which places extreme limits on food choices. This I don't condone at all. However, it's just for 4 days and it's forcing me to focus on my choices and prevents random indulging, since I can't eat just anything. I think for this period of time and the structure and discipline I need right now, the 4 day jump start is acceptable.

The foundation of the book is based upon healthy fats, Mediterranean oils, seeds, nuts, avocados and throws in whole grains (the real whole grains, not the whole grain mixed with enriched or blanched flour) vegetables and fruits. Oh yeah, and dark chocolate. My kinda diet. The book presents 4 pages (small print) of studies done by independent groups, universities, and by all major countries that back the principles of the diet. The studies were done independently, before the book was conceived. Scientific backing, I like that.

After the jump start, 28 days of tasty, nutritious food choices are planned out for me meal by meal. I don't have to think. I need that right now. The food choices are simple and palate pleasing, complete with a weekly shopping list of everyday items I can purchase at my local grocery store, no need to go to a specialty store. The food is economically priced, varied and easily prepared. It even offers substitutions, quick meal fixes, and restaurant options. View my public food diary if your interested in what food items the plan offers.

I'll give it a shot and let you what the results are with this test subject. I'm following it to the "T". Accept right now I'm chewing gum because of the Sassy water the diet request you to drink. Cucumber, lemon, mint leaves and grated ginger marinated in 8 cups of water overnight. It's not so bad drinking it, it just leaves a heck of an aftertaste in your mouth. So I've got the gum to get rid of the aftertaste until I can restock my Listerine breath strips. I just won't chew it very long.

Now just like every diet style I've investigated, I don't agree with everything. It states chewing gum is out because it makes you swallow air and increase gases in the belly. The goal is to reduce the overall size of the belly, fat and gasses alike; whatever it takes to shrink the belly. I guess getting rid of noxious gases will be just as pleasant as getting rid of belly fat. Especially to those around me.

Couple other things I don't agree with; artificial sweeteners of any kind are out. Again, because it causes gas and bloating in the belly, and this one is the kicker.... no carbonated beverages. That one is very, very close to becoming a deal breaker. Anyone who knows me knows I like my diet coke and it's not for the caffeine, it's for the bubbly. It's a habit, it brings me peace and comfort. It calms my angry, troubled sole and refreshes me on a hot day. Contrary to popular belief, I don't feel it's a bad habit. Yes, I miss it desperately when it's taken away from me, but I also desperately miss my husband, kids, exercise and veggies with dinner when they are taken away from me. It's a routine.

Alas, I've been accused of addict type behavior with my relationship to the beloved, caramel colored bubbly. So this too makes the diet acceptable. Proving the naysayers wrong. All my life I've been proving people wrong. Yet even I wonder, can I give up my fizz for 32 days?

I'll give it shot and let you know you know what the results are...