The Burn Rate Diet: The New Mind-Body Treatment for Permanent Weight Control - Softcover

Stop worshipping the scale, don't expect exercise to work miracles, and quit blaming poor eating habits: the key to reaching an optimal weight and maintaining good health depends more on a person's "burn rate" (basically, their metabolism) than any other factor. So argues Stephen R. Van Schoyck, Ph.D., clinical director of the Wellness Center at Frankford Hospital in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and author of this highly individualized approach to weight loss. His findings suggest that the amount or type of food a person consumes is less important than when they eat it or how effectively they "burn" it. After building a reasonable case for his theory (citing research studies from his 15 years in the weight management business and a few key scientific papers), Schoyck helps readers determine their own burn rate via a two-week test diet and a Web site that calculates the results (a complex, manual method is also provided).

He then offers calorie-counting strategies for planning meals on a weekly basis, focused on developing "a healthy relationship with food." This term translates into hearty menu choices like a cheese omelet with bacon and chicken parmigiana. Schoyck also allows for occasional binges and favorite snacks. Whether a dieter finds this book inspirational or depressing will depend on a few key factors; most critically, the probable discovery that their "ideal" weight, according to Schoyck, is substantially higher than their perceived ideal. The good news: Schoyck asserts that sticking to his plan will prevent further weight gain and will promote better overall health. --Liane Thomas

Dr. Stephen R. Van Schoyck, Ph.D., is a member of the sports medicine team and medical staff at the Frankford Hospital in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The program in this book is based on fifteen years of his research and the successful treatment of over 3,000 patients. Dr. Van Schoyck earned his B.A. in biology from Princeton University in 1975. He graduated in 1984 from the University of Cincinnati with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and completed his internships and residency in Philadelphia. His private practice is located in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife, their four children, and numerous dogs.