The Diabetes Breakthrough: Based on a Scientifically Proven Plan to Lose Weight and Cut Medications
A medical doctor from the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard and a professor of exercise science who is diabetic team up to give patients with type 2 diabetes a sensible, doable weight-loss plan. A big goal is building muscle and exercising 300 minutes a week instead of the more commonly recommended 150. The authors recommend pedometers to count steps, too. The acronyms they use may seem corny: their 12-week program is called Why WAIT? (for Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment), which uses the management mnemonic  SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-limited). But the tips make sense. Instead of a vague plan to eat better, patients should vow to eat two servings of veggies at every meal. (Specific!) And instead of promising to generally exercise more, they should go for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. (Measurable!) Each week gets its own chapter. Then the authors give steps for maintaining success (positive rewards instead of negative consequences), and healthy recipes (chicken stir-fry). With good exercise illustrations and nutrition-facts charts, the book serves as a can-do motivator. --Karen Springen