Diet Recovery 2: Restoring Mind and Metabolism from Dieting, Weight Loss, Exercise, and Healthy Food by Matt Stone

Diet Recovery 2: Restoring Mind and Metabolism from Dieting, Weight Loss, Exercise, and Healthy Food Reviews

• 
  Elizabeth

  I thought this book was interesting. I got it for free on my Kindle. It was recommended by a Facebook group I belong to. I'm interesting in trying the metabolism recommendations and the exercise recommendations, especially as an injured runner. As someone who's always thinking I'm not doing enough to be healthy because I'm not juicing or eating Paleo or giving up sugar, etc. this book was encouraging. If you're a diehard Paleo eater, then this book will probably offend you. While many of his jokes were funny, a couple I found crass and offensive. There were some jokes, however, where I literally laughed out loud. I also thought the points he made about freeing yourself from unrealistic expectations about your body were also good. So, I guess I recommend this book, but proceed with caution and an open mind, and if you can't get past some of the language and crude humor, then don't read.
• 
  We Are All Mad Here

  Some potentially interesting information, in dire need of an editor.
  
  Further - he talks a bit about (women especially) needing to not be so concerned with our appearances. A worthy goal for everyone in my opinion. AND THEN HE INCLUDES A GRAPHIC OF TWO WOMEN IN BIKINIS. Worse, dear God help me, the graphic consists of a photo of each woman from behind: one is the perfect, cellulite-free, round yet tiny backside you see being held up as the ideal, like, everywhere. The other is a very thin and flat, basically deflated looking posterior. The caption under the deflated one - "No Squats." Under the perfect one, of course, "Squats." The headline of the graphic reads: "WOMEN - Take Notice!"
  
  Thanks! I took notice. Two stars instead of one because he's at least advising people to eat.
• 
  David Glasgow

  This book is not for everyone.
  
  Or, rather, this book is eye-opening and provocative, and includes a lot of controversial thought-provoking statements about diet and health that are worth THINKING about for everyone. But FOLLOWING the plan described in this book is not for everyone. The title is not a metaphor: the advice Stone gives in this book (in a college-bud-casual style that is, at least, quick reading) is intended for those who have tried juicing or starving or starchless or vegan or any of those other ridiculous "miracle" diet plans that people try because they're afraid they're losing the body they had when they were 20. (Actually, that's a fairly non-controversial point that Stone hammers home: no one has the body they had when they were 20 except 20-year-olds, and even they're not happy with them, so why bother?)
  
  As one who has been generally (but not entirely) immune to cultural obsession with airbrush-quality body image, I found this book more of an encouraging "attaboy" than a source of helpful "how to's" or even "try this'es"—the kind of metabolic damage Stone's plan is designed to correct isn't something I've done to myself. For the "average Joe" who's considered dieting and wonders about the best exercise and weight-maintenance routines, the advice Stone offers boils dow to this: don't diet. Learn to listen to your body. Learn to deal with the fact that you're not 20 anymore.
  
  But if you've ever subjected your body to any but the most gentle of diets, do yourself a favor and read through this book. Then talk about what you learn with your doctor, your spouse, and your therapist, so you don't turn Matt Stone's plan into just another body-focused obsession.
• 
  Wieske

  This is an awesome book to help you recover from whatever diet or eating disorder you may have tried or had. Written in very clear language without interference from footnotes with references. It is written by a very knowledgeable man in a highly entertaining manner; I laughed out loud occasionally when reading and I even got somewhat emotional at the end. It is a fast read with very useful information for your overall health and how to go about it. Go read it, it's good. (Oh and if you dislike remarks in parentheses, it may not be the book for you ;) ) enjoy!
• 
  Kelly Kurposka

  "Making foods forbidden in our minds also has a way of increasing a primal drive to be naughty and break the very rules we set up for ourselves."
  
  "Most of my research has led me in the direction of stress as the unified root cause of most illness (stress having a very broad definition that extends way beyond just the psychological aspect of stress). And as I often say, guilt and worry about what you're eating is far more unhealthy than any doughnut I've ever eaten."
• 
  john Calkin

  Diet Recovery 2 pretty much flies in the face of conventional medical diet advice. It might be difficult to follow his diet plan (which is rather loose and easy to follow) if you aren't the cook in the house, which is the trouble I have with any diet. If someone else is stocking the home with questionable food and/or consistently serving you portions that are too large, they are not on your side. When I can keep my act together Matt Stone's program works for me, and surprisingly quickly in some instances. Its best to highlight the key points, keep the book handy and refer to it frequently. This was my second time through it as a full read.
  There are good updates in "Recovery 2" from the original version, and if there is a "Recovery 3" I will buy it. New information is useful and I trust Stone to keep after it. The basics, however, have not changed, ie, don't drink anything if you aren't thirsty and don't be afraid of salt. Stone is something of a smartass, which keeps the reading interesting. His book "Eat for Heat" is worth having, too.
• 
  Lisa

  This book was one of several that helped me climb out of a very deep hole. I was born in the 1970s and every woman I knew ate salad, drank Diet Coke, and was constantly ashamed of her own body.
  
  This book is funny, crass at times, and an easy read. Don't fall out of the diet frying pan and into the Matt Stone fire, though. Let this book free you to find your way.
  
  I also recommend "Taking Up Space" by Amber Rodgers and "Brain Over Binge" by Kathryn Hansen.
• 
  Julie

  Matt Stone is a big figure in what I think of as the "eat enough community"-- health-minded folks (personal trainers, registered dietitians, doctors, "nutritionists") who vocally advocate eating more food than conventional wisdom suggests is enough, because energy expenditure is a lot higher than commonly thought.
  
  In this installment, Matt talks about the process of recovering from long term restrictive eating--that is, dieting--which plays havoc on the metabolism and depresses overall health. He talks in depth about what to expect when refeeding. He also touches (briefly) on some of the psychological issues involved with restrictive eating.
  
  His advice sounds pretty out there for anyone who has ever paid even a little bit of attention to typical nutritional advice--eat more starch, sugar, and saturated fat to elevate your metabolism such that it can actually tolerate and get the most benefit from "healthy" foods.
  
  I can't say for certain that eating more of these foods has directly changed my health, but increasing carbs (and therefore overall calories) has increased my energy a lot which makes me want to workout more and harder. With the added activity, I'm losing weight slowly and steadily without associated fatigue for the first time in my adult life; however, it's important to point out that this is NOT a weight loss plan.
• 
  Kristin

  I gave this book two stars because I think the author is on the right track about the dangers of compulsive dieting or adherence to dietary rules so strict they interfere with one's social life. However, his prescription to solve this problem by eating copious amounts of whatever junk food strikes your fancy is completely irresponsible--and totally unnecessary.
  
  Additional problems: The book is poorly written and in desperate need of an editor. The author provides absolutely no scientific basis for any of his claims; instead he tells the reader to just trust him because he has read a lot on the topic. Seriously.
  
  
• 
  Jimena

  I love the way this book was written, right up my ally. As far as the information in the book, well I think I will re-read it and read more on the subject before I agree. The author did make this light and fun which allowed me to finish it in about 2 hours. I would recommend this to anyone that is interested in new ideas on nutrition. I just don't know if I fully agree.
• 
  Maranda Carvell

  Like Stone's other books and his blog, this is very poorly written and doesn't provide much in the way of back up. That being said there is some good info here, but not enough to warrant the price of the book. Could have easily been summed up in a blog post or ebooklet.
• 
  Melissa

  The information in this is good, and it's information I think a lot of people need to hear. BUT, I think the way he presents his information is likely to turn people off and prevent them from actually listening to what he is saying.
• 
  Kristine

  while not everything in this book was applicable , there were some pieces of interesting info. I'm not ready to start obsessing over my body temperature. I definitely appreciate the message of "be patient" and your metabolism can heal.
• 
  Angie S

  I wish I had read this books years ago! All the calorie counting, dairy and carbohydrate avoiding, and excessive exercising HURT my body. I love Matt's definition of what it means to be healthy - inside and out.
• 
  Georgina

  Matt Stone really knows his business. He changed my life for the better.
• 
  Jenny Yelle

  Matt Stone is unconventional, but the points in the book make perfect sense.
• 
  JOSE LUIS GARZA DEL POZO

  Sobre dietas
  
  Interesante y valiosa aportación que hace el autor sobre los mitos de las dietas, me gusto el punto de no basar nuestra autoestima en la apariencia física.
• 
  Greg

  The anti-diet approach, part 2. Not sure I buy all of the authors conclusions, but it is certainly thought provoking when it comes to having a healthy relationship with food and proper mindset.