The 5-Factor Diet

by Harley Pasternak and Myatt Murphy

Book Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "Harley's intelligent and innovative approach to health and fitness inspired me to get excited about working out again. I have more energy, more knowledge, and I am hands down in the best shape of my life-thanks to Harley."--Halle Berry

Having helped shaped some of today's hottest bodies, one of America's most sought-after diet and fitness experts, Harley Pasternak, the bestselling author of The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345513495
• ISBN13: 9780345513496
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Is your health worth a little extra effort? YES!

I will preface my review by noting that I have a full time job in a "professional" (management) atmosphere. I'm also a full time student at university, as well as member of the armed forces. I'm married, and I participate in extracurricular activities such as the performing arts and volunteer work. In a nutshell...I am a BUSY person. Also, I'm certainly no movie star or any other kind of star. I have found a way to MAKE this lifestyle work for me. It was a tremendous adjustment, and there are days that I'm very frustrated. However, the improvement in my overall well-being, as well as that of my husband, is worth every moment spent in the kitchen. The most important thing to realize about this plan is that YOU are in control. No one counts for you...no one cooks for you...you are responsible for the menu choices you make, etc. I've been living this lifestyle for almost a year, and I will address two of the chief complaints I've heard about the eating plan. 1) "I don't have time to do the cooking...I need a professional chef!" First off, I am not a professional chef, and neither is my husband. We don't pay for anyone to come in and prepare our meals for us. Every Sunday, which is the "free" day we've chosen for ourselves, we go out and do the grocery shopping. We purchase all the ingredients we will need for the week. Then we go home and TOGETHER we prepare four of the meals for the next day. We select menu options that will be easy to reheat or require no reheating. (Quesadillas, pears with peanut butter, and the pita sandwiches are all favorite choices.) The next day, I use the microwave in the office breakroom to prepare my specialized meals. I don't take a break; I'm fortunate enough to have my own office and I simply eat my "snacks" at my desk. That evening when I get home, my husband and I share the time together to prepare dinner. After dinner, we take about an hour or so and prepare the next day's meals. This routine repeats itself Monday through Friday. Saturdays are nice because I have my own kitchen. However, if I know I'm going to have a busy Saturday, I prepare easy "on-the-go" meals the night before. I have read both of Harley's books, and I know the foods that are "five-factor" friendly, so if I happen to have a lunch meeting or dinner date, I order the appropriate meal from the restaurant I'm at. I usually also ask for a lunch portion so I'm not tempted to eat everything placed before me. (*Note: Most of the meals take five minutes to "prepare." This does NOT include cooking time. Read the recipes. If you don't have time to prepare a certain one in a certain amount of time, DON'T prepare it.) 2) "The ingredients are too expensive (or too hard to find)!" No they're not. I figure that with thirty meals a week, and spending approximately $120 on groceries per week, I'm spending four dollars a meal. That is cheaper than a fast food salad. Yes, some products are pricier than others. Sometimes I c

5 Reasons to buy this book...

1. Very easy read, easy to use 2. Delicious recipes 3. Fun exercises 4. Get results fast 5. My family, including my kids, enjoy the recipes.. Makes family happy. I am very happy with this book. The portions are plentiful and exercise is quick and fun. I am lactose intolerant so I had to modify some of the dairy choices. Overall, very happy with this book. Thank you, Mr. Pasternak.

Finally!

I've purchased my share of diet books but finally found my last one. There are a ton of great recipies that fit perfectly with Harley's workout plan. He backs it up with a wealth of knowlege which he conveys in a very simple, easy to understand read. I checked out his celebrity client list for living proof and that doesn't lie. I've never written a review before but had to because I know, by so many trials and errors, how hard it is to find good information on how to be truly healthy and not just be duped by the next diet fad. Trust me, this is the one! I've only had the book for a month and I not only feel great, but have dropped nine pounds by eating better tasting food than all my other twenty or so other diet books on my shelf, combined. Thanks Harley.

Great Food, Best Fitness Program Ever!

Having purchased Pasternak's first book "5 Factor Fitness" a year ago, I know that the program works. The only thing missing from that one was a more elaborate food plan to go with it...Now I have a bunch of really delicious meal choices in addition to a great new outlook on life! The recipes are really easy to follow, and it's the best food I've had in a long time...Both healthy and filling! Everyone should get this book! Thank you, Harley!

Awesome Book...builds on the author's previous book called 5-Factor Fitness

I have been following the 5 factor program for 7 months now and have obtained desired results from it. I have also recommended it to 5 friends (not part of the 5 factor paradigm...) and they found it to be the most practical and result-oriented program. All of them have lost weight and this is the only program that they have been able to stick with...so adios New things in this book: *****120 recipes of 5 factor foods that you can make at home...but being a vegetarian I had to modify some of these and used some of my own *****Completely revamped exercises...which are just as effective but easier on the back (Exercise ball exercises replace the old crunches) - I bought this edition just for the new exercies... So overall comments...this is the best program out there...both in terms of exercise suggested and eating tips and recipes...and as the author says - "the only program you will ever need"