Anything Goes Diet Review: The Best Diet for Weight Loss
I’ve posted a detailed Anything Goes Diet review. Please check it out under Best Fat Loss Diets, and let me know your thoughts.
I just picked this book up last night and read the entire thing. It was that powerful and I’m not afraid to say it’s the best diet for weight loss, especially over the long term. In short, you’ll be able to eat your favorite foods and still lose weight. The reason this book is so great is that John Barban combines all the best facets of science, psychology, and common sense.
I don’t like before and after pictures, but John Barban successfully went from 217lbs to 179lbs by using his approach…he never had to give up his morning donut and cup of coffee!
Additionally, exercise is actually considered optional with this diet, although as John says, you’ll actually find that you want to exercise after successfully losing some weight. In his opinion, working out merely helps shape the body underneath your fat. His other books, the Adonis Effect (for men), and Venus Index (for women) cover that.
The only downside is that I wish John had written this book a long time ago since it took me years to learn a lot of the principles that he teaches.
“Weight Loss Without the Rules”
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Posted in Health and Nutrition
Hey David,
I really like Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat weight loss program, so if John Barban helped Brad with that program I’m sure his Anything Goes diet will be a good read.
I have to pickup a copy and check it out.
Best – Mike
Dave,
I know Craig Ballantyne and Rusty Moore have been promoting AGD as well, so it must be legit. I plan to get it and have a detailed look myself, but from what I’ve heard so far it seems like an effective long-term program because it allows you to eat your favorite foods regularly which is essential for any diet I’m willing to try.
Alykhan
I don’t normally like anything that uses the word diet but I did purchase AGD cause I like how John explains nutrition.
I have been following him for a long time and my ideas on exercise and nutrition have been influenced from John’s material.
Haven’t read it yet but will get to it soon I hope,
I’m guessing I already know what he will say!
Raymond
I haven’t read this guide, but if it is anything like the other stuff he has helped out on or done by himself, (Adonis, Venus, Eatstopeat etc. etc. etc.) then it should be a pretty decent product.
Going to have to take a look for myself, thanks for the heads up
If Rusty and CO are saying it’s worth a read, it probably is.
).
I’ll have to check it out and debunk the sh*t out of it (if it doesn’t live up to the hype of course
Mike,
I was reluctant to buy this because Eat Stop Eat has worked so well. This program is a great complement and the principles can easily be used in conjunction with ESE.
Alykhan,
I’d say it’s definitely worth a read. You might not learn as much as a lot of people, but I’m sure you’ll pick up a few tips.
Raymond,
I agree…diet implies a short term weight loss program. John put together a top notch program, especially for those who have struggled with fad diets.
Lance,
John’s stuff is always well thought out and this is no different.
Clint,
I don’t know if it will meet your high standards, but John has pulled together just about everything I believe in when it comes to long-term weight loss success so he’s got my vote for a quality product.
Dave
I’m really excited to see this is a weight loss book that makes the bold claim that exercise is “optional” for fat loss! Truly controversial in a day and age when most people think they need to spend an hour on the treadmill every day to lose significant weight.
But it sounds like Barban’s still supporting calorie-counting. With the calorie content of different foods so notoriously inaccurate and the very small calorie deficit necessary to lose (or gain) weight, I’m going to stick with eating all the meat and veggies I can handle, skipping a meal here and there, and pigging out on whatever looks good once per week to effortlessly stay in shape!
Darrin,
I think you’d be pleased with a lot of things John presents in the Anything Goes Diet. There is a component of calorie counting but he does provide a mechanism to adjust for inaccuracies (in fact, John calls it calorie “guessing”). It provides a good baseline, especially for people just starting out with weight loss. I can’t argue with the rest of your philosophy though…meat and veggies, some fasting here and there, and a cheat day to reset leptin levels and keep your sanity is a great approach.
Dave
John Barban knows his stuff. I’ve been reading his material and blog for two years now. His views are spot on and he knows what he’s talking about. The best part is he teaches how to get “contest ripped” in a casual way. He is upfront, honest and putting his information to use works better than any other information I’ve found on the web.
Dave,
I think it is worth buying. can’t say that I learned a ton from it, but it does reinforce some of my philosophies on diet. One thing it does is make me realize all over again why I love Eat-Stop-Eat and why I never plan on counting calories again!
-Kelly
Mike,
John knows his stuff and knows how to present it so it doesn’t sound scary to the average person. My wife is reading it now and is very impressed.
Kelly,
I’d agree that I didn’t learn a huge amount from it…but that’s because I’ve spend hours on hours learning quite a bit over the years. If I had this book even five years ago, it would have made life a lot easier. I think it’s a must read for beginners for sure. It does make a strong case for why ESE is so effective as well.
Dave
I just got and read all this book (AGD). It’s a real eye opener and truly a calories-in-calories-out diet (of course, not just eating junk). My issue is getting over the hump of enjoying some cheat foods here and there, or other foods…I’ve been somewhat Paleo for some time (4-5 months) and it’s geting old. I’ve found my cravings for other foods getting stronger and stronger over the last month out of nowhere…like pizza..some pasta…ice cream. Obviously not things I would ever make the focal point of my diet, but something to enjoy at times and in moderation. I have this mental block (well, fear) of eating those again. As stupid as this sounds it would make me feel guilty…or like I’ve gained weight or something. I know I can’t keep going like I am forever…any ideas? Suggestions? Before I become totally obsessive? HAHA. Thanks!
John,
Obsession is never a good thing! Allow yourself to cut loose every once in a while. Maybe you do full Paleo during the week and eat some junk foods on Saturday or Sunday or on social occasions with friends. Once you try it, you’ll see that one bad day of eating will not lead to crazy weight gain or major health issues…just don’t weigh yourself the day after a cheat day as there will be a temporary gain due to water retention from all the carbs in junk food. Otherwise, cheat days will simply make you happy. Just don’t make a daily habit of it! I’ve written some other articles about cheat days if you’re interested:
http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com/best-fitness-tips/cheat-days-maintain-fitness-life-balance
http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com/health-and-nutrition/cheat-stop-eat-your-way-thin-cheat-diet-intermittent-fasting-healthy-eating
Hope that helps!
Dave
Thanks Dave. I will check out the links. Case in point…last week my wife brought home a pizza for her and the kids (I, as usual, had something else…buffalo I think). Anyway, just knowing there were leftovers in the fridge that night kept me tossing and turning in bed for almost two hours…I was literally “panicking” about it…fantasizing about eating it, etc. This from a guy who use to down a whole pizza…HAHA.
Dave,
I meant to ask…I read Eat Stop Eat recently…right now I am doing the 2 meal plan (Mike O’Donnell, theiflife.com)…I skip breakfast basically M, T, R, and F…on W and Sat and Sun I eat three meals. I wonder if this is just as effective a 1-2 days of 24 hours of fasting? I have my first “weigh in” this Sunday at home so I guess I will see. I suppose by even doing this I can lighten up once a week for a meal (not a day, a meal).
John,
You definitely need a day to just binge and get things out of your system. You can do damage control with fasting after. Anything that helps you generate a weekly caloric deficit is effective for weight loss…whether that’s 1-2 24 hour fasts or a few 15 hour fasts. I’ve written about the difference here:
http://www.notyouraveragefitnesstips.com/intermittent-fasting/intermittent-fasting-weight-loss-approaches-daily-weekly-fasts
Sorry, I keep giving you more things to read!
Dave
Thank you so much Dave for taking the time to write back…as for the links, no worries…no sense in reinventing the wheel. You have inspired me to do this…I am going to stick to my usual strict diet and IF and do ONE “whatever” meal a week, likely dinner on a weekened…whether it be pizza, Chinese, etc. I already feel better about it.
Good luck John. I’m sure it will work out well!