The SELF diet is a weight-loss plan promoted by the publishers of SELF magazine. Though the diet can be pursued by men or women, the diet is tailored toward women.
Program Basics
The SELF diet bills itself as a diet club. You register at SELF magazine's website and receive daily menus and weight management advice, tailored to your body type and weight loss goals. You do need a magazine subscription to register. Registration is free to subscribers.
Nutrition
The SELF diet focuses on eating balanced, nutritious meals in weight-loss friendly servings. It also automates your calorie counting and portion control while providing a variety of menu options. The SELF diet does not advise fad or crash diet techniques, a standpoint congruent with the advice of health writer and certified health counselor Maya Paul.
Exercise
The SELF diet club recommends a combination of cardiovascular and resistance exercise. Although the diet does not provide workout plans, the club provides an online exercise tracker to help you keep track of your efforts and hold yourself accountable.
Online Community
One of the chief benefits of the SELF diet club is the club aspect. Users can log in and record their efforts and results, posting them to other diet club members. Because community support is important to long-term weight loss success, this is a valuable tool. In his book "Body for Life," celebrity personal trainer Bill Phillips recommends community support for all of his clients.
Expert Insight
Diet resource website Diets in Review gives the SELF diet top marks. It lists the automation, community and healthful menu options among the chief pros of this plan. Only two features are listed as drawbacks: the required subscription to SELF magazine and the fact that the plan isn't as organized and regimented as some others.
References
- Diets in Review: SELF Diet Club
- "Eat, Drink and Be Healthy"; Walter Willett MD, et al; 2006
- HelpGuide: Healthy Weight Loss and Dieting
- "Body For Life"; Bill Phillips; 2006
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