Dr. Phil's Books

Has anyone read Dr. Phil's book, "ultimate weight loss solution"? 

if so, what did you think of it?

I just read it, and it really discouraged me and made me feel as if nothing i am doing is good enough (which can't be true since i've lost 20 lbs since august!)  I just found it to be very frustrating.

I read it out of curiosity because I usually like his advice and wanted to see what he had to say, not because I really need help or a plan to lose weight. I probably shouldn't have because it was so discouraging.

Thanks a lot for the support.  I definately agree that you have to do what works for you.  The best thing i've figured out for myself so far is counting calories.  That way I can eat whatever i want, but I am motivated to eat healthier, lower calorie foods so I can eat more. 

The weight came off fast at first, although it didn't seem like it at the time.  It is definately slowing down, but that's alright.  Right now I'm technically at a "healthy weight" according to BMI, but I feel like i still need some tweaking.  If I never lost another pound that would be alright, but I'd like to lose just a few more :)

But thanks for the encouragement about the book because it was making me sad.  It helps to have someone tell me that I don't HAVE to do it a certain way!

Well I think if everyone was as perfect as Dr. Phil which he to me always makes people feel bad about themselves.  What would we have to strive for.. You keep doing what your doing and  good luck with the rest of the weight loss..   You really need to have people feel positive and not negative so you go girl and have a wonderful weekend.

American Dietetic Association Spokesperson gave this book a pretty bad review. See for yourself: http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Dr._Phils_U ltimate_Weight_Loss_Solution.pdf

I didn't find Dr. Phil's book to be bad at all.  I found his rhetoric useful, introspective and at no time did it make me feel bad about myself.  It made me think "Whoops, maybe I should re-think how I'm eating" but then most of the comments he made about people who are obese went over my head to some degree, because I'm not obese for my height.  Though I am about 25 lbs overweight.

As for his actual dietary advice, I ignored it for the most part.  I'm pretty happy with how I'm working my diet now, and I eat healthy 95% of the time.

Some of the "facts" he provided seemed odd.  I think this book should be used as a general guide, not a diet.

I would seriously recommend the Australian CSIRO Wellbeing Diet.  That is scientifically formulated and many people swear by it.

I agree with vlf2006 when she says:

?Well I think if everyone was as perfect as Dr. Phil which he to me always makes people feel bad about them selves.  What would we have to strive for..?

Personally, I think Dr. Phil looks overweight himself and I?ve always wondered how he could publish a book on weight loss?it doesn?t appear he practices what he preaches.

Don't let Dr. Phil's altruistic veneer fool you.  He's in it for the money.  People who are desparate to lose weight will buy anything and he's right there to take their money. 

I think that review by the American Diabetic Association says it all!

please note, dr phil is by no stretch of the imagination the epitome of healthy or fit.

way to go on the 20. keep it up!

Fancy- that's what I thought too, Dr Phil is overweight himself. Him writing a book about weightloss is like an alcoholic telling people how to stay sober

I used to think doctor phil was overweight.. But he's really not!  He's actually pretty thin, but I associated him with the "fat, bald, old, white guy" thing.  If you've seen him in normal clothes (not a suit) he's pretty thin.

Wow, I just can't imagine such a negative reaction to that book. I really enjoyed it and found it to be full of helpful information. The fact that it was devoid of the usual gimmicks and excuse-making was only a bonus.

The whole purpose of this book was to give you tools and information to enable you to make healthy lifestyle changes. It focused heavily on the fact that YOU have to be in charge of your life to make those changes, but nothing in the text was about beating the reader up.

If you genuinely feel discouraged after reading this book, perhaps you should return to Key 1 and re-examine your weight locus of control. The only way I can imagine a reader would find this book to be belittling would be if that person's locus of control is out of whack.

I am a huge Dr Phil fan. I have not read this book, but I read one of his other ones, or rather, *tried* to read it. It was so poorly written I could only get half way through.

I still remain a big fan, think his advice is great, but I wouldn't spend money on his books.

oh i loved the book!!!  couldnt put it down, but as most everyone said its a guideline, it talks alot about finding why YOU think u are overweight and what YOU think u should do, its just an advice book, not a bible.  It made me look at the inner me, and find out "what i want" but again its just advice not a diet, just ways to get healthy and the :keys" to sucess, which alot of us our doing right now!!  Just gotta do what works for us!!

gl and happy losing!!!

I have a hard time accepting weight loss advice from a man who settled a class action suit against him for 10.5 million dollars after his overly-priced nutritional supplement made faulty claims about its ability to stimulate weight loss.

The fact that he sold weight loss pills that have are proven to be bung, and he settled the case just proves he is in it for the money to me.

http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2006/09/26/ dr_phil_pays_out_10_million.php

I also read CNN and Wiki articles on this, and even the Dr. Phil webpage at one point refers to the law suit.

He's just not my favorite! If not for Ophra he wouldn't be anybody special!

Yeah,well. I love Oprah. If it weren't for Oprah I never would've found out about Dr. Oz.  And I love Dr.Oz. I never knew that she was giving props to Dr. Phil, but they're deserved. I enjoy is program he helps a lot of people. The book was fantastic. I like all of his books. If you can't read something that's meant to be self motivating and helpful, from someone with a PhD and take it productively than don't read it. If you need an author less directly, find one. I'm currently reading ' Self Matters ' By Dr. Phil. It's about creating your life from the inside out. By finding the authentic self, you may have forgotten. What really makes you happy... Wonderful book.

Find an author that just cherry coats things to make you feel good about yourself, I read the book... and if you took it negative that's because you're negative. Not the book. The book wasn't negative or positive. Don't shift blame on the author, when it's a core problem within yourself. * 

Ouch!

Dr. Phil. Pfft! All he does is repeat his catch phrases over and over again. His show is like Jerry Springer for people who want to feel more "cultured". Well, at least thats this girls opinion. (You're allowed to disagree) And, personally, I find it hard to take weight loss advice from an overweight man who isn't losing weight.

lol where on earth do u get that he is overweight???

Our top trainer at the gym is about 400 pounds -- yep, it's ALL fat. I personally wouldn't go to a trainer that wasn't fit, but he sure brings in the memberships! And you really don't have to practice what you preach to help someone else. It helps but isn't completely necessary.

I agree that Dr. Phil is not fat. He's no bean pole but I like a man with meat on his bones. lol And I'm with Enchangingimage on this one too. Dr. Phil has helped a lot of people as has Oprah. I like how you point out you were introduced to more good people through Oprah. You don't have to like something 100% -- if you get just 5% good, then it's worth it.