On the show, the three trainers on The Biggest Loser join forces to help contestants lose weight. However, off camera Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels and Dolvett Quince have very different approaches for helping the at-home loser achieve better health. The trainers showcase these different weight loss formulas in book form: Bob and Jillian have each written multiple best-selling books and Dolvett just released his first, “The 3-1-2-1 Diet: Eat and Cheat Your Way to Weight Loss—Up to 10 pounds in 21 Days”.
With three different perspectives from three different, talented celebrity trainers how is a person to choose which book is right for them? Here’s a breakdown of the main ideas from each trainer’s most recent read. Chances are one approach will sound like the best one for you!
Bob Harper’s “The Skinny Rules”
In this 2024 bestseller, “The Skinny Rules“, Bob outlines a list of twenty different rules to follow in order to be successful in weight loss. Some of those rules include: Drink a large glass of water before every meal, Eat protein at every meal and No carbs after lunch. Bob also includes his thoughts about eating certain foods at the right time of day. This book is strictly about what to eat (and not eat) and does not include specific recommendations about exercise.
Pros:
- Book includes 98 pages of healthy recipes
- Four weeks of meal plan/meal ideas are included for both men and women
- Plan allows for one splurge meal per week
Cons:
- Daily calorie allowance is very low (1,200 for women and 1,500 for men) and does not take the individual’s body mass into account
Jillian Michaels’s “Slim for Life”Pros:
- A summary of the point values is provided at the end of each chapter as an easy checklist to follow
- Jillian provides a simple formula to determine how many calories you should consume each day, based on gender, height, weight, and age
- Diet myths and easy calorie cuts are detailed throughout the book
Cons:
- Although several ideas for exercise are listed, a detailed plan (with images) is not included
Dolvett Quince’s “The 3-1-2-1 Diet”
A typical week on “The 3-1-2-1 Diet” looks like this: three days of clean and healthy eating, followed one cheat day, two days of clean and healthy eating and ending with one more cheat day. Dolvett covers specific foods to focus on and what to absolutely avoid on “clean” days. The book also includes dos and don’ts for grocery shopping and a list of staples to have in your pantry in order to make the included recipes. Dolvett also shares his 48-minute workout which combines cardio and strength training.
Pros:
- Diet plan allows for almost any food to be eaten on cheat days, so you don’t feel deprived from your greatest indulgences
- Detailed photographs and instructions are provided for upper and lower-body exercises
- Dolvett’s 48-minute workout can be done at home with minimal equipment
Cons:
- Calorie recommendations for men and women are generic (not based on age, weight and height) and are very low
- Food recommendations include artificially-sweetened products
Photo courtesy NBC
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