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The FAST Diet
The Dean family proves that group support and common sense lead to weight loss.
BACKGROUND
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The F.A.S.T. Diet stands for Families Always Succeed Together. And in this case, it certainly did. The program was started when a family of eight, between the ages of 23 and 59, lost a whopping 500 pounds together. Convinced that they needed to share their keys to success, the Deans helped 100 random volunteers lose 4,000 pounds the next year.
The gist of the family's dieting philosophy is that you don't need pills or fancy packaged foods. What you need most is to team up with someone to help hold yourself accountable. The F.A.S.T. Diet explains a total of 10 mistakes that we make in our continual effort to lose weight and keep it off, and the program mostly centers around abandoning most of what you used to do. As the saying goes, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
The Dean family is taking their message from city to city, helping people lose weight using the F.A.S.T Diet. In fact, the website has a page with an open letter to the country's elected officials to organize their constituents to lose weight like the Dean family and the 100 people who lost 4,000 pounds.
PRO
- The F.A.S.T. Diet is an inspiring concept designed by ordinary folks
- The family documents a list of physicians who lend support to their plan
- Available in a published book
- A common sense approach to healthy weight loss
- Encourages a support system for weight loss
CON
- No guidance for exercise
DIET and NUTRITION
The F.A.S.T. Diet website doesn't give recipes, but it hints at the philosophy that appears in the book, which is to stay flexible, and use common sense about food rather than worry about rigid systems.
EXERCISE
The F.A.S.T Diet website only mentions that you need to have an exercise routine in a complete weight loss package.
CONCLUSION
The attraction in the F.A.S.T. Diet is its populist appeal. That is, it's done by regular people with everyday experiences and challenges. Their secret really is about teamwork. It's much easier to get through the challenge of weight loss if you have someone else's support. Couple the handy advice and the backing of people in the health industry, and The F.A.S.T. Diet starts to sound like a motivational program that's well worth further investigation.
Common Misspellings
the fast diet, the fast deit, dean family diet, dean fast diet, the fasting diet, families always succeed together diet, deanfast.com, thefastdiet.com
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Related Diets: Spark People, Weight Watchers, Eat This, Not That for Kids, Shaq's Family Challenge
User Feedback
(Page 1 of 1, 18 total comments)Jean Livingston
I've tried a million diets and this is the best. You receive personal feedback from Tony, Ed and Charlotte whenever you need help. I've lost over 60 lbs on this program my husband has lost 25.
posted Jan 7th, 2012 2:49 amNot Worth It
This program was definitely not for me. You are only required to log in your numbers, not share what you ate. I am not sure how they can assist in losing weight without knowing what you are eating. I wanted guldance on how to eat healthier, and I did not get that. When I asked for this guidance, it sounded like they were looking the information up online. I was looking for education on how to eat healthier, and I certainly did not get it.
posted Sep 26th, 2011 1:03 pmBeth
I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't like this program. There is no special food to buy, the exercise is something you can do anywhere, and it is not expensive. This program isn't just about losing weight, but about regaining your health. My husband and I are both in the program, and have been for almost 3 months. Between the 2 of us, we have lost almost 50 pounds and we feel great. The only reason I can think of that someone wouldn't like this program is because they don't want to be held accountable. This is something that teaches you how to lose the weight in a healthy manner and keep it off for life. It's a wonderful program, and I feel very fortunate that my husband and I found out about it.
posted May 24th, 2011 11:34 pmCathy
I was ready to give up on losing weight until I tried this. So far I have lost 20 pounds and still have 14 more to go. I've never been this small. It's so easy and doable. I recommend it to anyone. I'm so thankful to have had the opportunity to try this.
posted May 20th, 2011 7:30 amPam Welch
This is a very good diet which has some easy to meet, common sense "rules" to follow. There is also an accountability piece as well as teamwork which makes it easier. Success breeds success with this diet--or healthy lifestyle change.
posted Feb 2nd, 2011 5:46 amWhy Give
This only works for a short while. This is not good for long term effects, even after you hit maintain. (His second phase)
posted Dec 16th, 2010 3:42 pmLois Christensen
Just what is this diet.
posted Oct 17th, 2010 5:49 pmI can't find any information on the food to eat or not to eat
Michaela
This diet is good, the concept certainly works. My problem was-and I'm sure I'm not the only one-it became too popular for Tony (the diet guru) to be there for everyone. That's part of the diet, to be able to call him up and have him give you a little boost on a bad day. When I called he was too busy, didn't really answer my question, seemed to be concentrating on other things and just made me even more frustrated.
posted May 1st, 2010 8:33 pmI learned many things about how to lose weight and be healthy from this diet though, I just don't think it's worth paying when you are missing one of the key things in the diet.
Melody
Straight forward advise for calories in calories out weight loss. The most important information in the book is how to work as a team for support and accountability, an essential part of achieving and maintaining weight loss.
posted Apr 10th, 2009 11:22 amMom4life
I have always been a big believer that a family should focus on health together. I took a lot of the principles I learned from the book i purchase for the FAST diet and brought them into my own family. We all now eat healthier and spend more time together, it's been a great transformation!
posted Oct 4th, 2008 10:41 pmNikkideCoup
I was so impressed by the Dean Family that I thought this was something I could definitely try and I had such great success with it I lost my 40 pounds and then some, I really learned how to change my lifestyle!
posted Oct 4th, 2008 10:36 pmCharline K
I just reached my goal and have lost over 50 pounds! I want to thank the Dean Family and my team mates for all the help and encouragement! Without them I would not have made it! Team spirit is the key to staying motivated and working toward the goal. I went from a too tight size 18 to a loose size 8! The difference in my energy level is amazing. This really is a life style change!
posted Jun 16th, 2008 9:08 amNancy
For the first time in my life I have been successful at weight loss. Teamwork and support from Tony and the group are TOTALLY essential. Exercise is a huge component of the program. At least 30 minutes a day is a must and making small but steady improvements each day is what it's all about. I am working out harder than I ever have, eating better than ever, and feel better than I have ever felt my whole life. This program is practical, healthy, and very balanced. Tony's book is a quick read, very entertaining, informative, and gives a great deal of good information. Thanks to the F.A.S.T. Diet, the thirty members of Team Milan have lost 326.9 pounds in a little over a month. It's remarkable. I HIGHLY recommend the F.A.S.T. Diet. If you want to lose weight in a healthy way with lots of support and good education......this one is for you!!!
posted Jun 13th, 2008 9:34 amWilliam (Bill) Brown
This works! I do not feel like I am on a diet, because this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. My wife and I are supporting each other and having wonderful success!
posted Jun 12th, 2008 9:28 pmKathy D
The Dean Family has been wonderful without their help and pushing how important to be healthy is I probably would be 45 pds heavier.. Their program has done me well and made me enjoy working out.. Thanks to all the Dean Family --- We All Can Be Losers....
posted Jun 12th, 2008 4:56 pmCarrie
I love Tony and his family for getting the word out there. This book and family have changed my life. 38 pounds so far and I'm so much more happy!
posted Jun 12th, 2008 4:56 pmCathy
I'm a walking, talking example of how great this works! I've lost almost 100 lbs and gained a world of knowledge that will keep me healthy for the rest of my life! I owe my life to the Dean family! Thanks, guys!
posted Jun 12th, 2008 4:56 pmmargie
i really love what you've done dean family! you battled two american epidemics- family togetherness and obesity! thanks for setting such a great example and making it available to the rest of us.
posted Jun 12th, 2008 1:46 pm