Reviews Cooking, Food And Wine Book

Product Details

From Publishers Weekly
Every diet plan has a gimmick, but Pasternak's is simpler than most: the number five. The author's "five factor" system (previously seen in his 2005 book, 5-Factor Fitness) includes five small meals a day, five workouts a week and a list of five factor foods-basics like egg whites, lean poultry and beans-in each of five food categories. More than 100 pages of low-calorie-if not particularly imaginative-recipes are included (such as Chicken and Rice Miso Soup and Roast Beef with Carrot-Pear Slaw), each of which include five ingredients and take five minutes to prepare. The in-demand author, whose clients' testimonials are scattered throughout the book (Kanye West and John Mayer among them), never fails to sound cheery, so even if daily rounds of five-factor strength-training sound daunting, his liveliness will help give readers courage: "Don't worry, my plan is the easiest, most effective exercise program you'll ever use." Though it might help to have the schedule of a Hollywood star-getting in five meals a day presents its own challenge for busy nine-to-fivers-his exercise plan is mercifully brief, the diet itself is flexible, and he doesn't require giving up any foods. In fact, Pasternak gives readers one "cheat day" a week-the better to demonstrate "how well the 5-Factor Diet is working."
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Review
“The diet that’s changing Hollywood.” —Us Weekly

“Harley has changed my life. Not only do I feel better than ever, but now I can have guilt-free pizza anytime, and that has made me a happy girl.” —Eva Mendes

“I love Harley’s plan! I get the most results in the least amount of time. The meals are delicious and I never feel like I’m on a diet.” —essica Simpson

“Once you get started, you get addicted to looking, feeling, and living your best.” —Alicia Keys

“The 5-Factor Diet saved me on tour. I can’t believe there is healthy food that tastes this good. I’ve never been in better shape!”—Kanye West

“The 5-Factor Diet is not a diet, in the sense that there’s nothing to fall off of. There’s nothing to say good-bye to, and nothing to long for. It is almost too good to be true!”—John Mayer

“Harley’s intelligent and innovative approach to health and fitness inspired me to get excited about working out again. I have more energy, more knowledge, and I am hands down in the best shape of my life–thanks to Harley.”—Halle Berry

About the Author
Harley Pasternak's proven 5-Factor nutrition and diet program and remarkable success in training Hollywood celebrities are grounded in his exceptional professional qualifications. He holds a Master of Science degree in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences from the University of Toronto and an honors degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario. He is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and The Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. One of America's most sought-after diet and fitness experts among celebrities, Harley has shaped the bodies of Alicia Keys, Halle Berry, Eva Mendes, Brendan Fraser, Kanye West, Orlando Bloom, Mandy Moore, Jane Fonda, Benjamin Bratt, Rick Fox, John Mayer, Sanaa Lathan, and many more. Harley's first book, 5-Factor Fitness, was a national best seller, and he has appeared as a fitness and nutrition specialist on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Tyra Banks Show, Access Hollywood, Extra, VH1, E!, and Next Top Model.

Customer Reviews

It worked for me.
I have just finished two weeks of Harley's program and I have lost 10 lbs. I'm a full time college student and a mother of a toddler and I have found the time to stick to this diet. After eating this way for a while you will know what to eat without the book. I like how you don't have to count anything.

don't know what i didn't start earlier
i already feel completely different after only a little over a week being on the diet. superbowl sunday was my cheat day and will leave me feeling satisfied for the rest of the week. people on here who complain that they don't have time or money to pay for the diet need to realize that diets like this require commitment. i've spent money on groceries the past two weeks that i obviously didn't want to spend on food, but after 5 days of eating on the diet i didn't want that time to go to waste. the ingredients are expensive at first, but once you stock up your kitchen you only really have to run to the grocery store to replace things you've run out of. i feel more focused and energized throughout the day, the 2nd snack after lunch around 3-4pm definitely helps, since thats the time im usually about to pass out facedown on my desk. i can notice muscle more now that im losing inches. the recipes are all pretty good and don't taste like diet food - i like the pink pizza and spaghetti & meatballs the best so far. definitely working this into my lifestyle for good.

Good on paper, not so in the current "real" world
As a non-cooking, tiny kitchen, over-stressed and underemployed New Yorker, I took a look at this diet and wondered how I would ever find the time and/or inclination to:

a) Learn to cook properly;
b) Afford all of the ingredients;
c) Be able to exercise without annoying the neighbors under me(there's already been complaints when I tried, 'cos the floors are not good!). lol

To me, all of this looks great on paper. I love the sound of all of it, but to be honest, given my current circumstances, I can see all of this taking up way too much of my time and money, I would probably quit within a week. I can't afford a gym membership either and all of my time is taken up just trying to pay my mortgage and find steady work.

I would, if there had been an option, have given it 3.5 stars. It looks like a very good and healthy plan. Who knows, maybe things will change and I'll give it a shot once my lifestyle changes. Right now, it's just not practical for me.