The Diabetes Breakthrough: Based on a Scientifically Proven Plan to Lose Weight and Cut Medications

February 17, 2014
Hamdy, medical director of the obesity clinical program at Harvard Medical School–affiliated Joslin Diabetes Center, and author and exercise physiologist Colberg, share the center’s “Why WAIT” (Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment) program in this detailed guide. The authors offer an overview of the plan and walk readers week-by-week through lifestyle, diet, and exercise recommendations. Hamdy and Colberg claim that the clinical program (this is a home-based version) resulted in participants cutting their diabetes meds by 50–60%; 21% were able to stop insulin treatments by the close of the program. In one key chapter, they point out that some diabetes medications actually cause weight gain, and give readers the tools to talk with their health-care providers about choosing weight-friendly alternative medications. In conjunction with exercising four to six days a week, the diet focuses on healthy foods to help manage blood glucose levels while losing weight and maintaining muscle mass. With type 2 diabetes on the rise, this guide will be a welcome addition to the at-home libraries of those ready and willing to commit to diet and lifestyle changes. Agent: Linda Konner, Linda Konner Agency.

March 15, 2014

The Why WAIT program is an intensive 12-week diabetes management plan developed at the Joslin Diabetes Center and is offered on-site to patients. Here, coauthors Hamdy (program creator & medical director, Obesity Clinical Program, Joslin) and Colberg (exercise physiologist, Old Dominion Univ.) show readers how to follow a home-based version of the program. The title also discusses type 2 diabetes and how to manage the condition through diet and exercise. Patient testimonials are interspersed throughout. The book provides excellent meal plans and food suggestions for people with the condition and a detailed physical activity regimen encompassing aerobic, resistance, and stretching exercises. At times the material reads like an infomercial for the Why WAIT plan. VERDICT Overall, Hamdy and Colberg's offering of detailed information and a step-by-step program for eating well and becoming physically active for those with type 2 diabetes is a useful resource for people needing specific instructions on how to lead a healthier lifestyle.--Dana Ladd, Community Health Education Ctr. & Virginia Commonwealth Univ. Libs., Richmond

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2014
A medical doctor from the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard and a professor of exercise science who is diabetic team up to give patients with type 2 diabetes a sensible, doable weight-loss plan. A big goal is building muscle and exercising 300 minutes a week instead of the more commonly recommended 150. The authors recommend pedometers to count steps, too. The acronyms they use may seem corny: their 12-week program is called Why WAIT? (for Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment), which uses the management mnemonic SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-limited). But the tips make sense. Instead of a vague plan to eat better, patients should vow to eat two servings of veggies at every meal. (Specific!) And instead of promising to generally exercise more, they should go for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. (Measurable!) Each week gets its own chapter. Then the authors give steps for maintaining success (positive rewards instead of negative consequences), and healthy recipes (chicken stir-fry). With good exercise illustrations and nutrition-facts charts, the book serves as a can-do motivator.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)