1. FatLoss4Idiots (WeightLoss4Idiots)
WeightLoss4Idiots is a web-based
diet program. The web-site was the
8th most popular diet web site visited
on the Internet during early Jan 2005*.
NOTE: WeightLoss4Idiots changed
their name to FatLoss4Idiots in May
2005. Price was increased in M id
2007.
Update : 2010 brings some additional changes to the "Fat Loss for Idiots program.
The program is now primarily downloadable ebooks with access to a mem bers
site at well. It also looks like the product isn't titled Fatloss4Idiots anymore but
"The Diet Handbook". The download costs $39 and there is an optional $17 eBook
called "Beyond Calories". Other aspects of the program appear to be the sam e.
Ambitious Weight Loss
Weight Loss 4 Idiots claims 9 pounds lost every 11 days. However this is
extremely unlikely (and unsafe). This weight loss is often possible during an
induction (typically a phase where you drop out starchy carbs). The weight lost is
a mixture of water and fat (and possible muscle). This kind of weight loss would be
very difficult to sustain, and would almost certainly be accom panied by a drop in
metabolism.
Fat Loss 4 Idiots Meal Plan
Fat Loss 4 Idiots food is m ade up of lean proteins, fruit and vegetables, and the
sources of fat come from whole foods (such as cottage cheese or eggs). There
are some starchy carbohydrates (such as oats and pasta). The day is divided into
4 meals that should be eaten at a minim um of 2 1/2 hours apart. There is n o
calorie or carb counting, no limit on portion size - Weight Loss 4 Idiots says you
"just eat short of being full". After the 11 day meal plan there is a 3 day "cheat" -
where you get to eat whatever you want. Then you are back into the 11 day plan
again.
The meal plan is created by selecting from a list of preferred foods. These are
then used to generate your meal plan.

2. Vegetarians
Fat Loss 4 Idiots does have a vegetarian diet generator. Many of the meat products
are substituted with Soy foods.
Sample Meal Plan
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Meal #1: Flavored Meal #1: Banana Milk Shake Meal #1: Chicken
Oatmeal Meal #2: Chicken Meal #2: Fruit Salad
Meal #2: Tuna Salad Meal #3: Scrambled Eggs [and] Mixed Meal #3: Fish Filet
Meal #3: Sandwich (any Vegetables Meal #4: Cottage
type) Meal #4: Cottage Cheese Cheese
Meal #4: Scrambled
Eggs
Recipes
The recipes provided for each of these "meals" are spartan at best - in fact some
of them a barely recipes at all.
Is It Worth It?
FatLossForIdiots is a budget diet. Nutritionally it is a reduced carb diet that cycles
macro-nutrient ratios (to try and trick your metabolism). It recomm ends
common-sense weight loss principles (brisk walking, plenty of water, etc), and
contains only whole foods (no processed foods, high-sugar foods, or
supplem ents).
It will m ost likely turn out to be a fad - but you m ay learn something about the
basic principles of weight loss and lean proteins. Apart from that you are getting
what you pay for. In the short term you may lose some weightbut to claim 9
pounds lost every 11 days is false.
Some readers have responded to this article and claim they use the
FatLoss4Idiots diet when they find that conventional calorie-reducing diets have
stopped working:
"Whenever I find that weight isn't falling off of me based on reduced calories, I just go
back to fatloss4idiots. I dropped just about 4 lbs by day 4. I'm always amazed at how
this diet works for me." - K. Jones (via email)

3. Will Work For Some
One thing that is concerning about the Fat Loss For Idiots program is it's complete
lack of accountability. There is no mention of any human being involved. It's just a
web site - and the conditions state that you cannot email for support. You pay your
money, you get access - that's it. However this will be attractive to some - you can
pick up the diet in about 15 minutes - no complex books to read or science to
decipher.
See FatLoss4Idiots