How the Rich Get Thin by Jana Klauer, MD
While in the library the other day, I noticed this book on the shelves of “new non-fiction”. The title made my lip curl in a well-practiced midwestern sneer….How the Rich Get Thin; Park Avenue’s Top Diet Doctor Reveals the Secrets to Losing Weight and Feeling Great. In a past career, I worked for a big bank’s trust department, and we often talked about how Wall Street is out of touch with Main Street. So I picked this book up completely expecting to be annoyed with yet another quick-fix supposed “miracle” diet, that suggested that I eat things that I’d never heard of and aren’t widely available in my local-mega mart. Even the cover made me think mocking thoughts … it looks more like chick-lit than a diet book.
I was pleasantly surprised, then, because she states repeatedly that there is no miracle, there is no short-cut, there is no quick fix. Losing weight and keeping it off are about lifestyle changes, exercising, drinking enough water. She devotes sections of the book to information about how various prescription drugs can affect weight loss, including information that I’d never heard before about antihistamines, of all things.
Her style is conversational, and her tone encouraging. If I have to find fault anywhere, though, it is in her assumption that all readers of the book live in New York City. She takes a considerable number of pages to talk about walking routes in Central Park, and makes frequent mention of various hotspots and their menus. She does make a great point in all those mentions of trendy restaurants, however, and that is that you should not be afraid to ASK for healthier alternatives wherever you frequently dine. In my efforts to cut “bad” carbs, I’ve had great responses from waiters when I ask that they simply don’t bring us a bread basket…if it isn’t on the table, I’m not tempted to eat it. Likewise, ask for a fresh veggie platter for an appetizer; even if it isn’t on the menu, the worst thing that can happen is the waiter will tell you, “No.”
At 267 pages, I breezed through this book in a morning. Recipes, a glossary, “where to find it” pages, an index and footnotes take up pages 181-267, so even if you’re not a big reader, this isn’t much time to invest in some interesting and helpful tips on your journey to a healthier lifestyle
