Research shows that in the United States alone, consumers spend roughly $30 billion annually trying to lose weight or prevent weight gain, with an estimated $1 billion to $2 billion spent on weight loss programs.

Take a moment to think about every weight loss plan you have ever tried. Chances are that at one time or another, you were told to avoid something -- fat, sugar, carbohydrates -- and you listened.

You trimmed and skimped, curbed and cut back. Yet despite your dedication, you battled constant cravings. You endured fatigue, loss of energy, and poor health. And in the end, you managed to gain back every single pound you lost. Sound familiar? Now imagine a weight loss program designed to change all that.

Scientific research has proved that reducing the amount of calories we eat is the only way to lose weight and maintain our ideal body weight for life. But what we don't often hear is that nature has created an amazing nutrient that can help us do both of these things. It is called fiber.

By definition, fiber is the indigestible part of fruits, seeds, vegetables, whole grains, and other edible plants. But one could just as easily call it a miracle nutrient. Why? Because fiber and fiber-rich foods actually help regulate blood sugar, control hunger, and increase the feeling of fullness -- all of which are essential to losing weight and keeping it off.

When I began writingThe Fiber35 Diet,my goal was simple: to help as many people as possible achieve their weight loss goals using the power of this remarkable little nutrient. In fact, the Fiber35 Diet is based on eating 35 grams of fiber per day.

Although this sounds simple, you may be surprised to discover that the majority of Americans consume less than half that amount. Too many processed foods and refined sugars in our diet have taken the place of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, leaving us vulnerable to weight gain and poor health. Don't beat yourself up, however, because you know you've been eating poorly and sugar has gotten a hold on you; the availability of processed foods and refined sugars is at record levels. It takes a conscious effort to seek out nutrient-rich super foods that will charge your metabolism and assist in your weight loss efforts. And I'm going to point you in the right direction by focusing on fiber, which will lead you down a path to superior health that goes beyond reaching your ideal weight.

By eating foods that collectively provide 35 grams of fiber per day, you will drop the weight you want to lose and maintain your ideal weight for the rest of your life. And by significantly boosting your daily fiber intake, you will reduce your chances of developing heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and a host of other obesity-related conditions. I will have proved this to you by the end of the book.

The Fiber35 Diet begins with an eye-opening introduction to fiber and its role in weight loss. Then, I'll get right to the program and show you how you can start dropping pounds and gaining health with my Fiber35 Diet plan. You will learn a personalized weight loss equation -- based on how many pounds you want to lose -- that you will use to begin your journey toward eating healthfully and living well. I encourage you to consult with your physician prior to starting this program. It's helpful to have your doctor on board in your weight loss efforts; he or she can also provide additional support and advice tailored to your specific needs. You may, for example, have special health issues to consider and will need extra guidance from your personal health practitioner. I also encourage you to discuss your plans for starting an exercise program especially if you've been inactive lately.

This diet has three distinct phases -- Phase One, Phase Two, and Phase Three. Each phase is discussed in detail, and I devote an entire chapter to the seven metabolic boosters, which are the ways you can enhance your results and optimize your fat-burning systems. Recommendations about supplements and nutritious food choices are included, as well as a variety of healthful and fiber-rich recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition, I have included a comprehensive strength and cardio training program designed to help you maintain your ideal body weight. By the time you arrive at Chapters 11 through 13, you'll be ready to go deeper into understanding just how this miracle nutrient is your helping hand in preventing disease and achieving vibrant health. You will be astonished by some of the research emerging to confirm the role of fiber in maintaining the body's machinery. Who knew that a zero-calorie ingredient could be so extraordinary?

It's true that in this country, and increasingly throughout the world, the number of people who are overweight or obese continues to grow at an alarming rate. And this is not just a health crisis; it's also an economic crisis that affects everyone, as the total costs attributable to obesity-related disease approach $100 billion annually. But together, we can help stop this debilitating pandemic.

By beginning the Fiber35 Diet and adopting a lifetime eating system based on the remarkable health benefits of fiber, you are making a conscious choice: a choice to lose weight, to live better, and to take back control of your body. And I applaud that choice.

Your partner in optimum health,

Brenda Watson

Copyright © 2007 by Brenda Watson

---

Excerpted from The Fiber35 Diet: Nature's Weight Loss Secret by Brenda Watson
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.