A reader from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  

 May 18, 2002
"Recommend to everyone" 

I couldn't put this book down either! I FINALLY got answers in an easy-to-read format about PMS, thyroid, and other "problems" that make us lose control of our weight. If you purchase the supplements online, it's cheaper. It turned out I only needed 3 types of the animo acids she recommended and a multi-vitamin. It was no more that 30 dollars. Truly a great resource for anyone.

 A reader from Washington, DC.  

 May 6, 2002
"Solved all my problems" 

I am a 23 year old female who for the last 9 months has been obsessing compulsively about the state of my body. I exercise heavily 6 times a week and was on a strict diet, to the point that I would only try to eat one small meal a day. I was extremely exhausted all the time, very irritable, and incredibly unhappy with my body b/c I could not lose weight. Then I read the Diet Cure, and immediately ran out to CVS and bought some of the essential supplements and amino acids. Two days later I swear I was 90% better: not only did I stop obsessing about my body but I was finally able to eat a meal without feeling so guilty for putting food, essential fuel, into my body! I mean, for the first time in almost a year, I was free because I was not thinking about food all day long, craving all day long, and hating myself for eating. This book has it all, and solved it all. Although I think I still need to address my issues with food, the advice in the book calmed my frustration with body image and has honestly given me so much clarity...in two days! Kudos to Julia Ross, she saved me!

 A reader from Mill Valley, California.  

 October 25, 2001
"This approach works" 

Amino acid and essential fatty acids therapies are becoming more mainstream, thank goodness. I've used these therapies and others suggested in the book in my nutritional practice, with great success.

I can't think of one client who wouldn't benefit from reading this book. In fact, I've given this book to many clients to educate them about the process we undertake to improve their health.  I can't agree more about the importance of functional testing for the adrenals. Coffee addicts often find themselves willing to ease off caffeine when they see on their lab results that their adrenals are fatigued and are not doing their job, so to speak. 

Thanks to Julia Ross for enlightening the mainstream. The question is, will your drug company-sponsored physician consider nutrition in your recovery plan? Doubtful. Drugs and masking symptoms are the way of the conventional M.D. But there are plenty of nutritionists and naturopathic doctors out there who already know and use the information in this book. Take your health into your own hands. It's really not rocket science and don't let your doctor convince you that it is. 

 A Reader from Las Vegas, Nevada  

 September 22, 2001
"This book should get 100 stars" 

After trying all the fad diets i.e. low fat, zone, atkins, etc and losing weight and then gaining it back..feeling sick and tired most of the time..I discoved this book. The whole problem of being overweight is not in the diet but in the brain chemical imbalances...I started following the progam and lost my appitite and started eating "normal" to small portions, because I WAS NOT HUNGRY, not because I was using willpower. I feel much better emotionally, I am much more alert and have achieved my correct weight without "dieting" I am actually angry that the "diet' books actually make you ill physically. When I read that you can mess your metabolism up to the point that you can gain weight on 700 calories a day...thats insane, but true. Dieting as we know it doesnt work and is insane. This is the ultimate book for a person who has weight problems. One understands the real reasons that your overweight instead of another new way to starve yourself and get weaker and sicker. A hundred star book. 

 A reader from Charlotte, Vermont  

 June 28, 2001
"A must for those interested in diet and health" 

This is quite possibly the best book on nutrition I have read so far (which is a lot). To frame the issues of over-eating / incorrect eating from the perspective of the chemical and physiological reactions of the body, really demonstrates how looking just a caloric intake is only a small part of the equasion -- and can't lead to long-term success. And it is written clearly and simply. I read it like a mystery novel, getting clues to how my body responds to things, and trying to piece together a picture of my own overall imbalances.

It is likely that people with food issues have multiple layers of imbalances that need to be addressed, and this book explains how to test yourself (or access a lab) to identify imbalances, and how to fix them. The eight steps she addresses are brain chemistry, low-calorie dieting, unstable blook sugar, low thyroid function, addictions to foods you're allergic to, hormonal havoc, yeast overgrowth, and fatty acid deficiency. 

All in all, an excellent primer on the REAL nutritional factors that effect your weight, mood, and cravings. 

 October 6, 2000
"The Diet Cure Cures"  

In July of 1999 I read The Diet Cure. It was the first time I ever read anything about dieting that made sense. Why could I be successful at so many things but fail miserablly at acheiving a healthy weight? Correction of chemical imbalances as described in The Diet Cure were the answer I'd been looking for. As soon as I started supplementation my cravings and headaches disappeared. I've gradually dropped from 185 lbs. to 127lbs. in one year. I was always satisfied with what I ate and was never tempted by sweets which I rarely had - usually only at birthdays or holidays for social reasons. I'm back to the weight I got married at 25 years ago. What a great feeling. I found a wealth of information in this book and found myself reading and rereading it. Thanks to Julia Ross I have truly been cured! 
 

July 2, 2000
"I can't recommend this book more" 

I've been learning nutrition for many years and worked with a nutritionist as both client and student. This book contains all the information that I've been taught on causes of weight gain and inability to lose weight, plus it explains it to the reader in simple terms. It individualizes the problem and makes it easy for someone to understand and apply the information for better health. I'm very very impressed. I have an educational nutritional website and I've linked my article on weightloss to this book so my readers can buy it. Thank you, Julia Ross, M.A. Chris 

A reader from Los Angeles, California (Diet Capital of the world) 

 "May 30, 2000
Finally something that makes sense"

 Finally a book that makes sense, and not empty promises. I've battled with weight issues since puberty, and never found anything that could help with the cravings, and the less I ate the heavier I got. The information on amino acid replacement has allowed me to supplement my diet, and eat a normal amout of food. Who would have believed that you could lose weight on 2,000 calories a day. I've never been more satisfied and balanced in my life. I wish I could send this book to everyone who ever tried to get healthy by eating nothing but fruits and vegetables. I finally feel like I have to tools to create the active lifestyle I have always wanted. Where's the Beef! 
 

A letter from Courtney about her DIET CURE:
 

Dear Julia and the Recovery Systems Staff,

How do I begin to tell you how just how much you have changed my life? Well, perhaps the best place to start is to tell you that today I weighed in at 159 pounds!! Believe it or not, only 8 weeks ago I weighed 185. It is hard for me to believe that I have lost this much weight AND l'm eating bigger quantities and more often than I have ever before. Getting over the "160 barrier" was such a personal accomplishment for me. I had not been below 160 since prior to having a baby (he is turning 4 next week -- too old to hold as the excuse anymore "I just had a baby"!). People at work are actually calling me skinny!! I know I have more to go, and confident that I will continue to progress and the rate my body feels is healthy.

I have never been at so piece with myself, especially where food is concerned. I actually now view food as something good for my body, something to make it better, healthier and more efficient.

Even as I am typing these words, I can't believe I am actually feeling this way! I have never had a good relationship with food prior to reading "The Diet Cure". Food was something I used as an excuse to comfort myself or to reward myself, then would later punish myself with guilt (Cindy Crawford doesn't eat ice cream - who do you think you are!?!?!?). I hated feeling like food had control over me. I could not control my cravings, and then could not control my depressed feelings when weakly I submitted to eating anything and everything I wanted. I knew I didn't want to look the way I looked, but felt so helpless. How could I be so disciplined to be a full-time working mom and full-time college student, but be such a failure at resisting food? Howard Stern once said on the radio to an overweight person, "Just don't eat so much you pig!". Why could I not just stop eating?? Little did I know help was just a book away.

As soon as I saw your book at Borders, I know this would be different. Right away, the problem/answer list on the back cover addressed everything I was experiencing! I left work early to get home and start reading right away. It was on a Friday, and by Saturday morning I had visited my local vitamin store to purchase all of the supplements. I had a ceremonial last Coca-Cola (I used to drink 4-6 cans of the real stuff a day!!), and got started on the program. I never looked back.

I cannot believe just how easy it was. I know it is hard to believe, but giving up sugar was the easiest thing. I don't even miss it. Don't get me wrong, I can acknowledge that sure, an ice cream cone looks good on a hot day, but it is just a fleeting thought. It is not the obsessive, nagging craving that eats away at you until you give in. I finally feel free of the obsess-give in-feel guilty cycle. What a relief!!!

But, the relief doesn't stop there! Due to the correct eating habits and the supplements, I am a happier person. I do not have the mood swings, headaches, or late afternoon-shaky feelings I used to posses. In fact, it is pretty hard to get an argument out of me these days! Because I am more positive about myself and my body, I am consequently more positive about the world around me. I can honestly say I have a fuller more satisfying life that I feel in control of.

Julia, your book has inspired me so incredibly and improved my quality of life in so many ways.

Meeting you face-to-face was even better than I had imagined. For the brief time we were together, I really felt like I was your only client, and everything you were saying to me and had written in your book was just for me. I am so grateful for the help you have extended me to improve my body, my mind and my life, as well as the life of those around me. I will forever be grateful to you and your program. I look forward to our continued work together and with your staff. Thank you from the bottom of my heat.

Best Regards,
Courtney

P.S. Julia, since I initially wrote this letter, I have started working out with a personal trainer! I never had the confidence about myself to train with a professional before -- I was too embarrassed about my body and thought no one serious about working out would want to waste his time on me. (Although since stating the Diet Cure I had been working out on my own.) It has been awesome and I feel so good about myself. In fact, my trainer is very, very impressed in my ability! Just another personal success all because of you!! Thanks again! :-)

11/5/99 Follow-up:
Courteney has lost 30 pounds, dropped 4 dress sizes, and recently won an equestrian competition with energy to spare.