5 Pounds: The Breakthrough 5-Day Plan to Jump-Start Rapid Weight Loss

by Harley Pasternak

For most people, the hardest part of lasting weight loss is either getting started or reaching their goals—too often, motivation is tough to maintain or those final few pounds simply
won’t budge, no matter how many hours are logged on the treadmill and how many calories counted. Now, from The New York Times bestselling author of The Body Reset Diet, comes a deceptively simple plan to slim down—whether you need to shed those last few
stubborn pounds or want to jumpstart a more significant weight-loss effort.

5 Pounds teaches readers how to implement five simple strategies as daily habits:

• Walk 5 miles a day.
• Eat protein and fibre 5 times a day.
• Do resistance exercise 5 minutes a day.
• Sleep at least 7 hours a night.
• Unplug at least 1 hour a day.

Readers will enjoy immediate results—dropping 5 pounds or more in just 5 days—and boost energy, improve overall health, and finally achieve long-term weight-loss success. With step-by-step advice, easy-to-prepare recipes, and motivating success stories, 5 Pounds will transform the way readers look and feel forever.

Genres: Self Help, Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

Harley Samuel Pasternak is a Los Angeles-based personal trainer, public speaker and NY Times best-selling author known for The Body Reset Diet and the 5-Factor Diet, a popular diet and fitness lifestyle. He holds an Honours Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario and a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences from the University of Toronto. [wikipedia]

Reviews

[Petra X]

Hope springs eternal! These crash diets worked brilliantly for me when I was young, but not anymore. Now, losing two pound in a month requires more rigour than my son losing three in a week. The weight just hangs on. And if I lose it, it's back again just like that.

I have an hourglass figure with a flat tummy, that flat tummy means clothes look good generally. But that doesn't stop the misery of looking at lardy old me in the mirror in the morning and thinking instead of this is the results of a life well-lived but of why did I indulge myself? Why didn't I have the willpower to stick to the salad and not put the dressing on? Not eat the chocolate mousse? Not pour cream in my coffee? And of course exercise more.

No willpower + chronic procrastination + slow metabolism = fat, fat, fat.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, and the following is my honest opinion. I loved it! The author must have done a lot of research while writing this book. He has written it very in depth, but not in a confusing way. He just basically states what is...is... I have read a few other books in this genre lately, but neither made me feel comfortable in following it as this one did. I felt and feel good while following his advice on all five aspects. I was going to wait until after 5 days to write this review, however, I feel that I will be going forth with the eating habits and exercises outlined in the book for much longer than that. I can actually eat bread and drink milk with his guidelines :) Two of my favorite things which other books have told me to cut out completely. I would recommend this book to anybody interested in maintaining a healthy and positive way of life.

[Denise Berube · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. Harley Pasternak really does know his stuff, not only does he speak in plain and simple terms in this book that anyone looking to loose those first 5 or last 5 pounds or just live healthy can relate to and understand. Unlike many books I have read on this subject, this is achievable and he understands that people don't always have and hour to spend at the gym or have the money to spend on organic fruits and vegetables, that many other weight loss books suggest. I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a healthy lifestyle or wishing to loose those 5 pounds.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working this currently - we'll see how it goes!

UPDATE: I have been running with this for several weeks, and I have lost a little bit of weight, but I do feel better overall. I get that the point is that you don't have to count calories, carbs, fiber, fat, etc., but SOME guidelines or suggestions would be really helpful. In order to make up additional meals and snacks, I look up the detail on the ones listed then try to duplicate them. I'd like a daily target so I can make this one my own.

[DearBookClub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley Pasternak describes a simple plan to slim down-whether you to need to shed those last few stubborn pounds or want to jump start a more significant weight-loss effort. "5 Pounds," teaches readers how to implement five simple strategies as daily habits.

[Sandy Stephenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has an idea here that I’m trying. One strength training exercise each day covering a different part of the body each day. It beats what I was doing before which is nothing!

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was alright. Everything in it really feels achievable. I've looked through other books with topics like this and, honestly a lot of them really don't have that achievable feel, whether it's time or finances being the issue. I think I'll be trying at least some of the tips provided, even if I can't get to do them all. I'm mostly just glad I don't have to cut bread and milk out of my diet. I love bread and I love a glass of milk with breakfast! I think this book is worth a try for anyone interested.


*won on GoodReads First Reads*

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't see anything new in here that would qualify as a "breakthrough", nor does it seem that people would never gain weight back as a result of reading this book. Some people could, however use the book as a motivational starting point and it could be helpful. The information seems to be pretty good, just nothing new. The recipes look like they are ok.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like adding 10,000 steps to your day is helpful in addition to doing other exercises. Some of the exercises in this book are kind of easy, so I felt like they weren't really doing anything for me.

[Amanda Natividad · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read one diet & fitness book, it's this one. You'll learn healthy sustainable habits, you'll read this quickly, and you'll have some solid exercises and recipes to have on hand going forward.

[AJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

he rly brings the science into it and it makes sense. It's almost upsetting this book is marketed as a crash diet when it's actually a great guide to bringing about sustainable lifestyle changes to support healthier decision making.

[Kim]

I am very excited and grateful to be a Goodreads winner of this book.