FOREWORD BY DR. MEHMET OZ

Dear Reader,

Much of my time as a doctor has been spent trying to help patients who struggle with the plethora of health problems associated with excess pounds, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Too many jump at quick-fix solutions that only lead to further frustration and defeat. The yo-yo pattern of weight loss that befalls most dieters is devastating, wreaking havoc not only on the body but also on the mindset of sincere people trying one more time to change their lives for the better.

Thankfully, Joel Harper has crafted Mind Your Body as an effective approach to long-term weight loss that harnesses the powerful resources housed in your mind. Joel is my longtime personal trainer, friend, and fitness designer for the bestselling YOU books. He is also my antifluff hero when it comes to healthy, effective fitness.

I first met Joel Harper when I asked him to review the fitness section of my very first YOU book. He was appropriately critical of the initial program and quickly offered an alternative approach that was simple and accessible. Since then, he’s been my main fitness collaborator on DVDs and multiple bestselling books. Joel is down to earth, passionate about health, and extremely time-efficient. He helps me and many of the busiest people on the planet come up with programs for fitness and healthy weight that work because he knows how to tap into thinking patterns that promote healthier living.

Joel offers a clear, user-friendly plan for people who have no time to waste. The Mind Your Body 4-week plan clearly outlines what you’ll do for a powerful mindset, a quick 15-minute workout, and healthy eating. There’s no frustrating flipping back and forth to find which mindset, move, and meal goes with what day. You’ll learn how you can lose weight while eating the foods you like prepared the way you like them, thanks to Joel’s commitment to coming up with healthy, simple options that fit any lifestyle.

{photograph by Dylan Coulter}

You’ll also appreciate Joel’s ability to digest and present dense scientific research in a clear, concise, and fascinating fashion that anyone can comprehend and incorporate into their lives. Joel gets the message right, whether he’s sharing how his 15-minute workout is as effective as huffing and puffing for twice as long, teaching you how the right foods can eliminate cravings, or illuminating how negative messages can change the neural pathways in your brain to sabotage weight loss and cause weight gain.

In a nutshell, Mind Your Body will empower and enlighten you by showing you how, armed with a powerful mindset, you can achieve lasting weight loss, health, and fitness. Joel knows what he is talking about; he has helped countless people get slimmer, fitter, and healthier—and he will help you, too!

Happy reading.

—Mehmet Oz, M.D.

   Professor and Vice Chair, Surgery

   New York Presbyterian/Columbia

   Medical Center