Author tells readers to live their "best life"
By Katherine Houstoun CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Cheryl Satko beams after Bob Greene signs her copy of "The Best Life Diet."

If positive energy truly is contagious, some Ukrop's employees are surely still feeding off the excitement of Bob Greene's recent visit to the Chesterfield Towne Center area store. Greene, who gained fame years ago as Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer, was in town late last month promoting his book, "The Best Life Diet," and its spinoff lifestyle program, and, boy, did he attract some happy fans.

"He is fabulous," said Cheryl Satko, 57, beaming as she clutched her copy of Greene's book, now bearing the signature of the bestselling author. "Bob Greene brought me out today because I'm hoping he'll give me the jump I need to get healthy in 2008."

Satko, like many Greene fans, learned of the author from his appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," where he has been a frequent guest over the last 10-plus years.

"I have followed him for years on Oprah, of course, and he just keeps getting better and better," said Fay Hardee, 53, a Chester resident. "I think he's inspirational."

Greene

The trainer, who has written 10 books, two of which were co-authored by Oprah, is hoping to sign up one million Americans for the Best Life Challenge, in which participants sign a contract to lose weight and become healthier. After kicking off the challenge in Meridian, Miss., for Oprah's Jan. 14 show, Greene hit the road on an 18-city Best Life tour.

"When I wrote the book, I knew I wanted it to be more than just a book," explained Greene during a brief break from book signing. "I've written books before; this is more of an educational program."

By asking people to sign a contract, Greene believes he is giving participants a bit more motivation.

"I want them to keep in mind that it is a contract," he said. "What it says is they're going to move more, and they're going to be conscious of their eating choices, and they're going to put effort into it. I want them to know that there's no monetary award. There's no penalty if you don't do it, but it's tied to your character. That's your signature on it."

With more than half a million signatures under his belt, Greene seems to be well on his way to convincing the American public of the feasibility of his program.

"It's very common sense and easy to follow," said Satko. "He's not in-your-face aggressive. He's very matter of fact. He gives you all the facts you need so you can do it yourself."

The Best Life philosophy promotes small, incremental changes to one's eating and exercising habits. The plan's flexibility allows people to determine what changes they can make from the very beginning. For example, if the idea of walking a mile causes you to break into a cold sweat, Greene advocates starting with a walk around the block and building from there. Likewise, rather than thrusting you into an entirely unfamiliar eating regime, the Best Life Diet encourages you to take a step-by-step approach to evaluating and changing your diet.

"The 'Best Life Diet' has very core, sound advice that we try to tell people about all the time," said Sarah Boyd, Ukrop's resident registered dietician. "This is not a fad approach; this is really about making some lifestyle changes to get where you want to go and stay there."

For those who might need additional support, Greene offers an enhanced fee-based membership to TheBestLife.com, which features extensive menu plans, interactive food and exercise logs and advice from dietitians and exercise experts who will personally answer all your questions.

Satko, for one, seemed ready to embrace the challenge.

"I used to want to lose weight to look better; I'm past that now," she said. "Now I want to lose weight to get healthy…Right now, I am a prime candidate for heart disease, and it's like a wake up call. I need to change my habits, and habits are hard to break."

"This isn't a diet," Satko continued. "It's not a short-term fix. It's the 'best life.' I'm looking for the best life I can have."

Those unavailable to attend the book signing can sign up for the Best Life Challenge through Greene's Web site, www.thebestlife.com. Ukrop's also offers nutrition counseling and wellness programs. Call 340-3005 for more information.