He’s a lean, mean, fat-fighting machine and he’s gunning for you — but don’t worry, you’ll thank him for it. Dr. Ian Smith, the Hyde Park-based medical mind behind four bestselling wellness books, just penned his fifth guide to slimming down, Shred: The Revolutionary Diet. Released on Dec. 24, the book details Smith’s sure-fire way to drop the extra pounds quickly, safely and without feeling hungry. “The concept is diet confusion. Every day there’s variety,” says Smith. “The number one comment about the diet is that there’s too much food.” With four meals a day and three snacks, the Shred diet is a welcome antidote to crazy crash diets and ultra-low calorie plans, making Smith poised to be 2013’s most popular diet expert.
Between steady TV stints on shows like “The Dr. Oz Show” (including an episode focused on the Shred diet airing Jan. 2), “Rachael Ray Show,” “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Anderson Cooper Live,” Smith is developing an entire line of products to complement the healthy lifestyle he embodies. The new line of Shred snacks, bars and drinks will hit store shelves later in the year. “This program is extremely convenient, extremely portable. I built it because not everyone has the time or the energy or the desire to cook,” explains Smith.
That attitude infuses every aspect of the diet, from the actual food plan that makes dining out a snap to the exercise program, which can even be done on the go. “I give people exercise recommendations. Sometimes you can slack; if it’s a 30-minute workout, maybe you can do 15 minutes,” he says. There’s even a workout that only involves a rope and a chair, making it ideal for travel.
Thanks to Smith, dropping pounds might be a resolution we can actually stick to.
Here, he maps out his perfect Sunday.
6:30 a.m.
“I have two small kids, so I’m up early,” says Smith. To start his day on the right foot, he heads to L.A. Fitness (1301 E. 47th) for a quick workout.
8 a.m.
Smith exercises his hidden cooking talents by making French toast and pancakes from scratch.
9 a.m.
Sundays are the perfect time for a pick-up game of basketball at a local Hyde Park court.
11 a.m.
Smith heads to the UIC pavilion (525 S. Racine) to hear a sermon by Pastor John Hannah of the New Life Covenant Church.
12:30 p.m.
Lunch is a family favorite: either Frankie’s (900 N. Michigan) for pizza or Bandera (535 N. Michigan) for ribs.
3 p.m.
A hands-on dad, Smith gives his five-year-old son a tennis lesson at XS Tennis (1301 E. 47th).
6 p.m.
The family comes together again for another of Smith’s home-cooked meals. Dinner is barbecued steak, buttery mashed potatoes and honey-glazed carrots.
Story by Zak Stemer
