Laurie Campbell, National Examiner

"Gillespie’s plan calls for a weekly average of 40 percent protein, 35 percent low-glycemic carbs and 25 percent fat. To keep things simple, Gillespie suggests: "Imagine that the plate is a clock. Put the protein, including meat, poultry, eggs and fish, between 1 and 5 p.m. Put the good carbs between 7 and 11 p.m. That leaves two spots for fats, like a tablespoon of butter or olive oil."

If a diet that is one-quarter fat seems high, Gillespie explains: “Women can actually have twice as much fat as men. A tablespoon of butter quickly empties the gall bladder, which restores hormone balance and helps eliminate what I call ‘the Buddha Belly.’ ”

Here are more tips to make the diet work for you.

• Never skip breakfast. It can help make your lunch less fattening.
  
• Try to eat several mini-meals throughout the day, about 300 calories each.
  
• Save alcohol for special occasions. Women are especially sensitive to the negative effects of alcohol on metabolism.
  
• Exercise is a must, but it isn’t necessary to join a gym. Walking, biking or swimming will do the trick.
  

  Additional tips plus tasty recipes are featured in Gillespie’s book. "This isn’t a Nazi program. It's a lifestyle," says Gillespie. "And it works!"