Austin says that she gets more requests for advice on losing the final 10 pounds than on any other subject, and in response she's created a very solid combination of "eat less" and "exercise more," the twin pillars of any scientifically sound weight-loss prescription. Austin jazzes it up with some yoga- and Pilates-based exercises, an exhortation to move more throughout the day (she calls it "Fidget-cize"), and a "Mind-Body-Spirit" routine that serves as a cooldown for her three-times-a-week cardiovascular workouts.

Her meal plan is 1,500 calories a day, and includes weekly shopping lists, followed by easy-to-prepare meals that range from a peanut-butter sandwich to more gourmet fare like lemon herb-roasted chicken thighs. Sprinkled in with the meal plans are daily exercise tips ("Do tummy tucks while you sit in your car"), and a bit of philosophy from the school of thought she calls Denisiology ("A smile, a compliment, one kind sentence--those little things can make a person's day.").

The biggest strength of Austin's plan is that it combines good science with good variety; those who try it won't get bored with the food or the exercises. As for that always-upbeat tone, well, it seems to work well enough for Austin. --Lou Schuler

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