Mike Dolce has gained notoriety in the MMA world by bringing fighters to weight looking healthy and full of energy, versus the gruelling drained sensation familiar to all fighters, amateurs and professionals, from a long and painful weight cut.

Most recently, he was responsible for Johnny Hendricks incredible shedding of over 30 pounds to welterweight (170) for his unsuccessful challenge of George St.Pierre's championship belt. Even if you're not a fight fan, that was and still is an incredible feat.

So of course, curiosity comes into play for the rest of us: either weekend warriors with the occasional active accomplishment, the mid level athletes who train 3-4 days a week, or the seriously dedicated everyday athlete looking for that edge against their competition. To simplify the question: How?

I'm what I would call the mid level athlete. I train 4-5 times a week if I am lucky, with a specified season of competition. Although my sports are inherently individual, my competition never runs out because my only competitor is me. I am always looking for that extra push or concept to break through training walls, and especially in kick boxing and running, a pound less to carry is a pound less to carry.

So I decided to try out The Dolce Diet College Diet Guide. I am also a newlywed and despite having 2 incomes now, this economy isn't the strongest and saving money by living the frugal college lifestyle isn't above my husband or I. The tag line of the College diet is affordable and sustainable, even while in post secondary education. If college students can do it, why not me?

First off, The Dolce Diet College Guide goes for close to 40$ retail in stores and online. I searched around and found my copy for 24-25$. And I highly recommend searching around for that or a better price, as once my package arrived the first thing I noticed is how light it was.

The Dolce Diet College Guide is approximately 100 pages. Light indeed. There are pictures interspersed with half used pages of his recipes. To be honest I was expecting a little more content versus the common sense "teachings" that makes up the majority of the Dolce Diet College Guide. Perhaps the better name for this version should be The Dolce Diet Coles Notes edition.

Not to say that it was a complete waste of money and time. This knowledge isn't exactly well known or well practiced by students or professionals. I am guilty myself of choosing coffee as a balanced breakfast and take out pizza and other frozen entrees for times sake. The purpose of this Coles Notes edition of his successful plan is to make it simple and achievable. There is much to say about brilliant simplicity, and the Dolce Diet College Guide is simplicity at its best.

There are a few work outs for small areas and college gyms, as well as small snacks with minimal kitchen equipment. A shopping list and basic recipes and that's the book in a nutshell.

As an incredibly basic, no nonsense, minimal time reading guide to changing your eating lifestyle, The Dolce Diet College Guide is an option. But for value (time and money), I would stick to his full cookbook. Because in the end, if you're already athletically inclined, you need his meal plan options and nothing else.

If you're starting from square one, its a good place to begin. Just know that you'll be purchasing the main cookbook anyway, so choose wisely.