Health & Fitness Book Reviews

"The Carb Lovers Diet" by Frances Largeman-Roth

2010-11-17T11:59:00.002-05:00

TITLE: "The Carb Lovers Diet"
AUTHOR: Frances Largeman-Roth & Ellen Kunes
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

First of all, let me say that I didn't read this whole book from cover-to-cover. I mostly skimmed it, reading bits here and there until I got the general gist of things. Reason being, I'm not looking for another "diet", and don't want to fill my head with stuff that might sway me off of my intended path (I'm learning that I tend to chase after too many false leads if I'm not careful).

But, this book is really sound. Sure, you'll still find some diety things inside. But, overall, the authors encourage you to watch your portion sizes, stop eating when you've hit satisfied (not stuffed), and mix-and-match the recipes to suit your tastes and preferences. Not bad, at all.

I liked this one, especially, for two reasons: (1) The recipes that are included all look so very good! For me, I normally find maybe a handful of recipes in "diet" books that I think I might like to try. Everything else either requires me to go out of my way to find the ingredients, or it just seems too far off from what my family and I normally like to eat. This book was different... this one has about 75 recipes, and I think I copied about 30 of them to put in my binder and try at some later date (and, FYI, I've already tried 2 of the recipes since finishing the book yesterday, and they were both yummy!)... And (2) the "success stories" included in this book --complete with pictures-- show women who've lost weight at a realistic pace of only 5-10 pounds in 3 weeks. They aren't super-skinny, and they didn't have drastic results... They are normal women, and their weight loss was slow and steady. That's encouraging, and makes me think that following the advice in this book could truly be a benefit. When the weight comes off more slowly, it is more likely to stay off for good! ;)

The book's main focus is to include more Resistant Starches into your daily eating. There are eleven of them, some of which include: Potatoes (baked or sweet), Peas, Whole Wheat Pasta, Beans & Lentils, Baked Potato Chips!, etc. Yep... you even get to have chips, wine, and chocolate with this one! (I couldn't believe it when I was reading through the sample meal plans and found that one of the snacks was a Reese Peanut Butter Cup! YUM!!!)

The only thing I'm not big on with this book is the fact that you have "phases": Phase 1 is your Kickstart phase where you aim to eat only 1200 calories per day. You would probably have to follow their included 7-day meal plan to get the intended results. And, Phase 2 is your Immersion phase which lasts for 21 days and lets you up your daily calorie intake to 1600 calories. Again, there are 21-days' worth of meal plans included.

You aren't encouraged to give up anything, necessarily -- no food groups are said to be excluded. Mind you, you are technically avoiding "whites" (flour, bread, rice) by CHOOSING to have the whole-wheat versions instead. Very clever of the authors, if you ask me. Not to mention, focusing on the term "Resistant Starch" instead of saying the usual "complex carbs". Tricky-tricky... but effective!

So, yeah. Overall, this is not a bad choice for a plan. Especially if you're a carb-lover, like me! It can easily work with the intuitive-eating method (that I prefer), and just teaches you to make healthier choices, and to cook more of your meals for yourself (note: all of the meals included don't seem to take more than 30-40 minutes to prepare, so there's also the ease-of-use factor to this plan!)

REVIEW: "Dr. Colbert's 'I Can Do This!' Diet" by Dr. Don Colbert

2010-03-24T11:39:00.001-04:00

TITLE: "Dr. Colbert's 'I Can Do This!' Diet"
AUTHOR: Dr. Don Colbert
DIETY?: yes
IE?: yes
MY RATING: 3***

While this book often encouraged “mindful eating” — of which I’m a huge fan! — it also highly promoted herbal weight-loss supplements, and recommended giving up all “whites” (flour, sugar, etc). I don’t agree with having to give up anything, unless you have an allergy/sensitivity, or were told by your own physician to do so.
I hated that the author kept promoting his own books and website over and over again. And, I really disliked the push for eating foods “in the right combinations”.

But, the parts about mindful eating — waiting for true, physiological hunger, and watching for your satiety signals, and that sort of thing — were great!

There is a little bit of everything in this book, so it’s not terrible, and I’m sure that it can be really useful to some! I know people who need to stay away from the “whites” as recommended by their doctor, so this might be a book that they can use!

In general, though, this book wasn’t for me.

Rated: C

REVIEW: "The One Day Way" by Chantel Hobbs

2010-02-25T17:20:00.000-05:00

TITLE: "The One Day Way"
AUTHOR: Chantel Hobbs
DIETY?: yes
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

Based around the principles of Kaizen, or “continuous improvement“ (though the book never specifically says so), Chantel’s plan encourages you to forget about yesterday, not worry about tomorrow, and just focus on TODAY.

Chantel walks you through the process, first encouraging you to change your mindset and demolish the bad habits. Then she helps you to renew your thinking which will help create new, healthier habits.

There are two weeks’ worth of sample menu plans included, as well as some strengthening exercises featuring a medicine ball and resistance band.

A lot of the book includes a repetition of what was already said, but I think that’s just Chantel’s way of making sure that you fully understand the concepts being presented. I love how absolutely uplifting and positive she is!

I liked how simple this program seems to be. While I’m not a fan of specific meal plans and exercise routines (I really prefer to follow my own “plan”), I do think that the idea of just focusing on today is a good one. So, as always, I plan to “take what I loved, and leave the rest“.

Overall, this is a great book, with an awesome premise, and you would not find yourself sorry to have read it.

Rated: B+

REVIEW: "Live a Little!" by Susan Love and Alice Domar

2010-02-25T17:16:00.000-05:00

TITLE: "Live a Little!"
AUTHORS: Susan Love & Alice Domar
DIETY?: yes
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

This book is based around the fact that most of what we’re told by the media and health industry is just speculation — a better rule of thumb is to follow your own gut instincts in regards to your health.

The one quote I got from the book sums this up nicely: “…understand that no one has total control over their health — then exercise, eat wisely, and manage stress anyway.“

The book looks at 6 key areas of our lives (sleep, stress, exercise, eating, relationships, & health screenings), and debunks the myths surrounding the health “rules” we all know and try — mostly unsuccessfully — to live by. For example: We’re told that we need to get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night in order to function properly, avoid weight gain, and live a long life. Well, the authors have looked at all of the studies done, and have concluded that in reality, only YOU know how much your own body REALLY needs… you can trust it to tell you whether or not you’re getting enough sleep. Mind you, the authors also tell you that, based on their findings (from studying the studies done on sleep & health), 7 hours of sleep is a good number to aim for — but it doesn’t have to be “uninterrupted”, as we know that’s not likely to happen for most of us.

The last chapter of the book, “A Pretty Healthy Life, Decade by Decade“, looks at each of the decades of a woman’s life –from their 20s on through to the 70s and beyond– and gives general guidelines on what to do to live a “pretty healthy” life without falling prey to the worries that the media can create (“If you don’t exercise for 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week, you’ll die of decay & rot!“).

Overall, this is a smart book. It really is encouraging to know that, even if you’re only giving it 80% effort most of the time, you’re still going to be “pretty healthy”, and that’s enough. As long as your health habits enable you to enjoy life more — and don’t make you miserable in the process — then you’re doing okay.

Definitely recommended.

Rated: B+

REVIEW: "Denise's Daily Dozen" by Denise Austin

2010-02-25T17:12:00.001-05:00

TITLE: "Denise's Daily Dozen"
AUTHOR: Denise Austin
DIETY?: yes
IE?: no
MY RATING: 4****

Denise is so very encouraging, and this book is hugely motivational. I loved how she constantly encourages you to believe in yourself.

You’re given 12 daily exercises you can do for each day of the week, as well as daily meal plans. The exercises don’t seem too crazy, so anyone could probably do them.

My favorite parts of this book were the 12 “Fidget-cizers” (moves you can do to stretch & strengthen while in the kitchen, etc), and the success stories.

While I’ve never before done any of Denise’s workout videos, I’m certainly inspired to seek one out and give it a try! And, for the record, I was stunned to find out that Denise is over 50 yrs old! She sooooo doesn’t look like it! Guess that just goes to show what living such a healthy lifestyle can do for you — and that’s all the more motivating!

Recommended.

Rated: B+

Just a side note: Much as there were pictures of the “Daily Dozen” exercise moves in the book (along with instructions on how to do each move), it would’ve been nice to see a copy of Denise’s “Get Fit Daily Dozen” DVD included in the back of the book.

REVIEW: "The SuperFoods Rx Diet" by Wendy Bazilian & Steven Pratt

2010-02-25T17:10:00.003-05:00

TITLE: "The SuperFoods Rx Diet"
AUTHOR: Wendy Bazilian and Steven Pratt
DIETY?: yes
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

I found this book online, the other day, while searching for books about healthy eating & the Mediterranean-style of eating. It just so happened that my local library had a copy (at my branch, nonetheless), so I went and picked it up, and started reading it right away. I didn’t intend to read the whole thing, but it was quick and really interesting!

This book has an absolutely fascinating concept as far as a weight loss plan goes… it has the SlimDown, which is two weeks of more strict adherence to get you off to a good start, and then the FlexPlan to loosen things up a bit while still maintaining control. But, the most interesting part was the “Prep & Practice” week you do before the SlimDown. It’s where you start planning what you’ll do in your SlimDown, and you practice some of the meals & exercises. Very cool!

Now, when I talk about “strict adherence” for the SlimDown part, please don’t misunderstand me… this seems different than other diet books I’ve read where you have to give up all sorts of different foods and/or categories of foods. For this, it’s more about adding in the “superfoods”, and making sure you follow the plan. It’s not difficult, nor does it seem like too much.

Some of the “superfoods” listed are: Oats, Blueberries, Soy, Turkey, Oranges, Tomatoes, Broccoli, and Spinach… and a whole slew of “sidekicks” (other foods that are good for you, that you should add into your new plan).

I also liked that you basically make up your own meal plans, based off the SuperFoods categories (there are 3 main ones), and you can pick and choose what works best for you for exercise.

This plan is very flexible, and has some great ideas! The book even promotes listening to your hunger cues, so that was a big plus for me! (I’m a big fan of that!).

While there are still some points of this book that I don’t really agree with, overall I really like the concept, and think it’s a good thing to try out, especially coming into a new year! (the “Prep & Practice” week could be the last week of the year, and then you start the SlimDown come January 1st!)

Recommended. Rated B+

REVIEW: "Fit For My King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd

2010-02-25T17:06:00.001-05:00

TITLE: "Fit For My King"
AUTHOR: Sheri Rose Shepherd
DIETY?: yes
IE?: no
MY RATING: 3***

This book sets out a 30-day diet plan where you fast off of the “whites” (flour, sugar, corn, potatoes, etc) and all artificial foods & sweeteners. You also make sure to exercise 5 times a week, and get enough water & rest.

There are 30 days of devotions on topics like anger, self-image, forgiveness, divine appointments, etc. And, the back of the book has a bunch of recipes.

I’m no longer a fan of diets (see here for what I am a fan of), especially ones that ask you to cut stuff out. But, this book would certainly be helpful for some. I definitely recommend this one to those dealing with the eating disorder of bulimia, as Sheri has struggled with this, and she shares about overcoming that in this book.

Rated: B-

REVIEW: "How to Survive Your Diet" by Linda Moran

2010-02-25T17:02:00.002-05:00

TITLE: "How to Survive Your Diet"
AUTHOR: Linda Moran
DIETY?: no
IE?: yes
MY RATING: 5*****

I belonged to a Yahoo! group led by this author, called “DietSurvivors“. Members of this group are often talking about Linda’s book, so I got really curious about it, and had to read it for myself.

And, I’m glad I did! It’s a great book that focuses mainly on resisting greed, watching portion sizes, and accepting stress as a normal part of life. While Linda focuses on the hunger-fullness method for weight loss, she also outlines a few of the other diet plans out there, and shows you how you could use them sensibly, and make them work for you. She doesn’t condemn or belittle any of them — just shows you how to use your own inner wisdom if you’re going to choose to diet instead of follow your own inner hunger cues.

The one really great thing I got from it was the reminder to look for black-and-white thinking. I still have a lot of irrational beliefs about my food and eating, and this book helped me remember that I need to root those out and replace them with truth.

I also appreciated the bits about greed. I come from a Christian upbringing, so I don’t shy away from the word “greed”… it’s been a normal part of my growing up. And, I don’t want it in my life. But this book reminded me that there are many, many, MANY forms of it — some that we don’t see as “greed” when they really are just that! For example, the book mentioned greed for approval, and greed for freedom… I suffer from both.

Lastly, I loved the tiny size of this book (only 140 pages), as it was concise and to the point. And, Linda’s examples from her own life give you a really good picture of what it’s like to live as a “normal eater”.

Definitely recommended!

Rated: A

REVIEW: "I Can Make You Thin" by Paul McKenna

2010-02-25T16:32:00.006-05:00

TITLE: "I Can Make You Thin"
AUTHOR: Paul McKenna
DIETY?: yes
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

An interesting, yet short, book that will teach you the basics of ‘intuitive eating’. There were several exercises for you to try, and 4 or 5 success stories of people who’ve used McKenna’s program with success. I thought some of the ideas presented were a little too weird for me, but otherwise, I thought the book was good.

Rated: B-

REVIEW: "The End of Overeating" by David Kessler

2010-02-25T16:30:00.002-05:00

TITLE: "The End of Overeating"
AUTHOR: David A. Kessler
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 5*****

An absolutely engrossing read about how the food industry has contributed to the rising epidemic of obesity in America, and about how we can take back control over our eating.

Dr. Kessler explains the enormous appeal of the combination of fat, salt, and sugar in foods, and why this combination drives us to overeat, despite our better intentions.

He also gives the reader tools to use to combat the old habits and to instill new ones, renewing our thinking and, with that, our behavior.

I found this book to be really accessible, despite its scientific nature, and the tools given seem like they will be extremely helpful. The whole concept of what Dr. Kessler presents here is fascinating, and it really makes you think twice about what you’re eating, and how you’re supposedly being manipulated.

I really liked that the majority of this book also focused on the principles of Intuitive Eating: wait until hungry to eat, pay attention to your meals, watch your portions, stop when satisfied and not overstuffed, etc. Mind you, he had a bit of a different twist on some of it, and I found that refreshing.

Highly recommended.

Rated: A-

REVIEW: "Never Give Up!" by Joyce Meyer

2010-02-25T16:26:00.004-05:00

TITLE: "Never Give Up!"
AUTHOR: Joyce Meyer
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 5*****

Fabulous book! I love books like this, mind you, that encourage you to persevere, no matter what.

This one is laced with stories of people like Alexander Graham Bell, Marie Curie, Winston Churchill, Ben Carson, and Rosa Parks who all overcame obstacles in order to persevere and see their dreams fulfilled (and then some!). So encouraging!

My favorite quote from this book was this:

“…make a fresh determination to pay the price of progress…” (p.65)

Highly recommended, especially if you’re feeling low and need a fresh burst of motivation.

Note: This book is also really inspirational for those who are working on weight loss, as Joyce mentions that a lot here, too -- and we can be encouraged to put what she says here into practice regarding our weight loss efforts. :)

Rated: A+

REVIEW: "WW Tools for Living Companion"

2010-02-25T16:22:00.003-05:00

TITLE: "Weight Watchers' Tool for Living Companion"
AUTHOR: Weight Watchers International
DIETY?: yes
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

Weight Watchers’ Tools for Living Companion is a handy, little reference book that outlines their 8 “Tools for Living“:

Winning Outcomes

Empowering Beliefs

Anchoring

Storyboarding

Mental Rehearsing

Motivating Strategy

Reframing

…and Positive Self-Talking

I’d read about these before, and thought them to be really helpful. I’m glad to now own this book where I can reference back to these from time-to-time, and find inspiration!

Rated: B+

REVIEW: "Finally Thin" by Kim Bensen

2010-02-25T09:43:00.003-05:00

TITLE: "Finally Thin"
AUTHOR: Kim Bensen
DIETY?: no
IE?: some
MY RATING: 4****

Kim used to weigh over 350 lbs. Finally, one day, a Bible verse sparked her to try losing weight just one more time, even though she’d almost completely given up hope that she could ever be thin again. (Don’t be turned off by the mention of the Bible, though, as this book only had a couple very brief references to verses).

With a friend, Kim signed up for Weight Watchers and, within two years, had lost 212 pounds! (without surgery!)

This book doesn’t necessarily outline yet another plan. Instead, it’s meant to be used in conjunction with whatever diet plan you’ve already chosen to do. And, if you’re still searching for what plan might work for you, there’s also a fairly thorough list of the diets out there, with pros and cons of each one.

The book includes tips for the “journey” as well as for the maintenance phase. I really enjoyed this one!

Rated: B+

REVIEW: "The Courage to Start" by John Bingham

2010-02-25T09:40:00.002-05:00

TITLE: "The Courage to Start"
AUTHOR: John Bingham
DIETY?: no
IE?: yes
MY RATING: 5****

A fantastic book for those who are thinking about taking up running, or for those who are seasoned runners and just need to “return to basics” a bit.

I loved how most of this book stressed the importance of following your intuitition, and listening to your body for what it needs! And, I loved how Mr. Bingham showed that it’s okay to do your own thing — and not have to strive for the same things others strive for. Just because someone else says you “should” do your running “this way” doesn’t mean you have to… your body is the better judge of that. Of course, there are certain rules & guidelines to be followed in order to avoid injury. But otherwise, it’s all up to you!

Great book! Highly recommended!

Rated: A-

REVIEW: "Naturally Thin" by Bethenny Frankel

2010-02-25T09:38:00.001-05:00

TITLE: "Naturally Thin"
AUTHOR: Bethenny Frankel
DIETY?: yes
IE?: some
MY RATING: 3***

While this book teaches you the basics of non-dieting (eat only when hungry, eat what you love, pay attention, stop when satisfied, etc), there’s also a lot of ‘avoidance‘ mentality, too.

Even though Ms. Frankel is constantly encouraging you to eat what you want, and what your body needs, she also frequently mentions how she avoids this or that food, and suggests that you should “choose” to do the same if you want to be naturally thin.

Still a good book with a lot of great advice, but I just don’t agree with having to avoid foods, regardless. If you’re going to follow your hunger signals to be naturally thin, that’s all you need. I learned that through practical experience, so I know it’s true.

Rated: C

REVIEW: "The Thin Commandments Diet" by Stephen Gullo

2010-02-25T09:35:00.002-05:00

TITLE: "The Thin Commandments Diet"
AUTHOR: Stephen Gullo, Ph.D.
DIETY?: yes
IE?: some
MY RATING: 4****

One of the better “diet” books I’ve read, this one mainly focuses on changing your MINDSET with regards to food and eating.

Dr. Gullo recommends knowing your food “history” so you can build a *strategy* that will work for you, personally.

If you have trouble / problem foods, he recommends you either “Box them In” (meaning you allow them, but only at spefic times), or you “Box them Out” (meaning you totally avoid them).

I didn’t care for the menu-plans, or the advice to eat low-fat or fat-free. But, I really liked most everything else! I think it’s smart to learn how you ate all of your life up to this point, and then build a strategy that works with that in order to change your thinking and your habits.

Recommended.

Rated: B-

REVIEW: "Mindful Eating" by Jan Chozen Bays

2010-02-25T09:33:00.004-05:00

TITLE: "Mindful Eating"
AUTHOR: Jan Chozen Bays, M.D.
DIETY?: no
IE?: yes
MY RATING: 4****

Those who know me know that I love anything to do with the “intuitive eating” method. This book was all about that, even though it calls it by its other name, “mindful eating“.

This book is based on a lot of Buddhist principles and practices, as the author lives in a monastery and practices Buddhism. But, a lot of it is really just common sense based off of how our bodies were made to function. It talks about slowing down while eating, not eating amidst distractions, waiting until you’re hungry before eating, and stopping BEFORE you’re “full”. All good things!

Recommended.

Rated: B-

REVIEW: "First Place 4 Health" by Carole Lewis

2010-02-25T09:29:00.003-05:00

TITLE: "First Place 4 Health"
AUTHOR: Carole Lewis
DIETY?: yes
IE?: some
MY RATING: 4****

When I first heard about this book, I was intrigued as I'd read the original "First Place" book several years ago. I was curious to see what --if anything-- Ms. Lewis had changed.

As it turns out, quite a bit has changed! The main focus is still on giving Christ "first place" in one's life (Matthew 6:33). But this new program also focuses on acheiving balance in the four main areas of life: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Also changed is that they've removed the term "commitments", and instead use the more grace-filled term "invitations". You are "invited" to walk the journey toward living a more balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Like the old "First Place" book, there are many success stories shared throughout the pages, and these are very inspiring.

What I didn't like about this book was the sense that the author just wants more people to buy her program and sign up for the local support groups. She was constantly promoting these groups, and her other books (the Bible studies).

In the original "First Place" book, the whole program was laid out for you so that, even if you couldn't attend a support group, for whatever reason, you could still know how to follow the plan. But, in this newer book, that doesn't happen. She gives you an idea of what you'll find in the support group, and of the kinds of things you can learn there, but she doesn't outline the plan for you. So, I was a bit disappointed in that fact.

Over all, though, I found it to be a really motivational book, and there was a lot of good stuff inside. In fact, some of the new thinking includes things that are very similar to the Intuitive Eating approach (of which I'm terribly fond). For example, on page 174, it says:

"...you'll learn to eat slowly and savor your meals. You'll relearn what hunger really feels like and listen to your internal hunger cues--and stop eating when you are full... Trust your gut -- God made that, too!"

The author encourages you to give this plan a full year -- that way you're not looking for a quick fix (that doesn't exist), and the plan has a chance to work, and you have a chance to be changed from the inside-out. Also encouraged are "baby steps" -- doing as much as you can to start, even if it's not a lot, and continuing to work at it, because eventually you'll get stronger, and will be able to do more. :)

A good book.

Rated: B-

REVIEW: "Never Say Diet" and "The NSD Personal Fitness Trainer" by Chantel Hobbs

2010-02-25T09:21:00.007-05:00

TITLE: "Never Say Diet"
AUTHOR: Chantel Hobbs
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: some
MY RATING: 4****

Half memoir, half how-to book, "Never Say Diet" is the story of how Chantel lost 200 lbs. by following her 5-decision plan, and by changing her thinking.

Chantel now runs marathons and teaches spinning classes.

I loved the bits about changing your thinking, but hated that Chantel still recommends cutting out certain foods, and gives a "Bad Foods" list.

Rated: B

TITLE: "The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer"
AUTHOR: Chantel Hobbs
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: some
MY RATING: 4****

This small book is a 16-week journaling companion for Chantel Hobbs’ book, “Never Say Diet“.

Each week has space to journal your cardio and strength-training exercises, and another space to journal your food intake. Also included, each week, are a main Bible verse, an inspirational quote, and a brief inspirational message from Chantel about mindset, exercise, and eating.

A great resource for those following Chantel’s “Never Say Diet” program.

Rated: B+

REVIEW: Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir by Jennette Fulda

2008-07-20T09:05:00.004-04:00

TITLE: "Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir"
AUTHOR: Jennette Fulda
PAGES: 239
DIETY?: somewhat
IE?: somewhat
MY RATING: 4****

This was a great memoir about a woman who originally weighed about 372 pounds, but then got off her tush and lost half of her body weight! She lost over 200 pounds the "old-fashioned" way (as opposed to surgery) by eating sensibly and exercising.

My favorite part of the book was where she refused to say what "diet plan" she used, as she believes that everyone is different, and therefore no ONE plan is going to work for everybody. She says you need to find your own balance, and what works for YOU, personally.

The details she gives about what it felt like to go from being grossly overweight and basically "invisible" to a more "normal" size and getting attention from others was really interesting. And, when she talked of actually learning to love eating healthier and moving her body, it was really inspiring! Her transformation is very motivating!

The author's blog, www.pastaqueen.com, has some great "interactive" before and after photos! Check 'em out!

Recommended.

Rated: A-

REVIEW: The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid

2008-06-28T08:25:00.003-04:00

Title: "The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl: The Hilarious and Heartwarming Tale of a Real-Life Superhero Who Battled the Bulge and Won!"
Author: Shauna Reid
Pages: 397
Diety?: somewhat
IE: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

I found out about this book a week or two ago, while surfing around online. Found the website, and found the book...then found that my library had a copy -- yay!

Shauna Reid started out at about 351 pounds... she went to a Weight Watchers weigh-in with her sister, and had a moment of decision: she couldn't live like she'd been doing any more. So, she made up her mind right then to change. She signed up for Weight Watchers, and she started her journey.

Shauna didn't stay with WW, though. Eventually she learned to make up her own plan, and she joined a gym. This is her story of how she lost half of her body weight, and learned to make peace with her body and her life. :)

Hilarious book, but full of inspiration. You can't help but be moved by Shauna's story (which was originally just her blog-posts on her website, and then got turned into a book -- there's more content in the book, though).

Recommended.

Rated: A+

REVIEW: Winning After Losing by Stacey Halprin

2008-05-23T20:40:00.005-04:00

Title: "Winning After Losing: Keep Off the Weight You've Lost - Forever!"
Author: Stacey Halprin
Pages: 261
Diety?: somewhat
IE: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

Finally a book for those who've already lost the weight (or, most of it), and are looking for help with the 'maintenance' phase.

Stacey Halprin knows what it's like to have a weight problem. Before having gastric bypass surgery, she weighed over 500 pounds. She knows all about the 'invisibility' and other feelings that come with being majorly overweight.

After going through with GBS, she made the decision to do whatever necessary to keep the weight off, and continue to get healthy. She has now maintained her loss for 5 years.

While this book focuses on maintaining your weight loss, those who are still working on it can find a lot of inspirational tips and motivation here, too. I, myself, am still working on getting the weight off, and I found this book to be really inspiring and helpful.

Because it's more about maintenance, there are no menu plans, or "formulas" for getting thin. She does talk briefly, though, about nutrition and exercise.

Lots of good help here... I'd recommend this one!

REVIEW: "The No S Diet" by Reinhard Engels

2008-04-16T14:58:00.006-04:00

Title: "The No S Diet"
Author: Reinhard Engels
Pages: 182
Diety?: yes and no
Promotes IE?: not really
My Rating: 4****

Edited to Note: I have now actually READ this book (not just the website), so I've updated my review to reflect that change. :)

I first heard about this diet from the Women's World magazine article, featured on April 14, 2008. I picked up a copy of said magazine at the local grocery store, because the cover story was about this diet, and I was intrigued.

Much as I'm not a huge fan of "diets" any more, this one seems to be a "diet" and an "anti-diet" all at the same time. While the author encourages you to eat 3 meals a day, and doesn't really buy into the "eat only when hungry" logic, he also encourages you NOT to snack between meals.

There are no recipes, no meal-plans, and you don't have to "count" or track anything. So, in that sense, it's NOT a diet (by my standards, anyway). There ARE some *restrictions* -- the "No S" parts -- but even those come with "exceptions", so this still doesn't seem like a "diet" --in the typical sense of the word-- to me. ;)

The really cool thing is that the author has given the entire "plan" of his diet for FREE on his website! You can read all the FAQs (frequently asked questions) there, as well as join the discussion boards, or use his personalized "habit tracker" (created specifically to work with this diet -- but not limited to use with the NoS plan! You can use it for anything, really, and it's FREE!).

Basically, the premise is just 14 words long... you eat:

- no sweets
- no snacks
- no seconds
... except (sometimes) on days
that start with "S".

It's not as simple as it sounds, though, as people here in the West have a penchant (it seems) for snacking (on sweets, no less!), and taking second helpings.

The author proposes that eating these things ONLY on days that start with "S" (Saturdays, Sundays, and Special occasions) will help to greatly reduce your calorie intake, thereby leading to weight loss.

He doesn't claim that your weight loss will be quick... it's a gradual --but more lasting-- change. And, he says that it offers more structure than the typical diet.

I liked that he made so much fuss about how the usual "diets" do NOT work (not in the long-run anyway).

I wasn't originally going to read the book, given that you can find all of the information you need for free on the website. But, after reading messages on the NoS Bulletin Boards, I realized that the book is a little more "fluffed-out" than the website, and there's a bit more in the way of answers to questions NoS "followers" usually have.

The book was very good. Yes, most of it was a repeat of what's on the website, but the bulletin-board people were right in that there is more to the book, too. I found it helpful to have the book, and it's nice to have that "portable" information... I don't have to keep running to my computer to look up an answer to my questions. It's also cool that the book is just slightly bigger than a mass-market paperback, so it fits in your bag (or whatever), and the price was right (I got mine for $10.60 CDN)

So, overall, I'd say that this book -- and the plan, itself -- are great. I'd definitely recommend both! I'm trying out the NoS principles, myself, and am really liking the freedom "with boundaries" that they give me. Having those "S" days to eat without guilt is definitely a bonus. ;)

REVIEW: "The Writing Diet" by Julia Cameron

2008-03-31T08:54:00.009-04:00

Title: "The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size"
Author: Julia Cameron
Pages: 234
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

Throughout my life, I've always loved to write. My family complains about my obsession with buying notebooks (which, for the record, I feel I NEED!). In high-school, I loved it when the teacher would fill all three chalkboards with notes for us to copy, then erase them, and fill all three up again! And so, the premise of this book (that you can "write yourself right-size") had me intrigued.

Author Julia Cameron isn't a nutritionist or a health professional. She teaches Creativity classes in which she encourages her students to write daily "Morning Pages"... stream-of-consciousness journaling to unleash (or "unblock") your creative spirit.

In "The Writing Diet", readers are also encouraged to take up the habit of writing daily "Morning Pages". Add in Food Journaling, and weekly "Culinary Artist Dates", and the author claims you'll start losing weight, just like she saw her Creativity students do.

Cameron also gives some other "tools" which she says will be helpful in your weight-loss journey: Walking, HALT, finding a 'Body Buddy',and asking yourself "4 Questions".

Later in the book, topics such as the bathroom scale, clothing, mirrors, trauma, spirituality, eating-to-please, and exercise (as well as several others) are touched on ~ each gets its own short chapter and a journaling exercise to help you work through your 'issues' in these areas.

Reading this book, I did find myself inspired. I was giddy with the excuse to buy new notebooks ((grin)), and have started writing my daily Morning Pages, as well as keeping a detailed Food Journal.

The only thing I really disliked about this book was how Ms. Cameron was labelling foods as "legal" and "illegal", "good" and "bad". Her emphasis on "Clean Eating" (avoiding whites/refined carbs & sugars) was too "diety" for me, but I just substituted the word "Healthy" instead of "Clean", and decided to "take what I love and leave the rest".

Overall, this was a very interesting book with a very positive feel to it. It even leaned a little towards the principles of "Intuitive Eating" at times!

I'd recommend this one. ;o)

REVIEW: "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?" by Peter Walsh

2008-03-19T12:32:00.003-04:00

Title: "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?"
Author: Peter Walsh
Pages: n/a
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: yes
My Rating: 4****

The author of this book used to be the host of the TV show, "Clean Sweep". He believes that clutter in people's houses, and "clutter" (aka: "Fat") on people's bodies are related. He says that, in order to get the clutter off your body, you should start by getting the clutter out of your house.

His four main questions were:

* Are you happy?
* Is this the life you want?
* Is this the house you want?
* Is this the body you want?

He shows you, throughout the book, how to start with your house (he doesn't go into great deal here, though -- except for the kitchen --because he says he went into that detail in his other book, "It's All Too Much"), and then work your way to taking care of your body.

He doesn't give recipes or meal plans, or anything like that. He just says things like, "Be mindful when you're eating", "Eat stuff that supports your goals", "Get rid of the junk"(I didn't like this one!), and "Eat less than you used to". Basically, it's all common sense.

A good book. I would recommend it.

REVIEW: "Fat Girl: One Woman's Way Out" by Irene O'Garden

2008-03-19T12:29:00.000-04:00

Title: "Fat Girl: One Woman's Way Out"
Author: Irene O'Garden
Pages: n/a
Diety?: not really
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 3***

A short, strange memoir about a girl/woman who is an overeater (binge-eater).

It starts with her sneaking food as a child, and ends with her finding out about a better way to eat as an adult woman. The middle dealt with her struggle to find her way out of the binge-eating cycle.

I didn't like the coarse-language throughout this book, or the messy grammar.

Either way, though, there was still a good "lesson" to be learned through the story.

REVIEW: "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips

2008-03-19T12:25:00.000-04:00

Title: "Body For Life"
Author: Bill Phillips
Pages: 201
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: no
My Rating: 3***

Mr. Phillips has created a 12-week program where you eat only the foods from an "Authorized Foods" list (lean chicken/turkey/beef, veggies, some carbs), and you do high-intensity exercise and strength-training 6 days per week.

The weight-training parts looked good, and it doesn't hurt to eat healthier. But, I am skeptical of the "Before" and "After" stories in the book. The people in the B&A pictures featured on the inside front & back covers also looked like they'd eaten too little, or exercised too much. :-?

REVIEW: "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl" by Lisa Delaney

2008-03-19T12:23:00.000-04:00

Title: "Secrets of a Former Fat Girl: How to Drop 2, 4 (or more!) Dress Sizes -- and Find Yourself Along the Way"
Author: Lisa Delaney
Pages: 247
Diety?: a little
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4.5****

A fantastic book! The author basically details her journey from being a fat kid, to being a fat college-student, then finally to becoming a skinny (we're talking size 2!) wife and mother. Don't be scared off by her current waist-size, though! Ms. Delaney can relate to what you're going through, as is evident by her story. I found myself relating to so much of what she wrote, despite the fact that I've only had a "weight problem" for the past 9 years.

Lisa gives you tips for how you can not only change your dress-size, but also how to get a new outlook and mindset/attitude, too!

This book was just what I needed, and I loved the "memoir" style! Very good.

REVIEW: "Getting Thin and Loving Food!" by Kathleen Daelemans

2008-03-19T12:21:00.000-04:00

Title: "Getting Thin and Loving Food"
Author: Kathleen Daelemans
Pages: 324
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

The author of this book is a chef with her own television show. She has had weight issues in the past, and it shows in her book.

All of the advice was very down-to-earth and geniune. Geared towards IE, too, so I really liked it!

The book includes 200 "healthy living" recipes, as well.

REVIEW: "Fit From Within" by Victoria Moran

2008-03-19T12:18:00.000-04:00

Title: "Fit From Within: 101 Simple Secrets to Change Your Body and Your Life--Starting Today and Lasting Forever"
Author: Victoria Moran
Pages: 248
Diety?: very little
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

A book with 101 inspirational readings on different topics related to weight loss. For example:

- Be Careful with Caffeine
- Look at the Spiritual
- Don't Talk About Your Losses

The author focuses quite a bit on the principles of IE, so I liked this book! But, there were a lot of other very motivational aspects, so it's not just about IE.

The book is nicely laid out, too, as you can read just one "tip" at a time, and it will only take you a few minutes.

Recommended.

REVIEW: "Chocolatherapy" by Karen Scalf Linamen

2008-03-19T12:13:00.000-04:00

Title: "Chocolatherapy: Satisfying the Deepest Cravings of Your Inner Chick"
Author: Karen Scalf Linamen
Pages: 173
Diety?: no
Promotes IE?: no
My Rating: 3***

I expected this book to be more about weight loss, but it wasn't. Instead, it was mostly about different aspects of a woman's life.

I'm not sure if this book was even *supposed* to be about weight. Here's what the back of the book says:

"When life makes you crazy, reach for the chocolate: it's cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment. Beloved humor author Karen Scalf Linamen is back with her first new women's book in five years, and she's got a stash of sweet treats in her purse to share. Why do women choose comfort food when they are really craving something else? What if they could stop settling for second best and give their souls what they are really seeking? Would they be content? Perhaps they would glean a deeper understanding of their emotions. Most importantly, they might be able to get into their skinny jeans and stay there. With her trademark wit and insight, Karen Linamen helps women everywhere discover what they are really hungering for--and laugh out loud in the process."

Karen talked a lot about her divorce, and how she was coping now (4-years later)... and how she ate a lot to get through those years. There was too much mention about her snacking and about chocolate, and it made me hungry! LOL

REVIEW: "Thin Again" by Arthur and Judy Halliday

2008-03-19T12:11:00.000-04:00

Title: "Thin Again"
Author(s): Arthur and Judy Halliday
Pages: 208
Diety?: no
Promotes IE?: yes
My Rating: 3.5***

This installment is less 'preachy' than the "Thin Within" book, and focuses more on the emotional and spiritual components than on the physical.

I didn't like the focus on uncovering "things from the past", as I'm partially of the belief that you don't need to...the past is the past. Otherwise, though, this book was good.

REVIEW: "Get With the Program" by Bob Greene

2008-03-19T12:08:00.000-04:00

Title: "Get With the Program"
Author: Bob Greene
Pages: 211
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 3.5***

Being a fitness instructor, Bob's emphasis is always more on exercise than anything else. But, I like how he stresses that you need to go at your own pace. He also encouraged the readers to eat only when physiologically hungry, and to be mindful in their eating! (IE principles!)

This book taught me things I didn't know about exercise and weight loss. But it's still too 'diety' for me to give it a higher rating.

REVIEW: "Look Great, Feel Great" by Joyce Meyer

2008-03-19T12:03:00.000-04:00

Title: "Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthier Life Now"
Author: Joyce Meyer
Pages: 177
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

I saw this book in my church library and, since I'd wanted to read it for a while, I brought it home.

It's a good book that gives "12 Keys" to help you live a healthier life: drink water, exercise, let God lead, choose fruits and veggies and whole grains, etc.

The book was really just a lot of common sense tips, but it was also very inspirational! I liked how I could take it and make it work around the intuitive eating principles. :o)

Recommended!

REVIEW: "The Sugar Solution" by Sari Harrar

2008-03-19T12:00:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Sugar Solution"
Author: Sari Harrar (with Prevention Magazine)
Pages: 406
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: no
My Rating: 3***

Based off of the Glycemic Index (G.I), this book aims to help you achieve more balanced blood-sugar levels through diet, exercise and stress-reduction.

Still a 'diet' book, but it had some good advice. I particularly liked the bit about reducing stress.

REVIEW: "Thin Within (non-Christian)" by Judy Wardell

2008-03-19T11:51:00.000-04:00

Title: "Thin Within" (the non-Christian version)
Author: Judy Wardell
Pages: 246
Diety?: no
Promotes IE?: yes
My Rating: 4****

I almost like this version better than the Christian one, as this one isn't quite as "preachy", and it is a bit more practical in the application of the "8 Keys to Conscious Eating".

I really liked that it has "Creative Visualization" exercises, and it hints at using the "Law of Attraction" (by using "Positive Affirmations").

This book was helpful, so I recommend it!

REVIEW: "Eat Smart, Walk Strong" by Leslie Sansone

2008-03-19T11:48:00.000-04:00

Title: "Eat Smart, Walk Strong"
Author: Leslie Sansone
Pages: 255
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

Another 6-week plan from Leslie Sansone, this one has you incorporate 6 new "healthy habits" that will keep you "naturally slim":

- Intentional Eating
- Breakfast
- Portion Control
- Slow Food
- Snacks
- Restaurants

This book was filled with excellent tips and advice, and of course, a nod toward getting in regular physical activity (especially walking! --grin--). It also, quite often, spoke in terms of Intuitive Eating! So, I have to recommend this book, despite the somewhat diety nature, in parts.

It really is based off of common sense, and Leslie's very flexible plan is doable. "Take what you love, and leave the rest!"

REVIEW: "Fattitudes" by Jeffrey and Norean Wilbert

2008-03-19T11:44:00.000-04:00

Title: "Fattitudes: Beat Self-Defeat and Win Your War with Weight"
Author(s): Jeffrey and Norean Wilbert
Pages: 198
Diety?: not really
Promotes IE?: yes
My Rating: 4.5****

A 'fattitude' is "a thought or feeling that leads to self-defeat in weight management efforts".

This book gives you little forms to fill out to help you "Discover" your 'fattitudes', "Invent" new patterns of thinking and behaving, "Extinguish" old patterns and behaviors, and "Transform" yourself from the inside-out.

Highly recommended, as it meshes well with IE. :o)

REVIEW: "The Portion Teller" by Lisa R. Young

2008-03-19T11:41:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Portion Teller"
Author: Lisa R. Young, Ph.D.
Pages: 256
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

Giving you 'visuals' for sizing up your portions (things like a baseball, a golf ball, a deck of cards, a CD case, a computer mouse, etc), Dr.Young teaches you how to scale back your portions to their 'proper' sizes. She also encourages following the Food Guide Pyramid, with emphasis on Fruits and Vegetables over sweets and treats.

An excellent program that would tie in well with Intuitive Eating, in my opinion!

REVIEW: "The F-Factor Diet" by Tanya Zuckerbrot

2008-03-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

Title: "The F-Factor Diet"
Author: Tanya Zuckerbrot
Pages: 168
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: no
My Rating: 3***

Based on the premise that, by increasing your fiber intake, you can lose weight, this book is definitely another "diet".

Of the three 'steps', Step 1 is the most restrictive. Each of the following two steps allows you to add in more food, but still says you should avoid things like refined/simple carbohydrates.

No diets for me!

REVIEW: "Back On Track" by Carole Lewis

2008-03-19T11:36:00.000-04:00

Title: "Back On Track: A 16-week Challenge to Help You Reach Your Weight Loss Goals"
Author: Carole Lewis
Pages: 143
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: no
My Rating: 3.5***

This book is part of Ms.Lewis' "First Place" program. It challenges you to do three things for the 16-weeks: Believe God, Trust God, and Obey God. Doing so, you draw near to Him, and He blesses you with the release of your excess weight.

A great book to motivate those in a 'slump'. Avoid the food-plan parts, though, as they're based off of a "diet" (the "First Place" program relies on the American Diabetic Association's "Food Exchange" lists).

REVIEW: "Why Weight?" by Geneen Roth

2008-03-19T11:23:00.000-04:00

Title: "Why Weight?: A Guide to Ending Compulsive Eating"

Author: Geneen Roth

Pages: 186

Diety?: no

Promotes IE?: yes

My Rating: 4****

This was a workbook that had about 87 questions to help you dig down deep and discover possible reasons why you overeat.

I came across some things I'd have never guessed about my eating, so the book was definitely helpful. One of the best books I've read on the subject of non-dieting.

A lot of people find Geneen's books to be excellent. She also writes articles, monthly, for Good Housekeeping Magazine. :o)

REVIEW: "Fit For Life" by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

2008-03-19T11:18:00.000-04:00

Title: "Fit For Life"

Author(s): Harvey & Marilyn Diamond

Pages: 224

Diety?: yes

Promotes IE?: not really

My Rating: 2**

A program for weight loss that focuses on detoxification and suggests that you eat 70% fruits and vegetables, and 30% everything else.

While some of the book made sense, other parts were too legalistic and restrictive. Adding fruits and veggies to your diet is a great idea, but --at least for me-- having them make up the majority of your dietary intake was just silly. I'm not a
vegetarian... I like my meat. :-?

(Don't get me wrong... there's nothing *wrong* with being vegetarian! It's just not for me).

REVIEW: "Overcoming Overeating" by Hirschmann and Munter

2008-03-19T11:14:00.000-04:00

Title: "Overcoming Overeating"

Author(s): Jane R. Hirschmann and Carol Munter

Pages: 235

Diety?: no

Promotes IE?: yes

My Rating: 3.5***

This book teaches you how to give up dieting forever, and to relearn how to feed yourself 'on demand'. Basically, it promotes the intuitive eating principles (see Glossary in sidebar).

I liked how the authors stressed that you should be patient and compassionate with yourself while you're learning. But I disliked how they encouraged people to go ahead and eat from "mouth hunger" (not truly hungry, just emotional). They state that eventually you'll not do this any more... your emotional reaction to food will die down when you realize that the food
will always be there, and that you're not going to be deprived of your "formerly forbidden foods" (sweets & treats, or anything that --on another diet-- you would be told NOT to eat).

REVIEW: "The Weigh Down Diet" by Gwen Shamblin

2008-03-19T11:08:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Weigh Down Diet"

Author: Gwen Shamblin

Pages: 317

Diety?: no

Promotes IE?: yes

My Rating: 2** (see reason below)

A way to lose weight while eating whatever you want, and not relying on exercise!

Gwen claims that by doing the following, you can and will lose weight:

- eat only when you're truly hungry (when your stomach growls)
- eat smaller portions
- rate each item on your plate
- dissect your meals --> eat the best food first
- sip a drink every couple of bites
- eat slowly
- stop eating when comfortably full (not stuffed)
- *Turn to God* to keep from overindulgence
- develop an intimate relationship with Christ and keep your focus on Him
instead of food

This book definitely changed my thinking about dieting and weight loss. I learned that diets don't work, and that God designed our bodies to eat this way! I had great success following this program, and I loved the focus on getting closer to God, instead of being gluttonous and overindulging.

But, I learned --shortly after reading this book-- of some serious theological flaws in Gwen's writing and thinking (see this link), so I put the book aside, and will no longer recommend it. BUT, if you can read it with a spirit of discernment, praying all the while for God to show you what is true, and what isn't, then I don't think this book is *all* bad. It's mostly Gwen's later books that start to go downhill, from a theological standpoint.

A better book to read -- one that mirrors this program, but is more grace-filled -- is Thin Within (click for review).

REVIEW: "Thin Within" by Judy and Arthur Halliday

2008-03-19T11:03:00.000-04:00

Title: "Thin Within: A Grace-Oriented Approach to Lasting Weight Loss"

Author(s): Judy & Arthur Halliday

Pages: 327

Diety?: no

Promotes IE?: yes!

My Rating?: 4.5****

An amazing book! Much, much more than weight loss is included here... it's a life transformation!

This book teaches you the principles of "hunger" and "fullness", by giving you eight "keys to conscious eating" to put into practice:

1. Eat only when my body is hungry.
2. Reduce the number of distractions in order to eat in a calm
environment.
3. Eat when sitting down.
4. Eat when my body and mind are relaxed.
5. Eat and drink the food and beverages my body enjoys.
6. Pay attention to my food while eating.
7. Eat slowly, savoring each bite.
8. Stop eating before my body is "full".

I lost almost all of my excess weight by following these "keys", and didn't even have to exercise (though, I did add in exercise after I saw the plan working so well without it).

The Christian aspect of this book is very good, but can be a bit much for some. The focus is on turning to God to help you when you're tempted to eat more than you need.

This book is laid out in a 30-day format... you read one "chapter" per day, for 30 days. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the program, and on God's help in transorming the way you relate to food and eating.

I highly recommend this one!

NOTE: There is also a non-Christian version of this book/program, written by Judy before she married. Click here to read that review. :o)

REVIEW: "The G.I. (Glycemic Index) Diet" by Rick Gallop

2008-03-19T11:00:00.001-04:00

Title: "The G.I. (Glycemic Index) Diet"

Author: Rick Gallop

Pages: 165

Diety?: very much so

Promotes IE?: no

My Rating?: 2**

Mr. Gallop says that you should look at a BMI chart, set your target weight around the BMI 22 range, and then follow the G.I. Diet ever afterward.

There are 2 phases: Phase 1 is where you take in less calories than you expend to achieve weight loss. Once you reach your target weight, you move on to Phase 2. This is where you add a few calories to maintain your loss.

The plan is based around the Glycemic Index. You are supposed to eat lower glycemic foods in order to lose weight. Mr. Gallop provides a "stop-light"-type plan, where those foods in the "red light" category should be avoided, those in the "yellow light" category should be eaten sparingly, and those in the "green light" category are what you should choose regularly.

A good book, but the plan is very rigid and restricting. I tried it, but didn't even last a day. I had to buy a bunch of "special" foods (stuff I don't normally eat), and it wasn't even good.

I wouldn't recommend this one.

REVIEW: "Walk Away the Pounds" by Leslie Sansone

2008-03-19T10:55:00.000-04:00

Title: "Walk Away the Pounds"

Author: Leslie Sansone

Pages: 252

Diety?: somewhat

Promotes IE?: no

My Rating: 4****

Leslie outlines a 6-week plan where you walk 1 - 3 miles a day, drink your 8 glasses of water, and get enough sleep. She guarantees you'll feel better and be thinner if you follow her program for 6 weeks without fail. Of course, proper diet is tied into this.

I have really enjoyed Leslie's "Walk Away the Pounds" DVDs, and the success stories sprinkled throughout this book (most of which have the people doing Weight Watchers, in addition to the WAtP DVDs) are very inspiring. The DVDs will make you stronger and boost your endurance, if nothing else.

The book is based on common sense. If you increase your exercise, and watch your portion sizes, you CAN lose weight. And, walk-aerobics is a fun way to do exercise. :o)

REVIEW: "Thin People Don't Clean Their Plates" by Jill Fleming

2008-03-18T21:09:00.002-04:00

Title: "Thin People Don't Clean Their Plates"

Author: Jill Fleming

Pages: n/a

Diety?: yes

Promotes IE?: not really

My Rating: 3***

The author claims her book is "not a diet", and it has a Hunger-Satisfaction Scale. She says "don't limit your food choices". But, then she contradicts herself and suggests you eat mostly low-fat food! It's a diet, if you ask me! :-?

Her Thin Choices program follows the following guidelines:

- eat mostly low-fat food choices
- have 8-10 servings of fruits & vegetables daily
- drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily
- get at least 7 hours of sleep
- breathe deeply for 10 minutes a day
- move your body for 30 minutes most days of the week

While these are all great suggestions, and they'll probably get you healthy and help you lose weight, I still don't agree with the "eat low-fat food" bit! I'm a walking-talking example that you can lose weight while still eating full-fat *REAL* foods ... so long as you only eat when you're hungry, and you stop when you're satisfied! :o)

REVIEW: "Intuitive Eating" by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch

2008-03-18T14:35:00.000-04:00

Title: "Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Plan"

Author(s): Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch

Pages: n/a

Diety?: no

Promotes IE?: thoroughly! LOL

My Rating: 5*****

This book details the steps you need to take to become an "intuitive eater" -- a person who follows their body's natural cues of "hunger" and "satiety" in order to eat in moderation and shrink down to their natural body weight. (10 Keys)

I especially liked the chapters called: "Challenge the Food Police" / "Make Peace With Food" / & "Respect Your Body". Challenging the "Food Police" means undoing the "diet mentality" that's been so ingrained in us by society, and substituting positive statements every time you hear a negative one regarding food or your eating (in your head). Making peace with food reminds us that NO food is "good" or "bad" or "forbidden", and we need to give ourselves "unconditional permission to eat" the foods that we love and that satisfy us. Respecting our bodies means not having negative things to say about yourself when you look in the mirror, and it means buying clothes NOW (not later when you've lost X number of pounds, first) that make you look and FEEL great!

This is an awesome book that I recommend to a LOT of people! ;o)

REVIEW: "Mindless Eating" by Brian Wansink

2008-03-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

Title: "Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think"

Author: Brian Wansink, Ph.D.

Pages: n/a

Diety?: somewhat

Promotes IE?: yes

My Rating: 4.5****

There are 'hidden persuaders' in our lives that cause us to eat more than we think. These can be: labelling, sounds, lighting, package sizes, etc.

Wansink suggests that we can lose 10-30 pounds within a year by making just one to three 100-calorie changes a day to our eating habits and environment. These changes are small enough that our bodies don't really even notice that we've made them, but they supposedly work wonders!

A good book, with lots of interesting stories about the studies done in Wansink's lab. :o)

Highly recommended.

REVIEW: "100 Days of Weight Loss" by Linda Spangle

2008-03-18T14:22:00.000-04:00

Title: "100 Days of Weight Loss: The Secret to Being Successful on ANY Diet Plan (A Daily Motivator)

Author: Linda Spangle, RN, MA

Pages: n/a

Diety?: not really

Promotes IE?: yes!

My Rating: 5*****

See Also: the Weight Loss Joy website

Don't be frightened by the word "diet" on the cover, as this isn't really a "diet" book, in my opinion.

Basically, the author gives you 100 "days"-worth of tips for how to keep yourself motivated, and how to make a plan that really works for you. On the very last day (Day 100), she also tells you to pick your Top 10 favorites from the book, and keep those as your "tools" to help you keep on track, or to maintain for the rest of your life.

I loved that soooo much of this book focused on the hunger-fullness principles, rather than on "diety" things. Ms. Spangle encourages you to pay attention to your body's signals, wait for true (physiological) hunger, stop at "satisfied", and be mindful while eating. Love it!

Some of my favorite "tips" were:

Interested or Committed: "'interested' means you only stay with your plan until something better comes along; 'committed' means you stick with your plan...no matter what!"
Half-Off Special: eat half as much as you normally would; never go back for 'seconds'
Smaller Amounts, Less Often: don't feel deprived; no foods are 'forbidden'; just eat smaller amounts of your favorites, less often!
The Eating Pause: when you naturally pause in your eating, you're usually at the exact point where you feel 'satisfied'; if you continue past this point, you'll probably find you've overeaten.

There are so many other good tips that I had a hard time picking *just* 10 for my "Top Ten". ;o)

Highly recommended book!

REVIEW: "Secrets of Successful Weight Loss" by Diana Burrell

2008-03-18T14:18:00.000-04:00

Title: "Secrets of Successful Weight Loss"
Author: Diana Burrell (with Psychology Today magazine)
Pages: n/a
Diety?: a little
Promotes IE?: yes
My Rating: 4.5****

I loved this book. It was soooo full of great information, covering almost every aspect of weight loss and healthy living:

- a brief overview of most of the diet plans out there
- how to design your own plan
- exercise & eating healthy
- what to do when you hit a snag in your plan, or go through tough spots
- medical conditions caused by overweight/obesity
- what to do when you hit the maintain stage
- how to think differently once you've reached your goal
...and SO MUCH more!

This book has been put on my wishlist, as I'd like to own a copy. It really was helpful, and it'd be a great book to reference back to from time-to-time!

REVIEW: "The Skinny" by Robin Aronson and Melissa Clark

2008-03-18T14:09:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Skinny: How to Fit Into Your Little Black Dress Forever"

Author(s): Robin Aronson & Melissa Clark

Pages: n/a

Diety?: somewhat

Promotes IE?: yes!

My Rating: 4****

While some parts of this book were still a little "diety", MOST of the book promoted the principles of Intuitive Eating. :-)

Basically, the authors encourage you to:

Eat when you're hungry
Eat what you WANT (don't settle for less)
Don't eat to please someone else
Don't eat what you don't want

They also say you should eat at least one fruit, and/or one vegetable with every meal. And, they promote eating slowly, and eating sitting down.

I liked that they gave you two perspectives -- one author is a Food Writer, and the other is married, and a mother. They show that their "plan" is a good fit for anyone, as it can be altered.

There were a lot of tips outlined....how to handle certain situations (eating out; eating in the presence of coworkers; eating at parties), and what to do if you find yourself eating emotionally.

The "diety" parts of this book (mostly just the usual, "Skip the junk food -for the most part- and go for the veggies") weren't all that bad. They even go so far as to say you can HAVE the junk food, but just make sure you have the veggies first. They don't count calories (or anything else, for that matter), so it's not anything I'm fully against.

Have a look through their website first, if you want to know more about their style, without having to buy the book. And, if you like their website, get the book! It'd still be worth your while! ;)

REVIEW: "Diet Fads" by Barbara A. Zahensky

2008-03-18T14:05:00.000-04:00

Title: "Diet Fads"

Author: Barbara A. Zahensky

Pages: 65

Diety?: somewhat

Promotes IE?: somewhat

My Rating: 3***

This was a book written for TEENS, and it wasn't as *diety* as I thought it'd be. There were a few parts that mentioned watching calorie-intake, or avoiding a lot of high-fat foods. But, overall, the book encouraged teens to stay away from fad diets (while explaining WHY), and encouraged them, instead, to listen to their hunger signals, to do some research into why they think they overeat, and to get more exercise.

I would recommend this book, definitely. I might give a word of "warning" along with it ((grin)), but only to say that we don't necessarily NEED to count calories, or avoid any foods so long as we're truly listening to our bodies' signals, paying full attention, and allowing any food in moderation. Moderation is key. ;o)

REVIEW: "Safe Dieting for Teens" by Linda Ojeda

2008-03-18T13:48:00.000-04:00

Title: "Safe Dieting for Teens, 2nd Edition"

Author: Linda Ojeda

Pages: n/a

Diety?: somewhat

Promotes IE?: yes!

My Rating: 4.5****

Hunter House publishers

ISBN: 0-89793-502-0

NOTE: I volunteered to read this for LibraryThing's "Early Reviewers" program.

Ms. Ojeda has written an excellent book on dieting for teens. It doesn't give you a food plan, or recommend cutting out any food groups, or counting calories. Instead, Ms. Ojeda suggests that teens make up their own "diet" using some guidelines she provides.

I appreciated the fact that she doesn't tell you that you have to do it "her way". I liked that she often encouraged the reader to "listen to your body", and to just make healthier changes. One of the best parts I thought was where she says not to try to change everything all at once... you do one new thing for a while, until you're comfortable, and then move on to something else.

Even though I'm well past my 'teen' years, I found this book to be helpful, in some respects, even for me. So, while it's directed at teen readers, it's good for anyone looking for some quick tips on how to put together a working healthy-lifestyle plan.

The only 'issue' I had is that she still has a lot of focus on calories. Being a nutritionist, that's understandable. And, I'm somewhat biased, as I've been into "non-dieting" for the past 2 years, and will never diet again. ;o)

Overall, though, this book was very good, and if teens are going to look to "dieting", I'd recommend this book, as it's very 'safe', and very sensible.

REVIEW: "The Best Life Diet" by Bob Greene

2008-03-18T13:33:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Best Life Diet"
Author: Bob Greene
Pages: n/a
Diety?: somewhat
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 4****

Much as I'm no longer into "dieting", I requested this book from the library because I read (in my book club flyer) that it supposedly talks of the "hunger scale", and "eating only when you're hungry". I was curious.

And, I hadn't intended to read this book. I'd only intended to skim it. But, it was an easy read, and there was lots of good & interesting information inside.

My problem with it is that it's still a diet -- he asks you to follow calorie-counts (but not necessarily to COUNT calories), and to cut out foods. But, otherwise, it's a decent program. He is only leading you to a healthier lifestyle, by choosing foods that don't have a lot of sugars, trans fats, or salts. Closer to "natural", I guess.

REVIEW: "The Secrets of Skinny Chicks" by Karen Bridson

2008-03-18T13:14:00.000-04:00

Title: "The Secrets of Skinny Chicks: How to Feel Great in Your Favorite Jeans When It Doesn't Come Naturally"
Author: Karen Bridson
Pages: n/a
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: somewhat
My Rating: 3.5***

I recently read a book called "The Secrets of Skinny Chicks: How to Feel Great in Your Favorite Jeans When It Doesn't Come Naturally" by Karen Bridson. I got it out of the library thinking it would be a book about Intuitive Eating -- on the back, it talked of waiting for hunger, and eating just 'til satisfied.

Well, upon reading it, I found that it's not *truly* a non-diet book... The author repeatedly encourages you to count calories. (True Intuitive Eaters know that you don't have to do this! You don't have to count anything!) But, I continued to read, because she *did* talk about hunger/fullness on the back... there had to be something...

And, sure enough, there were many instances where the women profiled talked of only eating when hungry, and stopping just at satisfied. There was also almost a full chapter that talked of "mindful eating" (same thing as Intuitive Eating -- listening to your body's cues). And, I loved the parts where the author talked about loving your body for its uniqueness, and about loving yourself for YOU. She talked quite a bit about overcoming Emotional eating, too.

So, I am going to recommend this book! But, I will do so with a WARNING:

** This is STILL a "diet" book! Do not read it with the intention of a "quick fix"! No diet is going to work for you forever... they just don't.

REVIEW: "You: On a Diet" by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen

2008-03-18T13:07:00.001-04:00

Title: "You: On a Diet"
Author(s): Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen
Pages: n/a
Diety?: yes
Promotes IE?: n/a
My Rating: 3*** (but, see note below)

A while back, Dr. Mehmed Oz, and Dr. Roizen (authors of You, On a Diet) were featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote this book. I watched the program --though I rarely watch TV -- because I wanted to see if there was anything that I, as an Intuitive Eater-in-the-making, could use. :o) And, voila! there was. :o)

** NOTE: This is a brief review only, because I didn't read the whole book. I only skimmed the parts that were of interest to me at the time. **

* There is something in everyone called the Omentum. It's hooked to the bottom of the stomach.... it's function is to pump chemicals through. The omentum causes the hormones that make us feel hungry.

Two Hormones That Regulate Our Eating:

1) Ghrelin --> hormone that tells us we're hungry
2) Leptin --> sends the satiety signal... tells us we've had enough to eat

* Eat/chew your food slowly --> this allows the Leptin signal to be clearly 'heard'

I didn't take any further notes on these, so I will leave you with two links to more information:

Wikipedia: Ghrelin

Wikipedia: Leptin

Welcome!

2008-03-18T12:55:00.000-04:00

This blog will be a place for me to review books in the Health & Fitness category (my favorite genre, lately).

Hopefully this will be a helpful resource for those looking to know more about books in this genre without having to spend the money to find out.

Feel free to leave comments and let me know what you think!