Biiggest Loser Really Works
This book is not a typical diet book, more of a "chicken soup" type inspiration and motivation book. It's old, having been written in the middle of season two of the hit show, but the diet and excercise plan is still one of the simplest and most effective I've ever seen.
The most important parts of this book are the diet, which emphasizes fruits and veggies, and low fat proteins without restricting carbs or junk food specifically. It gives you a target calorie consumption and a simple "4-3-2-1" food pyramid which includes budgeting for indulgences and favorites. It does ask you to count calories, but it remains the simplest and easiest program to follow I've ever used.
It also includes an at-home work out routine, which is a carefully planned out regimen of cardiovascular and aerobic exercises designed specifically for people who are interested in losing weight and boosting metabolism, rather than people more interested in building muscle mass. The good news is the exercises themselves are easy for beginners, with techniques for making them harder if you're already used to working out and need extra help. The bad news is they are fairly time consuming and require a good amount of commitment and discipline. Also, the book seems to push readers to try going to a gym to make the most of their workouts. Cast members of the show spend 6-8 hours in the gym, but readers will be happy to know that this book does not recommend anything nearly that extreme for the average person. They do recommend about 1 hour every day of exercise, but suggest starting slow, with even 10 minutes a day.
This book is supportive and uplifting, very motivational and "you can do it", something lacking in many dieting books, without sugar coating the effort needed for real lasting weight loss.
I gained nearly 50 pounds when I came off some prescription medicines, and have had a hard time losing it. Since putting on that weight, I found it much easier to continue to put on, and much harder than it used to be to lose. My mother and I went to Weight Watchers meetings for about a year, and did manage to lose some weight, but it was very expensive and very slow. I don't mean to put them down, I saw success all around me at the meetings, but it wasn't what we needed.
By watching the show and reading this book (which cost me less than $10 including shipping) I've lost more weight each week than ever before and the results are already noticeable in my appearance and my energy levels. I'm eating more food, not less, and I'm eating healthier foods. I'm not hungry all the time or starving myself, rather I've learned strategies to keep myself satisfied longer on less calories. I've only had the book for a month so far, but I've lost 2 pounds a week every week for 4 weeks. My net loss after a year of Weight watchers (which cost me $480 in fees) was only 7 pounds. You really have nothing to lose by getting this book, it's a one time cost that is less than a monthly membership at most weight loss places, and it will teach you the no-nonsense things you need to do for real, painless, guiltless, lasting weight loss while still being realistic and allowing you to enjoy the foods you do now.
I've been very happy with this book and if you're thinking of getting it but still on the fence, trust me, you'll be doing yourself a favor to pick it up and start on the road to a healthier, happier, and more energetic you.Read full review
