Weight Loss Books

I lost my first 35 pounds through traditional dieting, i.e. eating less and exercising, then I got "stuck". This book educated me about food and how to eat properly. The lessons learned enabled me to go on to lose a total of 60 pounds in eight months, and to keep it off! This is not a diet book, rather a book that teaches you about food and how to live healthy!

Permanent weight loss has escaped the world of "would-be dieters" out there. Many of the so- called experts continue to contradict each other with the newest fad diet to hit the bestseller list. The book that should be the one on the bestseller list is Dr. Joe Klemczewski's, Metabolic Transformation. He puts and end to the years of yo-yo dieting and educates his readers and clients at the same time.
Dr. Joe's experiences of being a physical therapist, professional bodybuilder, and nutritionist with graduate degrees in health and nutrition help him to take all those complex fields and simplify them so that anyone can understand the intricacies of the human body.
In effect, the book allows you to become your own nutritionist. All of Dr. Joe's beliefs and procedures to do his diet are fully backed on years of research in his own experiences as well as the research in the health and nutrition related fields. Doctors would have a hard time refuting the ways and diet procedures of Dr. Joe because of all of his years of research. Each chapter has the main points highlighted and summarized at the end to further simplify how to follow your Metabolic Transformation.
For starters, the book explains about one's metabolism and how each person is different and one generic plan does not work for everyone. Body typing is also very important in how one would go about determining their total calories for each day. In terms of body type I am referring to whether you would be an ectomorph, a mesomorph, or an endomorph. Each person has little things that make him or her special from the next person. One can take the book a step further and work with Joe personally online. Nothing works as well as a one on one nutrition-consulting program with Dr. Joe, whether you are looking to enter a bodybuilding show (Joe's specialty) or just wanting to get yourself back into shape. Dr. Joe helps to kick-start your metabolism and lose the right kind of weight, FAT!!! while preserving muscle. This statement even holds true for yes even the women. With your new metabolism, one must learn to space their meals out properly. This is another big key to eating enough calories and limiting your portions while keeping your metabolism in high gear.
Next, Dr. Joe looks into how each calorie dense nutrient works in your body. He explains about carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Knowing how each nutrient works also creates the saying how a calorie is not just a calories as we have been told for years. Total calories are very important, but even more important are the ratios in which you eat them. Certain foods and nutrients affect the body's metabolism in different ways.
Recipes and food preparation are keys to successful eating habits. Each person will create recipes according to his or her recommended portion sizes. Dr. Joe believes that through knowledge and understanding one can create limitless combinations with the foods found less processed and with the help of today's quick and convenient higher protein snacks.
With all of your newfound knowledge, it is now time to carry out the plan. Dr. Joe Klemczewski has plenty of information inside the book to get started and is definite must have, but to truly get the proper understanding and know how of Metabolic Transformation I highly recommend the personal one on one nutritional counseling program through the internet. It will be the best $500 you have ever spent. He usually carries the program over a six-month time frame and works with you personally to figure out your ideal numbers to attain your goal, permanent weight loss. He even takes the guesswork out of that last critical week we as bodybuilders know as "Peak Week" the last week before a show, which can make or break you on your big day up on stage. All the more for you bodybuilders to take the plunge and work with Dr. Joe one on one. All that guesswork now is just a formality and the only thing one needs to worry about is posing and genetics. I may be a little biased in this situation but the facts don't lie and success is hard to argue with. Over the past three years of working with Dr. Joe, I have turned 2nd's into 1st's and just this past June, I won the Men's Open bantamweight class at the 25th INBF Hercules Championships which qualified me to turn professional in the WNBF. Dreams do comes true through hard work and persistence.
No matter which way you choose, the book itself or personal nutrition consulting online with Dr. Joe, it is a win-win situation. I highly recommend getting the book to feel out what Dr. Joe is all about and if you are ready to make that serious commitment go to his website, www.joesrevolution.com and change your life!!!!
Review by Craig Yarnall, CSCS, CPT, WNBF Pro

This is a great book about weight management. I personally was fed up with all of the other books (Atkins & Weight Watchers) and wanted something that tells it like it is without trying to sell me something. Dr. Klemczewski starts the reader right away by introducing a chart that recommends the amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates needed for fat loss based on height. This is the foundation for the rest of the book as he then explains in easy-to-understand language the reasoning behind the numbers and the myths that are abound in regards to protein, fat, and carbohydrates. He also walks you through a 6 week plan to get the reader started.

However, if you are looking for a book with receipes, this book does not have any. Instead, the reader is expected to journalize what they eat and maintain the numbers within his chart. I actually found it easier than points or other methods because nutritional information he requested is readily available on food labels. It also helped using Microsoft Excel. I had obtained the earlier version and found this book had some additional graphics and information. My weight loss has been consistent as he states and in total I have lost about 25 pounds.

This cd addresses the real issues around weight gain and loss. Instead of counting calories this tape instead addresses the underlying issues. The first of my favorite tracks is a guided meditation which keeps me from eating out of anxiety by lowering my anxiety level. The other favorite track helps me identify if I am truly hungry or do I need something else to nurture myself. This is an extraordinary tape that deals with the reasons underlying women's weight issues. It has worked for me!.

Eating can become an obsession or a mine field for the failed dieter. With three simple questions, this CD can lead you to come back home to yourself. There are no gimmicks in this CD, just a gentle-loving approach to trusting your body's cues, and deciding what you really want. Robin's gentle guidance comes from years of professional training. That's obvious in the professional level of this CD, both in the choice of music as well as in the superb writing. When I listened for the first time, all my fears, that someone would be telling me to stop eating or to eat only approved foods, began to surface. Each of those fears slowly melted using the many guided meditations on this CD. Together they built greater respect and trust in my own inner wisdom. On one track, Robin covers food obsessions, and the urgency to have food NOW to handle emotional stress. She does this from a place that is relaxing and non-threatening, encouraging the release of pent-up emotions. Each track is its own gift, which can be played over and over as the need arises. I heartily recommend this CD.

This is a beautifully done CD and well worth getting if you struggle with food issues on any level. Robin's voice is deeply soothing and grounding and she helps you learn to relate to food in a much more healthy way throughout the different tracks on the CD. Robin guides you through various segments aimed at increasing awareness of your relationship with food and moving from mindless (and sometimes frenetic or compulsive) eating to more relaxed, conscious, and nurturing eating. If you feel a drive to eat when stressed or emotionally stirred up, listening to Robin's voice alone can help to center you and reduce the liklihood of needing to turn to food for comfort. She is clearly an expert in understanding food issues and helping people to heal their relationship with food. Several years ago I did some coaching with Robin and she helped me tremendously with my food issues, and other issues that sometimes spilled over into stress-related eating. She is a great coach and has done a wonderful job with this CD. I highly recommend Robin and her work - she is a very genuine, nurturing, and skilled coach and guide!

I originally checked this book out at the library, and loved it so much I bought one for our home. Quick, easy recipes (the steak and portabello sandwich is DELICIOUS, and super quick), and allow for easy meal planning for managing the carbs for my husband's insulin pump. I would absolutely recommend!

While there are many cookbooks today that feature meals that are quick and easy to prepare there are very few that concentrate on the special problems of the diabetic. In "Mix 'n Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes" the reader will find many breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes with complete serving and nutritional information. Each recipe has exchanges information for those who have to watch their diet closely along with information on calories, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, sugars, and protein content.

Along with "One Pot Meals for People with Diabetes" this is a welcome cookbook of delicious recipes and a recommended read for anyone with diabetes or just looking for recipes with nutritional information.

The recipes in this book are so easy, fast, and delicious -- and full of quick helpful cooking tips -- that I'm always falling back on them rather than trying 'new' recipes in my other books. So now the recipes are getting 'old' to us! Every now and then I check back for another book of the same name/type with new recipes to try, but alas: it's not out yet. I hope they'll make another one soon. One of the best things about this book is that the recipes only use a few - in most cases 8 or fewer - ingredients, and yet are delicious and healthy. I HIGHLY recommend this book. When sticking to the portion sizes, my husband and I both lost weight without any other effort. The only down-side to this book is that the recipes are for 2 people. Now that my kids are getting older, I need recipes for more. Of course, I could always double the recipes....

I am not a gourmet chef, and I appreciate the simplicity of these recipes. It's nice to make healthier dishes that don't require weird ingredients, or tons of time to make. We have several favorites from the cookbook that we have all the time.

We bought the hard cover version of this wonderful book in 1989. We have worn it to a frazzle, with pages of our favorite recipes now falling out of the book. First, it scientifically lures you into a mind set of better eating habits, and then it gives you excellent recipes by which to get there. We highly recommend it!!!

This book is excellent, even if just for the recipes. I have yet to make something that I didn't like. It takes an average American diet and simply identifies ways to make it healthier. I really haven't had to change my menu or the types of food I eat. I've just made a few alterations. Now I spend less money on groceries, very little time in the kitchen, and I feel so much better about what I'm eating. Plus I'm not on a diet to starve myself or only eat one type of food. I can still enjoy almost everything I like. This book is definitely worth more than the money spent on it. It is leading me to a life of being a lot healthier.

This is an excellent book, written and illustrated in a way that engages children. The illustrations are colorful and fun. The text is geared toward children with a humorous focus on educating them on the benefits of exercising and healthy eating habits. And as a bonus, while you are sharing this book with your children, you will be reminded of the benefits of taking care of yourself!

I would highly recommend this book for children. It addresses the growing issue of obesity in our country in terms that children understand. The author and illustrator were able to relate to young children and inform them of the dangers of being overweight and not eating healthy. I have two boys ages 5 and 11 years old who loved the book and asked about eating healthier foods and exercising together. I even ordered a copy for their school and received a lot of positive feedback from the teachers.

I purchased this book for my five year old daughter. She absolutely loved it! As soon as we finished reading it, she asked me to read it again. She laughed hysterically, but more importantly, she got it. After I read it for the second time, she asked me if we could exercise together. I highly recommend this book for anyone with small children. Healthy habits need to start early.

This is an excellent work which covers both conventional
and alternative medicinal protocols. The author describes
the various massage methodologies which involve the
artful manipulation of soft tissue to achieve healing.
The craniosacral rhythmic therapies are described as part of
a spinal realignment regimen. In 1997, the author describes
how the National Institutes of Health released findings of
a "Consensus Panel reflecting the opinions of many experts on
acupuncture for pain. The panel found 'clear and promising
evidence' that acupuncture helps to relieve low back pain."
The book describes how Boswelia relieves chronic colitis.
In addition, the atherosclerosis protocol shows how the
condition may be prevented with a low fat diet, increased
intake of fruits and vegetables and various bridge techniques
of both conventional and alternative medicinal protocols
utilized in unison.

As a fellow medical writer, I'm very impressed with the information presented in this book, and with its easy-to-follow format. Besides telling the stories of various individuals who have found relief for their conditions with combinations of allopathic and complementary medicine, Weisman and Berman give readers detailed backgrounds of treatments/techniques such as meditation, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine in sections called "A Closer Look." "What's the Evidence?" sections concisely summarize the published research on various treatment modalities. The "Take Action" sections offer practical advice for patients coping with pain, aging, cancer, menopause and childhood illnesses. Weisman's candor about her own recovery, as well as about her son's challenges facing a chronic illness, engages and empowers readers in a way that most self-help medical books cannot and do not. Whether you are a patient yourself, or are simply reading this to become better informed, you will surely own your health by the end of the book. Bravo to both Weisman and Berman.

Own Your Health: Choosing The Best From Alternative & Conventional Medicine is a solidly written, nicely organized, and truly "reader friendly" guide to understanding and making choices among alternative and conventional medical treatments. Anecdotes, judgmental weighing of facts and statistics, pros and cons, and so much more fill the pages of this compendium of information. Own Your Health is a quite excellent and very highly recommended resource -- especially for those wrestling with chronic ills with symptoms that resist standard medical treatments.

I make no secret that the 25 pound weight loss I experienced without counting a single calorie or EVER being hungry (cuz humans are not supposed to be hungry if they can eat right) came from reading and following this book. It's easy, cheap, and you feel great! Much easier than a bi-pass (geriatric or cardiac), insulin or amputation for diabetes, and chemo for cancer...diseases that can be caused and/or worsened by obesity. This book, and the Maximum Weight Loss Plan by Dr. John McDougall are the best kept secrets, IMHO. These docs aren't on the take from any company or industry and are sincere about helping hundreds of thousands over the years, for free because they care. They have no money-guzzling supplements or products or scams. Have seen many lose incredible amounts of weight using these two books. Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without DrugsTurn Off the Fat Genes: The Revolutionary Guide to Taking Charge of the Genes That Control Your WeightBreaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings---And 7 Steps to End Them NaturallyThe Mcdougall Program for Maximum Weight LossThe New McDougall Cookbook: 300 Delicious Ultra-Low-Fat RecipesThe Mcdougall Quick and Easy Cookbook: Over 300 Delicious Low-Fat Recipes You Can Prepare in Fifteen Minutes or LessMcDougall Made Easy

The book is short because Barnard has spared us anecdotes, padding, and lengthy but irrelevant personal testimony. This book gets down to brass tacks immediately, is clearly presented, and makes total sense. I'm impressed not only by the book but also by the success of the method and its common-sense simplicity. Highly recommended.

Even if you do not have a "weight problem," this book deserves a place on every person's bookshelf. The concepts and ideas in this book are not new, although they will certainly be new to many; some may even find them "radical." Dr. Barnard advocates a vegetarian diet in order to stay healthy and at a desirable weight. If you follow the advice in this book, you will undoubtedly lose weight and look and feel MUCH better than you ever have. The truth is that most people eat food that does not promote health or a good weight. Dr. Barnard shows you how you can eat foods that are good for you, foods that will make you feel good, and in the process, you will lose weight and keep it off. This is not a "diet" in the sense that you must restrict your calories. This is a diet in the sense that you make intelligent, sensible food choices, EAT AS MUCH AS YOU WANT, and lose weight without ever feeling hungry. It's true! After eating the way that Dr. Barnard recommends in this book (no animal products), I lost ten pounds in several weeks, and I have kept those pounds off, without ever feeling hungry. I eat as much as I want, and I don't gain weight. Try it out for yourself, and see that it works. If you don't see a change after trying this book out, write me an email and tell me what happened. I have many good tips for eating this way.

This is the most well written nutritional and diet book I have ever seen! Diets can be so confusing and difficult to understand but the author has written this in a way that ANYONE can follow - if you CAN'T follow her plan and firm up, you don't WANT to! I have now lost 12 pounds after following her program for 6 weeks.

The diet is easy to understand and food preparation is not complicated- even if you're only cooking for one. The diet consists of a high fiber, low calorie (around 1700 a day) diet and even allows you to make selections based on your preferences if you don't like what is suggested. For those of us who have a sweet tooth, she alllows a satisfying daily "indulgent treat" that is around 200 calories!

She clearly describes the exercise program that should be done daily and there are at least two photos for each move with suggestions for doing the move properly. She includes a chart for what to do if you can't do daily exercises and you can select the 5-day or 3-day program for the week. If you are expecially zealous, you can do the "must-do moves" and also additional ones daily to help you tone up more quickly. The exercise program consists of strength training (no equipment required other than 5, 8, 10 pound dumbbells) and daily walking. The strength training tones muscles while the walking burns calories.

Throughout the book, she throws in lots of interesting facts and sites many research studies that help you in your "training." I have been so impressed with this book that I have told many friends about the plan and my success with toning up... 6-7 of them purchased the book for themselves - even my 62 year old mom is loosing weight! After applying the plan to my daily lifestyle for the last few weeks, I am now in the chapter for "advanced" moves to continue my workouts. I am very greatful to this author who has found a way to educate me on a topic that once seemed so complicated. Now, I have a better understanding of how food consumption and exercise work together and have committed to make lifestyle changes that I will apply for the rest of my life... I can't recommend this book highly enough!

I used this book after my son was born and found it to be informative, motivating and user friendly. Like most weight loss books, I assumed I had to read over 200 pages before I would lose a pound but that is not the case with this book.
Basically they give you some great information in the front of the book and tons of meals to choose from in the back of the book. The middle of the book is what to eat and what to do (exercise) on that particular day and for the next 3 weeks. So it is a day by day plan for both eating and exercise. It does not get any easier then this. I lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks and most importantly felt great. The menu will give you 1700 calories a day but I felt better with 1500, so the choice is yours.
I gave it to two people to jump start a healthy life style and the last person lost it on me (or refuses to give it back)....I let me self go in the past year and Im running to the book store now for another copy. This one I will not let go of!!!

This is something I looked for for years.. an all-in-one, sensible, reasonable method for weight loss. It includes three weeks of menu plans, with options for variety, plus three weeks of workouts - walking and weights - set out with advice and encouragement. You could make this into a nine-week program by starting at exercise level 1, then 2, then 3.

I tried it and actually lost weight by eating all the time. (You have three meals and two snacks, plus a treat, every day). If I slacked off on either the food or the weightlifting, though, my weight loss did too.
Some of the meal suggestions are a bit too processed for my taste - prepared bread crumbs, frozen meals, more meat than I like to eat... but there are enough options to keep me happy.

The Promise: Fat Loss & Fitness System by certified fitness consultants Derek and Don Alessiis is not just another diet and exercise book. These two brothers collaboratively draw upon more than a decade of practical experience with professional atheletes and busy professionals to present a scathing expose as to why simple "dieting" is a poor way to lose weight - simply reducing one's calorie intake merely causes the body to slow down its metabolism, in an ancient, inborn defense against starvation. The Promise instead proffers a twofold path to better health: proper nutrition, ensuring that one's food intake is balanced and contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and moderate exercise to build lean muscle tissue. A tested and meaningful guide to improving one's health and overall well-being, The Promise is very highly recommended reading for anyone concerned with their physical health and well-being.

I have really enjoyed reading The Promise. After 23 years of treating a major back injury with the use of alternative modalities, a month ago I have started walking and am up to 3 miles 3-4 times a week. I added small weights in at home for the arms and am doing a beginner Pilates tape on the days I don't walk. I am looking forward to incorporating more of your tips into my routine. I like the format that you have used because it is easy to follow and you don't make me feel like a "dummy" because I didn't already understand the things you were describing.

In today's world where we seem to need everything overnight it was refreshing to read the truth which is that somethings cannot be acheived that quickly. The authors of The Promise are up front and let you know that personal health and fitness is a life long commitment. They warn against the marketing of all these 'magic pills' and 'quick fixes' and explain why they don't work. Being someone who has tried them all, it was uplifting to realize that it was not me, but rather these products that were the real problem. Their use of real life encounters also helped in realizing that others have had the same problems that I have had and that with hard work and dedication to good health I can achieve my fitness goals. I also enjoyed them exposing the 'fat free' marketers and explaining what that term really means. This is truly a great book!

This book is the next best thing to training with Ryan. The book is easy to read and follow. It provides straight to the point information on how to get fit and lose weight and easy to follow directions on how to execute the various exercises. I would strongly recommend the book to all who are interested in getting fit.

I wanted to lose some weight, but hated the idea of going to a gym to help me do it. This book was great at teaching me what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. I love all of the simple instructions on the exercises. It's very informative and easy to follow. It contains a great work out schedule. If you're reading this review, you must be interested in an alternative way to lose weight. You have to get this book! It will help you tremendously.

It really works! I wanted to wear a sexy dress to my 10 year class reunion.Even with a girdle my stomach pouched out, I was
desperate!! Then a friend told me about Ryan Crandall's book and
how it worked for her. In two weeks I lost 10 pounds without having to be humilated at the gym...