Customer Reviews

The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was excited when I saw this book on the shelf, and immediately bought it. I should've skimmed it first. I would've realized that I've heard all this information many times in other books and articles. All the information was so surface-level and mundane, that I had to force myself to finish the book. Additionally, in all honesty, I really am not convinced that this book includes the REAL diet and workout plans for these big-name stars. People simply don't look as thin as these celebs do by "hiking in the hills with my dog and drinking green tea!". Either way, I don't recommend this book unless, I suppose, you're a beginner with clean nutrition and working out.

"We interviewed A-list stars and their trainers and nutritionists because celebs have no choice but to stay in shape; it's their job." ~ Introduction

"The Black Book of Hollywood Diet Secrets" is a book filled with not-so-secret tips for weight loss. While it is true that you may have heard it all before (eat your veggies and protein), this book puts the tips in an easy-to-read format that is really fun to read. The tips include the basics of a healthy diet along with ideas for exercising more and more. The book begins with stars either saying they exercise all the time or that they don't at all. Are you willing to work out six times a week? There are very few stars in this book that say they don't exercise.

Have you heard that artificial sweetners make you fat? If you need more motivation not to use them this book also explains that they dehydrate the skin. One surprise is that chocolate can help you burn fat. I'm sure they mean dark chocolate. It would have been helpful if the authors had promoted "stevia" as a natural sweetener. You may also be surprised to learn about the healthy benefits of parsley and asparagus.

In the first French Toast recipe, the instructions tell you to mix egg whites in a bowl but they don't list how many eggs to use in the ingredient list. I assume they want you to use two eggs. They do remember to put in the egg whites in the second Banana French Toast recipe. Some of the stars interviewed say you should eat only egg whites while later in the book it is OK to eat whole eggs. Which is it? At times there is no consistency because everyone has a different idea on how to lose weight. It seems you have to make a decision based on the facts presented in each case.

Here are some of the items mentioned in the book (in case you want to order them along with this book - they don't give specific brands):

Original Wu-Long Weight Loss Tea Bags, 60 Servings
Itoen Tegaruni Matcha (Japanese Green Tea Powder 30 gram)
Bernard Jensen Black Cherry Concentrate Extra-Quality 16oz from Bernard Jensen
Amber Agave Nectar Syrup 16oz (100 % Pure Raw Cetified Organic)
Nature's Bounty CINNAMON 1000 mg - 100 Capsules
Bigelow Chinese Oolong Tea, Tea Bags, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 12)
Parsley Herb 100C
Benefiber-Natural Fiber Supplement, 25.6oz 190 Servings
The F-Factor Diet: Discover the Secret to Permanent Weight Loss

So will this book help you lose weight? I think the advice on walking is encouraging as I've lost 25 pounds walking one hour a day on my treadmill. I plan to lose even more now that I have some extra tips from this book. The advice about exercise is correct as far as I can tell and the diet tips could make a difference in how you view food on a daily basis. Little changes in your lifestyle could mean a loss in weight and that is what this book is all about.

~The Rebecca Review

I am absolutely in LOVE with this book! Not only do you get a-list celebrities and their trainers spilling all their secrets but it's written in such an uplifting and comical way. It's such an easy read and I've recommended it to all my girlfriends. I love all the tidbits of Hollywood diet gossip thrown in and there are so many easy, healthy suggestions. It's my new bible!

I always love buying magazines that have diet tips by the celebrities (Self, Shape, US Weekly diet issues etc) etc. They all kind of say the same thing but I don't care I still love reading them. This book is basically combining all the tips you would find in all the magazines all in one neat little book. Love it! When I am unmotivated I just read a few pages in this book and it motivates me. Fun book! Highly recommend!

I like this book because it is a quick read and really gives you an idea of what Hollywood does. It is full of tips from hollywood trainers, actresses, and celebs. The tips from the Hollywood trainers are right on target. As a trainer myself, I always worry when some Holllywood trainer throws out a crazy program and says everyone should follow it to see results. All of the trainers in this book are awesome though!

A lot of top name diet gurus throw in their advice on nutrition, and ways to drop the weight. The advice they give is nothing extreme, like another adkins or serious low carb diet. Everything is very sensible, pushing foods like vegetables, healthy proteins, and healthy fats.

Check it out. Its easier to implement a few small changes from this book, and still see results.

Sorry if you're looking to drop weight instantly by doing some amazing trick. Still the usual, eat less, exercise cardio and strength training, and walking or running additionally. There are a few other fun tips, and yeah, I liked hearing that the georgous starlets and models have to work at it. When you hear some say, "I eat whatever I want", and you want to spit on them... well, this book makes it seem that just isn't the case. They work their tushies off. Again, some good realistic tricks offered, and nothing trying to make you starve yourself. That's an entirely different book. But, caloric concern is addressed. Calories do add the weight. Made me think, if I want to be amazingly thin, that's going to take a lot of exercise, a lot of discipline, not much bad food - if any, and again a lot of work. OR I can accept being me, and doing a normal amount of things to keep healthy, since I'm not likely to become famous and in the tabloids any day soon. And have fun. I sure do appreciate how hard some gals work for their looks. To be super, you have to be super...

I have seen this author Kym Douglas on the Ellen Show, wow she has more energy and excitement than a 10 year old boy making their first touchdown! She seems to be just as talented in the writing department.I have always wanted to know what the stars do to keep their slick bodies and the tips in Hollywood Beauty Secrets are easy and not expensive. It is a fun read and a great topic for discussion for the next time the "girls" get together. I enjoyed her other book
Hollywood Beauty Secrets. I wonder what is next?

"What a fun read! It's not some hard to follow diet,
but offers entertaining tips that could help give you ideas about
cutting calories and getting more activity into you
daily life. It's cool to get the skinny, not just from
nutritionists and exercise pros, but also from all
those Hollywood stars who have to look great for a
living. Bring on the next Black Book!"

I normally only write good reviews of products that I love, but, I really thought this book was a waste of, not only my money, but trees and ink. There is nothing special in this book. I was an avid reader of gossip rags and womens magazines in my youth, so, maybe I just already have all of this information, maybe someone else might find it interesting.... you want to know what is in this book? Here it is...drink more water, eat more fiber, include leafy greens and protein in your diet, let yourself cheat every once in awhile... and exercise. Ummmm.... okay, what "secret" is that????? The only useful thing I got out of this book is the suggestion of squeezing your butt cheeks and doing stomach exercises while driving....oh...and doing squats with one leg (apparently makes some women have an orgasm...) ha ha.... I gave it two stars, because the advice is sound, it is not going to put some poor naive girl in the hospital, but it really is advice that you can find anywhere.... I was looking for some "secrets"....I found all fluff.... but I am going to try that one legged squat... maybe that will prove to be worth the price of the book.....

This was pretty useless as a book, I might use it as a coaster. (if I used it as a coaster though I'd have to actually admit to buying the darn thing).

I didn't like it, I thought it was very repetitive and boring. If anyone wants my copy I'll send it to you for shipping costs.. Just let me know.