Cinch!: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds, and Lose Inches [Hardcover]

Cynthia Sass (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 28, 2010

There are no calories to count; no points or grams to memorize.

Just begin choosing four daily meals from over one hundred delicious options (along with a mandatory daily chocolate escape), and you're well on your way to achieving your weight-loss goals. In thirty days on the Cinch! plan, you'll shed pounds and inches—and overcome emotional eating in the process.

Acclaimed weight-loss expert Cynthia Sass has arrived at the exciting secret to sustainable weight loss: her innovative combinations of clean, nutrient-rich foods not only maximize fat-burning but also deliver a faster, healthier metabolism forever. Following the plan is as simple as putting together an easy-to-understand fivepiece puzzle at every meal and enjoying four delicious, easy-to-prepare meals in addition to a chocolate treat. The Cinch! plan includes a full thirty days' worth of quick-fix, satisfying meals and teaches you a simple strategy for creating your own, so you know exactly what, how much, and when to eat, whether you're at home, at a restaurant, or on vacation. Cinch! makes weight loss simple, with meals you'll look forward to eating (no "diet" foods). And best of all, Sass starts her plan with an innovative five-day "Fast Forward," which jump-starts the plan's impressive results and will leave you feeling lighter and healthier.

If you've been trying to eat more clean, natural, and organic foods, but have lacked the structure needed to lose weight, this is the exact plan you've been waiting for. Cinch! includes every tool you'll need for weight loss success: Sass's proven plan, expert tips and advice, daily journals, grocery-shopping lists, chapters on exercise and emotional eating, and a month's worth of recipes—customizable for meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans. You'll enjoy Chocolate Pear Ginger Smoothies, Jalapeno Guacamole, and Chicken Pesto Pitas—to name just a few luscious Cinch! options!

Best of all, Cinch! weight loss is lasting weight loss. In one month, you'll recalibrate your body, freeing yourself from cravings and erratic eating, and begin a satisfying new relationship with food. With Sass's expertise behind you, you'll be empowered to continue creating Cinch!-friendly meals and feel inspired by a wealth of new eating habits—making this so much more than a diet.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Formerly Published as Cinch!: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds, and Lose Inches

Easy, Fast, Chocolate! Finally, The Plan You Can Stick With

I feel almost that this is too much food, too decadent.—Chris, age 54

I lost 8 pounds and 1.5 inches from my hips in just five days!—Adina, age 28

I love eating these meals. I don't feel deprived at all!—Laurene, age 36

Acclaimed nutritionist Cynthia Sass has proven, once and for all, that fast, sustainable weight loss is not about deprivation—in fact, this diet is anything but, featuring treats from guacamole to mandatory chocolate truffles. But it's the big results—up to eight pounds of weight loss in the first five days alone—that make S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim the ideal plan for anyone who's ready to take control of their diet, their weight, and their long-term well-being.

After just one month on the S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim plan, you will:

• Know which healthy foods promote rapid weight loss (the answers may surprise you!)
• Enjoy dozens of delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes that help you reach your weight-loss goal
• Better understand, and control, the emotional triggers that often lead to overeating
• Sleep better and enjoy more energy
• Shed the stubborn inches and pounds you'd all but given up on

New material, including sensational swaps and seven new success stories!

Best of all, this program is designed for real lives. You won't have to pass up on nights out at your favorite restaurant, start shopping in specialty stores, or spend hours in the kitchen. S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim is a potent program that gives you the power to change your body, your health, and your life!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Cynthia Sass is one of the first registered dietitians to become board certified as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD). She is the nutrition consultant to the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays, both 2008 champions and World Series opponents, and counsels professional athletes in numerous sports. Cynthia is the nutritionist behind and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Flat Belly Diet. She developed the eating plan for Prevention based on a combination of emerging research and over 10 years of experience as one of America's most recognised nutritionists. She is also the co-author of the relationship book Your Diet is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life and the Ultimate Diet Log. She appears regularly on the Today show, and her Weight Loss Coach column appears each month in SHAPE magazine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (December 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061974641
• ISBN-13: 978-0061974649
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cynthia Sass, MPh, RD, is a registered dietitian, the nutrition consultant to the Tampa Bay Rays, and the nutritionist behind and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Flat Belly Diet! Her "Weight Loss Coach" column appears each month in Shape magazine, and she appears regularly on television programs including The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Early Show.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

172 of 176 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Cinch! Review-Simply Stacie December 29, 2010

By Mark Ruble

Format:Hardcover

Cinch! is a new diet book by author Cynthia Sass, M.P.H, R.D. It is designed to help you "conquer cravings, drop pounds and lose inches." What initially drew me to this book is that the author co-wrote one of my favorite nutrition/diet books "The Flat Belly Diet." Once I started reading Cinch! I was drawn to the fact that this is not a "one diet fits all" book but rather it allows you to follow the program in the way that suits you best so that you have a better opportunity to succeed and meet your goals. For example, Cinch! starts with a very structured and effective 5 day "Fast Forward" menu which essentially tells you exactly what to eat and drink for the first five days to really kick start your efforts. There is even a helpful quiz that helps you determine if this would be a good fit for you or not. In my case, I decided not to do the 5 day "Fast Forward" because it is much easier for me not to follow a structured plan when I am cooking for a family of five, including three little ones. Instead, I utilized numerous components of the "Fast Forward" and went straight to the "Core" program.

Note: Though I do agree with the previous review post that the Five Day Options are very limited...it is a simple choice to skip it and go straight to the core plan that has many different meal options that are quite do-able for real families. As I stated, I skipped it altogether and had success eating meals that I adapted from the core suggestions.

In my opinion, one of the most attractive parts of the Cinch! methodology is that it is written by a nutritionist and health educator and it includes healthy and whole foods such as yogurt, eggs, turkey, lentils, fruits and my personal favorite dark chocolate! It even includes a little SASS.....What is that? SASS stands for "slimming and satiating seasonings." These are the five categories of SASS that you will use for the first 30 days (and beyond) and includes vinegar, citrus juice and zest, hot peppers (yum!), tea (it gets better and better) and herbs and spices. I have always loved to season my food with vinegar, hot sauce and a variety of other seasonings so it is wonderful that it is actually encouraged as part of my eating program.

I was very impressed with the Cinch! core program that includes delicious recipes such as Black Bean Tacos with Cilantro-Jalapeno Guacamole. This recipe was a big hit with my husband and little ones too as it tasted simply fantastic. In the morning, I am not typically a big eater so the Strawberry Cardamom Smoothie with Cashew Oatmeal was a great way to start the day and gave me lots of energy to keep up with my kids. My children were thrilled that Cinch! includes lots of healthy fruits including grapes and berries and they were able to enjoy healthy snacks along with me during the day. I also liked taking the "My Size" quiz to perfectly customize the core to my body which worked out really well for me.

The Cinch! Core program really is an all inclusive healthy eating guide for anyone looking to find new inspiration for their diet or to lose weight and since I am seeking to do both it is a perfect fit for me. By following the Cinch! program you can possibly "lose up to 7 pounds in the first 5 days and 15 pounds in 30 days." Now remember that I chose to skip the initial 5 day "Fast Forward" but I have still lost 8 pounds in the 19 days that I have followed the Cinch! eating plan. I am well on my way to losing those last 30 post pregnancy pounds which have stubbornly followed me for the last three years. I feel satiated, energetic and honestly better than I have in a long time.

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I got Cinched! January 2, 2011

By Selena Shepps

Format:Hardcover

Cinch! started out as diet and then easily became a happily lifestyle choice. Growing up, I consumed at least 2 soda cans per day, ate tons of processed foods, and would have constant energy dips throughout the day. I was nervous to try Cinch! because I had zero concept of nutrition, barely prepared meals, and nothing just seemed to work for me.

Cynthia does a great job explaining how this plan nourishes your body, the long & short term health effects, exactly what to do, and why. Ever do a diet and think "this makes no sense to me, but I'm desperate to do lose weight?" I sure did! And then a few weeks later I would always fall right off because I didn't understand the reasoning behind the method.

The book has meal plans for 30 days. I followed the meal plans exactly for the first week in order to completely reset my body and discover new tastes. The 5 piece puzzle gives you an unlimited number of choices that allow you to cater meals to your liking. My old habits and cravings disappeared within the first few days! I immediately realized that my body functions perfectly when I treat it right. Cinch! helped me understand the difference between mental and physical hunger. It's a huge relief to not be constantly thinking about food. Food used to consume my mind more than my mouth!

I know it can come off as cheesy - but Cinch! really was the best decision I ever made. I lost a significant amount of weight (I've gone from a size 10 to a size 4) and I don't feel restricted or deprived. It feels amazing that I've shrunk so much but I don't feel like I'm "on a diet". I usually eat out with friends about 4 times a week. At work, I bring my own lunch and snacks in order to save money. I got rid of the junk food in my desk and stocked it with healthy options. I also keep larabars and nuts in my purse so I always have something on the go. Cinch! became a lifestyle for me because it easily fits in my life. It's super easy to keep maintain and when you feel lighter, healthier and confident then trust me - you will never want to go back!!

58 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply fantastic! (From a life-long healthy eater who ALWAYS thinks about food!) January 4, 2011

By joani pattarozzi

Format:Hardcover

Cinch is an absolute GODSEND. I cannot say enough good things about how it's taken my otherwise "fit and healthy" lifestyle to the next level, one which I'd never thought possible!! Rather than being a "diet", it's really just a new outlook altogether. THANK YOU, CINCH!

For most/all of my 31 years, I've led an active and healthy lifestyle and have LOVED food. I LOVE to eat, but I also love feeling fit and healthy - and LOOKing that way! Accordingly, of course I am always conscious of what I am eating or am NOT eating or should be eating. Furthermore, I am a busy New York City professional. I don't have alot of time (or kitchen space!) to track down and keep elaborate ingredients and fancy meals, and I'm often pulled into work / social meals out.

At times, all of this can be exhausting, stressful, and can perpetuate the sort-of "It's ok; maybe I ate too much of [XYZ unhealthy food]; I don't do it all the time AND I'll work it off!!" mentality. I'd feel anxious when at a dinner party, faced with platters of rich, indulgent foods and desserts, knowing I'd probably indulge a bit (or alot!) too much, relying on the next day's grueling gym session: "It's OK! I'll work it off!" I'd say!

Cinch provided the missing piece to my lifestyle: Absolute control. For the first time, I feel totally in control of what I eat, all the time. I never am afraid of a craving getting the better of me. I don't HAVE "bad" cravings anymore. Pizza office lunch? No problem! Free platter of brownies!? Who cares?! Celebratory dinner and drinks at hip downtown restaurant?! A breeze.

Without my even realizing what had happened, by the end of the detox, Cinch had completely reset my taste buds. The 5-day "detox" may seem strict, but nothing could be more worthwhile!

Now, I crave a Larabar or frozen raspberries with almond butter. Seriously. It feels like I'm feeding my body just what it needs. Cinch re-circuits you in a way that just feels natural and RIGHT.

As an aside, my husband - a fit, regular guys' guy - eats everything I buy and prepare and says at least several times per week (totally unprovoked by me!) how he LOVES the feeling of "eating really clean". (He's not fully versed in "Cinch"-ease.) He comments on how immediately he feels the effect of a few less "clean" meals and craves getting back to our Cinch-inspired home-cooking.

Finally, I've always been a relatively "fit" person who, as mentioned, would balance eating indulgences with extra exercise. Given the compliments I've received over the past several weeks, during which I have not significantly changed my exercise routines, I realize that the little push over the clff I needed was a diet clean-up. And that's what "Cinch" did for me. For all you gym rats who justify some "sloppy" eating with your workouts, you deserve the maximum benefits of your athletic efforts! Cinch will really allow you to see and feel results you've not imagined.

How did I find "Cinch"? My friend dropped three jeans sizes on the plan, and while she was starting out, she talked about feeling so SATISFIED by the food, about no longer feeling OBSESSED with food. That sounded great to me! And it's no exaggeration; it's just what Cinch does. It's the best non-diet eating "overhaul" you could imagine. You owe it to yourself!