Amazon.com: Dump Your Trainer (9781419680236): Ashley Marriott, Marc Paulsen: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2007

Personal Training programs continue to grow in popularity and have become an extremely profitable industry. Every day we hear some Talk Show Host espousing the glorified achievements of this or that 'trainer to the stars' or Tabloid News shows and magazines promoting the miracles of some 'celebrity's trainer.' In the meantime TV shows like 'The Biggest Loser' continue to attract huge audiences. . . So, with all this 'fitness' going on why is it that the American population continues to get fatter? In provocative, irreverent and hilarious fashion 'Dump Your Trainer' examines the fad of personal training and explains how it can actually be counterproductive to your weight loss goals. The authors, a nationally recognized Certified Personal Trainer, and a Stanford trained Medical Doctor also provide a simple, fun, realistic and proven program for weight loss and lifelong fitness - without wasting your time and money on ineffective personal training.

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Personal Training programs continue to grow in popularity and have become an extremely profitable industry. Every day we hear some Talk Show Host espousing the glorified achievements of this or that 'trainer to the stars' or Tabloid News shows and magazines promoting the miracles of some 'celebrity's trainer.' In the meantime TV shows like 'The Biggest Loser' continue to attract huge audiences. . . So, with all this 'fitness' going on why is it that the American population continues to get fatter? In provocative, irreverent and hilarious fashion 'Dump Your Trainer' examines the fad of personal training and explains how it can actually be counterproductive to your weight loss goals. The authors, a nationally recognized Certified Personal Trainer, and a Stanford trained Medical Doctor also provide a simple, fun, realistic and proven program for weight loss and lifelong fitness - without wasting your time and money on ineffective personal training.

Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.5 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply put, this book is wonderful, realistic and fun!, April 1, 2008

By

T. GOODRICH "Art Lover" (Saint Helena, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dump Your Trainer (Paperback)

Constantly badgering myself about losing weight and getting in shape, well, better shape, I was seriously considering joining a gym and hiring a personal trainer. Speaking with a friend, he recommended Dump Your Trainer. Wow, what an eye opener. The racket of personal training, especially the thought that trainers don't really want you to achieve your goals because then they will lose a client made so much sense.

This book is interesting, entertaining, fun, sensible and best of all, doable. The "fitness test" was easy and provided me with some valuable information. I was very strong in my legs but very weak in my stomach. I won't tell you that how many sit ups I couldn't do, but I have my work cut out for me, big time. I am excited to be joining this program because it seems like something that is possible to do. I am not a big fan of gyms so I was really glad the excercises were also things I can do at home, much more convenient for me. The recipes sound really good and not too hard.

If I could look 1/64th as good as the author, Ashley Marriott, I will be thrilled. Thanks for the encouragement and the great ideas. This book is absolutely worth the price.

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets the job done quick and easy, January 3, 2008

By

G. Starzenski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dump Your Trainer (Paperback)

This is a great little book and the program simple and effective. It starts out irreverently bashing the media hyped fad of personal training and slamming the boot camp type TV shows as risking permanent damage that will only backfire later. The authors then go into several very simple and easy to follow diet and fitness programs that can be integrated into almost any lifestyle. Does it work? Well, I bought the book less than a month ago and I'm already down 12 pounds. Not encyclopedic, but hey, my goal was to lose weight, not do a lot of reading. They're emphasis is obviously on simplicity and this book gets the job done quick and easy.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From Flab to Fab for Cheap!, January 29, 2008

By

Lee Mellott "Skin Care For Wrinkles" (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Dump Your Trainer (Paperback)

Dump Your Trainer is a clear, concise guide on how to get fit. The book begins with an overview of why using a personal trainer may not be the best use of your time and money if you are looking to get fit. The authors feel a cardio intensive program is what will help you lose the most weight. Trainers however, tend to focus more on strength training than cardio because a trainer isn't needed for cardio and thus can't make money. To lose weight a session should be about 40-60 minutes of aerobics with 10-15 minutes of strength training. But a trainer won't make $ that way as not many people will pay a trainer to watch them run laps.
Trainers, according to the authors, also waste time on chit chat, may not have proper certification themselves and may recommend food and supplement products such as diuretics, steroids etc. that may be harmful.

Instead of a trainer the authors outline a program to take you from flab to fab for the price of the book. You begin with a fitness assessment. You will take a step test, push up test, etc. to evaluate your current level. Next you select your primary aerobic device. This could be a stepper, bicycle, treadmill, cardio or the author's video. The video is offered up as a choice but not pushed. The author then takes you through an aerobic plan that will get you in the desired heart/fat burning zone.
Toning is up next and the author includes a full program with photographs. A program with gym membership and one without.

You can't get in shape without diet and the authors diet is a disciplined one but not over the top. Typical day might include: Breakfast - egg whites and veggie juice. Lunch - chicken breast tacos and iced tea. Snack - protein smoothie. Dinner - rock cornish hen, salad, tea. The diet focuses on real food not faux food and some simple recipes are included

The book lays everything out one day at a time. Thumb to day 11 for example and you will get the action step (positive steps for the day), a meal plan, and what exercise to do. Easily laid out for 21 days.
The action steps are nice. They give you ideas to think about such as focus on what you have to be thankful for, getting in enough sleep etc.
The book also gives adjustments for length of time to exercise depending on your weight loss goals. At the end of the 21 days the authors explain what to do to keep on moving with your fitness goals.

Overall I think the 227 page softcover book is an excellent value for the individual who is ready to kick [...] and get it done. However, many of us just aren't ready to make this kind of commitment all at one time and may need babysteps. The biggest drawback to me with the book is that exercise takes place twice a day. Once in the morning and again in the evening. I want to do it once a day and be done with it. Also the food is pretty restrictive. However, if you are ready to commit to fit, and want to jump right in the book is a great step by step road map for what to do!

Lee Mellott

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Modest with message and in appearance
In the beginning, this book debunks myths about Personal trainers. After spending years in my local gym and seeing exactly what Ashley Marriott portrayed about such trainers, I... Read more

Published on March 23, 2008 by gary mack

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Dump Your Trainer tells it like it is and provides the tools necessary to make long-term changes. I like the motivational techniques and the 21-Day Quotes. Read more

Published on March 15, 2008 by Kerri K

2.0 out of 5 stars Soso
(Disclaimer this is a review of the book, not the program.)

Some books are self-published or as some call them, "vanity press books" - and for a reason. Read more

Published on March 14, 2008 by Steven R. McEvoy

5.0 out of 5 stars Like the message
This book is good to read if you are thinking of hiring a trainer. At my gym it's $60 an hour for a trainer and I've watched some of the trainers just talk and walk around with... Read more

Published on January 16, 2008 by Randy

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy and realistic program that should work
I've read tons of books on fitness and weight loss. Most have some good but a lot of bad. This unique book is very refreshing. I liked it all. Read more

Published on January 16, 2008 by Susanna Hutcheson

5.0 out of 5 stars An exercise that really works!!!!!!
As a model, being physically fit is not only a desire but a requirement. I have been working out with various trainers on both the East and West Coast for years. Read more

Published on January 3, 2008 by Monique Burgee

4.0 out of 5 stars fun and informative read
Dump Your Trainer provides an informative and common sense approach to fitness. What I really appreciated about the book was the underlying message that ultimately we are our own... Read more

Published on December 28, 2007 by J. Vosika

5.0 out of 5 stars A great program that can easily become a habit.
This book caught my attention because its cover and title are so amusing. When I glanced through the book though, I was a bit hesitant to buy it, since it seemed to require a gym... Read more

Published on November 30, 2007 by Patrica Ayassa

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and realistic.
As an Ophthalmologist with a busy practice, I, like many professionals have very little free time and finding an exercise program that fits my schedule has typically proven to be... Read more

Published on November 25, 2007 by Robert L. Charet

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
total fitness, best life, calories burned, fitness consultant, mashed cauliflower, fat mayo, dressing dip, hardboiled egg whites, stability ball

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Evening Snack, Afternoon Snack Protein, Mid-morning Meal Coffee, Day Eight, Very Poor, Above Average, Personal Trainer, Dinner Grilled, Dump Your Trainer, Cardio Dance, Life Happens, Lunch Lean, Dinner Skinless Cornish, Lunch Grilled, Fat Protein, Step Three, Nutrition Facts, Lunch Two-cheese, Smart Balance, Tofu Salad