Look Better Naked: The 6-week plan to your leanest, hottest body--ever! [Hardcover]

Michele Promaulayko (Author), Maura Rhodes (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 13, 2010

Look Better Naked is a diet, exercise, beauty, and self-confidence plan from the editor-in chief of Women’s Health, the magazine that knows how to speak to women in a smart, inspiring way. The book offers expert tips and simple plans for reshaping a woman’s body quickly and easily. It reveals the powerfoods a woman should put on her plate every day and has a workout plan that delivers results in just 15 minutes a day. The plan also helps a woman:

• flatten her belly

• tone her legs

• tighten her butt

• improve her skin and hair

A woman’s posture, her pride, her personal power —they all go together. Look Better Naked shows a woman how to be the best possible version of herself that she can be.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MICHELE PROMAULAYKO is editor-in-chief of Women’s Health, the fastest-growing women’s magazine in the country. She is an outspoken expert on women’s issues and has appeared on the Today show, CNN, Fox News, and The Tyra Banks Show.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (April 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605294632
• ISBN-13: 978-1605294636
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 7.6 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

191 of 204 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Holistic "Dieting" April 14, 2010

By Kathy Simme

Format:Hardcover

Where other books on "dieting/exercise" will instantaneously delve into the epicentre of their plan this one begins with a mental makeover of sorts. The author attempts to have the reader appreciate one's body more than he/she already does. She advises to look at a selection of nudes (of varying body types) and to perform a weekly exercise ritual in the buff (ie. sleeping and eating etc.) to appreciate the banality of the human body - its curves, shadows, how it simply exists, and all of its functions. Even BDD (body dysmorphic disorder) is addressed. A healthy mindset is promoted from the get go.

Next, there is an optional two-day cleanse then a diet plan for the next six weeks. It is built to total 1.400 calories/day and includes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks. The meals are focused around 20 power foods: avocados, beef, bell peppers, berries, black beans, Brussels sprouts, cheese, chicken breast, dried fruit, eggs, flaxseed, hummus, milk, nuts/nut butters, olives/extra-virgin olive oil, salmon, tofu, tuna, whole grains, and yoghurt. The meals include various combinations of the list with the occasional added ingredient. There is also a list of recommended added spices and low-calories condiments like mango salsa. Splurging is allowed once in three weeks (twice over the program). A signature cocktail is also included for going out.

Following food is the section on fitness. The regime consists of two weekly metabolic work-outs and two strength training sessions. There is also an optional "do-anything" day from pilates to gardening. There is a ten minute warm-up before the pages of exercise. The strength training features 15 reps with 4 pound weights and lasts under 30 minutes. Weeks 4-6 the reps drop to 8 but the weights also increase to 8 pounds.... The metabolic work-out is also under 30 minutes. It is high intensity interval training, and has one set for weeks 1-3 and another for 4-6. Weights (4 & 8 pounds), an adjustable bench, a barbell, 5 & 10 pound barbell plates, an exercise mat, a jump rope, fitness shoes, and a Swiss ball are necessary for the work-outs.

Finishing touches are the next topic. Body acne, shaving, waxing, and pedicures are covered. There is also a bonus section of sorts that covers weeks 7-9. It speaks of weight maintain with an allowed weekly slip up, has new work outs that follow suit with the previous ones. In that section is also one covering ab workouts that follow the interval training style. A brief inlet about controlling cravings exists immediately after. The last few chapters cover "target zones" for weeks 7-9. The body parts are for breasts, arms, legs/butt and cellulite. The last bit is a warrior work-out. The book says you should lose 1-2 pounds a week with their plan, so if you make it to week 9 you should lose from 9 to 18 pounds.

Personal quip: I being a vegetarian have to alter the dietary plan to suit my needs, so except for some tidbits most of the food is inedible to me. Also, I don't agree with their training methods. In order to cause fat enzymes to begin burning away fat they need stimulation of 30 minutes, thus the work-outs don't sound to be effective for more than fiber type II toning. I would stick to a similar calorie goal 1,400-1,550 (to preserve maximum current muscle while losing weight) but to modify the work-out to 30 minutes strength plus 30 cardio (stationary) 5-6 days a week. The strength should be done first to activate the metabolism resulting in more burn during cardio. Yoghurt is one of the best foods in the plan eating it over 15 weeks caused 22% more fat than the rest without any change in diet (they ate three a day), this is from the CLA. For the mental aspect and general beauty tips it is written better than many other fitness books, but I admire the self-esteem boost not the work-out/diet. Read more ›

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars love this book! January 19, 2011

By Anna Mae Ouimet

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a stay at home mom of two little ones, ages 5 and 3. I was looking for something to help me get in shape and also gain healthier eating habits. I was convinced enough by previous reviews of this book that it had what I was looking for and boy was I right! While much of the book is geared toward being comfortable in your own body not just physically but mentally I didn't feel I'd learned anything new, however I have pretty good self esteem and never minded my mommy tummy or thick thighs much. So if you're more insecure about your figure be it large or small it has some wonderful thoughts and tips to get you to a healthier self view.
As for the diet portion of the book...I didn't want a "diet" as in, you can't eat these things..... and this book is the complete opposite, it's very positive and encourages you to splurge here and there on tasty things, (this includes cheese! something I could never ever give up entirely) but the meal plans provided also fill you up so you're not left feeling hungry and tempted to eat something you don't need (aka, gold fish crackers, in my case). I have loved every meal I've yet to try, almost a weeks worth at this point. and look forward to trying the other new things. I'm not much of a cook by nature so it's been really fun to have tasty healthy meals and snacks that fill me up and give me energy and did I mention that they are super tasty? My husband has been eating the same foods with me and he's enjoying them as well.
Ok, now to the physical end of it. first off, they start you out with a two day cleanse, I lost two lbs., 1 a day. then you start working out after that.... I haven't regularly exercised in quite some time so even the warm up they have you do was hard for me in the beginning but I'm already noticing that my body's adjusting and able to put out more. I have been more sore than I can ever recall being in my entire life but it feels good and I've lost 2 more lbs in 3 days!
the workouts consist of a warm up you do every time and then three different workouts that you rotate through over the coarse of three weeks. after the three weeks you have another three workouts to do for the following three weeks. there are two different strength training workouts and 1 metabolic workout.
I would say the only downside is they want you to join a gym. something I couldn't do, and so I have to make do with alternate styles of some of the exercises they're asking you to do because I don't have the necessary equipment. However there are only maybe 2 or 3 like this and with my husband's help I've figured out how to get the same effect through slightly different means. Most of it is easily done at home. Oh and something I love is you only exercise 4 times a week, and only ever two days in a row.
The book also does an excellent job explaining everything to you, why they're asking you to eat certain foods and what's behind all the exercises and routines and why. Very informative.
I'm sure I'll have more thoughts once I'm finished with the first six weeks but for now that's all. Read more ›

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All-In-One!! April 18, 2010

By Hannah Davis

Format:Unknown Binding

As a fitness professional, I was SO happy to find that this book addresses components to compliment a good exercise plan! It's a book I would recommend to all of my female clients! Attitude, exercise, nutrition, beauty play an intrinsic role in looking better and feeling more confident.
I specifically love the exercises chosen to be included in the book! They're great ones.

[...]

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars INTENSE-NOT FOR BEGINNERS January 31, 2012

By Tiff D

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Into week 1 of workout (inital review).

I am 5'6", 150lbs (not at all over weight but I NEVER exercise). My goal is to lose a few pounds and tone up.

Meals:
The 2 day cleanse was very challenging. You are limited to 2 tsp olive oil + balsamic vinegar and herbs. I though I could do chicken and salad greens for lunch/dinner for 2 days but by day 2 I was disgusted by the thought of more plain chicken.

My suggestion is to save half of your snack for dinner (who wants to eat a whole cup of cucumbers anyway?) and vary the protein.
Day 2 I went for salmon and asparagus (and incorporated "bonus" items into my meal; little greek yogurt and dijon).

I did indeed lose 2 lbs just on the cleanse (no exercise). But I was very cranky and kind of weak.

The meal plan is great in my opinion. It incorporated different foods to ensure you get the nutrition you need (and maybe to keep it interesting).

Cons:
1. It is expensive to buy so many differnt items, esp if you are cooking for one.
2. You need to get creative. There are no recipes. It simply tells you the protein and vegetable to eat for that meal. Having some basic recipes (like vinegrettes or marinades would be a big help).
3. Because there are so many different meals, you grocery list gets large and its difficult to know how much of each item you need each week. It would have been great if there were grocery lists for each week (online to print esp).

Exercise:
Workout A pratically scared me away. For someone who never exercises (and Im not over weight), it was EXTREMLY tough. The "warm up" was a workout for me! I was spent at half the reps the book recommends. So for week one, that was my max. After day 1, my legs were sore. SO SORE.... A lot of squats and lounges!!

Cons:
1. I found myself spending alot of time focusing on how to do the exercise. I would have LOVED a simple DVD with the book that shows you all of the moves (doesnt have to be a full work out DVD).
2. It would have been great if there were online flash card print outs for each week of exercises. Carrying the book around the gym and flipping through the sections was not convenient.

I can see why this plan would work. Its structured and intense. But in my opinion, its not for beginners. This is an intense strength training program for people already in decent physical shape...i.e. people who already workout and are looking to get toned quickly. Personal experience: My rooomate is a runner and consistently goes to the gym. She agreed the workout was intense and herself wasnt able to complete the number of reps suggested in the book.

I'm not sure I will/can continue the exercise program due to its intensity. Read more ›