154 of 162 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Holistic "Dieting", April 14, 2010
This review is from: Look Better Naked: The 6-week plan to your leanest, hottest body--ever! (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.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All-In-One!!, April 18, 2010
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.
[...]
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
love this book!, January 19, 2011
This review is from: Look Better Naked: The 6-week plan to your leanest, hottest body--ever! (Hardcover)
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.
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