Customer Reviews

Slim Down Sister: The African-American Woman's Guide to Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a really great book for Black women, like me, who struggle with weight problems. The recipes in the back of the book give good ways to make the traditional African American meals more healthy without losing the taste. I am happy to finally have someone recognize that I don't want to eat yogurt and tofu. What I really want is some greens and cornbread, sans all the fat, grease and other stuff that makes it taste soooo good. Thanks sisters we needed this book!

Easy to understand and read. Liked content and focus on health (regardless of SIZE), recipes, body types,menus. Interesting to note how black men feel..some black men will look beyond it - others can use it against you. Relatable info. on how excercise impacts OUR hair; time management with makeup & showers at lunch; the impact our emotions have; the impact our culture has. I think it stresses an EXCELLENT BOTTOM LINE....health management, longevity in life, self-esteem and motivation....regardless of SIZE. Extremely poignant excerpts..stories dealt with every possible life situation/experience. Nice to see these women were happier after weight loss (for their health, stress reduction and emotional well-being, but mostly for themselves).

This is one of the best books I have ever read about African American women and permanent and healthy weight loss. The information provided is comprehensive and precise and I found the exercise and food plan very doable. I absolutely love the recipe section of slimmed down soul food dishes and the section explaining how African American women get confusing information about weight loss from the media, doctors, and within the Black community. I also appreciate the fact that this plan works within my budget and allows me some flexibility. Only thing I would have liked to have seen was more suggestions for cardio-vascular exercise because after a while walking can get boring. Nonetheless, excellent job sisters!

Wow when I first picked up this book I had no idea what a carb was from a protein, a good fat food item from a bad fat item.

These 3 doctors have put together what every African American women should have next to their bible. This I consider the bible of health. Inside you will find out how to lose weight not by fade dieting or by quick fixes, but watching your food portion and eating the same food you normally would just using different condiments.

The Soul Food Pyramid: low-fat versions of favorite recipes that keep the flava but lose the fat, this also helped me understand and keep track of what I was eating in a day. I always dreaded logging what I ate but this makes it so simple.

The exercise plan designed just for you by answering a few questions will get you on the road to feeling good, having energy and living healthy. Anyone can lose weight but let's see how many of us can get healthy and stay. Its easy to stick with it once you've started the hardest part is getting started.

As an added bonus: Tips and words of wisdom for staying focused, motivated, and committed. Receipes like: Blakc Eyed Peas w/Smoked Turkey Bread Pudding Low-Fat Sour Cream Pound Cake Green Breens w/Onions ummm doesn't that sound good??? Get the book cuz I taint telling you the receipe....hee..hee

THIS BOOK IS A REAL EYE OPENER FOR THE BLACK MEN, AND WOMEN ESPECIALLY THE WOMEN. THIS IS A BOOK FULL OF FACTS AND UNDERSTANDABLE KNOWLEDGE ANYONE WHO MAY NEED TO CHANGE THEIR LIFE IN A NEW DIRECTION SHOULD DEVOUR THIS VERY INFORMATIVE BOOK. I READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE I WAS READY FOR A CHANGE, AND IT REALLY HELPED. MY FAVORITE PART IS HOW SISTERS WHO HAVE LOST WEIGHT TELL THEIR UPS AND DOWNS, OF THEIR SUCCESS. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ YOU A MISSING A GREAT BOOK.

I thought I would add to my previous review - the stories and excerpts in this book moved and motivated me to lose 30lbs. since Jan. and take a healthier approach and outlook toward life. Any book that can do this is well worth purchasing.

Angela M. Williams-Gaskins Soeurriche@aol.com

[reviewed for March Issue of CityFlight Newsmagazine] The most popular among all the New Year's resolutions made, second only to the resolve to quite smoking, is the desire to shed unwanted pounds. Even though the two major holidays are more than two months behind us, many African American women may still feel the effects of "merriment" that settled in the hips and thighs. Undoubtedly, the weight loss industry is a billion-dollar industry that offers a variety of methods to folks along the road to fitness. However, it is rare that you will find a book or method that proposes to suit the needs of African American women. Slim Down Sister makes just such an assertion. Authors Roniece Weaver, R.D., L.D., Fabiola Gaines, R.D., L.D., and Angela Ebron have compiled information related specifically to Black women that serves well as an impetus for changing unhealthy habits. Through a combination of testimonials, recipe modifications, and presentation of sensible exercise routines, Slim Down Sister gives Black women a jumpstart on the road to health and fitness. The testimonials are all inspiring accounts of women who decided to make healthier life choices in order to reach their optimum fitness levels. Each combined tried and true methods of exercising and eating right in order to achieve incredible results ranging from weight loss of five to 155 pounds. The book also presents an overview of the types of diseases common among Black women and the role that weight plays in acquiring these diseases. The authors tackle many of the underlying causes for those sisters who pack on the pounds. From eating as a social event to lack of exercise because "I just got my hair done," Slim Down Sister offers safe and effective methods for overcoming the battle of the bulge. The one thing that stands out is the accountability factor that is so necessary in making any life change. Slim Down Sister helps you take advantage of sister-girl networks in order to set up accountability groups for yourself. There is a complete chapter on how to start a fitness group in your community or place of employment. So if weight loss or tightening up is your goal, there is no need to go it alone. Chances are if you include a friend or loved the camaraderie will propel you forward to your goal. There are programs designed for sisters who are trying to shake those last five pounds on up to sisters whose goals are to shed fifty pounds or more. There is even a step-by-step pictorial of basic calisthenics moves, which is a great reference for the novice. For those of you who love soul food, there is a set of scrumptious alternatives to the high fat favorites. Instead of coming up with a gimmick, the authors of Slim Down Sister use common sense approach to encourage sisters of all ages and sizes to live longer and better through proper diet and exercise. As with any fitness program, it is suggested that you check with your physician before getting started.

I think the book is great. It was wonderful of them to take the time to create a book that speaks to women of color. Popular diet plans are tough to stick to because the food is so far fetch from what women of color are used to eating. I recently lost 30 lbs., but I had to create some of my own recipes to stay strong...this book gives you great recipes and gives you a completely different way to look at weight loss...it's about our health ladies...an excellent read!

After struggling for five years to lose weight, this book helped me to lose 40 pounds in four months. I did not use the recipes, but it gave me the motivation, knowledge, and inspiration I needed to keep me on track. The information about Black women and our health, the decisions we make, and our lifestyles is invaluable. I have shared this book with every sister I know who is fighting this battle. I recommend this book without reservation!

From "A New Attitude" to "Slim Down Soul-Food Recipes" this book is filled with good and honest information that is meant to guide the African-American woman back on to the right track when it comes to slimming down. It is true that we are all created equal, but we are all unique in our own way. "Slim Down Sister" covers the issues of genetics and the African-American

predisposition to certain types of illness. High Blood pressure, Diabetes, Stroke, Heart Disease just to name a few. The book touches on the African-American women's perception of a healthy body. It is much different in most cases than that of women from other races. Many African-American women and men were

brought up to think that "more meat on the bones" is what a fine healthy black woman should look like. The message in "Slim Down Sister" is not so much about losing weight in order to attract the right man. It is more about why it is absolutely necessary for African American women to get control of their weight in order have longer and healthier lives. Looking good when you accomplish your goal is only an added benefit.

The authors Roniece Weaver, Fabiola Gaines, and Angela Ebron took an upfront approach when they wrote this book. They presented a powerful message in a carefully laid out way. When I first picked up the book to read it, I thought it was going to be just another book about exercising and eating right. In other words "boring", but it was far from that! The book addressed all the issues that the African-American woman faces

when it comes to maintaining her health and body. Besides providing some alternative recipes for some favorite meals, Ms.Weaver, Ms. Gaines, and Ms. Ebron added an Appendix titled "How to Establish a Church-Based Weight-Loss Program" to help make the transition into a healthier and happier life easier.

I really enjoyed reading "Slim Down Sister" and I will recommend it to my personal friends and family as well! My favorite parts of the book were the testimonials at the end of each chapter! This is a book that many readers will identify with and it will be a source of reference for the reader.

Reviewed by H. Renay Anderson

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