The Truth About Beauty: Transform Your Looks And Your Life From The Inside Out [Paperback]

Kat James (Author), Oz Garcia (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: December 26, 2007

Are You Ready To Be Transformed?

Fully updated, featured re-release! Includes new information, personal stories, and delicious recipes.

Beauty is not about hard work after all -- if you have the right tools. This revolutionary guide peels away the layers of conventional body and beauty wisdom to uncover the crucial missing information needed for real transformation. nationally renowned beauty and holistic health expert kat James reveals the life-altering secrets she discovered after more than a decade of self-destructive living, and an eating disorder that almost took her life.

Based on breaking science and her own remarkable metamorphosis, The Truth About Beauty represents the most comprehensively researched, inside-out beauty guide to date. In this book you will discover the real power tools for dramatic, healthy self-transformation without drugs, surgery, harsh regimens, or deprivation.

In this fully updated and expanded fifth-anniversary edition, you will find more than one hundred new pages of information and hard-to-find resources, including book-wide chart updates, incredible new success stories, and -- by demand -- Kat's Six-Day Jumpstart menu and Recipe Collection from her acclaimed Total Transformation® programs!

Transform yourself by upgrading selfsabotaging choices into "pro-beauty" choices.

Shut off weight gain, inflammation, and food addiction by correcting your chemistry (not by counting calories).

Get back your "virgin skin" by getting off the merry-go-round of problemcausing product regimens and taking a smarter, inside-out approach to chronic issues.

Discover the most exciting, proven natural antiaging nutrients and strategies.

Access a powerful arsenal of standout foods, supplements, and cosmeceuticals that Marie Claire calls "worth their weight in gold."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Kat James's approach represents not only a path for personal triumph but an approach to beauty and health whose time has come."

-- Suzanne Grimes, former publisher, Glamour

"Kat James is a master of self-transformation. She should know -- she was her first dramatic success story. This book is the advanced course on inside-out beauty."

-- Mary Christ Anderson, senior fitness editor, Self

"Kat James delivers results you've never obtained from any beauty or diet book before. The resource guide alone is worth its weight in gold."

-- Mary Rose Almasi, contributing health writer, Marie Claire

"The Truth About Beauty is a rare gem because Kat James's own transformation and dietary approach are uncannily in sync with the best science. I will recommend this book for years to come, as its truths will never change."

-- Ron Rosedale, MD, bestselling author of The Rosedale Diet

"If anyone can bring home the message to get informed and take better care of ourselves, it's Kat James."

-- Liz Smith, nationally syndicated columnist

"The Truth About Beauty is an exceptional resource for anyone seeking inside-out transformation, and perhaps the only 'beauty book' that gets it right from a dietary perspective. Kat's victory over her eating disorder and other diseases combined with her 'celebrity beauty expert' status give her a powerful dual perspective."

-- Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of mercola.com, the world's most visited natural health website

"This book is a masterpiece."

-- Oz Garcia, multiple winner, New York magazine Nutritionist of the Year

About the Author

Nationally renowned beauty and holistic health expert Kat James transformed her body and skin beyond recognition after a twelve-year eating disorder and the resulting liver disease nearly took her life. Through her book, national health columns, public television special, lectures, and acclaimed Total Transformation® programs, she has helped millions to mastermind their own healing transformations using science and strategy rather than suffering or extreme measures. James came to know the inside of the beauty industry from her many years as one of the most quoted experts and cosmetics-company spokespersons of the 1990s, and now offers a rare new perspective on enlightened, holistic self-transformation. Her advice has appeared in nearly every major women's and national health magazine, including Vogue and O, The Oprah Magazine, as well as on the Today show. She is founder of www.informedbeauty.com and creator of Total Transformation® programs. Her clients have included celebrities such as Kate Hudson and Sarah Jessica Parker and world-class athletes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Atria Books/Beyond Words; Updated edition (December 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582701954
• ISBN-13: 978-1582701950
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Beauty, Grooming, & Style > Style & Clothing

More About the Author

Nationally syndicated radio host, award-winning author, and inside-out beauty, health, and lifestyle transformation expert Kat James transformed her body and skin beyond recognition after a 12-year eating disorder and autoimmune diseases nearly took her life. Without drugs or deprivation, the principles, strategies and resources that took her years to stumble on ultimately cured not only Kat's heroin-like addiction to food (resulting in a loss of ten dress sizes), but also the skin-disfiguring liver disease and other issues that destroyed her health, beauty, and self-image for more than a decade. Today, in her mid-forties, with none of the suffering and self-deprivation widely believed necessary to maintain such dramatic weight loss and transformation, Kat continues to debunk the no-pain, no-gain, "boot camp" weight loss and anti-aging myths in her well-researched teachings, the remarkable success stories from her Total Transformation® Programs, and in her own vibrant living example.

Called "a master of self-transformation" by Self magazine's Mary Christ Anderson, Kat's advice and programs have been featured on Today, Hallmark Channel's New Morning, TBS' Movie and a Makeover, and in nearly every fashion and natural health magazine, including Vogue, Glamour, Oprah's magazine, O, Better Nutrition, and Natural Health. Through her 2009 Nautilus Book Award-winning, re-released bestseller, The Truth About Beauty, her nationally-syndicated radio show and health columns, PBS special, and acclaimed Total Transformation® programs, Kat has helped thousands to mastermind their own healing transformations using science and strategy, rather than suffering or short-sighted quick-fixes over the last decade. Featuring powerful "lifestyle upgrades" that produce visible change in a matter of days, and her collection of one-of-a-kind resources that spell the difference between failure and success, Kat's teachings have consistently enabled others to replicate her own dramatic health and beauty turnarounds, and garnered the endorsement of many leaders in nutrition and health.

Adding a compelling dimension to Kat's rare perspective are her years in the world of fashion as one of the most sought-after beauty experts and celebrity makeup artists of the 90's. A former consultant and on-camera spokesperson for Maybelline, Max Factor and Revlon, Kat's aesthetic background, along with years of creating illusions of perfection on models as she struggled to conquer her own beauty demons has deepened her grasp of the emotional, physical, and superficial constraints that must be shed in order to unlock the true radiant potential in each of us.

The recent re-release of The Truth About Beauty has garnered James the 2009 Silver Nautilus Book Award. After ascending to #1 out of 200 titles at Beyond Words Publishing in 2006, primarily by word of mouth, publishing giant Simon and Schuster's Atria Books division honored The Truth About Beauty with a Featured Re-release in 2008. Kat's part-memoir, part how-to classic now features forty percent new material, dramatic success stories, and her highly anticipated collection of Recipes for Transformation. For more information on Kat's book and radio show, visit Kat's website, celebrating its 10th anniversary: InformedBeauty.com and ThekatJamesShow.com

In 2009, James brought her acclaimed lifestyle programs to the airwaves with her nationally-syndicated radio show, The Kat James Show. Featuring living snapshots of unfolding, dramatic transformation, straight from her acclaimed Total Transformation® programs and from her book, The Truth About Beauty. With leading experts and maverick pioneers, living success stories and cut-to-the-chase solutions to today's most pressing health, quality-of-life, anti-aging, body image, and beauty concerns. The Kat James Show is heard both in the Seattle area on Alternative Talk 1150 AM KKNW as well as nationally, via Satellite XM Radio 170 Family Talk on Saturdays at 12:00 PM Pacific, 3:00 PM Eastern.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

172 of 174 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Transform your looks! November 20, 2003

By Lee Mellott TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Over the years I have read a number of beauty books that have taught me how to look my best using makeup. Kat's book is unique. It teaches you how to achieve greater health so you transform your looks, need minimal makeup and have a radiant glow.

I stumbled across Kat's website using an internet search. Intriqued by what she shared I ordered her book. I am so glad I did. The information it covers is totally unique and is helping me make changes in my life that have greatly improved my health and appearance.

Kat begins by telling you to focus not on looks but on health. She suggests you change your diet, exercise and the products you use. Not through willpower or discipline, but by making "upgrades" that you will enjoy.

Many of the changes she suggests are simple but have enormous positive consequences. For example she says to use a water filter in your shower to filter out the chlorine and other contaminants. I picked up a $20 filter at a local hardware shop.
After the first washing my fine blonde hair was fuller, and shinier than it had been in years. And this has continued from one wash to the next. This tip alone has totally transformed my hair.

The book is packed with information on the best and gentlest ways to treat your whole body so that you become healthy and as a delightful side note as gorgeous as possible!

The book includes 3 parts. Part 1: Uncovering Your True Radiant Potential which includes chapters on overhauling your dawn to duks routines and the process of shedding. Part 2: Feeding and Cultivating Beauty with chapters like drink yourself beautiful, and reclaiming the joy of eating. Part 3: The Makeup-less Makeover including the bathroom-cabinet makeover and how to purify your potions and paints. Kat's book also includes a comprehensive living beauty resource section and a bibliography.

If you are ready to make lasting changes and capture your glow, "The Truth About Beauty" will help you uncover your personal best!

115 of 117 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and transforming November 29, 2003

By Theresa Reed

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I absolutely LOVE this book! So many beauty books recommend ways to cover up your imperfections - or they suggest complicated cleansing routines with a myriad of products. Not this book. Kat James tells her story of her own personal transformation - done not with surgery or body breaking workouts - but with whole foods, vitamins and a positive attitude. Her theories are sound and it is obvious she has done her homework. The list of resources in the back is worth buying the book for! This book is so jam packed with good info, I find myself rereading parts - and keeping it handy when I visit the health food store for my supplements. I have also taken her suggestion and ordered a shower filter. I can't wait to see the results!

Thanks Kat James for a fabulous book and for the inspiration! I would also like to recommend Absolute Beauty by Pratima Raichur in addition to this book. Both of these women are on to something!

Edited to add: I finally bought the shower filter - and I am truly amazed. My hair, which was once coarse and tangly - is now smooth and I am not having to use the extra conditioner. My scalp is no longer flaky, dry and itchy. But the difference in my skin is wonderful - I have had red, blotchy, itchy skin for the longest time. I even thought I had rosacea. I tried every single skin care line imaginable to cure this - but to no avail. I was constantly hiding my skin behind foundation. After a week of the shower filter, my skin is a NORMAL color. No more redness, no irritation, no soreness, no dryness. I am so happy that I followed this suggestion - it has made the biggest difference! Only two weeks into her suggestions on supplements and the shower filter and I look A LOT better! Thanks again!

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Stuff for Just About Anyone February 7, 2005

By James R. Hammel

Format:Paperback

After talking to a friend about my concerns over my son's acne and my own thinning hair, it was suggested by two different people to get my hands on Kat James' book "The Truth About Beauty". Of course, being a guy who likes facts, I immediately went to the charts in the book that list both the conventional and the non-drug options for dealing with these issues. I was amazed at the diverse collection of information, not only on those, but on so many other issues I had been dealing with, including sensitive, dry skin and even the over the counter drugs I'd stocked my medicine cabinet with. I also liked the medical references in the back. The information was so compelling, I couldn't help but venture outside the skin section to the section on food, which was clearly the author's first passion, as she had transformed herself dramatically with the very unusual principles that made up these great chapters.

After reading this book, I find myself irreversibly affected in my choices, which began to change from the first day after reading it, and have continued to change. First, I quit coffee and am now addicted to Teeccino, the brewable coffee dead-ringer that has me feeling so much better. I am also off my morning juice and using better products on my thinning hair, taking supplements that are giving me a marked increase in energy, and even a serum on my face, which has made my skin feel much better.

What really surprised me was the author's uncanny understanding of the average American palate and sensibility. She doesn't expect everyone to like unsweetened yogurt or plain green tea, which is why she offers tastier options like alternatively (not synthetically) sweetened yogurt, or green chai, Earl Grey green or even the hard to find vanilla green tea (the rare source for which she lists in the incredible resource guide, which is alone worth ten times the cost of the book). Consistently anticipating every craving and "itch", she also lists "upgrades" to soda and to coffee, and even the best artisan chocolates that are all far healthier, and far better tasting than any "health food" I ever imagined. I feel that my intrepidness toward both "health food" and dowdy health food store body care products were abolished, and completely taken care of here, and for that reason I feel that my lifestyle changes are permanent, because I have no reason to go back to making the choices I did before, or feeling and looking the way I did before. I feel that as someone who has never gotten around to getting informed about this stuff that I have just jumped painlessly to the head of the class (the book is an easy, entertaining read), and am indebted to the friends who recommended this amazing book.