Customer Reviews

This Is Why You're Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever): Eat More, Cheat More, Lose More--and Keep the Weight Off

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4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Warner spent five days a week, two hours a day writing the book, according to a recent article in The Advocate. She's trying to come back from the loss of her Bravo show, Workout. The loss of her show followed some insensitive remarks about a woman's breasts. The woman's husband called Warner out when he overheard the on-camera quips about the shape of his wife's breasts. She had undergone reconstructive work after a battle with breast cancer. After considerable pressure, Warner's sponsors pulled off the show. Many fans dropped her and her status as a role model was losing steam.

Another show she planned was cut down before it aired. So, this book is one step in her comeback and attempt at redemption. And certainly it will sell well because people rush to buy this type of book --- and she still has a following --- though not as much of one as she once did.

About the book she says, "It's different and better than anything else out there," She says the Atkins diet is a program that can't be maintained because "deprivation doesn't work." I think we can all agree with that.

She says in her book, "We are a nation of sick, unhealthy people wasting away and mutating into sad, fat, and lethargic people, just getting fatter and sadder by the second. We are an out-of-control nation with out-of-control waistlines. I have noticed that a mass panic is setting in. I see it every day in the faces of people and desperate e-mails from around the country. So many people are tired, always dragging and feeling exhausted. Many are a walking medicine chest, dependent of pills to control everything from high blood pressure to sleep deprivation, and are chronically fatigued and depressed. Others can't climb a flight
of stairs or walk a block without gasping for air. Millions of people are alive, but hardly living."

I find what she said so sad yet so true. I'm old enough to be Jackie's mother. I can tell you that I have more strength and energy now than I did twenty years ago. And it's due to changing my lifestyle in a manner similar to what she recommends. I only wish I would have learned about it sooner.

I was never obese but often overweight. I don't care so much about looking sexy anymore. But I do care about feeling strong and well and having my blood pressure and other numbers where they should be. There comes a time when we care less about the shape of our butts and more about the shape of our health. So some of you are still motivated by looking good. Others by feeling good. And hopefully many of you about both.

My point is, Warner speaks to the root of the problem and to the soul of the reader. She gets right down to the hurt. That sets her apart from others who write this sort of book.

She says she's passionate about "showing people how powerful they really are." That talks to me. I'm all for empowering myself and others and I know from personal experience how great it feels to hit 65 and be able to do ten times what you did at forty five, to be stronger and smarter and wiser. And that's a mixture of physical strength along with self-confidence. This is what Warner teaches. And for that reason, I consider her the top of the lot.

She starts out by telling you why you're fat. That's important. Why? Only when you know why you're fat are you able to go in reverse and start over --- doing the right things that will make you slim and keep you slim. You have to know why you got fat in order to correct it.

Hormones are the cause of fat, according to Warner. "Out of whack hormones disturb your body chemistry and cause weight gain," she says. She adds, "When you control your hormones, you can control fat!"

She goes on to say that there are hormones that can make you thin. Here she talks about human growth hormone (HGH). Of course, it's illegal to take the pill HGH. But she discusses ways to get your body to create it naturally --- pretty exciting stuff because HGH is truly the fountain of youth.

She also tells you how to eat to create more testosterone. And yes, that's a very powerful and important hormone for women as well as men.

She says, "The best testosterone diet is a healthy moderate-fat/high-protein/moderate-carb diet --- which is how my nutrition program works." She goes on to say that type of diet creates a hormonal environment that the body uses to burn fat and put on lean muscle.

In discussing exercise, Warner tells the reader to see herself/himself as "an athlete." She says, "When I tell my clients that I see the athlete in them, they actually work harder and complete those last five reps. Your behavior is consistent with your identity."

She hit the nail on the head there. You become pretty much what you think about all the time and who you think you are. She says, "When you look in the mirror, do you see a lazy, fat, out-of-shape person? If so, your behavior will follow to match that identity --- you will in effect act like and be a lazy, fat, out-of-shape person." She goes on to say that if you see your inner athlete, motivated to change, you become that person.

Warner says crunches are worthless. By looking at her famous six pack, I'd say she certainly does her share, however. Those don't come naturally or easily to anyone.

But what she says is true --- they can cause injury after several years of doing them --- if not less. She says it's all about cardio (which, much like myself, she hates.) She stresses doing "power circuit" training to the point of exhaustion. Again, I think she goes a bit off on this. A person can do far too much of anything. Exercising until you throw up or whatever doesn't appeal to me one whit! If you like that sort of thing, more power to you.

Warner allows sugar in her eating plan but not much. She believes that sugar and not fat is the culprit. I certainly agree with this as science backs it. The book also offers lots of food choices--including pita bread, pork roast, and yams. Her plans call for three meals and two snacks per day. Two "treat meals" weekly are allowed. You can have any junk food you want as long as it has no more than 1500 calories.

I don't agree with the idea of cheat meals or cheat days. A study in the International Journal of Obesity showed that people who ate a consistent number of calories all week long were 50% more likely to maintain their weight than those who stuck to a stricter plan Monday through Friday.

In other words, if you're strict five days a week and then go on a two day binge or cheating spell, you're likely to put on pounds. Moreover, doctors warn against cheat meals. Even one meal that's not healthy can have ill effects on your heart. This is above and beyond what it can do to your weight.

About the title of the book she says, "I fought very hard for that title. "It's inflammatory, but I am tired of turning on the TV and reading diets that are not going to help."

The foods she recommends are easily available and affordable.She suggests you don't weigh or measure. If a piece of meat will fit into your palm "that's cool." Gotta go along with that.

I found the book interesting and some of it useful. I certainly don't agree with it all. I think Warner tends to go to extremes at times and I think she's wrong at times.

I did find Warner's book unique and head and shoulders above most of the so-called diet books or fitness books available. One need not agree with everything to get good from it. Her talk on metaphysics was very interesting and inspiring.

You'll find lots of exercises, complete with small photos of Warner doing them to show you how. You'll also find many really great-looking recipes that should be easy and fast to make as well as healthy. She does suggest, and rightly so, that you use organic food, including eggs. In fact, she suggests two eggs per day.

I found both the exercise and the food preparation sections very good. I also enjoyed the motivational sections. All in all, a very complete book for the person wanting to get in shape.

While Warner does not come across as a caring, compassionate person, her writing makes her sound like one. And people who are miserable because of their weight and the shape they're in need that type of talk. Her book speaks to a need deep inside all of us.

I think anything that will get you motivated and moving is a good thing. This book could very well be just that catalyst for many people. If so, it's well worth buying and considering.

Recommended.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson

While I'm not obese, I am slightly overweight. After beginning a vigorous exercise routine, I was having a hard time finding a diet that would help me be healthy from the inside out and shed this annoying layer of belly fat that won't go away. I purchased this book and read almost the entire thing in two days. I began implementing Jackie's suggestions and I'm already feeling better, feeling lighter and my stomach is already a little less pudgy. Jackie's book is not a diet--it's a lifestyle change with a ton of information explaining why you're fat including a lot of info on hormones, detoxing, exercising (including what seems like over 20 exercises you can do at home), supplements, gym etiquette, the food industry and how it's making you sick, an eating-out guide and more. Her plan is easy, practical and very doable. It's real-life nutrition set in a world where crap is shoved in your face everywhere. Yes, it's hard to make a change from eating carrots instead of oreos but it's WORTH it. I have cut sugar and now can barely tolerate any when I actually have it. I used to love soda but now it tastes downright nasty. The two cheat meals she allows you will keep you on track and stop you from binging. If you want to really treat your body well and "eat clean" to give your organs a break and age better, this is for you. It is NOT a get-thin-quick fad diet thing. It's real changes to make you healthy and regain power over your body. You're worth more than chips and triple chocolate cookies. Jackie has yet to disappoint in my opinion and this book will remain a staple in my life forever! THANK YOU Jackie!!

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this a book a 10. I have learned so much about the effect of what you eat, exercise, and water. The information in this book have definitely been researched. I believe and trust what I have read. I am excited about putting into practice what I am learning. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This book has made me eat healthier feel better and have more energy. I would advise anyone who has health problems borderline diabetic, sugar problems, to purchase and do this book. I feel so much better when I eat healthy everyday.

The title of this book really got me. I haven't watched Jackie's show but I have heard of it. So here's my breakdown:

1. The 2 week jump start is great. It's the perfect way to transition healthy food into your routine and not having to go cold turkey. I haven't made it to the actual plan yet but I know you are allowed 2 cheats a week and I am happy about that. It seems like her eating style is Clean Eating so protein, veggies, fruit and a little carbs. If you've read Tosca's books then you are familiar with this idea (or countless other diet books that have the clean approach). What I like about Jackie is that you are adding in all of the healthy foods before taking the "ugly" as she calls it away. This gives you a chance to adapt, prep food and really determine how you like to eat.

2. The cardio workouts are like no others I have ever done. There are about five 20 min cardio routines that you can choose from. You do one one every day for 5 days a week during the jump start. These workouts are not for the out of shape. If you are adjust accordingly! Jackie says you only need 20 mins of cardio a day. With these routines she is right.

I will report back with weight loss numbers, etc in 2 weeks.

As I sat here gulping down my rather gross 60g protein shake...I started wondering why the heck am I doing this? Well, last Fall someone showed me a picture of my 47 year old body in a bikini. (Yes, I know there should be an age limit on that) I thought "Holy hell, what happened to my cute figure?" I had always worked out with weights and played at cardio. I started doing Couch to 5K on my iPhone but knew nutrition was what needed to change also. I bought this book and followed it pretty well. I did the 2 eggs a day (either scrambled in teh a.m. or hard-boiled as a snack.), I added oatmeal as either breakfast or a mid morning snack and I started having an afternoon protein shake. I try to eat 40% protein, 40% carb and 20% fat. I still have a beer, eat fried fish once in awhile and really don't feel like I am on a diet. I changed the way I eat and I am back to the physique I thought I had....I have lost 8 lbs (I was only 135 when I started so I didn't need to lose much) and I'm stronger, feel better and am just happier about how I eat. This helped me learn what a clean diet was and it helped me make lifestyle changes. HOORAY Jackie!

Jackie's program outlined in the book educates the reader about how to get the most bang for your buck from your food and on eating good combos of food to help sustain you longer and be overall more successful with weight loss & maintenance. She teaches you why American's eating habits suck, to be blunt, and why people struggle with fitness and weight loss plateaus. It all comes down to food, your body's means of processing food and chemicals, and quality of food (lean proteins, whole grains, whole foods). Jackie educates the reader on what refined white sugar and chemicals do to our bodies, and for me, once I was able to cut out sugar and junk containing hidden sugar and clean up my diet, it was then and only then that inches fell off my body in many areas I had struggled with for a long time (belly, thighs, glutes, oh, and the backs of my arms are now tone & I have cut triceps!). I've had to literally buy new clothes since starting this program and I already worked out 5x/week before starting it! I had hit a major plateau for sure and this was just what I needed to jump-start my body! Granted, you don't necessarily need to buy a book to count calories, but I have found Jackie's book very helpful and so educational and I definitely am seeing that her program works (because I do it) and is sustainable. I have turned several friends into junkies as well! The book also teaches you how to tackle strength training (which many women steer clear of) and follow a workout program that will work more of the major fat burning muscle groups efficiently in order get more out of your workouts and ramp up your metabolism. I've also shared Jackie's philosophy with well-respected and successful trainers in my area who agree w/ a majority of the principles that her plan is based upon. It is definitely my diet and fitness go-to and will be for a very long time BECAUSE IT WORKS!

The entire book is easy to follow...simple to read. I hate to read and get lost in the moment, only minutes later realizing I have already forgotten what I thought I just read. Jackie's approach is basic...no over the top workout routines...or hard to follow exercises. Plus, the food in her nutrition plan is common everyday inexpensive items anyone can find at their local grocery. Jackie embraces not only nutrition, and exercise as ways to get healthy and fit, but the mind and body connection that can be easily forgotten about. I have read numerous fitness books, but for me...this is the best book I ever read. I love this book!

I tried everything. Haven't we all? This is the first system that has ever come close to working for me and this has been a miracle. 42 out of my 50 pounds goal are gone. Why did this work when everything else for me has failed? The cheating. Mentally I needed the cheat. At first. Now I don't even need the cheat! Here is why. I used to take the blame and call myself a baby. I would last 3 days on a diet and when I fell off the wagon, I stayed off. Why, and why do I no longer think I'm a helpless fool of a baby needing his comfort treats 24/7? Because I am no longer a sugar addict, that's why. It was so simple, so obvious, so right in my face literally I was too close to see it. I beat the sugar addiction once Jackie opened my eyes, slapped me in the face with her straight-forward explanation - and it made me a new person. Better then I was, inside and out, not better then anyone else who has not had their break through yet, just better then myself. And that is all I wanted. This book saved my life and that is an understatement. Please believe me - it's the sugar!! Listen to me, will ya? Don't believe ME, believe Jackie. I promise you. I wish I could say it 1000 times and in every language. Ditch the sugar, eat good foods, cheat when Jackie says and exercise. DO NOT starve yourself! Once I beat the sugar addiction, I don't crave anything and am always eating. I eat when hungry so there is no suffering. 42 pounds in 14 weeks, eating all the time, walking and bike riding for exercise. That's all. Beat the sugar=beat the devil.

I read this book about 1 month ago. I saw it while I was in the library and loved the title and just grabbed it on a whim. I've lost 10 pounds so far (+ 5 vacation pounds that I'm not counting because whenever I gain weight on vacation, I usually can loose it right away). I'm going to buy this book, and I never buy books since I always borrow the books I read from the library.

I'm 48 and I've tried weight watchers before where I've strictly followed the 23 points per day, feeling STARVING / sticking to it for weeks and weeks and not loosing 1 single pound. I swear my body likes to be at a certain weight and is "protecting" me from loosing weight. This seemed to happen in my early 40's for me. Before that, I could cut down and loose weight - the good old days. One other thing to note is that my daughter (only child) left for college the same time I saw this book. I was ready for a change. This is pretty life-style-changing and I honestly don't know that I could follow this if my daughter was around. My husband's adjusted to this lifestyle : )

It's only been 1 month which I know isn't a lot of time in the big picture. I too would like to report back in maybe 1 year to follow up on how I've done. I always hate people who have been doing something for only a few weeks and say how great it is - HA.

I also agree on previous reviewers reactions to the recipes included in the book - few inspired me to try, however the sample menus do help me plan for what is allowed. I'm going to have to adjust to good recipes that fall into this program. I also plan / prepare my M - F breakfast / lunch / snacks ahead of time so that they're good to go Monday morning and I just take several huge bags into work on Monday morning and put them in the fridge at work for the week.

I also have no interest in her excercise section - I've been going to Jazzercise since 1999 and they do many of the exercises that she demonstrates and I love the music, etc of Jazzercise + walking inbetween is good enough for me!

I try to drink 1 protien shake per week - I just can't do more than that (a little yucky, even doctored up with chocolate almond milk or fruit). One other thing that I eat now are sweet potato fries about 2 times per week - LOVE that they sell these in the frozen food section now.

I also love the 2 cheat meals and believe this is what will help keep me on track. I HATE going somewhere and being with others who can eat whatever they want and me stare longingly at their food. I think people should know that it's 2 cheat meals, it's not cheating the entire weekend as another reviewed had mentioned. That's absolutely the key - on a day you have a cheat meal, you need to eat every other meal as you normally would on the plan. This helps make sure you don't go completely crazy on your cheat meal because you're starving.

PS - I LOVE sugar and now always look to make sure whatever I'm eating is under 5 grams. This is a HUGE lifestyle change for me and very different from what I did at weight watchers. It's been 1 month and I still miss sugar - I'm envious of people who say that they can no longer eat any sugar and it tastes bad. Amazing! I wish that miracle would happen to me. The way I get through it is to eat my desserts in my cheat meals. I also LOVE the green tea / herbal tea every evening. It IS soothing and does help me not snack at night. Amazing / easy trick!

Good luck to you (and to me!)