Customer Reviews

Till We Eat Again: Confessions of a Diet Dropout

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This light-hearted, downright funny book gives new meaning to the word confessions. It characterizes the diary of a woman who is on a mission  a mission of life or death (at least in the eyes of those who embrace fitness and health over enjoying a carefree lifestyle). If youve ever conversed with people who know all of the calorie and fat counts of foods while you roll your eyes, youll take pleasure in life from Ms. Gruens perspective while she readies herself for an important reunion that will surely change her food and exercise behaviors.

Unless youre naturally one of those skinny people, youve attempted (and possibly succeeded) in many different diet plans. Ms. Gruen has the writing talent to take her diet attempts to new hilarious levels. After reading Till We Eat Again, I was forced to take a long-hard look at my eating escapades  and vowed to never tell anyone that I was dieting again!

When I was finished reading Till We Eat Again, I was humbled to know that this baby-pouch of noodle muscles I blame on carrying my four children was not just my problem  its a problem of other women, too! I keep telling myself that my abs of steel days are long gone and I need to focus on how great I feel when Im weightless in the bathtub.

I am not a big "humor" reader--but combine humor with the pitfalls of food and my interest was peaked. I'm so glad it was--this book had me in hysterics and reading outloud. Judy Gruen has a way with humor that is much like Erma Bombeck. You won't be able to resist this or put it down. Definitely check this one out.

Nothing is funnier than someone who can take real life and look at it through the lens of humor. Judy Gruen does this skillfully in her new book "Till We Eat Again: Confessions of a Diet Dropout". Judy touches a resonating chord in everyone who has ever tried to diet as you read through her diary style collection of secret thoughts, frustrations, and even occasional victories. Throughout the book you find Judy trying everything she can think of to try to drop fifteen pounds before her 20-year college reunion. Every kind of diet, every kind of exercise, anything else she can find as she works. Although her writing style is so crisp and quick-witted that anyone will find it humorous, it is really written from a woman's point of view and women are more likely to find it laugh-out-loud funny. To test my theory I handed the book to two different women and left the room. Sure enough it wasn't ten minutes before I heard snickering and the occasional laugh floating down the hallway. "Till We Eat Again" is a highly recommended book for anyone who has tried to lose weight and can relate to the hysterical things we do to ourselves in the name of losing a few pounds. Pick up a copy and have a great laugh.

This is a great book that most people who have tried to diet and exercise can relate to. I had a hard time putting it down because it is a great and funny read. I could relate to alot of the things she did. You won't be disappointed in this book.

I saw myself in allot of the different ways that Judy was tring to lose weight. I love her humor and I too love that chocolate. You must read this one!

Judy Gruen just wanted to lose fifteen pounds for a college reunion. In her journey she had to sidestep empty promises and quick fixes. Judy Gruen finally attempts Boot Camp training and when you see her picture on the back of the book, complete with flowered hat, you will know why this quite humorous.

In this book she deals with many of the questions we all ask about dieting. Does dieting actually work or is an entire lifestyle change in order?

How do you really lose weight and keep it off?
What is the chew less, move more diet?
How much water should you be drinking on a daily basis?
Can you handle gaining muscle mass/extra weight to look better?

I was pleased to read another author discussing the initial weight gain when you increase your muscle mass from exercising. This was a great hurdle for me at the start and you almost have to toss or hide your scale at the start.

If you have tried a number of diet solutions like the Apple Cider Vinegar diet, Weight Watchers or Atkins you will relate to Judy's diet frustrations. Fortunately she keeps her sense of humor and this book is her diary. Each entry explores something new she is trying and what does and doesn't work.

Some of the more hilarious (although somewhat dangerous in real-life) portions of the book include cooking experiments gone awry. I myself learned not to pour alcohol onto baked chicken in an oven and then shut the door. Because I will say this, an oven can explode in a most interesting way. Which brings me to this thought: "What was in the raspberry vinaigrette marinade?"

She tries Latin Dance, Yoga and Belly dancing. She tries Cardio-Kickboxing class, personal trainers, she tries going to chocoholic anonymous meetings. After fives months of "semi-dedicated dieting, energetic exercising and rigorous research," she makes ten conclusions and then the May 26th entry ends up being the icing on the cake of this rather humorous book.

I am only left wondering if she has discovered Leonidas Chocolates or read "Why Women Need Chocolate." Then, I can only imagine a journey she would take after reading The Metabolic Plan.

~The Rebecca Review

P.S. Exercise videos that work:

Seane Corn: Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Crunch Boot Camp Training
MTV Pilates Mix
MTV Yoga
Ultimate Bellydance fitness workout
15-minute Workout for Dummies (uses weights)
Carmen Electra's Fit to Strip (no stripping, but
a great workout - Disc 2 in her series)

"Til We Eat Again" had me laughing out loud. Anyone who has tried to diet and exercise their way to a svelte, or at least leaner, figure can appreciate Judy Gruen's wry view of the process and her willingness to poke fun at herself and the diet gurus as she goes through it. I haven't laughed this much while reading a book in a long time.

This book really is motivating me to lose weight! I even read the book while I'm on the cardio machines at my health club. The text is very funny - I even laugh out loud! The book is very creative and humorous. I would highly recommend this book!

My teenage daughter and I laughed our way through the book. I can't wait for my youngest daughter to read it.

Judy logs a hilarious account of her weight-loss adventures in a remarkably insightful example of the extremes some of us (eager to lose those pesky pounds) subject ourselves. Similar to Loretta LaRoche's don't-take-yourself-too-serious style, Judy teaches us the way to a healthy lifestyle in the happiest way to manage our weight. Judy pokes fun at our absurd behavior by poking fun at her own follies, and judging by her book jacket photo, she's a lovely woman who has found the perfect balance.

This is a book that I can relate too. I've tried almost every weight lost program that Judy has described in her book (with the exception of "The Major").
I think that all the Doctor's that wrote books about the ups and downs of weight should read Judy's book. It's common sense with loads of wit and humour.
Laughing burns calories and now I'm down to a size 4.