Customer Reviews

YOU: On A Diet Revised Edition: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've often thought "If I could just lose the amount of weight I have in diet books, I'd be a happy woman." What makes this one different? 10 chapters of science on the gastro-intestination system and its affects on every part of the body. Sounds boring? It isn't! The authors rightly wait to give you their diet plan in the middle of this book, because it is the science of metabolism, digestion, heart disease, emotions, and motivation that make this something completely different from all the other diet books I've read. The diet itself is simple and can be found on the web [...].

But having a diet and following it for life are two different things. This books gives the motivational background for why I want to consume more whole grains, fruits, and veggies, and walk every day. After six weeks on this plan, I don't feel the ansy cravings that I have in the past, and I am finding it easy to get through the late afternoon munchies because I never get frantically hungry or stuffed to the gills anymore; I have strategies to deal with stress and uncomfortable emotions. You can download the two-week diet (with shopping list and recipes) off their web site as well as using their on-line walking and strength training exercise videos. You can also sign up for motivational tips via email. However, this book provides the motivation and strategies needed to stay with a life-changing diet for life. Highly recommended.

I don't watch Oprah. In fact, I've never seen these guys on TV. But I bought this book anyway, hoping for a boost of motivation.

I didn't expect much. After 30 years of up and down with my weight, I thought I knew all I needed to know: 3,500 calories is a pound, so just cut calories and increase exercise, depending on will power to get me through. That's how it had worked before, and I thought I only had my willpower, failures in motivation, etc., to blame for the high cycles on the yo-yo.

A lot of this book seems like the same-old, same-old. But for me, the advice on how to work WITH your body's complex metabolism and hormones -- taking an elegant approach, not a brute force willpower approach -- was a real breakthrough. Just two things: 1) eating a few walnuts before meals and 2) committing to trying not to allow myself to be either hungry or full, made a HUGE difference for me. So I began to take the book more seriously. And one of the points they make is that there ARE such things as good foods and bad foods: it's not just a question of total calories. I read it cover to cover, and kept a list of things to do and to avoid, and I began working them into my life, slowly but surely. Week by week, I cut out anything with white flour, weaned myself off processed foods, etc. I haven't counted a calorie, I eat as much as I need to feel full, my daily exercise consists of gentle walking -- but I feel better than I have in my life, and, without a struggle, I've lost 12 pounds.

And, every other time I've lost this much weight, I've felt aware of it: excited, yes, but aware that it will only take a few slips and the scale will be creeping back up, knowing that it is taking discipline to pass up on all the greasy food and sweets that other people are eating, and I miss the foods I'm giving up. But this time, I'm not being disciplined. Once I learned how to work with the ebb and flow of appetite hormones, it's no longer about being disciplined: I no longer want the junk, and I am rarely hungry.

This book has had a radical impact on my life. I had to look past the dumb jokes and the goofy drawings, but I'm glad I did: they may not be my style, but the information helped me understand WHY eating a few walnuts before a meal works and WHY eating a few french fries does more damage to my appetite, metabolism, stress, etc., than just a 100 or so calories might imply. Don't believe people that say it is the same-old, same-old.

If you are looking for a book that will give you tasty recipes and a strict exercise routine, don't buy this! If you are one of those people that always wants to know "WHY" or "HOW SOMETHING WORKS" this book is for you!The authors do such an amazing job at explaining the physiology of the human body. I learned a lot about how the chemicals in your body really DO impact how hungry you are and how full you are; and how the food choices that we make impact THOSE chemicals! The authors were able to write in a lay-mans kind of way and keep it interesting and funny (there's even comical pictures and diagrahms). This book is not a specific diet plan; it is a tool in taking the first step of changing and maintaining a healthier you! I highly recommend this book.

I find this book to be written in a way the lay person can make sense of the information, it is also eye opening to find out how much salt and sugar and other unhealthy things are in our every day food, things I had not thought about. I have had it about 3 weeks now, no more bloating and dropped 4 lbs, not hungry at all and no longer sleepy in the afternoon, the cartoons also make it humorous while teaching us the importance of a HEALTHY diet. I am very happy I bought it and would suggest that anyone who is concerned about their weight and all over health to purchase this book.
Being Hypothyroid losing weight is a problem for me, I am very pleased at losing 4lbs.

Admit it: most of you made a New Year's Resolution that had something to do with your body. Maybe it was to lose weight, or get in shape, or build muscle, etc, etc. And maybe you have been doing great so far. Go you!

Unfortunately, though, we're only 23 days in and most people will toss their lofty hot-body goals out the window in only a few more weeks. And who can blame them? Losing weight and getting fit isn't easy and most of us probably aren't doing it right.

Thankfully, there's a really helpful book to aid in this giant transition.

I'm sure everyone reading this has heard of Dr. Oz before. If not, then get out from under that rock! Dr. Oz got his start as Oprah's go-to health guru and has now graduated to his own daytime medical show. People love Dr. Oz because he's cute (at least to moms), smart and really breaks down the confusing stuff about our bodies and health in a way we can all understand. He also happens to talk about poop, which is probably what attracted most people in the first place.

Anyways, my mom is a health-nut, so naturally she owns every single one of Dr. Oz's books (with the exception of YOU Having a Baby, thank god ) and she raves about them. While home, bored, and tempted to eat another brownie last weekend, I spotted my mom's copy of YOU on a Diet and decided to see what all the fuss was about. If Dr. Oz could take the entire country by storm perhaps he had something useful to say. And maybe reading a book about health would distract me long enough that I wouldn't eat an entire tray of brownies.

YOU on a Diet is written like a toned-down textbook. It's got all the essentials from physiology, anatomy, nutrition, etc, without all that boring and confusing medical jargon. It's not dumbed down in any way - just straightforward enough that everyone can understand what's going on.

The book is broken down into 4 great sections: What a Waist!, The Biology of Fat, The Science of the Mind and The YOU Diet and Activity Plan. In the first three, you learn about EVERYTHING to do with dieting, from how food travels through your body to the psychological impact of a failed diet. Dr. Oz's goal is to really teach what's going on in our bodies so we understand what will work and what won't work when we finally start section four, the diet. Having this knowledge, according to this book, will allow us to make informed decisions and truly be successful at maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

This book was incredibly informative and even interesting. It didn't really feel like I was reading some boring textbook, but I still took so much great information from it. And I have definitely changed the way I approach food and my body.

If you are having trouble sticking to that Cabbage Soup diet or don't really trust those shakes the Kardashians are pushing, You on a Diet is a really great read. It will teach you how to not only appreciate your body, but about the processes of eating, exercise and metabolism. In the immortal words of Schoolhouse Rock, "Knowledge is power" and that is certainly the case when it comes to your health!

I bought the Kindle edition of "You: On A Diet" a couple days ago. I was hesitant because paying more for the digital edition irks me a little because I really don't understand why I have to pay a premium for something that has almost no production cost (and that I can't share with anyone, thus boosting your revenue with future sales)... but I digress.

Anyway, I wanted the convenience of having it on my Kindle, so I bought it. The content is terrific, but it looks like there was no quality control in the conversion from print to e-edition.

Two major issues I've run into so far are:
1) A list that suddenly ended mid-page and picked back up three pages later
2) a graph that has half of a word cut off

Another annoyance is that it references page numbers later in the book. Kindle's don't have pages, but they have the ability to hyperlink to things. Would it really have killed someone to link this stuff?!? Also, the margins are all out of whack still so it's not uncommon to have a third of a page blank.

Which brings me back to my original issue, the cost. The retail price is $26.99. Amazon sells the hardcover for $17.81, but the Kindle edition for $17.99! If the book was a well-constructed e-book with links and lists that remained their integrity I would have, in the end, thought the extra 18 cents was worth it. On the same token, if I'd paid six or eight dollars and gotten the cobbled-together mess I got, I'd think it was worth it for that much savings. But, the current situation is ridiculous.

Good book, but buyer beware when purchasing the digital copy.

My husband and I started with the Real Age two week "starter" program online and then we bought the book. It has lots of information and many more great recipes including the ones online. I lost nine pounds and 2 1/2 inches off my waist and my husband is the slimmest he has been in years. It's amazing what good food will do for your body. Of course we've coupled that with exercise (1 1/4 miles around our school track five times a week.) Read the book and use it - makes lots of sense and it's easy to understand.

Let's face it when you hit 40 something happens and it isn't good. I eat the amount I've always eaten and even exercise several times a week but I've gained extra pounds with each succeeding year over 40. I need a new framework for weight loss that understands that the rules have changed since I hit 40. What worked for me to lose weight in my 30's doesn't now. My daughter is getting married in July so there is nothing like having your picture taken professionally to put a deadline to this battle of the bulge. Dr. OZ came through for me just in the nic of time by explaining the science and cutting edge research for success. My goal is to work smarter not harder. Oz even explains the anatomy of your gut so that I can work with my body to produce lasting results.

Most diet books are boring but this one is a funto read fun of facts, cartoons, encouragement, and practical tips. This is a trustworthy source with no hidden agenda of products to sell. I found some cutting edge tips that were easy to follow but yielded results. Not only did I experience positive results but I feel like the stategies are individual enough that I actually like making the changes.

The book reads like you are having a personal conversation with Dr. Oz. He has an unique way of communicating that is both encouraging and motivating. This is not your typical guilt laden diet book. In fact it isn't a diet book per say but a lifelong plan for a healthy life. This book is a one stop shop with anatomy lessons, great recipes, motivation tips, exercise, and nutritional tips. Get this book if you want to lose just a few pounds or a lot. Either way you will be on your way to a healthier happy lifestle.

But the biggest test of all is if I am losing weight following the tips. Well I am and hopefully I'll be at my best by July 8, 2011 for my daughter's wedding.

If I can do it you can to--what can you lose by trying?
It has his sense of humor and is full of compassion for those of us with extra pounds to lose.

If you think you know everything about diets, loosing weight and nutrition this is a MUST. Understanding the processes of body hormones and the effect they play has made my life so much easier. Knowing that it isn't all my psyche and why has enlighted me to be able to take action with an ease I have never experienced before. Do yourself a favor and read this right now.

This book is different from other diet books in that it explains in detail how the digestive system works so you understand what effects the foods you are consuming are having in your body. The docs use illustrations to further show how one system affects the other while writing in a very entertaining style. It is actually a very fun read.