Flip the Switch: Lose the Excuses, Lose the Weight, and Get the Body You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

by Jim Karas (Author) "Believing in yourself is the first step to flipping the switch..." (more)
Key Phrases: flipped for life, classic dieting, mental graffiti, Lifelong Struggler, Slow Gainer, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This refreshing how-to by fitness expert and best-selling author of The Business Plan for the Body eschews schemes, fads or gimmicks and focuses on the achievement of an internal belief in one’s self, which Karas maintains is the prerequisite for successful long-term weight loss. Drawing on a healthy dose of empathy (Karas is himself a "Lifelong Struggler" with weight) and offering personal stories and pep talks, Karas walks readers through the emotional path of self-examination on the way to that critical juncture where their desire to lose weight becomes more powerful than their desire to eat too much and exercise too little. But the "flipping point" is only the journey’s beginning. Chapter by chapter, Karas, whose high-profile clientele includes Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, takes to task the constant excuses or "mental graffiti" that stand in dieters’ way— "I don’t have the time"; "I don’t have the energy"; "I don’t have the right genes"—by equipping his readers with time-management solutions, tips for ordering in restaurants, detailed menus and exercises for both mind and body. He also goes after a number of diet beliefs,, such as that "carbohydrates make you fat," and stresses that strength and resistance training, not cardio, is the key to battling the bulge. With monthly inventory worksheets, a food diary template, illustrated workout programs and a seven-day eating plan, this guide is thorough and user-friendly. 60 b&w photographs.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Here's another way to get in shape: follow Karas's advice about changing your attitude. Interestingly, Karas is no jock; he's got the London School of Economics in his background.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (March 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400049709
• ISBN-13: 978-1400049707
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,944 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

122 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flip the Switch, January 2, 2003

By	David Flack (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip the Switch: Discover the Weight-Loss Solution and the Secret to Getting Started (Hardcover)

At last I have found a weight-loss book that makes sense. Everytime I'm in a bookstore I cruise the weight-loss section. When I skim through the books, I always see advice like, never eat white flour, don't have a bite of food after 7:30 p.m. and never have a cocktail or glass of wine. Honestly, how can an individual live a real life with this kind of advice!

Over the hollidays at a party, the subject of weight-gain, weight-loss came up and a friend mentioned Jim Karas' The Business Plan for the Body and said that Karas had a new book that had just come out.

I looked for Business Plan but the store was sold out but had just received Karas' new book, Flip the Switch. I bought it and have read it from cover to cover. This is an intelligent piece of writing! One aspect of the book that really grabbed me, was the part where Karas points out that we have all been successful in so many areas of our lives in part because we believed in our ability to be successful. I know I believed I could be an attorney. I didn't approach law school with the attitude that I would flunk out. I never never thought to approach a weight-loss strategy in this manner, but it certainly makes sense.

Furthermore, Karas explains that weight-loss is about assuming responsiblity for our behavior. Too many times we try to blame our genes, our schedules, our gender, our jobs. Jim makes it clear that none of these are germaine. We control our behavior.

And finally, this guy lets you have a life. It doesn't matter when you eat, and in many cases, even what we eat. It's numbers, calories in, calories out. I recommend Flip the Switch to anyone who lives a real life and wants to lose weight.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY - someone who gets it!!, August 4, 2004

By	Jerome Cottonwood "JC" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

I've tried all sorts of diets in my time (haven't we all?!?!), and for the first time ever I've found someone who really gets what a NORMAL person goes through to lose weight. And even more importantly - how to KEEP IT OFF!! I first picked up Karas's other book, The Business Plan for the Body, which was fantastic; the perfect nuts and bolts, no BS plan for getting yourself on the right track to lose weight. I lost 30 lbs in a little over two months and felt better than ever. But then I fell off course - you know how it goes - and started getting "busier" with work, home life, social life, and pretty much anything I could come up with as an excuse to not have the time to dedicate to staying healthy. I regained most, if not all, of the 30 pounds. But then I saw Karas on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer talking about his new book. It has truly changed my life. The first time around, I was successful with weight loss b/c of the Business Plan, but Flip the Switch has really taught me how to make the little daily changes that, when you step back and look at them, add up to a comprehensive healthy lifestyle. Before I knew it, I re-lost the original 30 pounds, plus 15 more!! Thank you, Jim Karas, for changing my life and really teaching me how to do the little things that have changed my life forever! It's been almost a year and a half since I first started the Flip the Switch program, and I've lost a total of 45 pounds, and even more impressive, I've kept it off all this time! Thank you, Mr. Karas, you have empowered me to take control of my lifestyle, instead of just playing the victim. Thank you.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works For All Ages, April 14, 2003

By	loise dede (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip the Switch: Discover the Weight-Loss Solution and the Secret to Getting Started (Hardcover)

I purchased Flip the Switch last month and like most of my weight loss intentions, didn't read it. Over this past weekend, I decided to make an attempt. Well, I couldn't put this book down. I read it all weekend. I've purchased other weight loss books in the past, none of which have helped me. Most of them were either patronizing, or basically silly. This is not the case with Flip the Switch. Jim Karas provides the mental foundation one needs to actually begin a weight loss program. After reading the first two chapters, I was positive that I could motivate myself to actually succeed.

I just turned 60 this past month and am shocked at how much weight I have gained. Until I read Flip the Switch, I felt that it was too late for me. Fortunately, that's not the case. Jim makes it very clear that weight loss is possible no matter what one's age.

Additionally, he debunks all the excuses I, and probably every one else, has used to either put off or explain why I (we) aren't successful at weight loss.

I was very suprised at how well written this book is. I especially liked all the included worksheets. They helped me focus and enabled me to chart my progress.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has tried and failed at weight loss. Jim Karas is a great writer and motivator, I can see why he is the weight loss contributor to Good Morning America