Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels »

I have read a lot of books on physiology, more specifically hormones and metabolism, written by people with board-certified medical degrees. This book explains almost all of what the others do, plus more recent research, in a much easier to read format with helpful charts and references. I was very surprised a book of this quality could come from a non-degreed personal trainer. I have a new respect for Jillian Michaels for passing along medical researched-based facts (many pages of peer-reviewed medical references in the back if you want to check the sources) and dispelling myths like working out on an empty stomach, and the problems with soy and other substances interacting with hormones. Her own story is very interesting and there is a very thorough section explaining hormones and their interconnecting roles in our health. I’ve already started cleaning out my fridge and cabinets.

Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen »

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was sixteen. In the late eighties, that was rough- even more difficult than being a vegan now. In the last year, I made the transition to vegan, but thanks to the work of innovative cooks like Isa Chandra Moskowitz, that just isn’t hard anymore. The next challenge? Going raw- very difficult because apparently you need a Vita-Mix, a dehydrator (I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one of those), a food processor, a grinder, and a bunch of other esoteric equipment I’ve never even heard of- right? Ani Phyo earned four stars right off the bat by making almost every one of her recipes doable with a blender or, in many cases, a knife. There are maybe three recipes that absolutely require a dehydrator- and even that can be gotten around. For this reason alone, if you’ve been thinking about raw but you’ve been intimidated by all of the required equipment, check this out.

The recipes that I’ve tried- and I’ve gone a little crazy in the last few days- have been not only simple but really, really good. So far I have made her Miso Soup, Almond Yogurt, Black Pepper Cheeze, Nori Rolls, Coco Kream Pie (oh wow- so good), a bunch of her shakes and my version of her Sunflower Bread (hmm- how did I do that without a dehydrator?). Almost all of this has been accomplished with a blender, and I don’t even own the legendary Vita-Mix. In other words, the majority of households can do this.

The Raw Food Detox Diet By Natalia Rose »

If you are intrigued by the current trend of eating real food, want to take this concept to the next level but are skeptical as to how to implement the raw food lifestyle on a practical everyday basis, pick up a copy of Natalia Rose’s “The Raw Food Detox Diet, for a fast and fun introduction that does not require a cold turkey approach to eliminating cooked foods.

Rose is in agreement with French dieting guru Michel Montignac on her definition of what constitutes a “legal” food on this plan. Montignac, a long-time proponent of eating real food as opposed to processed junk, urges us to forego the old dieting adage of counting calories and all the newer macro nutritional phobias with regard to too much or too little fat, protein or carbohydrates and instead analyze each food choice with an eye on the food’s metabolic reaction with regard to fast and easy bloat-free digestion and elimination.

12 Steps to Raw Food By Victoria Boutenko »

Victoria Boutenko believes that our bodies are designed to be healthy, that our bodies are perfect, and that sickness is not normal. For Victoria, absolute health is having enough energy to manifest dreams. Yet many people simply do not have enough energy to do so, or engage in a mental and physical struggle of ups and downs which make it difficult to remain joyful and fulfilled. For Victoria, the health and joyfulness that is our natural birthright can be found in nutrition. Standing in the way of optimal nutrition is a dependency on cooked foods and a corresponding belief that it is simply too difficult or not possible to change eating habits in a significant way.

Making the Cut By Jillian Michaels »

True to form, Jillian comes through in a manner that is clear, concise, and no-nonsense. I lost 32 pounds utilizing her first book, “Winning by Losing.” I’ve maintained my loss for almost a year, in part, by listening to her weekly radio show. She won my loyalty long ago, because this woman KNOWS HER STUFF! So when I heard about her new book, I decided I was ready to dive back in and go for “the cut.” I’ve lost 5 additional pounds in 8 days. I’m so jazzed — thank you, Jillian!

The Biggest Loser Fitness Program by Jillian Michaels »

I bought this book after having read the original “biggest loser” book. and I STRONGLY recommend buying them together. especially if you are just starting out. This book is as it says a “fitness book.” it does not provide all the inspiring stories of the people on the show, and all the helpful information to start you out like the other one does. This book does provide you with several new exercises to add to your circuit to provide you with variety so you don’t get bored. I have lost 51 pounds since September following their exercise program (not even following it exactly, but closely) and following the nutritional guidelines and suggestions they give. I feel great, and I have been able to try several new activities and been surprised by my ability to do them. These two books are the best purchases I have made for myself in years. Bob is such an inspirational trainer. and I can’t wait to see what the next 12 weeks brings.

Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin »

I can not emphasize how greatfull I am for having read this book. Before I read it I was trying every stupid diet in the world, diet pills, and even considered things that were probably illegal to lose weight. I was completely addicted to junk food and didn’t even know it until I read this book!!! I was depressed most of the time, had no energy, felt hopeless that I’d ever be thin and feeling so completely despirate it was really sad.

I picked up the book because I liked the title. I was 100 lbs overweight and many times thought of skinny women as ’skinny bitches’…And I so wanted to be like them! So, I read the book and it totally changed my life. I saw the truth for the first time as to how the food industries will market complete garbage to humans for consumption because they can make a fast buck. I saw how cruel and deplorable the meat industry is in the name of greed. I realised that I was not helping myself by drinking diet soda (with all its poisonous artificial sweeteners) and eating milk and meat and eggs

Eat To Live By Dr. Joel Fuhman »

I have read literally hundreds of nutrition books. I have been confused recently by many of the popular diet books like Atkins, South Beach Diet, and No-Grain Diet, as they made sense to me yet when I tried to eat this way I felt horrible. I had previously lost a great deal of weight eating raw food at a raw food retreat, but could not keep up this way of eating in the real world. I really didn’t know what to do, except to keep searching and trying new things.

Then, over the last three days, I read Eat to Live. This book answered all of the questions I had about the popular diet programs. It showed me a practical way that I could integrate my belief in and my success with raw foods into a healthy eating plan that I could follow for the rest of my life (although Eat to Live incorporates all types of healthy foods, not just raw foods). It explained why so many studies on nutrition seemingly contradict one another. Everything the author says is backed up with research from peer-reviewed journals. It is the solution I have been waiting for, not just to my weight problem (I still have about 50 pounds to lose) but to my health problems, and for my lifestyle in general.

The 7 Principles of Fat Burning by Dr. Eric Berg »

A great read. Well organized, good flow with humor interspersed to captivate the reader on this timely topic. The author includes plenty of drawings, charts and graphs to concretize what’s conducive to fat burning as well as what inhibits the same. He has a way of taking this complex complicated information and regurgitating it into easily digestible chunks. The 7 Principles of Fat Burning rapidly brings you up the learning curve to understand how to activate your fat-burning hormones unique to your body type. A wealth of information from debunking the myths to tantalizing recipes, eating guides and exercise plans. It’s hard to put down. A definite keeper.

Body For Life By Bill Phillips »

Posted June 12, 2008, 10:15 AM EST: I followed the workout regimen for 12 weeks. I used BFL and Weight Watchers for my diet. After 12 weeks I had lost 58 pounds, from 302 to 244. Now at 5 months, I am down to 214. As you can see, I did not do just Body For Life, but it was a very good way to begin. Biggest lesson: always try to do a little bit better every time you work out. You will be surprised what you can accomplish.
Posted May 25, 2008, 8:14 AM EST: In 1999 I was barely squeezing into sizes 14/16. At the end of 2000 I was wearing a 6. It’s 2008 and I wear a size 4. I did the Body for Life program and I don’t have to diet today. I’ve taken the things I learned from Bill’s book that as another reviewer said ‘I should have known’ but didn’t and still apply it daily. No gimmicks, just old determination and the commitment to work hard. Thanks, Bill!!! It’s worth your time and every penny you pay for the book if you’ve tried everything