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Archive for the ‘Book Reviews’ Category

There is a new book out by Bob Harper, who hails from The Biggest Loser, that is really good and if you desire to lose some weight, for life, then this is a good book to have in your weight loss library.  When I reviewed the book I was blown away from the very start where Bob writes about how he made it into the gym for the very first time in his life.  I was glued to the story about how the passing of his mother brought his weight loss and health training passion full circle in his life.

Being a huge fan of Jillian Michaels I am always looking for some insight into the tiny facts of Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.  I am not a stalker or anything like that but I just like to know more about what makes them so successful in helping others be able to lose massive amounts of body weight.  Bob has become an inspiration for weight loss and whether he likes it or not he has been cast into the role that will be forever his and no Hollywood set will ever be able to change that.  Bob Harper has become a weight loss and fitness legend and the new book out “Are You Ready!”has hit the shelves ready to rock.

The forward of the book is a part I normally skip over but I read this one and I am glad that I did because it offered much insight into what makes Bob Harper tick.  The forward of the book provides the reader what really is the philosophy of how he goes about helping people start and complete their personal weight loss journey.  One interesting aspect of the book is that the title of the book is a question, yet there is no question mark on the page.  I think what this means is that it really is not a question that is being asked at all.  Bob Harper knows and has made the assumption that you are ready to lose weight and he is ready to help you.  I think what this means is a significant peek into the mindset of Bob because he not only knows you are ready he is ready to make it happen with you.

The book is filled with many photographs and instructions on how to perform certain exercises and when reading the book I felt as if I could hear his voice rising out of the pages.  I kind of felt that Bob was talking to me when he was getting into the whole Yoga and calming technique which was new to me, but I love it and it has helped me personally.

Overall it is a good comprehensive book that touches on the holistic experience of eating and working out combined with the challenges we experience as we start to lose weight and introduce exercise into our life.  It is quite evident that Bob Harper takes an interest in the contestants on The Biggest Loser and he is saddened when the players gain all of their weight back again.  The approach of the book is one that acknowledges that in order to truly lose the weight you need to learn about more than just exercise otherwise you can gain all the weight back again like Ryan did from The Biggest Loser season one. The book will be a valuable addition to any one’s library, I only wish I could find some insight to Bob Harper’s tattoos, but alas, there is little to no information available.  So if you read this Bob, there are a lot of people asking.

“Are You Ready” is an easy read and the reviews on Amazon.comrate this book really well so you don’t just have to take our word for it!

Weight Watchers is not about dieting, it is about living.  That is a phrase early on in this cook book which is much more than a typical book that is just stuffed with recipes.  This book is a fresh idea that has been long over due.  If you like weight watchers, then this book is something you need to have in your kitchen.  It is full of 250 recipes that are not just healthy but inexpensive and ALL of them can be completed in under 20 minutes. 

If you are not a Weight Watchers member then this book can also be a useful tool in your weight loss arsenal.  The recipes that are included in this book are not only easy to make, they are healthy and they also taste great.  This book is a great way to add some zest to your meals and shake up the taste buds at the same time.  Tired of chicken the same way every day, then check this book out ASAP!

The book is spiral bound which means the creators actually designed it to be used in the kitchen. The spirals not only mean the book will stay open, it also means it is made to last.  This is the book that your children will one day phone home asking for the recipes out of because the meals are that tasty.  This book will not only keep you out of the kitchen, but will also be healthy and not add anymore flab to your body. 

We do not give many books double thumbs up, but this book is one that you need to get while it is in print.  Weight Watchers In 20 Minutes is a keeper.

The new cookbook by Rachael Ray entitled “Big Orange Book” is a smash among those who have been looking for quick and easy recipes that can be put together quickly for those families that are always on the go.  Whether it is one of her trademark 30-minute meals or it is for a large family gathering, the Big Orange Book could be the inspiration you have been looking for in the kitchen.

Whether you are cooking for yourself with a meal for one or on a quest for the perfect burger for the entire family you have it all in this cookbook.   Myself, having never been one to follow a cookbook to the letter,  using this book offers many ideas for the latest ideas for snacks as well as meal planning for holiday gatherings.  In line with the Rachael Ray theme of getting you out of the kitchen, this book is no exception.  Gone are the days where cooks are chained to the stove and in are these meals that are bursting with flavor and get you out of the kitchen in record time.  There is even a selection of kosher meals that will even make that Mother-in-law happy with the flavor and quality of the meal.

Whether you are looking for pasta ideas or new and exciting burger recipes, Rachael Ray has the ability to help you keep the cost down, the flavor intense and have it all done in record time.  Whether you are an experienced cook or a new cook that is lost in the kitchen, this book gets double thumbs up!

I must say that my wife is pretty smart.  She has been using a 9 inch plate for quite awhile now.  She and I have worked on IChooseThin.com for quite awhile and always have to work at our weight loss.  We are like everyone else because we have the ups and the downs each and everyday we step on the scale on the bathroom floor.  A little over one year ago she went out and bought herself a small plate and just today I confimred it actually is a 9 inch plate.  She said long before the 9 Inch Diet book was written that if you wanted to lose weight we have to cut back on our portion size at mealtime.  She has been preaching this long before Alex Bogusky and Chuck Porter wrote their bestseller.  My wife has been using her “tiny” plate everyday while I had to twist my wrist everyday to remove my 12 inch plate from the cabinet.

I was once again reminded about how smart my wife  was about 2 months ago when we were at  a chinese restaurant that had an all you can eat buffet.  When we went into the restaurant the first thing I noticed was that the plates were 9 inches in size.  I looked at my wife and commented about how small the plates were and she smiled and said it is because it was an all you can eat buffet.  She further explained that they use such small plates so you will not eat as much so as to save them money.  She then smiled at me and said that was why she used such a small plate while at home.   She then reminded me as to how intelligent she was and that if I would just listen to her I would lose weight even faster.  Oh I hate it when she is always right!

The interesting aspect is that the entire concept of the book is sound and the very fact that the plates in an all you can eat restaurant are smaller so you will eat less of their food.  If restaurants use smaller plates to keep their food costs down then why do we use 12 inch plates at home?  Why have plates gotten so large?  Maybe weight loss is as easy as just having a smaller plate, it really does makes sense.

When I ate in that restaurant I went straight home an ordered 9 Inch Diet and am glad that I did.  Since I have read the book I have learned alot and have no regrets about buying the book.  It is informative and a very easy to read book.  I am glad I bought it and my only regret is that my wife did not write it first, since she had the idea.