I don't believe it, I actually read a whole dieting book - and did it in a day!! Unfortunately, finishing the book didn't give me any kind of motivation to run out and buy their other books - the complete opposite, in fact - but I will take away a few things from the read.
I will start out with the good - that's fair, right? Before I slam the book into the ground - I should start with giving them their "A" for effort award.
First, I finished the book. To this date, I have not made it past chapter 5 of ANY dieting book - and I have plenty. The information is given out in a way that is too the point, blunt, crudely languaged, and just the type to relate to me. It really helped that the book is small, and only 191 pages long. Most of the other books I own are in the 400's for pages...boring, and just too much.
The overall plan of the book makes sense. They look at overeating as an addiction - which connected with me. The overall theme of what you put in your body ends up on your body makes total sense. They urge their readers to check ingrediant labels, stay away from refined sugars, fats, etc. and try to stick to a diet full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
They push for a "one day at a time" approach - and "stay positive" attitude. Rather than thinking about being miserable over the next couple of weeks while trying to avoid the nasty foods - they urge people to take one day, and one meal at a time. Consiously think about everything that goes into a meal, a snack, and into the body. If you develop the mindset of "I can eat it if I want, but it's going to make me fatter" the results are more positive. As with all addictions, it's better to take it one day at a time - and if you stray off, even for one candy bar - mentally think of how that candy bar affected your ass (literally) and feel bad about it.
Ok - now for the bad, and just plain crazy part. The whole premise I had when I bought this book was that it was going to have a plain, be a guide, and help with losing weight. Well, that came in the last chapter of the book. Pretty much 10 of the 12 chapters was completely devoted on pushing veganism and an organic lifestyle and brainwashing meat eaters into making the change to a non-meat/non-dairy/organic lifestyle. It was ok to make the point in a chapter or two...but after 4 chapters of constant bashing of meat suppliers, the USDA, the FDA, the EPA, and every other type of association that promotes meat, dairy or any non-organic material - I really got quite bored. Ok, I get it, animals are treated inhumanly, there are tons of pesticides and other "evils" pumped into our foods...but I got it the first 8 times you said it. Did you really have to repeat yourselves that many times?
The book also had a few contradicitions that really didn't sit right with me. My favorite was when the authors point out that quite a chunk of global warming can be blamed on cows, pigs, chickens - well, animals that we eat - due to their waste and gases. They state that if we stopped eating the animals - the global warming problems associated with these animals will decrease. URM??? If I stop eating them - won't there be more gases and waste? To me, aren't I doing my part to help global warming by eating the animals that are causing these gases??? Makes sense to me - and it made sense when Ron White explained that bag of knowledge in his stand up routine. If we don't eat the animals - who will?? They will become over populated and end up running the world!! (Ok, that's exaggerated...but read the book!! There's some exaggeration that goes hand in hand with my statement!)
The other main one I had a problem with - "you can't be skinny if you're not a vegan". Ok, really? How many of you know the skinny bitch either at work, in your family, or some other place that can eat whatever the hell she wants and doesn't gain a pound? I do, I do. I also know a few vegans who are bigger than me! A little unfounded advice there, girls.
Ok - and here's the kicker that I loved...the last page of the book. After reading 12 chapters of "you can only be skinny if you do this" and "you're gonna be fat if you don't stop eating that" we come to a "p.s" page. The beginning sentence reads "Wait! We have a confession to make. We really couldn't care less about being skinny". What a nice way to end a book that's supposedly devoted to help women lose weight! They go on to explain that they "believe" if you adopt their lifestyle - you will lose weight, however the whole sense of the book is bascially to turn you into a vegan. NICE! If only I had read the last page before reading the whole book - I might of saved myself $13.95!
Ok - so overall - the book is a complete waste of money, unless you want to become a vegan. If you love meat and dairy, then stay away from this book. They do get very gross in their persuasion techniques - and seem to exhaust every possible aspect on trying to get you to convert...they even try to guilt you with your children for crying out loud!! HOWEVER, like I said in the beginning of this post - they do make sense on some levels, and their 1 friggin chapter devoted to helping with food addiction will be helpful in dealing with some of my issues...but I probably wouldn't of spent the $14 if I knew a head of time that I was only getting one chapter of good stuff out of the whole book. Really disappointed, but now on a mission to prove the "skinny bitches" wrong. I guess they did help me afterall, they empowered me to prove that you don't have to be a vegan to lose weight - and I'm NOT a bad person, mother, or wife for eating meat and dairy and feeding it to my family!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Ok Crazy Bitches - Are You Serious???
Last night, I made it to chapter 6 - and the intrigument is still there to continue. But the authors of this book really are some crazy bitches!! I got to a line in the book that almost made me slam it shut, laugh out loud, and continue my journey to find the answers...the line reads "...if you want to be skinny, you have to be vegetarian - someone that doesn't eat dead animals or seafood". This line comes after they have explained the disgusting process of how animals are treated, slaughtered, and the thousands of poisons that are fed to animals that get passed on to humans at consumption. I will openly admit that the information they give did make me say "ugh" a couple of times - but sure as hell didn't make me march my fat ass to the freezer to remove all animal products!
So, it's obvious that these woman who authored this book are on a quest to "convert" meat eaters to the non meat-eating faith...but, sorry ladies - you're not gonna be able to convert me. The more devastating effect came in chapter 5 where they swear off any type of dairy product too! They, again, give fascinating facts and details to support their claims that meat products and dairy products are evil - and add flubber to your thighs - and they give options to soy based products that are "almost as good as the real thing"...but, again, sorry ladies - but I know tons of skinny bitches that enjoy their Steak n' Shake every once in a while. There is absolutely no way that they can convince me that the only way I'm gonna shed the pounds is by completely cutting my dear animal friends - and their byproducts - off my menu any time soon.
Despite these horrific instructions for their "get skinny" regimine - I'm not throwing them in the trash, just yet. I've been intrigued enough to get this far - it's only fair that I give them a chance and finish the book. I still think that a lot of what they say makes sense - and they do offer great tips... which I will point out in another post...but come on, really?? You really expect your readers to swear off everything BUT fruits, veggies, and grains? I doubt it. However, there has to be a way to "tweak" their advice to suit my needs - and any other meat lover out there - so my quest has had another challenge thrown into the mix. This could be fun - I'm not sure how they feel about a "Skinny Bitch who still eats meat and dairy" saga....but I'm now on the quest to do it.
Hmmm...I feel my thighs getting smaller already!! LOL
So, it's obvious that these woman who authored this book are on a quest to "convert" meat eaters to the non meat-eating faith...but, sorry ladies - you're not gonna be able to convert me. The more devastating effect came in chapter 5 where they swear off any type of dairy product too! They, again, give fascinating facts and details to support their claims that meat products and dairy products are evil - and add flubber to your thighs - and they give options to soy based products that are "almost as good as the real thing"...but, again, sorry ladies - but I know tons of skinny bitches that enjoy their Steak n' Shake every once in a while. There is absolutely no way that they can convince me that the only way I'm gonna shed the pounds is by completely cutting my dear animal friends - and their byproducts - off my menu any time soon.
Despite these horrific instructions for their "get skinny" regimine - I'm not throwing them in the trash, just yet. I've been intrigued enough to get this far - it's only fair that I give them a chance and finish the book. I still think that a lot of what they say makes sense - and they do offer great tips... which I will point out in another post...but come on, really?? You really expect your readers to swear off everything BUT fruits, veggies, and grains? I doubt it. However, there has to be a way to "tweak" their advice to suit my needs - and any other meat lover out there - so my quest has had another challenge thrown into the mix. This could be fun - I'm not sure how they feel about a "Skinny Bitch who still eats meat and dairy" saga....but I'm now on the quest to do it.
Hmmm...I feel my thighs getting smaller already!! LOL
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Skinny Bitch it is Then
So, this morning, before heading to my planned Easter festivities - I made a detour to Barnes & Noble and picked up the Skinny Bitch book that I mentioned in yesterday's post. I didn't crack the spine until I got home this evening - and I have to say, I read the first 3 chapters in no time. It's the most I've read of any dieting book!!
I was completely intrigued by the approach of the book, and the information that was spilling from the pages. These bitches (the authors) mean business - and they have no intention of being nice about getting the message across. Just what I need!
There's no long introductory bullshit about how to change your life, making good choices, blah, blah, blah - they go straight in for the kill from page 1 about giving up the shit that does NOT do the body good. The information they give is eye opening stuff - and I found myself saying "really? that does what to me?"
The authors of this book definately sound like people who believe in the body as being a temple - which isn't a bad thing. They are naturalists - and think that only organic, and vegetarian substances should be put into your body - but their information can definately be taken and tweaked to fit any lifestyle.
I'm going to read the book - take some notes - and see where I end up. You never know, this could be the one and only book in existence that could actually help. I will share their wisdom and stuff I find interesting over the next couple of days as I read the book...and see if it turns out to be my next plan of action.
Till next time....Happy Easter!!
I was completely intrigued by the approach of the book, and the information that was spilling from the pages. These bitches (the authors) mean business - and they have no intention of being nice about getting the message across. Just what I need!
There's no long introductory bullshit about how to change your life, making good choices, blah, blah, blah - they go straight in for the kill from page 1 about giving up the shit that does NOT do the body good. The information they give is eye opening stuff - and I found myself saying "really? that does what to me?"
The authors of this book definately sound like people who believe in the body as being a temple - which isn't a bad thing. They are naturalists - and think that only organic, and vegetarian substances should be put into your body - but their information can definately be taken and tweaked to fit any lifestyle.
I'm going to read the book - take some notes - and see where I end up. You never know, this could be the one and only book in existence that could actually help. I will share their wisdom and stuff I find interesting over the next couple of days as I read the book...and see if it turns out to be my next plan of action.
Till next time....Happy Easter!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Easter Time is Here Again
Well, my plan of this journal helping me lose weight is failing miserably - and now I have Easter to throw into the mix..UGH!!
Like most parents do this time of year, I will be taking my kids to an Easter egg hunt, buying them Easter goodies, and helping them eat their chocolate. I was really good, and only bought the kids a couple of things - so that the temptation to help them eat it wasn't as bad...but I know that my family won't be as considerate to me and will load all the kids up with chocolate like they always do. I suppose it's only fair - and my kids shouldn't suffer just because I have absolutely no will power to stay away from the loot.
I haven't done my Wii Fit in almost a week - and I have my excuses, like I've been busy...but it's no excuse. I've found the time to sit my fat ass in front of the TV for at least 30 minutes every night - instead of using the time to burn off the extra calories I've been shoveling into my face - but no, American Idol, House and Hell's Kitchen are obviously much higher on my priority list.
So - I've been hearing a lot about these new books that are out called Skinny Bitch. I am definately not one for diet books - but when I read the tagline I have to say I was intrigued. It reads: "If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth: You cannot keep shoveling the same crap into your mouth every day and expect to lose weight." The authors claim to be "bitches" who tell you like it is - and don't sugar coat the truth. They sound like my kind of women!! Currently there is a book, a recipe book, and a "Get your ass of the couch" journal that I think I'm going to invest in this weekend. Supposedly, they don't read like the other "how to lose weight" crap books that are collecting dust on my book shelf. I'll take a look this weekend - and see if it's something worth reading.
I still have hope that there is something/one out there that can motivate me to get my fat thighs into action to burn the weight.
Like most parents do this time of year, I will be taking my kids to an Easter egg hunt, buying them Easter goodies, and helping them eat their chocolate. I was really good, and only bought the kids a couple of things - so that the temptation to help them eat it wasn't as bad...but I know that my family won't be as considerate to me and will load all the kids up with chocolate like they always do. I suppose it's only fair - and my kids shouldn't suffer just because I have absolutely no will power to stay away from the loot.
I haven't done my Wii Fit in almost a week - and I have my excuses, like I've been busy...but it's no excuse. I've found the time to sit my fat ass in front of the TV for at least 30 minutes every night - instead of using the time to burn off the extra calories I've been shoveling into my face - but no, American Idol, House and Hell's Kitchen are obviously much higher on my priority list.
So - I've been hearing a lot about these new books that are out called Skinny Bitch. I am definately not one for diet books - but when I read the tagline I have to say I was intrigued. It reads: "If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth: You cannot keep shoveling the same crap into your mouth every day and expect to lose weight." The authors claim to be "bitches" who tell you like it is - and don't sugar coat the truth. They sound like my kind of women!! Currently there is a book, a recipe book, and a "Get your ass of the couch" journal that I think I'm going to invest in this weekend. Supposedly, they don't read like the other "how to lose weight" crap books that are collecting dust on my book shelf. I'll take a look this weekend - and see if it's something worth reading.
I still have hope that there is something/one out there that can motivate me to get my fat thighs into action to burn the weight.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Fat Guys Finish Last??
This has absolutely nothing to do with me - but I am a HUGE Gordan Ramsey fan, and watch Hell's Kitchen religiously. There is one guy on the show that I've felt a little sorry for - and I wanted to write this installment for him.
One of the contestants on the show is Robert - a 29 year old soux chef from New York. At first, I found him rather arrogant and annoying, but as the weeks have gone on - I've grown to like him, and at times feel sorry for him. Unlike the other fit and slender contestants on the show, Robert is about 400lbs. Almost everytime the men have won their challenges, Robert has somehow had to miss out due to his weight. The first prize the men won was a helicopter ride to an island off the coast of California - Robert was very unhappy when he learned that his weight was going to prevent him from having to ride on the chopper..but he was told he wasn't go to miss out on the fun, he would just have to take the ferry. The bad thing was, when Robert finally made it to the island, the day was over - and he had to get right back on the ferry and go back...I felt so bad for him. It's not the first time that Robert has had to suffer - but that's not the reason for this blog.
Anywho - so as I'm watching the show each week - I notice that the other contestants often make comments regarding Robert's weight and the inability it causes him to "stay up" with the competition. However, each week, despite his minor mistakes here and there, Robert has really pulled his weight (no pun intended..LOL) around the kitchen. I can't help but think, though, that Robert is going to end up getting cut due to his weight being a disadvantage for him. I'm not going to say that Robert is the most talented chef on the show - but I think he has just a good a chance at winning, except for his weight.
The whole thing got me off on my ponderous thoughts - and I thought to myself, when I go out and eat does appearance of the chef weigh on me at all (again, no pun intended). I will admit, the last thing I want to see is a woman/man cooking my food sweating all over it...but has weight ever really been a factor? Personally, I think being that he's so big - he obviously likes to eat..so that should be a good thing, right? I don't know - this whole blog was probably a pointless rant just to make the point that I hope that Robert's weight doesn't hurt him on the show.
Till next time. :)
One of the contestants on the show is Robert - a 29 year old soux chef from New York. At first, I found him rather arrogant and annoying, but as the weeks have gone on - I've grown to like him, and at times feel sorry for him. Unlike the other fit and slender contestants on the show, Robert is about 400lbs. Almost everytime the men have won their challenges, Robert has somehow had to miss out due to his weight. The first prize the men won was a helicopter ride to an island off the coast of California - Robert was very unhappy when he learned that his weight was going to prevent him from having to ride on the chopper..but he was told he wasn't go to miss out on the fun, he would just have to take the ferry. The bad thing was, when Robert finally made it to the island, the day was over - and he had to get right back on the ferry and go back...I felt so bad for him. It's not the first time that Robert has had to suffer - but that's not the reason for this blog.
Anywho - so as I'm watching the show each week - I notice that the other contestants often make comments regarding Robert's weight and the inability it causes him to "stay up" with the competition. However, each week, despite his minor mistakes here and there, Robert has really pulled his weight (no pun intended..LOL) around the kitchen. I can't help but think, though, that Robert is going to end up getting cut due to his weight being a disadvantage for him. I'm not going to say that Robert is the most talented chef on the show - but I think he has just a good a chance at winning, except for his weight.
The whole thing got me off on my ponderous thoughts - and I thought to myself, when I go out and eat does appearance of the chef weigh on me at all (again, no pun intended). I will admit, the last thing I want to see is a woman/man cooking my food sweating all over it...but has weight ever really been a factor? Personally, I think being that he's so big - he obviously likes to eat..so that should be a good thing, right? I don't know - this whole blog was probably a pointless rant just to make the point that I hope that Robert's weight doesn't hurt him on the show.
Till next time. :)
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