The Little Book of Thin: Foodtrainers Plan-It-to-Lose-It Solutions for Every Diet Dilemma

Simply by declaring that we should eat "no more than one fruit a day", and that we "don't need grains and carbs", this book is advocating an "Atkin's-like" diet. I definitely agree with a lot of the suggestions in this book, such as eating a much larger lunch than dinner, eating fish four times a week, eating a protein breakfast to get yourself a good start and deal with hunger, close the kitchen after dinner…NO SNACKING at night!, etc. There are some GREAT ideas that we should incorporate into our lives and not just while "we diet." The suggestion to do 180 minutes of cardio a week is good, of course, but I think it is also important to build muscle, which we lose as we age. This is a good book, but it needs a small dose of common sense, too.

Far, far better than other diet books I've read. This book is relentlessly practical, and the tips are easy to follow without feeling dumbed-down. It's full of well-founded advice that is distilled effectively for the reader, and the author explains the rationales well without letting them weigh the book down. What this book winds up being is a really easy one to read, a great one to go back to when you want to consult it (which you will), and one that offers really good, realistic guidance for developing basic healthy habits and navigating the everyday challenges people frequently face when trying to stay healthy. Want to know how to approach ordering food at a restaurant (including specific types of restaurants)? It's covered. Also covered: tips for birthday parties, specific holidays, sporting events, weddings, etc. There are also some recipes that I'm looking forward to trying. This is all about making easy, practical changes to achieve (and maintain) your healthy goals, without sacrificing the rest of your life.The best part of reading this book: it feels like you're getting advice from a friend - just a friend who really has it together and gives it to you straight. The author understands that a lot of people already know what they "should" be eating in order to eat a healthy diet, so she doesn't talk down to her audience. Instead, she addresses the ways in which we can actually *accomplish* this more successfully.I hadn't even made it halfway through the book before I decided to order a second copy for my Kindle, because I didn't want to be caught away on vacation or something and not have my hard copy with me to consult. Never done that before.

Terrific book -- though as some have said, can be a bit on the highly restrictive side. I generally allow myself two fruits and two carbs most days (though I try to keep them sensible -- a piece of whole-wheat toast instead of, say, a Little Debbie) and have lost 5 pounds in less than two weeks.What I really love is her suggestions for eating out (that you can choose one of four things -- bread, starchy veggie, booze or dessert) and other tips such as "Spartan days" for when you're planning a celebration or other big event that same week. She also gives some good suggestions for foods -- I've fallen in love with Siggi's yogurt since trying it after reading about it here.Overall, I just found the tone and advice very motivating and realistic.

Okay, folks. I am LOVING this book. It has REALISTIC expectations...(spoiler alert)...and a simple NO NO list: No diet sodas, no bagels, no more than 4 alcoholic beverages per day (women), no gum, no artificial sweeteners, no more than 2 days without exercising, no frozen yogurt, no reduced fat or "diet" foods, no skim dairy, no boxed "cold" cereals, no bottled salad dressings.She explains why...She DOES recommend things that might initially deter you...grass fed beef, increased fish and alternate grains (quinoa, etc.) and only one piece of fruit a day...but she tells you WHY and HOW to work around that if they are not available to you. Rule of thumb: one main (lean protein), one grain and one green per meal. And the rule of "1 of 4" when going out to eat. She also tells you to get moving with 180 minutes of cardio a week (working up to it gradually). No shocker, there. The biggest take away is to PLAN your food choices and not "wing it", and to eat what you want, but with reason. She uses the term "Foodtrainer" to describe her profession...and she also has a blog online for ideas, hints and recipes.PS: If you are not willing to change- then NO diet will work for you. Do not buy this book if you aren't willing to do due diligence, and try to meet the sensible expectations. Remember: "Excuses are tools of incompetence, used to build monuments of nothing..."

Obvious tips but helpful to be reminded