Diet Books

This is honestly the only diet and exercise program that has ever truly worked for me. Not only is it a fun read, it is informative, easy to do, and gets GREAT results. (results like 18 pound weight loss - and a loss of 9 percent in body fat) This blows the other diets out of the water - Best of all, Michael had his own battle with weight and proves that achieving ones own goals is in fact doable. I cannot sing the praises enough -

Just a quick note to say how great this program really is. I lost 15 pounds in just 8 weeks as promised! This program is not only easy, but Doable! I can't even believe my results. I look in the mirror and just smile. For the first time in my life I can fit into a two piece bathing suit. A small accomplishment for some, but a huge deal for me. Anyone else skeptical of dieting should read this book. It truly is a blessing...

I just want to drop a quick review for this book. I never do this review stuff, but I felt I had to for this program. This is the only diet that has worked for me. I have used them all from South Beach to Atkins, and this is the one that got me the results that I wanted. It is well written and completely user friendly. I reccommend this program to anyone who has not recieved the weight loss results that they wanted. I am a 19 year old college student and was able to follow this program to the T, even though I routinely was up late, out partying and enjoying the college life. I think that the best thing is that my mom did it too, and she hasn't been in college for a long, long time! We chose the eight week plan as opposed to the ten week one and now we both feel great, lost weight and look and feel a thousand times better!

Ok...Heres the deal!!! This book is awesome period!! I've read many many things in my lifetime but this book has it all...from nutritional facts to providing different excercises to even easy and good tasting recipes (and drinks :-)!!! I used Mike's plan 2 years while at school and believe me it works. I was able to transform my body from a boney and skinny 130 to a cut up and musculular 155lbs. I was still a fulltime student and had a part time job. I have also never felt so excited to wake up in the morning and excercise...it seems like this plan gives you a boost of energy everyday. I highly reccommend it. I initially used it to get ripped for my trip on spring break to Miami. Bottom line, it paid off!

I have just recently graduated from college and, I must say, I wish I'd had this wonderful book throughout those four years! Where was this book when I was putting on my "Freshman Fifteen?" I sure could've used it!! It should be available in all college bookstores and should be required reading for anyone about to embark on their college journey! Written in an extremely easy-to-understand tone that appeals to just about everyone, not only the undergrad, it is a fabulous fitness plan that has really worked for me! College kids everywhere will be thanking Michael Kamins and singing the praises of Hotbody.101!!

the pictures , the instruction GREAT GREAT GREAT thank you Lisa you are one in a million

This is an easy to read, clear approach to yoga for beginners. I love the photos! I have begun a 20 min.morning routine after a fifteen year hiatus from yoga. I recently had a child and am grateful to get back to yoga. Thank you Lisa!

to learn, review, expand and refresh my knowledge of yoga postures and their benefits for health and well being. Looking forward to getting Lisa's new yoga books on pregnancy and children. I love this book, and know I'll love the new ones.

I began looking into yoga because my back and legs hurt constantly after standing up at work all day. Most of the books on the subject out there seemed to be either too difficult or else plagued by a condescending writing style. This was the exception. It looked approachable--not too many exercises that just looked flat-out impossible. So I bought it and took it home. That was about three weeks ago.

My back doesn't hurt anymore. My legs don't hurt anymore. If they feel a little achy after work, I just go home, do a little bit of yoga, and voila! instant relief. In addition to the post-work relaxation, I've taken to doing a longer yoga workout every other day for general fitness. I started by just working my way through the beginning stretches, and have been adding advanced poses as I felt comfortable with them. I feel great, and as a side effect, I am gaining some muscle tone, and my figure looks better. I haven't lost any pounds per se, but my clothes fit much better. How great is that? I've finally found an exercise that feels good and is also good for me. I think I'll be sticking with this.

Trivell's book is very useful. She provides two sections of stretches--beginning and advanced--and then gives us ideas for how to combine them into workouts for those days when we don't have time to go through all the exercises. There are sections detailing which poses are good for different areas of the body, so you can focus on your weak points. There are 10 and 20 minute routines; there is a morning "wake-up" routine and an evening "destressing" routine. Everything about this book is approachable and down-to-earth. I love it. If you're a beginner to yoga, this is the bomb! Then, once this is old hat to you, you can maybe check out one of the other books, the ones that looked intimidating not that long ago.

I had never done yoga before ordering this book, and it has been a great help to me. The poses are described and deomonstrated in a clear and straightforward manner with quality photographs to use as a guide. I enjoyed the book so much that I have enrolled in a yoga class. It's benefitial to have an instructor to correct you and instruct you in person, but this book has been a great companion to my instruction. I only have class once a week and this book keeps me motivated and practicing between classes. Definitely a good starting point for a total beginner.

Reading this woman's book was like drinking from a cool stream on a hot day. Everything in our media instructs us to loathe ouselves. Not intentionally, of course. (Ya, right.) Permission is one of the most powerful things we can give each other and it's all thru our own living. Caplin does a wonderfully fun and honest job at sharing her own story, poking fun at our own paranoia and challenging our paradigms all at the same time. Thank God someone is finally speaking up and calling a spade a spade. We are all beautiful in our own right, DAMMIT! This CURVOLUTION should be TELEVISED!

I was looking through the options for yet another 'get fit quick' book and stumbled across I'm Beautiful Dammit!
What a refreshing change it was to read about not trying to change everything about what makes us US but to take a moment to reflect on the beauty that's inside us all. The fact that this is well written was icing on the cake.
I'm now waging my own Curvolution!

I just want to say thank you to Rachel for opening up and exposing herself, sharing her struggle with body acceptance and inspiring me with her suggestions and stories of success. I am not alone as I know many women struggle with the illusion of a "perfect" body which first of all is nearly impossible to obtain yet alone sustain. This book is a breath of fresh air and a powerful tool for any person that is looking for inspiration and some truth into the epidemic we are living in. Rachel, Thank you! I can't wait for your next book!

with so many unrealistic images it is empowering to finally find someone with a realistic voice telling us all to appreciate the beauty that we each already have...

All I can say about Rachel Caplin and her excellent book is HALLELUJAH and a hearty thank you! Being a woman who has had ongoing weight and body image issues since 3rd grade, this book is a godsend. Rachel's style is charming, honest and captivating and her message of body acceptance is SO necessary in a society where I can scarcely think of a gathering of women where weight and body issue does not come up, usually in the context of shame and self-loathing. This book is the perfect antidote to a culture obsessed with unnatural expectations of women.

After reading this I "got it." The upshot--yes, take care of yourself, eat healthy and get regular, moderate exercise, but do NOT feel any less beautiful if you cannot wear a size 0, or if you had a slice of pizza today or if you didn't run 10 miles a day this week. We have all heard this before but it is time we all started to walk the walk: beauty not only comes from within, it also comes in all sizes and shapes! That is not preachy, it is fact.

This book made me want to just go out there and shine. Rather than tear one another down, we women must unite and recognize that there are many faces of beauty--not just the one very slim (pun intended) definition forced down our throats by the media. And we should all give ourselves a break from the constant self-criticism as well!! This book is a positive, uplifting leap in the right direction--GO RACHEL!! Heartily recommended!

As a fan of Americana and good, home-cooked meals, I was looking for a book like this for a while, and found it here. Almost any well-known American meal/sidedish/dessert is included in the 200 recipes, and the fact that the author has tried to make them low in fat is even better. Each recipe also includes a small paragraph of extra information, which is interesting to read.

I was reciently diagnosed with high cholestrol. I've been haunting the library for cookbooks for food I can eat. This book was sitting on the shelf and reached out and grabbed me. Fried chicken and gravey, wow. This works for me, so I just ordered a copy.

I was impressed with the ease of putting the recipies together, and amazed that low fat could taste so GOOD! This is a great cookbook !

I was reciently diagnosed with high cholestrol. I've been haunting the library for cookbooks for food I can eat. This book was sitting on the shelf and reached out and grabbed me. Fried chicken and gravey, wow. This works for me, so I just ordered a copy.

Homestyle Cooking Made Healthy is a throughly impressive and "kitchen cook friendly" compilation of two hundred classic American dishes recreated in a low-fat format but still retaining all the original flavor of higher-calory, higher-fat versions of years past. From Carrot-Raisin Salad; Twice-Baked Potatoes; Scampi with Spaghetti; and Chicken Croquettes; to Chicken-Fried Steak with Country Gravy; Crunch Grain Waffles; Lobster and Broccoli Stir-Fry; and Black Bottom Pie, the recipes comprising Homestyle Cooking Made Healthy live up to the promise of lower fat content with no sacrifice to taste. Each recipes comes with a "Homestyle Makeover" side-bar showcasing before and after calorie and fat gram counts. Homestyle Cooking Made Healthy is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to any health conscious kitchen cookbook collection!

Amazing book, amazing women! Ths book is a must have for anyone beginning this scary journey, as well as anyone traveling with them. These women share valuable information, insight and hindsight that only survivors can provide. Each "sister" tells her own experience with style and honesty. You may relate to one more than the other, but you will love them all. I laughed, I cried, I cheered.

This book is not just for the person who has cancer but for those dealing with a loved one who has it. I bought this book for my mother who was having a rough time facing the fact. Not only did it help her feel ( and Look) so much better but after reading it myself I feel so much better about it. If cancer is affecting your life in any way i say BUY THIS BOOK.

This book is a great resource, written by real people. It's nice to have a roadmap of other people's experiences who have gone through the same thing you are going through. This book should be on the best seller's list for anyone going through breast cancer, especially young women who are the newest face of this disease.

This book is a must read for anyone with breast cancer. It is very informative and insightful for the patient and caregivers (friends, family, etc). It provides important and useful information. The way in which the authors write about this information is in a very relaxed and comfortable setting; almost as though they are having a conversation with you and just sharing their experiences. Being a recently diagnosed breast cancer patient myself I found this book extremely helpful. I wish this book was availble when I began my treatments, it would have answered many questions for me. Thank you to the authors for being so honest.

As a new breast cancer survivor (March 2007 diagnosis), I found this book inspirational! I found comfort and support from the women in the book...like my own support group. At each stage of my journey, I can flip to the corresponding section to give me advice. I am thankful for these strong survivors who shared their stories!

This is a great book to get you motivated with working out. The author gets directly to the point. Just Move!!!

I purchased this book for my wife since it focuses on women, but I also gained motivation to get fit by reading it for myself. The author identifies with readers who may be frustrated and overwhelmed by the prospect of turning their self image in the right direction. The main message is that people find the time to do things that are important to them. If fitness is not a priority for you, you will just keep putting it off for one reason or another. The book is short enough to read in one sitting, but can be referenced over again for its detailed diet and workout information. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get fit whether for health reasons or just to feel good about themselves.

This book is an excellent practical powerful message to help people change their lives leading to healthy bodies. It is geared to the common person of which most of us are. Lesley writes simply and honestly about how each one of us are the ones who can change what we do and eat to get and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Betty L. Rundlett (Omaha, NE)

Just Move is a straight foward in your face reality check for all women, not just women of color. I too had been to the point of almost giving in to obesity and leading an unhealty life style after having 2 children. When I looked in the mirror I didn't like what I saw, especially while everyone around me seemed to be fit... Reading Lesley's book was definitely a wake up call for me and others as well. All the ladies that I work with (black and white)have purchased this wonderful book and are thrilled about it. Pick up a copy, its definitely worth every penny!!


---Vickie Bonam, Omaha NE

If you are in need of someone to give you a kick start in getting fit, eating right and just having a new healthy perspective for living a longer life - READ THIS BOOK!!

This book was very informative, easy to understand, and covered the subject thoroughly. I really didn't have much idea what COPD was until I read this book. I recommend it highly if you have breathing problems.

I picked this book up because I was concerned about my husband, who has had a morning cough for about 2 years. The book was the catalyst to a whole lifestyle change for him! We went to his doctor, had him tested for COPD (he is in the early stages), he quit smoking, we ripped out our carpet, we've changed our diet.... I can't say enough about the value of this book. Read it!!!

Finally, a book to help patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The families of people suffering from COPD will have a better understanding of the disease after reading this book.

At the present time, COPD is not curable. However, by reading Life and Breath, it will help those suffering from COPD live longer, happier and healthier lives. The book will teach us how to better control COPD.

One is taught and is given a better understanding of the complete chest workup. Eating habits are gone over extensively, and we learn that by changing our diet we can breath easier and more normally.

Pulmonary protection and physical work outs will allow us to breath easier and realize it is never too late to give up bad habits. Treatment strategies for both asthma and COPD are outlined in the book and are extremely important.

I recommend this bood to doctors, COPD patients and their families.

Daniel J. Colona, NY

A book of this sort is good insofar as it is technically accurate, and also if it zeroes in on your especial situation. As a non-scientist I am unble to judge the former, and my situation is that I was recently diagnosed with early emphysema. But I quit smoking 13 years ago, so all the pages devoted to quitting smoking were irrelevant to me. I have, however, spent a lifetime with heavy smokers, starting before my birth -- not that I can do anything about that now. Thanks, Mom and Dad, colleagues, friends, and current and former husbands!

There is a lot in this book about COPD, its causes, its course, varieties of treatment, & strateies for living with it. It is easy to understand and has a glosary, bibliography for further research, and good index.

Fortunately my condition has been arrested with the use of Spireva [mentioned in the book],but I will keep my copy just in case.

I first saw Dr. Schacter being interviewed on the Today Show in April while I was home recouperating from my third round of pneumonia in about 15 years. I ordered the book immediately and read it within a day of receiving it.

The information contained in the book was extremely helpful in educating me about how serious a chronic cough can be and how important it is to get appropriate treatment for anything that is related to your lungs on a timely basis. My sister is a severe asthmatic and I ordered a copy for her and sent it to her in California.

Following my bout of pneumonia, I have learned that I have a pulmonary nodule and again found the information in the book helpful as I have begun to navigate the ramifications of that health issue. When I was first diagnosed, I also emailed Dr. Schacter some questions and he responded to me personally which was certainly "above and beyond."

I highly recommend this book to anyone anyone with any pulmonary issues.

While the picolinate variety of chromium is the most popular and widely available form in the US, there is still serious, ongoing debate about it's long-term safety.

One thing is certain: chromium polynicotinate is just as, if not more, bioavailable and effective as the picolinate version. And it also does not cause mutations in mice and cell cutures like picolinate has. It just takes a little more searching to buy.

This is the form I sought out before trying chromium for my low energy, mood and carb cravings. So far, it seems to be effective, and I haven't experienced any dizziness that some reported using this form of chromium.

Another very safe, if less well-absorbed, alternative is chromium chloride, which is more availble in Europe. The GTF form may not be as helpful.

Four years ago I had a heart attack and by-pass surgery. Soon afterwards I fell in a deep depression with anxiety attacks. Since then I have been seeing a psychiatrist on a monthly, or sometimes weekly basis. I ended up in the hospital and an out care facility for 6 weeks. I had to take a medical retirement because the depression seemed untreatable. I've tried just about every medication and or combination, for depression, but nothing seemed to work. At one time my doctor told me I was one of the hardest cases he had ever treated. He knew from the onset it was not an emotional problem but a chemical imbalance. He used all the new, old, and uncommon drugs. We were at the end of all the drugs and combinations out there so he was pushing me to electric shock thearpy. I did not want to do this, it was frightening. I started to study on my own. I was desparate. One day I went online and found this book. At first I passed over it because it seemed to simplistic or I thought it might be a gimmick. I was so wrong. I read the book. It seem plausible enough, but I did not seem to fit the criteria for chromium deficiency as described in the text. But as I said, I was deparate. I bought a $12 bottle of chromium and started taking it that day. The next day I saw my doctor. I told him about the chromium, he seem a little amused but had no objections to me taking it. I was in the process of starting to take another antidepressant at the same time. Three days later I felt normal for the first time in 4 years. I knew it was too early for the antidepressant to be working and that chromium had to be the explanation. I cried in relief and called my brother because I had to tell somebody and I knew my doctor would think I was crazy. The next day I still felt normal. At that point I called my doctor and told him that I was feeling great. He was afraid I was manic or something. Even though he was very skeptical he was willing to work with me as I took the chromium. I stopped taking the antidepressant and I gave him my book to read. That was two months ago. I am no longer taking drugs for depression. I am feeling better now than I have for years. My doctor is amazed. He has suggested chromium to another patient who has not had success with conventional medicine. What would I say about this book? It has been a life changing a miracle! If you are at your wits end and nothing seems to help with your depression, what have you got to lose...(a meaningful life)? Read this book. Give it to others you care about who cannot find relief from their depression. I know it will not work for everybody, but it did for me. It gave me back my life. Five stars does not seem to give it enough justification!

His patients try psychotherapy, antidepressants, but what really works for the 70% for whom it does work is chromium picolinate. Their diagnosis? Atypical depression with associated symptoms such as tiredness, excessive appetite, weight gain and a heavy feeling in their limbs.

It is wonderful to see a psychiatrist sharing the increasingly respectable, though, for some, still radical view that nutrients can restore "mental" health.

What I like most about the book is reading between the lines. Even while he supports a psychoanalytic approach, most (not all) of his patients say it is the chromium picolinate that made the difference. While the author respectfully defends what I consider to be an overrated ideology, in my view, he also undercuts it with his own research. The influence of his socialization into the field of psychiatry is not lost as the author frames his initial impressions of rapid improvement through his psychopharmaceutical lenses.

Still, Dr Mcleod is supporting an approach to "depression" based on treatable biological risk factors. The implications of this perspective are yet to be seen. If chromium picolinate is so effective perhaps tryptophan, magnesium, amino acids, etc. can also be effective for specific identifiable biological risk factors.

David Moyer, Author Too Good to be True? Nutrients Quiet the Unquiet Brain

From 1984 to 1998 I had a long string of professional and relational stresses, I didn't sleep well, and I took antidepressants. After that, I had 4 years of stable mood (I didn't take a single pill during those years). But after 2000, a new stressor appeared in my life.

I've been taking antidepressants again since 2002, with bad or mediocre results: maprotiline (Ludiomil) caused me unbearable side effects after a few years of use. Over a week ago, after reading Dr. McLeod's book, I started taking chromium picolinate, 400 micrograms 4 times a day, to a total of 1600 mcg a day. The results have been a complete remission of my depression, until now. I think that less than 1600 mcg wouldn't do the trick, and maybe Dr. McLeod could have obtained even better results in his clinical trial using this dose (better than the 70% of positive results he's got, using a maximum of 600 mcg). When I don't take the 400 mcg dose for more than 7 hours (I take one pill every 3 hours), a slight depression starts to return.

I have been taking chromium picolinate for years as an anti-aging supplement (400 mcg at bedtime of a formulation that's no longer available) without any antidepressant effect. The recommended daily dose for this formulation is 400 mcg 4 times a day, which I thought was excessive. (Chromium picolinate greatly increases insulin sensitivity, and high insulin sensitivity - low blood insulin - is one of the main metabolic characteristics of centenarians and animals subjected to calorie restriction, which have a strongly increased lifespan. And rats supplemented with chromium picolinate live 37% more than their normal lifespan).

A warning: the first time I took chromium picolinate as an antidepressant, I took 1000 mcg (of another formulation) at bedtime, and I didn't sleep well. The total dose has to be taken throughout the day. And I almost completely discontinued the not very effective (at least for me) antidepressant amitriptiline, (from 60 mg per day to 25 mg at bedtime).

Thank you Dr. McLeod. Without your keen observations, I think I would have never gotten were I am now: cured of depression!

In Lifting Depression: The Chromium Connection, practicing psychiatrist Malcolm Noell McLeod presents the personal empowerment of overcoming of a familial situation between himself and his parents. As significant and growing numbers of people worldwide struggle with the psychological disadvantage of mental and emotional depression, Malcolm Noell McLeod gives readers a healing aide for dealing with this increasingly common psychological condition. With true potential for revolutionary standards of discovery, Lifting Depression: The Chromium Connection offers enlightenment to all and is recommended strongly to those who suffer from depression individually as well as those wishing to find aid for friends and loved ones afflicted with chronic depression.

There aren't a lot of "cooking for two" books out there that have really good recipes. This is an exception. Every one of the breads is fantastic, and only makes enough for 1 meal, so the bread is always fresh. We don't need to watch our weight or salt intake, but I use this book so much because the food just tastes so good!

There are too few "light cooking" books designed for just two people, and this is one of the best yet with a wide variety of recipes using fresh herbs and minimal oil. We make extensive use of this book weekly and are pleased with an easy, and permanent, weight loss while eating gourmet food. We would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys great food while losing weight.

I thought this cook book was good. Not too many complicated recipes which is good for me because I don't have much time to cook after work. I found the content easy to read and the food enjoyable. I definitely recommend.

This cookbook offers recipes for sumptuous meals using what you'd never believe to be low-fat ingredients. The portions are designed to leave zero left-overs so there's no midnight temptation in the fridge. My partner and I have lost weight on these meals without being cheated of the joy of eating.

I just started cooking religiously when I got married, and I never realized how many recipes from very expensive cookbooks could be so undesirable. But.... Not this time! This book is fantastic! The recipes are easy to prepare, with ingredients that are easy to find, and although the food is low-fat, it is delicious. Now, I'm on ........ to find more cookbooks by the same author(s). Buy "Light Cooking"; it will not disappoint.

I own dozens of cookbooks but this is one I use consistently. In fact, I have two of them (from a time when we had a weekend house). I've made dozens of the recipes and have been pleased every single time. If you are looking for healthy, delicious meals that will gain you kudos from family and guests alike, this cookbook is for you.

I've tried many of the recipes in this book which have delighted my whole family, kids included. Each dish I've tried has been full of flavor. There are recipes here which are becoming regulars in my weekly reperetoire. I'm buying a copy today as a gift for my mother.

I've tried quite a few of the recipes in this cookbook and all of them have been easy and produced extremely satisfying results. This is definitely the best cookbook geared toward healthier eating that I've encountered.

I was looking for gifts for my sisters-in-law, and decided I had to have a copy of this for myself as well. I've tried several of the recipes, and so far have had great success. My husband is a fairly picky eater - if he doesn't like it, he will politely but firmly refuse to eat it. So far, he has asked for seconds on everything!

The only warning I would make is that for the uninitiated, there is a fair amount of prep work in many of the recipes. A lot of the recipes are based on fresh vegetables, and they need preparation (peeling and chopping). Once you get past that, though, the recipes go together quickly, with delicious results.

I was a little skeptical when I first picked this up, though admittedly for no good reason (maybe I'm a sucker for photos or general "hipness"--this book has neither). Some of the dishes I prepared because I had the ingredients already, but I had a feeling the recipes would be underseasoned or just not exciting. But no, everything was delicious, and my husband loved it as well.

It's also good for trying to wean yourself/family from meat-heavy dinners. We really enjoyed the beef and broccoli stir-fry, for example, which is lightened up simply with a higher proportion of vegetables. So too with the meat loaf.

I refuse to do "diet" cookbooks, so my other reference for lightening up my cooking is Sally Schneider's A New Way to Cook, which I also highly recommend. That book has the style, size (700+ pages), photographs, and glamour over this one, but Lighter,Quicker, Better is far more accessible in terms of ingredients and attitude, and I haven't been disappointed once.