Review of The Gotti Diet: How I Took Control of My Body, Lost 80 Pounds, and Discovered How to Stay Fit Forever (Hardcover)

The subject of Teen obesity and obesity in kids and young men is a subject that is hard to deal with. I am 25 years old and had a tough childhood growing up poor at times. Unfortunatly when you are teased as a child you always carry around insecurities and the emotional attachments to the food that comforts you in troubled times.
Frank relates his own experiences honestly and very skillfully. Sometimes they were hard to read because they brought back the feelings that lurked beneath me growing up and currently today as someone who is slightly overweight and not having an easy time dealing with it. The diet itself is fundamentally sound and after being on it one week I have already dropped a couple of pounds. The exercise portion of this book is lacking but it is written for teenagers and you can find other books that will have better demonstrations and descriptions of exercises and the science of building muscle.

The area which this book absolutely shines is with the recipes!!!!! These italian recipes are amazing and I have made them the foundation of my diet. The recipes taste amazing and make The Gotti Diet easy to follow and not as torturous as you might think a diet has to be!!

I appreciate Frank and his mother Victoria for writing such an open and honest book. It has great style and emotional value that has benefited me already.

Product Description

Yo, when I was thirteen, I weighed 255 pounds and already had high blood pressure. My family doctor told me I was "morbidly obese." I had a problem. I liked to eat . . . and eat . . . and eat. But when Mom told me that the whole family was going to be on a reality TV show called Growing Up Gotti, I finally made the decision to change. No way did I want to be seen as the Fatty Gotti by the entire world.


With the support of my mother, my doctor, and my lacrosse team coach, I got to work. I learned all about food, dieting, and exercise, and created a program for myself based on common sense, portion control, and moderation. And the results were great! I lost eighty pounds in the first year! Once the weight started coming off, I started working out, turning fat into muscle and toning up. I also did aerobic exercise and found stamina on the lacrosse field that I never had before. Now friends come to me for advice on starting their own diets and exercise programs.


So listen up -- here, in this book, is all the information you need to get started -- my program of portion control, fat and calorie counters, great-tasting healthy food recipes, and exercise. It's the program that turned the Fatty Gotti into the Hottie Gotti.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Review of The Johns Hopkins Family Health Book: The Essential Home Medical Reference to Help You and Your Family Promote Good Health and Manage Illness (Hardcover)

There I was able to compare it with several others in its class, anddetermined that it was the most complete and best organized for myneeds. This book contains 17 chapters dedicated to understanding different parts of the body, and the symptoms, treatment, and prognosis for any illness I have checked for so far.A 48 page insert of color pictures helps you diagnosis certain kinds of rashes, sore throats, etc.The book also has recommendations on what can be treated at home and when you should consult a doctor.There are also sections on staying healthy, first aid and emergency care.END



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Review of Sly Moves: My Proven Program to Lose Weight, Build Strength, Gain Will Power, and Live your Dream (Hardcover)

A touching memento reproduced on the pages of SLY MOVES is a photo of Steve Reeves in full gladiator costume driving a chariot, autographed to Stallone: "To Sylvester, a man who knew what he wanted and knew how to get there and didn't compromise."In a way this is the closest thing we're probably going to get from the notoriously inarticulate Sly Stallone, and he does have some amazing stories to tell along with the tips on how to lose weight and maintain perfect muscle definition.Did you know he used to clean the lion cages at New York's Bronx Zoo?Frank Capra told Sly that ROCKY was a movie he wished he (Capra) had made!Now, that's a compliment.Elvis invited him to Graceland.Charlie Chaplin asked him to visit Switzerland!His dreams had all come true. SLY MOVES reprints the poem Muhammad Ali wrote in praise of Sly:

"You fought and you worked
You're a determined guy.
Rocky is great
And we all love you, Sly."

His tips include frequent napping."I'm not suggesting you sleep the afternoons away.That will make you even groggier.Ten minutes max is usually all you need to feel energized and to restore a sense of peace."Lie on the floor with your feet above your heart, he says--resting your ankles on a chair."Just do it when the boss isn't looking," he advises tongue in cheek.As for eating, Sly opens the refrigerator door and lists all the food he sees there."2 dozen large organic eggs, a bowl of grapes, 1 small bottle of cinnamon flax seed oil, 1 jar of olives, 1 jar gourmet mustard, 1 six-pack of Diet Pepsi," etc.It's a private peek into the innermost life of a great fitness buff and superstar.I expect that this book will be a big best seller, because everyone wants to look good and few look as good as Stallone even on his worst day!



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Review of Break Through Your Set Point: How to Finally Lose the Weight You Want and Keep It Off (Hardcover)

A new and much more realistic method for dieting!!Initially I needed to understand the science of weight gain before starting the weight loss program.It is enlightening to learn that losing 10% of my weight was the key to my initial success as well as the health benefits.I welcome this positive, more attainable approach.The silhouettes remind me daily of who I am and where I need to go for this year's weight loss program.

I'm studying the smaller plate size with the visual image of dividing the plate into 4 sections of healthier choices.Finally, the 20-minute eating rule for each meal will be a challenge for me considering my busy schedule, but it clearly seems important.Having recently experienced some cardiac problems, I am particularly interested not only because of the weight control benefits, but also in knowing that some of my cardiac risks will improve.

As a nurse, I find there are many new ideas in this book that will help me educate my patients.For years, I have searched for the knowledge to give them.We did not learn enough of this in nursing school.Now is the opportunity for all nurses to gain this knowledge.After studying this myself, I will refer the book to my colleagues immediately.

Nutritional education summed up in one book-- great job!




Product Description

How many times have you gone on a diet and lost a few pounds, only to hit, once again, that dreaded plateau? Many people manage to lose the first 10, 15, or 20 pounds of the weight they want to shed. Then, no matter how hard they work, they can't seem to nudge the number on the scale farther down, and often they end up gaining back the weight they lost. Finally, there is a healthy, permanent weight-loss solution that will get you off the frustrating yo-yo that often accompanies most fad diets.


Dr. George L. Blackburn is the associate director of the Division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School and directs the Center for the Study of Nutrition Medicine, which investigates complex issues in nutrition and health. Based on three decades of his research and clinical practice, Break Through Your Set Point offers an exciting and effective program that will give you specific tools to help you get out of your rut and prevent those extra pounds from coming back.


Your set point, or typical body weight, is determined by your genes and your environment. Many modern lifestyle habits-including getting too little sleep and eating on the run-have conspired to raise many people's set points to unhealthily high levels. According to Dr. Blackburn's theory, if you set a reasonable goal to lose about 10 percent of your initial body weight, then hold steady at your new weight without regaining any pounds for at least six months, you can reset your body's set point. And once you've reset your set point, you can repeat the cycle to lose even more weight.


The body's innate tendency to protect itself against starvation explains why the body resists losing weight after a certain point. Dr. Blackburn explains the science behind the set-point theory and helps you devise a plan that works for you. With his unique, multi-faceted approach, Dr. Blackburn shows that hitting your set point is not a dead end but the first step in losing weight the right way. This book will help you overcome your weight-loss plateau once and for all.



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Review of The L.A. Shape Diet: The 14-Day Total Weight Loss Plan (Hardcover)

I've read some of the other reviews on this book and am a bit annoyed with most of the negative one.

Before answering the negative comments, let me say that I've been following the diet for 7 weeks and have lost 20 pounds. The thing I like best about it is that it's the ONLY diet I've found that allows me to eat the quantity of food I'm eating, and still keep my calorie count at about 1350. I love having a full plate and a full tummy. With this way of eating I get full at all 3 meals, have 3 snacks during the day, and am still able to lose weight. On Atkins I got full, and my lipids and sugar were great, but I didn't lose much weight because my calorie count was too high.On Weight Watchers I was always hungry, because I invested too many of my points in refined carbs and grains. This works for me.

I'm planning to use Dr. Heber's earlier book "What color is your diet," for maintenance. I have my physician's enthusiastic blessing for both.

BTW - I have no cravings.I'm easily able to say no to candy, chips, cake, cookies, etc.My pre-diabetic metabolism is loving this!

Here's a typical day's menu for me:

Breakfast: Shake made with 1C skim milk, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 a banana and 1/2 cup of frozen raspberries.

Lunch: Salad made with 3 C romaine lettuce, 1/2 a cucumber, a 1/4 of an avocado and 3 oz of roast chicken.

Dinner: 4 oz lean ground turkey burger smothered with sauteed onions and mushrooms, 2 C pureed cauliflower (a la Atkins), 1 cup thinly sliced butternut squash sauteed in a small amount of olive oil

snacks/dessert:1 C non-fat cottage cheese with 1/2 c pineapple; 1 clementine orange; 1 c watermelon; 1/2 cup blueberries with 1 T low-fat coolwhip.

All this runs about 1350 calories, with 140g of protein (1 gram for every pound of lean body mass I have), and is about 20% fat. A smaller person, with less lean body mass, should be able to eat closer to 100 g of protein and still get all of the fruits and vegetables in, for fewer calories.

My reaction to other comments about the book:

1. I read the book cover to cover and (unless I missed it somewhere) I didn't see the name "Hebalife" anywhere in it. It does NOT promote any particular brand of protein powder. It does suggested using "flavored" shake mix (vanilla or chocolate), but I ended up getting plain unflavored protein powder (Genisoy) that I could mix with skim milk. If I want chocolate I add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa for 15 calories. For the person who said the shakes taste horrible, well, for goodness sake, try a different brand, and be sure to add some fruit!

2.How can anyone say this is not a healthy diet? You end up eating a huge amount of fruits and vegetables, healthy added fats like olive oil and avocado, and lean protein.No one needs grains in their diet. They're just not necessary.I use a computer-based program (fitday.com) to keep track of my calories/carbs/fat/protein and 32 different nutrients.I consistently take in well over 100% of the RDA's for all nutrients (except vitamin D, but you get that from sunshine too), without taking any supplements. And I get about 30 grams of fiber a day.

4. Even some of the people who said they liked the diet didn't seem to be really following it.A nutrition bar for lunch and a reasonable dinner? That's not what this diet is about.You're supposed to eat from all 7 colors of fruits and vegetables every day.You can't get them in if you don't eat them at every meal and for snacks. Nutrition bars are not recommended in this diet. Have a huge salad with meat instead!

If you follow the diet the way it's laid out, it's very healthy and satisfying.But like any diet, if you stop eating that way and go back to eating the way you ate before, yes, you're going to gain the weight back.That's how you got fat in the first place!





Product Description

Change your shape for life -- with a new breakthrough personalized protein prescription that has worked for thousands of people!


Dr. David Heber's groundbreaking book What Color Is Your Diet? introduced us to the Color Code -- building a healthy diet based on colorful fruits and vegetables. Now, his life-changing book The L.A. Shape Diet combines the sound nutritional basis of the Color Code with his newest research from the UCLA Center for Nutrition, which shows you how to analyze your body shape, personal protein needs, and metabolism not only to lose weight -- but also to change your body shape.
Dr. Heber maintains that everyone is born with a particular shape -- and this shape makes a huge difference in how you should approach weight loss. He teaches the difference between the shape you can change and the shape you cannot, and how to do this with the right amount of dietary protein (and most Americans, women especially, eat too little protein). Then Dr. Heber helps you build your own ideal diet, starting with protein, then 7 colorful servings of fruits and vegetables (providing 25 grams of filling fiber), and finally whole grains.
In a world of dietary fads and "one size fits all" pseudo-miracle diets, The L.A. Shape Diet is the most effective, easy-to-follow, scientifically sound dietary plan you'll find.

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Review of The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Hardcover)

Few books prompt me to want to TELL THE WORLD because it may make a big difference in the quality of life of anyone who reads it.This is the first book I've read about the Zone diet, inflammation and fish oil supplements so it was all news to me and makes sense.An excellent companion book is Zone Meals in Seconds which enabled me to apply the theory using recipes, canned/frozen food, and even restaurant visits.

A high cholesterol report and watching Morgan Spurlock's movie, Super Size Me, prompted me to pursue some changes in my diet.in the month since entering the Zone I have discontinued Sudafed use (after years on it) and my husband is off of glucosamine and pain free.Plus, we are not hungry, have energy, and sleep better than before.Don't underestimate the health effects of the right food if you are currently in pain or taking any medications this book "might help, won't hurt".

Product Description

Combat silent inflammation --
the most serious health
threat you never heard of

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans.
Cancer is the #1 fear of Americans.
Dementia is the #1 concern of Americans.


What do these devastating illnesses have in common? All three have been linked to silent inflammation, a condition that occurs when the body's natural immune response goes awry. Silent inflammation can continue undetected for years, continually assaulting the heart, arteries, and even the brain -- and you will not even know it.


New research confirms that obesity is a primary cause of silent inflammation. And inflammation is the smoking gun that links excess body fat to today's epidemic rise in heart disease, cancer, dementia, and countless other health threats. Although the science of this relationship is complex, the bottom line is simple: If not detected and reversed, silent inflammation will devastate generations of Americans and bankrupt an increasingly stressed health care system. The medical establishment appears to be ignorant about this problem, politicians don't talk about it -- and yet virtually everyone in the country is affected by it.


In his number one New York Times bestseller The Zone, Dr. Barry Sears revolutionized the way we think about nutrition when he showed that a high-carbohydrate diet is a real risk to our health. Now, with eye-opening new research in the field of hormonal control and nutrition, Dr. Sears offers the first comprehensive plan to combat silent inflammation. This important book gives us the tools and tests we need to assess the current level of silent inflammation in our bodies -- and determine our future health.


As you'll discover, the Zone dietary plan -- including supplements of high-dose, ultra-refined fish oil -- is the best way to get the hormonal control you need to reduce inflammation. In The Anti-Inflammation Zone, Dr. Sears shows exactly what steps to follow to reduce your risk of each disease and condition, or to reverse it if you have it already -- in only thirty days. And the Zone Lifestyle Program includes a week of delicious Zone-friendly meals, easy home exercises, and important stress-reducing methods -- all of which work together to put you on a path toward wellness that will improve the rest of your life.


The day you start fighting silent inflammation is the day that you start to slow down the aging process -- and all the chronic diseases that come with it. Welcome to the Anti-Inflammation Zone -- and the return to wellness.



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Review of The Rosedale Diet (Hardcover)

I ate6 months successfully according to the South Beach Diet (lost 10 kilograms and lots of fat), but suddenly I started to gain wait again, so I tried Phase 1 of Atkins, which worsened my situation; UNTIL I discovered and read the book of Rosedale; he explains why you should eat moderate quantities of protein (which I didn't do of course in Atkins Phase 1 ) ànd you should be careful with "normal" meat, because saturated fat cause a raise in leptin, which causes you to become fatter ànd you should eat LOTS of GOOD fats!! So I started to eat more fish, lots of olives and avocado's, lots of olive oil, nuts and less protein, and miracle oh miracle, I immediately lost fat and weight on the right places, WITHOUT any effort :-))

The key is leptin and Rosedale explain very well what leptin is, which type of food raises your leptin level, why that damages your health and even more important, he explains what you should and shouldn't eat in order to get your leptin in control again, with that comes weight and fat loss VERY EASILY




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Review of Mastering the Zone: The Next Step in Achieving SuperHealth and Permanent Fat Loss (Hardcover)

It isn't always easy to prepare menus and cook food ahead of time, but if you can do it, then you're on your way to healthier eating.Dr. Sears explains his "diet" better to non-medical people in this book. This isn't a high-protein diet or a no-carbs diet as some of the othercontroversial diets are and some critics claim this to be.It really is ahealthy way to eat.I work for a doctor whose specialty is type 2 diabetesmellitus, and limiting those refined carbohydrates is proven to help thosewith all forms of insulin sensitivity.Limiting refined sugars andincreasing intake of fruits and vegetables, adding the heart-healthy HDLcholesterol via monounsaturated fat, and eating sensible amounts of low-fatprotein will help anyone maintain or lose weight, control blood sugar, andstay healthy with more energy.I lost 20 lbs., with 4 inches reduced frommy stomach, and I didn't even have to exercise.Imagine if I had addedsome walking or other activities!Dr. Sears's suggestions I try toincorporate into my daily life, even those times when I am not as strict asI should be.I would highly recommend this book for anyone struggling witha weight problem or just anyone wanting to be healthier.



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Review of The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently : Reset Your Genetic Code : Prevent Disease : Achieve Maximum Physical Performance (Hardcover)

After a lot of encouragement from my mother, who has been following the Zone for two years, I decided to try this diet.I've been on it for 3 months and I've lost 28 pounds and 2 clothing sizes without really changing my modest exercise habits.I eat half as many calories as I used to, but I'm not hungry.I used to have terrible insomnia, often getting no more than 4 hours of sleep a night - that has vanished along with my nearly-constant heartburn.After two months, my blood cholesterol dropped from 200 to 180.I have energy to burn.I take a Cheat Day on Sundays when I eat all the evil things I've been craving that week - croissants, Nutella, McD's sausage biscuits, creamy desserts - and by the end of the day I feel so draggy, dehydrated, sinus-y, that it's a relief to wake up Monday morning and go back onto the plan.
So, why don't I recommend this book?It was the first book Barry Sears (co-)wrote about the Zone, and it reads like an infomercial.The writing style is... loud.It is also poorly organized, jumping around from biochemical jargon to little tidbits of practical advice to anecdotal evidence to health claims for different conditions.And finally, this book doesn't provide any information beyond the very basics about how to actually follow the plan.If you are already convinced (perhaps by all these glowing reviews) of the benefits of the Zone and want to jump right in, the more comprehensive Mastering the Zone with its tons of practical tips is a much better place to start.If after beginning the diet you want more background information about how it works, then pick up this book.The one good thing about the early book is the more gourmet recipes (like the lamb with herbed cheese on zucchini-and-squash "pasta" - mmmm!).There are more recipes in Mastering the Zone, but for my taste they stick too strictly to the glycemic-index guide and also try too hard for one-pot meals; I've never used them.
An issue to look out for: I found that the body fat tables in the back way overestimated my fat weight, which meant an artificially low food intake level.After a couple of weeks hovering on the edge of hunger, I got my body fat percentage measured on a machine at the employee wellness office at work and got a result of ten percentage points less!I raised my food intake and continued losing weight at a healthy clip, with no more hunger pangs.I suspect that the bodyfat-table problem may be why a few reviewers here felt hungry on the Zone.The tables probably underestimated their lean weight, resulting in recommended food intakes that were too low.
The bottom line: even if all the health claims aren't sound, this is a balanced low-calorie diet that's easy to follow indefinitely without hunger, and what can be wrong with that - unless you are Nabisco Foods or something?Just try to start with Mastering the Zone instead.



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Review of 5 Square Low-Carb Meals: The 20-Day Makeover Plan with Delicious Recipes for Fast, Healthy Weight Loss and High Energy (Hardcover)

I purchased Monica Lynn's book to help me create healthy meals for myself and my husband. I was surprised at how easy Monica's meals are to create. I have lost 8 pounds and my husband has lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks!I am so thrilled!I have bought a ton of diet books over the years and I must say - this one works with ease. The recipes are so simple - I double them to save myself time with cooking.Lynn suggests saving the leftovers for the next days meals and portioning them out - brilliant.It is never easy to change ones eating habits and I must say - I rebelled at first...thankfully my husband is one of those people that get really focused and he motivated me to stay on track.I had sugar withdrawals the first 2 days as Lynn said I would...thankfully by day three I felt leaner and had more energy than I have had in years.This book is a no-brainer.

Product Description
"Eat more, eat clean" for fast, healthy weight loss and high energy!
Have you been looking for a healthy way to eat, without all the hassle of counting calories, calculating percentages, cutting out the foods you love, or regaining the weight? If so, Monica Lynn, founder and CEO of 5 squares#153;, offers the perfect plan to change how you eat -- and to change your life. 5 squares delivers five healthy, balanced meals -- or "squares" -- to clients each day. Now, you too can make the meals that have helped thousands of happy customers -- including members of the Yankees, Mets, and Rangers -- lose weight and increase their energy. Lynn's philosophy is simple: "Eat more, eat clean, and plan ahead." Eating five satisfying but smaller meals a day helps to keep your metabolism running smoothly and continuously, rather than shocking your system with a load of calories from larger meals. Developed especially for your kitchen and based on tried-and-true nutritional information, 5 Square Low-Carb Meals eliminates "empty calorie" foods that contain wheat and sugar in favor of those that help build lean muscle mass. The result: Your extra pounds will drop off safely and easily, and your energy will increase by leaps and bounds!
In 5 Square Low-Carb Meals, Lynn takes the guesswork out of healthful eating with twenty days' worth of easy-to-use recipes packed with flavor. Divided into five parts -- one for each "square" or meal -- the book provides a host of delicious options for your breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner. The combination of carbs, fat, and protein has already been calculated to create a healthy balance, so you can use the sample menus provided, or simply mix and match your own daily five squares according to the recipes and foods you like best.
Lynn also provides food diaries for charting your progress; information on how to create your own balanced recipes; and tips on dining out while on the plan, setting exercise goals, and staying on track long after you#146;ve completed the first twenty days.
Looking and feeling great are within your reach. 5 Square Low-Carb Meals gives you all the tools you need to change your lifestyle for the better, for good.

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