Suzanne Somers' Get Skinny on Fabulous Food

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Summary: Suzanne Somers Get Skinny on Fabulous Food
Review: I appreciate the concept and the recipes seem moderately simple, although I would have preferred that the nutritional value been included. However, the fact that you don't need any special pre-packaged food is a huge bonus. I love the real ingreients. I think a little more instruction about level one could have been included since that is probaly the level most people will be at the longest. But the medical explanation of a low carbs diet was clear and gratefully, easy to comprehend. It was wonderfully written and I thoroughly enjoyed personal contents and pics. And I have to mention the food pictures-everything looked delicious.

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Summary: These recipes are easier than you think
Review: A few weeks ago I wrote a review for Eat Great Lose Weight after I'd been on it for a week. I've since lost about 18 lbs and bought Get Skinny.... I disagree with Toni from Tennessee,most of these recipes are easy to prepare and inexpensive. I go thru the recipes the day I go shopping,pick a week of dinner menus and then each night,no matter how busy, I know exactly what I'm making & that I have the ingred. My husband works long night shifts & packs 2 meals plus snacks to take to work. He usually takes a sandwich for one meal and leftovers from a dinner for another(to reheat in the microwave). We are not rich, in fact when you buy tons of produce and no packaged foods you save a lot of money. Suzanne never advocates personal trainers, just that she feels & looks better for having exercised. She never gives the impression that she has a chef but talks constantly about cooking her for & with her family. If Toni re-read the recipes' short instructions she might notice that they are very simple. I think that the only people who would have trouble with this eating plan are those that absolutely HATE veggies or can't boil water. If you like veggies, fruit and meat you will have no trouble and the food is FANTASTIC. Thanks again Suzanne

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Summary: You could be skeptical... but why?
Review: I hate reading long reviews, but I feel I needed to write this much, the book really deserves it.

I was skeptical until I read the reviews here, and then finally the books, so I'm adding my contribution, in case some one like myself chances to read this. I was about to buy a book like Dr.Atkins, and I live in the UK, so the web is all I have to learn about his books and other low-carb plans, and I'd only heard of Suzanne Somers through her sitcoms, but knew little of her, so her book came as a surprise to me. While these are her books, she didn't invent the basic theory, but she has given it her personal touch through much hard work, making it easy for us to understand and follow. After reading the foreword by Dr.Schwarch..(spell?) you know the principles of 'somersizing' is something more natural, and it's just the way our body works, I mean there had to be a way to eat and not get fat, and this is the way! I originally brought both her books, but like many others I didn't actually start reading them until a week or so later. At first I was a bit worried, I didn't mind following the rules so much, but her recipes did daunt me, many can be expensive and take time to make, although I must stress there are many cheap and simple recipes in there as well.

I'll explain my story a bit first, I'm 18/m, and starting July last year I came down to 180 by losing 60 pounds in 4 months, through diet, exercise and severe motivation, but I soon plateuaed, and became disheartened, I kept exercising, and ate less fat, but still the last 10 pounds stayed, so I began to ate normally over the next months, I put a few pounds back on, but nothing serious, as I kept active. After some time I decided to finally get rid of the 10 pounds, and realised the high amount of bread and pasta I was eating was going no good. I eventually found these books, and within a couple of weeks of following the plan, I did lose weight, and went down to my lowest weight ever, and this was while eating supposedly 'fatty' foods, and guess what? I had hardly done any exercise during that time! But while a few weeks may remove your first excess 10 pounds, it won't lose the last 10.

After a few weeks I couldn't keep with the plan because I was the only one in my family following it, so it became hard and pricely to just arrange dinners and foods separately for me, and my Mum's curries and such were going to waste.

Only recently have I gone back to the diet, this time my family won't stop me, plus I learned I don't HAVE to follow the recipes in the book, and I've now gone around developing my own recipes and snacks based on the 'rules' and this is how it works, get the simple plan committed to memory, and everything after is a breeze. My family won't bother reading the book so can't understand it when I eat cheese, cream, bacon and eggs etc.. but once you read the book you'll completely understand it, and it's how our body naturally works. Our bodies NEED natural fat, any doctor will tell you that. Our cells are made of fat, but eating the incorrect fats, and with the wrong foods, will certainly cause havoc. Don't think eating fats all day is what you do, the main component of the plan is vegetables, and there is some carbohydrates. I could explain the whole plan to you, but reading the book gives you such a better picture.

Please don't copy my lazy and stubborn family, if you want to lose weight, and are willing to sacrifice some foods, then this is the way. As Suzanne says, the benefits far outweigh the loses. I personally hated being hungry, and couldn't understand how my body was benefiting from no fat and being hungry, but she gave me the solution. If you only want to get one book, then I'd say get the second one, but if you're serious then get both to get a more complete picture. And don't worry once you reach your goal weight, you'll be able to get back some of those foods you left out. I wish I could say I've lost the last 10 pounds while I write this, but it's still early days, and hopefully I can write a new review when I do, but all I can say is, it's been a week on the plan and already I feel better, so does my belt.

After you read this book, you'll laugh at other diets and the low-fat foods - which are 'apparently' better for us.

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Summary: Write a Follow Up
Review: I found the book interesting and educational. However, I am of a lower income bracket and feel Suzanne should write a follow up book that contains recipes for the majority. Recipes that are simplified and prepared in as least amount of time as possible,as most moms are rushed when they arrive home from work. I'd like to see more practical, down to earth recipes for dinner time. Need simple dessert recipes also. Suzanne did a good job, but I feel the book relates more to a persons lifestyle who can afford a live-in cook and personal trainer. How about us who are the cook, maid, self aerobics teacher and chief bottle washer?

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Summary: easy to understand
Review: Friend at work was raving how she was losing weight, feeling good, etc. I bought the book (she told me to go to Amazon.com) and started new way of eating on 8/28/99. Only had 10 lbs i wanted to lose, but when you are short waisted and over 60, that represents a big roll around the waist. Took it slow and easy and before the end of the year I had lost 14 lbs, went from elastic waist size 12 to nice size 10 clothes, tucked in blouses. Stay away from funky foods most of the time, except Sat nite eating out is my Treat Night. Usually sour dough bread.My cholesteral went from 220 (while eating tons of "low fat" food) to 204 fr the first time ever. Even though I eat real butter, etc. My husband lost 20 lbs and looks great. The book is easy to understand -- P.S. Did not start the bread or funky foods until i reached my goal. it is easy to stay on level one when you watch the pounds melt off and the roll of fat disappear!

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Summary: Trying it
Review: This is to Reader US -WV. If you have E mail plese contact me at [e-mail]. I think you have only been on the program two months and have lost 28 pounds. That is fantastic results. My story certainly is different and I would like to talk with you. E me if you have Email.

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Summary: A reasonable, healthy way to eat and lose weight
Review: Over the years I've looked at lots of diet plans. Atkins, the Zone, McDougalls, and so on. This plan is one of the more reasonable to deal with, although it's not perfect. It requires planning and thinking ahead, which can be hard when you've got a cranky family to feed, but if you give it some time it works. Just don't cheat!

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Summary: Fantastic--wish I found it long ago! Get started now!
Review: I saw Suzanne on TV shopping channel and found the books in my library and then I ordered the "Eat Great, Lost Weight" book from Amazon. I now have both books (Getting Skinny) and the audio and video tapes that go with them! If I have a question, I've got the information. I started on Jan 21, 2000 and now 3 months later I am 28 lbs. lighter! The program works! You do lose weight plus no bloating, no heartburn. Just feeling lighter, younger and more confident. I love it! Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to lose at least 100 lbs or more. I'm on my way to making this my way of eating for the rest of my life. I can't believe the scales--losing weight and feeling good! I'm not paying out monthly costs for diet pills, trips to the doctor, feelings of self-doubt and being ashamed of myself. I have spent my lifetime overweight! Now I feel my weight problem is solved.

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Summary: Anybody ready to eat?
Review: It's embarassing how many "low fat and healthy" cookbooks I own, and of course, not one has helped me lose anything. No matter what I do, I can't lose any weight. . .until now. I've only been on it since 3/1/00, and lost a small amount, but that's partly because I haven't started exercising yet. Once my metabolism kicks in and I start burning off the fat reserves, look out beach! The scientific side of this theory is explained by Dr. Schwarzbein, which I sincerely appreciated. So THAT'S why I can't lose any weight! This is the first time in 5 years that I've ever seen myself shrink; no matter how "healthy" I've been eating, I cannot lose any weight. I recommend this book to anyone who is having the same dilema. Finally, I can cook food for my spouse who has since quit griping about my "experimental cooking." The spaghetti squash (he won't eat that) is fantastic--first time in my life I've ever tried it, and now I can't get enough of it. Even though I'm a level one, I recently made the very easy lemon meringue pie for us that came out not only perfect, but perfectly delicious. It's gone, but I'll make it again. (I only made half the meringue, though.) I say, give these two books a try and you'll be a believer--while you're licking your lips and being happy while "dieting."

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Summary: Reasonable Diet Plan
Review: As a cardiac nurse,I am appalled by the saturated fat overload of the Atkins diet, so I was skeptical of Suzanne's plan. I was pleasantly surprised by the reasonableness of the plan which does incorporate carbs - complex and fiber rich, as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables. I was impressed enough to buy the book and found that by skipping my normal half bagel and coffee breakfast for wholegrain cereal and skim milk, I didn't fade by mid morning. Likewise, tuna or chicken on lettuce and spinach with caesar dressing at lunch rather than just yogurt - left me feeling better and less deprived. While I still cringe at butter and bacon, I find her use of olive oil and moderate dairy use to work well. I'd compare this diet to the ADA in many aspects and it certainly teaches better habits than the other fad diets out there.