Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost, One Byte at a Time

I got this for my brother, who's a bit heavy and I read it first so I could get an idea what was in it and how I could help. It's my brother to a tee, it's creepy. This is an excellent book, full of inspiration and hilarious analogies that will keep people reading even if it's not an issue for them. It's perfect for someone that doesn't know how to get fit or is not quite ready to start that path, if they are willing to read the first chapter, they won't put it down and even if they don't start right away, it will give them something to really think about. This was written brilliantly for the younger person struggling with their weight and self image. I've already seen little changes in my brother and even though the conversation that had me giving him this book was a little..messy, I'm so glad I did. The only drawback I can think of would be that the young adult writer is a bit strict. I understand that's how he is and his commitment to being fit, but it turned me off a little how he equated one cookie with the destruction of his fitness goals. I think it's all about moderation and self control. Someone willing to get on the right path won't be bothered by that though and, as I did, accept that's just the way he went about it and it's not right for everyone. What is detailed in this book is an excellent set of guidelines and ideas to get someone where they want to be physically and I consider this book a true investment in health.

At the young age of 14 Taylor LeBaron weighed almost 300 pounds and was badly out of shape. He was convinced that his heavy weight was hereditary and didn't think he could lose weight. But a gift membership to the YMCA showed him that he could exercise, and he put together an exercise/diet regimen that only a teenager could dream up and his imagination and spirit helped him lose a whopping 150 pounds! "Cutting Myself in Half" is the inspiring story of how Taylor LeBaron lost weight in a way that perhaps only a teenager could think up - he approached weight loss like it was a video game calling it the Ultimate Fitness Game. He devised a strategy guide (increased physical activity; decreased food volume; healthy food choices; setting himself up to win; tackling exercise a little at a time; slowly changing his eating habits); discovered who his "enemies" are (still life; tricky taste buds; sneaky servings; big little things; stress in all sizes); he set goals; and gave himself a score (how many calories he could have each day) that he strictly follows every day. He also makes the right choices: brings his own lunch since the school lunch is catered by fast food restaurants and seeks encouragement from friends and family. It is hard not to like Taylor after reading this book. He is bright, articulate, and very helpful. While he talks about his life when he was overweight and how he was picked on, he never feels sorry for himself. And while he had reasons to over eat (including some major stressful events that would undo an adult never mind a young child/teenager). He never makes excuses for his past overeating. The book is divided into two sections: Answering the Call to Fitness, and How You can Answer the Call, too. The first part is how Taylor lost weight; the second part is how the reader can lose weight. Although the book is aimed at teenagers, and I am old enough to be Taylor's mother, I still found several useful tips, including the suggestion to do wall push-ups instead of floor push-ups (thanks Taylor!), and he lists several handy websites. Even if you don't want to approach weight loss as a video game, there are still many useful tips on diet and exercise in the book. "Cutting Myself in Half" is a useful, informative, interesting book on diet and weight loss for readers of all ages. Well done.

This is an awesome book written in a first person and articulate manner. From first hand experience Taylor shares what it's really like to be an overweight or even obese person, sparing few details. However, not accepting this as his fate in life, he creates a very interesting and effective way to lose weight and, even more importantly, to become a healthier person all around. Within this book there are very specific and practical guidelines that can be used, by not only teens, but by people of most any age. Also, impressive is the quality of medical and nutritional resources that he has used to back up his plan. I would recommend this book, not only to individuals seeking to improve their health by losing weight and increasing exercise, but to anyone working with teenagers in a counseling or leadership role.

Cutting Myself In Half can become a new way of eating for you. This book is a great read for those desiring to lose weight. Taylor tells it like it is and if you follow his guideline you can be on your way to a new you. I myself look forward to using his book to start a new way of life in my eating habits. Don't go on a diet. A diet is a temporary thing. Start eating your way to a new you and make it a part of your everyday life. This book can be read in a short while and is worth every minute you take to read it. Take notes and get ready to have others notice a new you. You will enjoy you now heathy lifestyle.

This book is a powerful look at what it's like to be an overweight teen, but it's certainly not a book that wallows in self-pity. At 14, Taylor LeBaron stopped blaming heredity and environment and took responsibility for his own future. He developed a no-nonsense, challenging program that requires no meetings, no prepackaged foods and no gimmicks. What it does require is a lifetime commitment and Taylor psyches you up to do that. He makes you never want to go back to the foods that dragged you down. Best of all, he makes you feel good about yourself no matter what your weight is. Taylor maps out the step by step plan that he used to cut his weight from 297 to 145 and he shares dozens of tricks and self-coaching techniques that will work for ANY AGE. The self-coaching alone is worth the price of the book. I can tell it's going to be tough, but it also sounds doable and fun. I'm psyched! I'm pumped! I'm ready! Taylor has a website and fitness blog that you can find by Googling the book title. I recommend this book for anyone of any age who wants to get fit (which Taylor reminds us is different from just losing weight).