Naturally Thin: Unleash Your Skinnygirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting

I'm a big Real Housewives fan and I bought this book because of that. I'm glad I did. A lot of it really makes sense too. I know that many people don't agree with a lot of the advice that Bethenny Frankel has to offer, but if it works for her then it'll work for others too. The recipes are also really good. Another great book that I read that has some really good weight loss and maintenance tips in it is Goodbye, Fatty! Hello, Skinny! How I Lost Weight And Still Ate The Foods I Loved-Without Dieting. Like this book, it not only has some really good information, but it's also an entertaining read.

I LOVED this book and have already lost 10 pounds (in 2 mos) by heeding her advice. I found it witty and engrossing, like talking to a funny girlfriend who totally has your back and wants you to succeed. Something clicked for me when the author wrote "It's just food" in the very enlightening section on "Food Noise". I realized how much power we (women) give food. I found much of the book psychologically liberating - food (i.e. obsessing over calories, fat grams, my body,etc) was ruling over so much of my time and thoughts, time I could spend LIVING. This book is different in that respect - it addresses what is going on in your mind, not just the factual stuff like calories in vs. calories burned, which, yes, IS in this and ALL other diet books, as the negative reviewers keep repeating as if this makes the book invalid. An author cannot assume knowledge on the part of the reader. I didn't mind being reminded of this simple fact - it helped me feel in control of my weight, being re-armed with this basic but crucial information. The author talks about training yourself to be satisfied with smaller amounts of food. Her "Law of Diminishing Returns" was worth the price of the book alone -- Genius! I also loved her "Cancel Your Membership in the Clean Plate Club". How many of us raised in the 50's and 60's were shamed into overeating because of the "starving children in India/Africa"? (How is my eating too much going to help them?) She is right about how ridiculous portions have become in America - a bagel used to be tiny - now they are as big as your head. BTW, I have ALWAYS pulled out the insides of bagels & French bread - (empty calories) - and the crust is the best part - so I thought it amusing that other reviewers were so offended by this advice. I have to say I am appalled at the negative reviews on this site warning of "eating disorder" promotion - no wonder men call women hysterical. Some of you admit you haven't even read the book. This site is for book reviews, not personal vendettas. Clearly many of you are RH of NY viewers who dislike the author, Bethenny Frankel, and so dash to your computers, furiously typing misleading, uninformed "reviews". Naturally Thin is best seller for a reason. Those of you who are "grateful" to the hysterical eating-disorder-obsessed "reviewers" for saving you from spending $9.60 on this book: I suggest you hurry to your local library and check out "Naturally Thin". Read it with an open mind and you might be surprised at the refreshing feeling of freedom when you next sit down at a restaurant and open a menu. No more fear, no more obsessions over your fat thighs - "It's just food"! The book felt a big pep talk with a ton of practical, helpful insights, such as navigating a party buffet. I must clear up untruths in many of the negative reviews: yes, the author says she takes "just 3 bites" of her personal favorite, "FATTY steak", but she also says she FILLS UP on salads, veggies, healthier appetizers like cr

This is the diet/nutrition version of the Total Money Makeover. It is a book of common sense. These are the things we all know are true, but need someone to spell them out. The premise of this book is MODERATION. Don't kill yourself with exercise (ie the Biggest Loser), and don't deny yourself foods (almost every other diet book out there). The 1st part of the book is a list of 10 simple common sense rules, such are "your Diet is A Bank Account", "Pay Attention", & "Downsize Now". Each rule has its own chapter, and there are some delicious looking recipes, that I plan on trying out. The 2nd part is a7-day breakdown( Mon - Sun) of putting the Naturally Thin ideology into practice. One of my favorite aspect of the book is the "Heavy Habit" sidebars. Basically these are reality checks to people's crazy ideas. I.E. paying Nutri-System for portion control when you can easily do it yourself, or thinking you just HAVE to have whatever you are craving (what are you? 2 years old and ready to throw a fit? *paraphrasing*) All-in-all, I enjoyed this book. Even though there isn't really anything new going on here, it just takes all the common sense about diet and puts it into a good format. I recommend.

I lost over 50 pounds after the birth of two sons this way, about 12 years ago. I have since gained a lot of weight following a car accident, and blindly following my husband's diet (he does all the cooking). I have been trying to remember HOW I lost all that weight, because I recall never feeling deprived or hungry. This book tells it all, and in such a perfect manner. I love Bethenny's honesty and common sense. I am so glad that she has put the key back in my hands. Since I picked the book up, my whole attitude toward food has changed. I am in the last chapter and cannot wait to start the book over again. I want this ingrained in my head forever. Thank you Bethenny!