Suggested Reading

Supermarket Survival Guide "Eat this, Not That" by David Zinczenko
If you get a day off and you'd like to do some light reading while sipping coffee, I recommend going to a book store and enjoying your coffee while browzing through this picture book. It is an easy read and probably not a book you would look at twice, but it does a nice job of displaying how some foods (even in the same food category or type are much worse for you than others). Spend 15 or 20 minutes and flip through it's pages to kick off your lifestyle change/challenge your shopping habits! It also contains a hand full of healthier recipe choices. I'll give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars!

Sample Recipe: Blueberry Protein Pancakes
Ingredients: 1cup Nonfat Cottage Cheese, 1 cup Low Fat Plain Yogurt (Fage 0%), 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour, 2 cups frozen blueberries, 1/2 Cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 eggs, lemon juice, 1/2 tsp baking soda, pinch of salt
Directions:Cmbine blueberries, water and sugar in a saucepan and cook over low heat for 10  minutes, stirring often until blueberries break apart. Beat together the cottage cheese, yogurt, eggs, and lemon juice. Mix the baking soda, flour, and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the dairy and mix just enough to blend. Heat a skillet over medium-low. Coat with nonstick spray, add batter (1/4 cup each). Flip when the tops begin to bubble, 3-5 minutes, and cook the second side until browned. Serve with the warm compote.
(4 servings/$2.23 per serving...310 calories, 8 fat grams, 47 carbohydrates, 20 g protein, 6 g fiber)

Body for  Life by Bill Phillips
Also a quick read. If you like structure and independence this book is for you! Look it over and if you like the concept and can commit to a12-week challenge....I highly recommend purchasing it and giving it a shot.  The author's goal is to get you to challenge yourself. He wants you to work steadily, making goals and meeting them. For example, he states "saying Someday I'm going to get in great shape is a dream that needs to be converted to Within 12 weeks, I will lose 20 ponds of fat before it can become a goal". He encourages you to identify your reasons to change but then he asks you to do it. This book has been time tested and many people have followed his 12 week plan and succeeded. At first, this routine is a job....a fun job...but to do it exactly his way you will need to prepare six meals a day and make four one hour trips to the gym. However, it is really good for someone who feels they don't know what to eat or what to do at the gym. With his plan you will not require a personal trainer....unless of course you need someone to yell at you! If you are not highly motivated to do this alone, I recommend partnering up with a friend. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for people who are planners by nature and who are ready (not contemplating) for weight loss! Once you're used to the exercises and food choices....you can leave the exercise logs at home...just be honest!

Jillian Michaels aster Your Metabolism  - Diet Book to stop dieting...Remove toxins, restore health and metabolism, Rebalance stress, exercise, sleep.