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...then just stay fat
For a couple of years, Shannon Sorrels has wanted to put out a book about fitness and weight management, a book that’s entertaining, motivating and a tad bit pointed, sort of a Dave Barry and Erma Bombeck meets Dr. Oz and Bob Greene -- definitely not your traditional this-is-how-to-lose-weight manual.
A multi-degreed certified personal trainer and owner of an award-winning fitness training and nutrition studio in Phoenix, Sorrels has heard every excuse for not exercising and committing to a weight-management program:
I’m too busy
I’ve been out of town
TV was good last night
I had to go out to dinner a lot this week
I’ve been sick
The conference lunch had bad food choices
My job is stressful
I’m PMSing
I’ve been busy
I’m backed up (and I don’t mean scheduling)
They made me a cake
I’m too busy
I need wine
I’m genetically fat
My family is sick
I’m allergic to South African bee pollen
My car is at the shop
My dog is sick
These are new shoes
My metabolism thinks I’m starving
My child failed a test
Dunkin' Donuts had a sale
I usually weigh-in in the morning
The soft serve yogurt with Oreo toppings was for calcium
I’m too busy
My cat is sick
Beer helps me relax
My tree fell over
I forgot to wash my workout clothes
I’m tired
These are different clothes
My pinky nail fell off
My fridge died; I had to eat it all
The moon is out of phase with Jupiter
I’m too busy
And to the people who made those excuses, she has wanted to say, “…then just stay fat.”
Sorrels knows of what she speaks. The word “diet” has been part of her vocabulary since she was 9 years old. She spent many years upset, depressed, frustrated and confused. She lost weight and then gained it back. She read books, listened to tapes and joined programs. She fumbled around until she figured it out, and when she did she changed careers and started Physix.
She also found a way to share her thoughts and frustrations: writing.
This book isn’t a step-by-step weight-loss or fitness plan. There already are plenty of those, and Sorrels doesn’t agree with most of them anyway.
Instead, it is intended to motivate and entertain, spur some heated debates – and maybe even put an end to all of the excuses.
A multi-degreed certified personal trainer and owner of an award-winning fitness training and nutrition studio in Phoenix, Sorrels has heard every excuse for not exercising and committing to a weight-management program:
I’m too busy
I’ve been out of town
TV was good last night
I had to go out to dinner a lot this week
I’ve been sick
The conference lunch had bad food choices
My job is stressful
I’m PMSing
I’ve been busy
I’m backed up (and I don’t mean scheduling)
They made me a cake
I’m too busy
I need wine
I’m genetically fat
My family is sick
I’m allergic to South African bee pollen
My car is at the shop
My dog is sick
These are new shoes
My metabolism thinks I’m starving
My child failed a test
Dunkin' Donuts had a sale
I usually weigh-in in the morning
The soft serve yogurt with Oreo toppings was for calcium
I’m too busy
My cat is sick
Beer helps me relax
My tree fell over
I forgot to wash my workout clothes
I’m tired
These are different clothes
My pinky nail fell off
My fridge died; I had to eat it all
The moon is out of phase with Jupiter
I’m too busy
And to the people who made those excuses, she has wanted to say, “…then just stay fat.”
Sorrels knows of what she speaks. The word “diet” has been part of her vocabulary since she was 9 years old. She spent many years upset, depressed, frustrated and confused. She lost weight and then gained it back. She read books, listened to tapes and joined programs. She fumbled around until she figured it out, and when she did she changed careers and started Physix.
She also found a way to share her thoughts and frustrations: writing.
This book isn’t a step-by-step weight-loss or fitness plan. There already are plenty of those, and Sorrels doesn’t agree with most of them anyway.
Instead, it is intended to motivate and entertain, spur some heated debates – and maybe even put an end to all of the excuses.
118 pages, Paperback
First published August 8, 2012
53 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 6, 2013
Okay, we get it: too much food and not enough activity equals fat. Maybe some further research into some of the "same old excuses" might have led to more insights. I wasn't inspired.
January 27, 2016
This book is just one long rant against overweight people, who are apparently just too lazy to control their behaviors.
There is not a single thing new, different, interesting, or even inspiring in the writing. Nada. The message boils down to calories in vs. calories out. Even though the author mentions that hormones and chemicals can affect your weight, she still rails that it is YOUR fault that you can't control those and lose weight.
Okay, sure, if you are HEALTHY with absolutely no underlying health problems, then maybe your weight is your fault. However, the large majority of people today have health issues which WILL affect your hormones. How many meds have gaining weight as a side effect? Everything from antidepressants to blood thinners. In addition, many people have thyroid issues. Your thyroid is one of the biggest determinants of your weight.
If you need motivation to lose weight, even if you know it's because you eat too much or exercise too little, choose a different book. This book will not help you. There are no helpful techniques or inspiring stories at all. Instead, reading this book feels like a stranger is yelling at you without knowing a single thing about you.
I won't even go into the lack of organization to the writing or the need for better editing...
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE.
ETA: This link is a nice summary of some of the current research into diet and weight and comes to the conclusion that A CALORIE IN IS NOT EQUAL TO A CALORIE OUT.
http://gizmodo.com/why-the-calorie-is...
There is not a single thing new, different, interesting, or even inspiring in the writing. Nada. The message boils down to calories in vs. calories out. Even though the author mentions that hormones and chemicals can affect your weight, she still rails that it is YOUR fault that you can't control those and lose weight.
Okay, sure, if you are HEALTHY with absolutely no underlying health problems, then maybe your weight is your fault. However, the large majority of people today have health issues which WILL affect your hormones. How many meds have gaining weight as a side effect? Everything from antidepressants to blood thinners. In addition, many people have thyroid issues. Your thyroid is one of the biggest determinants of your weight.
If you need motivation to lose weight, even if you know it's because you eat too much or exercise too little, choose a different book. This book will not help you. There are no helpful techniques or inspiring stories at all. Instead, reading this book feels like a stranger is yelling at you without knowing a single thing about you.
I won't even go into the lack of organization to the writing or the need for better editing...
DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE.
ETA: This link is a nice summary of some of the current research into diet and weight and comes to the conclusion that A CALORIE IN IS NOT EQUAL TO A CALORIE OUT.
http://gizmodo.com/why-the-calorie-is...
January 9, 2013
So far, hilarious and brutally honest. Even I, Ms. Blunt Beyond Others Comfort Level, is saying "Damn!" Freaking awesome!
Oh, and I need to make some changes to my weight-loss thought processes. Who knew that I was lying to myself this much?
Update: Awesome. Straight-forward and brutally honest. I loved it. I think I can stop kidding myself and actually stick to the plan! Hello, enlightenment!
Oh, and I need to make some changes to my weight-loss thought processes. Who knew that I was lying to myself this much?
Update: Awesome. Straight-forward and brutally honest. I loved it. I think I can stop kidding myself and actually stick to the plan! Hello, enlightenment!
November 15, 2012
This is not a typical diet book. There are no recipes, magic foods or instant fixes, only reminders of things we already know but have been ignoring. This book is the kick in the pants everyone needs.
February 6, 2015
this was pretty awful.
April 22, 2015
I was not impressed & really found nothing that was in this book worth the time I wasted reading it.
November 26, 2017
This is not a book that provides a diet and exercise program. The author, Shannon Sorrels, is a personal trainer. She sums up what she has learned researching diet/exercise to lose weight. The predominant theme of this book is that you have to eat less to lose weight. There are no magic products that will make you lose weight.
I found her list of excuses that she has heard over the years from her clients very amusing!
The author has included some excellent sites for the reader to obtain further information. They are reputable sites with worthwhile information.
I did find the book a bit repetitive at times. However, I understood why the author kept repeating the message - since people who need to lose weight want to believe there is something magic that will make the weight disappear. Most of us don't want to do the hard work to achieve our goal weight.
I read this book after Thanksgiving - a perfect time to get back on track with eating! It was a good after Thanksgiving read!
I found her list of excuses that she has heard over the years from her clients very amusing!
The author has included some excellent sites for the reader to obtain further information. They are reputable sites with worthwhile information.
I did find the book a bit repetitive at times. However, I understood why the author kept repeating the message - since people who need to lose weight want to believe there is something magic that will make the weight disappear. Most of us don't want to do the hard work to achieve our goal weight.
I read this book after Thanksgiving - a perfect time to get back on track with eating! It was a good after Thanksgiving read!
June 17, 2020
This book was ok. It really was a matter of fact, in your face, evidence of a solution that is not books, gadgets, fads, diet plans, but rather a simple formula of calorie deficit. Simple as that.
Goes into the whys/excuses/obstacles that keep people from successfully losing weight, but gives great examples of other areas where we'd see this problem and make a plan to resolve and execute, and with our body we just seem to not be able to.
Her method talks about the four P's, Perception/Planning/Persistence/Patience which i struggle with all four. gives a good example of how to overcome/implement the four in your life.
Overall nothing ground breaking, but that's kind of the point. The key to losing weight is not a secret, its merely putting your mind/heart/soul into intaking less than you outtake. Pure and simple.
Goes into the whys/excuses/obstacles that keep people from successfully losing weight, but gives great examples of other areas where we'd see this problem and make a plan to resolve and execute, and with our body we just seem to not be able to.
Her method talks about the four P's, Perception/Planning/Persistence/Patience which i struggle with all four. gives a good example of how to overcome/implement the four in your life.
Overall nothing ground breaking, but that's kind of the point. The key to losing weight is not a secret, its merely putting your mind/heart/soul into intaking less than you outtake. Pure and simple.
June 27, 2020
Perfect for those who are struggling with a star
My daughter is overweight and has been trying off and on for years , various diets, I've given here a couple books i know are great and help..however sometimes she didn't even get thru the first few chapters...I sent her this and felt maybe it is the proper start, not re a diet but simply the excuses, and life reasons of the need to loose unhealthy weight. Well to a big surprise she read the whole thing inn24 hours, she loved it..and bought running shoes, a fitbit, started changing her eating habits...so I decided to read it as well. No the either isn't some amazing writer, she is simply a friend/coach telling you how it is and I laughed out loud a few times. Ya, not sugar coated, she is right on its up to you. I'm so glad my daughter was ignited by this book. :)
My daughter is overweight and has been trying off and on for years , various diets, I've given here a couple books i know are great and help..however sometimes she didn't even get thru the first few chapters...I sent her this and felt maybe it is the proper start, not re a diet but simply the excuses, and life reasons of the need to loose unhealthy weight. Well to a big surprise she read the whole thing inn24 hours, she loved it..and bought running shoes, a fitbit, started changing her eating habits...so I decided to read it as well. No the either isn't some amazing writer, she is simply a friend/coach telling you how it is and I laughed out loud a few times. Ya, not sugar coated, she is right on its up to you. I'm so glad my daughter was ignited by this book. :)
October 16, 2018
Yep it's official the reasons we never keep the weight off
Down to earth no frills just honest facts. I am going to follow the four P's. I have made notes to keep motivated. Thanks Shannon
Down to earth no frills just honest facts. I am going to follow the four P's. I have made notes to keep motivated. Thanks Shannon
January 21, 2020
To be or not to be
No nonsense, in your face, admit it you need help kind of a book. Like the author says, you can't make excuses anymore. The ball is in your court and you need to decide what you're going to do. It can be done. Just do it!
No nonsense, in your face, admit it you need help kind of a book. Like the author says, you can't make excuses anymore. The ball is in your court and you need to decide what you're going to do. It can be done. Just do it!
October 12, 2016
WARNING! Cursing! Such common sense all in one place. If you can get past the cursing, I do like her plain spokenness. The basic message is, If you take in more calories than you burn, mark it down, you WILL gain weight. No need for fancy diet programs. Just EAT LESS. It works. Motivational to read.
January 28, 2016
I do not make a habit of reading diet books, or following fads however picked this up as it looked like a book that just wanted to tell it like it is. I appreciated how she cut out all the crap and all the nuinces that are often discussed in diets, whilst not denying that nutrition is important. This book is written to be a bit of a wake up call to just start on your journey to health. The message proclaimed throughout the book is essentially 'just eat less.' She encourages you to stop finding excuses and just start somewhere.
She is a blunt and to the point. This is probably not the book to read if you are honestly trying hard to lose weight and having difficulties due to medically diagnosed problems and/or medication, however if you are in the other 99.9% of the population then it wont hurt to pick it up. I am in a healthy weight range and have not had issues with obesity and it made me think twice about what I put in my mouth so I think she achieved her aim.
She is a blunt and to the point. This is probably not the book to read if you are honestly trying hard to lose weight and having difficulties due to medically diagnosed problems and/or medication, however if you are in the other 99.9% of the population then it wont hurt to pick it up. I am in a healthy weight range and have not had issues with obesity and it made me think twice about what I put in my mouth so I think she achieved her aim.
January 20, 2016
This was more or less an elongated rant about all the common misconceptions when it comes to losing weight. About the way we tend to treat food addiction as somehow being different than other addictions. About how something that takes years to develop has people scrambling for a solution which will fix everything in a week.
I guess there's a certain audience that would feel some type of way reading this. They would see their excuses and all their failings while reading...but I just found myself skimming through.
It was short read. Took me an hour. Great overview of the entire fitness industry and the way if flings people every which way. Great intro for a novice and a decent refresher course for people more experienced.
I guess there's a certain audience that would feel some type of way reading this. They would see their excuses and all their failings while reading...but I just found myself skimming through.
It was short read. Took me an hour. Great overview of the entire fitness industry and the way if flings people every which way. Great intro for a novice and a decent refresher course for people more experienced.
June 28, 2013
Well, she's a fitness guru, not a writer. The book can be summed up in these two words: eat less. Got it. One little bit of revelation it gave me is that as overweight Americans we worry too much about putting our bodies into "starvation mode" by not eating enough. As if by eating a little less than 1500 calories in a day we'll screw up our metabolism and get fat. The food and the sedentary lifestyle are making us fat, period. Never again will I worry about messing up my metabolism by eating a little less. And for that, and that reason alone, this book was worth the read.
April 26, 2015
This was a pretty entertaining book, albeit blunt. It was unnecessarily long as other people have noted in their comments. The entire book can be summed up in about three statements: stop making excuses; track your calories, exercise. Yes, there are funny anecdotes that go beyond those statements, but those are the main themes.
One big thing that annoyed me was that each chapter had credits at the end of it. I had to page through one or two pages or credits before getting to the next chapter. It would have been better if the credits were at the end of the book instead.
One big thing that annoyed me was that each chapter had credits at the end of it. I had to page through one or two pages or credits before getting to the next chapter. It would have been better if the credits were at the end of the book instead.
April 9, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Yes it's not flowery, rather very straight forward and blunt, maybe rude at times too. But that's the way it is with weight loss. I heard the book on the kindle text to speech and I think that had a major impact on how the book made me feel. Hearing out bare facts of weight loss is definetly better that reading them. The book sure has me motivated to eat less and stick to my weight loss program
September 12, 2013
I have had to watch what I eat my whole life. This was a great affirmation to my belief that the only way to stay healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. No gimmicks, no miracle pills, no excuses.
Just re-read this one. It is a quick read, in your face and humorous reality check about the consequences of eating too much and exercising too little.
Just re-read this one. It is a quick read, in your face and humorous reality check about the consequences of eating too much and exercising too little.
July 21, 2013
cute book. It's along the lines of my saying: " Want to lose weight? Just take the fork out."
She just tells it like it is in the sense of giving people a reality check to strip down their excuses for why they are fat. A funny read, albeit maybe more for those who just need that reality check and need the humor of someone who has been there, too.
She just tells it like it is in the sense of giving people a reality check to strip down their excuses for why they are fat. A funny read, albeit maybe more for those who just need that reality check and need the humor of someone who has been there, too.
November 13, 2013
The only thing new in this book is the perspective of total honesty -- and that honesty is refreshing. I admit to reading a plethora of weight loss / weight management books -- at least this one was entertaining -- and just sarcastic enough for me to appreciate its worth. Obviously I know what I have to do. Eat less or just stay fat!
July 18, 2018
Loved it! Bracing words from someone working to help people achieve their health goals. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and logical recommendations. I liked that she gives citations to her assertions, her de-bunking of popular health hoaxes, and so much more. Such a positive book with a do it yourself attitude; I really think it's worth the while of anyone who's had trouble with their mass.
January 13, 2016
STRAIGHT FORWARD AND HONEST! I LOVE THAT!
I have to say I enjoyed this book! It was a very easy read and got right to the point. It literally said everything I needed to hear. I have attempted these crazy diets for many years. (Let's just say I've been unhappy with my weight since I was 17 and I just turned 52....you do the math!
I have to say I enjoyed this book! It was a very easy read and got right to the point. It literally said everything I needed to hear. I have attempted these crazy diets for many years. (Let's just say I've been unhappy with my weight since I was 17 and I just turned 52....you do the math!
March 5, 2013
Loved this book. It's short. Read it in a day. Hard-hitting, no-nonsense approach to the truth: you can lose weight without spending a dime--if you want to. She smacks down every excuse. Made eminent sense.
May 31, 2013
Saw this for free on amazon one day and decided to pick it up. It has good, straightforward information. A lot of it is very basic, but I think anyone who has lost weight, or is trying to lose weight would appreciate it.
February 11, 2015
I needed to read this book. If you want someone to be HONEST with you about how weight loss works and what you HONESTLY have to do. Not gimicks. No quick fixes. I will be keeping this to read over and over again as a reminder.
February 15, 2015
A collection of somewhat connected thoughts. It feels as if they were all blog posts that were reproduced exactly instead of made into a flowing ebook. And, because of this, there was a lot of repetition.
March 20, 2015
kick in the pants
Exactly what I needed to hear. Plain, simple and hilarious! Thanks! Brilliantly written with insights into the American psyche and acceptance of our common overindulgence!
Exactly what I needed to hear. Plain, simple and hilarious! Thanks! Brilliantly written with insights into the American psyche and acceptance of our common overindulgence!
September 28, 2015
Maybe somebody who doesn't have a good understanding of fitness/nutrition/weight would enjoy this. It was something I already know, stated in a variety of blindingly obvious ways...one loses weight by consuming fewer calories than one burns. I was hoping for a bit more insight.
January 3, 2016
Great book.
This book was an easy read and was full of helpful as well as challenging information. Well written with an encouraging bent for someone ready to get healthy and lose some weight.
This book was an easy read and was full of helpful as well as challenging information. Well written with an encouraging bent for someone ready to get healthy and lose some weight.
December 28, 2012
Second time I read this book (first time was in September). Loved it. It cuts out all of the B.S.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews