The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body - Cameron Diaz

by Cameron Díaz

Cameron Diaz shares her formula for becoming happier, healthier, and stronger in this positive, essential guide grounded in science and inspired by personal experience, a #1 New York Times bestseller.

Throughout her career, Cameron Diaz has been a role model for millions of women. By her own candid admission, though, this fit, glamorous, but down-to-earth star was not always health-conscious. Learning about the inseparable link between nutrition and the body was just one of the life-changing lessons that has fed Cameron’s hunger to educate herself about the best ways to feed, move, and care for her body. In The Body Book, she shares what she has learned and continues to discover about nutrition, exercise, and the mind/body connection.

Grounded in science and informed by real life, The Body Book offers a comprehensive overview of the human body and mind, from the cellular level up. From demystifying and debunking the hype around food groups to explaining the value of vitamins and minerals, readers will discover why it’s so important to embrace the instinct of hunger and to satisfy it with whole, nutrient-dense foods. Cameron also explains the essential role of movement, the importance of muscle and bone strength and why we need to sweat a little every day.

The Body Book does not set goals to reach in seven days or thirty days or a year. It offers a holistic, long-term approach to making consistent choices and reaching the ultimate goal: a long, strong, happy, healthy life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help, Audiobook, Lifestyle, Fitness, Food

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Cameron Díaz is an American actress and former model. She rose to prominence during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona in the Shrek series, Any Given Sunday, Knight and Day, The Holiday, The Green Hornet and Bad Teacher.

Díaz has received four Golden Globe Award nominations for her performances in the movies, Being John Malkovich, Vanilla Sky, Gangs of New York, and There's Something About Mary for which she also won the New York Film Critics Best Lead Actress Award. She is also a BAFTA Nominee. In 2013, Díaz was named the highest paid actress over 40 in Hollywood

Reviews

[Crystal Beaman · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is SOME good information in the book, like which carbs are good carbs, how habits are formed, why whole foods are good, and some basic biological facts. However, the tone of the book is completely inappropriate. If she wants her health advice to be taken seriously, she shouldn't refer to the occurrence of a menstrual cycle as "riding the crimson wave" and she shouldn't call pubes "a mysterious curtain". The book is also stuffed with ridiculous suggestions. For example, she recommends substituting an avocado sliced with tomatoes, lemon, and cilantro for POTATO CHIPS. Someone who wants a readily available, salty, crunchy snack isn't going to go for this. Try again. On top of all of this, she makes several wrong assumptions. If you take what she says at face value, housewives in the 50's were never fat (because they were lugging around heavy vacuum cleaners and such), going to the movies counts as physical activity (but going to the store to buy a movie apparently does not count), and you only learn math so that you can count money to buy food.

There are better choices for health books. If you want to read it because Cameron Diaz wrote it, it's still not worth it. She had a ghost writer and there are only a handful or pictures of Cameron in the book.

"Just because you can put something in your mouth, chew it, swallow it, and then poop it out doesn't mean it's food. It just means you can chew it, swallow it, and poop it out!" This is the kind of advice you're going to get from this book. Seriously.

[Christyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very impressed with Cameron Diaz now. This book is a great tool for someone 30+ because that's when we really start to look at the overall health of our bodies. We always hear what we should be eating, but we're not always clear on why. The Body Book breaks complicated issues down to a level everyone can understand - and learn from. It's chock full of great tips for feeling and looking your best. Cameron's humor adds a nice layer to this insightful book.

Since I've read this book, I've started making some changes and I'm already feeling a difference in my body. My favorite tip from the book so far is drinking a liter of water first thing when I wake up. Cameron explained that as we sleep, obviously we lose water during all of our breathing during our 7-8 hour slumber. I feel so much more refreshed since I've been chugging my water in the morning. I know it sounds silly, but it's little things like this that can make a difference in the way we feel. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking to improve their health - and just feel better all around.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was surprisingly well-written and informative. Cameron has a great writer's voice: confident, witty, and a little bit sassy. This book is part biology lesson (though related in a very engaging way), and part motivational speech on making healthy choices and focusing on your own individual strengths and talents in life. I enjoyed reading it.

[Майя Ставитская · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is really a wonderful smart girl, and "The Body Book" (The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body) took second place in the New York Times bestseller list in 2014. Which in itself is a sign of unthinkable success, and for a layman's book it's just an extravaganza.

To be fair, Cameron Diaz co-wrote her motivational nonfiction with writer Sandra Bark. I would hardly be mistaken if I assumed that she was responsible for the literary part and bringing it to a readable form. Normally, examples of this kind of mutually beneficial cooperation: "gasoline is yours, our ideas" have been known and appreciated by the reading public for many years.

And in any case, when a respected nutritionist, yoga coach, sports instructor, therapist talks about how to make your body a brilliant tool, this is one thing. When a world-class celebrity who has managed to turn her own body into an instrument of success is quite another. And not only to soar to the top, thanks to capricious luck, youth, freshness, bright talent, but, more importantly, to stay on the crest for many years.

And Cameron Diaz, since her successful debut in "Mask" with Jim Carrey, has been in the cage for almost thirty years. That, in a rapidly changing world, where a generation of figures has grown up over these three decades, there is an indicator of incredible longevity. Which would not have happened if this woman had not been able to handle her body.

Умница Кэми Диас
Боль - это слабость, покидающая ваше тело.
Она, вправду, замечательная умница, и "Книга о теле" (The Body Book: Feed, Move, Understand and Love Your Amazing Body) заняла в 2014 году второе место в списке бестселлеров по версии "Нью-Йорк Таймс". Что само по себе, знак немыслимого успеха, а для книги непрофессионала - просто феерия.

Справедливости ради, Кэмерон Диас писала свой мотивирующий нонфик в соавторстве с писательницей Сандрой Барк. Вряд ли ошибусь, предположив, что за литературную часть и приведение к удобочитаемому виду отвечала именно она. Нормально, примеры такого рода взаимовыгодного сотрудничества: "бензин ваш, идеи наши" читающая публика знает и ценит многие годы.

Да и в любом случае, когда о том, как сделать свое тело гениальным инструментом рассказывает достойный уважения диетолог, тренер по йоге, спортивный инструктор, терапевт - это одно. Когда знаменитость мирового класса, сумевшая превратить собственное тело в инструмент успеха - совсем другое. И не только взлететь к вершинам, благодаря капризной удаче, молодости, свежести, яркому таланту, но, что важнее - оставаться на гребне многие годы.

А Кэмерон Диас, с момента ее успешного дебюта в "Маске" с Джимом Керри, в обойме почти тридцать лет. Что, в стремительно меняющемся мире, где за эти три десятка лет выросло поколение цифры, есть показатель невероятного долгожительства. Которого не случилось бы, не умей эта женщина обращаться со своим телом.

Да, люди не равны изначально и да, ей достались от природы быстрый метаболизм и нелюбовь к сладкому, но новейшая история богатых и знаменитых знает массу примеров того, как самые совершенные тела приводились в негодность и обращались в хлам неумеренностью владельцев в желаниях, и стремлением потакать слабостям. Кэми не тот случай. А значит, она знает, что говорит. А значит - ее имеет смысл послушать.

Итак, как устроена "Книга о теле". В бодром вступлении, адресованном женщинам, объясняется, что сподвигло написать эту книгу, для чего она и зачем (мужчина в качестве адресата изначально не рассматривался, и это еще один пример разумной оценки авторами предположительной целевой аудитории).

"Питание. Полюби свой голод", ожидаемо посвящена еде, а поговорка "Ты есть то, что ты ешь" неожиданно перестает восприниматься набившей оскомину банальностью. Просто, доступно, с использованием понятных примеров и компактно, авторы объясняют изменения в пищевом рационе современного человека буквально за последние сто лет эры изобилия и как это отразилось на нашем здоровье.

Что такое белки, жиры, углеводы, аминокислоты, витамины. В чем содержатся, каким образом лучше всего сочетаются. Почему важно пить много воды (именно простой воды, ни в коем случае не газированных напитков и даже не соков, которые считаются полезными). Польза завтрака и медленных углеводов, полинасыщенные и полиненасыщенные жиры, пенициллиновые коровы, реальная вредность фастфуда и неумеренного употребления сладкого.

И обо всем этом не просто говорится, с той или иной степенью увлекательности, но предлагаются альтернативные варианты разумного решения из собственного опыта. Знаете, я вспомнила, как хорошо чувствовала себя в те два года, когда отказывалась от конфет, и вместо штук пяти, которые могла схомячить между делом, съела со вчерашнего дня одну. В том смысле, что полезная книга.

"Фитнес. Тело хочет быть сильным", вторая часть не только и не столько о физических упражнениях и необходимости активности (хотя как без того), сколько о том, как устроено и функционирует наше тело. Кожа, внутренние органы, скелет, мышцы, сухожилия и связки, мозг, гормональная, выделительная и мочеполовая системы. И о дерьме, да, и о нем тоже - что естественно, то не безобразно. Почему одно: режим, движение, много воды, здоровое сбалансированное питание, накачанные мышцы пресса, полезны для него, а другое: сидячий образ жизни, газировки и фастфуд, переедание, атренированность - вредно.

Именно в связке: вот так это работает, мышечный корсет, поддерживающий внутренние органы и позвоночник на животе, вместо бурдюка висцерального жира, который кутает внутренние органы и затрудняет их функции - мышцы полезнее жира не потому, что так красивее и в целом отвлеченно здоровее, а потому, что без него тело прослужит дольше, будет работать бесперебойно и не потребует сложного дорогостоящего ремонта.

Третья, мотивирующая часть "Сознание", главным образом расширяет, углубляет и закрепляет сказанное в первых, а также предлагает множество нетривиальных решений, которые работают у Кэмерон, сработают и у вас. Хорошая книга, от души рекомендую.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Cameron Diaz is one of the most beautiful people on the planet. She is pretty, funny, obviously smart, talented, and sporty and I love her movies. But this book is beyond looks, this book is a treasure, it's very well written, full of important information and insight, I want to translate it to Arabic to share with my fellow people the great information I read here. I, like many others, am clueless when it comes to the body because of the many "opinions" I loved how straightforward Cameron was in the book. I read this book twice. I also got the audio version and it's wonderful, the reader sounds like Cameron and reads it with calmness and giddiness as well. The book talks about how diet is misunderstood, that our era enforces illness on us by adapting new methods instead of sticking to natural ways like eating well and moving and not just in the gym. I needed this book. It's very important.

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well curiosity got the best of me when it came to The Body Book. While perusing a local library ebook selection I saw this was available and was wondering what the hell Cameron Diaz could possibly have to say about our bodies. I figured it was another celebrity diet etc. book but the sub-title made me wonder. While I appreciate Cameron Diaz as an actress, I do feel as though this book was rather pointless. It is one big pep talk for people to take better care of their bodies. For one, I don't like pep talks and two, I'm a health-conscious vegan with a biology degree--not exactly her target audience. I would like to say that Diaz differentiates herself from other books out there but honestly her voice was not unique in the health world and aside from the brief mentions of her time on sets and such you would have no idea this was even written by Diaz specifically.

Overall this book is geared towards the scientifically illiterate and unhealthy people--lucky for Diaz that is the majority of the American population. So I do think that she could have success, but I don't think she includes anything that you could not find by doing a little research yourself. Google, people, GOOGLE. It really is extremely easy to find all of the information included in this book, diagrams and healthy food lists and all. This really is a layman approach to the science of the body and maybe it will educate people who would otherwise never know what a cell is (the number of people highlighting this definition on the kindle version is enough to make me cry) or would perhaps think logically about eating (funny how fast food isn't great for your body).

Overall Diaz compiled Google searches that you could do on your own and helped educate the population about the body. I commend her for that but there is nothing new here, at least not for me. If you are a Diaz fan, scientifically illiterate or seriously need a pep talk, then this book may be for you.

As a side note: Not all of the healthy suggestions in the book are actually terribly healthy, some of which may be a matter of opinion (I of course would never recommend chicken as a healthy part of your diet--even minus the animal rights issues--as soon as you slap that dead muscle on flame you are creating carcinogens. Enjoy.). But one that irked me was Diaz suggesting chugging a huge amount of water upon waking. You shouldn't chug water, it does little for the body--you mostly just pee it out without gaining benefits or detoxing the body. But if you're going to chug anything, water would be the best.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s the first book about food/health/fitness that I ever read and I’m not disappointed.
It really made wanna do more exercises. At the beginning of the year, I made myself have an exercise program. When I started the book - in the second day of January, I had 69 kg. Now, after 4 days of intense exercises, I have 67 kg. I gave up on bread, sugar and I started with 45 minutes of physical exercises, that turned to 55 today. Every day I keep pushing myself, because I want what’s the best for me. And this book opened my eyes even more. It made me decide that the best course of action is to be more involved in the decisions that I take regarding food and not letting my hunger or my cravings decide for me.

[Angela Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, I love this book. I began a journey of overhauling my nutrition and eating habits a few months ago, and have never felt better. This book really hammers home what I've learned just by doing, as well as opened my eyes as to what exactly has been changing in my body (and mind) for the better. I just started reading this book last night, and I'm already committed to making more positive changes from what I've read. I've recommended it to all my friends, I ordered a copy for my mother. I had originally gotten the Kindle version, but just 2 chapters in, I also ordered the physical book so that I can flag pages and highlight parts and mark it up so I can reference it again and again--and borrow it out. It's geared toward women, but I'll be having my boyfriend read it too; this is great information for anyone. Cameron's tone is very personable and it's a really easy read. She's clearly done her homework.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I am not a healthy person by any means and as a person who is overweight and suffers from diabetes I was recently brought back to the reality that I need to take better care of my body. My diabetes was insanely out of control and my body was all out of whack! My sister is a great source of inspiration when it comes to being active and always trying to be healthier and she turned me on to this book and I couldn't be more grateful. Along with my sister, whom inspires me by example to be healthier every day, this book also awoke something in me. The answers were so obvious and simple but it took reading this book to realize that it's ok to not be perfect when trying to become a more self aware and healthy person. It's ok to go at my own pace and even to make mistakes along the way as long as I continue to move forward and not let any set backs bring me down. I began incorporating some sort of physical activity every day, whether it's walking/dancing/ or doing Richard Simmon's workout videos on YouTube (don't judge, he's a very positive person) but I've stuck to it. I've been learning to make better choices when it comes to my nutrition and my diabetes is finally under control. This book is definitely a great read...although the answers seem so simple and obvious Cameron did a wonderful job of breaking down topics in a simple to understand language. Cameron said it best, "The responsibility to be healthy is in your hands-no one else is going to do it for you."----So here I go, ready to take on this new chapter of my healthier life with the tools she laid down in these pages.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what compelled me to pick this up. The book overall is rather casual and cheerleader-like. There's more fluff than substance.

Cameron gives a variety of advice that does seem like it comes from her own perspective. The Body Book isn't a diet or exercise book. I was really surprised by this.

There is a section on nutrition that does go over the basic vitamins and minerals, but beyond that, it's a general message to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Instead of a real exercise plan, it's more about moving and trying to get in some sort of activity during the day in which your heart rate increases. I was disappointed because I would have loved some of Cameron's workouts.

There's not much I learned from reading this. I do have a science background, so I was often critical of the presentation, but I think the knowledge is rather up to date.

The information is very simplified, but I didn't find it to have a natural ease of explanation.

I think it was dumbed down too much, but I supposed it is a great book for someone who has absolutely no health knowledge.

There aren't many graphics, charts, or tables. In this way I can't really see it being a great reference tool.

Diaz apparently eats mainly eggs and lentils. She professed to never liking sweets. It's hard to identify with a celebrity who has access to healthy food and is independent - no kids or hubby holding her back. Diaz doesn't discuss any of her privilege. I don't know if it really bothered me or not. I guess I didn't care one way or the other.

However, Diaz doesn't pretend to be anything she's not. The tone of the book sounds like she is talking right to you; like you're in her circle of friends. I can appreciate that she isn't trying to come off as an expert.

Overall, more of a cheerleader-motivational book than an actual book on health. Oh yeah, it's really only for girls.

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will have it known that I'm not giving this book two stars because I think it is a bad book. I actually truly enjoyed some parts. These books always just tend to make me feel bad because I've never eaten kale for lunch. I've never worried about the amount of fish I eat in a week (ewww fish). I haven't ever made my own non fat salad dressing or peanut butter. Nor can I afford to shop at whole foods to do so. These facts always make me feel like I have to step away from the book with a tinge of sadness. This step back usually ends up with me stepping into the kitchen and opening a bag of oreos. Sigh...healthy eating books.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be an excellent book for someone who currently makes a lot of unhealthy choices and wants to turn their life around.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of celebrity "writers".

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

It would be easy to dismiss this one as another fluffy celebrity diet book but it's much more than that, it's a level-headed book about knowing yourself, doing your best with what you have and eating, moving and thinking in ways that make you better at living. This is a sensible, smart book written as if Cameron is your big sister offering advice. Not preachy, just sensible. I would love this to get into the hands of many young women who are struggling with self-image. It doesn't say that this weight or that weight is right, but that there is an ideal weight where you can do things with yourself and feel good and that's where you need to aim.

Cameron Diaz admits to bad habits that she's working with changing, but that occasionally she does indulge herself but she knows that she can't do that all the time to herself and that we should follow suit. It's probably not for everyone but I found it had a lot of food for thought for me.

[Book Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this because, well, it was Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz wrote a book??? Miss bubbly, sassy, free spirit wrote a book? And it wasn't a memoir about her claim to fame. It was a health book. Well, her body IS rocking it in her forties.

I was pleasantly surprised. Although, it was probably co-written (ghost written), they did a nice job of giving it the bubbly, sassy, free spirit voice of Cameron. There was a lot of science talk, and you know, it was broken down so nicely that it was actually helpful! Was there anything in this book that was ground breaking or new? No, but it was done in a simple, informative, non-diet, non-preachy way.

Basically, with a little science, a little sweat, and little self-love, you can be the best you that you can be, whatever that may be to you personally.

[Yuliya Yurchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

На диво, мені сподобалося! І це несправедливо писати "на диво", чому власне я думала, що Камерон Діаз не може написати щось хороше? Геть стереотипи! Хоч інколи мене дратували її евфімізми, наче вона сюсюкає з якимись малолітніми дітьми, але все ж книжка щиро і дуже професійно розкриває секрети "здорового сбособу життя". Мені особливо сподобалася частина про те, як дбати про свій психічний стан. Частина про їжу теж дуже путня, без різних перегинів (хоча Діаз щаслива, вона від природи не любить солодкого, ще б хтось написав, що робити, коли ти його дуже любиш і як його розлюбити, було б взагалі шикарно :)

[Michelle Only Wants to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this book very much, and I know I will go back to it as reference as I get started into a healthier lifestyle.

As Cameron states early in the book, it is not a diet book, nor she claims to know it all. It's also not a portfolio of her photos. There may be around 12 photos of her altogether, including the cover and back. This is an informative book looking at a woman's body and mind in a holistic way. It is based on factual information and simplified with humor for simpletons like myself. I loved her casual tone throughout the chapters. I read this is something it has bothered other reviewers. Personally, I loved it. I felt as I was sharing information with a friend who knew more about the subject than I did. She provides further reading recommendations, and a reference list where one can look further for more "academic" information on different subjects. It's a book about loving yourself and taking care of the body you got.

I think it's a positive book to encourage us, women, to understand our bodies better, to love ourselves, to enrich our lives, to see life in a better and happier manner without imposing some crazy Hollyweird ideas. Of course, she will talk about the non-GMO, the organic choices an all that. Well, some of those things are easier to access for some, and for others, the choices may be too expensive or not easy to find. Still, knowing what we're putting inside of us matters. Even if we can't all shop at Whole Foods, or whatnot, we can be more educated in knowing what options our budget allows us to select, and knowing there are healthier choices for us.

I'm looking forward to her upcoming book "The Longevity Book: The Biology of Resilience, the Privilege of Time, and the New Science of Aging." Cameron Diaz is one of the few women in the spotlight who has chosen to age gracefully, and she seems down to Earth. As I reach myself the time to start making some choices on how to care for a maturing body, I can use a few tips here and there.

Overall, money well spent.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Це доволі непогана книга, щоб пірнути у світ здорового харчування, любові до себе і усвідомленого життя. Але якщо ви вже в темі, вона не принесе вам багато нової інформації. Тут зібрано те, що легко можна нагуглити - наприклад, таблиці вітамінів і мікроелементів і де вони містяться чи які олії варто використувати для салату, а на яких можна смажити. Але це якщо знаєш, що це треба гуглити. А так її можна тримати на полиці як підказку. Що мене дуже розчарувало - це якість українського видання. Дуже багато одруківок, от просто дуже багато. При такій ціні, глянцевому папері і загальному вигляді книги - сором-сором!

[Kate Hamontree · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was 10 years too late for me. Very simple information which is commonly known. Was hoping for a lot more inspiration.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

І чотири роки не пройшло відколи в мене ця книжка, як я її нарешті дочитала)
Важко мені йде нон-фікшн, нічого не можу з собою вдіяти.

Пригадую як тільки починала читати, була дуже в захваті, бо багато було нового, але ось через 4 роки бачу, що багато що з того вже відоме. Книга націлена на початківців у здоровому харчуванні і загалом способі життя, і як мені здалося - на американців, які дуже багато їдять фастфуду і все запивають солодкою водою. В нас реалії трішки інші, мені хочеться сказати, що кращі, бо ми з дитинства їмо все орґенік з бабциного городу, а для американців це все відкриття.

Але все одно, натхнення рухатися і здорово харчуватися книга дарує, і на тому спасибі.

P.S. Камерон разів 200 згадує, що стала на цей шлях руху і ЗСЖ під час зйомок перших "Ангелів Чарлі" у 2000. Захотілося передивитися. Включила, і через саундтрек таке враження що меми дивлюся. + там суцільна об'єктивізація жінок, зараз напевно таке б не посміли зняти.

P.S.S. укр.видання має купу невдалого перекладу, помилок, опечаток(( я була в шоці, що таке допустили до друку.

[7jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got curious about this book when it was mentioned on a friends page of my blog, so I got this. I like her well enough as an actress and this book was surprisingly good. I got some new information among things I knew and the tone of the book was very positive.
The chapters were nicely organised; the third part had a little bit of everything yet not confusing. Of course my taste in foods won't exactly match - people has different tastes even within healthy foods and can have tolerance limits - but I can work within it. I liked how she didn't push on certain types of exercise activities; it was pretty awesome how she most recommended just bouncing around energetically, especially so with a good 15 min. playlist - I've certainly done that sort of thing before, though no with exercise in mind.
No doubt some of the information I will seek to read again, and now I feel inspired to use the information I got out of it. Some books she mentioned I have read or I want to read now, too.

[Cherniakhivska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Цю книжку купувала на подарунок, потім вона до мене повернулась. Мотиваційна книжка для жінок про те, що варто здорово харчуватися і більше рухатися. Папір цупкий, фотографії симпатичні, друкарських помилок чимало.
Найкориснішою для мене стала інформація про пробіотики. Виявляється, варто купувати йогурти саме з біфідобактеріями чи ацидофільними бактеріями, бо тільки вони виживають в кислотних умовах шлунка (тоді як більшість магазинних йогуртів мають у складі тільки болгарську паличку і термофільний стрептокок, які не виживають, тож на мікрофлору практично не впливають).

[Livi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not impressed. Cameron Diaz seems to be regurgitating basic, obvious wellness information (such as fast food is bad for you) and trying to pass it off as revealing discovery in an attempt to cash in on the celebrity health wave ala Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba.

[Aksena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Проста і сітка книга про тіло і догляд за ним. Дуже хороша книга для тих, хто не читав інформації з цієї теми до того. Багато порад і корисної інформації, яку можна брати одразу в дію.

[Ana Disaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sport und Ernährung sind ein Thema, das momentan auf Sozialen Netzwerken heißer diskutiert wird denn je! Während sich die Youtuber aggressive Debatten über die Frage nach der perfekten Ernährung liefern, posten die Fitnessgurus ihre muskulösen, schlanken Körper mehrmals täglich auf Instagram. Die Mädchen und Frauen, die von dieser Masse an Informationsschnipseln beschossen werden, schafft es nur selten die einzelnen Teile wie ein Puzzle zu einem ganzen Bild zusammenzustellen. Es geht überall nur darum, die restlichen 5kg zu verlieren, die Bauchmuskeln herauszuhungern und sich darum zu streiten, ab wann Muskeln bei Frauen schon nicht mehr "weiblich" aussehen. Cameron Diaz schreibt bereits in der Einleitung ihres Debüts "The Body Book": "Dieses Buch ist kein Diätbuch. Es ist kein Fitnessprogramm. Und es ist auch kein Ratgeber, der Sie zu einem anderen Menschen macht." Schon zu Beginn hebt sich dieses Buch rund um Ernährung und Fitness von jeglichen Ratgebern ab, die strikte Regeln vorschreiben und einen geraden Weg vorgeben, an deren Ende man sein Glück finden soll... und gibt ihren Leserinnen meiner Meinung nach einen Weg vor, der zwar ein paar Hürden und Steine bereithält, aber - was in meinen Augen zentral ist - sie zum Benutzen ihres eigenen Verstandes anregt.

Diaz gibt keine klaren Regeln an und sie spricht auch nicht von dem Erreichen einer "perfekten Figur". In "The Body Book" gibt sie Ratschläge, die helfen an jeder Ecke seines Lebens gesündere Entscheidungen zu treffen, mit der man seinen Alltag gesundheitlich und mental optimieren kann. Dabei ist es auffällig, dass ihr das Verständnis ihrer Leserinnen an erster Stelle steht, denn in den 300 Seiten begibt man sich in komplexeres Terrain, dass auch oftmal Fachbegriffe aufwirft, die man nicht von Instagram oder seinem liebsten Fitnessblog kennt. Biologische Vorgänge werden Schritt für Schritt erklärt und der Körper als lebendiger und ständig arbeitender Organismus erläutert. Bei Diaz geht es nicht darum, wie viel Gewicht wir wohl zunehmen, wenn wir einen Burger essen, sondern darum, welche Qualen wir damit unserem eigenen Körper leiden lassen. Sie promotet dabei eine Vielzahl von buntem Gemüse und Obst, das sie mit vielen Beispielen und einer anschaulichen, lebendigen Sprache schmackhaft macht. Nicht selten musste ich das Lesen unterbrechen, um mir einen Salat zuzubereiten, da meine Speichelproduktion auf Hochtouren lief. Dennoch spricht sie sich für keine spezielle Ernährungsweise wie "low carb", "roh vegan", "high carb low fat" oder "paleo" aus, sondern informiert lediglich über das, was Nahrung letztendlich in unserem Körper auslöst. Ab da kann die Leserin selbst ihren Verstand einschalten und überlegen, wie sie ihre eigene und individuelle Ernährungsweise gestalten will. Eine Sache deklariert Diaz selbstverständlich dennoch als den Teufel: Das Fast Food und die zuckrigen Süßigkeiten.

Neben der Ernährung spricht sie aber auch die zentrale Bedeutung des Sports an und geht dabei nur am Rande auf die ästhetischen Vorteile ein. Hat sich jemand schon mal Gedanken über die Stärke unserer Knochen, anstatt über die Form der Bauchmuskeln gemacht? Zum Glück ist Diaz so aufmerksam und spricht in "The Body Book" gesundheitliche Aspekte an, die vielen gar nicht bewusst sind und dennoch sehr einflussreich auf unseres späteres Leben, durch das die Meisten doch fit und vital durchmarschieren wollen. Durch viele Beispiele aus ihrem persönlichen Leben und dem Erzählen von kleinen Geschichten, die ihr selbst viel Eindruck machten, schafft sie eine besondere Nähe zu dem Leser und lockert die Atmosphäre auf, die bei Büchern mit hohem Informationsanteil ja sehr schnell an die Schule erinnert.

Der letzte Teil von "The Body Book" hat sich als mein liebstes Kapitel ganz tief in mein Herz und meinen Kopf (!) geschlichen. Es geht um "Das Denken", denn was der Körper tut, muss ihm ja vorher vom Kopf befohlen werden und niemand verzichtet freiwillig auf die süchtigmachenden Schokoladentafeln, wenn kein stärkeres Argument dem Genuss entgegensteht. Begriffe und Themen wie Gewohnheiten, Selbstmotivation und Selbstbeherrschung werden aufgebröselt und von neuen Perspektiven aus beobachtet. Diese letzten Seiten haben mich persönlich wahrlich ein ganzes Stück weiter gebracht und mir gewissermaßen auch den Horizont um einige Facetten erweitert.

Fazit:
Nein, "The Body Book" ist kein Fitnessprogramm und auch kein Diätbuch. Aber es ist eine Quelle, aus der man viel über Ernährung, Fitness und vor allem Gesundheit lernen kann, um sich dann die Basis einer gesunden und glücklichen Lebensweise anzueignen. Diaz geht nicht den ganzen Weg mit ihren Leserinnen, sondern vielleicht nur ein paar Schritte. Danach ist man selbst an der Reihe, auszuprobieren, nachzudenken und aktiv zu leben. Danke, Cameron für das Wissen, was du mit diesem Buch weitergibst. Ihr Lieben: Informiert euch und lauscht anderen, aber vergesst nie euren eigenen Verstand einzuschalten und die Gesundheit über alles andere zu stellen. Eine Quelle, die das erleichtern kann, ist "The Body Book". Ich kann sie euch wärmstens empfehlen!

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

bookchef видавництво теж оминатиму. Книженція варта уваги, і на подарунок хороша, проте, не в укр перекладі:
1) сон може стати тим, що ми стискаємо в собі
2) ми буваємо заняті
3) нам не обов'язково виглядати на подобі тих еталонів, якими нас засліплюють на кожному повороті

то ще не всі ляпи та помилки, але у мене все)

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

For the record, I love the concept of this book. Cameron Diaz is known in our society for being a symbol of beauty and being a successful woman. I love that she took the knowledge of the power she had with that status and wrote a book about nutrition and just moving and not a diet book outlawing entire food groups. She wrote a book about loving yourself and eating well because you love yourself, not because you hate yourself and want to change everything. Coming from such a well known figure, this concept is awesome. She isn't trying to make money off of people hating themselves. She is trying to show people that it is ok to love yourself. She wrote a book explaining nutrition in a way that can be understood to an audience who might not spend their time reading a book on that topic otherwise. And all of that is great. I love the message.
That being said, if you are going to write a book with that knowledge, it doesn't seem authentic to pick a cowriter who write books with famous people. If you know that your audience is going to believe you and that you have the power to get knowledge into their hands that they might not normally read, I think a better choice would to be to write it with a registered dietician, or any of the doctors referenced throughout the book. If you are going to have a cowriter, you know that because of your name this book will sell and you are writing a book with a lot of science, you owe it to your reader to write it with someone with a background in the subject. It's great that this book was written, but it wasn't authentic because she doesn't have the degrees or the actual background in the topic. I know a bit about nutrition too, but I'm not going to write a book on it unless I get a degree in it or partner with someone with that background.
I love that this book exists because it is saying to not diet, but to just eat better most of the time and to move more. It is explaining how food works in your body and how you should love yourself. But I can't get over the fact that both authors have no actual background in the subject.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Δεν ξέρω αν το έχει γράψει η ίδια η κάμερον ή αν είναι δημιούργημα ενός συγγραφέα-φάντασμα, όπως λέγεται, αλλά όποιος και αν είναι ο δημιουργός του έχει κάνει πολύ καλή δουλειά!!
Δεν είναι το κλασικό βιβλίο που θα σου δώσει πάνω κάτω συμβουλές για την υγεία, την διατροφή και την ζωή σου γενικότερα που γνωρίζεις και θα σου ανυψώσει το ηθικό ή θα σε προδιαθέσει να κάνεις και εσύ την αλλαγή και να αρχίσεις να φροντίζεις τον εαυτό σου. Σίγουρα βοηθάει και σε όλα όσα ανέφερα αλλά κατά κύριο λόγο σου εξηγεί με απλό και κατανοητό τρόπο πως ακριβώς δουλεύει το σώμα μας και τι ακριβώς είναι κάθετι που αναφέρετε στο βιβλίο, που ακούμε στην τηλεόραση, που διαβάζουμε κτλ κτλ.
Στην ουσία δεν αφήνει τίποτα ανεξήγητο και το κύριο μέσο που χρησιμοποιεί για να σε πείσει να αλλάξεις κάποια πράγματα προς το καλύτερο και να αρχίζεις να φροντίζεις το σώμα σου, είναι ακριβώς αυτές οι αναλύσεις που κάνει. Εξηγεί με απόλυτη ακρίβεια τι γίνεται στο σώμα μας κάθε φορά που καταναλώνουμε τροφή, κάθε είδους τροφή, με αποτέλεσμα να συνειδητοποιεί πλήρως ο αναγνώστης τι κάνει στον οργανισμό του όταν δεν προσέχει την διατροφή του ή όταν δεν δίνει στον οργανισμό του όλα όσα χρειάζεται. Μέθοδος πολύ πιο αποτελεσματική απο χιλιοειπωμένες ατάκες που βλέπουμε παντού.
Αρκετά ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, που βοηθά να μάθεις πολλά πράγματα για το σώμα μας, την διατροφή, την υγεία. Πιστεύω ότι όποιος θέλει να αποκτήσει παιδεία και σ'αυτά τα θέματα αλλά δεν είναι επιστήμονας για να μπορεί να διαβάσει ιατρικά βιβλία ή μελέτες κτλ, αυτό το βιβλίο με την απλοϊκή σχετικά γραφή, είναι ό,τι πρέπει.

[Shahine Ardeshir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, let's be honest: If I asked you to name the top three actresses you think would be able to write a good book, Cameron Diaz is unlikely to be in that list, right?

If your thinking is along the same lines as mine was then, like me, you'd be surprised to learn that Diaz can write. What I appreciate is the honesty of her tone. She hasn't tried to sound erudite or impressive by using big words or fancy syntax. She's written this book from the heart. The tonality is such that you can almost hear her speaking sometimes and it made me smile (one of my favourites: "Your brain connects to your spinal cord, and together they form your central nervous system, which in turn connects to miles and miles of nerves, which conduct (wait for it) ELECTRICITY (cool, right?) and send signals to your brain").

Sure, you could argue it sounds a little banal sometimes. But while the tone may be casual, the content is definitely not. The book's content is well-researched, and baked in with the science is a huge helping of common sense to do with our bodies and how to look after them. What she's tried to do is to give the average person like you and me a basic download of what health is all about (covering nutrition, exercise, sleep and lifestyle). And to be fair, I think she's done a very successful job.

So while I didn't think I'd love this book, I did - and I'd recommend it as a great read if you're interested in living a healthier life for the long haul.

[Mari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книга на перший погляд читається легко, але щоби інформацію сприйняти поступово і засвоїти її, потрібен час. З огляду на це, книгу доводиться читати порційно, обов'язково роблячи собі якісь нотатки на полях (авторка, зрештою, заохочує це). Тут усе (ну майже усе) про людський організм та як він функціонує. Авторка, опираючись на консультації із фахівцями та власний досвід, описує правильне харчування, тренування, біоритми та загалом можливості людського тіла. Не зі всім можу погодитись у книзі, але цінними для себе винесу поради про те, що варто якомога більше рухатись, пити достатню кількість води та збалансовано харчуватись. Їсти лише кіноа чи відварену курку (як це робить авторка) необов'язково - можна знайти іншу цікаву альтернативу цим продуктам. Головне, як слушно зазначено у книзі, мати бажання полюбити і зміцнити своє тіло.