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Lose It Right: A Brutally Honest 3-Stage Program to Help You Get Fit and Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind
Canadian health and fitness expert James Fell shares his no-holds-barred approach to losing weight and staying in shape--based on science, straight talk and a healthy dose of humour.
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise--slow and steady--won the race, right? So why, when it comes to weight loss and fitness, does everyone want to be the hare, speeding toward the finish line in a desperate attempt to drop pounds in record time? In Lose It Right , fitness consultant and writer James Fell offers the cold, hard truth about what you really need to do to lose weight and get fit.
In his trademark irreverent style, Fell offers a slow, steady and science-based approach to improving health that will motivate and inspire readers. He explains the critical role of exercise in adopting healthy eating behaviours, and provides a step-by-step road map for integrating exercise and making dietary changes. Through the Virtuous Cycle, a leveled eating and exercise program, Fell shows you how to gradually transform your health, the way your body performs, and the way you look.
With its big-picture approach to lifestyle planning, and its insistence that there are no quick fixes or miracle cures, Lose It Right will appeal to readers who suspect the tortoise was right: slow and steady really does win the race.
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? The tortoise--slow and steady--won the race, right? So why, when it comes to weight loss and fitness, does everyone want to be the hare, speeding toward the finish line in a desperate attempt to drop pounds in record time? In Lose It Right , fitness consultant and writer James Fell offers the cold, hard truth about what you really need to do to lose weight and get fit.
In his trademark irreverent style, Fell offers a slow, steady and science-based approach to improving health that will motivate and inspire readers. He explains the critical role of exercise in adopting healthy eating behaviours, and provides a step-by-step road map for integrating exercise and making dietary changes. Through the Virtuous Cycle, a leveled eating and exercise program, Fell shows you how to gradually transform your health, the way your body performs, and the way you look.
With its big-picture approach to lifestyle planning, and its insistence that there are no quick fixes or miracle cures, Lose It Right will appeal to readers who suspect the tortoise was right: slow and steady really does win the race.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2013
23 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 20, 2017
Common-sense advice with plenty of citations, and disclaimers about the lack of citations where the authors were going from professional experience. The book teaches a moderate approach to exercise and diet that emphasizes sustainability, building habits that provide their own health benefits while fortifying you for pushing farther later.
The three stages for exercise and eating are probably best thought in your own context. Based on the book, some of my habits are well into the second (of three) levels while others need the gentle level first level start. That's fine. The book routinely points out that figuring out the details of fitness is a personal process.
I can see getting an audiobook of this later, and listening to it once in a while for additional reinforcement.
The three stages for exercise and eating are probably best thought in your own context. Based on the book, some of my habits are well into the second (of three) levels while others need the gentle level first level start. That's fine. The book routinely points out that figuring out the details of fitness is a personal process.
I can see getting an audiobook of this later, and listening to it once in a while for additional reinforcement.
February 3, 2019
A great book about how to change your lifestyle to get healthier, not just thinner. I saw a lot of what I have been doing in my life here, and it encouraged me to take it to the next level of exercise performance and to be more aware of my eating. You have to enjoy his style of writing, but I do, so five stars. Best "diet book" out there.
January 8, 2017
I have been losing weight and getting fitter for over a year, so I didn't read this book for advice. According to Fell I am comfortably a level 2 and I am getting close to embarking on level 3 (kind of doing really well to becoming a warrior). I read this book because Fell is a no-nonsense, pro-science, level-headed, truthful blogger regarding health. He is also a fellow Calgarian, which I was excited to discover. Here comes my own story. I fell for the whole paleo bs nearly 2 years ago. I read the "studies", read the books, and went full tilt. My psoriasis seemed better, but turns out exercise was what helped. I lost 15 or so pounds, which I gained back when I started eating all the food groups again. I have so far lost nearly 15 again with eating sensibly of ALL food groups prepared simply with occasional treats. What a shocker! I slowly upped my exercise and threw in a whole bunch of weights. I feel amazing! Yet I can still eat with those that I love and I am not consumed with food. Fell cuts away all the crap to health (shakeology, specific diets being the end all to be all, supplements being a key to health, you can't lift weights as a female, you must eat organic, blah blah blah). What you're left with is knowledge that science helps us discover what can be regularly repeated to success with regards to health. The gems he shares? Exercise benefits our health, eating food prepared simply and from scratch improves our health, following fads for nutrition are only helpful if you can do them forever, some fads are simply not helpful, most supplements don't do much for us as food supplies what we need, losing weight is something best done slow and steady if we expect it to last, and there is no lasting success in 95% of people who take on get thin fast endeavours. Fell also extensively talks about why losing weight in modern society is so difficult and he discusses at length why the old adage "eat less, move more" is as helpful as telling a drowning person to swim more. There is simply much more at play.
Do your self a favour. Just read the book and take on simple changes. Your health will improve and you'll feel better.
Do your self a favour. Just read the book and take on simple changes. Your health will improve and you'll feel better.
August 9, 2014
James' entertaining style of writing makes science interesting, which is a feat for me. And what's more, his explanation of the science behind exercise and eating goes deeper than all the sound-bites out there. I will take his message to heart that weight loss is really, still, all about calories-in / calories-out.
March 31, 2019
Having been an athlete for most of my life, it's been a frustrating few years since turning 40 and watching the pounds slowly add on around my middle. Even with regular exercise, what I thought was a good diet, and working with a trainer seemed to make no difference. I've long known that there's no such thing as a "quick fix," and that diets are generally crap, so I'm skeptical about most things. However, I've followed James Fell on FB for a few years now, and I loved his newest book, "The Holy Sh!t Moment," even though I didn't think I would find it as useful before starting it. Well, I was wrong about that, and I'm hoping that James is going to help me through again.
I just finished the book, so I can't tell you that his brutally honest plan has helped yet. I will do my best to come back and update the review in a few months.
What I can tell you is this: James and Dr. Yufera-Leitch put together a well-rounded, VERY science-based book. They're open and honest about what is known, and what isn't known, about performance, nutrition, exercise, motivation, etc. They make clear, that every reader will have to make their own adaptations; that everything in the book is a suggestion. There are just lots of terrific suggestions, with lots of supporting evidence.
I've already started a number of the steps he recommends, and I'm using their suggestions to make a plan for the next steps. I look forward to returning in a few months with positive news!
I just finished the book, so I can't tell you that his brutally honest plan has helped yet. I will do my best to come back and update the review in a few months.
What I can tell you is this: James and Dr. Yufera-Leitch put together a well-rounded, VERY science-based book. They're open and honest about what is known, and what isn't known, about performance, nutrition, exercise, motivation, etc. They make clear, that every reader will have to make their own adaptations; that everything in the book is a suggestion. There are just lots of terrific suggestions, with lots of supporting evidence.
I've already started a number of the steps he recommends, and I'm using their suggestions to make a plan for the next steps. I look forward to returning in a few months with positive news!
June 1, 2021
I did not mean to read this book.
I had quite enjoyed Fell's The Holy Sh!t Moment, which mentioned this book in passing. It was available at my library, so I thought I would give it a quick scan.
I was quickly sucked in. Fell is an entertaining writer. He and his co-author, Margaret Leitch, have outlined a sensible, do-able, practical plan for improving one's fitness and diet.
It fell a little short of 5 stars for me because (1) my starting point for diet is already somewhere between level 2 and level 3, so there wasn't much to aspire to in this regard, and (2) the fitness plans contain little to no information about adaptations for people (like myself) who have lifelong physical limitations due to surgery.
I had quite enjoyed Fell's The Holy Sh!t Moment, which mentioned this book in passing. It was available at my library, so I thought I would give it a quick scan.
I was quickly sucked in. Fell is an entertaining writer. He and his co-author, Margaret Leitch, have outlined a sensible, do-able, practical plan for improving one's fitness and diet.
It fell a little short of 5 stars for me because (1) my starting point for diet is already somewhere between level 2 and level 3, so there wasn't much to aspire to in this regard, and (2) the fitness plans contain little to no information about adaptations for people (like myself) who have lifelong physical limitations due to surgery.
April 10, 2020
Not good at all. I wanted to like it. The book has nothing new and is filled with hypotheticals instead of any helpful information. The author is so focused on looking smart that he ends up forgetting to write smart.
April 2, 2018
No nonsense book about losing weight.
August 27, 2018
really useful, honest book. Lots of solid research, loads of good ideas and inspiration .
May 2, 2019
Realistic, science-based advice, written with humour. What’s not to love!?
January 12, 2020
This book has an outstanding, real-life approach to health and weight loss. And he's funny as hell. Read this.
July 1, 2025
4.5 great on mixing the psychological aspect of becoming healthier mixed with actionable steps we can take
February 7, 2017
Popsugar 2017 Reading Challenge: A book with a subtitle
"And yes, resisting the sugar-coated grease blobs and making wise food choices is a skill that must be learned, because we’re not evolutionarily programmed to instinctively know what’s best for us to eat. Being toilet trained isn’t a natural instinct either; I’d argue it’s worth the effort." - James S. Fell
I enjoy James' posts and articles so I picked up a copy of his book. Oh, and "picked up" makes it sound easy. It wasn't. Apparently, e-book and paperback copies aren't readily available in U.S. What gives, Canada?
Anyways, James is articulate, funny and honest in this book. I would recommend to anyone trying to adjust their mindset from dieting toward a healthier lifestyle. This isn't a typical fad diet book full of do's and don'ts. This is a practical approach to gaining healthy habits and incorporating exercise into your routines to support junk food resistance. According to James, losing weight is just a byproduct of implementing better eating habits and regular exercises.
I'll revisit this review in six months and see if James still leaves an impression.
"And yes, resisting the sugar-coated grease blobs and making wise food choices is a skill that must be learned, because we’re not evolutionarily programmed to instinctively know what’s best for us to eat. Being toilet trained isn’t a natural instinct either; I’d argue it’s worth the effort." - James S. Fell
I enjoy James' posts and articles so I picked up a copy of his book. Oh, and "picked up" makes it sound easy. It wasn't. Apparently, e-book and paperback copies aren't readily available in U.S. What gives, Canada?
Anyways, James is articulate, funny and honest in this book. I would recommend to anyone trying to adjust their mindset from dieting toward a healthier lifestyle. This isn't a typical fad diet book full of do's and don'ts. This is a practical approach to gaining healthy habits and incorporating exercise into your routines to support junk food resistance. According to James, losing weight is just a byproduct of implementing better eating habits and regular exercises.
I'll revisit this review in six months and see if James still leaves an impression.
August 20, 2015
At first I enjoyed this book. I know he's not going to tell me anything I don't know, however, it was recommended to me by a co worker. I like his sarcastic writing style, and the no nonsense approach. However, I found a fatal flaw that didn't sit right with me, and therefore I didn't finish the book. I was told by someone once that life is to short to waste time on a book that you don't want to finish.
I'll start out by saying I am a Beachbody coach, and I love my shakeology. I'm a bit disappointed that he grouped shakeology in with random weight loss shakes. It's unfortunate, because some coaches have marketed it as a 'weight loss shake' and it's not meant to be that. If it was, it'd have 80 calories a serving and they'd tell you to drink it 3 meals a day and starve in between. Shakeology is a nutritional supplement. It's dense superfood nutrition that's packed with everything our bodies need that we don't seem to be getting from our diet anymore. I mean, if you eat only organic grass fed whatever, then you probably don't need it. For the rest of the population who doesn't necessarily have the best eating habits but wants to make a start, it is perfect. It will help you get the correct nutrition, for at least one meal a day, which can lead to healthier choices because you feel better, which can lead to weight loss.
This is why it's marketed as a weight loss shake. It's an after effect of getting the right nutrients.
I'll start out by saying I am a Beachbody coach, and I love my shakeology. I'm a bit disappointed that he grouped shakeology in with random weight loss shakes. It's unfortunate, because some coaches have marketed it as a 'weight loss shake' and it's not meant to be that. If it was, it'd have 80 calories a serving and they'd tell you to drink it 3 meals a day and starve in between. Shakeology is a nutritional supplement. It's dense superfood nutrition that's packed with everything our bodies need that we don't seem to be getting from our diet anymore. I mean, if you eat only organic grass fed whatever, then you probably don't need it. For the rest of the population who doesn't necessarily have the best eating habits but wants to make a start, it is perfect. It will help you get the correct nutrition, for at least one meal a day, which can lead to healthier choices because you feel better, which can lead to weight loss.
This is why it's marketed as a weight loss shake. It's an after effect of getting the right nutrients.
January 9, 2017
Sacred cows make the best burgers. After reading this book and digesting its contents, I can safely say that this is the one book anyone serious about a long-term commitment to one's good health should read. I also see why those with a vested interest in Health Inc don't like what Mr. Fell had to say, even though everything in the book is backed with sound science and opinions backed by people who actually went to medical school.
I will turn 49 next week. I have had weight issues since age 8. I've tried gimmicks and various diet pills, even the now-banned Stacker 2 capsules with ephedra. The only thing that got lighter was my wallet. That changes now. "Lose It Right" showed me the way to change everything that needs to be changed by teaching me the "how". I follow the author in his Facebook group, too, for daily inspiration.
I will close with this. For the affiliates and MLMD's out there, I have a question. If I still need to follow proper dietary guidelines and exercise regularly "maybe" see positive results after buying your product, why wouldn't I just follow proper dietary guidelines, exercise, and save the money I would have spent?
I will turn 49 next week. I have had weight issues since age 8. I've tried gimmicks and various diet pills, even the now-banned Stacker 2 capsules with ephedra. The only thing that got lighter was my wallet. That changes now. "Lose It Right" showed me the way to change everything that needs to be changed by teaching me the "how". I follow the author in his Facebook group, too, for daily inspiration.
I will close with this. For the affiliates and MLMD's out there, I have a question. If I still need to follow proper dietary guidelines and exercise regularly "maybe" see positive results after buying your product, why wouldn't I just follow proper dietary guidelines, exercise, and save the money I would have spent?
January 19, 2016
Best fitness book I've ever read! Also the only fitness book I've ever read but it's still a good one. Solid, science based advice on setting yourself up for success. No promises of miracles, rapid weight loss, or demands that you avoid or embrace trendy diets or magic food. The goal here is to set up simple life changes, slowly adding exercise and slowly changing your diet to make lasting changes that you can keep up to keep off the pounds. Not as much swearing as Fell's blog "Body for Wife" but the same humor and good natured advice.
August 3, 2016
No-nonsense. No gimmicks. Just science. Read this book - it's a must-have for anyone who's ever tried a "cleanse," a strict or extreme diet, or tried to exercise the weight off (spoiler - it doesn't work that way.)
April 23, 2014
4.5 Stars. This book contains a lot of common sense advice and some great ideas of how to move forward. James Fell made me want to exercise more and more, very inspirational.
April 17, 2017
Loved how he uses science to explain brain functions and reactions toward food. Science in a book about losing weight? I never thought I'd see the day!
April 13, 2017
Author made a few fat jokes in there ( one about Michael Moore flying through a plate of chicken wings). Fat shaming and bullying is never cool, especially in a health based book. I lost respect and found him a bit hypercritical after that point.
May 2, 2017
I swore I would never read another weight loss book. I have worked hard to undo the toxic influence of a fat-phobic culture in my life, and I don't want to ever go back.
This book, however, is amazing. I don't even think it qualifies as a book about weight loss, actually. It is the furthest thing from a fad diet - no gimmicks, no snake oil, no unrealistic promises. Just solid, science-based information about how to be healthier and happier. It's hilarious, inspirational, and judgement-free. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
This book, however, is amazing. I don't even think it qualifies as a book about weight loss, actually. It is the furthest thing from a fad diet - no gimmicks, no snake oil, no unrealistic promises. Just solid, science-based information about how to be healthier and happier. It's hilarious, inspirational, and judgement-free. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews