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The Champagne Diet: Eat, Drink, and Celebrate Your Way to a Healthy Mind and Body!

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What would happen if you finally dropped the body image struggle? What would it feel like to finally love and celebrate every inch of your body, every lump, dimple, and bump included?

This book is for the woman who wants to feel good about herself and her body, and learn how to start incorporating healthy habits into her life.

It's for the woman who is done with dieting, and ready to start paying attention to her health before that number on the scale.

It's for the woman who doesn't want to give up her champagne just to fit into a pair of size 2 skinny jeans.

It's for the woman who is ready to stop letting her weight define her, and is ready to understand why it always did.

This is not a diet book. This is a lifestyle guide.

This book will change the way you view your weight and yourself forever. You will walk away feeling empowered, inspired, and downright sexy (and probably craving a glass of bubbly). You will learn how to celebrate yourself and your body. You will learn to make your health a priority, always. And most importantly – you will learn to love yourself, exactly as you are.

So get ready to embark on a complete dieting and lifestyle overhaul, sister. You are now on The Champagne Diet!

”The Champagne Diet will resonate with every woman with it’s realistic and simple approach to dieting. Alwill delivers a personal, relatable, and funny guide to shedding pounds without deprivation." - Kim Barnouin Co-Author, Skinny Bitch

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2013

12 people are currently reading
673 people want to read

About the author

Cara Alwill Leyba

15 books219 followers

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5 stars
170 (33%)
4 stars
160 (31%)
3 stars
104 (20%)
2 stars
52 (10%)
1 star
25 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
5,883 reviews552 followers
December 31, 2013
I generally do not review self help books, but this one peeked my interest. I periodically read self help, but how can you pass up a book that says you can still imbibe in champagne.

The Champagne Diet basically boils down to listening to your body and mind. This is not a here you have to chuck everything and your exercise it to death type of book. In fact it really is not a diet, it is a blunt guide to taking a look at yourself which I liked.

There were several areas which I completely related to, the blame game, the emotional toll of eating and more. This book is more a tool to changing your thought process when it comes to a healthier lifestyle. A refreshing self help book which I thought was quite different than the other books I have read. Definitely worth checking out if you want to make some changes in the New Year.
Profile Image for Silma Airam.
3 reviews
February 2, 2024
This is not the first book that I have read from this author, so I was intrigued to read this. However, in my opinion, this book was so problematic in so many ways.

There is mention in the book about diet culture and the negative effects of it for your emotional, physical, and mental health and how this was not at all what the book was about (dieting, etc) however, I personally felt like there were so many references made in this book that to me puts this book under the dieting/diet culture category.

I was just truly turned off by this book, and I wish that it was better. I think that the book was a bit toned deaf and perhaps not written for those who live below the authors financial brackets.
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,177 reviews105 followers
December 29, 2013
I know you're thinking another diet book really? But it's not just another diet book, it's a life style change, an attitude change and a self accepting change. This book doesn't promise you skinny, it promises healthy and isn't that so much better? Cara had been there. She's done all the fad diets and lost and gained just like the rest of us. She decided to tell us her journey in hopes that we could benefit from her trials. Get rid of self hate and start realizing how great you truly are. That's what this book can do!
Profile Image for Gila .
429 reviews8 followers
July 13, 2018
This is not a diet book. It's a life style change, promoted as if coming from a good friend of yours. It's about changing your attitude and accepting yourself. This book doesn't promise you skinny, it promises healthy, with a side of bubbly.

The Champagne Diet’s mission statement is simple: live your most effervescent life, celebrate yourself, and always leave room for a glass of champagne.

Like many of us, plagued with an unhealthy obsession with her weight and diets, Leyba suffered from self-esteem issues. 
After exhausting various dieting options, an Israeli coworker told her to stop eating crap and focus on eating rich, nutritious foods, as well as getting in some exercise. She could still drink alcohol, but limit it to champagne, with just about 100 calories per flute, the bubbly was filling and less caloric than other options. As noted by the author, the Champagne Diet is about celebrating our lives, our bodies, and our health, every day. Instead of reserving champagne for New Years, we should allow the best into our lives on a daily basis. That goes for champagne and all the wonderful things we each deserve: a fabulous career, healthy and loving relationships, good food and all things we are passionate about.

This was a short fun book to read. Can't help but walk away from this smiling and wanting to share a toast with Leyba.
Profile Image for Shalese Kocher.
35 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2017
I Kindle'd this book because I have fallen in love with Cara's Style Your Mind podcast! I love that this book is about an attitude/lifestyle with a little bit of health and scientific health data sprinkled in. I just wish she had given more expanded look at how she eats and takes care of her health, maybe some quick easy recipes she loves that go great with champagne?? Or I don't know, knowing Cara she probably has a cook book in the works.

I specifically loved the parts that talk about dressing, acting, and flirting your way to feeling more glamorous and feminine. Since my job can sometimes involve as much sweat and manual labor as desk time, it's easy to get in that sports bra rut. This was SUCH a fun reminder to put in some effort to make yourself FEEL better, and not for anyone else but yourself.
Profile Image for Brooklyn || The Wild Library.
393 reviews13 followers
August 15, 2019
Hmm. So. I really wanted to like this book, and I think that I did. I liked the overall concept of a "champagne diet" (not a diet, but living a lifestyle where you treat yourself to the best meals you can; treat your body with glam-worthy food that feels good). However, some of the things that Leyba says directly contradict each other. She also uses some iffy language... She tries to explain the champagne lifestyle and promote body positivity but then says things like "I gained 20 lbs. TWENTY. I know. So bad" .....Umm if I ONLY gained 20 lbs in the past year I would be feeling way better than I do now. Also, gaining weight isn't always a "bad" thing. I dunno. I think the Leyba's heart is in the right place but she needs to look more closely at the language she uses and her underlying beliefs about bodies.
8 reviews
July 12, 2018
I thought, as the cover suggested, that this would be about healthy life style incentives with sophistication and posh. I intended to purchase several copies for my daughter's bridesmaids. I am so glad I read it first. There was nothing polished or refined about this book, the author's use of offensive language overshadowed any information she shared. I realize she is writing for a younger demographic, but in today's society why not give the young ladies something to aspire to instead of the graffiti language used throughout this book. Just another common misuse of slang and offensive curse words throughout.
Profile Image for Jessica -The Scary Librarian.
63 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2019
While some parts of this book are vaguely problematic or questionable, over all I did enjoy it. It’s fun, flirty, girly, and really is quite insightful. Basically, if you treat yourself well, eat healthy, have a positive mindset, eliminate negative influences, you will...feel good! Who would have thought? Not everyone will enjoy the narrative style, but everyone could benefit from the truths of the Champagne Diet.
Profile Image for Sally.
3 reviews
September 29, 2019
There are a community for the great woman who follow their dreams and their own passion for love, independence, confidence, and happiness. Follow the author instructions you may find out some good ideas for you to make up your mind. Or at least a recognition of a lifestyle of drinking - diet by champagne - I do love it - Cool man!
Profile Image for Sam Birklid.
11 reviews
February 2, 2021
I enjoyed the manifestos, the self-care, and body confidence portions of this book. I wasn't thrilled with the amount of times "being fat" was associated with negativity throughout the book. Other than that I did find the majority of it uplifting and motivating.
Profile Image for Vicki.
40 reviews10 followers
May 31, 2018
Empowering poetry. All start to feel the same after awhile. Nicely set up book
21 reviews
October 15, 2018
Bubbly and cute like it’s author, but not very substantial. This book is basically a minimally researched magazine article.
Profile Image for Mackenzie Rayburn.
165 reviews3 followers
November 27, 2018
It was a nice short book that makes me want to go out and buy a bottle of champagne-among other things. The manifesto is spot on. Cheers!
Profile Image for Aryssa.
431 reviews47 followers
March 7, 2019
Light-hearted and fun self-help. I’ll treat myself to an entire bottle of champagne to celebrate
Profile Image for Ana.
384 reviews
May 3, 2021
I liked about a third of this. Then we went into champagne gimmicks that make absolutely no sense and the same old same old love yourself antics. This is not worth a read. Grab something else.
Profile Image for Christina Raggio.
34 reviews1 follower
February 20, 2022
The content contradicts itself - saying how much you should love and appreciate your body but also saying that nobody likes the fat unconfident girl. Quite a bit of fat shaming in this one.
112 reviews
March 20, 2023
Exactly what I needed to read when I was starting to feel down in the dumps on my weight loss journey.
Profile Image for Mariah Mehus.
76 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2024
I wish I could read an entire book about Ch 8. “Get your sexy on.” Cheers to the champagne diet!
Profile Image for Ashleigh Heaton.
38 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2025
One of my favourite books! I adore Cara and how she writes and this one has been a long serving favourite one I will re-read over and over
Profile Image for Erin Lawwill.
142 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2020
This book could have been summarized in s pamphlet. Eat healthy food, enjoy what you do, stop hating the body you were given and embrace your natural beauty.

Oh...and drink champagne. It has less calories than other drinks...

Not a fan. I just kept rolling my eyes. I dont think you should need to "buy" a new wardrobe to feel better about yourself, not do I think anybody "deserves" treats or food or...champagne. I do agree that self care is important, but I felt the way she presented it felt very much like a12-year old.

Not a fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
Author 5 books111 followers
January 5, 2014
Review to come...

**FULL REVIEW**

I have to admit, I did not realize this was considered a “self-help” book when I first picked it up. I am notorious for not reading blurbs or reviews on books…I’m strictly a cover-whore. Hey, I know there are plenty others like me out there so don’t judge. With that being said, this cover is actually very clever and even though it’s simple, it is kind of sexy too—which is ultimately what this book is about: being your most sexy self. Can I get an AMEN!?!

So, being that my primary profession sits very nicely in the health and wellness category, I felt this book was a lot like reviewing for a test…a test of how well I practice what I preach. Believe me, I’ve done it all, said it all, tried it all; and I really like the idea of drinking bubbly daily! You know it’s only about 90 calories per serving, right? If you are a counter like me, that is AWESOME! I’ll take the 90 over the 120+ that would be found in regular wine any day.

Another thing I found when reading this book, I actually highlighted things that I could use and remember. Since I am typically an anti-self-help type of person, this struck me as a plus for what Leyba is talking about. She really has some great, simple ways to really change your way of thinking when it comes to weight, confidence, food, even the dreaded word: DIET. This isn’t a diet book, it says so right on the back (yeah, I just looked). This truly is a book with advice on how to live a better life, a lifestyle that includes eating what is good; not what is cheap, fast, or easy. I love that she puts a great emphasis on your emotions and how you feel, rather than how you look. Every woman is sexy in their own right, OWN IT! Rock your favorite dress and heels, wear your favorite colors and don’t be afraid to explore something you’ve never done before.

I love that about this book. It’s really empowering and inspirational to read a book where it actually feels like there is a 4-inch little person in your pocket, whispering in a high pitched yell that YOU ARE ENOUGH! You are worth it and you are beautiful. Pick up The Champagne Diet and see what I’m talking about…hell, see what Cara is talking about! It’s worth the read and the reference…sometimes we all need to hear that as women we have more than what it takes to be everything we want to be. Leyba has done a superb job conveying that.

**4 Eat, Drink & Celebrate Stars**
Profile Image for Brittany.
451 reviews43 followers
August 9, 2014
This is NOT a diet book. This is about approaching health in an elegant, fun way that is still kind to your body. I could go on and on about the deficits of our society when it comes to body image, femininity, and self-worth, and I believe some of these ideas are so ingrained in our minds that they even came through a bit in this book, but if you can take things with a grain of salt this is worth a flip-through. I love the underlying principles even if some of the material in between was not in line with my values and beliefs.
Profile Image for Ariail Heath.
738 reviews19 followers
September 18, 2020
I bought this book solely because of the title and I thought it was a lighthearted self help book.

Nope, this was a diet book! It's a great read and is written in the lighthearted style I was targeting. However I am a mindful eater and the tips and tricks weren't for me. My rating of the book is purely for me, as this could easily be a five star life changing book for others.

Cheers!
Profile Image for Jazmin Thorson.
14 reviews
October 11, 2016
I lovee this books .... I am officially Cara's fan ... this is her second book that I read and I am totally inspiring and I basically resonate with everything she talks about. This is not a Diet book everyone ! its all about add self-love back to your life !! next Stripped !
Profile Image for Tabea Werhahn.
42 reviews3 followers
April 10, 2022
While I resonate with the idea that the focus of diet culture has a lot to do with internalized patriarchy etc and mental health, there was a lot of repetition and she just kept on talking about champagne. I stopped halfway because it was just pretty boring
Profile Image for Tina Marie Wilken.
Author 1 book9 followers
May 18, 2016
I don't emotionally eat, but I love the author's personality and she makes some great points about boosting self esteem and not composting yourself to others.
1,579 reviews30 followers
May 2, 2016
A very honest and inspiring book. Basically reinforcing the idea of you have to love yourself, AS IS, right now, and be happy, and TRUE TO YOURSELF. Very uplifting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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