Down Size: 12 Truths for Turning Pants-Splitting Frustration into Pants-Fitting Success

by Ted Spiker, Mehmet C. Oz (Foreword)

Ted Spiker may be the coauthor of numerous bestselling diet and health books, but the man just can’t resist a good burrito. Or a bad burrito. (He’s also eaten a 76-ounce steak, asserted that his wife’s post-pregnancy jeans were the best-fitting pants he ever wore, and was asked by his own childhood doctor if his “feminine shape” embarrassed him at the beach.) In Down Size , Ted takes readers on an inspiring, candid, and comical journey, exploring the art and science of weight loss through his own struggles as a pear-shaped man in a not-so-pear-shaped world, with research about food, exercise, and the psychology of losing weight. He reveals twelve truths about successful weight loss, in areas such as temptation, frustration, nutrition, and inspiration. Some • Redefine the Definition of Data • Leave Behind Your Extra Gland • Think Process, Not Outcome • Train Shorter, Train Harder
  Combining science, personal stories, expert interviews, and advice, Down Size is an entertaining, field-tested, and research-based look at how men and women can finally find the body they want.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2014

About the author

Ted Spiker is the interim chair of the department of journalism at the University of Florida. He is a magazine writer, the coauthor of YOU: The Owner’s Manual, and the author of Down Size. He also writes the Big Guy Blog for Runner’s World.

Reviews

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!

Ted Spiker, among the many hats that he wears, has co-authored the books You: On a Diet and blogs for Runners World. Of all the people on earth, one would think that he would have this dieting and exercise business down pat. Spiker is surrounded by experts in the health and wellness field (Dr. Oz himself provides the foreword for this book) and yet, he struggles and has struggled his entire life with his weight, fitness levels, and body image.

Down Size is part confessional and part exercise/diet book. Most of what Spiker writes about is information that I have heard from different sources, but he puts it together in a way that is totally unique and charming. The reader doesn't feel preached at in this book- it feels more like a conversation with a weight-beleaguered best friend. Through his ups and downs, Spiker has lived much of the wisdom contained within these pages. Even if the reader doesn't find something to apply to his or her own life, he or she can at least enjoy the narration which is entertaining and insightful. Although some of his stories are embarrassing, they're mainly uplifting because Spiker uses his falls to rise rather than as an excuse to stay down.

The strength of Down Size is in its honest approach to a topic that some folks spend their lives agonizing over as well as its, sometimes unexpected, humor. Spiker isn't afraid to laugh at his own ridiculousness or to look for tools to help him move forward. He talks to the experts in the fields of each problem that he encounters and includes their knowledge as well as scientific experiments that they've conducted to educate and entertain. He examines the psychology of weight loss as well as the physical mechanics of how one loses weight and keeps it off for life.

Fans of the Biggest Loser may enjoy this book as well as anyone who has ever felt alone in their lifelong journey to health, fitness, and acceptance of their own body. Ted Spiker has been there, done that, and written the book on it- literally.

[Amy L. Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

contains some fairly good non-judgmental advice, as long as you can get past the name dropping. The while story about playing basketball with Doctor Oz was completely distracting and would have had a greater impact without the mention of Big Names and court conditions.

[Jennifer Toliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for instructions on what and when to eat, to lose weight, this isn't the book for you. If you want an inside look at what's causing you to remain overweight, by someone who knows, this is just the book for you! Spiker is more qualified than anyone to report on the struggles of weightloss. Not only did he spend many years of his life overweight but he's much like the rest of us, who knows what to do to solve the problem but find it difficult to put into practice.

Limit portions, choose healthier options, get plenty of exercise and drink water, right? But what keeps us from doing all of those things we know to be good for ourselves? Spiker gives great insight on mental and environmental hurdles that may be standing in our way, with suggestions to overcome them. You won't become thin just reading the book or following some ancient secret that Spiker has unlocked. You will laugh at his struggles, for they are your own. You'll nod your head in agreement, for you've felt the same way. And, you may even figure out what's holding you back from accomplishing your weightloss goal.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book version.

I was really surprised at this book. I thought it would be kind of goofy weight loss/diet book....but it has some really solid ideas.

Chapter 7 has some fantastic information about body image and the importance of "feel". I am now a fan of Doug Newburg, PhD.

Some of my favorite clips:
-do something larger than yourself and you'll focus less on your own body image. You'll start to see yourself in the big picture and not obsess about trivial body measures.
-it has to do with what you want your life to feel like. You can't measure that in a food journal.
-with feel, there is nothing tangible to wrap your head around, no data point. Don't think so much. Go with feel.
-if winning was the only thing that mattered, Lance Armstrong would still be a hero.
-how you feel is your responsibility.
-developing "feel" is a skill. How does exercise make you feel? How do certain foods make you feel?
-if you like it, you'll be motivated to do it again.
-the journey is the goal.

[Clark Goble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy Ted Spiker's writing style and have gained a great deal from his articles and blog posts over the years. I purchased this book by and large because of his name recognition and, while I don't regret it, I wasn't exactly blown away either. Spiker is a famous big guy runner who has been open and honest with his battles regarding his weight over the years. That same honesty is present in this book which is greatly appreciated. He speaks as one who "gets it" and is far more relatable to me than most running authors. He has seemingly put the hardest of his struggles behind him and this book is about getting over that hump. Spiker shares his tips that, by and large, speak to the mental side of weight loss and fitness. He avoids the nuts and bolts that some authors might dive into by not not sharing the specifics of his diet or fitness routine. It made for an enjoyable read, I'm just not sure how much of it I would actually apply to my own struggles ... or even how much of it I will remember six months from now.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was entertaining and thought-provoking. I found myself nodding a lot over the things he's learned over the years about weight loss, exercise, motivation, health, and self image.

He was almost too self-deprecating though. I'm not sure if he was trying to be humble or funny or what, but he made far too many comments about the size of his hips and behind. He talked about it so much that I did a Google image search to see what he looked like. He looked pretty darn normal to me, even in the full body shots.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a little biased, as Ted has become one of my friends over the past few years, and I know some of the people in the book, but let me take a step back for a minute.

This book is for the every-person. Don't consider it a diet or exercise book. Don't even consider it one of those self-help motivational guides. Look at this as a book written by someone who just sees a change they want to make in themselves, someone being honest with themselves, someone who just wants to tell a story. If it motivates you, great! If not, you just read a book about a guy who found comfort in wearing his wife's pregnancy pants and eating tacos.

[Elise Sterring · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay, so my grandma's book club is not okay. how does one shift from "where'd you go bernadette" to this? is this a cry for help?

I promised my grandma I would read all of her book club books at the same time so we could talk about them because they're usually pretty good. I mean the advice in here was solid but it kept repeating the same few joke formulas throughout the entire thing and had some harmful beliefs mixed in with the good

also minus points for repeated dr. oz references

y'all my grandma is like 90lbs, how do I tell her?

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting look at diet and exercise with some great ideas and suggestions.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Down Size is a very personal account of a health struggle, intended to motivate and inspire through its pathos. It's more the antithesis of most diet books out there - very little in the way of facts, studies, call outs, science, meal plans, recipes or hard topics. This is a soft approach - something for those who have read many diet books/tried many plans but have yet to find the motivation they need to succeed. Author Spiker interweaves his own personal story throughout while also adding the experiences of others. From a Spartacus actor's health regimen to his wife and kids antics. It's a chatty book but it is also very approachable.

Contents: Introduction. Part 1 - Up Size Getting Stuck: Foundation, Temptation, Frustration, Humiliation. Part 2 - Down Size: Inspection, Motivation, Nutrition, Perspiration. Part 3 - Your Best Size: Dedication, Inspiration, Connection, Resolution. Acknowledgements.

The points Spiker makes here are manifold. First, that we are constantly fed misinformation and need to find our own truth. Temptations are tough but there are strategies we can effect in order to eat smarter. We can't let the things that have hurt us in the past affect our eating in the present (emotional eating, etc.). Find motivation and create our own diet that works for us personally. Stick with our eating plan and keeping to it in the future. Let the process be slow and steady, get online and work with others to keep us honest and motivated, and don't set a final goal - life is our goal.

The tone is very conversational - it really is about the author putting his life into perspective - from writing for Men's Health and teaching classes while overweight to being erroneously told when he was 8 that his eating problems were due to having an 'extra gland'. Metaphors fly; e.g., taking his kids to the beach and getting their truck stuck in the sand - told as a parallel to how we get stuck in bad eating habits but it might be fairly easy to get out of it if we only knew better. As well, individuals from the famous to the average joe provide their own stories and frustrations with health issue due to eating poorly, keeping the book grounded and reminding readers they aren't alone. If Spiker quotes a fact, it'll likely come from the mouth of someone he knows rather than a random study. It's a conceit that works well here and keeps the book personable.

As noted above, this is a soft topic book meant for inspiration from someone down in the same bad eating trenches. The use of wry wit and self deprecating humor laced with a strong pathos make it a friendly and easy read.

Reviewed from an ARC.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book via Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.

I love the idea of this book- getting to the bottom of why people are really overweight and how to lose weight from a psychological stand point. Unfortunately, the execution of this book did not work for me. I found it long winded and rambley. After I read a chapter I would have to go back and read the title to see what the section was supposed to be about. One of my biggest problems with 'Down Size' may be personal and may not apply to everyone. When I am reading a weight loss/fitness book I do not like to read about junk food on every page. The countless mentions of junk food in this book is ridiculous. I realize this is Spiker's brand of humor, but I found it very annoying. I would not recommend this book to anyone trying to clean up their diet or anyone who struggles with healthy/clean eating. My reason for giving this book two stars is that I appreciated what it was trying to do. I have not read too many books discussing the "why" of being overweight or how to lose weight from an emotional or psychological standpoint like this book did. However, there is nothing new or ground breaking here. I would recommend 'Down Size' for people who love a constant barrage of "jokes" about junk food in their weight loss advice and want to be reminded of things they already know.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most unusual diet book, approved by Dr. Oz, which has no charts, graphs, menus, recipes, food lists (to eat or not to eat) nor any of the other usual accoutrements. Instead he addresses more general issues, the most important to me being motivation. How to stay motivated after the initial blush of success, looking at what motivates people and how to figure out what will motivate the reader. He discusses nutrition and exercise in general among other topics.
On the downside he continually complains about his bubble butt figure and how that has affected him, how he has learned to deal with it, or not. So while he is looking at perception and body image he succumbs to the eternal wish of many people: why can't I (read my butt) be more like (insert ideal of your choosing) instead of just learning to accept that it is what it is!!!

[Jaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diet book - not really!

Every so often I will try to read something that is not a killer/thriller and that will give me some food for thought.

It is filled with some interesting strategies and different ways of looking at the same age old issue - how to "down size" and enjoy it in a way that will work for you.

We all take out something different from all the things that we read and what influences us based our own experience. The paragraph that resonated most with me talked about feedback from people that we trust and how they do or don't motivate us. My take if you continue to receive negative feedback from those that you trust, you will start to believe it - they must be right! If the same message come from an outsider you will take on the advice and in most cases you may even try to improve yourself and possibly prove them wrong.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, for one thing, the title is interesting! Luckily, so is the book. This book was written by Ted Spiker. Ted, like many people, has a weight problem. Ted, unlike many people, has no problems making fun of his weight. This book was a refreshing take on body image and weight management. Along with Ted's story, he gives some good advice along the way.

This book would be great for anyone who has issues with weight. It will make you feel not so alone and may even given you some hope. It is also good for everyone else who just likes a good story.


***I received this book through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway. The opinion is solely my own.***

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by Ted Spiker, author of several health books, Down Size is a book about the "twelve truths about successful weight loss." I did find some of these truths to be useful, but Ted's constant self deprecating humor left me feeling uncomfortable. Down Size seemed geared more toward overweight men with a competitive streak. Since I am not a man and I'm not into competitive physical activities, I didn't glean as much valuable information from this book as I had hoped.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A weight loss book that shares experiences and advice together from an insiders point of view rather than scientific unattainable goals to achieve. What helps is that the author struggles with the same issues those of us who'd like to lose pounds do. So it's more personal and uplifting rather than patronizing.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous look at food, physical activity, and weight. If you finish the book with no ideas about how to improve your own health, at least you will know you are not alone in the struggle to balance food, physical activity, weight, and self-image.

[Tracy Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook, which using the treadmill. That was a good combination!
Funny, Practical, poignant, down-to-earth thoughts and advice about being active and healthy in whatever body type you find yourself. My favorite line: suck it up, Princess!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. I love reading Spiker's personal anecdotes and the anecdotes of others (some of whom I know) with a little bit of science and research mixed in. As my former professor and motivator to run my first half marathon, I will always look to Spiker for fitness inspiration and advice.

[Susan Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Not really that he gives anything new in terms of information but he tells his own story. The ups and the downs what worked what didn't work. The story of his Iron Man was very moving. Take what works for you and leave the rest

[Brandy Doyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward principles that you can determine the best way to apply to your own goals.

[Eddie S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book, however, the author is way too hard on himself. A lot of the times in the book it becomes too much. He comes off as insecure as a person with body image issues.

[Cherie Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and motivating. Probably will buy this book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book didn't offer specific diet advice, but more life advice. And it was filled with funny situations and jokes. I didn't plan on reading the whole thing, but it was an enjoyable read.