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Minimize Me: 10 Diets to Lose 25 lbs in 50 Days
The autobiographical tale of a serial crash-dieter who came up with a cunning plan to overcome the monotony of dieting. Andy realised that every diet he had ever been on had failed because he got bored.
What if he were to tackle the boredom head on? Surely he would have a better chance of success if he were to regularly change his diet plan.
The result? A self imposed challenge to try out 10 different diets in an effort to lose 25 lbs in just 50 days.
With the help of a long suffering wife and a truly inspirational young nutritionist, the book describes the ups and downs of a serial crash-dieter. It is a ‘warts and all’ account that focuses on the funnier side of dieting. Think of it as the reverse of ‘Supersize Me’.
In this true life tale of witless weight-loss, Andy explains in intimate detail what it's like to suffer crash diet after crash diet and exactly how he came to end up in hospital.
Andy Leeks is author of the bestselling book "As They Slept - The comical tales of a London commuter" and he continues to write all of his books on the train.
What if he were to tackle the boredom head on? Surely he would have a better chance of success if he were to regularly change his diet plan.
The result? A self imposed challenge to try out 10 different diets in an effort to lose 25 lbs in just 50 days.
With the help of a long suffering wife and a truly inspirational young nutritionist, the book describes the ups and downs of a serial crash-dieter. It is a ‘warts and all’ account that focuses on the funnier side of dieting. Think of it as the reverse of ‘Supersize Me’.
In this true life tale of witless weight-loss, Andy explains in intimate detail what it's like to suffer crash diet after crash diet and exactly how he came to end up in hospital.
Andy Leeks is author of the bestselling book "As They Slept - The comical tales of a London commuter" and he continues to write all of his books on the train.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2014
103 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Andy Leeks
6 books25 followersAndy Leeks grew up in Watford and moved to Kent in 2011 for a taste of the quiet life.
Andy started writing his first book, "As They Slept" almost by accident. After a heartfelt Facebook post fell on deaf ears, Andy decided he needed to prove a point.
As They Slept was released on 14th December 2012 and has been described as "witty, pithy and extremely well written". It has been compared to the work of Dave Gorman, Danny Wallace, Jeremy Clarkson and David Mitchell.
On the 30th March 2013, Andy released his second book, imaginatively titled As They Slept - Part 2 and on the 10th August 2013, his third instalment, titled rather unsurprisingly As They Slept - Part 3 was released.
Andy started writing his first book, "As They Slept" almost by accident. After a heartfelt Facebook post fell on deaf ears, Andy decided he needed to prove a point.
As They Slept was released on 14th December 2012 and has been described as "witty, pithy and extremely well written". It has been compared to the work of Dave Gorman, Danny Wallace, Jeremy Clarkson and David Mitchell.
On the 30th March 2013, Andy released his second book, imaginatively titled As They Slept - Part 2 and on the 10th August 2013, his third instalment, titled rather unsurprisingly As They Slept - Part 3 was released.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 7, 2015
So, yeah, now I want to do this. I KNOW HE SAID NOT TO. But how can I help myself. I naturally gravitate towards strange and new diets. I've tried them all. I find it fun. And challenging. I love doing it. I've just never done it this way.
Yep. Think I'm gonna start. On monday, of course.
Yep. Think I'm gonna start. On monday, of course.
February 7, 2015
Came across this as an amazon freebie - OMG!
As a 9st person I hardly need to loss weight - ok maybe a lb or 2 .... but nothing drastic.
This book is absolutely fascinating - 10 diets, 5 days on each and 25lb expected weight loss - like I said I am never going to lose 25 lbs .... but the premise is interesting. I don't understand all the science - but if you get bored on diets - then this book is for you.
First 5 days are 5:2 diet - day 1 500 cal 3 days of normal day 5 500 cal. Diet 2 is Special K diet and so on... If you find it hard you know its only for a couple of days - the baby food diet? No wonder Tracy Anderson stepped away from that - sounds disgusting!
Well done that man for sticking to his 50 days and well done on achieving the desired 25lb+ weight loss
worth a go - worth a read - good little book I'd say!
As a 9st person I hardly need to loss weight - ok maybe a lb or 2 .... but nothing drastic.
This book is absolutely fascinating - 10 diets, 5 days on each and 25lb expected weight loss - like I said I am never going to lose 25 lbs .... but the premise is interesting. I don't understand all the science - but if you get bored on diets - then this book is for you.
First 5 days are 5:2 diet - day 1 500 cal 3 days of normal day 5 500 cal. Diet 2 is Special K diet and so on... If you find it hard you know its only for a couple of days - the baby food diet? No wonder Tracy Anderson stepped away from that - sounds disgusting!
Well done that man for sticking to his 50 days and well done on achieving the desired 25lb+ weight loss
worth a go - worth a read - good little book I'd say!
February 17, 2015
Enjoyed hearing about his diet choices and struggles
Andy chooses 10 diets to attempt in 50 dAys. I enjoyed reading about the different diets, why he chose them, what his struggles were and his weight loss each week. This was a free book from bookbub. I was disappointed that the photos of him throughout the weight loss didn't upload in the book. He had a humorous way at looking at the challenges each week. I had never thought of or heard of the baby food diet or the cabbage soup diet. Probably a reason for that! I gave him 4 stars since he is a self published writer, and addressing a borrowing topic pretty funny. Plus the chapter and diet explanations were short enough to get through
Andy chooses 10 diets to attempt in 50 dAys. I enjoyed reading about the different diets, why he chose them, what his struggles were and his weight loss each week. This was a free book from bookbub. I was disappointed that the photos of him throughout the weight loss didn't upload in the book. He had a humorous way at looking at the challenges each week. I had never thought of or heard of the baby food diet or the cabbage soup diet. Probably a reason for that! I gave him 4 stars since he is a self published writer, and addressing a borrowing topic pretty funny. Plus the chapter and diet explanations were short enough to get through
February 7, 2015
Quick, entertaining read
I enjoyed the author's outlook on his challenge. His writing was casual and entertaining. I didn't understand a few of the food references as I have never been outside of the States, but it was easy enough to understand. The photos would not show up for me, but it might be that my device will not allow it. I even enjoyed the preview of his other book at the end, so I will probably buy it too!
I enjoyed the author's outlook on his challenge. His writing was casual and entertaining. I didn't understand a few of the food references as I have never been outside of the States, but it was easy enough to understand. The photos would not show up for me, but it might be that my device will not allow it. I even enjoyed the preview of his other book at the end, so I will probably buy it too!
December 26, 2014
Actually, a really fun read
Definitely worth the time to review some of these more common weight- loss methods. Would like a review that was more time for each. But an entertaining read with an affable author.
Definitely worth the time to review some of these more common weight- loss methods. Would like a review that was more time for each. But an entertaining read with an affable author.
December 15, 2014
I enjoyed this, Andy does 10 diets in 50 days and was miserable for most of them which is how I feel on any diet.
February 8, 2015
great read
The author's 5 day trial of ten different diets over fifty days is informative, and at times very funny. Worth the read
The author's 5 day trial of ten different diets over fifty days is informative, and at times very funny. Worth the read
July 10, 2020
This was one of those ebooks I picked up for free as the premise looked interesting. The author set himself a challenge to follow 10 popular (subscription-free) diets for 5 days each to see if he could lose 25lbs in 50 days. I won't spoil it and confirm whether he achieved his goal or not. I'd heard of some of the diets, Atkins, cabbage soup, juice, raw food, calorie counting, 5:2, and had even tried a few of them myself over the years. I was interested to see his review of each, and he scored based not only on whether he lost the required amount of pounds, but also on how easy and enjoyable they were to follow. He'd consulted a professional nutritionist beforehand to get his take on it, and had blood tests before and after to compare. Good explanations of what the diets comprised of, but what I hadn't expected was just how entertaining and humorous Leeks would be as he detailed his 5 days on each diet. Quite a wry diary which made it easy and enjoyable to read as well as informative.
September 18, 2018
Author went on 10 different diets for 5 days each and documented his feelings, satisfaction and weight loss. Actually quite interesting.
May 17, 2020
Hilarious
October 31, 2020
Very interesting
I liked his honest and detailed account of his experience and it definitely reinforced that fad diets are not for me 🙂
I liked his honest and detailed account of his experience and it definitely reinforced that fad diets are not for me 🙂
October 21, 2015
Andy Leeks does exactly what the title says: he tries to lose 25 pounds in 50 days by spending 5 days on 10 different diets. Yes, that's number salad right there.
The book is written in a kind of diary format, light, and entertaining. Leeks doesn't bog it down with a lot of theory, or nutrition information. It's not what the book is about. He meets with a nutritionist, and they pick out the 10 best diets for him to follow. He figures 5 days gives him a taste of the diet, but not enough time to get bored.
The book's fine, and entertaining enough of a read. I just feel like there's not really enough substance for each chapter. He doesn't go into the diets much. His reasoning? You can Google most of them, since he's chosen not to do any brand controlled diets or weight systems, like Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem. So he chooses the cabbage soup diet, Atkins diet, balanced eating (not really a diet), grapefruit diet, juicing, etc.
In the end, a light fun read, but nothing substantial. I am curious about trying some of the diets, even though I know he's said this is not an appropriate way to go about it.
The book is written in a kind of diary format, light, and entertaining. Leeks doesn't bog it down with a lot of theory, or nutrition information. It's not what the book is about. He meets with a nutritionist, and they pick out the 10 best diets for him to follow. He figures 5 days gives him a taste of the diet, but not enough time to get bored.
The book's fine, and entertaining enough of a read. I just feel like there's not really enough substance for each chapter. He doesn't go into the diets much. His reasoning? You can Google most of them, since he's chosen not to do any brand controlled diets or weight systems, like Weight Watchers or Nutrisystem. So he chooses the cabbage soup diet, Atkins diet, balanced eating (not really a diet), grapefruit diet, juicing, etc.
In the end, a light fun read, but nothing substantial. I am curious about trying some of the diets, even though I know he's said this is not an appropriate way to go about it.
December 29, 2015
Delightful read
I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't pedantic nor was it boring. In fact, it felt like I was sitting across the table listening to a friend talk off the cuff about his experiences with diets.
Andy did have recommendations and he did lose some weight, but I think the most beneficial idea in this book is the attempt to try 10 different diets. Most diets become boring after a time and the dieter develops a strong desire for the foods he is foregoing. But using ten different diets, each about a week, that effect is bypassed. I was assumed with the cabbage diets. Andy didn't care for it, but it's something I've been exposed to most of my life. First of all, my parents often had sauerkraut dishes so in later life I enjoyed kimchi soups with hot peppers. Also, my mother-in-law is full blooded Bulgarian so my wife often prepared cabbage stew that was usually clear with cabbage and something like carrots or beans in it. She calls it peasant stew and I look forward to it, especially on cold days.
So, I can give Andy a four star rating, maybe 4.5! Thanks for sharing this.
I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't pedantic nor was it boring. In fact, it felt like I was sitting across the table listening to a friend talk off the cuff about his experiences with diets.
Andy did have recommendations and he did lose some weight, but I think the most beneficial idea in this book is the attempt to try 10 different diets. Most diets become boring after a time and the dieter develops a strong desire for the foods he is foregoing. But using ten different diets, each about a week, that effect is bypassed. I was assumed with the cabbage diets. Andy didn't care for it, but it's something I've been exposed to most of my life. First of all, my parents often had sauerkraut dishes so in later life I enjoyed kimchi soups with hot peppers. Also, my mother-in-law is full blooded Bulgarian so my wife often prepared cabbage stew that was usually clear with cabbage and something like carrots or beans in it. She calls it peasant stew and I look forward to it, especially on cold days.
So, I can give Andy a four star rating, maybe 4.5! Thanks for sharing this.
February 9, 2015
I was expecting the author to go a bit more in depth with each diet and be funny while doing it. He was occasionally funny (like when he thought he caught "legume" lol). But he didn't go as in depth with each diet as I had hoped. He only spent 5 days on each diet and that might have explained this some. I have juiced and have witnessed my husband's weight loss (over 100 lbs) due to juicing. He could have altered the diet somewhat to make it more palatable for him. For example, he could have picked tastier recipes. Not everyone can drink juiced kale from the get go. And the raw diet got the short end of the stick b/c he got sick during the 5 days he alloted to that diet. If he had some assistance making the raw meals he might have had more success. I have never attempted it but am curious and would have liked more info on it from his point of view. All in all, it was an okay book.
September 17, 2015
This should come with a health warning! It will make you laugh out loud and cause people to stare at you! In spite of being a bit of a serial dieter I don’t think I realised quite how many odd diet regimes there are. Wanting to shed a bit of weight Andy set himself a challenge to lose 25lbs in 50 days. Before starting he took advice from a nutritionist who helped him decide on the 10 diets he would follow. From the 5:2 diet to the cabbage soup diet we follow Andy on his dietary journey. Some of them, like juicing, were quite extreme – and I must say I would never ever want to try it. Written in a wonderful witty manner he gives us his quirky take on the benefits and pitfalls of the various diets and their effects on his body! Was he successful? Yes. The book is both fun and interesting to read. I would certainly recommend it – just don’t read it in public
September 25, 2015
The author, Andy Leeks, needed to lose weight and set out to lose 25 pounds in 50 days. He recognizes that boredom is what has been in downfall on other diets so he decided to try 10 different diets for 5 days each.
I enjoyed reading about his experience on each of the diets. He spoke in layman's terms about the pluses and minuses of each diet plan. He doesn't pretend to be a doctor or nutritionist - he just tells it like it is - his experience. He definitely has a sense of humor - a British sense of humor - which made the book light and fun to read. He does include medical tests before and after the diet to access it's effect on his overall health and photos of what he looks like as he is losing weight.
I commend Andy on his success in losing weight! Having lost the weight quickly, I hope he can keep it off!
I enjoyed reading about his experience on each of the diets. He spoke in layman's terms about the pluses and minuses of each diet plan. He doesn't pretend to be a doctor or nutritionist - he just tells it like it is - his experience. He definitely has a sense of humor - a British sense of humor - which made the book light and fun to read. He does include medical tests before and after the diet to access it's effect on his overall health and photos of what he looks like as he is losing weight.
I commend Andy on his success in losing weight! Having lost the weight quickly, I hope he can keep it off!
November 6, 2015
This was a very interesting read. Andy Leeks sets out on a 50 day journey to lose 25 lbs using 10 different diets every 5 days. The reason he does this? Boredom. He gets bored with diets. I will say I am glad this was a free book. Although I could sympathize with him, as I have tried many diets myself, his complaining and lack of detail for many of the diets grew tiresome. I found myself skipping through some sections when he would go off random tangents that had nothing to do with the the diets.
However, he was funny and entertaining and I am glad to know that some diets I would never try thanks to his reviews. Some of the diets were just absurd.
Again, glad it was free.
However, he was funny and entertaining and I am glad to know that some diets I would never try thanks to his reviews. Some of the diets were just absurd.
Again, glad it was free.
June 15, 2015
I am one of those people (strange I know) who love grapefruits and marmite! Read the book to understand the relevence of this comment.
The book was humourous and entertaining. However the one thing that held it back for me is the authors fusiness when it comes to food. He doesn't eat fish or cheese, doesn't like cabbage amongst other things. I just get irratated by people who are fussy eaters. Also if he was less fussy eater I think the diets would have been more relevent and informative to the readers. It is tough to get a feel for Atkins for example, when the dieter does not it fish or cheese. Also, I think the runs are relevent to losing weight!
The book was humourous and entertaining. However the one thing that held it back for me is the authors fusiness when it comes to food. He doesn't eat fish or cheese, doesn't like cabbage amongst other things. I just get irratated by people who are fussy eaters. Also if he was less fussy eater I think the diets would have been more relevent and informative to the readers. It is tough to get a feel for Atkins for example, when the dieter does not it fish or cheese. Also, I think the runs are relevent to losing weight!
September 12, 2015
A fun read
This was a fun read about an absolutely ridiculous idea. The author is very upfront about the fact this isn't a viable diet plan, but the writing style is very pleasant, and the look at the emotional toll from the various diets tried was actually quite helpful. I'd recommend this one, especially if you are just starting to look at diets or are tired of bouncing around from one fad diet to another and want to not feel alone. I've ordered another of his books because I enjoyed the writing so much.
This was a fun read about an absolutely ridiculous idea. The author is very upfront about the fact this isn't a viable diet plan, but the writing style is very pleasant, and the look at the emotional toll from the various diets tried was actually quite helpful. I'd recommend this one, especially if you are just starting to look at diets or are tired of bouncing around from one fad diet to another and want to not feel alone. I've ordered another of his books because I enjoyed the writing so much.
October 7, 2015
By my new secret friend Andy!
I really enjoyed having Andy tell me about his experiment. That is to say, this book is written in a very easy to read conversational manner. I really felt like we were friends. In fact, I believe that I would enjoy spending time talking with him. This is the kind of book I would normally read a couple of pages and put down til "later". However, I was captivated by it. I actually appreciated a fair comparison of the diets, even though he didn't like my personal favorite, Dr. Atkin's.
I really enjoyed having Andy tell me about his experiment. That is to say, this book is written in a very easy to read conversational manner. I really felt like we were friends. In fact, I believe that I would enjoy spending time talking with him. This is the kind of book I would normally read a couple of pages and put down til "later". However, I was captivated by it. I actually appreciated a fair comparison of the diets, even though he didn't like my personal favorite, Dr. Atkin's.
March 18, 2016
I enjoyed the authors writing style very much. He made me laugh and was very relatable. I appreciated his insight and since I had done a couple of the diets he crashed through in the book it really added a sense of familiarization with his experiences. It also made me want to avoid other diets he tried, but everyone likes a "better you than me" event, so I never have to try the baby food diet, or the special K. I recognize the fight with boredom and extra pounds and though his experiment was successful I find myself hoping that he can continue to live his life at a happy healthy weight.
February 9, 2015
For anyone who has struggled with their weight, or wondered if one diet works better than another (and REALLY, haven't we all wondered now and then if the XYZ diet could possibly make any sense at all?) ... this book is a fun summary of one man's experiences. Certainly not scholarly or scientific, he nevertheless does track the key information over the 50 day span.
Oh, and for the record - some of us DO like Marmite and Grapefruit (not together!).
Oh, and for the record - some of us DO like Marmite and Grapefruit (not together!).
February 9, 2015
I'm glad I waited for it to be free
Maybe I'm just too American to get the humor in it, but this was a very dry read. I wish the author had gone more into detail about the diets, maybe more of a journal style. It had the feel of someone struggling to remember how things went, instead of how things happened as they were happening.
Maybe I'm just too American to get the humor in it, but this was a very dry read. I wish the author had gone more into detail about the diets, maybe more of a journal style. It had the feel of someone struggling to remember how things went, instead of how things happened as they were happening.
February 23, 2015
This book lists 10 weight loss diets that the author has tried for a week straight, and how he managed to loose weight on these diets even with his little cheats. This books was enjoyable since it went over diets i never heard of before and ranked them after the week of being on them to how effective they are and if he would try them again.
February 22, 2016
As the title says, the author goes five days on ten successive diets and loses 30 out of a hoped for 25 pounds. He describes each diet and the struggles he had with each one. He adds some brief comments about the different diets from a nutritionist. It was an interesting concept and informative. He warns not to try this, but who is he kidding?
April 29, 2016
Interesting findings
This book was a nice break from what I had been reading. It was interesting to see how he treated each diet and the results that he got. Not something I will try.
This book was a nice break from what I had been reading. It was interesting to see how he treated each diet and the results that he got. Not something I will try.
February 7, 2015
Not my idea of a healthy way to drop weight
None of the diets the author used were very healthy, but then he acknowledges that fact. If you are desperate, give it a try.
None of the diets the author used were very healthy, but then he acknowledges that fact. If you are desperate, give it a try.
February 25, 2015
I found this entertaining enough and quite amusing though it reads more like a series of blog entries.
February 15, 2015
Loved the book and the humor. My only real complaint was that the kindle edition didn't have the photographs that it was supposed to.
February 12, 2015
A book that is amusing and just the right length to read on the treadmill.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews