This isn't a nutrition and fitness book that has some crazy new idea that eliminates all the things you love to eat and has you doing some crazy odd moves that you aren't physically capable of doing.
First, Autumn starts with giving her backstory on how she got to where she is. She shares her childhood and dream from the beginning. They are relatable. I may not have wanted to be a dancer or move to LA, but I wanted to teach and do so in the same place I went to school. Like Autumn, I had goals. She shares how being a dancer, you have to have a certain look, or more so a certain weight. I would venture to say all of us have a weight goal in mind. She also shares about growing up and eating. Her dad worked in a restaurant. Many of us worked in retail or in hospitality at some point in our life and therefore had access to not typically the healthiest of foods. Or, we work in a job that has us going out to lunch or dinner with colleagues. We have a life with family and friends that usually revolves around food. We have families who like to feed us. For me, right away, I could identify with these scenarios of her upbringing. Throughout this section, Autumn also shares quick tips or success stories related to fitness, nutrition or both.
After part 1, she moves into part 2 where she dives deeper into the nutrition by explaining the portion fix and the 30-day nutrition plan. If you like to eat, then this is a program for you. I'm not talking about eating at your favorite restaurant every day. For me, that's why I have been following the (ultimate) portion fix (available through teambeachbody.com). I eat veggies, fruits, carbs (the better-for-you kind), and proteins in addition to cheese and oils. They are all essential foods that contain the macro-nutrients our body needs. By mixing and matching containers, basically creating meals, you have a colorful, filled up plate. The amount of food you eat is determined by how much you weigh and how active you are. The simple formula is provided in her book. I eat all the time, every 2.5-3 hours is the recommended spacing. Initially, it felt like a lot of food! My body has adjusted to eating that quantity and at that interval. Most importantly, the food I am eating fuels my body, and even more so for my workouts.
The third section provides recipes to try and workouts that you can do wherever you are with basic equipment.
This book is good to read regardless of where you are in your fitness journey. I enjoy working out, but I never put the effort into my food making to where both nutrition and food worked together. This program does both. The CRAZY does not mean you will drop lots and lots of pounds quickly and in an unhealthy manner. It serves as an acronym on how to tackle your fitness and nutrition.
The two biggest takeaways from this book are (1) this is a lifestyle change. You can't expect to follow for 30-days and miraculously never gain weight again. (2) TRUST THE PROCESS. It's easy to get discouraged by not seeing the results right away. Our bodies need time to adjust to changes you are making to it.
As Autumn constantly says, "You can do hard things." It will be an adjustment at first, but you can do it.
Read this book, make changes, and then see changes!