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Walk Away the Pounds: The Breakthrough 6-Week Program That Helps You Burn Fat, Tone Muscle, and Feel Great Without Dieting
Losing weight has never been easier or more fun than with Leslie Sansone's WALK AWAY THE POUNDS. For over twenty-five years, Leslie has helped more women get off the couch and onto their feet than anyone else in the fitness industry. Her secret? If you can walk, you can achieve the weight-loss goals you dream about...with none of the intimidation or negative messages that have stopped you from succeeding before. Whether you are a beginner or have been walking with Leslie for years, whether you are a teen or a senior or somewhere in between, you will see results. You will lose real weight, and keep it off-twenty pounds, forty, sixty, or even more. All you need is fifteen minutes a day for starters, two feet, and a willing attitude. There is no fancy equipment to buy, no fad diet to follow, and no fitness club to join. The revolutionary program in WALK AWAY THE POUNDS is designed to keep everybody on the path to success, especially those who have never been able to complete a weight-loss plan before. It's a simpler approach to fitness, one that can change your life. Leslie's step-by-step workbook format sets up the program day by day. You just wake up, flip open the book, and follow the directions. You'll get a combination of in-home walking (that's right, you can do it right from the comfort of your own living room!), simple strength training, motivational breakthroughs, and commonsense advice to help you burn fat, tone muscle, reduce stress, avoid illness, shake off the blues, and boost your energy level sky high. It's never been easier. Women all across America have dropped between 20 and 150 pounds with Leslie Sansone. Now you can too!
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
63 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 18, 2012
I found this to be a very motivational book. Sansone is a fantastic speaker, and what I love most about Sansone is her common-sense approach to exercise. Our goal should be to become "fit" not "thin", and the two words are not synonymous. I often found myself nodding my head in agreement with what Sansone was saying. Now, when she talked about exercising in one's own living room, I incorrectly assumed she was referring to walking on a treadmill and I almost stopped listening to the book because I don't have a treadmill! I was disappointed because I thought her walking program needed to be done on a treadmill. However, because I so enjoyed her motivational speaking, I kept listening anyways. I soon realized that she was talking about walking on the spot and not on a treadmill. Well, this is actually something that I have never considered. I wholeheartedly agree that walking is fantastic exercise, but it never occurred to me that health benefits could be achieved by merely walking on the spot.
Sansone describes four different steps to add to the "walking" for strengthening different muscles. She also talks about adding hand weights or an abdominal belt for upper body strengthening.
Sansone's walking program appeals to me because I cannot always get outside to walk. My 4 year-old is at an age where she doesn't want to be pushed in a stroller or pulled in a wagon. She wants to walk, but she obviously cannot walk to my pace. We end up going for shorter walks which are still enjoyable, but I feel that I don't derive the same calorie-burning benefit that I would get if I was walking alone. Last summer was great because I could still get away with pushing her in a stroller, while my 9 year-old rode on her bike or scooter and had no trouble keeping up. In fact, she often outpaced me!
I am definitely intrigued with giving the indoor walking a try. My library has a whole catalog of Sansone's Fitness Walking DVDs, and there are programs for walks of different durations from one to five miles. I have requested them through inter-library loan, and I can't wait to try them out!
I would highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who enjoys walking or for anyone that is needing some motivational support for getting fit!
Sansone describes four different steps to add to the "walking" for strengthening different muscles. She also talks about adding hand weights or an abdominal belt for upper body strengthening.
Sansone's walking program appeals to me because I cannot always get outside to walk. My 4 year-old is at an age where she doesn't want to be pushed in a stroller or pulled in a wagon. She wants to walk, but she obviously cannot walk to my pace. We end up going for shorter walks which are still enjoyable, but I feel that I don't derive the same calorie-burning benefit that I would get if I was walking alone. Last summer was great because I could still get away with pushing her in a stroller, while my 9 year-old rode on her bike or scooter and had no trouble keeping up. In fact, she often outpaced me!
I am definitely intrigued with giving the indoor walking a try. My library has a whole catalog of Sansone's Fitness Walking DVDs, and there are programs for walks of different durations from one to five miles. I have requested them through inter-library loan, and I can't wait to try them out!
I would highly recommend this audiobook for anyone who enjoys walking or for anyone that is needing some motivational support for getting fit!
February 1, 2023
I want to get fitter this year so by reading this book I have a lot of tips about walking off the pounds - go me!
May 26, 2020
Best book to read 👍 thank you leslie for making my life full of energy and positive vibes 💜💜
May 6, 2009
This book is really good if you need some direction in starting an exercise program but are overwhelmed by the idea of a major life change. The idea behind it is to start with one walk and move up to 3 miles over a period of time, and that change will be enough to encourage other change and motivation to maintain. It was not exactly what I was looking for because I am alreay a walker, but I did come away with some tips and a little more incentive. It is not a difficult read and Leslie is pretty down to earth so I would recommend it for a beginner. I would also consider looking into some of her other reading material.
November 17, 2020
Fantastic
Thank u you areYou are a decent person who cares about people I’m very happy to have read your book and I will follow everything that you have said I hope I could do this in England but I don’t know whether you can make me too I am not a young woman myself but I need to help other people thank you Elizabeth
Thank u you areYou are a decent person who cares about people I’m very happy to have read your book and I will follow everything that you have said I hope I could do this in England but I don’t know whether you can make me too I am not a young woman myself but I need to help other people thank you Elizabeth
February 13, 2019
Quick read, good tips. Just like her videos; very helpful. borrowed it from the library plan to buy it.
Read
July 22, 2020I dunno for sure how I feel about this one. The author is a little... IDK... I don't think it's bad advice but IDK... Interesting I suppose. This was an impulse listen on a long drive and 🤷♀️eh 😂
May 30, 2021
Not a good choice for an audiobook.
June 23, 2023
Nice read, repetition, and dedication.
September 17, 2024
A guide in terms of walking, health and eating. Presenting in an understandable and achieveable manner.
February 3, 2025
Very motivational and practical. She has an addictive optimism!
February 13, 2014
Although I haven't lost any weight following this program, I DON'T MIND AT ALL, because at the risk of sounding like an infomercial Leslie made me ok with, and even sometimes in love with, doing exercise.
This is the simplest, most encouraging exercise program I have ever come across. She literally says that you cannot do these workouts the "wrong" way. She also gives a different "Walk Booster" each week--and they are the simplest, and yet most important, things in the world: vitamins, water, sleep, focusing on self-esteem. Breaking these habits down to one to add each week has made it a lot easier for me to stick to the program. I found the introduction and countdown-style journaling extremely motivating; also, it was so helpful to focus on all of the health benefits she extolled rather than just my somewhat superficial desire to just lose weight! Finally, as a spiritual person I appreciate Leslie's constant reminders that exercise is a sort of mindfulness, and that if we try to change our lives without getting in touch with our spirit we are fooling ourselves. Her program builds this spiritual drive in with an automatic rest day once a week, for her on Sunday, to connect with our spirituality and our deepest selves.
If you are any sort of an exerciser already, or if you want a program that is competitive, athletic, or anything like Crossfit, run in the opposite direction. Also, I would suggest that if you are looking for weight loss and you are not extremely overweight, this might not be exactly what you are looking for (especially because she does not have a diet section. Others online say they have lost weight doing this program alone but this has not been my experience.) But if you are anything like me and truly hate exercise (and have a tendency to hurt yourself whenever you try), but want to focus on its immense health, emotional, and spiritual benefits, this basic and incremental program is probably just right for you.
This is the simplest, most encouraging exercise program I have ever come across. She literally says that you cannot do these workouts the "wrong" way. She also gives a different "Walk Booster" each week--and they are the simplest, and yet most important, things in the world: vitamins, water, sleep, focusing on self-esteem. Breaking these habits down to one to add each week has made it a lot easier for me to stick to the program. I found the introduction and countdown-style journaling extremely motivating; also, it was so helpful to focus on all of the health benefits she extolled rather than just my somewhat superficial desire to just lose weight! Finally, as a spiritual person I appreciate Leslie's constant reminders that exercise is a sort of mindfulness, and that if we try to change our lives without getting in touch with our spirit we are fooling ourselves. Her program builds this spiritual drive in with an automatic rest day once a week, for her on Sunday, to connect with our spirituality and our deepest selves.
If you are any sort of an exerciser already, or if you want a program that is competitive, athletic, or anything like Crossfit, run in the opposite direction. Also, I would suggest that if you are looking for weight loss and you are not extremely overweight, this might not be exactly what you are looking for (especially because she does not have a diet section. Others online say they have lost weight doing this program alone but this has not been my experience.) But if you are anything like me and truly hate exercise (and have a tendency to hurt yourself whenever you try), but want to focus on its immense health, emotional, and spiritual benefits, this basic and incremental program is probably just right for you.
July 18, 2018
I downloaded this audiobook in a hurry before heading out for a walk one day. I'm not a beginner to walking or exercise but I've done some of Leslie Sansone's walks (via YouTube) and thought she might be motivating to listen to while I walked. The book started out really great. It's target audience is women who have never started a regular walking routine before. When Leslie is talking about walking, it's benefits, and the simple steps to get started, she really shines. She is motivating to listen to and walking is what she's built her career around.
Unfortunately, like many exercise books do, Sansone dispenses a lot of advice on eating "healthy" without any clear definition of what that means or research to back it up (plus, this book was published in 2005 so the research would have been out-of-date anyway).
I wasn't thrilled with her advice on strength-training either. I'm glad that she encourages it in addition to her walking program, but I would encourage readers to pick up books specifically on the topic if they want to learn how to effectively strength-train. My go-to rec: The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess
Lastly, this book seemed a lot more like a self-help book than an actual fitness program. Perhaps the physical book is designed differently. I appreciated a lot of her advice but all in all, there aren't a lot of people I would recommend this book to.
Unfortunately, like many exercise books do, Sansone dispenses a lot of advice on eating "healthy" without any clear definition of what that means or research to back it up (plus, this book was published in 2005 so the research would have been out-of-date anyway).
I wasn't thrilled with her advice on strength-training either. I'm glad that she encourages it in addition to her walking program, but I would encourage readers to pick up books specifically on the topic if they want to learn how to effectively strength-train. My go-to rec: The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess
Lastly, this book seemed a lot more like a self-help book than an actual fitness program. Perhaps the physical book is designed differently. I appreciated a lot of her advice but all in all, there aren't a lot of people I would recommend this book to.
July 20, 2009
Leslie Sansone "gets" people like me—people who struggle to stay active. She is also a great writer in her organization and structure of the material, simplicity, encouraging tone, and challenging goals. Her videos and books have helped me over the years. I often fall back on this book and re-read, because it is so simple, concrete, and personal.
Central to the book is a daily diary that progresses from 1 mile (2,000 steps) of walking (or whatever you are able and willing to do--take it at your own pace) to 5 miles (10,000) steps (or whatever you are able or willing to do).
Page 235 "Ways to Reduce Your Stress Exposure" alone makes the book worth the price and read!
She underemphasizes diet, although she gives information starting on page 206 about eating habits. "The message here, as throughout this book, is to trust your body." And she elaborates with basics, kept very simple.
"Exercise is the best medicine we have. It literally causes the body to make more good stuff--more muscle, more enzymes, more bone, more blood. At the same time, exercise causes you to . . ." (you'll have to read the book to find out what exercise causes you to do:)!
Regarding motivation, I like her statement up front "Do it for love! . . . Your life is a gift. . . ."
What I've learned from Leslie is that commitment to the small things can build into a healthy active life. And when I get off track as I often do, her book is available to help me refocus.
Central to the book is a daily diary that progresses from 1 mile (2,000 steps) of walking (or whatever you are able and willing to do--take it at your own pace) to 5 miles (10,000) steps (or whatever you are able or willing to do).
Page 235 "Ways to Reduce Your Stress Exposure" alone makes the book worth the price and read!
She underemphasizes diet, although she gives information starting on page 206 about eating habits. "The message here, as throughout this book, is to trust your body." And she elaborates with basics, kept very simple.
"Exercise is the best medicine we have. It literally causes the body to make more good stuff--more muscle, more enzymes, more bone, more blood. At the same time, exercise causes you to . . ." (you'll have to read the book to find out what exercise causes you to do:)!
Regarding motivation, I like her statement up front "Do it for love! . . . Your life is a gift. . . ."
What I've learned from Leslie is that commitment to the small things can build into a healthy active life. And when I get off track as I often do, her book is available to help me refocus.
February 6, 2012
I enjoyed this book. I am curious about the premise. After a lifetime of believing in (and enjoying) lifting, it's a bit hard for me to believe that walking a few miles each day can have such an impact, however, even though I am not specifically following this program, I am walking about 2 miles 3 times a week (when I am at work) and I wanted to get an idea of how that impacts the rest of the workouts that I am doing. I would buy this book. It's straight forward, easy to follow and an easy read. Her DVDs are probably better, but they aren't portable - can't take them for a walk outside around my work complex, and her idea about popping one into your computer at work during lunch made me laugh. I work in an open office, no walls at all. If I busted out a workout video during lunch, I'd be the laughing stock. But if I just scoot out the door and walk the 2 mile complex with my iPod...well, that's a little more normal around here.
November 1, 2016
I listened to the audio book and the voice is pleasant and upbeat. The title is misleading, though. The first third describes a more of a low-impact aerobics program than walking. And, despite the usual "all you need is a good pair of shoes talk," we are soon advised that we can increase the benefits by adding an ab belt, weighted gloves, vitamins, etc. The last section is has a new age/spiritual tone. This will either be a draw, or irritating, depending on the reader/listeners life philosophy.
The tone is very encouraging and this is definitely an excellent book for someone going from couch potato to activity.
The tone is very encouraging and this is definitely an excellent book for someone going from couch potato to activity.
April 1, 2011
After trying some of her walking workout DVD's (which I really liked) I decided I would give her book a try too. The first week all you do is walk and then each week she adds on a challenge like drink 8 glasses of water or take a vitamin. It does not focus on dieting and changing everything all at once which I think is good. So far it is being a helpful tool. I'm already walking 1 or 2 miles every day :)
*This also came with a 1 mile DVD (one mile of walking in front of your TV is a great way to walk in the winter!!)
*This also came with a 1 mile DVD (one mile of walking in front of your TV is a great way to walk in the winter!!)
January 22, 2013
Accessible, well organized, inspired - I find Leslie Sansone refreshing. There are too many pages devoted to a daily walk journal, but the other pages are good. I created my own 6-week spreadsheet using her plan, with a column listing the daily exercise and columns for each of the other components (water intake, vitamins, supplemental work-out strategy (hand weight, ab belt, etc.)). I've returned the book to the library but am still enjoying the benefits of the program.
December 8, 2010
I suppose if you hide under a rock and never listen to anything about diet and exercise and are a complete couch potato, this would be a good book. I'd assumed that this book would focus more on the program and not on Leslie's view on how to lose weight (get rid of your fat friends! never eat dessert again!)
I like Leslie's walk DVDs and from now on, I'll stick to those
I like Leslie's walk DVDs and from now on, I'll stick to those
December 4, 2014
I was hoping for ways to walk - this is more of an aerobics program. Fine for folks just getting started. Not so helpful for former athletes who have been relegated to walking because of injury. If you've never exercised, this book is for you. If you've spent years working out, this book is too elementary (what to look for in shoes, sports bras, etc).
July 11, 2008
library (also on wishlist)
Loved this book! The 6-week walking program is great! I found out about the "Walk Away the Pounds" walk-aerobics workouts thanks to this book, and am soooo glad I did! They're the best "exercise" I've ever found! So easy, anyone could do it!
Loved this book! The 6-week walking program is great! I found out about the "Walk Away the Pounds" walk-aerobics workouts thanks to this book, and am soooo glad I did! They're the best "exercise" I've ever found! So easy, anyone could do it!
February 1, 2009
This is a great book for people who feel that losing weight and being healthy is impossible because it is just so hard. Leslie Sansone is the queen of encouragement and she makes everything seem DO-able. She encourages and celebrates every small, positive change.
June 1, 2013
A very helpful book...I love all of her DVDs...and will use the book to the fullest if I lose focus on the plan that I have set up...I recommend it for each and everyone!!! Walking is the key...and her walking DVDs are AWESOME!!!
May 25, 2007
this really works! it's easy, and easy on the body, and fun! and doesn't take up a huge amount of my life. i love this book, and these videos
October 31, 2007
i love her workout videos. you don't need a lot of space. the moves are easy to follow. she talks a lot, so the time goes by fast.
October 30, 2008
Informative. Encouraging. Uplifting. Definitively a good book to get yourself walking or exercising.
June 10, 2009
Thee is a way that I can walk at home when the weather is bad
September 8, 2012
I learned a lot from this book, especially about getting rid of misinformation about food, exercise and health. Great read!
August 28, 2014
Good book but some of the diet info is a little out dated now. But motivational and inspiring for beginning your weight loss journey.
May 23, 2019
Excellent resource, good program for using Sansone's indoor walking videos.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews