Skinny Bitch

I didn't know where to post this but has anyone read "Skinny Bitch?" I must say I don't agree with a lot of what they say in there. For example: going organic among other things. However, everyone has been talking about this book and I had to know what it was all about. I love the writing style. It is so funny and straight to the point. I love how they tell you what chemicals are linked to what and honestly, I think that is why I have been having a lot of the problems I have been having. Anyway, I just wanted to hear what everyone else thinks about it.

I saw the book on shelf but didn't know any thing about it. will have to check it out.  When you said chemicals are you talking about what is in the foods we eat? I don't use sugar sub for that reason. 

it made me angry how the whole point of the book was basically to turn you into a vegan. I know plently of vegan people who are overweight thats not gonna make you any skinnier

I teach with a woman who HIGHLY recommends that book.  I tried to check it out from the library, but it's so popular I'm on the waiting list.  My co-worker has become a vegan (with encouragement from her vegan 20-some year old daughter).  She had only lost about 10 pounds in several months, but she said she was eating huge portions.  She was going to try to cut back on her portions this summer.

At the library I tried to read it, but only got through the first chapter before I got tired of the vegan-evangelist-with-an-attitude schtic k.

I also question the authors' qualifications.  To repeat what another poster (forget who at the moment):  Getting diet and nutritional advice from models makes as much sense as getting workout and fitness advice from your accountant.

I'm actually a really big fan of the book, although I admit that it does have its flaws. If you're going to read Skinny Bitch, you have to acknowledge that you can take SOME aspects from the book and not others. For instance, if you're not willing to go vegan, you can still learn important information about the hazards of the meat and dairy industries and use it to make better choices (i.e. grass-fed and finished beef, organic eggs, acknowledging the saturated fat content of animal products, etc.) instead of eliminating them entirely.

The authors publicly announce that they use the title "Skinny Bitch" to get peoples' attention, because, unfortunately, being skinny is more important than being healthy for most women looking for a diet book. However, their real goal in writing is to provide the opportunity to make healthy transformations in your life. In one chapter, they urge the reader to make just ONE of their proposed changes each month, such as eliminating soda or caffeine, integrating more organic fruits and vegetables into their diet, or the extreme case of giving up meat and dairy, taking it one step at a time to the point that you are comfortable. It's liberating to realize that you don't need these things and that you are capable of changing. There is no need to go 100% vegan organic just because a book tells you to, but making small changes towards a healthier future is indisputably beneficial.

Having read the book, I urge those who dismiss it to give it another shot. Dismissing the book because of the background of the authors is not a good idea, especially since Kim (the former model) has a degree in holistic nutrition from an independent holistic health center, which is not funded by the food industry (some are!). In my opinion, reading a book written by two women who have made positive changes in their lives to reach happier, more world-conscious, and yes, skinnier, states is motivating and empowering. The more information we attain, whether or not we agree with it, the more capable we will be to make healthy choices in our own lives.

So, read the book and take it with a grain of salt :-) Or, if you don't like profanity, maybe a whole shaker of salt!

Original Post by sassy_pants:

I must say I don't agree with a lot of what they say in there. For example: going organic among other things.

Uhhh....what's wrong with going organic? Do you LIKE your fruits and vegetables and other foods with extra pesticides and hormones and additives?

I really hate this book. I don't disagree with going vegan (I was raised vegetarian and I have dairy & egg allergies so I've been vegan a long time). 

What I dislike is the idea of turning veganism into a fad diet for the purposes of loosing weight. 

First if you aren't vegetarian already going vegetarian is a HUGE transition from the typical north american diet. Then veganism is much harder as well. You really really REALLY need to educate yourself on your nuturitional needs or you will find yourself constantly with digestive problems and low energy.

Of course the book also doesn't mention that it is REALLY easy to be a fat vegan. Umm, trust me I know. Whole wheat organic egg free pasta - yummy - and lots of calories. There's lots of good tasty calories in those sweet potatoes that I roast with squash olive oil, soy sauce, ginger and garlic. 

If you want to loose weight find out what works for you.

If you want to not harm animals and have lesser carbon footprint on this planet, then maybe you want to consider vegetarianism and veganism. 

I really enjoyed the "in your face" mannerisms of the book. I don't think that going vegan would ever be an option for me. However, i can tell you that the "You are what you eat" chapter was disturbing. The animal torture section was horrible and am currently finding it hard to eat meat today. Go figure. Also, the part where they talk about adding hormones to foods being linked to early devlopment in girls. Makes sense and if anything the book does make you think twice about what your putting into your mouth. I will however agree that it's a "scare tactic" in the truest form. As far as organic I don't know enough about it to jump on the wagon. I hear so many different things from so many different people. I am currently investigating this for myself.

Thanks to everyone for your feed back! :o)

Original Post by sassy_pants:

I really enjoyed the "in your face" mannerisms of the book.

That's what turned me off of it.  Even if there was a chance I would have been willing to go vegan, to me it came off as over zealous and preachy  - which is never a way to get me to consider a particular argument or discussion, no matter what the subject.

I guess it works for some - to each their own.

I have to say, I'm not vegan because I love steak too much, and chicken, for that matter, and pork, and fish...well, you get the idea. I love MEAT! And, frankly, I've hung out with enough of them, as a group, vegans tend to annoy me.

But, my baby sister is vegan and ran a nonprofit vegan restaurant that made almost everything from scratch for a year. I volunteered there, mainly to cheer her on in her pursuits. In doing so, I got to each lunch there for free every day. And, without making any other changes in my diet--just vegan lunch instead of the typical sandwiches I was eating before that, I lost twenty pounds over the course of three months. I did add a once a week yoga class in there, but 20 lbs. SERIOUSLY.

I don't know anything about this book, skinny bitch, but if you can learn some vegan cooking techniques...i.e. places to substitute some of the higher or saturated fats that Americans tend to add to all of the cooking, I think you'll be pleased. One of my favorite secrets is using ground cashews as a thickener. I learned how to make this awesome dressing with cashews, balsamic vinegar, garlic, onion and just a touch of maple syrup--there maybe something I'm missing from that...since it was just off the top of my head...

My point is....you don't need to be a vegan to benefit from the vegan life style. As with anything in life, including this website, we must pick and choose what is best for us.

Now, I can make a ton of vegan dishes that are pretty low in fat...not always low in calories, but mostly pretty good for you.

Just some food for thought...pun intended.

 

plus vegan desserts are delicious are usually lower in fat and saturated fat

 

Intrigued by its title, I read that book over 6 months ago, not understanding that it was vegan propaganda. I haven't been able to eat meat since. Unless you want to drastically change your eating or become disgusted by your current diet, I don't recommend this book. Plus, not that I'm a prude or anything, but I wish an editor had demanded that the author learn an adjective other than the "f" one.

i made it through maybe the first chapter of this book.

I couldn't bring myself to read any more - i felt like i was being judged by a someone with a major attitude problem and "holier than thou" outlook on life.

Even if there is any helpful info in this book, i find it too hard to decipher between all the cursing and name calling.

It was entertaining, and fun in a hurt me good way, but so much of the information is myth, diet nutrition apocrapha or just supported by studies that confuse correlation with causation. 

Plus, it is so extreme.  I doubt most people can maintain the extremist lifestyle it advocates.   Cutting out coffee, artificial sweetener and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables distracts people from their basic health and fitness goals.  Most of us need to work on one goal at a time and then move on to more challenging goals like cutting out soda and artificial sweetener.  That book probably overwhelms someone who has spent a lifetime being obese instead of encouraging small changes (even to a vegan lifestyle). It would freak people out with all at once lifestyle make overs.

People should also know that one of the authors has an "education" and "credentials" from some institution in health or nutrition (I forget which one), that institution is not even an accredited provider of degrees. 

Just after reading this thread, I can tell I would hate the book:

- The title completely puts me off

- I gather it was written by someone without proper nutritionist/ medical credentials

- They promote "coffee is bad for you" propaganda

Enough fo me to decide not to read it, thank you very much :)

Unfortuantely I just shelled out the $9 for the book and wish I hadn't.  I agree that consumers should be aware of the inhumane treatment of animals, which does appear to be all for money.  The U.S. produces 3000 calories of food per day per person and what is not used is waste. 

A majority of folks are meat eaters and have been turned off by groups like PETA.  Unfortunatley many see them as radical and not realistic. Therefore, much of the important information about the  unnecessary and cruel treatment of animals is completely overlooked.

I've recently began buying more "free range" meats, but I hear manufacturers are able to label them free range if there is an open door in the factory...

Watever the book, the seminar, the magazine, the advice.  Never take anything too seriously.  Go with how you feel (energy levels).

I havent eaten red meat in over 10 years.  The only thing I've noticed is that it took my muscle away!!!

I've never given up on chicken, fish and shellfish however.  I have to substitute alot with vegetable proteins and soya...which dosen't have such a gastronomic taste I must add.

Be healthy conscious on your own...you know what is reight and good for you.

Skinny Bitch or French Women don't get fat = starvation mode dieting...which will make you gain body fat....but sure...you'll lose pounds......precious muscle that is.

 

Original Post by madetoshine:

Original Post by sassy_pants:

I must say I don't agree with a lot of what they say in there. For example: going organic among other things.

Uhhh....what's wrong with going organic? Do you LIKE your fruits and vegetables and other foods with extra pesticides and hormones and additives?

 

There is nothing wrong with it- it's just overhyped that it's SOOO much better for you!  It's far to expensive for me!!!!  I'm a college student for crying out loud!

I  haven't read the book but I saw an interview with the authors and was completely put off by them. They won't be getting my money.

I get the idea that the title is an attention grabber, but these girls honestly struck me as totally shallow, somewhat misinformed on occasion, and if something doesn't fit in with their views on how people should eat, it's automatically horrible and a terrible way to live and be...I dislike people that do that in any context.

I have no problem with people who choose to be vegetarian or vegan, but they seem to have a big problem with people who choose to eat meat and other animal products.

All this while wearing makeup that's probably animal tested...:)