Saturday, June 8, 2013

Til We Eat Again: A Second Helping, Judy Gruen

* I was provided with an electronic copy of this book from the author, however, I decided to buy my own Kindle copy since I had the first version of this book and loved it so much. I was not compensated in any way for this post. *



I adore Judy Gruen.

I do.

I've read her first version of this book a handful of times. I had to, because it's just so good.

She's hilarious. She's open. She's honest. She's real and she's raw.

Have I mentioned how funny she is?

She really is.

If you've ever struggled with working out, dieting, eating issues or maintaining your weight, you'll find the humor and entertainment in this book perfect for you. Just the title alone drew me in those many years ago when I bought my first copy. I read it again in 2010, and loved it just as much as the first time. This updated version did not disappoint.

Judy is also really inspiring. The workouts she has done throughout this book are motivating, for sure. From workouts at Muscle Mart to enrolling in Boot Camp, she's tried almost everything. Or maybe she HAS tried everything. She's probably come pretty close.

As she prepped for choosing a diet plan that would work for her, she explained that she would not choose from certain kinds of *schemes* ... the one that I jumped on? "Any product or plan where the ads have misspelled words." YES! OMG! YES! I hate that with a passion. I knew we were meant to be friends. (Oops. Too much, too soon? Sorry!) The rest of the list rocked, too.

Later on she talked about trying fat-free cheese. (We're seriously meant to be friends, you'll see why in a second!) And the experiment was awful. She describes fat-free cheese as "a substance that had the consistency and taste of rubber cement." I KNOW!! Seriously, though, have you ever tried it? It's so horrible it's sad. Honest. Just reduce the amount you eat, people, and go with the real stuff. Honest.

Judy kept food journals and went to holistic doctors. She tried Weight Watchers and belly dancing (again, friends for sure - I took belly dancing when I lived in New York and LOVED it!). She did Zumba and Extreme Cardio Boxing AND spinning! She even found herself at a strip aerobics class. All of these things not only sound amazing and a little bit crazy, the way she tells the story makes it a lot of fun, as well.

Walking through the workouts together, and the changes in eating, along with the way her family supported (and questioned) her makes for a really great read.

If you like reading women's health oriented books that make you laugh, help you relate AND motivate you to find something you love that will take you down a healthy path, this book is one you will definitely enjoy.

*  Disclaimer reminder: I was provided with an electronic copy of this book to review, however, I decided to buy my own Kindle copy since I had the first version of this book and loved it so much. I was not compensated in any way for this post. *


5 comments:

  1. Let's see...I've had trouble dieting, exercising, eating issues, and maintaining weight--so this book sounds perfect for me. I'm her target audience!!

    Fat free cheese is the worst. THE WORST. It doesn't even melt properly. EW!

    I am totally down for a book that will make me laugh and motive me. SOLD!!

    As usual, *love* your book reviews!!! --Lisa

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  2. Denise @ Go Cheap or Go HomeJune 9, 2013 at 8:33 AM

    Must agree. Fat free cheese is so not cheese! Love the title and want to read the book myself!! Thanks for your honest review!

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  3. Wow, Andrea, what a fabulous and flattering review! I am more than thrilled that you loved the NEW Till We Eat Again: A Second Helping, even more than the first version and so appreciate your sharing the good word. THANK YOU!

    By the way, while fat-free cheese is still on the Ten Most Wanted List of horrific erstaz foods, I will say that I am now marinating and broiling tofu with delicious and low-calorie results!
    But hey, I often need to wash it down with a wee bit of dark chocolate. . .

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  4. Sounds like my kind of book to read! Thanks for sharing this. I used to go for the fat free stuffs but now I told everyone I know if they see those they better think "Oh chemical shitstorms!" Better go with the real ones :D

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  5. Fat free cheese is just not cheese.

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