Who's Your Audience

Wow. I've had this book listed on "My World Is Laid Away In Books" (see link in right column under "Feed Your Head") for quite some time with intentions to read it. It was recommended by a friend of mine who is 45 and looks more fabulous than most 25-year-olds! I thought, if she uses this and looks like that, there's got to be something to it! I didn't read any reviews prior to diving in so really had no idea what to expect.

On my way back to the office after buying the book, I flipped through some chapters (at stoplights, of course). The first sentence I read was "go suck your mother's tits." You've got to give these girls credit for marketing. After reading a sentence like that in a dieting book, you must be compelled to read on...and read on I did. In fact, I read the whole book in one sitting that evening.

The basic premise is that you are what you eat. And if you eat dairy, meat, and cheese, your ass is going to be...well...as big as it is. Some folks need tough love, and this book delivers. After reading the whole book and coming to my own conclusions about it, I just had to see what the critics were saying. I typed "Skinny Bitch" in the search field and link upon link appeared touting the negative impact this book has had on women and their self-image. I mean, really? Are women such victims that they let a former model and a former model's agent define what they think about themselves? Well, if you buy into the theory that the fashion industry sets the standard, then the answer to that question is an astonishing YES!" But I personally am not buying that. The folks who are critics of this book really just wanted someone to come along and tell them that they're beautiful at any size but that they should really lose a little weight...and here's how. At least these girls tell it to you straight.

Now, about Chapter 4. Just because I want to lose a few pounds and get healthier doesn't mean I want to hear the PETA version of how chickens and cows get slaughtered. These girls should have been characters on x-files because they think the meat industry, the dairy industry, and the drug industry are all out to get us. Okay, maybe that's true. But these conspiracy theorists would yield more street cred with me if they quit throwing paint on my fur coat. Regardless of their personal passions, they do have a point about what we put in our mouths. And based on their menus, the foods they recommend are indeed healthy. They're also low calorie. Whether it's true that we don't need dairy is up in the air in my mind. I'll have to check with a couple of medical professionals that I know. The dairy argument sure is fun to read, though, and is well thought out. You don't have to agree with everything you read to enjoy the brilliance of it.

So I've decided to pursue a modified version of the Skinny Bitch diet. Instead of completely banning foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, meat, and sugar, I've opted to make some changes to my diet that will help stabilize my blood sugar and help improve my overall health. For the first time yesterday, I tried Greek Yogurt. It didn't have much flavor but the consistency of it was thick and simply lovely! That will be a definite addition. I have also opted to start eating vege cheese instead of the real thing on my lunchtime soy burger. And, as far as meat, I'll limit myself to fish, chicken, and turkey...at least until my birthday.

So I guess the big question is, would I recommend this book? For a good read that may make you chuckle, sure. For some advice on foods to buy if you're trying to improve health...Yes! Just stay away from Chapter 4 and take the dairy advice with a grain of salt...or not if you're trying to cut back on it.