Losing Weight: A Book That Discusses That Tricky Word Detox

When I first read the cover of Losing Weight: Without Dieting or Working Out, I smirked and scoffed. Don’t have to work, eh? Why again did you want a Fit Bottomed Girl to read this?! But FBG Jenn, who is all smart and all knowing, reminded me not to only judge a book by it’s cover—or subhead in this case—so I went for it.

Turns out J.J. Smith’s title was a bit misleading. Smith, a nutritionist and certified weight-management expert doesn’t advocate a quick-fix. Instead, she’s pushes clean, healthy eating. (And I like healthy eating pushers!) Each chapter brings up lovely little nuggets of information, like how our bodies work, why they store bad things and what foods make our innards sing. In a good-fatty nutshell, she uses chapter after chapter to discuss what she calls her DEM system (Detox, Eat clean and balanced foods, and Move). And you KNOW I was happy that “moving” was a part of that acronym!

Here’s my rub with the book, though. I’m the resident green girl on the FBG team. I don’t have a health journalism degree. I’m not a personal trainer, and I’m definitely not a nutritionist (although I’d like to believe I am when I’m preaching fiber to my friends and loved ones). That being said, I’m new to books dealing with nutrition. I swear, I picked up the book and immediately freaked out. My inner hypocandriac spaz started wondering if my body was full of toxins…Was I sweating enough? Was I eating the right foods? Were the coffees and cocktails I enjoy once a weekend hurting me?

I called up Jenn to ask how she was drinking her alkaline water and making sure her body was properly detoxed, and that’s when her red flags went up. She reminded me to use my brain…she reminded me that you can’t just take all information at face value…that different things work for different people. She also reminded me that even J.J. herself had said that you have to obtain advice from a “proper medical” professional before changing your nutritional habits.

I calmed down long enough to realize I was in even more over my head. What do you do when every food and piece of nutritional advice changes like the wind? This is good for you…this is bad…do this…don’t do that. Ahhh! It’s enough to make you go bonkers and throw your quinoa against the wall!

Thankfully, I finished the book without wasting my precious grain source and was able to maintain composure. Incorporating what you can out of her advice without feeling pressured to do it all is a good plan for those who pick up this book. I can’t see myself being as disciplined as she is in terms of her diet, but I love all of the detox foods and drinks she recommends and the scoop on our livers. My liver is now my new organ of the month to pamper! All because of this book—and her last chapters which deal with loving yourself. You know self-love HAS to be a part of any major nutritional changes! So I’m glad she got that message out there!

Are you the type of fitness and nutrition reader who freaks out  when you read something scary or can you take the information in healthy doses—and with a grain of salt? —Tish