LOSING WEIGHT NATURALLY

In this manual, a mother of three gives diet advice and tells how she shed 70 pounds in about five months.

Kimani had always been slim until she gave birth to a daughter in 2005 and twin sons in 2008. Determined to lose weight (she was 210 pounds), she began exercising and eating less. In just months, she went from a size 18 to a size 10. Here, in this fast-paced, concise guide—which does not offer professional medical advice—she shares how she did it. The author’s story is chock-full of mind-over-matter tips for struggling dieters. For example, she kept the unassembled ingredients for her favorite banana bread in her cabinets. Knowing she could make the sweet treat if she really wanted it lent comfort, but it was not easily available to eat. Sounding like a spirited friend giving advice over coffee, Kimani displays a can-do attitude that is inspiring. For example, she made herself walk every day—even if it was raining. Though she doesn’t offer regimented meal plans or in-depth health information, her key points—like “I could do other fun things instead of snacking”—are highlighted in easy-to-read boldface print. Some of the tips—for example, when grocery shopping, choose brown food instead of white—are familiar. While readers should consult their physicians before beginning any weight-loss program, many of the author’s psychological tricks for controlling overeating seem practical and realistic. To help avoid temptation, she advises readers to hang out with friends who don’t eat too much. For some readers, Kimani’s pre-diet lack of self-esteem may be startling (her “before” photographs are as gorgeous as her “after” ones). At the book’s conclusion, she acknowledges her beauty but asserts that she feels “a lot healthier” now.

An informal but helpful weight-loss guide.