The 30-Day Total Health Makeover

Rating:
Summary: The key to this book is: "Not a diet...but a Health Makeover
Review: Dieting trends these days tend to be about carbos and fats and proteins. There are a million diets out there, but no one has written a book about a health makeover that brings it down a notch. Marilu brings it down the the common person and shows just how easy it is for you to incorporate simple changes in your eating habits.

This book literally goes day by day, week by week, offering you food tips, exercise tips, beauty tips, spa-on-a-budget tips and more.

I hesitantly started this health makeover, and you know what...I lost 17 pounds and was able to keep some of the tips incorporated into my daily life. No other book made it this easy.

Marilu's health books are a must for anyone who has tried unsuccessful diets and is about fed up with the whole dieting thing. I highly recommend this....Dr. Paul

Rating:
Summary: Assertions Without Facts
Review: I don't object to what the author says so much as what she leaves out. She makes many assertions, but usually fails to give support or references for them. I would find her much more convincing if, instead of saying "Milk is toxic sludge that only cows should eat! YUCK!" (paraphrasing here, sorry) she would list some of the studies that have proved this to be true. I could even like the "YUCK!" if she had any proof of the fact behind it. While I admire her attempt to change the standard American diet, I found this book to be, frankly, something of an insult to my intelligence.

Because it is a potentially good springboard to more advanced books, I must grudgingly give this two stars. However, if you're interested in a more healthful, vegetarian diet and have the slightest interest in knowing *why* these choices are better, I strongly recommend skipping this and instead buying John Robbins' "Diet for a New America" or any of Dr. Andrew Weil's books, particularly, "Eating Well for Optimum Health."

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Summary: A Book that Can Change Your Life
Review: I first heard about Marilu's book on my 30th birthday, when she was interviewed on an Atlanta radio station. I was ready for a change and decided to buy her book. I quickly found that Marilu's Health Makeover is not just another diet. This is a lifestyle that will totally change the way you think about food. Take a look at Marilu Henner, she radiates health and birthed 2 children over the age of 40. How? Marilu believes that with good health, you can do anything! The plan is easy to get started and follow, I think it's great if you love to cook.

Marilu won't win any awards for her writing, but her style is easy to follow and at times funny. The key is, she keeps you reading, inspires, and appeals to a broad audience.

If you are looking for a new way of eating, looking, and living, you should definitely pick up a copy of "Total Health Makeover".

Rating:
Summary: I like the guidelines, but this is too structured for me
Review: I had followed Marilu's first book Total Health Makeover, but was disappointed with this book. I tried the 30 Day plan and could only last 4 days on the menu plans. It was a very calorie restricted diet. The rice & rye and the soup were awful and I thought I was going to sprout gills from all the fish (normally I love fish, but not everyday!! - that's not even healthy). I didn't get into her tips that much - I got bored reading them. In her favor, I have tried some of the recipes (including some good fish ones) that I use occasionally (outside of the strict 30 day plan). I have no intention of following the actual 30 day plan again.

Rating:
Summary: SUPERB!
Review: I have worked with a nutritionist several times in the past. This book summarizes everything the nutritionist told me AND MORE!

It explains how to combine foods to make them work most efficiently for your body. So you can eat whatever, as long as you combine wisely, like having a protein and carb for dinner, but do not have a starch with it. Have a starch separately. And do not drink just before or during a meal since it waters down the enzymes that assist in digesting food. Neat!!

And you can't beat the price! Best $.. I've ever spent!

Rating:
Summary: Great Follow-Up Book
Review: I love this book! The first book was a better way to introduce people to a more healthy lifestyle, but this book gave me some additional info and recipies that were great. I was surprised at the few bad reviews here- did they not read the first book? It may be overwhelming without the Total Health MakeOver. But Marilu's follow up book was a great way to keep her readers going by giving us more tips and recipies. I can understand why a lot of people may not be willing or ready to change thier lives around- but I'm with the crowd that was. I feel a million times better, and more aware of my health and body now. I'm just surprised that it took me so long to realize the importance of exactly what was going into my body. I may not stick to all the recipies, and may not always food combine- but I am aware and happy with the choices I am making. I love these books!

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Summary: This book inspired me!
Review: I ordered this book not knowing what I needed. I just knew I needed something. I'm not much overweight, having recently lost 18lbs., but I was stalled in my weight-loss, lethargic, and nothing I ate seemed to agree with me. I wanted to dismiss it as celebrity-generated nonsense but once I opened this book I couldn't put it down. I haven't read her first book but reading the reviews, it sounds like she improved and expanded on it with this one (I just ordered it so we'll see). The 30 Day Makeover book is fabulous. I began immediately and in 3 days I already feel energized, have lost 2 lbs. and have an organized sock drawer!! Marilu makes it so simple you don't have an excuse not to try. I love her no-pressure approach to exercise and eating and her explanations make perfect sense. I was always intimated at health food stores but I actually had fun in my grocery store's health food isle. It's a new beginning for me (although I may never give up one cup of coffee in the morning), and I urge anyone who is searching for a way to start to give Marilu's recommendations a try. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: SUPERB!
Review: Some people just don't get it. This book is not just about dieting, but improving your life and living healthy. Like Marilu said "Everything is connected to Everything". I never believed in this theory, but after reading the book.. I have definitely changed my mind.
All I have to say is that this book has definitely made a difference in my life. I am much more organized now. I hear people complaining that who needs a lesson in how to organize your closet. Well, seems like I surely did.

And for those who don't like the food.. hey you don't have to follow the program to the T. Listen to your body and see what's best for you. I made some changes since I don't like fish that much.. and it works.

Thank you Marilu..

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly enlightening - simple truths finally explained!
Review: When I received this book, I was first pleasantly surprised to finally find someone who loved organization and LISTS as much as me! But to learn how to "organize" my eating habits and understand the trap of meat/sugar/dairy, not to mention the freedom of food-combining, this was just too good to be true. After only one week my energy level is limitless, I feel incredible and YES, HALLELUJAH I'VE LOST WEIGHT!

(One negative note Marilu - and as one fellow organizational freak to another, I'd happily volunteer to proof your next book - the typo's drove me nuts - as I am sure you can understand!)

Still, I'm looking forward to my remaining 3 weeks at ClubMarilu - I can honestly say this is a lifestyle change I've enjoyed implementing and have no intentions on turning back. Thanks!

Rating:
Summary: Parts Are Very Useful - 3 1/2 Stars
Review: Within this book are some good recipes, some great health & beauty tips, and a lot of motivational encouragement written in a light, engaging fashion, in a day by day format. In trying to apply the diet portion, I struggled with its restrictiveness (NO dairy, NO sugar, NO meat, NO alcohol) - I just have trouble when eating becomes almost religious in its prohibitions! (Even though I don't use any of the above to excess, and maybe I'd be better off if I didn't use ANY, but I'm not sure I want to go that route.) I also found the food combining to be unnecessarily restrictive and tedious, and am quite sure it's not "scientific", though perhaps it helps other people to feel great. (E.g., don't eat potatoes with your protein.) BUT, with those caveats, it has still been a fun book to read with some good ideas for organizing your life and staying healthy - and the daily readings are short and to the point, which makes it good for busy people. It's definitely a useful tool.