Book Review: Lose Weight Fast! by Susie Burrell

Rating:

Great title. But also a fraught title. Goodness knows, weight loss is one of the hottest and most controversial topics in the Western world and will do doubt remain that way for many generations to come. Alas – it’s often the ‘lose weight quickly’ promises that continue to fail those in search of the fat-loss grail.

Fat-shedding fads have come and they have gone. Then they’ve come back again – pretty much like those unwanted kilos. Some have been effective, some not so effective, but one things has remained pretty solid – unless people make a mega lifestyle change, and whether the fat is lost quickly or slowly, there ain’t no stopping the creep-back.

Enter Susie Burrell, one of our country’s leading dieticians. With degrees in nutrition and psychology, Susie has worked as both a paediatric and sports dietician – and has a passion for holistic living and no-nonsense strategies to permanent good health. Her first book – Losing the Last 5kg – tackled the ever-challenging final tone-up, but this new book caters to people of all shapes and sizes, fitting a much wider audience.

In Lose Weight Fast! Susie does promise relatively fast weight loss. But it’s all relative – it’s about how much you want to put into the challenge, how much you are ready for – and – how much time you have. Offering a very frank opening – “who wouldn’t want to lose weight fast?” Susie says it is possible and it can be permanent – if you do it right.

The book is divided into sections according to the time you have available – when you have 3 – 5 days, when you have 1 – 2 weeks, when you have a month, three months or six months. Susie discusses the pros and cons and realism of these timeframes before going on to how much you want to lose in that time, if that loss is possible, and what you will need to do to accomplish it.

Each section contains both the psychology behind the desire to lose weight, the biological facts (which are oftentimes simply fascinating), sample eating plans, recipes, loads of helpful tips to keep you motivated, tables and a checklist. The information is clear, relatively concise, helpful, motivating and – most importantly – it’s done in a way that makes it feel like you have a personal trainer and dietician whispering in your ear and holding your hand.

Yes, personal willpower and commitment is still required – there’s no getting around that – but this fresh and frank book offers realistic solutions that actually feel doable… and that’s encouragement enough in itself.

Realistic, honest and factual, Susie may tell it like it is, but her warm tone doesn’t skimp on the feel-good vibes, and her extensive knowledge and plain speak direction make for a book that not only helps you shed, but offers the potential to change your entire lifestyle for the better. And we all know (surely by now) that this is the only way weight loss could ever be a permanent accomplishment.