Flip the Switch: Discover the Weight-Loss Solution and the Secret to Getting Started: Amazon.ca: Jim Karas: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

This refreshing how-to by fitness expert and best-selling author of The Business Plan for the Body eschews schemes, fads or gimmicks and focuses on the achievement of an internal belief in one’s self, which Karas maintains is the prerequisite for successful long-term weight loss. Drawing on a healthy dose of empathy (Karas is himself a "Lifelong Struggler" with weight) and offering personal stories and pep talks, Karas walks readers through the emotional path of self-examination on the way to that critical juncture where their desire to lose weight becomes more powerful than their desire to eat too much and exercise too little. But the "flipping point" is only the journey’s beginning. Chapter by chapter, Karas, whose high-profile clientele includes Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer, takes to task the constant excuses or "mental graffiti" that stand in dieters’ way— "I don’t have the time"; "I don’t have the energy"; "I don’t have the right genes"—by equipping his readers with time-management solutions, tips for ordering in restaurants, detailed menus and exercises for both mind and body. He also goes after a number of diet beliefs,, such as that "carbohydrates make you fat," and stresses that strength and resistance training, not cardio, is the key to battling the bulge. With monthly inventory worksheets, a food diary template, illustrated workout programs and a seven-day eating plan, this guide is thorough and user-friendly. 60 b&w photographs.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Here's another way to get in shape: follow Karas's advice about changing your attitude. Interestingly, Karas is no jock; he's got the London School of Economics in his background.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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29 Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!, Jan 11 2003

By

Robert Parker (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip the Switch: Discover the Weight-Loss Solution and the Secret to Getting Started (Hardcover)

The title of my review sums up my feeling toward this book. I had heard of Mr. Karas' earlier book, The Business Plan for the Body and had intended to buy it but like most of my good intentions, never got around to it.

I frequently read his column in Good Housekeeping magazine and this week happened to see him being interviewed by Diane Sawyer. He has done a terrific helping her lose weight. Anyway, I bought Flip the Switch and immediately started reading it. This book makes sense.
Also, Karas can write. The first two chapters on believing in your ability and the second, visualizing yourself successful at weight loss were extremely helpful to me. Also, they weren't silly overly Oprah pop psych. Karas gives his readers realistic advice.

He then details all the excuses we humans use to avoid facing reality when it comes to weight loss, and he not only refutes them, he outlines how to overcome them.

I began my weight loss program two days ago. I've had it with the excess weight and this time I going to make weight loss a priority, I'm fliping the switch and that switch is staying on for the rest of my life.

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10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars OLD SCHOOL THOUGHT, COMMERCIAL AGENDA, NOT A DOCTOR, July 14 2004

By

John "smithsmithsmith" (Cincinnati, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flip the Switch: Lose the Excuses, Lose the Weight, and Get the Body You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

I browsed this book extensively in a bookstore but decided not to purchase. Karas misses the mark totally on the differences between whole foods and refined carbs. The emphasis is on total caloric intake, fats are bad for you, etc. You have to count calories and estimate portion sizes and be basically a walking food computer. This is the same old-school, establishment thought that's been around for years and kept us all fat. Carbs have a very different kind of effect on our bodies and Karas misses this totally.

I've lost nearly forty pounds following the general guidelines of The Schwarzbein Principle and doing aerobic--yes, cardio training--every day. Karas advises readers to "throw away their treadmill" in favor of strength and resistance training. Never mind that study after peer-reviewed study shows that for general fitness and maintenance aerobic/cardio should form the base of your workout. Could not find a single reference in the book to a study that backed up his claims RE strength training. Should not be surprised though--go to his web site and he's selling--guess what, strength training equipment!

The self-talk and psychological inventories are OK, cravings and other problems are not merely "all in your head". There are profound hormonal things going on as well. Just ask your endocrinologist--not this Wharton MBA with lots and lots he wants to sell.

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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Want To Lose Weight, This Is The Book For You!, April 14 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Flip the Switch: Lose the Excuses, Lose the Weight, and Get the Body You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

I bought this book in hardcover over 9 months ago. I thought it was just great, but I never wrote a review. When I saw Jim Karas, the author, today on Good Morning America talking about this book again, I just felt I needed to say something.

I have lost over 62 pounds in the last 9 months. I have never felt so good and my husband tells me that I look better now (at 54) than I did when we got married 30 years ago.

When I started the program, the pounds just fell off. Of course, I was sure that it would slow down or even stop (it had on every other diet I have ever been on). On the contrary, in addition to losing the weight, I lost so many inches. I went from a 16 to a size 6. It happened, as Jim explains it, because of the strength training instead of the cardiovascular exercise. Wow, does it work.

So, now that you can get this in a paperback, I saw buy it right now. It will be the best $15 you have ever spent.

If you want to lose weight, this is the book for you!

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5.0 out of 5 stars No Longer Stationary
I read this book in 2-3 days in between taking care of an active toddler. I recommend this book to anyone suffering from chronic pain and thinks they can't do it. I am proof. Read more

Published on July 20 2004 by K. Pham