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The EveryGirl's Guide to Diet and Fitness: How I Learned to Eat Right, Dropped 40 Pounds, and Took Control of My Life-- And How You Can Too!
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From Maria Menounos, self-proclaimed EveryGirl and host of E! News, comes a lasting weight-loss program based on the Mediterranean diet of her childhood that will encourage women to think “smarter, simpler, healthier”—a personal mantra that helped the star lose (and keep off!) forty pounds.
TV host and journalist Maria Menounos was once more than forty pounds overweight, low on energy, and often sick. Desperate for a change, she tried a wide array of diet and exercise fads—with zero success. Like most EveryGirl out there, Maria lacked the time, money, energy, and willpower to get in shape.
Determined to overcome those obstacles, Maria spent a year developing commonsense diet, exercise, and lifestyle techniques that transcended traditional nutrition and weight-loss plans. As a result, she lost the extra pounds, regained her energy and health—and saw her career take off. Now, applying those techniques and bolstered by the wisdom, insight, and secrets of some of the world’s leading health and fitness experts—as well as the glamorous, superfit superstars she interviews regularly—Maria has created the ultimate no-time, no-money, no-willpower guide to losing weight, getting fit, and gaining long-term health and The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness.
Inside, you’ll discover all of Maria’s
• her 9-step plan for losing weight fast
• her lifelong plan for health and well-being
• a complete blueprint for rebuilding your physical and emotional foundation
• healthy, delicious, and easy-to-prepare recipes
• the quickest, easiest, most effective workouts (no gym or trainer required!)
• 1,000+ tips, tricks, and techniques for losing weight, getting fit, and staying that way
• how to do it all when time and money are in short supply
The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness is simply the most complete, effective, and convenient manual for all the EveryGirls out there who lack the time, money, or willpower to change. It’s not merely a weight-loss book. It’s a guide to help you get fit, feel healthy, be productive, and embark on a longer, happier, healthier life!
Praise for The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness
“With so many diets and fitness trends out there, sometimes the most obvious route to wellness is good, old-fashioned common sense. . . . Maria Menounos lost forty pounds on a ‘common-sense’ diet, exercise and lifestyle regime she created that doesn’t require a lot of money and time.” — StyleBistro
“When you look at Maria you want what she’s having. This book tells you how to get it.” —Suzanne Somers
“I love Maria’s approach to health and fitness. Her tips are easy to follow and she proves you don’t have to avoid some of your favorite foods in order to be fit. I recommend this book to anyone trying to get a jumpstart on a healthy lifestyle!” —Serena Williams
“For the multitasking busy girl, Maria proves by example that it can be done! Maria is very inspiring.” —Kim Kardashian
“It’s not about being skinny. Maria shows you how to live a happy and healthy life—and still indulge. This book finds new ways to help you stay inspired and gives you techniques that will change your life and get you in shape.” —Khloé Kardashian
TV host and journalist Maria Menounos was once more than forty pounds overweight, low on energy, and often sick. Desperate for a change, she tried a wide array of diet and exercise fads—with zero success. Like most EveryGirl out there, Maria lacked the time, money, energy, and willpower to get in shape.
Determined to overcome those obstacles, Maria spent a year developing commonsense diet, exercise, and lifestyle techniques that transcended traditional nutrition and weight-loss plans. As a result, she lost the extra pounds, regained her energy and health—and saw her career take off. Now, applying those techniques and bolstered by the wisdom, insight, and secrets of some of the world’s leading health and fitness experts—as well as the glamorous, superfit superstars she interviews regularly—Maria has created the ultimate no-time, no-money, no-willpower guide to losing weight, getting fit, and gaining long-term health and The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness.
Inside, you’ll discover all of Maria’s
• her 9-step plan for losing weight fast
• her lifelong plan for health and well-being
• a complete blueprint for rebuilding your physical and emotional foundation
• healthy, delicious, and easy-to-prepare recipes
• the quickest, easiest, most effective workouts (no gym or trainer required!)
• 1,000+ tips, tricks, and techniques for losing weight, getting fit, and staying that way
• how to do it all when time and money are in short supply
The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness is simply the most complete, effective, and convenient manual for all the EveryGirls out there who lack the time, money, or willpower to change. It’s not merely a weight-loss book. It’s a guide to help you get fit, feel healthy, be productive, and embark on a longer, happier, healthier life!
Praise for The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness
“With so many diets and fitness trends out there, sometimes the most obvious route to wellness is good, old-fashioned common sense. . . . Maria Menounos lost forty pounds on a ‘common-sense’ diet, exercise and lifestyle regime she created that doesn’t require a lot of money and time.” — StyleBistro
“When you look at Maria you want what she’s having. This book tells you how to get it.” —Suzanne Somers
“I love Maria’s approach to health and fitness. Her tips are easy to follow and she proves you don’t have to avoid some of your favorite foods in order to be fit. I recommend this book to anyone trying to get a jumpstart on a healthy lifestyle!” —Serena Williams
“For the multitasking busy girl, Maria proves by example that it can be done! Maria is very inspiring.” —Kim Kardashian
“It’s not about being skinny. Maria shows you how to live a happy and healthy life—and still indulge. This book finds new ways to help you stay inspired and gives you techniques that will change your life and get you in shape.” —Khloé Kardashian
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2013
About the author
Maria Menounos
4 books36 followersMaria Menounos is a Greek-American actress, journalist, and television presenter known in America for her appearances as a correspondent for Today and Access Hollywood, and abroad for co-hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens, Greece.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2014
I recently had a moment of clarity when my "FAT" pants became tight. I literally looked at myself in the mirror and said, " What the F? How did this happen?". Well, I knew exactly how it happened. I hadn't exercise since high school and my diet was horrible. All I kept thinking was how did I got from a fit 120 to THIS. I decided to step on the scale and I was mortified!!!
I graduated High School in 2003. In 11 years I had gained over 80 pounds. Holy shit Balls!!!
I decided I had enough! That was 3 weeks ago.
3 weeks ago my diet was horrible. I ate nothing that came from the ground and everything processed.I was bloated, constipated, depressed (taking anti-depressants), suffering from constant headaches, and soo much more. I had to make a change! I cut out all soda, juice, bread, and pasta. Began eating fruit and veggies at every meal. And, Exercising every day! I became even more motivated when I immediately notice a change in my body. I feel great!! I'm no longer bloated, constipated or suffering from headaches. I also don't feel depressed. This is a big one for me!! I want to get out of the bed in the morning. I want to spend more time outside and enjoy life! i actually feel like this is becoming a habit, but I needed some more ideas on improving my diet and fitness.
While surfing the internet I discovered Maria Menounos had a new book out. It seemed like a fun read that would give me the tools to become healthy and improve. Now, this book hasn't exactly gotten the best reviews here on Goodreads. But, I really enjoyed it! I loved that she promoted healthy relationships in this book. Healthy relationships is something I have been missing from my life. My depression caused me to isolate myself from everyone. This is one thing I really need to focus on. I took her idea and invited someone on a walk. We actually went hiking; something I never thought I could do. I hiked for 2 hours that day!! I paid for it the next day, but it was all worth it. I plan to go hiking again this weekend! I also enjoyed that she isn't promoting a really strict diet plan. She really is all about treating yourself in moderation. I found some awesome recipes to try that are really healthy. I personally am a horrible cook! I've burnt ramen noodles in the past. So learning to cook healthy is going to be another journey. So far, I haven't burnt anything and it all taste great. The most important lesson I learned from this book was MOVE!! I sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. I need to get up and move more. Maria Menounos offered some great options to help me when I'm sitting at work or in front of the TV. I will be taking advantage of all her suggestion of incorporating exercising into my day.
Overall, I would recommend this book especially for those of you who are just starting out!!
I graduated High School in 2003. In 11 years I had gained over 80 pounds. Holy shit Balls!!!
I decided I had enough! That was 3 weeks ago.
3 weeks ago my diet was horrible. I ate nothing that came from the ground and everything processed.I was bloated, constipated, depressed (taking anti-depressants), suffering from constant headaches, and soo much more. I had to make a change! I cut out all soda, juice, bread, and pasta. Began eating fruit and veggies at every meal. And, Exercising every day! I became even more motivated when I immediately notice a change in my body. I feel great!! I'm no longer bloated, constipated or suffering from headaches. I also don't feel depressed. This is a big one for me!! I want to get out of the bed in the morning. I want to spend more time outside and enjoy life! i actually feel like this is becoming a habit, but I needed some more ideas on improving my diet and fitness.
While surfing the internet I discovered Maria Menounos had a new book out. It seemed like a fun read that would give me the tools to become healthy and improve. Now, this book hasn't exactly gotten the best reviews here on Goodreads. But, I really enjoyed it! I loved that she promoted healthy relationships in this book. Healthy relationships is something I have been missing from my life. My depression caused me to isolate myself from everyone. This is one thing I really need to focus on. I took her idea and invited someone on a walk. We actually went hiking; something I never thought I could do. I hiked for 2 hours that day!! I paid for it the next day, but it was all worth it. I plan to go hiking again this weekend! I also enjoyed that she isn't promoting a really strict diet plan. She really is all about treating yourself in moderation. I found some awesome recipes to try that are really healthy. I personally am a horrible cook! I've burnt ramen noodles in the past. So learning to cook healthy is going to be another journey. So far, I haven't burnt anything and it all taste great. The most important lesson I learned from this book was MOVE!! I sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. I need to get up and move more. Maria Menounos offered some great options to help me when I'm sitting at work or in front of the TV. I will be taking advantage of all her suggestion of incorporating exercising into my day.
Overall, I would recommend this book especially for those of you who are just starting out!!
April 18, 2016
-Drink hot water.
-10,000 steps a day.
"You essentially need to, and can, retrain your mind and appetite, but that takes time."
"Share your dessert. Have only one or two bites."
"What you want instead is a new high: the high you'll get from being able to finally wear that fitted dress. That new high lasts a whole lot longer. Ultimately, try to get used to getting more of a high from say, "No, thank you," rather than "f-it, I give in." It works, and after a few times, it gets easier."
"Favorite foods in moderation."
"You can eat what you want, but you can't eat as much as you want."
"A slice or two of pizza, not the entire pie."
"Cheese should be the size of your thumb."
"Take eating breaks during meals. Halfway through, stop eating for a few minutes to get up and walk to the bathroom, for example. The break gives your brain a chance to register that your stomach is getting full and let you know that it's close to quitting time."
"Start seeing food as something that will energize your body, not satisfy your taste buds. When you think about food this way, rather than a source of pleasure, it's much easier to choose the salad with grilled chicken instead of the burger melt. For better results over the long term, you want your body to run on high-quality fuel, so give it as much unprocessed fare as you can."
"Load up on veggies and salad."
"Eat protein at every meal because it keeps you full for hours."
"Keep a small bag of almonds in your bag or in your desk. They'll take the edge off when you're starving and they'll keep you away from bad snacks or fast food."
"Asked for steamed vegetables as a side dish instead of carb-heavy ones."
"Always ask for no butter because restaurants often use butter to make vegetables taste richer and look shiny and appetizing."
"No matter how much you want to say yes to the fries or mashed potatoes, just ask for vegetables or a salad with oil and vinegar. Eventually this will become second nature."
"Hepa air filters to heat or A/C unit."
"I have just one, really taking time to enjoy it, and then I stop."
"Enjoy without overindulging."
"It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward."
"You never lose unless you quit."
"Give yourself the real time it takes to accomplish goals. Learn and understand that looking and feeling your best happens over time with consistency, activity, and healthy eating."
50 year plan.
Sleep it off (hunger).
-10,000 steps a day.
"You essentially need to, and can, retrain your mind and appetite, but that takes time."
"Share your dessert. Have only one or two bites."
"What you want instead is a new high: the high you'll get from being able to finally wear that fitted dress. That new high lasts a whole lot longer. Ultimately, try to get used to getting more of a high from say, "No, thank you," rather than "f-it, I give in." It works, and after a few times, it gets easier."
"Favorite foods in moderation."
"You can eat what you want, but you can't eat as much as you want."
"A slice or two of pizza, not the entire pie."
"Cheese should be the size of your thumb."
"Take eating breaks during meals. Halfway through, stop eating for a few minutes to get up and walk to the bathroom, for example. The break gives your brain a chance to register that your stomach is getting full and let you know that it's close to quitting time."
"Start seeing food as something that will energize your body, not satisfy your taste buds. When you think about food this way, rather than a source of pleasure, it's much easier to choose the salad with grilled chicken instead of the burger melt. For better results over the long term, you want your body to run on high-quality fuel, so give it as much unprocessed fare as you can."
"Load up on veggies and salad."
"Eat protein at every meal because it keeps you full for hours."
"Keep a small bag of almonds in your bag or in your desk. They'll take the edge off when you're starving and they'll keep you away from bad snacks or fast food."
"Asked for steamed vegetables as a side dish instead of carb-heavy ones."
"Always ask for no butter because restaurants often use butter to make vegetables taste richer and look shiny and appetizing."
"No matter how much you want to say yes to the fries or mashed potatoes, just ask for vegetables or a salad with oil and vinegar. Eventually this will become second nature."
"Hepa air filters to heat or A/C unit."
"I have just one, really taking time to enjoy it, and then I stop."
"Enjoy without overindulging."
"It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward."
"You never lose unless you quit."
"Give yourself the real time it takes to accomplish goals. Learn and understand that looking and feeling your best happens over time with consistency, activity, and healthy eating."
50 year plan.
Sleep it off (hunger).
June 20, 2014
I hateread this book at work today and it was pretty much everything I hate about diet books wrapped in one overly peppy, overly illustrated volume.
No, the weight loss advice wasn't bad. It was just what you can find on nearly every health-focused website on the internet. Eat whole grains, eat legumes, eat vegetables, go easy on sugar, don't eat white bread, don't eat processed food, exercise creatively, drink lots of water. Nothing groundbreaking there.
But this book is particularly grating because the author makes the assumption that having been money poor and time rich as a young twentysomething is the same thing as living in poverty. That, combined with throwing around the phrase "obesity epidemic", set my teeth on edge.
First off: obesity epidemic. We don't have one. Yes, people are fatter than they used to be. Yes, that statistic correlates with greater rates of heart disease, diabetes, and so on. No, they are not the same damn thing. We have a PREVENTABLE DISEASES epidemic, and while some of it is because of comfortably middle class people with a McDonald's addiction, a lot of it is because big box grocery stores combine with low wages to make eating good food for very little money virtually impossible.
I work a white collar job. I make quite a bit of money per year. But my work day is 8 1/2 hours, even though I eat lunch at my desk, because the 8-hour work week is a thing of the past at most corporations. That's quite a nice problem to have, though. I have access to grocery stores; I can spend 30 minutes to an hour in the kitchen every day. Not everyone can.
It's not really surprising that our society has such a massive junk food problem. Part of it is that junk food tastes good, but it goes beyond that. We've socially engineered a contempt for people who take time to prepare food, combined with a contempt for anyone who works in a service position. Books like this tout the fact that you can eat well for very little money, which is only true if you 1) have the money to eat well, because processed foods are still cheaper, and 2) have the time to prepare all that wholesome food you just bought. The middle class is disappearing. A lot of people don't have the time or money anymore. Additionally, big box supermarkets crowd out smaller vendors, which is a major factor in the creation of food deserts.
I spend about $50/week on groceries for 2 people. This includes minimally processed foods such as dried lentils and canned beans and tomatoes, plus produce. I am privileged. I have time to prepare these foods, and money to shell out for spices and produce to round them out. This is a privilege. It is a total lie that anyone in the US could do what I do on a daily basis.
Our society hates poor people and fat people, and those categories overlap considerably. Fitness and good health are tools of the wealthy, and they use them like weapons. Fat people are not the problem. Obesity is not the problem; it's a symptom. A SINGLE symptom, not THE symptom. And it's not just a symptom of marketing and misinformation - it goes deeper than that. It's a symptom of deep social and economic equality that's embedded in the fabric of our lives. Who lives in food deserts? Overwhelmingly poor people, people of color, or both. Who is targeted for McDonald's ads? Same. Who is sneered at when they protest for the right to a living wage? Who would be fired if they were 30 minutes late to work because they were preparing food for the day?
I didn't expect this book to tackle food justice. I read it because I was bored and like hatereading health/diet books. But this definitely touched off a tipping point for me, because she specifically touts herself as an authority on all things inexpensive. Inexpensive for middle class people, maybe. Totally, completely out of reach for people caught in the cycle of poverty. "There's an obesity epidemic going on" is fat-hating tripe based in bigoted junk science that will look as stupid as phrenology in 100 years. If you want to talk about heart disease or diabetes, then do it. But there are healthy fat people. Some people just need to eat more food to live. You can be thin and have terrible blood work; you can carry your weight well and be greatly at risk for heart disease. Bodies are not one size fits all. Books like these are isolating and further reinforce middle class and wealthy people's convictions that the poors just aren't trying hard enough. Coming from a supportive family environment, having extra time, and being upwardly mobile is NOT the same thing as generational poverty.
tl;dr you should care more about food justice than buying a fucking over the door resistance band system for ONLY $100. but then, this book of fluff and advice you can get anywhere for free was $10, which really says it all.
No, the weight loss advice wasn't bad. It was just what you can find on nearly every health-focused website on the internet. Eat whole grains, eat legumes, eat vegetables, go easy on sugar, don't eat white bread, don't eat processed food, exercise creatively, drink lots of water. Nothing groundbreaking there.
But this book is particularly grating because the author makes the assumption that having been money poor and time rich as a young twentysomething is the same thing as living in poverty. That, combined with throwing around the phrase "obesity epidemic", set my teeth on edge.
First off: obesity epidemic. We don't have one. Yes, people are fatter than they used to be. Yes, that statistic correlates with greater rates of heart disease, diabetes, and so on. No, they are not the same damn thing. We have a PREVENTABLE DISEASES epidemic, and while some of it is because of comfortably middle class people with a McDonald's addiction, a lot of it is because big box grocery stores combine with low wages to make eating good food for very little money virtually impossible.
I work a white collar job. I make quite a bit of money per year. But my work day is 8 1/2 hours, even though I eat lunch at my desk, because the 8-hour work week is a thing of the past at most corporations. That's quite a nice problem to have, though. I have access to grocery stores; I can spend 30 minutes to an hour in the kitchen every day. Not everyone can.
It's not really surprising that our society has such a massive junk food problem. Part of it is that junk food tastes good, but it goes beyond that. We've socially engineered a contempt for people who take time to prepare food, combined with a contempt for anyone who works in a service position. Books like this tout the fact that you can eat well for very little money, which is only true if you 1) have the money to eat well, because processed foods are still cheaper, and 2) have the time to prepare all that wholesome food you just bought. The middle class is disappearing. A lot of people don't have the time or money anymore. Additionally, big box supermarkets crowd out smaller vendors, which is a major factor in the creation of food deserts.
I spend about $50/week on groceries for 2 people. This includes minimally processed foods such as dried lentils and canned beans and tomatoes, plus produce. I am privileged. I have time to prepare these foods, and money to shell out for spices and produce to round them out. This is a privilege. It is a total lie that anyone in the US could do what I do on a daily basis.
Our society hates poor people and fat people, and those categories overlap considerably. Fitness and good health are tools of the wealthy, and they use them like weapons. Fat people are not the problem. Obesity is not the problem; it's a symptom. A SINGLE symptom, not THE symptom. And it's not just a symptom of marketing and misinformation - it goes deeper than that. It's a symptom of deep social and economic equality that's embedded in the fabric of our lives. Who lives in food deserts? Overwhelmingly poor people, people of color, or both. Who is targeted for McDonald's ads? Same. Who is sneered at when they protest for the right to a living wage? Who would be fired if they were 30 minutes late to work because they were preparing food for the day?
I didn't expect this book to tackle food justice. I read it because I was bored and like hatereading health/diet books. But this definitely touched off a tipping point for me, because she specifically touts herself as an authority on all things inexpensive. Inexpensive for middle class people, maybe. Totally, completely out of reach for people caught in the cycle of poverty. "There's an obesity epidemic going on" is fat-hating tripe based in bigoted junk science that will look as stupid as phrenology in 100 years. If you want to talk about heart disease or diabetes, then do it. But there are healthy fat people. Some people just need to eat more food to live. You can be thin and have terrible blood work; you can carry your weight well and be greatly at risk for heart disease. Bodies are not one size fits all. Books like these are isolating and further reinforce middle class and wealthy people's convictions that the poors just aren't trying hard enough. Coming from a supportive family environment, having extra time, and being upwardly mobile is NOT the same thing as generational poverty.
tl;dr you should care more about food justice than buying a fucking over the door resistance band system for ONLY $100. but then, this book of fluff and advice you can get anywhere for free was $10, which really says it all.
August 30, 2020
Inspiring, helpful and encouraging. I never felt talked down to, but felt like a friend who has been there before was trying to give me her best tips and advice because she genuinely cares for my health and well-being. I’ll reference this book a lot, there are many good tips, recipes and exercises in it that I’m looking forward to trying.
August 26, 2025
Ξεκίνησα κυρίως αυτό το βιβλίο για να μου δώσει έμπνευση να συνεχίσω να βελτιώνω την ποιότητα ζωής μου, για να ξεσηκώσω ιδέες και για να διατηρήσω την όρεξη που έχω για γυμναστική.
Γενικά τέτοιου είδους βιβλία με βοηθούν να μένω στον στόχο μου και μου δίνουν μια έξτρα ώθηση σε περίπτωση που νιώσω ότι έχω αρχίσει να χάνω το κουράγιο μου.
Σε καμιά περίπτωση δεν είχα σαν σκοπό να μάθω περισσότερα για την Μενούνος ούτε και ημουν φαν ή κάτι τέτοιο.Παρόλα αυτά μου άρεσαν και οι προσωπικές ιστορίες που είχε μέσα και οι πληροφορίες για την ζωή της και εκτιμώ την προσπάθεια της να κάνει κάθε απλή καθημερινή γυναίκα να νιώσει ότι ακόμη και τα δημόσια πρόσωπα έχουν πολλές φορές προβλήματα και ότι δεν είχαν πάντα αυτή την αψεγάδιαστη εικόνα που βλέπουμε στα ΜΜΕ, καθώς και το πόσες θυσίες απαιτούνται για να φτάσεις έστω εκεί.
Τώρα για το υπόλοιπο κομμάτι του βιβλίου που αφορά την διατροφή και την άσκηση. Σε γενικές γραμμές πολλά απ'αυτά που γράφει τα ξέρουμε πολύ καλά όλοι και τα έχουμε χιλιοακούσει ή τα βρίσκουμε πολύ εύκολα με μια αναζήτηση στο διαδίκτυο. Ωστόσο είναι ωραίο να έχεις μαζεμένες σ'ένα μέρος κάποιες πληροφορίες, όπως όλες τις διαφορετικές ονομασίες που χρησιμοποιούν οι κατασκευαστές στις ετικέτες των τροφίμων για την ζάχαρη. Αναφέρει και πράγματα που κάνει η ίδια, συνταγές και μυστικά που θεωρεί σημαντικά για την διατήρηση του δικού της σώματος, μερικά απο τα οποία είναι ενδιαφέροντα και θα τα δοκιμάσω.
Εξίσου χρήσιμο είναι και το τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου που προτείνει ασκήσεις για διάφορες περιπτώσεις και σε διαφορετικούς χώρους, με αναλυτική επεξήγηση και φωτογραφίες.
Ένα πράγμα που σίγουρα παρατήρησα και με ενόχλησε είνα ότι το βιβλίο θα μπορούσε να είναι πιο προσεκτικά γραμμένο.Τι θέλω να πω;Υπάρχουν πολλά σημεία που επαναλαμβάνεται και λέει ξανά και ξανά τα ίδια ή άλλα που ανακεφαλαιώνει κάτι π��υ έχει αναφέρει μία ή δύο σελίδες πιο πριν, πράγμα περιττό μιας και δύσκολα το ξεχνάς τόσο σύντομα.
Σε γενικές γραμμές το βρήκα ευχάριστο,είναι ευκολοδιάβαστο, έχει μερικές καλές ιδέες και σίγουρα αναζωπυρώνει το πνεύμα προς έναν πιο υγιεινό τρόπο ζωής.
Τώρα αν ψάχνεται κάτι με ουσιαστικές και λεπτομερής γνώσεις σε θέματα διατροφής και γυμναστικής,που θα σας μάθει πράγματα που γνωρίζουν μόνο επιστήμονες και θέλετε να μάθετε κι εσείς,τότε διαλέξατε το λάθος βιβλίο!
Γενικά τέτοιου είδους βιβλία με βοηθούν να μένω στον στόχο μου και μου δίνουν μια έξτρα ώθηση σε περίπτωση που νιώσω ότι έχω αρχίσει να χάνω το κουράγιο μου.
Σε καμιά περίπτωση δεν είχα σαν σκοπό να μάθω περισσότερα για την Μενούνος ούτε και ημουν φαν ή κάτι τέτοιο.Παρόλα αυτά μου άρεσαν και οι προσωπικές ιστορίες που είχε μέσα και οι πληροφορίες για την ζωή της και εκτιμώ την προσπάθεια της να κάνει κάθε απλή καθημερινή γυναίκα να νιώσει ότι ακόμη και τα δημόσια πρόσωπα έχουν πολλές φορές προβλήματα και ότι δεν είχαν πάντα αυτή την αψεγάδιαστη εικόνα που βλέπουμε στα ΜΜΕ, καθώς και το πόσες θυσίες απαιτούνται για να φτάσεις έστω εκεί.
Τώρα για το υπόλοιπο κομμάτι του βιβλίου που αφορά την διατροφή και την άσκηση. Σε γενικές γραμμές πολλά απ'αυτά που γράφει τα ξέρουμε πολύ καλά όλοι και τα έχουμε χιλιοακούσει ή τα βρίσκουμε πολύ εύκολα με μια αναζήτηση στο διαδίκτυο. Ωστόσο είναι ωραίο να έχεις μαζεμένες σ'ένα μέρος κάποιες πληροφορίες, όπως όλες τις διαφορετικές ονομασίες που χρησιμοποιούν οι κατασκευαστές στις ετικέτες των τροφίμων για την ζάχαρη. Αναφέρει και πράγματα που κάνει η ίδια, συνταγές και μυστικά που θεωρεί σημαντικά για την διατήρηση του δικού της σώματος, μερικά απο τα οποία είναι ενδιαφέροντα και θα τα δοκιμάσω.
Εξίσου χρήσιμο είναι και το τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου που προτείνει ασκήσεις για διάφορες περιπτώσεις και σε διαφορετικούς χώρους, με αναλυτική επεξήγηση και φωτογραφίες.
Ένα πράγμα που σίγουρα παρατήρησα και με ενόχλησε είνα ότι το βιβλίο θα μπορούσε να είναι πιο προσεκτικά γραμμένο.Τι θέλω να πω;Υπάρχουν πολλά σημεία που επαναλαμβάνεται και λέει ξανά και ξανά τα ίδια ή άλλα που ανακεφαλαιώνει κάτι π��υ έχει αναφέρει μία ή δύο σελίδες πιο πριν, πράγμα περιττό μιας και δύσκολα το ξεχνάς τόσο σύντομα.
Σε γενικές γραμμές το βρήκα ευχάριστο,είναι ευκολοδιάβαστο, έχει μερικές καλές ιδέες και σίγουρα αναζωπυρώνει το πνεύμα προς έναν πιο υγιεινό τρόπο ζωής.
Τώρα αν ψάχνεται κάτι με ουσιαστικές και λεπτομερής γνώσεις σε θέματα διατροφής και γυμναστικής,που θα σας μάθει πράγματα που γνωρίζουν μόνο επιστήμονες και θέλετε να μάθετε κι εσείς,τότε διαλέξατε το λάθος βιβλίο!
January 29, 2015
What basically handed me a shovel and said, "Here, bury this book in the 'Annoying' section of the book graveyard," was homegirl's incessant name-dropping. Like, dude, YES, it is super cool that you know all these celebs,and yes, your job is rad, and you make their special-recipe smoothies, and you hang out and take selfies together... but stahhhhhp. Just staaaahp.
The two parts of the book I DID enjoy were the mini-interviews from her celebri-besties (Perez Hilton, a couple models, etc.) that talked about their individual philosophies on living a healthy lifestyle and staying active, as well as the back appendix with a ton of great, well-explained workout plans and photos. The book itself would've been awesome if it was just made up of those two elements, honestly; I feel like a lot of the actual text was repetitive filler, and it didn't really have much of a voice to it.
The two parts of the book I DID enjoy were the mini-interviews from her celebri-besties (Perez Hilton, a couple models, etc.) that talked about their individual philosophies on living a healthy lifestyle and staying active, as well as the back appendix with a ton of great, well-explained workout plans and photos. The book itself would've been awesome if it was just made up of those two elements, honestly; I feel like a lot of the actual text was repetitive filler, and it didn't really have much of a voice to it.
December 18, 2019
Laser Therapy, Cyro therapy… who is reading this book who has the access and money to waste on these? And the name drops…we get it, you know a lot of famous people because of your job. Move on and get to the point. Also name dropping products and brands is a thing I noticed too.
Everything she writes about has already been talked about elsewhere…only I find her completely unrelatable. For example, her “Declutter!” bit says you’ll feel better if you organize everything and throw out the no longer needed and the crap you have accumulated over the years. Toss you knickknacks! Toss your home Décor! The people at Apple look happy, therefore it must be the bare white work space they reside in! Thing is, she doesn’t tell you how to do this. So why would I follow a few pages of text here (plus I already Marie Kondo’d my house and kept my paintings so…)?
Also, are you seriously telling people to hold off on taking pills? What if your blood pressure is so high exercise could literally kill you without medical intervention? That’s a bit different than going “I had a stress rash and my Yogi fixed it by telling me I should get my stress under control and stop eating candy and spicy foods.” Not a direct quote, but I’m irritated at this book and the nerve of a medically uneducated woman telling people to hold off on medical intervention. Also, why do people love blaming spicy foods?
The hot water and thinking of it as melting the food in your stomach…she does know that’s stomach acid, not water, right? RIGHT? Okay, now I’m just picking on this book, but seriously. Her advice is to drink hot water because her yogi suggests that hot water opens us and cold water closes us…okay. I guess if you think of it as a heat thing, you’re not wrong. Drinking hot water does tends to open things up because your body is trying to get rid of excess heat…if you’re already hot. But I don’t think that’s what she means and honestly liquids are warmed up or cooled down to internal body temperature while sloshing around in the stomach…But whatevs, the girl likes her hot water, which is cool. I prefer mine cold. Lol
When she FINALLY got to the actual diet advice (which is why I thought this book existed) she actually had a few decent pieces of advice. I liked her phase one, where you just gradually start cutting back on things you know aren’t overly healthy for you. She stated some obvious things like cutting out pop/soda and other sugary drinks. But she is the first person who’s said “cut out the bad stuff gradually” and that’s nice, cause most diets are like “FOLLOW THIS MEAL PLAN ONLY” and I a) feel hungry all the time and b) hate most of the suggested food. The idea of scaling back 10% at a time is a realistic one.
While I don’t own a scale I do like her weigh once and put away plan. I may transcribe that to my measurement preference. By cutting down she believes in 5 months or so you should be ready to carry on to phase two and reweigh yourself. Assuming you have upped your exercise game a little and actually parred down bad food consumption, replacing it with 'good food,' this should be the case. If not, you’re trying to jump the gun on stage one.
Stage two, phase two, I have a tiny bit of an issue with but it’s mostly because most nutritionist tell you that cutting your food intake to 1500 calories isn’t healthy or sustainable. While I would eat more because I am 100% sure I weigh more, I wish she would promote a more healthy eating plan for people with a lower starting weight. She even says, by the time she pulled her scale out she was 5 pounds under what doctors consider a healthy weight. Plus, if you did stage one correctly, I think you would find the results already comparable to what stage 2 wants you to do and more sustainable.
In Conclusion
All in all I think this book could have been cut down to pamphlet. The first chunk is all stories that stem from one tiny piece of advice or another, that we probably already know if we have been pursuing this endeavor for awhile in search of something that works. While I think phase 1 is a great idea, phase 2 is similar to every other diet out there. The idea of cutting back food by 300-500 calories and increasing activity is not new. It's also something that can lead to yo-yo dieting because even she says when you reach your ideal weight, you're done. But in reality you should probably shift back into phase 1 to maintain or something. Keeping weight off is a life style change, not a one year diet plan.
So while I found one piece of advice in this book I like, over all this book is regurgitated diet and home living advice pared down to the point of being nearly useless. Also filled with tons of pictures that serve no real purpose other than to eat up space and break up the text.
Everything she writes about has already been talked about elsewhere…only I find her completely unrelatable. For example, her “Declutter!” bit says you’ll feel better if you organize everything and throw out the no longer needed and the crap you have accumulated over the years. Toss you knickknacks! Toss your home Décor! The people at Apple look happy, therefore it must be the bare white work space they reside in! Thing is, she doesn’t tell you how to do this. So why would I follow a few pages of text here (plus I already Marie Kondo’d my house and kept my paintings so…)?
Also, are you seriously telling people to hold off on taking pills? What if your blood pressure is so high exercise could literally kill you without medical intervention? That’s a bit different than going “I had a stress rash and my Yogi fixed it by telling me I should get my stress under control and stop eating candy and spicy foods.” Not a direct quote, but I’m irritated at this book and the nerve of a medically uneducated woman telling people to hold off on medical intervention. Also, why do people love blaming spicy foods?
The hot water and thinking of it as melting the food in your stomach…she does know that’s stomach acid, not water, right? RIGHT? Okay, now I’m just picking on this book, but seriously. Her advice is to drink hot water because her yogi suggests that hot water opens us and cold water closes us…okay. I guess if you think of it as a heat thing, you’re not wrong. Drinking hot water does tends to open things up because your body is trying to get rid of excess heat…if you’re already hot. But I don’t think that’s what she means and honestly liquids are warmed up or cooled down to internal body temperature while sloshing around in the stomach…But whatevs, the girl likes her hot water, which is cool. I prefer mine cold. Lol
When she FINALLY got to the actual diet advice (which is why I thought this book existed) she actually had a few decent pieces of advice. I liked her phase one, where you just gradually start cutting back on things you know aren’t overly healthy for you. She stated some obvious things like cutting out pop/soda and other sugary drinks. But she is the first person who’s said “cut out the bad stuff gradually” and that’s nice, cause most diets are like “FOLLOW THIS MEAL PLAN ONLY” and I a) feel hungry all the time and b) hate most of the suggested food. The idea of scaling back 10% at a time is a realistic one.
While I don’t own a scale I do like her weigh once and put away plan. I may transcribe that to my measurement preference. By cutting down she believes in 5 months or so you should be ready to carry on to phase two and reweigh yourself. Assuming you have upped your exercise game a little and actually parred down bad food consumption, replacing it with 'good food,' this should be the case. If not, you’re trying to jump the gun on stage one.
Stage two, phase two, I have a tiny bit of an issue with but it’s mostly because most nutritionist tell you that cutting your food intake to 1500 calories isn’t healthy or sustainable. While I would eat more because I am 100% sure I weigh more, I wish she would promote a more healthy eating plan for people with a lower starting weight. She even says, by the time she pulled her scale out she was 5 pounds under what doctors consider a healthy weight. Plus, if you did stage one correctly, I think you would find the results already comparable to what stage 2 wants you to do and more sustainable.
In Conclusion
All in all I think this book could have been cut down to pamphlet. The first chunk is all stories that stem from one tiny piece of advice or another, that we probably already know if we have been pursuing this endeavor for awhile in search of something that works. While I think phase 1 is a great idea, phase 2 is similar to every other diet out there. The idea of cutting back food by 300-500 calories and increasing activity is not new. It's also something that can lead to yo-yo dieting because even she says when you reach your ideal weight, you're done. But in reality you should probably shift back into phase 1 to maintain or something. Keeping weight off is a life style change, not a one year diet plan.
So while I found one piece of advice in this book I like, over all this book is regurgitated diet and home living advice pared down to the point of being nearly useless. Also filled with tons of pictures that serve no real purpose other than to eat up space and break up the text.
April 2, 2019
Mixed feelings about this one. Yes, there is a lot of easy to follow advice and I appreciate that Maria speaks about changing her diet and lifestyle in affordable, doable ways. She wasn't yet wealthy or famous when she lost 40 pounds, and she seems to have done that in a sensible way that could work for others. So, good for her.
The advice included is more or less common sense (limit your portion size, eat smaller bites, drink lots of water, make sure you are taking 10,000 steps per day, etc.) so nothing highly original or groundbreaking. I haven't tried any of the recipes, so I can't really comment on that part of the book.
What bugged me at times though was her false modesty. The book starts off with her Extra bikini photo, taken several years ago after a Super Bowl where she lost a bet. She knew she looked great, and she poses in bikinis and magazines all the time anyway- yet that experience was "mortifying" so much so that she included a full page photo in the first chapter of the book. Okay, Maria... not buying that. The interviews with her celebrity friends are also an odd addition. Since when is Perez Hilton an inspiration for anyone???
At times, she is also very repetitive. She keeps writing things "As I've said before...." which became annoying. Why the need to keep saying the same thing over and over? It just feels like filler when a writer does that, and that kind of thing made me glad I borrowed this from the library and didn't buy it.
The advice included is more or less common sense (limit your portion size, eat smaller bites, drink lots of water, make sure you are taking 10,000 steps per day, etc.) so nothing highly original or groundbreaking. I haven't tried any of the recipes, so I can't really comment on that part of the book.
What bugged me at times though was her false modesty. The book starts off with her Extra bikini photo, taken several years ago after a Super Bowl where she lost a bet. She knew she looked great, and she poses in bikinis and magazines all the time anyway- yet that experience was "mortifying" so much so that she included a full page photo in the first chapter of the book. Okay, Maria... not buying that. The interviews with her celebrity friends are also an odd addition. Since when is Perez Hilton an inspiration for anyone???
At times, she is also very repetitive. She keeps writing things "As I've said before...." which became annoying. Why the need to keep saying the same thing over and over? It just feels like filler when a writer does that, and that kind of thing made me glad I borrowed this from the library and didn't buy it.
August 3, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this. I think I just enjoy reading every book because I always get something out of anything I read...either it's enlightening and makes me think about myself or helps me analyze my own life and come up with things I can change and better myself with or it's just entertaining.
That being said, anyways back to this book...I was a little dreadful because when I first started this I had read reviews about how she is just name dropping and how the book wasn't edited efficiently...Unless I'm an idiot I didn't find more than 2 periods missing...and I also didn't mind the name dropping, so what. Maybe she is name dropping to show credibility, some of the experts she mentions do work with celebrities so...I don't get why people were so annoyed about that. >shrug emoji goes here<
I liked this book. It made me think and has given me some motivation to instead of focusing on this deadline looming over my head to lose weight by a certain time, I should just go slow. I shouldn't deprive myself, time passes anyway and some of her tips though common sense (as some people also complained about) to me are helpful. They reiterate that you can do so many things during the day to get a little workout in or burn some calories and to slowly cut back on foods that don't make you feel good in the long run but that you also love...
I liked it.
That being said, anyways back to this book...I was a little dreadful because when I first started this I had read reviews about how she is just name dropping and how the book wasn't edited efficiently...Unless I'm an idiot I didn't find more than 2 periods missing...and I also didn't mind the name dropping, so what. Maybe she is name dropping to show credibility, some of the experts she mentions do work with celebrities so...I don't get why people were so annoyed about that. >shrug emoji goes here<
I liked this book. It made me think and has given me some motivation to instead of focusing on this deadline looming over my head to lose weight by a certain time, I should just go slow. I shouldn't deprive myself, time passes anyway and some of her tips though common sense (as some people also complained about) to me are helpful. They reiterate that you can do so many things during the day to get a little workout in or burn some calories and to slowly cut back on foods that don't make you feel good in the long run but that you also love...
I liked it.
November 19, 2019
Notes:
Health and fitness info very helpful and nicely presented as most books on this subject can be science-heavy
Food info has calorie counting and she shares that low-calorie living was a main part of her story, she ate only 1500 calories a day; list of bad fats and proteins is red meat and whole fat dairy without differentiating organic pastured versions; other than those two things her advice was pretty sound
It's basic beginner advice (move around a lot, keep a food journal, drink water...) put in a very readable format
Health and fitness info very helpful and nicely presented as most books on this subject can be science-heavy
Food info has calorie counting and she shares that low-calorie living was a main part of her story, she ate only 1500 calories a day; list of bad fats and proteins is red meat and whole fat dairy without differentiating organic pastured versions; other than those two things her advice was pretty sound
It's basic beginner advice (move around a lot, keep a food journal, drink water...) put in a very readable format
April 28, 2018
If you're looking for a quick way to drop those pounds, this isn't the book for you. However, if you're looking to make yourself a priority by finally getting serious about health and fitness, then Maria provides recipes, tips, workouts, and advice from experts to commit to that lifestyle change. She also shares her own experiences to help you achieve a better quality of life, not a particular number on the scale.
January 21, 2021
I really liked this book a lot, not because I did the same diet, but it was entertaining and funny.
It does really make Maria Menous even more likeable.
We're not all gifted with a model body and her "journey" to a healthy life is absolutely encouraging.
It does really make Maria Menous even more likeable.
We're not all gifted with a model body and her "journey" to a healthy life is absolutely encouraging.
September 11, 2017
Nothing really new here. Some good ideas about fitness but basically what we already know.
May 14, 2019
this book was helpful, but I feel very basic.
May 29, 2025
Very good book with many tips. I like the variety of ideas she shared.
October 9, 2014
TCL Call#: 613.25082 Menounous M
Madeleine = 4 stars
I saw this book on our shelves alongside the Cameron Diaz Body Book and decided to do a face off. Wohooo!
Everygirl's Guide was a pretty good health book. She's super smiley in her pictures and it's all rather adorable. She covers her own techniques and interviews a host of other celebrities on theirs. Nothing is super faddy. Her biggest recommendation, for example, is to drink hot water. I did like that her exercise suggestions were doable and my favorite part was that she often demonstrated the poor girl's technique right next to her trainer doing the same move on spendy equipment. It was a fun read with some usable suggestions.
Compare that to Diaz's Body Book (I cannot find an entry in GoodReads for the book so cannot put this into the proper review format). I struggled through 80 pages and ended up so nauseated by all the "hey, we're just girlfriends chillaxing, yeah, so awesome" that I flat out stopped. Boo. = 0 stars
Madeleine = 4 stars
I saw this book on our shelves alongside the Cameron Diaz Body Book and decided to do a face off. Wohooo!
Everygirl's Guide was a pretty good health book. She's super smiley in her pictures and it's all rather adorable. She covers her own techniques and interviews a host of other celebrities on theirs. Nothing is super faddy. Her biggest recommendation, for example, is to drink hot water. I did like that her exercise suggestions were doable and my favorite part was that she often demonstrated the poor girl's technique right next to her trainer doing the same move on spendy equipment. It was a fun read with some usable suggestions.
Compare that to Diaz's Body Book (I cannot find an entry in GoodReads for the book so cannot put this into the proper review format). I struggled through 80 pages and ended up so nauseated by all the "hey, we're just girlfriends chillaxing, yeah, so awesome" that I flat out stopped. Boo. = 0 stars
August 25, 2014
I've read a lot of fitness/health related books and magazines over the course of my life. That being said most of them are very repetitive or extremely too strict for my taste. Maria's views on these topics are some of the most realistic ones I've perused. While most of her ideas or mantras are things that can be deemed common sense or something we've heard before it just meant more coming from her. Her starting point weight wise is where I first started out 5 years ago and this book was just the motivation and reassurance I needed to get back on track. She focuses on a 75/25 mentality when it comes to food and I absolutely adore that she embraces healthy foods but still can allow herself the occasional indulgence while still meeting/maintaining her goals.
August 29, 2014
Personally this book allowed me to have the conversations I've been craving for by simply sitting down & reading it out loud to myself. A lot of it is common sense but that reiteration gives the words more power. As a recent college grad I could relate so much to the health struggles she overcame in her early 20s & she gave me a layout to how to get things done and keep moving forward - no matter how small the steps are. She is a true inspiration & I recommend this to anyone who needs an extra push for motivation in their lives.
October 13, 2014
Overall, this book is inspiring and accessible, particularly for women who are trying to take better care of themselves. The advice Maria provides is very doable and sensible, although there is not much here that I did not already read about. Maria's specific tips are helpful, and her own story of weight loss motivational. I do think that every page need not have a picture of her. While she is beautiful and that in itself is inspiring, it seemed a little self-promoting to me. Still, I am glad I have a copy of this book on my shelves.
June 17, 2014
Meh. There isn't really anything in the book that I didn't already know. The chapter on home gym equipment was the most interesting as I'm thinking about setting up my own (cheap) mini-gym.
I liked the pictures. She's a beautiful woman. Yet I wanted to see more 'before' pictures. There's only one in the entire book! One does not only want to read about a success story, we want to visualize it as well!
I liked the pictures. She's a beautiful woman. Yet I wanted to see more 'before' pictures. There's only one in the entire book! One does not only want to read about a success story, we want to visualize it as well!
October 8, 2014
In my opinion the book more or less evokes a feeling that there is hope. As a first generationer, I was more interested in her families story than I was on her diet story, which at best seemed peripheral. If you really want to lose weight, and want an indepth book, this is not it. If you have lost your way, and just want some motivation with lots of happy images, this may be your book.
Overal I would rate this book at 2.5 out of 5 stars
Overal I would rate this book at 2.5 out of 5 stars
October 16, 2014
I liked this book a lot. It's not the best diet book out there, but she came from a very approachable and friendly standpoint which was helpful. Just an easy read with a lot of good tips and advice. A great starter book, or in my case, a reminder book. I recommend it if you're looking to improve your overall health in a legit way.
November 12, 2014
I really enjoyed her first book and this one focuses on her 40 lb weight loss journey and staying healthy. I can relate to most of her tips (that I have been doing for years) and enjoying her stories about her family and that she shares favorite recipes. I can relate to her stories about growing up in Boston, MA too.
December 10, 2014
2.5
i have to say i really like her. the only reason i rated it lower is because this is serious beginners stuff. if you're just learning and starting a fitness journey - this is a great place to start. i'm not a beginner even though it's a constant struggle. there is good information here, just nothing i didn't already know.
i have to say i really like her. the only reason i rated it lower is because this is serious beginners stuff. if you're just learning and starting a fitness journey - this is a great place to start. i'm not a beginner even though it's a constant struggle. there is good information here, just nothing i didn't already know.
August 26, 2014
The portions of the book about Maria herself, especially her past and her current workouts, were interesting. I could have done without the interviews, or with the very long chapters about how she eats. It's pretty hard to keep up that level of eating sustainably.
She's very pretty, though, which is inspiring, I suppose.
She's very pretty, though, which is inspiring, I suppose.
March 23, 2015
Building from her first book, this goes into detail about how Maria not only lives a healthy lifestyle but also how she can offer advice to help others with the two things that concern most women everyday. She's so down to earth and practical in all she does and I'll consider her as a friend even if it's just in the pages of her books!
June 15, 2020
Just a so-so guide. I expected more fitness/exercise tips. Instead, it was more about "being centered" and how Maria's famous friends eat. I generally really like Maria, but this really isn't worth your time. Read her other book instead.
June 11, 2014
Easy to follow..
Easy to follow. Simple information, in layman's terms!! love all the tips. cannot wait to try them all!! Now looking forward to reading her first book!! thanks, Maria!
Easy to follow. Simple information, in layman's terms!! love all the tips. cannot wait to try them all!! Now looking forward to reading her first book!! thanks, Maria!
August 7, 2014
The grammar and typos were SO overwhelmingly horrendous that I couldn't focus on the content of the book. I think she has some good points and suggestions, but the least she could have done was hire a better editor.
April 13, 2016
I have no idea why I read this- maybe because I have recently been lusting over Maria's hair. I mean she does have a killer bod, but I didn't find the information to be that helpful. Some of her stories were interesting I guess, but it was a very unnecessary read.
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