S.A.S.S.! Yourself Slim - A Review

You may remember a while back I wrote a review for Cinch! by Cynthia Sass, the co-author of The Flat Belly Diet.   Well Ms. Sass has come back after more research and more consultations and added to her findings which have resulted in SASS! Yourself Slim.

Ms. Sass does not contradict herself in this latest book but, like I said, she goes a little further.  She still starts out by outlining the plan - "Five pieces four times a day" meaning you should eat four meals that are made up of what she calls "the puzzle". You have freedom within those puzzle pieces which include fruits & veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, plant-based fats, and seasonings.  She insists on eating on a regular schedule citing that blood sugar and metabolism are affected and she wants you to use certain seasonings on your food.

There is still a jump start feature called the 5-day fast forward where by eating the same 5 foods over and over - almonds, raspberries, yogurt, spinach, and eggs.  These foods were specifically chosen for their nutritional benefits as well as their ability to keep your feeling full longer.  This is a chance to cleanse your body and lose a few pounds quickly so that you are encouraged to continue on the plan.  (I love that she includes a grocery list for this plan.)

Ms. Sass really wants the reader to break their emotional bond with food.  There is a diary for the reader to write down not only their food intake and when, but also how they are feeling while they are eating.  For instance, she wants the reader to notice if at a certain point in the day they always eat a donut or when stressed or bored the reader eats.  I like this aspect because it makes the reader aware of their own body and makes it where they are in control of their food and not the other way around.

One of my favorite parts of Ms. Sass' eating plans is that there is a daily dark chocolate requirement.  That is an eating plan I can get on board with! 

Ms. Sass realizes that no one is going to stick with an eating plan if it doesn't taste good.  Her secret weapon is really in the S.A.S.S. (Slimming and Satiating Seasonings.)  She wants her readers to enjoy their food while losing weight and getting healthier so she uses seasonings to do that.  Each seasoning that she suggests has health benefits of their own besides making food taste great.

She puts enough science in the book to make you understand the reasons behind her methods.  This time around, she has emphasized organic more than I remember her doing in the past.  But keeping with her very doable system, she recognizes that not everyone's budget allows for organic in every instance.  She lets you know if you have to make choices, which foods are the most important to buy organic. 

There is a chapter on walking which you already know I am a huge fan of.  She suggests that you do some walking not only for the physical benefits but also for the emotional ones. 

It can be overwhelming to start something new so it is fantastic that much of the thinking has been done for you in this book.  From grocery lists, to menus, to recipes it's all there - no excuses.  With all of the available tools, it takes a lot of the stress out of not knowing if you are doing it right.  Even if you are a vegetarian, Ms. Sass has options for you.

Because of her background at Prevention magazine, this eating plan is not solely about losing weight, but about getting healthy - weight loss is just a fortunate byproduct.

If you would like to win your own copy of SASS! Yourself Slim just enter the rafflecopter below.  The winner will be drawn and contacted May 5th, 2012.  If the winner does not respond within 2 days, a new winner will be drawn.

*My review is my personal opinion. I was sent a copy of SASS! Yourself Slim to review and have been given another copy to give away to a reader.

Congratulations Ms. Nicole Weiss, winner of the copy of SASS Yourself Slim!
a Rafflecopter giveaway