Guest Author - Linda Steele
Mimi Spencer is a fashion and beauty journalist from the UK and author of “101 Things to Do Before You Diet”. This book is really an anti-diet book where she recommends to “live-it” instead of diet.
The premise of the book is you don't need to diet to lose weight--in fact, obsessive dieting may lead to yo-yo weight gain/loss. Instead, the author suggests 101 things to do that will help you feel good about yourself, let you cut back and eventually lose weight without feeling deprived, and how to dress right for your body type so you can look your best at the weight you are right now.
The book is loaded with information and tips, as well as humor. She uses wit ("Chocolate cake actually talks to me..."), exaggeration ("There are about 12 people on the planet who look truly brilliant in a strapless dress, and -love you as I do--I must tell you that it's unlikely that you're one of them"), and sarcasm ("In their study of why the French remain so much slimmer than Americans, ...[they]came to the remarkable conclusion that it was because the French ate less") to get her points across.
She also gives you valuable advice about how to "dress thin" according to your body type. Spencer suggests that you choose clothes designed by women (since women designers have to dress themselves and are more familiar with a women’s curves, bumps and bulges), and guides us in finding the right swimsuits and jeans. She defiantly states that even if someone is overweight, they should wear fitted clothes "tight to the torso" as "this is the most flattering and slimming silhouette for any body shape" contrary to the belief that we should hide our fat in a shapeless garment.
You don't have to be read this book in any particular order (though you will find different themes grouped together by chapter) which I think is a real advantage. You can skip around, bypassing the tips that are "old hat" or not of interest to you. You will find that throughout the book are some positive reinforcing messages like "Love the skin you're in," "Buy more food that has no label," "Laugh at celebrity magazines," and my favorite "Put on your best underwear". After reading this particular tip, I did just that - put on my best underwear. My husband was delighted and I felt pretty and sexy.
“101 Things to Do Before You Diet” is such a delight to read for any woman, regardless of age or size, who wants to look her best. This book is a very informative as well as entertaining! A must read before you go on a diet or go shopping!
