8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra-Easy Weight Loss Review

This book was originally published in 2003 (hardcover) under the title 8 Minutes in the Morning: For Real Shapes, Real Sizes (which I like better). The average size of the American woman is a size 12 not a size 2. Jorge Cruise is a fitness coach and hailed as "America's #1 weight-loss specialist". He says, "Cardiovascular exercise (aerobics) and dieting are out. And strength training is in."

The focus of this book is to aid the reader in losing 2lbs a week without the use of dumbbells or equipment but by using your own body weight (wall, chair, table, or book) as resistance. By using Jorge's 28 day plan he claims it will help readers to learn to accept themselves and their body no matter what their size; replace emotional eating with a smarter method that allows them to experience the ultimate sense of support and comfort without food; consistently lose up to 2lbs a week; and transform their life and feel fulfilled, whole and happy. This is a tall order for 253 glossy pages.

"Walk away from the concept of losing weight to look better and embrace the concept of losing to feel better." To do this and before you start the physical 28 day plan you must complete all exercises in sections one and two. These aren't physical exercises but a series of quizzes, affirmations and journaling. The journaling, introspection and affirmations continue once you start the 28 day plan as well.

Each day before the exercises there is a visualization to work through. This is followed by two strength training exercises in the a.m. It's actually about twelve minutes and not eight as you have to do a two minute warm up before and two minute cool down after. This routine is done Monday - Saturday with Sunday off. The exercises work twelve core body parts: Chest & Back, Shoulders & Abdominals, Triceps & Biceps, Hamstrings & Quadriceps, Calves & Butt, and Inner & Outer Thighs. They are easy enough to do and if you haven't worked your muscles in a while you'll definitely feel it.

There is a small nutrition section which goes over some basic aspects of nutrition. The best and simplest idea is his "Cruise Down Plate" is just a way of dividing up your 9" plate as a visual cue to serving size.

A lot of nonsense filler like "In chapter one you will read about..." and "in Chapter 8 you will read about..." There are also quite a few before and after shots with kudos on Jorge's plan. The silky pages are nice to touch but hard to read because of the glare. There are tiny spots to journal but you'd need a separate journal to write anything of value.

One of the biggest things that bugged me about this book was that it implies if you fail you don't accept or respect your body or yourself. Another was in the intro, he says "Diets don't work." and "Fat is not the source of the problem" then the next his says, "Grandma Dorothy died as a result of her weight." She didn't die as a result of her weight she died because she had a stroke. Slim people die of strokes too. And finally I found his face looking back on virtually every page unnerving.

This edition of 8 Minutes in the Morning is endorsed by plus size super model Emme who says, "Be who you are and be as healthy as possible while doing it." Will you lose weight if you stay on this plan? Maybe. You have to develop and follow a daily routine. Will you keep it off? You know the answer to that one. It is affordable at $22.95/14.95 but I recommend you check it out of the library and use the money to invest in a yoga or other activity video.

8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra-Easy Weight Loss from Amazon.com.
8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra-Easy Weight Loss from Amazon.ca.