The Denim Diet Book Review - Can It Really Get You Into Your Dream Pair of Jeans?
Another catchy title on the fat loss book circuit has made it’s way across my desk this month with The Denim Diet -16 Simple Habits to Get You into Your Dream Pair of Jeans coming in from wardrobe stylist and set designer Kami Gray. I’m not kidding. Gray is not a dietitian nor does she have an emotional fat-to-skinny story to fall back on. Instead she’s a working woman who has styled for TV shows House, Veronica Mars and Hell’s Kitchen as well as commercials for Toyota and Nike.
I try not to judge but sometimes you just want to stop and consider the facts. Her background doesn’t exactly scream expert but I’m an open-minded individual so let’s give Kami a chance and see what she has to offer.
[Love the look of dark blue jeans but not completely sold on the whole let-me-show-you-my-underwear look?]
The Denim Diet claim
Gray dismisses the bathroom scale and fad diets as nothing more then a waste of your time. She claims that a favorite pair of designer jeans - or as she puts it the wow-him date-night jeans or the back-of-the-closet pair waiting for the skinner you - is the only fat loss motivator and guide you need.
Get with the program
Gray’s fat loss ideas are pretty simple. It’s all about a lifestyle change centered around healthy habits and eliminating those habits which do you harm. I’m not going to cover all 16 here but some of the bigger habits she talks about include: choosing high fiber, whole-grain carbs over empty white carbs like pasta and bread; Eating whole foods such as fruits and veggies over processed fast food snacks; and avoiding the liquid calorie beverages such as fancy coffees and carbonated sodas.
Her “good food list” is refreshing with the standard inclusions of fruits, veggies, and lean meats combined with “sweets” in the form of applesauce, all-fruit jams, honey and dark chocolate. No surprises on her “bad foods” list with junk food and low nutrient snacks topping the list as usual.
Styling tips before fat loss results
This is where the book takes us down a somewhat untraveled path, but one with which Gray is much more comfortable with. Gray offers up 10 styling tips to help dieters look slimmer before diet results kick in. The “wear black” tip was on the list because as Gray put it so simply, “nothing does the trick better”. The always popular “wear clothes that fit” is always a good rule to follow and Gray pointedly states that oversize clothes add weight, while undersized shirts in particular squeeze the top layer of subcutaneous fat which never looks good. Can you say muffin tops?
And the verdict is…
I enjoyed this book from an entertainment perspective. Kami Gray has an easy-going approach in delivering her message to the audience. At no point did I feel the typical scare mongering or pressure tactics that so many weight loss authors rely on. Her advice is sensible and should encourage more women to adopt the healthy habits outlined in the book. Throw in the fact the recipes she includes don’t require you to be a skilled chef with exotic ingredients. BUT….
And now the buts… and you knew they were coming…
Yes, the healthy habits are smart and most importantly backed by scientific research but there is no step-by-step plan. Most people need specific and tangible instructions in order to guide one through the change. Also, the inclusion of styling tips may in fact do more harm then good here. Readers will be tempted to skip right to the styling tips since it’s easier to hide a problem then it is to face it head on. In the end, you’re only masking the problem and afraid of the sacrifices and work needed to achieve you’re fat loss goal.
If - and I strongly mean if - you’re able to understand the healthy habits portion of this book and enjoy a little humor and fun then I definitely recommend you take a look at The Denim Diet. If you’re looking for a detailed fat loss plan-of-attack then I would suggest men and women check out our Truth About Six Pack Abs program review. It’s shown to be an effective program for anyone looking to get in great shape and live a healthier life.
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October 29th, 2009 at
I think this is a great concept. I’ve heard of people using a clothing item to guage if they’ve hit their goal. Anything that can help you achieve it, I’m all for it.
November 10th, 2009 at
From a psychological stand-point, it’s a solid idea.
I see it no differently then hanging motivational pictures around your office or home. A pair of jeans has the added tangible benefit as it is something for which you can measure your success.
January 11th, 2010 at
I got this book over the holidays. I haven’t had a chance to read it but based on your review it looks like I should pay extra attention to the weight loss stuff instead of the styling tips.
Thanks for the heads-up!