The book "Skinny B!tch"

lilRicki
lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
edited November 8 in Chit-Chat
I'm disappointed with Skinny ***** by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. What I though was going to be an awesome motivational book with some hard truths, turned out to be a push for veganism, bad language (although that's the part I found funny in some parts, other parts, it was just rude)...and belittling. I just finished the book, and it annoyed me more than it motivated me. It's extreme popularity is over-rated and just because Posh Spice was spotted carrying it around, doesn't mean we should all be on 700 a day calorie vegan diets. Don't buy this book, it's not worth the $7.00 i paid for it, and I can never get the time back I wasted in reading it!
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Replies

  • lyssamichelle
    lyssamichelle Posts: 1,307 Member
    I kept seeing people talk about that book.
    Most of what I hear is it's good.
    Doesn't seem like something I'd find good from what you said.
  • I am definitely going to agree with you. I read the book prior to going vegan in 2010 and it mostly scared me badly enough to push me to try a vegan lifestyle. I lost about 40 lbs, but I was craving sugar constantly and I really missed eating foods that I didn't miss as badly when I wasn't on the vegan lifestyle. I, too, expected an uplifting book, but it tore me down more than it helped. I was quite disappointed.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I thought it would be awesome too...but it's not. they're terrible writers, terrible advice columnists...and the diet advice is disgusting...
  • ShazMc73
    ShazMc73 Posts: 106 Member
    I'm disappointed with Skinny ***** by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. What I though was going to be an awesome motivational book with some hard truths, turned out to be a push for veganism, bad language (although that's the part I found funny in some parts, other parts, it was just rude)...and belittling. I just finished the book, and it annoyed me more than it motivated me. It's extreme popularity is over-rated and just because Posh Spice was spotted carrying it around, doesn't mean we should all be on 700 a day calorie vegan diets. Don't buy this book, it's not worth the $7.00 i paid for it, and I can never get the time back I wasted in reading it!

    I had exactly the same reaction when I bought it a couple of years ago. I gave the book to a friend who asked to borrow it; I told her to keep and she threw it away when she was moving.. lol!!
  • ccgisme
    ccgisme Posts: 239 Member
    I haven't read the book and have no interest in defending it. But, please don't let one book turn you off from eating more plants! While you may have no interest in a vegan (or vegetarian) diet, adding more plant-based, whole foods to your meals can help you reach your goals.
  • applekoko19
    applekoko19 Posts: 85 Member
    Oh I hated it too! It should have Vegan somewhere in the title as a warning!
  • My sister (a vegan! Totally figures) raved about it. She pushed me to read it and I hated it - didn't even finish it! I thought parts were funny, but they bash anyone who happens to like the foods they find disgusting! Total waste of time and money! Agreed!
  • bjhadden
    bjhadden Posts: 120
    I read it too...the only thing it did was make me not want to drink milk ever again. The sad part...I used to drink 1-2 gallons of milk a week by myself and I haven't had one glass since reading it over a year ago. Not even to dip my oreos :( I do still have milk in items that I cook or that I buy that are made with it. I just can't drink a glass of just milk anymore.
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  • sandislim
    sandislim Posts: 264
    I quite like eating vegan foods, its actually changed my health a lot although I know I won't ever be completely vegan. However, I would never buy a book with that title - I think it's wrong in so many ways...
  • kammy92
    kammy92 Posts: 408 Member
    Oh I hated it too! It should have Vegan somewhere in the title as a warning!
    [/quote

    Exactly!!! I wouldn't have read it then!!!]
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Skinny ***** is one of my favorite books. I read it the summer after 7th grade and it changed my life.

    They do not encourage you to eat 700 damn calories a day, they encourage you to eat healthy and in moderation and tell you all the disgusting things about animal by-products.

    You dont have to go vegan, but dont bash a book just because it wasnt your cup of tea.

    The only reason why I went form over 300 lbs to 260 is because of that book.

    The only reason I am a healthy strong person today, is because of that book.

    It thought me the skills that I am going to need to loose the next 75lbs.

    Some people are okay with making minor switches to their diet, but I was extremely unhealthy and morbidly obese. (size 16 at 8 years old) and I needed to make extreme changes to my diet and being vegan gave me natural constrictions and gave me control over my diet.

    Its not for everyone, but It has CHANGED LIVES, don;t discount that.

    EDIT: I read it almost 5 years ago.


    i am fully in my right to bash it! it's called opinion, and apparently i'm not the only one! You're entitled to your opinion as well...but seriously, you read it in grade 7...have you read it since? it was a terrible book, and i will scream it at the top of my lungs that it pushes anorexia and terribly over priced food...i'm sure they are sponsored by the organic isle in the grocery store!!!
  • My sister-in-law bought me the Skinny *kitten* book for x-mas not knowing what it was all about.

    It's an easy read in the sense that i finished the entire book in one sitting during the down time at work (although some of the chapters were easier mentally to get through then others).

    Extremely misleading. I basically called my sister-in-law and told her that the book's reason i am fat is because i am not a vegan. she apologized.

    When i finished the book, i kinda laughed to myself. I didn't get fat because i ate meat and dairy and all of that. I got fat because i ate TOO MUCH meat and dairy, and didn't offset that with exercise.

    All in all, i didn't care for this book one bit. If you are vegan...great. if you are not...then that's great too. I just felt the book went overboard on trying to pound certain key phrases and ideas into my head in hopes that i would just ultimately give up eating meat and dairy.

    A friend of mine summed it up best for me with a spoof on those office inspiration posters. It was a picture of a cow going number #2. The caption underneath said, " My food craps on your food. " Still smiling over that...
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I am not bashing veganism in any way...i have limited my meat intake, and i don't do dairy in any way. but THIS BOOK IS TERRIBLE!!! lets keep on topic please, and discuss the book, not your personal eating lifestyle!
  • I'm disappointed with Skinny ***** by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. What I though was going to be an awesome motivational book with some hard truths, turned out to be a push for veganism, bad language (although that's the part I found funny in some parts, other parts, it was just rude)...and belittling. I just finished the book, and it annoyed me more than it motivated me. It's extreme popularity is over-rated and just because Posh Spice was spotted carrying it around, doesn't mean we should all be on 700 a day calorie vegan diets. Don't buy this book, it's not worth the $7.00 i paid for it, and I can never get the time back I wasted in reading it!
    Completely agree, while some info was interesting and useful- mostly I thought it was a push for veganism. I'm glad I borrowed it from my mom who bought it out of a clearance bin lol :)
    Edit: I have absolutely nothing against vegans, just didn't care for all of the book.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I haven't read the book and have no interest in defending it. But, please don't let one book turn you off from eating more plants! While you may have no interest in a vegan (or vegetarian) diet, adding more plant-based, whole foods to your meals can help you reach your goals.


    i'm smarter than that...i eat very well since starting this journey.
  • tmarie2715
    tmarie2715 Posts: 1,111 Member
    I'm disappointed with Skinny ***** by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. What I though was going to be an awesome motivational book with some hard truths, turned out to be a push for veganism, bad language (although that's the part I found funny in some parts, other parts, it was just rude)...and belittling. I just finished the book, and it annoyed me more than it motivated me. It's extreme popularity is over-rated and just because Posh Spice was spotted carrying it around, doesn't mean we should all be on 700 a day calorie vegan diets. Don't buy this book, it's not worth the $7.00 i paid for it, and I can never get the time back I wasted in reading it!

    I felt the same way in terms of the food. Most of it requires very specialized foods that probably are hard to purchase outside of a good-sized city.

    I think it should be a lot more obvious that the food is totally vegan. I did appreciate a lot of their knowledge and in-depth look at the crap that we put in our bodies, though. Not enough to be 100% vegan, but still. :)
  • soccerella
    soccerella Posts: 619 Member
    I haven't read the book and have no interest in defending it. But, please don't let one book turn you off from eating more plants! While you may have no interest in a vegan (or vegetarian) diet, adding more plant-based, whole foods to your meals can help you reach your goals.

    definitely

    i read part of the book and was amazed also at how harsh it was and didnt finish it ....but i definitely agree with this guy ^^
  • adjones5
    adjones5 Posts: 938 Member
    I read about 5 pages of the entire book and was so unimpressed that I couldn't push myself to read anymore. It now functions as a coaster.
  • It's an interesting view on the effects of eating meat and dairy. I have heard that PETA is behind the whole thing. On top of that, it's nearly impossible to eat the way they recommend.
  • perdie7
    perdie7 Posts: 266 Member
    I read part of the book, thank goodness for samples from amazon. If I could have burned it I would have.

    I'm from the midwest. Farm country, my son-in-law is a dairy farmer (2nd largest in the state), I have many friends are farmers. most of what she says is garbage and untrue.
  • I read the book as well and didn't care for it. I will admit that some of the topics in the book did make me think and I no longer drink milk. I do not count out all dairy products, but I just can't sit and drink a glass of milk. I try to limit my meat intake as well. That being said, I felt that the writers were crude and rude in the book and tended to shove their beliefs down your throat. But this, like any self help book, is not going to help everyone. Just take from it the things you find useful and discard the things you don't. It just wasn't for me that's all.
  • Beezil
    Beezil Posts: 1,677 Member
    I thought about reading the book, and have had it suggested to me by quite a few people. I never did actually pick it up though. From what others are saying, it sounds very biased. That's most of why a lot of people (I think) seem to view veganism as such a ridiculous and radical diet / lifestyle. Many people (not all) who are vegan are just as bad about promoting their way of life / eating as that book seems to be. Just like with any other belief or opinion, you cannot shove it in someone's face and expect them to change their way of thinking just because you want them to or think if you scream it loudly enough that they will. There is nothing wrong with being vegan, whether it's a lifestyle or simply a choice of diet - but there is something wrong with promoting starvation and unhealthy habits under false pretenses.

    It is EXTREMELY difficult to maintain a vegan diet AND be healthy / happy in this day and age. I wish anyone luck in their journey if that is what they choose to do. I wish I could myself, but it is expensive, impractical, and just plain frustrating to maintain. The ONLY reason I have even considered becoming vegan is not because I think eating meat is wrong, but because I hate factory farms and don't wish to support them AT ALL. I also don't buy clothes that contain animal products or anything from China anymore. I try my best to research companies and make sure I only buy from true organic or local farms when I do buy foods that contain animal products. But I certainly don't judge anyone for not doing things my way or try to push anyone into doing things my way - if they ask about it or mention it, I'll offer advice / info, but that's the only time I'd even bring it up.
  • berrieblu
    berrieblu Posts: 15 Member
    get skinny by going vegan? but.....at least half of the vegans i've met were fat....and had been vegans for years....

    calories count whether they come from a plant or an animal.

    i have much more respect for someone who becomes vegan to support animal welfare or the environment than i do for someone who does it because they think it'll make them skinny.
  • tmarie2715
    tmarie2715 Posts: 1,111 Member
    get skinny by going vegan? but.....at least half of the vegans i've met were fat....and had been vegans for years....

    calories count whether they come from a plant or an animal.

    i have much more respect for someone who becomes vegan to support animal welfare or the environment than i do for someone who does it because they think it'll make them skinny.

    This post is becoming a little misleading, I think. Aside from fear tactics, I never remember reading anything that says vegan = skinny. It is more like processed *kitten* = unhealthy and dangerous.

    I also don't think it is fair to say a lot of vegans are fat. All of the vegans I know are really thin. I'm guessing what you are thinking of are "vegans" who eat tons of pasta and junk food. Processed food is really not supposed to be part of the equation.
  • cmhickey616
    cmhickey616 Posts: 85 Member
    She never once says to eat a 700 calorie diet...All weight loss books support different ways of eating, and what they have found to be the healthiest is a whole foods, plant based diet. It's not only better for our bodies, but also the environment and animals. i'm sorry you didn't like it, but just because it isn't a way of eating that you would like to follow doesn't mean that it is bad dieting advice. I have personally been vegan for 4 months, lost 20 lbs, saw a 20 point drop in my blood pressure to an essentially perfect number, and dropped my cholesterol 60 points to below 150. I also have way more energy and feel better about myself and my choices. It's not a lifestyle for everyone, but it's definitely made a huuuuge difference in my life. O and I also eat about 1500 calories a day.

    The book is also in no way pro anorexia as someone had mentioned earlier. She also explains in her Skinny ***** cook book that the term skinny ***** was used partially for shock appeal/to sell more books and a skinny ***** is not meant to mean someone who doesn't eat and is mean/has attitude. She uses the term to describe someone who cares about her body, the earth, and animals and is very careful about reading labels and caring about what goes into her body.
  • finding_my_way
    finding_my_way Posts: 174 Member
    I'm disappointed with Skinny ***** by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. What I though was going to be an awesome motivational book with some hard truths, turned out to be a push for veganism, bad language (although that's the part I found funny in some parts, other parts, it was just rude)...and belittling. I just finished the book, and it annoyed me more than it motivated me. It's extreme popularity is over-rated and just because Posh Spice was spotted carrying it around, doesn't mean we should all be on 700 a day calorie vegan diets. Don't buy this book, it's not worth the $7.00 i paid for it, and I can never get the time back I wasted in reading it!

    I felt the same way!
  • zasiiniya
    zasiiniya Posts: 100 Member
    My mom bought that book. From what I've seen, most of the sources were web sites and not anything super scientific.
  • Skinny ***** is one of my favorite books. I read it the summer after 7th grade and it changed my life.

    They do not encourage you to eat 700 damn calories a day, they encourage you to eat healthy and in moderation and tell you all the disgusting things about animal by-products.

    You dont have to go vegan, but dont bash a book just because it wasnt your cup of tea.

    The only reason why I went form over 300 lbs to 260 is because of that book.

    The only reason I am a healthy strong person today, is because of that book.

    It thought me the skills that I am going to need to loose the next 75lbs.

    Some people are okay with making minor switches to their diet, but I was extremely unhealthy and morbidly obese. (size 16 at 8 years old) and I needed to make extreme changes to my diet and being vegan gave me natural constrictions and gave me control over my diet.

    Its not for everyone, but It has CHANGED LIVES, don;t discount that.

    EDIT: I read it almost 5 years ago, when I wasn't vegan.

    A book is not the reason you got healthier and lost weight. It was you and your own will power. Give yourself more credit. You were the one motivated enough to stick with it. I can read any book and not loose a pound, its me taking those ideas, fitting them into my life and keeping myself on track. It may have give your brain the ideas, but you were in charge of how active you were and what you put into your body.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    Skinny ***** is one of my favorite books. I read it the summer after 7th grade and it changed my life.

    They do not encourage you to eat 700 damn calories a day, they encourage you to eat healthy and in moderation and tell you all the disgusting things about animal by-products.

    You dont have to go vegan, but dont bash a book just because it wasnt your cup of tea.

    The only reason why I went form over 300 lbs to 260 is because of that book.

    The only reason I am a healthy strong person today, is because of that book.

    It thought me the skills that I am going to need to loose the next 75lbs.

    Some people are okay with making minor switches to their diet, but I was extremely unhealthy and morbidly obese. (size 16 at 8 years old) and I needed to make extreme changes to my diet and being vegan gave me natural constrictions and gave me control over my diet.

    Its not for everyone, but It has CHANGED LIVES, don;t discount that.

    EDIT: I read it almost 5 years ago, when I wasn't vegan.

    A book is not the reason you got healthier and lost weight. It was you and your own will power. Give yourself more credit. You were the one motivated enough to stick with it. I can read any book and not loose a pound, its me taking those ideas, fitting them into my life and keeping myself on track. It may have give your brain the ideas, but you were in charge of how active you were and what you put into your body.

    man if all it took was to read books, i'd be skinny minny by now...i'd have to cut back the amount i read because my bmi would be to low...wouldn't that be a perfect world? lol
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