The live chat will begin at 7pm(ET) tonight. If you can't join us at 7 but have a question for the Skinny Bitches, please leave your question in the comment thread below and check back later.
This evening authors Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman will be joining us in the Gather Health Essential to share their experiences and tips from their NYT bestseller Skinny Bitch.
To participate in the live chat, join us at 7pm and post your question/comment to this article. To keep up with the conversation, please make sure to refresh your browser frequently to see the new questions and answers posted. The first 20 people to ask questions after the chat begins will receive Skinny Bitch tees!
See you all tonight,
The Gather Health Team
About Skinny Bitch:
If you can't take one more day of self-loathing, you're ready to hear the truth: You cannot keep shoveling the same crap into your mouth every day and expect to lose weight.Authors Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin are your new smart-mouthed girlfriends who won't mince words and will finally tell you the truth about what you're feeding yourself. And they'll guide you on making intelligent and educated decisions about food. They may be bitches, but they are skinny bitches. And you'll be one too-after you get with the program and start eating right.
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Comments: 53
one question i have, though, is: what do you mean by "healthy = skinny, unhealthy = fat"? i have a co-worker who eats way healthier than i do and exercises a lot more, but she can't seem to lose much weight. any advice?
But my question is this: Did you find that some readers felt the approach was too strong?
1. I LOVED the book. Here is my review:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977166509
2. I have already passed it along to a friend. I really think it is a great book, and I think that many people will be surprised to find that this is not your typical "diet" book, but rather a real examination of the food industry and America's terrible eating habits.
3. Here's my question for the chat:
What do you do with the "food pushers"? As the holiday approaches, we will all be going to lots of parties and celebrations where food will be involved. Although it's possible to navigate to healthier choices on your own, what do you do when someone just insists you try their ___ (fill in the blank for calorie-laden, unhealthy dish)? How can you politely defer from eating something without getting into an "I know better" attitude...any suggestions?
How do propose people navigate the food at restaurants which are filled with additives, preservatives and dyes?
Have you found specific food chains that offer truly healthy food?
See you all in a few minutes!
I will send you my address again. Thanks!
Rory and Kim
:)
P.S. Please forgive us in advance for any typos, etc.
I read somewhere that your book became an overnight sensation after Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) was seen carrying it in an airport. What is the real story there?
Thanks so much for all the kind words. To answer your question about our strong approach:
For the most part, the response has been really positive and people seem to really appreciate the language and tone of the book. Most readers understand that our intentions were to educate, motivate, and entertain. Of course, there are people who do not approve of the profanity, and there are times we've regretted not editing ourselves more. But we did the best we could to write a book that would be accessible and informative and true to our voices.
Rory
Sales were solid from day one, thanks to word-of-mouth. And the first month the book was out, it was on the LA Times best seller list. But when Posh Spice was photographed holding the book, it got us mainstream publicity we'd been lacking.
Rory
Our publisher has been great from the get-go. They felt like there was so much information to get across in the book, and they appreciated that it was presented in an easy-to-read, informal tone. We couldn't have asked for a better team of people to work with.
Rory
I am a vegetarian but get protein from "cage free" eggs. Beyond your "eggs are gross" argument, is there a reason to avoid cage free eggs? Are they inhumane?
Seriously, I'm planning on grabbing your book this weekend. In the meantime do you have any advice on alternatives for caffeine junkies? I've been doing ok so far, but I just know those lattes are going to catch up to me someday!
Very good question! There are so many ways to get enough protein in our diets without having to eat eggs! There is a myth that vegetarians and vegans dont get enough protein in their diets. Most people are in jeopardy of eating too much which is very harmful on your kidneys! Eating lentils, beans, nuts, soy products, whole grains and veggies will do the trick without adding hormones, pesticides and chemicals on your dish! K
People often ask about the phrase "healthy=skinny and unhealthy=fat," so we're happy to address it. To clarify, in no way do we mean that people should try and be an unrealistic weight or size for their body type. We all need to love the skin we're in.
However, vanity aside, being overweight is really detrimental to health. A recent study just came out revealing that people with higher BMI (body mass indexes) are more disease-prone than those with healthy BMIs.
As for your coworker who eats well and exercises but can't lose weight: This is a common problem for people, and it usually boils down to one of two things.
1. This is the body you're blessed with and you'll never be any smaller. Embrace it and love it!
2. A lot of people "hold on" to their weight emotionally. They just won't let it go. And that's why doing all the physical stuff doesn't make any difference. Because it's something they just can't release. They often feel resigned to being overweight, that they deserve to suffer or feel sad, or that they'll be too vulnerable if they left it go and allow people to see the real person behind all that weight.
Rory
Sorry, neither one of us know that show! Which is strange considering we are both reality show junkies! K
You're a junkie! :) After you read the whole section in the book on caffeine, your daily fix may seem less appealing. It's so hard to answer the question about having "just a little" of anything. On the one hand, it's easy to say, "Nah, one cup here and there won't hurt you." Kim and I eat or drink occasional crap, too. But at the same time, we certainly don't want to say, "It's okay to ingest a little poison sometimes because it tastes so good and it's hard to resist."
Sorry to not be more definitive.
Rory
Love what you said! I had a baby 11 months ago and I have been dealing with stomach flab as well! I know for me that the only cure is get moving! I walk my son all around town and it has really helped me. I ate like a linebacker for a long time after giving birth but eventually my appetite went back to normal and with that and the walking I am almost where I want to be. Just keep moving and eating healthy. I would also cut out or way back on sugar if that's a fave food of yours, extra sugar and empty calories will pitch that tent on your stomach and won't leave! Yes there is hope! K
Thank you for your comment, "1. This is the body you're blessed with and you'll never be any smaller. Embrace it and love it!"
What is the ONE food that would make either of you cheat on the Skinny Bitch way of life?
Popular question! Rory and I love junk food, so that would be our cheat! Thankfully we have "healthier" versions of our old junk foods to choose from. We eat well on a daily basis so having a treat is enjoyable! K
To add to Kim's answer about eggs:
As far as health benefits go, yes, eggs have protein. But they've also been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and colon cancer. As Kim mentioned, you can get protein from other plant-based sources that don't come with the same fat and cholesterol as eggs.
Are cage-free eggs humane? Hmm...Unfortunately, "cage-free" doesn't necessarily mean cruelty-free. The chickens may not be in cages, but it doesn't mean they are running free, enjoying dust baths, or have ample space to roam. Cage-free eggs can still come from chickens who are crowded together (indoors) and may never see the light of day. A common practice used by egg farmers is called "forced molting." They deprive the birds of food, water, and sunlight so that the chickens will lose all the feathers. The molting will induce another egg-laying cycle that wouldn't normally occur.
When an egg-laying hen is "spent," and can no longer produce eggs, she is sent to slaughter.
Generally, anytime animals are being exploited, mistreatment and cruelty are the norm.
Rory
So sorry! Well I think anyone with health issues should definitly consult their doctor! In the meantime, I would be aware of what you are eating on a daily basis, keep with a healthy diet of veggies, whole grains and fruit. Good luck! K
I'm wondering if you meant the TV show, "The Biggest Loser." I've never watched it, but I caught a glimpse of it the other night and I saw them eating Subway sandwiches and drinking big sodas. We would not recommend soda or Subway for anyone trying to lose weight or eat well. Subway is for times when you're on a road trip and can't find anything else for miles! It shouldn't be a staple meal! Eeks!
Rory
What one food would you suggest everyone start eating?
Yes, we were both vegans when we started writing this book. Rory was a vegetarian first and tried a decade ago to get me in on it but I wasn't having it for a few more years! I eventually went vegetarian then made the transition to vegan 5 years ago I believe. K
Love the question! Well, I know this sounds boring and it really isn't a "food" but water! I think most people are walking around dehydrated. If people drank enough water it would really help keep them so much healthier! It helps transport nutrients through the body and it helps rid your body of waste! Also keeps your skin nice! As for a food, I would say brown rice. It is a complex carbohydrate so it releases slowly in the body keeping your blood sugar even and keeping you fuller longer. It is a very healthy food and recommend replacing it from the traditional white rice! K
I certainly didn't become a healthy eater overnight. It's been fourteen years in the making. (But yes, we were both vegan when we decided to write the book.) I first went vegetarian when I read a magazine article about factory farming and slaughterhouses. I had called myself an animal lover my whole life, but I never once thought about how cows, chickens, and pigs went from living, feeling animals to meat. When I was reading that article and crying my eyes out, I no longer felt like an animal lover...I felt like a huge hypocrite. I'll never forget seeing a few specifics that were representative of the factory farming industry:
One was a picture of a mother cow, left to die at a stockyard auction. When her baby calf was taken from her, she went crazy and started slamming herself into the stall door. (She was trying to get out and go after her calf.) In doing so, she broke her own neck. She was still alive, but none of the farmers seemed to care that she was suffering. In the picture, she was lying in a puddle of mud, still alive, with her neck clearly broken, her tongue sticking out, and her eyes bulging out.
There was also a picture of day-old, yellow, fuzzy baby chicks. They were still alive, but they were stuffed into clear, plastic garbage bags and piled into a dumpster to die. Because they were males, they were useless to the egg farmer.
There was a description of common practice in pig farming. After pigs are "stunned," they have their throats slit and are supposed to bleed to death. But quite often, the "stunners" miss their marks and/or the pigs haven't bled to death yet, so they are fully conscious when they get to the scalding tank. Meaning, these poor animals are thrown into vats of boiling water (to remove the hair from their bodies) fully alive and conscious. They thrash and struggle and squeal for their lives.
Sitting there with that magazine, from that moment on, I vowed I would never eat another cow, chicken or pig ever again.
And I can honestly say it's the best decision I've ever made in my entire life.
Good point! When I was doing research for this book I was amazed by what was going on with our food supply! I think it really opened our eyes to many things we were not aware of! I think it's important that we do question everything, especially what will affect our bodies. K
Thank you for the comment! It's so true. K
We welcome your "scientific eyes" and skepticism. No one should listen to any one "expert" and we highly encourage the questioning of authority.
Yes, we do tout an organic lifestyle. And while sadly, there's no way to ever no for sure who's being honest and who's not, it's definitely preferable to eat foods that are possibly organic than foods that are definitely not.
As for getting carbs without gluten...fruits, brown rice, yams, basically all whole grains other than wheat.
Rory
I agree with you! Women should feel good and healthy. K
I will keep recomending this book because I think the section on additives and preservatives alone is outstanding and makes the book worth reading. Of course there is plenty of other great information.
Well its really a nice post.People who are desperate to lose weight will surely benefit from this.
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