The Ah Ha's of Weight Loss by Brad LaTour

Who is Brad LaTour you ask? Do you remember my review on the Jump Snap? Well, Brad LaTour is the brains and now muscle behind the Jump Snap and his new book The Ah Ha's of Weight Loss. After reviewing the Jump Snap workout, Brad graciously sent me a copy of his book to review as well.

I must say there were not a lot of Ah Ha moments for me, as I have been researching and dedicating much of my last year to fitness and finding answers. But for someone just starting out, this book just may put a spin on diet and fitness and make one think about it in a new light.

Let me break it down for you in a brief peak inside the book.

I really enjoyed the introduction and getting to know the inventor and now author. To see someone's journey and how they evolved, into what Brad LaTour has as the founder of the Jump Snap, was really interesting to read. Great beginning to the book.

I agree greatly with the author in that there is no "magic pill that you can just pop in your mouth and make you lose weight". Brad LaTour breaks down calories in and calories out and makes this a very simple concept for all to understand. At the end of each chapter he has questions for you to face about yourself and dig deep into issues. I thought this was a really neat way to make you think. In the section dealing with calories, he provides you with several charts which you can fill in for food planning. I recommend maybe making a few extra copies so you don't scribal all over your book. But that's just me. I just like to hi-light in my books.

One of the points that I did hi-light was his analogy of our bodies being a car and our food, our gas. So many times people try and jump into weight loss and never keep track of what they are eating. Yet when it comes to our cars, we wouldn't dare drive with a broken gas gauge as we may not know when to refuel. I also like how Brad tells the readers to remove the word "diet" from their vocabulary. I agree with this totally. As diet means "the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group." But who knew that?

Again I found another point which I hi-lighted, as I thought was important to point out. I am big into using weights and that being a part of your workout routine. Brad LaTour points out "...for each pound of muscle in your body, you will burn an extra 50 calories per day." That will make you grab those hand weights fast now won't it?

I found a lot of things in the book that I agreed with and am recommending this as a good weekend read for beginners. But if I recommend this book there are a few things I must tell you I don't agree with if you are sticking with my workout/fitness philosophies.

In chapter #9 dealing with fast foods, Brad states that "You don't need to totally avoid fast foods. Understand the menu or perhaps do some research before you go." I personally don't think you should ever be planning a trip to fast food. If you have the time to research the menu before you go, research where else you can go instead. I only agree to do your research if you find yourself in a situation where you have NO OTHER CHOICE, then you know what to get. YHH does not want any of their fitness champs anywhere near a fast food restaurant. I do agree with trying to find a Subway. That would be your best choice (no mayo, of course).

In chapter #11 Brad spends time talking about breakfast and how important it is. I totally agree! But....he states "Even if you eat a doughnut or pancakes, at least it gets your metabolism started and you'll have all day to burn it off." I don't know if he was just trying to prove a point here or not, but please don't do that. No doughnuts or pancakes for breakfast. Unless the pancakes are buckwheat and you add lots of fruit.

The last statement Brad makes in Chapter #13 is pertaining to pop and calories among common drinks. You all know how I feel about pop. Especially diet. All it is, is chemicals with a little water added in. Brad states "Attention to regular soda drinkers, do me a favor and try to swap your regular soda with diet soda." I do not agree with this at all. Give it up totally. It has been proven time and time again that men can lose 10,15,20 pounds just by giving up pop. The acidity in one 8 oz. glass of pop reeks such havoc on your stomach that it would take 30 glasses of water to neutralize.

So, there now I feel better. I just could not recommend this book without stating a few things that I have "preached" to you about before and now condone them through this book. I honestly do feel it's a good read and worth the time to pick it up. There is something in it for everyone. Read it and enjoy. Take what you can from it and make the best health decisions for you!!!