The Ultimate Weight Loss Secret

Peter WalshI was very privileged recently to chat with famous author and TV star Peter Walsh!

Peter grew up in Australia but has lived in Los Angeles for the last 14 years where he has become a household name with his role as the organizer on The Discovery Channel reality show Clean Sweep and numerous Oprah appearances!

Peter has been an organizational consultant for the last decade and his clients range from Fortune 500 companies to stressed out individuals who simply want to de clutter their lives.

This clever cookie has a Masters degree with a specialty in educational psychology PLUS he’s reigned as the President and CEO of an international training and development company.

Peter has written 3 books: "How To Organize Just About Everything," "Its All Too Much" and the most recent a weight loss book called "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?"

I managed to get Peter on the phone on Thursday. Read on to see what I found out!

What made you move into the clutter world?

It happened very gradually, more serendipity than planning. I worked in the area of organizational change in large companies for many years.

Over time I began to give help to those clients in their homes with design and organization. Then one day some friends of mine told me I should audition for this new show Clean Sweep, I did and the rest is history!

What inspired you to write Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?

I learned long ago when helping people de-clutter their homes that if you focus on the stuff you will never get organized. Clutter isn’t about the stuff, it is about the issues around the stuff.

With my clients I always start by asking ‘what is the life you want?’ The decisions they begin to make surrounding their homes have a ripple effect around all other areas from their relationships to their jobs and their weight.

I truly believe it is a simple principle. . . you can’t make your best choices, you can’t make your healthiest choices in a cluttered and messy home.

When did you first begin to make the connection between clutter and weight?

Almost immediately. I noticed the connection as soon as I started working with clients in their homes. As soon as people learned to focus on the life they want to live they began eating healthier and making better food choices.

After de-cluttering their homes my clients found they ate out less, began to enjoy cooking in their kitchen and the effect on their weight was very noticeable.

What do you think is the fundamental cause for clutter in peoples homes?

The fundamental cause is delayed decisions. Clutter happens when you decide to not to DEAL with it today whether it is meal, clothes, bills. Clutter is the result of delaying important decisions in your life and not committing to dealing with it.

What steps can people make to ensure they don’t relapse into their clutter ways

Its really about re-thinking the way they see the stuff they buy or the stuff they eat. Diets are not about food. Diets are about decisions.

If you can help people get to a point that when they buy or eat something they will first ask themselves the question ‘will this decision move me closer to the life I want?’

The trick is helping people become conscious of their decisions.

What room should you start with to de-clutter for best weight loss results?

The first room to de-clutter is the kitchen. The kitchen should nourish your family in terms of food, conversation, love and family history.

Ask yourself two questions. . .

1. What do you want from your kitchen? If its not giving you that make changes.

2. Is your kitchen nourishing you and your family. If its not you need to clear the countertops, clear the excess crap out of the cupboards and make space.

What is your tip for sticking with your healthy diet?

Planning and organization. If you are not organized you have to choose between a or b. You choose the easy rather than the good. If you are prepared then the good choice is the easy choice. Organize your pantry, your shopping, your meal plans. Its not magic.

What’s your favourite healthy meal?

I eat a very mixed and balanced diet. I’m a crazy sushi man. A typical Aussie guy with meat and 3 veg on my plate. And then an LA coastal man who loves fish and salad.

What’s your favourite workout?

Walking. Easy, regular, pick up the pace, clears your mind walking.

If you had to pick one point you hope readers take away from this book what would that be?

You have one life. Commit to that life. And make it the best life you can.

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So there you have it - I got the scoop

From all of us here at UWLS I want to send out a HUGE thanks to Peter for giving us his time and an insight into his weight loss techniques.

To read more about Peter’s book ‘Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?’ or to grab a copy yourself click the link below:

Esther BlumYou will have all read my book review on Esther’s book Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous (click here if you didn’t). WELL I managed to grab half an hour on the phone with the delightful Esther Blum and wracked her brain on everything I could think of!

Esther has worked in the nutrition industry for 15 years now and still loves it! Esther is constantly challenging herself to learn and develop new techniques to help her much loved clients.

Esther has Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Simmons College in Boston and is a graduate of New York University, where she received her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition.

As if that’s not impressive enough, Esther is also a graduate of the Designs For Health Institute, where she expanded her knowledge further with a certification in holistic nutrition.

Read on to hear how she blossomed from hospital care into writer extraordinaire!

How did you move into the nutrition field?

I got a Bachelor and Masters in Clinical Nutrition at Simmons College and New York University respectively.

From there I worked in hospitals for 5 years treating people at the end stages of their lives. I did enjoy the work but after 5 years I wanted to move into more effective and preventative care.

At a dinner party a friend asked me what I knew about vitamins and I was embarrassed to say very little. She went on to tell me about a course in holistic treatment being run in NYC.

I applied and was part of only the 2nd or 3rd group of students to receive the certification and it all evolved from there!

What is so different about your approach?

I use nutrients to treat conditions. I think foods offer so much more than people realize. Also I never ask patients to do what I couldn’t do myself.

I do not believe in strict diets. I enjoy food too much to live life that way. The deprivation based mentality will never work long term.

I tell my clients I am here to support and guide you to better choices. It’s about creating and building a better lifestyle with a soft and gentle hand.

What foods do you truly believe in?

Whole foods. I encourage my clients to follow the 80/20 rule - 80% healthy, whole foods + 20% naughty treats.

I love inspiring people to see how good they can really feel. Eating a healthy diet rich in whole foods will improve fat burning, increase energy, clear your skin, spruce up your insides.

The main problem in today’s society is that people don’t realize how bad they feel UNTIL they start eating healthy and experience the results. I have clients all the time saying to me wow I never even realized how yucky I felt until I cut out this or that.

What do you love most about your line of work?

Gosh so many things. . .

I love helping change peoples lives. I love changing how they look at eating and food in general. I love helping people to dramatically reduce and or abolish the impacts of illnesses and disease. I love empowering people to take charge of their lives and reaping the benefits.

What are some of the best foods our readers can incorporate into their diet?

Vegetables in general should take up 75% of your diet. Veges are full of nutrients and disease fighting compounds. I love brussell sprouts sauteed in a little olive oil with pecans. Also I like mashed cauliflower (instead of potato).

Wild game is a great source of protein and often free of the harsh chemicals other meats contain. I love buffalo and wild Alaskan salmon. Buffalo burgers are a huge favourite in our house!

Do you eat organic foods?

About two thirds of my diet is organic. Obviously it depends on price and availability, I won’t pay exorbitant prices. I encourage my clients to go organic as much as they can.

What do you tell your clients about exercise?

Definitely do it!

Exercise is great for building lean muscle mass which actually burns calories AND it’s great for stress management.

I recommend short burst of weight training 3 times a week. Gone are the days of the endless hours on the treadmill or pounding your poor knees on the pavement. Strength training is the new cardio.

Strength training is great to de-age, de-stress and regulate hormones.

What did you want to achieve with the book?

I wanted to create a book which exactly like having a nutritional consultation with me. A book that can help you learn about nutrition within the comfort of their own home.

I wanted Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous to be a go to reference book. So that when you’re feeling a bit iffy, when you’re at the health food store, when you’re struggling from a big night out you can open the book and find out what you need.

What is your favourite cheat food?

I love foie gras, chocolate and martini’s. But these are very much my special treats! I have chocolate maybe twice a week and the others maybe once a fortnight.

Esther even gave us a sneak peek into her NOT YET RELEASED book ‘Secrets of Gorgeous’ which is due out later in 2008.

"The very essence of being gorgeous isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being and feeling our most fabulous and the secret of doing that is accepting you imperfections. I prefer to think of these as attributes. A little self acceptance goes a long way in softening our own critical voice that can really serve as a barrier to helping us reach our goals." Secrets of Gorgeous

Esther was exactly how I imagined her after reading the book - funny, full of knowledge and absolutely delightful! Thanks to Esther from all the team here at UWLS for giving us some of her precious time

To the readers you really do need to get your hands on a copy of Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous. It is the ULTIMATE handbook to address everything from hangovers to weight loss to sex and living gorgeously!

Click the link below to get more information about Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous:

There are a HEAPS of current diet books on the market causing quite a stir.

It can be confusing trying to figure out exactly what book is right for you.

Everybody is different and has unique needs when it comes to losing weight.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite current diet books. Enjoy

Peter Walsh is a clutter expert who’s appeared on Oprah and has built quite the reputation for himself around the globe.

Peter is a real believer in the the best way to lose weight is WITHOUT calorie counting and weigh ins. He focuses on how, why and where you eat.

He promotes the view that it’s not about the pounds, it’s about living the life you deserve in the body you’ve always wanted.

Using his expert techniques derived from his years as a clutter expert, Peter helps you to address how clutter in your home, your pantry and your kitchen is directly linked to the clutter on your body.

Peter’s book shows you how to clean up your house and your lifestyle. The book covers planning meals, shopping and dinner rituals.

Learn how to de-clutter your life and lose pounds! Click the link below for more info.

Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous was written by expert nutritionist Esther Blum.

This refreshing and fun book details everything a modern gal needs to look absolutely fabulous.

Esther has worked in the industry for 15 years and over that time has built a name for herself as a nutritionist with a twist.

The book covers what foods to eat, how to cure a hangover, how to be a tiger in the bedroom, what vitamins to take to cure common illnesses and the gorgeous girl way to approach weight loss.

Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous is the ultimate girls handbook - not to mention a hilarious read. Click the link below for more info.

French Women Don’t Get Fat is a by delightful French woman Mireille Guiliano.

The book gives you an inside look into the French women’s approach to food and life in general.

Written beautifully, the book opens your eyes to an interesting approach to weight loss and eating.

Mireille offers easy yet gourmet recipes, practical exercise techniques straight from France, a weight loss super soup and delightful tales of the French lifestyle.

This book will change your approach to eating and have you releasing your inner French gal. Click the link for more info.

Red Carpet Ready is a weight loss program created by celebrity trainer Valerie Waters.

Valerie has put together a diet and exercise program to have you red carpet worthy in just 6 weeks. The book covers everything you need to know to transform your body from head to toe.

Her program makes everything so simple all you need to do is read and do.

Red Carpet Ready gives you diet, goal and exercise advise including the step by step workout she uses on all her star clients.

Valerie has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Biel so this LA gal knows what she’s talking about.

Red Carpet Ready is the easiest program I’ve ever come across and it truly will transform your body. Click the link for more info.

Bob Greene is a familiar face around the world and has appeared countless times on the Oprah show and penned a number of books including his latest The Best Life Diet.

Bob has worked with hundreds of clients during his successful reign as a personal trainer and even helped Oprah achieve a massive 90 pound weight loss!

The Best Life Diet is a great well-rounded weight loss approach. Bob focuses not on the "diet" but on a healthy way of LIFE!

You’ll find an easy to follow 3 phase program to guide you to your goal weight with ease. The book offers a full menu plan and exercise program to get you losing weight and changing your body.

His book is easy to follow and can help you revamp your entire lifestyle. Click the link for more info.

So there you have it. . . My favourite current diet books on the market today.

I have read every one of them and couldn’t pick a particular favourite. They are all awesome in their own respect!

My only recommendation is to GET ONE OF THEM!

Diet books are great for motivation and guiding you to your ultimate body

The bank card got heaps of use yesterday when I grabbed some awesome books to fill my brain with awesome goodies for you guys.

My ‘they were 25% off’ justification brought laughs from my darling boyfriend who patiently held the books I piled up hehe!

The first one I picked up has left a massive impression on me and I think every lady should pick up a copy and get it in her handbag TODAY!

Read on to find out what the ultimate ladies handbook is!

I read the first book cover to cover in ONE sitting.

The name was ‘Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous’ by Esther Blum.

I was VERY impressed and have put together a mini book review on this special treasure.

Esther is what I like to call a nutritionist with a twist. This sassy lady has all the certifications but a refreshingly down to earth approach to both diet and life in general.

There isn’t any fancy lingo and lab jacket for this lady - she gets to the point and gets there fast!

This clever cookie has worked in the world of nutritional counseling for 15 years and left many clients fabulously happy in the meantime.

As Ether says, ‘I show my clients how to lead healthier lives and I encourage their naughty ways. I am pro supplements and I am pro cosmopolitans.’

Esther’s book is an incredible handbook for women in the real world.

She covers everything in this pretty pink book from eating your way to magnificent body, drinking like a princess, digesting your way to smoking hot bedroom fun, supplements made for beauty and navigating your way through a breakup PLUS MORE!

Esther goes through how to:

* Get in touch with your body the gorgeous gal way
* Manoeurve your way through the supermarket the right way
* Eat smart when living it up
* Enjoy drinks without adding 100’s of calories or hours of pain the next day
* Pick the right supplements to keep you feeling amazing all day, everyday
* Deal with heaps of common issues like PMS, cramps, colds, bloating & more
* Get through a sad time the classy way
* Workout the sassy gal way to make your body fabulous inside and out
* And MORE!

Here’s some of my favourite bits:

"A healthy, happy and beautiful woman honours herself and her cravings. Does this mean eating an entire package of cookies in one sitting? Non non cherie. This means that when you are going to indulge, you do it princess-style. Buy the very best cookies you can afford, put them on one of your sassiest dishes, sit at the table and fully enjoy eating them." Page 21.

"Whether you’re eating out, cooking in the kitchen, or cooking in the bedroom, have fun and enjoy yourself! If you treat yourself to a sumptuous dinner, balance it out the next day with plenty of green vegetables. At the end of the day, the only person holding you accountable is yourself, and eating gorgeous will help you be your own best friend." Page 49.

"Just because I’m a nutritionist doesn’t mean I’m immune to the perils of living it up large. Being healthy AND the belle of the ball is no easy feat. Rather than getting excited about going out and binge drinking let’s switch gears a bit and think about consequence free, grown up drinking that will leave us fresh as a daisy le morning after." Page 52.

"Did you know by eating a healthy diet, taking the right supplements, and taking care of your digestion you can increase your endurance and satisfaction and, most important, perform like the bucking bronco you know you are!" Page 77.

Esther is not only a refreshing dietitian but also an awesome writer. It didn’t feel like reading, it felt like sitting down in a hip NYC bar with a martini and fun albeit nutrition based conversation.

Eat, Drink and Be Gorgeous is an exciting, informative and funny girls handbook. I thoroughly enjoyed it - it didn’t even feel like learning. If only high school had been this fun!

Rating: ★★★★★

This is seriously a must have for any sassy lady. Click the link below to grab your own copy!

Tags: book review, book reviews, eat drink and be gorgeous, esther blum, weight loss, weight loss advice, weight loss book
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