The Clothesline Diet: The Incredible Story of How One Woman Went from Flab to Fab-And How You Can Too!

by Sue Smethurst, Karen Gatt, Sue Smethurst Karen Gatt

Book Overview

At twenty-six years old, with two toddlers to care for, Karen Gatt weighed nearly 300 pounds. She'd tried diet after diet, only to find the scale tipping ever higher. Depressed and disgusted with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373892195
• ISBN13: 9780373892198
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Harlequin Nonfiction
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Empowering!

Okay, people, there are no more excuses. Follow a few simple steps and take charge of your life. You don't need to join a program, have special equipment, or go on a diet, even though that is the title. A different lifestyle that you can stick with permanently is the only thing that works. You just have to begin with small changes and keep on going. And her story proves it can be done. And it was such an honest, emotional story filled with such pain and suffering. I had to put the book down and pick the kleenex box up many times during my reading. At the finish I was filled with awe for this woman's determination and achievements. Her generous spirit in helping others overcome the same challenges is an inspiration. On a personal level, I don't agree with the low-fat approach. After reading and applying Eat Fat to Lose Fat by Sally Fallon I feel it is healthier. And I can attest that it works. But I think The Clothesline Diet would appeal much more to the mainstream audience. And I'm for whatever works and helps people. This book tells how she did it, how you can do it, step by step and comes complete with recipes and eating plans. Buy it. Read it. Do it. Yes, you can!

Real hope from a real woman!

I just love this book, there was so much I could relate to and at times I felt like she was writing about my life. This is a very real diet book and I think that's what appeals to me, the story is full of emotional highs and lows and the daily struggles that Karen Gatt endured to lose her weight - and it has the step by step practical weight loss plan of how she did it. It's her story and her practical plan. It's different from other books I've read because she's a real mom with real issues and she takes you on the weight loss journey with her - much of what she details is what most of us dieters go through, particularly the self sabotage and self esteem issues. it's refreshing to hear someone speak so honestly about being overweight. It is not a complicated diet book, there's no textbook theories, she talks you through the emotional and physical issues you face trying to lose weight and offers real advice on how to solve them based on her own experience. Her tips were practical (I would love more of them!) and her recipes were family and budget friendly. But I think most of all, it is inspiring to hear that she lost 150 lbs by starting with just five minutes a day. She is living proof that anayone can overcome obesity.

Perfect for certain people

The first half of book tells Karen Gatt's story -- how she grew up as the fat girl, and struggled with her weight through marriage difficulties and child rearing. One day she got fed up, and decided to make a change. No particular science or planning involved, just common sense and a whole lot of determination. And it worked. She lost 150 lbs. The remainder of the book is the diet plan itself (pretty short), some recipes, a FAQ, and a journal for you to motivate yourself and track progress. I believe the technique taught in "The Clothesline Diet" will suit a certain kind of person -- basically, someone who is a lot like Karen Galt was. Consider picking up this book if, at present: - You get no significant exercise - You eat a lot of junk food - You have a good amount of flexibility in your life: can shop, cook, eat pretty much whatever you want - You are very determined to lose weight The essentials of the Clothesline Diet are: substitute fatty, sugary foods with healthier alternatives, eat smaller portions, and get some exercise. Pretty obvious, right? Why don't we all do this? Well, because a lot of people (Karen included) got into the habit of turning to food for comfort and consolation, and being obese is so uncomfortable and unpleasant, it often needs a lot of consolation! Also, a lot of people don't believe they *can* lose the weight, so they aren't brave enough to give up the assured comfort of food, for the imagined comfort of no longer being fat. At least, not for long enough to make it work. Karen understands all that, and her enthusiasm is persuasive and charming. She will convince you that you can do it, it's worth the struggle, and you deserve to have a better life. There were a few very good attributes of this diet which deserve highlighting: + no measuring or specific rules + very adaptable to any tastes or habits + includes cyclic "maintenance" phases to learn how to eat like a normal person when the diet is over I would not suggest this book for you if: - You already exercise and eat well, and still need to lose weight - You would not be able to easily buy and cook good, quality, fresh foods - You prefer a more scientific approach - You have any ongoing stress or medical issues *other* than your weight I mention the last, because I think the plan is a bit lacking in support for people with stressful lives. People get fat for a reason, and that reason doesn't just go away when you decide it's time. Karen Galt had, at the time she began to change, a fabulous life: great husband, great kids, a supportive family, plenty of money, and no work outside the home. Other than her weight, everything was ideal. (This was not always the case -- I suspect she could not have undertaken this transformation much earlier.) Without that support system and ability to focus wholeheartedly on the weight loss, I don't think it would have worked. Telling everyone they can just pick themselves up and maintain perfect willp

Karen Gatt Is The Real Thing!

Karen Gatt was an obese mother of two who lost control of her eating and her entire life. She developed her own diet called The Clothesline Diet. When Karen decided enough was enough she started creating her own diet and did the only exercise she could manage: a walk around the clothesline in her backyard. Little by little Karen managed to change her own life for the better not just for herself but for her entire family. This book is a quick and engaging read and Karen Gatt is the real deal. She offers knowledge and compassion that will make you feel like she is your best friend. I'm ready to start transforming my life with Karen's help. Why don't you join me?

Sensible and straightforward

The Clothesline Diet is nothing new or radical. It's what we've all heard many times before. You have to eat right, drink lots of water and exercise to lose weight. It's that simple. The trouble is that very few people follow those guidelines. They want a quick fix or a miracle diet. Karen Gatt is speaking from experience in her writing of this book. She has is literally half of her former self after losing 150 pounds. She accomplished this through a change in lifestyle which she outlines in the book. As I said, this is not new information but it is presented in a very honest and inspiring way. The author candidly relates how despondent she had become over her own weight and the effect obesity had on her life. She boils everything down to simple steps and easy recipes that really anyone can do. Other success stories are also featured in the book from people who used The Clothesline Diet to help them lose. There are some really quick and yummy recipes as well like my favorite "Grilled Peaches with Ricotta". Most of her recipes only require a few easy to find ingredients and are do-able even if you're a busy mom with kids running around you while you're cooking. If you want a sensible, easy to follow plan with no measuring, points counting or expensive pre-made meals, this might just be what you're looking for.