28 Days Lighter Diet: Your Monthly Plan To Lose Weight, End Pms, And Achieve Physical And Emotional Wellness

I love Ellen and she has truly inspired me with her work over the years. I give this 4 stars because I would've liked to see vegan or vegetarian recipes. In spite this, I will pass this book to my daughter and nieces when the time comes. Thank you!!

I wish I had this book when I began my menstruating journey. :-) I had no idea that my cycle and all of those hormones could be worked with and not pushed down because they were in the way. I suppose they can be worked with in term of over the counter medicines and pills, but this book is much, much deeper than that. It takes my passion for Eastern Thought, Macrobiotics, and Chinese Medicine and applies it to what women have known for ages. There is a mental, emotional and spiritual component with each phase of our cycle. When we learn to embrace it, our physical body is so happy!! Each phase of our cycle has a dedicated chapter and I was completed blown away by the distinct needs of each. Regarding the fatigue we feel in days 1-5, generally the onset of menstruation, the author says this. "Ignoring this desire for rest overrides your intuition. It’s a subtle form of self-abuse, disconnecting body from spirit…You are a quiet force of nature on Day 1-a tsunami of intuitive power. Don’t squander this strength with distractions. Stay home, find solitude, relax, and reap the rewards of not doing, but being." "In order for you to be vibrant all cycle long, there’s got to be yin to the yang."And when it comes to PMS they turn it on its heels by this perspective. The more I think about it the more they are so right!!! "You know how most of us women were brought up to be sweet little peacekeepers? How, if you didn’t have anything nice to say, it’s better to not say anything at all? That crap just doesn’t apply to pre-menstruation…What am I not saying that needs to be said?…Acting on the answers…will not only relieve your premenstrual symptoms, but it will also change your relationships…"WOW! SNAP! KABOOM!Oh yes. I’m getting it. I am seeing the beautiful cycle and going with it.I am so grateful for the wonderful wisdom from women in this world.

I am not kidding when I say this book is a "must read for women." Had I known years ago what I know after reading this book, I could have saved myself years of shaming, blaming and pain! The 28 Days Lighter Diet begins with a historical look at women and menstruation. It then breaks down a women's cycle (which involves the entire month - not just the week of actual menstruating) and talks about what is happening biologically and emotionally during each phase of the cycle. The book includes a variety of exercises that are best done during each phase as well as what types of food/nutrients the body needs during each phase.The best thing about the 28 Days Lighter Diet is that it not only encourages women to think differently about menstruation - but to actually think about it! Our culture tends to ignore the importance of menstruation and view it as a curse that has been bestowed upon women. When we view menstruation in that way, we are denying a part of who we are and what makes us women. Also when we ignore menstruation we do our bodies physical and emotional harm - thus my shaming, blaming and pain prior to reading this book!!Finally, this book is easy to read - it is as if you are sitting down, having a conversation with Ellen and Kate at your kitchen table. I often found myself talking to the book! I believe I also laughed and cried at certain points... The recipes are fabulous - I have made the vegetable stock and a variety of soups from it - will be making the black beans & quinoa tonight.You will not regret purchasing this book - I have mine full of sticky notes, mini-binder clips and holding a couple cycles worth of energy wheels. I have referenced this book several times during each phase of my cycle as a check in. The 28 Days Lighter Diet is the MVP of my book collection!!

After reading this book, I have to conclude that all the glowing reviews are from fangirls of the authors' fitness DVDs. There just isn't much useful information in the book, even less factual information, and it certainly isn't a how-to diet book. I didn't buy it to lose weight but if that's what you are looking for help with, I don't recommend it. I bought it hoping for help with painful periods, only to read, "There are two different types of heavy-duty cramps: primary and secondary. Primary...is caused simply by your straight-up menstrual cycle, while secondary is caused by something else... Secondary doesn't typically respond to the types of lifestyle, diet, and activity changes we cover in 28 Days Lighter Diet." Great. Honestly, I don't think anyone will find much help here unless you are exercising to extreme excess (they will give you good advice to stop doing this), depriving your body of enough fuel to function (they will tell you to stop doing this while at the same time recommending a menu of mainly beans, soup, salad, quinoa and smoothies, in very small amounts with no snacks between) or are bingeing on junk food and need someone to tell you to stop.I bought the book mainly on the recommendation of Katy Bowman (katysaysdotcom). I probably qualify as one of her fangirls but in this case, I have to disagree with her.

I had been a long time fan of Ellen's gentle and challenging workouts. Then, as my 40s started to be the first time in my life my weight had ever been a problem, I picked up this book. I couldn't put it down!I had spent so long torturing my body and inner spirit in the name of health and fitness that I had robbed myself of my greatest natural tools for true wellness and happiness.Having only recently finished reading, no pounds lost or inches lost kind of results to share (yet)... but I already feel tons lighter in my heart and mind. Thank you Ellen and Kate

I wish that this book had existed when I was younger. It explains the menstrual cycle in a very clear and engaging manner but beyond this, it helps women to identify what their body needs during the different phases of their cycle.Ever wondered why you feel exhausted certain times of the month? Why you sometimes pick fights with your spouse just so that you can be alone? Why you have loads of energy and great ideas other times of the month? This book answers all of these questions and helps you to use your menstrual cycle (the gift that it is) to its full advantage.I read this book cover to cover over a weekend and have been using it as a reference ever since. I think of it not as a diet book but as an instruction manual on being a woman.I especially like the section on nutrients women should seek out at different times in their cycle and also the different types of exercise we should be doing for the different stages. The authors combine examples and insights from both western and eastern medical traditions along with suggestions for yoga poses for the different times of the monthGet it and tell your female friends -- it really will change your approach to your monthly cycle!

I enjoy this book, being a bit older and just starting out with Pilates and having terrible women's issues. I find this book quite helpful wish I had it years ago!!

This is a brilliant book - every woman (and male partners) should read it:) It is so much more than a diet book.

Lots of writing but informative

Excellent. Simple, practical, straightforward advice!