4.07

1

Jan 11, 2014

There is SOME good information in the book, like which carbs are good carbs, how habits are formed, why whole foods are good, and some basic biological facts. However, the tone of the book is completely inappropriate. If she wants her health advice to be taken seriously, she shouldn't refer to the occurrence of a menstrual cycle as "riding the crimson wave" and she shouldn't call pubes "a mysterious curtain". The book is also stuffed with ridiculous suggestions. For example, she recommends There is SOME good information in the book, like which carbs are good carbs, how habits are formed, why whole foods are good, and some basic biological facts. However, the tone of the book is completely inappropriate. If she wants her health advice to be taken seriously, she shouldn't refer to the occurrence of a menstrual cycle as "riding the crimson wave" and she shouldn't call pubes "a mysterious curtain". The book is also stuffed with ridiculous suggestions. For example, she recommends substituting an avocado sliced with tomatoes, lemon, and cilantro for POTATO CHIPS. Someone who wants a readily available, salty, crunchy snack isn't going to go for this. Try again. On top of all of this, she makes several wrong assumptions. If you take what she says at face value, housewives in the 50's were never fat (because they were lugging around heavy vacuum cleaners and such), going to the movies counts as physical activity (but going to the store to buy a movie apparently does not count), and you only learn math so that you can count money to buy food.

There are better choices for health books. If you want to read it because Cameron Diaz wrote it, it's still not worth it. She had a ghost writer and there are only a handful or pictures of Cameron in the book.

"Just because you can put something in your mouth, chew it, swallow it, and then poop it out doesn't mean it's food. It just means you can chew it, swallow it, and poop it out!" This is the kind of advice you're going to get from this book. Seriously. ...more

5

Apr 22, 2014

I'm very impressed with Cameron Diaz now. This book is a great tool for someone 30+ because that's when we really start to look at the overall health of our bodies. We always hear what we should be eating, but we're not always clear on why. The Body Book breaks complicated issues down to a level everyone can understand - and learn from. It's chock full of great tips for feeling and looking your best. Cameron's humor adds a nice layer to this insightful book.

Since I've read this book, I've I'm very impressed with Cameron Diaz now. This book is a great tool for someone 30+ because that's when we really start to look at the overall health of our bodies. We always hear what we should be eating, but we're not always clear on why. The Body Book breaks complicated issues down to a level everyone can understand - and learn from. It's chock full of great tips for feeling and looking your best. Cameron's humor adds a nice layer to this insightful book.

Since I've read this book, I've started making some changes and I'm already feeling a difference in my body. My favorite tip from the book so far is drinking a liter of water first thing when I wake up. Cameron explained that as we sleep, obviously we lose water during all of our breathing during our 7-8 hour slumber. I feel so much more refreshed since I've been chugging my water in the morning. I know it sounds silly, but it's little things like this that can make a difference in the way we feel. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is looking to improve their health - and just feel better all around. ...more

4

Dec 31, 2013

This book was surprisingly well-written and informative. Cameron has a great writer's voice: confident, witty, and a little bit sassy. This book is part biology lesson (though related in a very engaging way), and part motivational speech on making healthy choices and focusing on your own individual strengths and talents in life. I enjoyed reading it.

5

Jan 06, 2019

It’s the first book about food/health/fitness that I ever read and I’m not disappointed.
It really made wanna do more exercises. At the beginning of the year, I made myself have an exercise program. When I started the book - in the second day of January, I had 69 kg. Now, after 4 days of intense exercises, I have 67 kg. I gave up on bread, sugar and I started with 45 minutes of physical exercises, that turned to 55 today. Every day I keep pushing myself, because I want what’s the best for me. It’s the first book about food/health/fitness that I ever read and I’m not disappointed.
It really made wanna do more exercises. At the beginning of the year, I made myself have an exercise program. When I started the book - in the second day of January, I had 69 kg. Now, after 4 days of intense exercises, I have 67 kg. I gave up on bread, sugar and I started with 45 minutes of physical exercises, that turned to 55 today. Every day I keep pushing myself, because I want what’s the best for me. And this book opened my eyes even more. It made me decide that the best course of action is to be more involved in the decisions that I take regarding food and not letting my hunger or my cravings decide for me. ...more

1

Jan 11, 2014

Well curiosity got the best of me when it came to The Body Book. While perusing a local library ebook selection I saw this was available and was wondering what the hell Cameron Diaz could possibly have to say about our bodies. I figured it was another celebrity diet etc. book but the sub-title made me wonder. While I appreciate Cameron Diaz as an actress, I do feel as though this book was rather pointless. It is one big pep talk for people to take better care of their bodies. For one, I don't Well curiosity got the best of me when it came to The Body Book. While perusing a local library ebook selection I saw this was available and was wondering what the hell Cameron Diaz could possibly have to say about our bodies. I figured it was another celebrity diet etc. book but the sub-title made me wonder. While I appreciate Cameron Diaz as an actress, I do feel as though this book was rather pointless. It is one big pep talk for people to take better care of their bodies. For one, I don't like pep talks and two, I'm a health-conscious vegan with a biology degree--not exactly her target audience. I would like to say that Diaz differentiates herself from other books out there but honestly her voice was not unique in the health world and aside from the brief mentions of her time on sets and such you would have no idea this was even written by Diaz specifically.

Overall this book is geared towards the scientifically illiterate and unhealthy people--lucky for Diaz that is the majority of the American population. So I do think that she could have success, but I don't think she includes anything that you could not find by doing a little research yourself. Google, people, GOOGLE. It really is extremely easy to find all of the information included in this book, diagrams and healthy food lists and all. This really is a layman approach to the science of the body and maybe it will educate people who would otherwise never know what a cell is (the number of people highlighting this definition on the kindle version is enough to make me cry) or would perhaps think logically about eating (funny how fast food isn't great for your body).

Overall Diaz compiled Google searches that you could do on your own and helped educate the population about the body. I commend her for that but there is nothing new here, at least not for me. If you are a Diaz fan, scientifically illiterate or seriously need a pep talk, then this book may be for you.

As a side note: Not all of the healthy suggestions in the book are actually terribly healthy, some of which may be a matter of opinion (I of course would never recommend chicken as a healthy part of your diet--even minus the animal rights issues--as soon as you slap that dead muscle on flame you are creating carcinogens. Enjoy.). But one that irked me was Diaz suggesting chugging a huge amount of water upon waking. You shouldn't chug water, it does little for the body--you mostly just pee it out without gaining benefits or detoxing the body. But if you're going to chug anything, water would be the best.

...more

5

Jan 09, 2014

Truly, I love this book. I began a journey of overhauling my nutrition and eating habits a few months ago, and have never felt better. This book really hammers home what I've learned just by doing, as well as opened my eyes as to what exactly has been changing in my body (and mind) for the better. I just started reading this book last night, and I'm already committed to making more positive changes from what I've read. I've recommended it to all my friends, I ordered a copy for my mother. I had Truly, I love this book. I began a journey of overhauling my nutrition and eating habits a few months ago, and have never felt better. This book really hammers home what I've learned just by doing, as well as opened my eyes as to what exactly has been changing in my body (and mind) for the better. I just started reading this book last night, and I'm already committed to making more positive changes from what I've read. I've recommended it to all my friends, I ordered a copy for my mother. I had originally gotten the Kindle version, but just 2 chapters in, I also ordered the physical book so that I can flag pages and highlight parts and mark it up so I can reference it again and again--and borrow it out. It's geared toward women, but I'll be having my boyfriend read it too; this is great information for anyone. Cameron's tone is very personable and it's a really easy read. She's clearly done her homework. ...more

4

Aug 01, 2014

Here's the thing: this book is basically your Nutrition 101 book, but written in Cameron Diaz's voice. There's nothing especially new here and it does read like a text book. There's a lot of research that went into it, but peppered throughout are little jokes by Diaz.

Also, here is Cameron bouncing that booty:

2

Mar 01, 2014

I'm not sure what compelled me to pick this up. The book overall is rather casual and cheerleader-like. There's more fluff than substance.

Cameron gives a variety of advice that does seem like it comes from her own perspective. The Body Book isn't a diet or exercise book. I was really surprised by this.

There is a section on nutrition that does go over the basic vitamins and minerals, but beyond that, it's a general message to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Instead of a real exercise plan, it's I'm not sure what compelled me to pick this up. The book overall is rather casual and cheerleader-like. There's more fluff than substance.

Cameron gives a variety of advice that does seem like it comes from her own perspective. The Body Book isn't a diet or exercise book. I was really surprised by this.

There is a section on nutrition that does go over the basic vitamins and minerals, but beyond that, it's a general message to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Instead of a real exercise plan, it's more about moving and trying to get in some sort of activity during the day in which your heart rate increases. I was disappointed because I would have loved some of Cameron's workouts.

There's not much I learned from reading this. I do have a science background, so I was often critical of the presentation, but I think the knowledge is rather up to date.

The information is very simplified, but I didn't find it to have a natural ease of explanation.

I think it was dumbed down too much, but I supposed it is a great book for someone who has absolutely no health knowledge.

There aren't many graphics, charts, or tables. In this way I can't really see it being a great reference tool.

Diaz apparently eats mainly eggs and lentils. She professed to never liking sweets. It's hard to identify with a celebrity who has access to healthy food and is independent - no kids or hubby holding her back. Diaz doesn't discuss any of her privilege. I don't know if it really bothered me or not. I guess I didn't care one way or the other.

However, Diaz doesn't pretend to be anything she's not. The tone of the book sounds like she is talking right to you; like you're in her circle of friends. I can appreciate that she isn't trying to come off as an expert.

Overall, more of a cheerleader-motivational book than an actual book on health. Oh yeah, it's really only for girls. ...more

5

Apr 05, 2014

I absolutely loved this book. I am not a healthy person by any means and as a person who is overweight and suffers from diabetes I was recently brought back to the reality that I need to take better care of my body. My diabetes was insanely out of control and my body was all out of whack! My sister is a great source of inspiration when it comes to being active and always trying to be healthier and she turned me on to this book and I couldn't be more grateful. Along with my sister, whom inspires I absolutely loved this book. I am not a healthy person by any means and as a person who is overweight and suffers from diabetes I was recently brought back to the reality that I need to take better care of my body. My diabetes was insanely out of control and my body was all out of whack! My sister is a great source of inspiration when it comes to being active and always trying to be healthier and she turned me on to this book and I couldn't be more grateful. Along with my sister, whom inspires me by example to be healthier every day, this book also awoke something in me. The answers were so obvious and simple but it took reading this book to realize that it's ok to not be perfect when trying to become a more self aware and healthy person. It's ok to go at my own pace and even to make mistakes along the way as long as I continue to move forward and not let any set backs bring me down. I began incorporating some sort of physical activity every day, whether it's walking/dancing/ or doing Richard Simmon's workout videos on YouTube (don't judge, he's a very positive person) but I've stuck to it. I've been learning to make better choices when it comes to my nutrition and my diabetes is finally under control. This book is definitely a great read...although the answers seem so simple and obvious Cameron did a wonderful job of breaking down topics in a simple to understand language. Cameron said it best, "The responsibility to be healthy is in your hands-no one else is going to do it for you."----So here I go, ready to take on this new chapter of my healthier life with the tools she laid down in these pages. ...more

5

Jan 30, 2014

It would be easy to dismiss this one as another fluffy celebrity diet book but it's much more than that, it's a level-headed book about knowing yourself, doing your best with what you have and eating, moving and thinking in ways that make you better at living. This is a sensible, smart book written as if Cameron is your big sister offering advice. Not preachy, just sensible. I would love this to get into the hands of many young women who are struggling with self-image. It doesn't say that this It would be easy to dismiss this one as another fluffy celebrity diet book but it's much more than that, it's a level-headed book about knowing yourself, doing your best with what you have and eating, moving and thinking in ways that make you better at living. This is a sensible, smart book written as if Cameron is your big sister offering advice. Not preachy, just sensible. I would love this to get into the hands of many young women who are struggling with self-image. It doesn't say that this weight or that weight is right, but that there is an ideal weight where you can do things with yourself and feel good and that's where you need to aim.

Cameron Diaz admits to bad habits that she's working with changing, but that occasionally she does indulge herself but she knows that she can't do that all the time to herself and that we should follow suit. It's probably not for everyone but I found it had a lot of food for thought for me. ...more

4

May 27, 2014

I chose to read this because, well, it was Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz wrote a book??? Miss bubbly, sassy, free spirit wrote a book? And it wasn't a memoir about her claim to fame. It was a health book. Well, her body IS rocking it in her forties.

I was pleasantly surprised. Although, it was probably co-written (ghost written), they did a nice job of giving it the bubbly, sassy, free spirit voice of Cameron. There was a lot of science talk, and you know, it was broken down so nicely I chose to read this because, well, it was Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz wrote a book??? Miss bubbly, sassy, free spirit wrote a book? And it wasn't a memoir about her claim to fame. It was a health book. Well, her body IS rocking it in her forties.

I was pleasantly surprised. Although, it was probably co-written (ghost written), they did a nice job of giving it the bubbly, sassy, free spirit voice of Cameron. There was a lot of science talk, and you know, it was broken down so nicely that it was actually helpful! Was there anything in this book that was ground breaking or new? No, but it was done in a simple, informative, non-diet, non-preachy way.

Basically, with a little science, a little sweat, and little self-love, you can be the best you that you can be, whatever that may be to you personally. ...more

2

Oct 28, 2014

I will have it known that I'm not giving this book two stars because I think it is a bad book. I actually truly enjoyed some parts. These books always just tend to make me feel bad because I've never eaten kale for lunch. I've never worried about the amount of fish I eat in a week (ewww fish). I haven't ever made my own non fat salad dressing or peanut butter. Nor can I afford to shop at whole foods to do so. These facts always make me feel like I have to step away from the book with a tinge of I will have it known that I'm not giving this book two stars because I think it is a bad book. I actually truly enjoyed some parts. These books always just tend to make me feel bad because I've never eaten kale for lunch. I've never worried about the amount of fish I eat in a week (ewww fish). I haven't ever made my own non fat salad dressing or peanut butter. Nor can I afford to shop at whole foods to do so. These facts always make me feel like I have to step away from the book with a tinge of sadness. This step back usually ends up with me stepping into the kitchen and opening a bag of oreos. Sigh...healthy eating books. ...more

4

Jan 14, 2014

I think this would be an excellent book for someone who currently makes a lot of unhealthy choices and wants to turn their life around.

4

Feb 13, 2016

I have enjoyed this book very much, and I know I will go back to it as reference as I get started into a healthier lifestyle.

As Cameron states early in the book, it is not a diet book, nor she claims to know it all. It's also not a portfolio of her photos. There may be around 12 photos of her altogether, including the cover and back. This is an informative book looking at a woman's body and mind in a holistic way. It is based on factual information and simplified with humor for simpletons like I have enjoyed this book very much, and I know I will go back to it as reference as I get started into a healthier lifestyle.

As Cameron states early in the book, it is not a diet book, nor she claims to know it all. It's also not a portfolio of her photos. There may be around 12 photos of her altogether, including the cover and back. This is an informative book looking at a woman's body and mind in a holistic way. It is based on factual information and simplified with humor for simpletons like myself. I loved her casual tone throughout the chapters. I read this is something it has bothered other reviewers. Personally, I loved it. I felt as I was sharing information with a friend who knew more about the subject than I did. She provides further reading recommendations, and a reference list where one can look further for more "academic" information on different subjects. It's a book about loving yourself and taking care of the body you got.

I think it's a positive book to encourage us, women, to understand our bodies better, to love ourselves, to enrich our lives, to see life in a better and happier manner without imposing some crazy Hollyweird ideas. Of course, she will talk about the non-GMO, the organic choices an all that. Well, some of those things are easier to access for some, and for others, the choices may be too expensive or not easy to find. Still, knowing what we're putting inside of us matters. Even if we can't all shop at Whole Foods, or whatnot, we can be more educated in knowing what options our budget allows us to select, and knowing there are healthier choices for us.

I'm looking forward to her upcoming book "The Longevity Book: The Biology of Resilience, the Privilege of Time, and the New Science of Aging." Cameron Diaz is one of the few women in the spotlight who has chosen to age gracefully, and she seems down to Earth. As I reach myself the time to start making some choices on how to care for a maturing body, I can use a few tips here and there.

Overall, money well spent. ...more

4

Mar 28, 2014

I got curious about this book when it was mentioned on a friends page of my blog, so I got this. I like her well enough as an actress and this book was surprisingly good. I got some new information among things I knew and the tone of the book was very positive.
The chapters were nicely organised; the third part had a little bit of everything yet not confusing. Of course my taste in foods won't exactly match - people has different tastes even within healthy foods and can have tolerance limits - I got curious about this book when it was mentioned on a friends page of my blog, so I got this. I like her well enough as an actress and this book was surprisingly good. I got some new information among things I knew and the tone of the book was very positive.
The chapters were nicely organised; the third part had a little bit of everything yet not confusing. Of course my taste in foods won't exactly match - people has different tastes even within healthy foods and can have tolerance limits - but I can work within it. I liked how she didn't push on certain types of exercise activities; it was pretty awesome how she most recommended just bouncing around energetically, especially so with a good 15 min. playlist - I've certainly done that sort of thing before, though no with exercise in mind.
No doubt some of the information I will seek to read again, and now I feel inspired to use the information I got out of it. Some books she mentioned I have read or I want to read now, too. ...more

5

Jan 06, 2016

This was honestly so inspirational. And not in that empty lame way. She promises nothing to you other than the basic fact that if you try hard to be healthy and discipline yourself to exercise and eat well - you will feel amazing. I really appreciated all of the scientific explanations for why our bodies do the things they do. Cameron Diaz is a babe and her brutal yet kind and encouraging voice will motivate you in just the right way.

3

Nov 18, 2019

Nicely done Cameron. This is an extremely informational book about the body, its parts and organs and how everything functions. It explains in details human processes and reactions to food, exercise and other actions. Very informative!

1

Dec 31, 2015

For the record, I love the concept of this book. Cameron Diaz is known in our society for being a symbol of beauty and being a successful woman. I love that she took the knowledge of the power she had with that status and wrote a book about nutrition and just moving and not a diet book outlawing entire food groups. She wrote a book about loving yourself and eating well because you love yourself, not because you hate yourself and want to change everything. Coming from such a well known figure, For the record, I love the concept of this book. Cameron Diaz is known in our society for being a symbol of beauty and being a successful woman. I love that she took the knowledge of the power she had with that status and wrote a book about nutrition and just moving and not a diet book outlawing entire food groups. She wrote a book about loving yourself and eating well because you love yourself, not because you hate yourself and want to change everything. Coming from such a well known figure, this concept is awesome. She isn't trying to make money off of people hating themselves. She is trying to show people that it is ok to love yourself. She wrote a book explaining nutrition in a way that can be understood to an audience who might not spend their time reading a book on that topic otherwise. And all of that is great. I love the message.
That being said, if you are going to write a book with that knowledge, it doesn't seem authentic to pick a cowriter who write books with famous people. If you know that your audience is going to believe you and that you have the power to get knowledge into their hands that they might not normally read, I think a better choice would to be to write it with a registered dietician, or any of the doctors referenced throughout the book. If you are going to have a cowriter, you know that because of your name this book will sell and you are writing a book with a lot of science, you owe it to your reader to write it with someone with a background in the subject. It's great that this book was written, but it wasn't authentic because she doesn't have the degrees or the actual background in the topic. I know a bit about nutrition too, but I'm not going to write a book on it unless I get a degree in it or partner with someone with that background.
I love that this book exists because it is saying to not diet, but to just eat better most of the time and to move more. It is explaining how food works in your body and how you should love yourself. But I can't get over the fact that both authors have no actual background in the subject. ...more

1

May 11, 2014

Not impressed. Cameron Diaz seems to be regurgitating basic, obvious wellness information (such as fast food is bad for you) and trying to pass it off as revealing discovery in an attempt to cash in on the celebrity health wave ala Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba.

3

May 02, 2019

I decided to listen on audiobook this time, but I had previously started it in Paperback in 2014. I wasn't ready for it when it came out, but now I feel more ready to take it on. It's an introduction to your body (yep, all of it, they even go over the bones and tendons in the body, and what exactly a period is and all of that stuff - but it's not a dry textbook style read) and how you can turn it into a powerhouse. Her biggest thing is: Don't eat sugar. EVER. (And I'm struggling here because why I decided to listen on audiobook this time, but I had previously started it in Paperback in 2014. I wasn't ready for it when it came out, but now I feel more ready to take it on. It's an introduction to your body (yep, all of it, they even go over the bones and tendons in the body, and what exactly a period is and all of that stuff - but it's not a dry textbook style read) and how you can turn it into a powerhouse. Her biggest thing is: Don't eat sugar. EVER. (And I'm struggling here because why live if we can't eat good things???) But she does let us know that she was "us" once upon a time (no kidding - she ate two bean burritos and a coke from Taco Bell EVERY DAY for 2 straight years) and that by making more good choices than bad ones, when food is concerned, you can reprogram your body to crave "real food" and not garbage. I'm inspired, but I'm also going at this incrementally!
The book is read by a professional audio book reader, but the intro and outro are recorded by Cam. It was nice to think that she was on this journey with me and if she rehabbed her burrito addiction, I can too!! =) ...more

4

Mar 31, 2017

I can't say that there was a lot in this book that I didn't already know, but it was still an informative book. I like how it's told in a fun way as if Cameron is speaking right to you making it easier to understand the (sometimes complex) things you are reading. I saw reviews complaining about how this book is written, but I didn't mind the voice this book was told in. I think it is just written like Cameron would speak and that gives it more of a personal feel in my opinion, and I really liked I can't say that there was a lot in this book that I didn't already know, but it was still an informative book. I like how it's told in a fun way as if Cameron is speaking right to you making it easier to understand the (sometimes complex) things you are reading. I saw reviews complaining about how this book is written, but I didn't mind the voice this book was told in. I think it is just written like Cameron would speak and that gives it more of a personal feel in my opinion, and I really liked that. ...more

0

Jan 15, 2018

I don't know if this book is better than another information wise, especially regarding nutrition, but I found that it's theme of our convenient lives and uncovering personal power inspiring.

3

Nov 09, 2018

Really liked a lot of content in this book. Minus some parts on nutrition. Don't appreciate being told eating grass fed beef is like eating stars and sunshine. Think she missed some studies there! Viva la Vegan, Cameron!

Overall a really empowering read that makes you want to make the most of life and the beautiful body that you've been given!

3

Jan 31, 2019

A pretty good, accessible balance of the science behind biology, fitness, and nutrition and behavioral instincts and habits.

3

Jul 23, 2018

This book does not dive deep at all, it's basic stuff, but that's why I liked it. It didn't get too specific or advocate for a certain diet. It was just simple information about the human body. It was a good reminder. If you've read anything by Michael Pollan, this book is a huge proponent of his mantra "Eat food, mostly plants, not too much."