The Real Solutions Weight Loss Workbook is an interactive guidebook that provides entry-level education on the basics of weight loss and weight maintenance. This book, intended for those trying to lose weight in a realistic manner, provides engaging, real-life scenarios that help highlight the importance of weight loss for overall health and well-being. Beginning with the importance of weight loss, the negative impact of carrying excess weight, and a brief overview of body mass index, the workbook provides compelling evidence as to why weight management is relevant to everybody. Next, the basics of weight loss are addressed. Topics include achieving caloric deficits and a quick breakdown of macronutrients and their caloric components. Later chapters include lessons on portion control, food label reading, and how to set a SMARTER goal, among other topics that may lead to weight loss success. The book concludes with a brief overview on how to achieve weight maintenance once you have reached your target weight and how to prevent a relapse.

The information is presented in a factual, yet easy to understand manner, thus educating readers without overwhelming them. The material found in each of the 24 short chapters builds upon what was presented in the previous chapter, building readers' knowledge and confidence. The workbook is concise, providing the reader with the basic knowledge necessary to begin the weight loss process in a safe and healthy manner. Many hypothetical situations and opportunities for personal reflection allow readers to take the facts and apply them to their own life. This workbook helps readers identify their personal barriers to weight loss, making them feel validated in their struggles to maintain a healthy weight. The information covered in this workbook is simplistic, and the reader is encouraged to seek further education from a registered dietitian/nutritionist. Extremely basic, this workbook should be reserved for clients who are at the very beginning of their weight loss journey. The information seems rudimentary and obvious to a reader who has already traveled down the weight management road.

The readability of this workbook is high; short chapters are interspersed with activities, analogies, and attractive graphics, making this book quite stimulating. The reader is able to quickly navigate to a valuable topic or chapter by referencing the contents page. The workbook contains many examples and hypothetical situations, such as a comparison of two food logs. One food log has significant underreporting, whereas the other illustrates how to record your daily intake more accurately. The author does not overwhelm the reader with references within chapters, and no reference list is included in the literature. A list of "digital resources" is provided for the reader, including websites for activity trackers, food logs, and exercise regimens.

With 78.6 million American adults overweight or obese, a weight loss workbook such as Real Solutions Weight Loss Workbook is incredibly timely. The emphasis on sustainable, long-term health and wellness (rather than fad dieting or "quick fixes") is aligned with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics guidelines for weight loss.1 Often overlooked, topics such as realistic goal setting, seeking help with emotional eating, and navigating the buffet at a holiday party are addressed in this book. This workbook has the capacity to inspire prospective weight loss clients and provide them with the information necessary to achieve their weight loss goals.

Real Solutions Weight Loss Workbook should be considered a valuable tool to registered dietitians/nutritionists working with clients or patients who are beginning or contemplating their weight loss journey. The basic yet comprehensive workbook provides facts about how to achieve a healthy weight loss, interspersed with words of encouragement and hypothetical scenarios to aid readers throughout their experience. The registered dietitian/nutritionist can give this workbook to patients with confidence, knowing that the information provided is current, fact-based, and in alignment with the recommendations made by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

-Stacey Riggs, MS, RD, CDN

New York, NY ([email protected])

REFERENCE