The Engine 2 Diet book review & giveaway

I was given a great opportunity to review The Engine 2 Diet book.  I chose to review this book because the title immediately brought back memories of the firehouse being my family in my early childhood years.  My dad worked for many years at the fire department.  I also know that my dad and mom have been trying hard to work on losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle so I wanted to read this book and pass it on to my mom so they can see if it would be a diet that would suit them.

AND I have FIVE copies of this hardback book to give away to my readers so be sure to read the review and if you think it’s a book you might be interested in reading enter for your chance to win.  Instructions for entering the giveaway are at the end of this review.

I really enjoyed The Engine 2 Diet book.  In the beginning the author, Rip Esselstyn tells why he decided to create this diet and also shares his personal story.  This is a plant based diet and a 4 week program that will help you reach your health goals.  There are 2 plans available, one is a more gradual approach and the other is for someone who wants to jump right into and go for the full program.

I enjoyed the quick testimonials and pop quizzes that are placed throughout the book.  Exercise is also incorporated into this diet which I was very happy to see and in the book there is an exercise section with images to help you perform a variety of moves.

This is not a program that would fit into our lifestyle right now but it definitely has me intrigued. The book has taught me many ways to eat healthier such as using much less or no olive oil or any other oil for that matter, try more whole grains and legumes and focus on less processed foods.  This diet seems to really focus on lowering cholesterol too.

You can find a lot more great information at their website The Engine 2 Diet.  Watch the film that they provide and you’ll have a better understanding about the diet and what the book is about.  My favorite part of the book was the chapter on label reading.  It was a real eye opener.  And the recipe and meal plan section has a bunch of great suggestions, kitchen tips, etc.

GIVEAWAY! I have 5 copies to give away to my readers.  Open only to U.S. and Canada residents. No P.O. boxes.

Here’s how to win: CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED

Head on over to The Engine 2 Diet website and tell me one of the most common questions people have about THE DIET or tell me one thing you learned from watching THE FILM.

Extra entries: (separate comment for each entry please)

*Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway (leave the link to your tweet with your comment)

*Blog about and link to this review/giveaway post AND to the Engine 2 Diet website (leave link to your blog post in the comment section)

This giveaway begins March 30th and ends April 6th at 9 PM Central.  Winners will be randomly chosen and announced here on my blog on March 7th.  I will send an email to the winners and you’ll have 3 days to reply or we’ll re-draw.

Remember this giveaway is for those in the U.S. and Canada.  No P.O. boxes.

If you don’t want to wait for the giveaway to end, you can go ahead and purchase a copy of The Engine 2 Diet

 

Menu Plan Monday: March 30

Time for Menu Plan Monday

This is my birthday week (I’m an April Fool’s baby) and my parent’s are coming in to town to celebrate.  We are not doing any menu planning this week but we do have the days pretty much planned out as far as dinner goes.

Monday-
Delivery/take-out

Tuesday-
Rainforest Cafe

Wednesday- Happy Birthday to me!
Bahama Breeze

Thursday-
Undecided

Friday-
Undecided

What do you have on your menu plan this week?


Save Dinner Time with Meal Planning

 

My exercise this week

Workout stats for the week of March 23-29, 2009

Monday-

*Walk Outside
Time: 20 min.

*Spin class
Time: 54 min.
Calories burned: 492

Tuesday-

*Walk Outside
Time: 15 min.

Wednesday-

*Spin/Core class
Time: 57 min.
Calories burned: 567

Thursday-

*Walk Away the Pounds Big Burn 2 mile
Time: 31 min.
Miles: 2
Calories burned: 285

*Walk Outside
Time: 20 min.

Friday-

*Walk Away the Pounds Walk Slim 2 mile
Time: 35 min.
Miles: 2
Calories burned: 326

Saturday-

Day Off

Sunday-

Day Off

Yesterday and today I did some major house cleaning and I’m acutally taking the next few days off as mom and dad will be in town.  If I do anything it will be a quick in-home workout but I might just take an exercise break while they are here.  We are going to the outlet mall while they are here so I know all that walking will be great!

How was your exercise this week?  Care to share about your workouts?

 

Benefits of Exercise Bikes

Time for your Friday Fit and Healthy Lifestyle Tip.  This week’s tip came up from my mom wanting to know more about the benefits of exercise bikes so I did some research, found some great info and decided to pass it on to you.

Today’s Tip: Benefits of Exercise Bikes

Exercise bikes are an excellent cardio workout and are low impact, easy on the knees, ankles, joints and back.  It’s a safe exercise and strengthens and tones the legs and glute muscles, working mostly the lower body.  An exercise bike is ideal for those that are overweight or new to exercise.  I started on the bike when we first joined a fitness center and it was great for me to start out with.

There are two different types of exercise bikes:

Recumbent exercise bike-

The recumbent exercise bike has pedals in the front of the bike rather than on the sides like the upright exercise bike.  The seat is wide and has handle bars on each side.  There is a back rest so you are in more of a reclining position.  This bike is good for those who may have back problems as the seat position is more comfortable for the user.  As far as the seat goes, your bottom won’t be as sore as on an upright exercise bike.  Many people also feel you get a slower and less intense workout.

Upright exercise bike-

The upright exercise bike is like a traditional bike but stationary.  This bike allows for more movement.  You can sit leaning over using race type positions and you can stand up like when you are on a spin bike.  An upright exercise bike is usually less expensive than a recumbent exercise bike.

On the more higher end recumbent and upright exercise bike models, you can monitor your speed, miles, calories burned, heart rate, set your chosen resistance and you can pre-program workouts.

The only negatives that I can see to exercise bikes are they work mostly just the legs and, are not a high calorie burn option (depending on your intensity of course) and you could tend to get bored cycling.

My personal preference is the recumbent exercise bike.  It’s just more comfortable to me and it’s the only piece of cardio equipment that I can read on and still get a decent workout.  Plus, I do 3-4 days a week of spin classes using an upright spin bike.  As you know, I like to change things up all the time.

Do you use exercise bikes and if so what type is your preference?

 

Weekly Weigh In: March 25

Weekly Weigh-In time!  Lost another pound.  I’m happy about that and hope I can keep the numbers going down.

Current weight: 215
Goal weight: 140
Pounds left to go: 75

28 lbs left to get back down to my lowest (187) so that is my goal by the end of 2009.

How did your week go?  Check in!  Stay accountable.

 

Menu Plan Monday: March 23

Monday-
Tuna & Soup

Tuesday-
Jambalaya with shrimp and seafood mix

Wednesday-
Pasta, homemade sauce with veggies, edamame, etc.

Thursday-
Pork chops, potato, veggie

Friday-
Play it by ear!  Hubs says order in but we’ll see LOL

Be sure to visit Menu Plan Monday to see what everyone is having this week!

What is on your menu for this week?

For some Kitchen Humor, recipes and more visit Family Foodies

Here are some cool giveaways that I found this weekend:

I found a new blog called Everything in the Kitchen Up Close and love it so far.  Check out the GelPro Review & Giveaway (this is a very comfy looking mat for your kitchen) and while there don’t miss the vintage apron giveaway too.  Oh how I want a cute apron. My favorite is the Wildcat Red apron.  So adorable!

Frugal Mommy of 2 Girls has a giveaway going for a $30 gift cert. to Room It Up.  I absolutely ADORE this store, just found it this weekend and want to shop, shop, shop!  Check out the sports bags and totes they have to offer. Cute!