Not a Diet Book: Take Control. Gain Confidence. Change Your Life.

I've followed James for a few years and was thrilled when he released his first book. It is exactly what I expected from him, which is straight-forward talk about health, fitness and life. It's interesting to learn about his journey and there are a lot of nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout that make me want to buy multiple copies of the book in hard cover to give out to various friends and family members. All of the information that you've read and looked at and listened to over the years, all the information overload and over complicated explanations about how to lose fat and look fit are simplified here. Thank you, James, for putting this out there in such a way that EVERYONE can understand it. It's not complicated, any more. It never needed to be in the first place, but there was too much money involved in keeping health and fitness complicated and contradictory and keeping people confused and frustrated.I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to uncomplicate health and fitness and fat loss. I also highly recommend following James on one of the social media platforms he is on. You'll be glad you did.

Another shameful collection of false information.

100% the best book of its kind. So much relatable, useful information. I have learned more from this book than anywhere else in my 33 yrs of life. That may make me sound dumb, but it’s true. I recommend this book for everyone. The information is presented with such sincerity, I just absorb everything being said. Love it!

For me finding James through a friend a work led to taking on the challenge of reading a book that kicked me in the face about why I carry excess fat. Allowed me to see the excuses and find a way to change my way of thinking..... The train is leaving and I'm on it!

Reading this book has taught me a whole bunch of new concepts regarding fat loss/training in addition to shattering ideas of many popular fatloss methods or "diets" After reading I definitely feel I can apply the principles learned to my daily life so I can be a better person than before loved every minute of it!

Love this book! It's like having a conversation about the gym, health, fitness and life with a good friend who doesn't sugarcoat sh*t! 🖤 Cant put it down. Highly recommend.

If you are familiar with James, this is exactly what you were expecting. Blunt, to the point, and a bit of vulgar language. If you aren't familiar with James, he does a great job of addressing things that are not your typical "health" topics. Definitely gets you thinking about all the "stuff" you hear in regards to weight loss and exercise! Well done Mate!

I started following James on Facebook and just loved his bold approach #CFD. Took some time to read but I truly love how simple and easy it is to follow. The pcos part of the book was truly enlightening for me because I have felt like such a failure since I was diagnosed. My doctors couldn't tell me much and made me feel stupid for asking about anything. James gives me hope that I can be better one day. Would highly recommend this book!!!!!

l'll start by saying I find James Smith equal parts funny and annoying (mostly from his social media posts), and I'll happily admit that I bought this book to see whether the hype was worth it. And like my opinion of James, it kinda is and it kinda isn't. It's a good source of basic easily to digest 'fitness' information that in very simple terms tries to dispel the pseudo-science and blatant marketeering tactics of the fitness industry. But it's all a bit 'Emperors New Clothes' it's not groundbreaking and there's certainly nothing I didn't know, or you couldn't find out easily enough for free. It's good in that it's all in one place with references, and as he states you can dive in deeper in your own time... so fair enough. My main issue is that James makes a point about PTs giving their clients the exact same workouts that they do themselves (PTs who do crossfit will have their clients doing crossfit etc)... Well this book is kinda like that. So in essence the advice is Calorie deficit, rid you life of the job & partner you no longer like, get some sun, maybe fight someone, live with your parents if you have to and sleep more. And this is all pretty much how the BJJ loving and single Mr Smith (who's now in sunny Australia) has chosen to live his life. That can't work for everyone, particularly if you have challenging and full lives with responsibilities and a family. It's an overly simplistic approach that has worked for James, so well done to him. I'm not a hater, and the info is good & sound and some will like it for exactly what it is. I do too. But it's basic and besides giving the information that may help some people learn, it can't help with the 'how' and probably won't change many lives as claimed (but there's lots of plugs for his online fitness academy if you fancy it) Oh, It's also wrapped up in a giant picture of himself, obviously.

I rarely leave negative reviews on books as I always think to myself “Well, at least the author tried.”In this instance, I don’t think he did.I, like the rest of the world at the moment, am doing what I can to keep busy. So I am buying loads of books about fitness and mindfulness etc. Bit of a reset for me.I got this book as it got some great reviews and was interested to see what it had to offer re: fitness advice and workouts etc.I read the book (or tried to - it was laborious) over a couple of days and I kept waiting for the bit that made me glad I’d bought it. It was amateurish in its prose and had no real substance. I felt he wrongfully dismissed virtually everything else that has been researched over the years - backed by his mere six years of being in the health and fitness industry.I feel he offers nothing that hasn’t already been said, but he says it in a rambling self promoting childish and extremely arrogant way. He is just another self promoting (hate this word) “Influencer” and they grind my gears at the best of times.I was disappointed at his willingness to negate any other type of eating plan out there when his is hardly life changing. His basic message is regurgitated calorie deficit advice but with a few swear words and a scattering of “pardon the pun” thrown in for good measure.I’ve been doing IF with an app and it is a million times better than anything this book has to offer regarding weight loss. I am amazed at the 5 star reviews and can only assume they have never ever read any other book of this genre before so they have nothing to compare to. I’m baffled.I can sum up the book for you and save you bothering:Eat fewer calories, move more, dump your partner if they aren’t putting out and...women have periods.Nuff said.

If you read any book in 2020, make sure it's this one. It is a total game changer. James Smith succeeds in writing a book in language that you and I can understand without needing to go and Google every 5 mins. This will spin your life on its head and give you a whole new perspective on gaining not only the fitness you want, but the life you want.James Smith isn't just a PT.... He's a life coach. So don't bother with any other reviews, just buy it. I can guarantee that you won't want to put it down until you are finished!

Love James' no nonsense approach to fitness! Proper advice from years of working in the industry and calling out all the B*S*. Straight talking advice, which can be backed up by the science. Get fitter and healthier physically and mentally. You won't have to live on kale and ice cubes, it's realistic, you can still enjoy a slice of pizza. If you haven't already check out his YouTube and his online james smith academy. Warning* not for snowflakes!

James Smith has completely changed my life, I struggled with self confidence and fitness for a long time until I came across James. He tells it how it is and most importantly teaches you about fitness the 'real' way, not what you see on on instagram. This book is amazing and as is he.Thank you James, your a legend!!