The Spark Solution: A Complete Two-Week Diet Program to Fast-Track Weight Loss and Total Body Health Paperback – Illustrated, May 6, 2014

Here's what I enjoyed about the book: Quite a few motivational stories from people who have already used the Spark system to lose weight and keep it off. A two week program (including recipes) of diet and exercise ideas - this was my favorite part. I got quite a few new recipes for my repertoire, one of which I am including below. An "after plan" with tips on how to keep the momentum going because I am not on a diet, I am making healthy lifestyle changes.And here are the changes I made as a result of the program: Started tracking everything I eat. This made a big difference because I really needed to plan ahead and think about food. Started working out harder and more efficiently. Although I did not follow the exercise plan in The Spark Solution, I did come to realize how many calories I needed to burn in a week in order to lose weight, as compared to how much food I eat. So I switched from just walking 3-5 days a week, to interval training alternating with Walk Away the Pounds videos, plus one day of yoga and one day of rest. I have been exercising more often, burning more calories and actually having fun doing it!! I did not give up all the foods I love. I found ways to make them more healthy or cut them down to very small portions for those times when I am really craving them. For those things I do not have willpower with (yet) I try not to keep them in the house.Overall, I found The Spark Solution to be a great program for beginners, if followed to a tee, and for those who have been at this a bit longer, a good reminder of what to do, mixed with tips and motivation that can be incorporated into your regular routine.

This is NOT another diet book you read to the end, put down and then try and encourage yourself to do what the book told you to do!!!The book is organized. You only have the read the first chapter to begin. THEN... it gives you direction through the next two week of the rest of your lives. Tells you what to eat that day, how to exercise that day, what to focus on that day, and LOTS of encouragement. It also teaches you the WHY aspect so that you can keep it going beyond the two weeks. (This is not a miracle diet... it is a lifestyle change.) MY SUGGESTION... If you are not already a Spark People member and you DO want to loose weight I suggest you sign up for Spark People and follow the book with those that are currently or starting to read it. I joined a group that started the same day I did.It is just like Spark to write a book with TRUE SPARK Style! With love and encouragement from those that appreciate the challenges and are working towards the same goal!! Thank you Spark People for bringing this to me! I am well on my way!!!

I pre-ordered the Spark Solution. I received it the day it came out. I was very excited and ready to change my life. When I received the book I devoured the first chapter. Then I came to the the grocery list I was a bit thrown back and worried I would not be able to buy everything. Then I sat down and thought about why I bought the book. I needed guidance and wanted to learn what portion sizes really looked like and what I should be eating to get a balanced diet. This book completely changed the way I look at food now. I will admit the first week I felt like I was always preparing food. Now it's an enjoyable hobby. I've learned what I like and how to prepare for the week so when I need downtime I can still eat healthy and Make time for exercise. This book has helped me discover that it was time to put myself first. I lost 6 pounds in the first two weeks and have went down a pant size since. Thanks Sparkpeople.com

This has been an interesting read. Following the diet and recipes has been helpful. It provides some very good recipes but not all are very tasty to me. Some are excellent though and they provide variety over eating the same thing week after week. For the price of the book, it has been a good purchase for me. If you are looking for a good diet over a skimpy one then I recommend you try it and also to join the on-line Sparkpeople site. It has some interesting real life articles and videos on weight loss, health and fitness. Great site for dieters or just people who want to change their life style.

I have been on many crazy diets in my life. I lost weight fast and never felt that great on those other diets. I also gained it back once I could no longer live on those low calorie counts that told me I could never have another piece of birthday cake the rest of my life.This book gives you a realistic calorie count you can live with and is healthy to consume each day. This book helps you create a healthy lifestyle change for the rest of your life. It treats your body with respect and knows it's flesh and blood and does not treat you like a machine like those other books do.This book doesn't just suggest what to do but explains in detail some of the why questions we have. A lot of good information in this book if you plan on going on their plan or not. Well worth the price of the book.

I have no idea when I'm going to get it through my thick head, to simply eat better, exercise and be positive. There is nothing in this book that I have not heard or read before now. There is nothing really new to write about as far as I'm concerned. You can research over the internet, many healthy diet plans, recipes, support groups, what works and what does not and you do not need this book to do it. For me, this was a waste of money, and I have no one to blame but myself. It s so easy to get caught up with the latest, pill, trick, guide or what ever when basically it comes down to making smart food choices, planning, being active. If your looking for something else, you're probably wasting your time and money. I did give the book two stars because it is a very easy read, somewhat inspiring and offers some meal ideas and a shopping list, how to exercise and things of that nature. Again, all information, you can easily get from the internet or other source. Also, if you are reading this on a Kindle is it not formatted well at all, even after adjusting the settings, parts of it were still not easy to read...very annoying.. Even a beginner could easily access this info found in this book for free elsewhere...pass this one up.. Sorry..

I spent a good amount of money on this book, which basically is the exact same information you will find on their web-site, [...]I was also disappointed to keep reading of the same weight loss success of a woman named "Erin" as I was convinced there must be other stories, besides just weight loss, that are inspirational!!!I wish i could return it.

I have most of the Spark books and find them all very informative. I like how they approach mind and body at the same time.The recipes are very easy to follow - and I was surprised how much I actually ate in a day - and still lost weight. I now use the recipes in conjunction with the fast diet as I don't always have time to prepare food - so the '2' days give me a break. The combination of which feels sustainable, enjoyable and most importantly delicious and quick.

plenty of good ideas about eating healthily. only problem i felt was that the 2 week suggested menu was centre around american foods and some of the suggested meals didn't always appeal to a european lifestyle (for example biscuits and gravy for breakfast).I am registered on their website and changed a number of meals from their recipe site for the things i didn't fancy. I am losing weight and feeling healthier so they have certainly helped me.

Good sensible advice. No fads, healthy outlook and information. Advice from real people who not only believe what they say but also practice it. Don't read if you aren't prepared to work at your health.

This is the dieting book for a wonderful free dieting internet site which is free and invaluable for serious dieters