For four years, NBC’s Today nutritionist, Joy Bauer, has produced a series on the show featuring weight-loss success stories about individuals who lost 100 pounds or more and have kept the weight off. They are members of her Joy Fit Club, and her latest book—appropriately titled The Joy Fit Club—showcases 30 of those individuals (who now number close to 150) from all walks of life. “I picked a sampling of people from around the country—males, females, different ages, different backgrounds—so that whoever was reading would be able to relate to at least three or four stories,” Bauer tells Show Daily. “It shows you people who have overcome every obstacle, from financial constraints to serious medical scares and conditions, from time restraints to juggling multiple jobs, as well as problematic family abuse and dysfunction.”
What makes this book special is that it mentions a wide range of weight-loss programs that contributed to each person’s success. In addition, Bauer provides her own diet plan, “whether you want to lose five pounds or 500 pounds,” and it’s a cookbook, as well. “We give 75 delicious recipes. And it’s not diet food. We have decadent chocolate mouse, creamy rich chicken garlic pasta, eggplant lasagna—really yummy comfort-type foods that people like to eat, but they’re way slimmed down and ‘healthified.’ ” And she makes a point of noting, “There are three things I would never be against: ice cream, dark chocolate, and red wine.”
Asked how BEA attendees can watch their waistlines, Bauer advises, “Don’t get caught up with the liquid calories in sodas, sugary ice teas, and all the fancy schmancy coffee drinks—they’re not worth it. They don’t fill you up, and you wind up guzzling hundreds and hundreds of calories.” She adds, “Keep it simple—grilled chicken wraps or sandwiches. If you need a burger, make it a plain burger and pile it high with lettuce and tomato, and if you want to be extra virtuous, lose the top half of the bun. If you can find a vegetable, grab it. And definitely, definitely drink water.” She also suggests allowing yourself to have a treat, but at the end of the day so you can look forward to it.
Bauer has never been to Book Expo before. “This is my eighth book and it’s my first time at BEA. I’m excited about walking around and talking to people, and seeing how people are displaying their cookbooks and their diet books. I want to sample some of their food for sure.” You can get more of Bauer’s food advice on Twitter and Facebook and by checking out her Web site at joybauer.com.
