I'm familiar with Ashley Marriott from her DVD series and appearances on Fit TV so it doesn't surprise me at all that she'd come out with a book that is both entertaining and informative.

The book starts out by going straight for the jugular of the "plus size acceptance mentality" that the authors feel is dangerous and then on to challenge, quite endearingly, some of the popular myths ascribed to size 2 (i.e. athletically thin and healthy) women. From there Ashley proceeds to trashing many of the whacky "Celebrity Diets" that we all hear so much about in the popular media. But, after that, it's all business as she lays down the plan for transforming your shape the right way.

Included in the book are simple ways to measure your current status, programs designed for one's individual level of fitness, a realistic and doable aerobic program that can be tailored to your own circumstances, a complete toning and strengthening program and even an express core and tone routine for those days when you're a bit pressed for time. Throw in a 21-day quick start diet and exercise plan and you're well on your way. I also found the addition of quotes from ordinary people about how they're able to maintain their own healthy size 2/4 figures to be a very nice touch and inspiring. All-in-all, a great program from a person with a whole lot of experience helping women really get the job done.

I live in a beach community and day after day I see those "2's" go by my window and every day I say to myself "Yeah right, I used to look like that, when I was their age." The problem is, my god, many of them are my age - with kids too! But let's face it. Time after time I've tried getting back in shape and each time I've failed. I've worked with a trainer. I've tried exercise buddies. I've been doing lunges and crunches, like forever. But still I keep hitting that "plateau." Well, finally along comes a book that tells me the truth about my workouts and what I've consistently been doing wrong. Those expensive training sessions, those tedious lunges, and my efforts to lose it all in one day/week/month are completely the wrong ways to go. Those "plateaus?" Well, killing myself in my workout during the daytime and then pigging out on (whatever) at night is the real reason I never saw any results. In Size 2 for Life the authors address these issues straight on. No more "no-pain/no-gain" approach to fitness. No more abbreviated interval training routines that burned few calories but left me sore. Just a steady, realistic and progressive journey to the body I've been dreaming of getting back to. So common sense. So simple. So right on!

As much as I loved this book I have to warn you from the outset that although it claims to be an "amazingly simple new diet and fitness plan" if you think simple means effortless then this program may not be right for you. This is not a fad or gimmick diet and you will need to exercise, almost daily. That said it really is an impressively simple plan. The easily tolerated Step-It-Up/Step-It-Down routine is totally unique and designed to maximize calories burned from fat while the Express Core & Tone routine is genius in its simplicity (takes me less than 8 minutes!). If I were to find one criticism, it would be that the first 7 days were a bit restrictive and bland in terms of the diet, but hey, I'm really not expecting to go from a size 12 to a 2 (well, realistically, a 4) without some sacrifice. After the first 21 days the diet is far less restrictive and eventually, according to the authors, you can eat practically anything that's healthy (as in: low fat, nutritious, non-artificial, etc). I don't know about the rest of you, but come this summer, I'm getting back into my skinny jeans.

It seems these days that all you have to do to have a best seller is to invent a quick fix gimmick and bash exercise as a means to weight loss and health. How absurd. I work in the fashion industry and can assure you that the women (all ages) with the most exquisite bodies (no, I'm not talking about the emaciated nicotine addicts) are the ones who, almost religiously, get their daily exercise and follow a healthy diet. Sure not every woman can have a perfect face or figure but, as explained in Size 2 for Life, it doesn't have to be difficult or complicated to be the best "you" that you can. What it takes are making some simple changes and adopting a lifestyle that will take you there and keep you there for life. Love this book!

This book is a practical no-nonsense guide to losing weight and keeping fit. It has a complete exercise regiment and a diet to follow. If you have the motivation, you will lose weight. I highly recommend this book.

Size 2 for life is really a misnomer. When you start reading the book, the first thing they tell you: depending on your frame size, will depend on whether you can reach a size 2 or not. If you are a medium frame, you will get to a size 4, a large frame - a size 6 (but you will LOOK like a size 2). I did enjoy reading this book. It was filled with helpful information and made me think about how I was eating and exercising. I will definitely keep this book. It has a great couple chapters on resistance training - at the gym, at home, and on a stability ball. All with pictures (I like pictures!). This would be a great resource for the first time person looking to start using weights and doing resistance training. As far as the daily meal plan and guide - eh. I will definitely read the daily action steps and answer the questions and/or reflect like it asked. I think that part is awesome as it helps you to deal with your emotions and why/how you are in this mess to begin with and how to help yourself get out. As far as the meal plan, no. I think it's very dull and not very conducive to a plan that you would stick with. I don't think anyone using their meal plan would last more than 3 - 5 days. But I plan on using their exercise and daily action steps to help spur me to a size 2! (I have a small body frame!)

This book has been floating around with me for quite some time. It's not a book that I could just sit down and read. I found myself reading, skimming, reading, re-reading, flipping....you get the picture.

There are some very great tips in this book though. Tips for great exercises that are easy to do, and some great recipes too. One of the things that I liked most about this book was the informative side of the exercises and foods. The authors told me why I needed to do or eat certain things plus there were statistics and examples that gave the book credibility. This book isn't a new diet fad. It's not Atkins, South Beach or Zone...it's about eating healthy foods and burning more calories than consumed. It's basic and simple!

At the back of the book, there is a section called the 21 day diet. Basically, by following the recipes and getting in the required amount of exercise, we should all be our ideal weight (or closer to it) by the end of 21 days. I'll be honest and tell you that I haven't tried it yet, but I'd like to. (Just not feeling that motivated right now...sigh...I will soon!)