Reddit mentions of Skinny Bitch: A No-Nonsense, Tough-Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want To Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous!

Skinny Bitch or perhaps a textbook.

A diet journal.

Add a note: "This isn't the gift you want, but it's the gift you need."

Someone already wrote that book. The abusive tone gets really grating about five pages in.

it's kind of a controversial book, but 'skinny bitch' was enough to make me go vegan (for 9 months) within a week of reading it (i had only gone vegetarian a month prior). it draws people in because it sounds like a weight loss book (which it does touch on), but it gives a lot of eye-opening information about the meat/dairy industries. it is a bit vulgar, but if you don't mind that here's a link; http://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Bitch-Rory-Freedman/dp/0762424931

First off, good for you! It takes a lot of balls to decide to work towards a positive change in yourself.

I am by no means an expert. However, I'm relatively new to the fitness game as well, so here are some general daily tips/tricks I've picked up and thoroughly benefit from. [I noticed that this post is all about me, and I apologize, but it's honestly the only real fitness knowledge I have :/ ]

• REDDIT! There are SO many subreddits that I've already spent hours and hours scouring for advice. Just search 'nutrition' or 'fitness' and spend a decent amount of time researching. That's legitimately been my biggest help so far
  
  
• Set a goal. Goals are best when measurable, but I'm the same way in that I'm looking for better habits rather than a specific number. For me, writing things down and seeing them helps a ton. Here's what's hanging up on my bathroom mirror:
  
  GOAL: - Be comfortable w/ my body/shape by the end of the year. Afterwards, maintain. (~130lbs, size 7-9 jeans, somewhat toned)
  
  WHY?: - Be healthy - Look better - Feel better - Create healthy habits
  
  HOW? Daily activities to achieve my goal:
  
• Exercise 5 times/week, at least 20 min (I've read in multiple places that any activity, even if only 10 min/day is better than none, and that some have seen more progress doing less of a workout more frequently rather than rare intense workouts)
  
• Eat more fruits/vegetables
  
• Snack less
  
• Research fitness and nutrition daily
  
  
  
• I've recently (literally, yesterday) started keeping a 'food log.' I've never counted calories but this definitely helps visualizing how much I'm eating, and I feel less likely to snack/indulge when I have to write it down later.
  
  
• That being said, don't be too hard on yourself. We all indulge, especially as women w/ our crazy hormones and cravings. Find a way to take that guilt and turn it positive. Such as, instead of "I hate myself for eating that chocolate bar," I enjoy the moment I have with it then recognize it as a problem that I now understand and can control. I've been wearing one of these for a year now, it's good for snapping yourself when you're tempted :)
  
  
• Drink water! Not only does it curb your cravings, but you even burn calories. Drink the recommended 64oz. I do this by having lots of 32oz cups (i love big cups!) in my kitchen. I drink at least 2 a day. Chewing gum helps w/ cravings too
  
  
• I was lucky enough to find a park near my house w/ a good trail and exercise points. However, there's a million good programs out there, again might take a little bit of research. My friend who is a trainer told me to look into 'total body circuit training' which basically targets your whole body. Focus on Cardio, Strength, Balance, and Flexibility in your workouts. If you're looking for something easier, walking, running, push-ups and sit-ups are awesome but simple daily activities. ALSO! This app is badass, I don't use it enough but I'm always sweating balls afterwards, even on the easiest mode!
  
  
• Exercise early. I'm not good at this, but when I do exercise in the morning my whole day is so much more awesome. I'm energized, I consequently make healthier decisions, I sleep better, and am in general in a better mood.
  
  
• Read Skinny Bitch. I'm usually not into that type of thing but it genuinely is in-your-face and straightforward, and focuses on natural health (i.e., getting your proper nutrients rather than a diet program) and talks a lot about organics, AND it covers a lot of good info for making better habits in general.
  
  
• Not sure if you're into it, but I really dig learning about mindful health as well. I've been reading blogs/articles about basically just being a better person, making better choices (outside of health), steps for personal growth, etc. It helps motivate me to improve all parts of me :)
  
  
  I hope this helps... Like I mentioned I'm not an expert in any way, but this is just what I've found works for me in my recent outreach for better living.
  
  Really the best advice I can give you is trial and error... I spent a lot of time figuring out what I like/don't like when it comes to fitness. No program is perfect, so you're doing the right thing just trying to make better decisions! It really is true that one good choice leads to another... Also, don't be unhappy about your weight. See it as a roadblock that you MUST conquer. Your happiness is much more important than your size, so make these good decisions for you, and only you.
  
  These are my motivational 'sticky notes' on my desk top. Seeing reminders all over the place keeps me in check :P:
  
  someday everything will make perfect sense. so for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, & keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.
  
  Don't let the day make you, you make the day. Go for whatever you want because its not going to come to you
  
  [edit]
  here are some helpful websites I've found recently:
  
  
• http://www.simplefit.org/
  
• http://www.losebellyfatworkout.com/category/week1
  
• http://phraktured.net/starting-stretching.html
  
• reddit tips & tricks
  
• http://www.livestrong.com/myplate/ (<< i just started this one but from what I've seen so far, it rocks!)
  
  

Here's PETA's list.

edit: I just realized that they list EVERY non-vegan ingredient. I know Skinny Bitch has a list in the back of all food-related non-vegan ingredients to watch out for.

There are two books that helped my relationship with food. I think you might get more out of this one, but this one is cool too. You've just got to find a balance.

You need to start thinking like a skinny bitch.

This just reminded me of a diet book, Skinny Bitch: http://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Bitch-Rory-Freedman/dp/0762424931

We actually read through it in a sociology class and discussed the context. It was fairly interesting because it's written by two women who used to be overweight and the entire book is pretty much bullying fat girls into feeling so bad about themselves that they stop eating pretty much everything and become vegan. Guess it works for some. :/

Skinny Bitch. As you can probably tell by the name, it's written in very "casual" language but from what I remember does a good job backing up points with studies/experts/first-hand accounts. Vegan 9 years now and this is one if the first books I read to help solidify my choice: https://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Bitch-No-Nonsense-Tough-Love-Fabulous/dp/0762424931.

I believe this is an instance where correlation does not imply causation. It is more likely that the reason American children are reaching sexual maturity at younger ages are because of the massive amount of growth hormones and the like that are injected into cows, chickens, etc.

milk

food additives mimicking estrogen

There are lots more articles. OR you could read the book Skinny Bitch which pretty clearly explains how a lot of chemicals that are not naturally occurring in foods affect the body.

Edit: fixing hyperlink