Foreword

by Michelle Beadle
Host of ESPN’s SportsNation

I don’t know about you, but I’ve reached critical mass in the “miracle cures” department of healthy living. A day doesn’t go by that I’m not bombarded with a seemingly endless stream of diets, cleanses, skin care products, and pills that all promise to give me a supermodel body and rock star lifestyle with minimal effort. I’ve tried it all—every diet, every supplement, and every trick to try to fool the scale. News flash: it ain’t happening.

As part of the proverbial rat race, which is hardest on women, there is a constant quest to achieve aesthetic perfection. In my world, I’m judged constantly. Just recently, I gained a few pounds and my “friends” on Twitter let me hear it. You don’t think I knew already? I was there when I devoured my guac and chips and the fried chicken and biscuits without hitting the gym.

I may be around celebrities and athletes constantly, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t stand in front of the mirror and see how I don’t always look like them. That’s the real world, though. Sometimes we’re thinner and other times thicker. Sometimes we’re healthier and other times not so much. I know without a trainer, a chef, a makeup artist, and a nutritionist on staff that I’m not always going to look like those I interview. Unless you won the genetic lottery (the actual lottery is more likely), then no amount of carb-cutting or gluten elimination is going to transform me, or you, into Giselle. And that’s okay. Even Giselle has issues, right? I mean, there must be something. Watery eyes? Long toes? Anything!

We’re all juggling careers, family, and relationships, but tearing ourselves apart in the process has to stop. Should I Scoop Out My Bagel? has taken every aspect of this circus and broken it down to its core, leaving a succinct and achievable guidebook for overall improvement. What I love about this book is that Ilyse and Hallie know the trends that sucker us in—and they know where these trends may ultimately lead. In a logical, funny, and lighthearted way, they show us how to lead a healthy lifestyle by doing it the right way. Throughout the book, they warmly welcome us in, offer us a nice cup of green tea, and give it to us straight as they explain it all. And nothing is off limits.

Without ruining the ending of the book, you know what can work? A realistic approach to what we put in our mouths. It’s in the title! How much easier can it be? But it’s so much more than that. You already know a pound of bagels a day may lead to a new wardrobe every month (and the not-so-fun kind of shopping with your girlfriends). But who amongst us mere mortals has the willpower to turn down breads? Bread is a beautiful art to be enjoyed. These women allow us the pleasure—hell, they even throw in a schmear—and they do it in a way that doesn’t guilt us into shameful closet carb consumption, but rather a way to enjoy yeasty goodness in moderation.

That’s the beauty of this book. It’s a real way to live a real life. Whether they’re discussing sugar, chocolate, sushi, juicing, chia seeds, vitamins, or even sex, there’s nothing extreme about their approach. It’s amazing how much they can cover while being logical, funny, and lighthearted. You hardly realize you’re learning since you feel like you’re having a great conversation with friends (who actually know what they’re talking about). There are no judgements. They offer friendly advice told through expert eyes and voices. And, they get it.

This book is not like any of the other health, diet, or nutrition books you’ve read before. Let me clarify that—the books that you’ve bought before. If you’re like me, you’ve purchased more of these books than you know what to do with, but you have either gotten bored midway through the first few sentences, had a hard time finishing it, or felt totally uninspired to do anything it recommends. Even though the subject matter might have been extremely interesting and important, if the delivery isn’t there, the book gets slammed shut. Message forever interrupted.

Once you’re done “scooping out your bagel,” you’ll have attainable, realistic, and solid information that will lend itself to all aspects of your life. Hallie and Ilyse break it all down and give us the raw facts, from foods to supplements. Even though I had my nose in this book and read it from cover to cover, I couldn’t help but notice the breath of fresh air I experienced each time I turned the page. There are no more reasons to be duped or to feel guilty. They know life is meant to be enjoyed, and they show us the healthy and balanced way to achieve this without sacrificing too much.

Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds or just trying to see if you’re on the right path to a healthy lifestyle, these ladies will open your eyes on how to do so. You will never again fall for the smoke and mirrors, as they charmingly bring us behind the curtains and expose a number of secrets. Hallie and Ilyse give it to you straight without leaving you with only (organic) lettuce to munch on. After reading this book, you won’t be hungry—or disappointed.

So grab a bagel with schmear, sit back, and get ready to laugh and learn as you get the inside scoop and a brand new outlook.