When you decide you want to improve your body by losing weight and getting in better overall shape, the first question you might ask is "Where do I start?" With the plethora of information available from decades of fitness it's difficult to distinguish between truth and hype. Here a few of our faves that we hope you'll find useful.

• This Is Why You're Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever) by Jackie Warner
  
  This book is for the distressed eaters of the world. Jackie Warner, from the new Bravo hit Thintervention breaks it down for you. This great book is not only filled with nutrition expertise and complete workout programs that anyone can understand and apply, it also gives you the encouragement and motivation you need. Jackie is one of the few trainers who allows two cheat meals a week and shows how to lose weight and keep it off without working yourself to death or starving. She debunks some of fitness' most widespread myths, revealing that sugar is the enemy, not fat, and that crunches are a waste of time.
  
  
• The Eat-Clean Diet by Tosca Reno
  
  Tosca Reno is the wife of Robert Kennedy and editor in chief of Oxygen magazine. After undergoing her own health transformation, Tosca has shared her success with the world through 6 different books explaining the eat-clean plan for men, women, and families along with workouts, recipes, and companions for the books. Tosca's book provides a practical approach on how to truly lose the weight for good by learning how to eat food that gives you energy. She's got the experience to go along with her advice and provides the information that helped her in a fun, easy to understand way that is sure to help you stay on track.
  
  
• Body for Life by Bill Phillips and Michael D'Orso
  
  By far one of the most popular diet books of all time, Body for Life has become more of a movement than just a book. Bill Phillips published bodybuilding magazines and marketed nutritional supplements for years before he realized half his loyal readers and clients were out of shape. This inspired him to start his first weight loss contest in which he gave away his Lamborghini as the grand prize. Since then, the 12 week transformation program has changed lives all over the world. For ten years the Body for Life program has helped people change their eating habits and adopt steady and effective workout habits allowing them to lose weight and keep it off. If you're a newcomer to nutrition and exercise plans, this book is a good option for you to get your foot in the door with delicious recipes and easy to follow workout plans.