Downsizing: How I lost 8 stone, reversed my diabetes and regained my health – THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Having followed with great interest the press coverage of Tom Watson's astonishing 8 stone weight loss, leading to remission of his type 2 diabetes, I was keen to read about it in more detail, and have not been disappointed. Watson explains how the shock of his diabetes diagnosis led to a complete change in many aspects of his life - for the better - as he ditched sugar, followed a low-carb high-fat 'keto' diet, and became increasingly physically active. He did this in a considered way, spending a great deal of time reading relevant medical research, and it is clear that this was by no means a fad diet, but a fundamental re-orientation towards a much more healthy diet and lifestyle.The results, as have been well publicised, were extraordinary. As Watson stresses, this approach will not work for everyone, but it certainly worked for him, and the general nutritional approach - broadly, the 'Mediterranean' diet - will benefit anyone. Watson is now campaigning on public health issues, not to mention retraining as a fitness trainer, and one can only applaud.Congratulations, Tom - you are an inspiration to us all!I've been thinking for a while about cutting out sugar, and other 'white' foods, and I'm starting today.ps my only cavil is the lack of a bibliography, as I want to follow up some of the souces quoted throughout the text, and it would help to have them in a list.pps I wrote this review before I had read the last few chapters of the book - these contain a powerful polemic against the contribution of the food industry, and in particular 'Big Sugar' , to the T2 diabetes epidemic, and their hugely unethical practices in trying to make unhealthy junk food more addictive rather than more nutritious, their targeting of very young children, and so on. I was already vaguely aware of much of this information, but Watson's compelling and horrifying account of the crimes being committed against food, and against public health, by multinational food corporations has convinced me that governmental action in this area is highly necessary. I use the word 'crimes' in a non-judicial sense, as the things they are doing aren't actually against the law: but for the sake of public health, and of a National Health Service increasingly overwhelmed by caring for the victims of Type 2 Diabetes, an entirely preventable disease, they really, really should be.

An absolute must read! I had been waiting for this book having seen Tom my former MP lose so much weight before our very eyes! The minute the book was delivered, I quickly unwrapped it from the Amazon packaging and got stuck in.I couldn't put it down till I finished reading it and in between tears most of the time.The honesty of it all was heart wrenching for me! I couldn't believe he had that much going on in his personal life while doing so much for our constituency! Wow! You really never know what other people are dealing with!This is no ordinary book about overcoming a health challenge - it's actually a super, fantastic motivational book for anyone who wants to accomplish a goal that may seem impossible.His research about Type 2 diabetes firmly confirms a lot of my own suspicions about the 'food' we eat nowadays. I had no doubt in my mind that most of what constitutes 'food' these days is pure JUNK!Wow! To say I'm impressed with Tom's determination is an understatement!Well done Tom for this great book. You'll never know how much you've helped with it.My 14 year old daughter kept watching my reactions and the minute I put the book down, picked it up and read it all in a few hours! She's going back to School later on today 6th of January to tell her friends all about it and how to watch their diet! Like me, she couldn't believe Tom's personal story! Because Tom is a REAL person she's seen, so the message hit home!What more can I say? THANK YOU TOM. Wishing you the very best in all your future endeavours and thank you for all that you did for West Bromwich East Constituency.This is another feather in your cap!And YES! Go get 'em! Project REMISSION FOR ALL! Here we come!

OK I’m biased because I’m related to the author but his story is absolutely inspirational. As a health professional I reccomend Tom’s story to anyone who wants to get fit, get well and transform their lives.

I was very eager to read this book based on its high level of promotion and excellent reviews. It was interesting but is definitely more a political biography than a book showing you how to lose weight while reversing your diabetes. I thought there would be plenty of advise on how he managed it. So when his political life extended to more and more chapters I was getting worried that the "how to do it yourself" section would be very light. Although he comes across as a lovely person, a good friend, commited politician, father and sometimes partner or husband, the rest of it was his life at the forefront of politics over numerous years. He managed to lose weight and reverse his diabetes by cutting out sugary foods (to which he was addicted), simple carbohydrates and eating plenty of fatty foods, eggs and bacon for breakfast, coffee with butter, more eggs for lunch etc etc. This may have worked for him but it certainly wouldn't work for me as I am lactose intolerant and allergic to eggs. There is nothing constructive about how to follow his example. I also felt that a few before and after photos would have been welcomed. Sorry Tom, I know this book has been a great success for you and your incredible life chaning habits are to be applauded but it wasn't at all what I expected.

Great book. It is inspiring to see someone take back control of their life and Health.Put your politics aside. This is nothing to do with politics. If you want to lose weight this will give you inspiration.