The 24-Hour Turnaround

June 17, 2002
From her home base at a spa in Hawaii, Williams claims to have helped thousands of clients transform themselves physically, mentally and emotionally by adopting her mind/body program. Eight Total Life Changes (TLCs) are the basis for Williams's plan, which is focused at women. Among these steps are: "Master your mood and motivation," "Become your own personal trainer with the H.E.A.R.T. workout," "Balance your hormones naturally" and "Destress and halt aging with mind-body mediation." Readers are urged to drink water, eat breakfast, look to light, exercise and meditate, eat hormone-friendly foods, snack smartly and avoid alcohol. Williams offers many motivational tidbits to keep readers focused on their ultimate aim—good health and happiness. While more low-key than some exercise gurus like Denise Austin, the book is nevertheless filled with encouraging, if tired, statements aimed at motivating readers: when advising readers to clean out their pantries and donate "unhealthy" food to the Salvation Army, the author says repeatedly, "You are what you eat. Nutrition defines your age... your health... your body." Her inclusion of medical statistics to support her advice makes the recommendations seem that much more sound. Readers wanting to take charge first of their bodies—and secondarily of their emotions—will find this book helpful, though not original.