Like many of you out there, I managed to do some serious damage during the holidays. Invites, parties, family gatherings… they all took a caloric toll on me.

I soon started thinking that if I didn’t get back to my clean eating I would rapidly be on my way to developing gout or showcased on A & E as they knocked down a wall and airlifted my 600-lb body out on a stretcher. Ok, so I’m exaggerating a little, but that’s how all that overindulgent eating made me feel.

Lo and behold, I came back to a copy of “The Rebel Diet” by Dr. Melissa Hershberg conveniently sitting on my desk.

Now, right off the bat, as a woman, I’ve seen way too many diet books in my life – and developed a knee-jerk allergic reaction to them. They all proclaim the same thing and what can possibly be said anymore that’s news to me? But, the book was in my hands, so I started leafing through it. And then I couldn’t put it down.

Hershberg may be a doctor, but she’s also one cool chick. She’s laugh-out-loud funny, self-depracating, drops the F bomb more times than I’ve seen in a published book in a while and gives you simple, easy-to-follow tips to drop the weight. Her book is immensely readable and acknowledges the simple truth that, at the end of the day, when it comes to losing weight, the actual diet plan doesn’t matter. What matters is the amount of calories consumed, plain and simple.

Hershberg offers medical insight on why common diets simply don't work and if you're a restaurant-hopper, a dessert lover, or someone who eats on the go, she tells you how to lose weight while making food work for you.

The Rebel Diet is a program tailored for real people living in the real world. What I also enjoyed is that the good doctor walks us through the grocery aisles with suggestions and recommendations for specific products (Shirataki noodles, anyone?) and options for home-assembled meals, and easy recipes.

As someone who’s been training and eating clean for many years, I pride myself on knowing most of the tricks to eating well, but she still managed to surprise me with a few news ones.

Hershberg also gives her best picks for restaurant and fast food fare, plus sample menus for days that you’re just too busy (or tired) to cook.

All in all, this is a book that sounds like it was written by a cool friend who happens to know a few more things about nutrition than you might. It’s low key, non-judgemental, a fun read, full of helpful tips to win the battle of the bulge and shamelessly geared towards our inner rebel. Hey, we’ve all got one, right?

If you’re looking for a diet book that won’t bore you to tears, Hershberg just might be your girl.

Go to www.therebeldiet.com to find out where you can pick up the book.