I love this book! It took me a little while to appreciate it but now I refer to it almost weekly to re-educate myself on good and healthy diet habits that are really helping me master my metabolism. On first reading, I thought Jillian was too demanding (go figure!) as she strongly exhorts her readers to eat primarily organic; though she, with a consideration of our grocery budgets, does soften this recommendation with lists of organic musts vs. non-musts. But importantly, Jillian provides the... (show more)

I love this book! It took me a little while to appreciate it but now I refer to it almost weekly to re-educate myself on good and healthy diet habits that are really helping me master my metabolism. On first reading, I thought Jillian was too demanding (go figure!) as she strongly exhorts her readers to eat primarily organic; though she, with a consideration of our grocery budgets, does soften this recommendation with lists of organic musts vs. non-musts. But importantly, Jillian provides the information that allows a reader to understand human metabolism and how the food we eat interacts with it. Going organic just makes it a cinch to avoid all the problematic additives that mess with our metabolism. This book doesn't just go the usual route of urging calorie reduction but teaches the reader about the endocrine system--the thyroid and hormones such as ghrelin, cortisol, and leptin--and how foods influence its function. The book is outstanding, I think, in providing scientific rationale behind healthy food choices. (show less)

This book, recommended to me by my internist, provides everything you need to start being healthier and to transform into a fitter you. You can use this book to get really anal and detailed about your health plan as there are a number of charts in the appendices to chart your diet, daily exercise and activity, and even record your daily emotional state; this corresponds to Peeke’s three-pronged approach, addressing “mind-mouth-muscle” and what she calls the winning formula. But this book is... (show more)

This book, recommended to me by my internist, provides everything you need to start being healthier and to transform into a fitter you. You can use this book to get really anal and detailed about your health plan as there are a number of charts in the appendices to chart your diet, daily exercise and activity, and even record your daily emotional state; this corresponds to Peeke’s three-pronged approach, addressing “mind-mouth-muscle” and what she calls the winning formula. But this book is also just a great reference and gives you the basics of what you need to know to transform your body. You’ll know what foods you should be eating (w/ designated Smart Fats, Smart Proteins, and Smart Carbs), how many steps you should be taking a day, and what kind of weight exercises you should do (with pictures even). Peeke provides tables and formulas that allow you to calculate your BMI, your ideal weight, and the calories burned by various activities. I continue to be inspired by the before-after pictures and accounts included in the book. This is the kind of book from which you could learn something new each time you go through it, and therefore continually ramp up your health/fitness approach. (show less)