what's up, indeed

One intention I have for the year ahead is to read more health related books. I'm starting out the year with this one -- it's looking to be a tough act to follow! While I have a Master's degree in health communication, my reading in this area has really fallen off. That's about to change.

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Quotable - snuck up on me

"I didn't decide to become anorexic. It snuck up on me disguised as a healthy diet, a professional attitude....

I finally understood that by being on a perpetual diet, I had practiced a "disordered" form of eating my whole life. I restricted when I was hungry and in need of nutrition and binged when I was so grotesquely full I couldn't be comfortable in any position but laying down. Diets that tell people what to eat or when to eat are the practices in between....Obsessing about what and when to eat is not normal, natural, and orderly. Thinking about food to the point of obsession and ignoring your body's signals is a disorder."

~ Portia de Rossi from her memoir Unbearable Lightness

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forks over knives

Coming in March 2011

Interesting interview with The China Study's Dr. Campbell via NYT's Tara Parker-Pope.

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Healthy Living Bestsellers

Here's a list of the bestselling health and wellness books as reported by independent bookstores:

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy -- Until You're 80 and Beyond
by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge

Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit, and Sexy -- Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge

The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health by Thomas M. Campbell, II, & T.Colin Campbell

Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness; Life-Altering Secrets From Today's Cutting-Edge Doctors by Suzanne Somers

The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner

Food Matters by Mark Bittman

The G Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide by Elisabeth Hasselbeck

The Intellectual Devotional Health: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Digest a Daily Dose of Wellness Wisdom by David S. Kidder

You: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body That Will Make You Healthier and Younger by Michael F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz

Why Our Health Matters: A Vision of Medicine That Can Transform Our Future
by Andrew Weil, M.D.

You: Staying Young by Michael F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz

The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Robert Sears

The Ultramind Solution by Mark Hyman

Light on Yoga: Yoga Dipika by B.K.S. Iyengar

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements
by Phyllis A. Balch

The titles above are the top fifteen books. Click here for the entire list.

Have you purchased any of these titles? Any recommendations?

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how much do books help?

Just read another great book review by Hanlie at Fertilehealthy. Started me thinking about the role books have played in my fitness journey. Seems the book that has had the most influence to this point, is a book I read seven years ago. The South Beach Diet by Dr. Arthur Agatston. While I don't agree with restricting fruits and vegetables (I've never seen anyone blame extra weigh on eating too many strawberries or grapes or bananas, have you?), I think Agatston's focus on reducing or eliminating saturated fats and increasing fiber are valuable guidelines to eating a healthier diet. When I decided to follow the South Beach diet plan, it was after reading his rationale. One thing this diet did was to assist in developing the habit of preparing the majority of our food from fresh whole foods.

Another book that was helpful believe it or not, was Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Mostly what I've gained from reading this book is to greatly reduce intake of animal fat (I don't eat red meat at all - only fish, chicken & turkey), and the addictiveness of cheese. When actively losing weight, I rarely used cheese -- an extreme change from my prior diet of utilizing most foods as cheese delivery tools. Now that I'm maintaining my weight, I like using fat free feta and the super good aged parmesan cheese. Occaisionally, I use reduced fat or nonfat cheddar on black bean tostados but nowhere close to the amounts I used to use.

Is there a book or are there books that have played a role in helping you to succeed in your weight loss, getting fit journey?

~♥~

thought for food

"We need to fundamentally change how we look at food."



I'm heading off to San Francisco to meet a friend who's there for a conference. I haven't seen her in about ten years. I'm excited! On the other hand, I'm a little nervous because I'm going alone and am not looking forward to driving in the city. Thinking about taking bart from Walnut Creek. That way I won't have to be a nervous wreck driving and looking for nonexistent parking. I'll also be guaranteed to do some walking. Heat wave in nor cal. Even in SF it's gonna be a warm one today.

What's up with you?

~♥~

weight loss memoirs

We spent Friday and Saturday in Berkeley hanging out with my sister and her husband. It was fun! Great meal at Spenger's. Some good shopping on 4th Street. The weather was perfect for watching the lacrosse game (my brother-in-law is an assistant coach for Cal Poly). Cal won in overtime but a good time was had by all. Still, sis commented that it was going to be a long drive back home to San Luis.

I gave sis my copy of "Such a Pretty Fat" by Jen Lancaster. I thought this book was entertaining -- laughed out loud several times. I especially thought Jen's take on Jenny Craig and WW was amusing. Also enjoyed reading about the relationship that developed between Jen and her personal fitness trainer. I'm interested to see what my sis thinks.

"As I paddle along, I slowly become aware that it's been fear keeping me out of this pool for so many years. I never came here before because I was afraid I'd make a fool of myself by not having the endurance to complete a lap. The swimming wasn't what scared me; failure was. My fear locked me in a state of arrested development for so many years. Fear kept me from tackling my weight, which I understand has simply been symptomatic of my greater fear, growing up. I glide down the lane on my back and reflect on how good I feel right now. It's not because I've lost more than thirty pounds. I feel incredible because I've stopped being afraid."
- Jen Lancaster, "Such a Pretty Fat"

I read "Losing It" by Valerie Bertinelli last summer. Over all liked it but feel it could have been a bit deeper...seemed a little superficial in spots.

Have you read any books that could be considered a weight loss memoir?

~♥~