Customer Reviews

Flip the Switch

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I obsessed for a couple of weeks before buying this book. I already had the "Low Fat Living" volume and had found it okay. It seemed to espouse a lot of the ideas promised in the advertisements for "Flip the Switch," so maybe I could save $35 and still eat better.

However, I did go ahead and try it out, which turned out to be a good decision. "Flip" has new science, starting out with a few lessons on hormones and how they control the body's chemical processes and why. With the recommendations for doing little things to turn on your metabolic thermostat (the Meta-Stat, they call it), you can keep yourself burning calories.

I found that when I understood what was going on with the body chemistry, it was easier to get myself to do the exercises, almost all of which are easy to work into even a busy daily schedule.

Most of the recipes are accessible, too. My favorites include anything to do with pistachios and chicken, as well as something called "peanut butter bursts," a delicious protein-filled, low but complex carb dessert that even my four-year-old loves.

Even the act of making the recipes is a sort of calorie-burner in itself, and it's fun. Most of the meals don't take that much time to make, especially after you get used to the process. It's not as easy as opening a carton, venting a plastic seal, and punching in a series of numbers on a keypad, but neither is it like building a piano.

One thing that did take some time was finding some of the ingredients. I'd never looked in some of the places I had to look now. Things like unsalted butter, toasted sesame oil, garlic and herb flavored goat cheese are not items I was in the habit of dropping into my cart. Besides the search time, I was afraid buying the ingredients would break the food budget, and for a while I did spend about three times as much as I did for salty, chemical-laden microwave meals, but after a couple of weeks, that expense plateaued and now I have most of the items I need for most of the recipes. All I have to do is buy the meat and I'm there.

Take a look at the salt and preservatives on the back of a box of a meal of shrimp. You're likely getting half a day's worth of salt. Then calculate the cost of buying a pound of fresh or frozen shrimp (about $4 in my area) and you'll find yourself singing the praises of this book, just like me.

And when you clean up, the stuff you wipe and throw away will make your garbage can smell like a gourmet meal.

This is the most common sense approach to health and weight loss I have come across in years of reading, dieting, Weight Watchers, etc. The tips for boosting metabolism with simple body movements are easy to follow. The scientific explanations are understandable and logical. My big "aha" moment was using their recommendations to figure the percent of my daily calories I should be getting from protein, carbs, fat and fiber and realizing I was getting way too little protein (and too many carbs.) I have now been counting calories and balancing the nutrients correctly for about 6 weeks. I am eating smaller meals and several snacks every day. I have lost 8 pounds so far and feel great because I am in control of this program. I don't need to pay someone to tell me what to eat and to applaud me when I succeed! I haven't used the recipes, except for the protein shakes (yummy) and the recommended snacks.

My journey to "better eating and exercise" is one baby step at a time. This book moves in that same manner. You are not overwhelmed with all the things you SHOULD do. It's written in simple steps. You can choose any one at a time until you're ready for the next. There is not too much new under the sun but this book documents the latest in simple terms.

Sandra Wilkes

While "Flip the Switch" has the purpose of laying out and promoting a specific program and point of view, it marshalls the most far-reaching survey of the supporting literature I've seen. The bibliography, alone, is worth the price of the book. It's a real eye-opener for people who want to know "why" instead of just following the rules. The book has had a major impact on my health and my life -- both immediate and positive.

I like this book a lot in that it really does explain the reasons behind weight gain and weight loss. A lot of the meta-stat raising suggestions make sense. I am the type that likes to know the why behind the exercise and diet. You will like it too if you are curious about the physiology of metabolism.

I always like to learn about new and different ways to improve my health and that of my family, and this book is great for that. It is very interesting and the concept seems so simple but can help so much!

Book was not what I was looking for. Way to technical for me. Not in layman's terms which is what I need.

I found good ideas for losing weight in this book. The research was interesting. But the book is so expensive. I looked it over at the library and would like to buy it. I will have to budget the cost, however.

The book that I ordered arrived way ahead of the scheduled delivery date and in near perfect condition.

This book was so not worth it. There is nothing new in the book. Also it was a little on the boring side.