Suzanne Somers' Slim and Sexy Forever: The Hormone Solution for Permanent Weight Loss and Optimal Living (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Suzanne Somers may forever be ingrained in American minds as the ditzy blond from Three's Company, but her five past bestselling diet books prove that her fit figure is admired by millions. Now in her 50s, Somers has endured what she calls the "Seven Dwarves" of menopause—Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful, and All Dried Up. She claims that until one tames the hormonal roller-coaster of menopause, there's little hope of losing weight: "If your hormones are out of balance, no weight-loss program will work for you." She recommends supplementation with "natural, bioidentical hormones" available from a compounding pharmacist, or an endocrinologist specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). The synthetic hormones so widely prescribed, she says, cause the body to "mimic pregnancy," and result in a "high-insulin state," both of which lead to weight gain and bloating.

Read our interview with Suzanne Somers

While finding these natural hormonal supplements may be difficult for some readers, as the majority of BHRT-prescribing endocrinologists practice in the Los Angeles area, Somers stresses it's worth making the trip for a BHRT appointment. Moreover, readers may balk at a major side effect of taking bioidentical hormones: the return of one's menstrual period. "To me, having a period is a small price to pay for great health, increased vitality, and a slim figure," she says. Somers adds to her hormonal advice a detailed menu plan, which includes limited amounts of whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. She also recommends a few "high-glycemic" foods to avoid at all costs. The recipes are mostly drool-worthy, with dishes including Chicken Parmigiana and Warm Chocolate Soufflé Cakes, with the less labor-intensive dishes requiring some of her packaged Somersize-brand sauces, spices, and sweeteners. While the hormone supplementation in her plan may be hard to come by, her dietary advice is much more sensible than what you'll find in the majority of weight-loss books these days.--Erica Jorgensen

From Suzanne's personal recipe collection

Suzanne Somers lifts the veil on her upcoming books, Somersize Appetizers and Somersize Cocktails, revealing two mouthwatering recipes that will get your party started, the Somersize way. Chili Braised Pork with Pocatello Salsa in Butter Lettuce Cups From Somersize Appetizers - PRO/FATS & VEGGIES - LEVEL ONE Serves 8 This spicy and delicious appetizer is perfect alongside a cool and refreshing mojito. For Level Two serve on crispy-fried whole-wheat tortilla triangles. CHILI BRAISED PORK: 1 3-pound pork butt, cut into small chunks Sea salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil I red bell pepper, seeded and medium dice 1 red onion, medium diced 3-4 jalapeno chilies, sliced 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 cup chopped tomatoes 2 cups chicken broth 16 small butter lettuce leaves (to use for cups) JICAMA GARNISH: ½ jicama, julienned finely ½ red onion, sliced thinly 2 teaspoons olive oil Juice of ½ lime Sea salt and freshly ground pepper TOMATILLO SALSA: 6 tomatillos, cut in half 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For Pork: Season pork liberally with salt and pepper. In a braising pan (or stock pot) over medium high, add olive oil and pork. Sear on both sides. Add peppers, onions, chilies and sauté for about 10 minutes, until golden and caramelized. Add tomato paste, tomatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a boil and cover. Reduce heat to low. Cook until pork falls apart, about an hour. Remove from heat. Remove pork, reserving the liquid and allow pork to cool. Pull pork into small pieces. Place pulled pork into a bowl and add 4–6 ounces of the liquid. Set aside. For Jicama Garnish: Toss all ingredients into a nonmetallic bowl until well combined. Allow flavors to combine for at least 30 minutes. For Tomatillo Salsa: Preheat oven to 400. Place tomatillos onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in oven until caramelized and soft, about 35–45 minutes. Remove from oven and while still warm, chop until they become the texture of chunky salsa. To assemble: Place a spoonful of pulled pork into each butter lettuce leaf. Top with jicama garnish and a dollop of salsa. Serve immediately. Somersize Mojito From Somersize Cocktails - ALMOST LEVEL ONE This Cuban drink is light and refreshing with a burst of fresh mint and lime. Normally it’s sweetened with sugar, but I use SomerSweet instead. I have to say, I actually like the taste of SomerSweet better! Sugar can leave a bubbly film in your mouth but SomerSweet is so clean and fresh tasting. Traditionally this drink is made with rum, but I much prefer the taste of vodka. Make it either way you like. This is the perfect summer drink and if I had to pick only one cocktail in the entire book, this would be it. There are many different preferences when it comes to this drink. I tend to like mine with strong lime and mint flavor. Some like it less intense with more club soda. Adjust to your liking. 1 1/2 oz light rum 4-6 fresh mint leaves 1 ½ Key lime (preferred) or 1 regular (Persian) lime ¾ teaspoon SomerSweet (or 1 tablespoon sugar) 2-4 oz soda water Add mint leaves, lime juice, pressed limes, and SomerSweet into a highball glass. "Muddle" ingredients with a wooden stick or handle to release mint flavor. Add ice, rum, and soda water. Serve with limes and leaves in drink.

More by Suzanne Somers

Eat, Cheat, and Melt the Fat Away Paperback The Sexy Years Hardcover Paperback Get Skinny on Fabulous Food Paperback Fast and Easy Hardcover Paperback Eat Great, Lose Weight Paperback Slim and Sexy Forever Audio CD Audio Cassette

Review

“This program is specifically designed for dealing with weight loss in the second half of life. This is for the baby boomers. Our weight loss needs are different from our younger counterparts. When I was young, I could go on any diet and lose as much as I wanted—and fast. After forty, it’s not so easy. This program is the only one that addresses the issue of hormonal imbalance. You will not lose weight until you fix this problem.” —Suzanne Somers

“I lost almost 60 pounds three years ago Somersizing, but going through the change piled it back on. . . . Then I realized why—my hormones were so out of whack my body wasn’t working properly. Then I saw you on TV discussing The Sexy Years. . . . Within two weeks of starting my compounded natural hormones, I noticed my symptoms diminish, and the weight started melting off too! I’ve lost 28 pounds. I exercise daily, I’m eating fabulous foods (desserts too), my hormones are back in balance, and my darling husband of 30 years is happy to have his vibrant wife dragging him into the bedroom again! I will be a Somersizer and Bioidentical girl for life.” —Sherri Elliott

“Everything is so delicious and satisfying. . . . One thing is better than the next. I lost 160 pounds in fifteen months and have been maintaining now for about four months. And the best part is, I feel fantastic.” —Carol Ann Friedman

“I am fifty-four years old and began your plan in May of 2003. By November of 2003, I had lost 30 pounds and had gone from size 14-16 to a size 8. I am so thrilled to report that I have maintained the weight loss and am now a size 6, and have bought a few 4s. Never have I felt so healthy and so alive! It is a brand new way of life and a totally changed state of mind.” —Linda Cohen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Crown (April 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400053250
• ISBN-13: 978-1400053254
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #213,125 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Relentless shattering of destructive untruth..., May 14, 2005

By	Charles Runels, MD "research physician & fath... - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The most important message in this book will be found in the introduction by Mrs. Somers and her physician David Allen, MD. That message refutes a common mistruth still taught to medical students every day.

Now (after finding it impossible to control her weight doing all the things in her early books that previously worked for her), Mrs. Somers has found that without proper hormone balance it becomes impossible to feel energetic and control weight consistenly within a healthy range. So, the first chapter of this book explains modern strategies of hormone replacement. Then the remainder of the book explains diet and exercise.

The tragedy (and the mistruth): Physicians are taught that only about 1% of people with obesity have abnormal hormones as part of the reason for thier obesity. When looking at adults over the age of 40, I find a much higher percentage of people with one or more hormone abnormalaties (all discussed in this book): growth hormone, thyroid (T3 or T4), testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, or cortisol.

This book should be helpful for both men and women for the introduction and the first chapter alone. I know from my research and patient care that she speaks the truth.

As for her diet recommendations, the Abs Diet, Eat Right Every Time would work better as guiding tool. Supplement the foods there with recommendations by Mrs. Sommers (which tend to be more involved...with three sons and many patients when I cook it better be very fast most of the time and still the right kind of food).

As for the exercise part of the book: I'm sorry, but of several thousand patients, I've yet to meet ONE who lost weight and kept it off using any machine they bought from an info-mertial. Walking works. When you're walking 20 miles a week (the amount that recent research shows would keep most Americans at normal weigh WITH NO CHANGE IN DIET), if you still have extra time after walking 20 miles a week, then play with any of Mrs. Somers' toys and reap the polishing effects. Don't ice the cake with exercise toys until you've cooked the cake of normal weight with walking. Mrs. Somers honestly admits that her exercise products are not necessary but offer an extra boost for those who can afford them. The importatnt exercise problem identified by the book is that if your hormones are unbalanced and an anchor to you, you will not likely ever reach the 20-mile mark because exercise makes you feel like you were in a bar-room fight. Instead of recovering from exercise with more energy and less fat, you will feel more fatigue, plant yourself in a chair or bed to recover, and keep gaining weight.

As for finding a physician by contacting the organizations she lists in the back of the book, just be careful. These organizations will provide a useful list; but, speaking as someone who's been a member of all of these organizations at various times and attended their conferences, there can be a wide range of abilities and philosophies within it's membership. Ask how long the physician has been involved: if more than 5 years and involved in legitimate research, then you're more likely to have a winner. Less than 2 years, you may just have someone who's jumping on the bandwagon and trying to figure it all out by practicing medicine with your health.

This book is beautifully done. Mrs. Sommers makes it plain that her astounding beauty did not come by watching sit-coms and reaping the rewards of the genes of angels; her beauty comes from the genes of angels combined with the fortitude and hard work of a galley slave mixed with intelligent application of modern medicine.

If you're still struggling with weight, I'd recommend you take Mrs. Sommers' advice, read the intro and first chapter of this book and pull up any hormonal anchors that you may be dragging before exhausting yourself with diet and exercise.

I love this woman for the good she's doing. Physicians have lost some of their credibility and Medicine has been described as a "leaning tower of Pisa" by Prince Charles (I think "Leaning" due to the great force with which research is driven into wonderful discoveries by pharmacutical companies while research about basics like eating and exercise go grossly underfunded)--leaving physicians guessing about what works and people trying to figure it out with trial and error. But, here's a case where the relentless evangelism of a Star is helping give women the courage to stand up to their physician and demand a break from old dogma. If she makes another fortune doing it, she deserves every cent.

--Charles Runels, MD
Author of "Anytime...for as Long as You Want: Strength, Genius, Libido, & Erection by Integrative Sex Transmutation (A 15-Day Course for Men to Improve Life and Sex)"

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars got the hormones and here is what happened so far :), September 3, 2005

By	Mary Z. Cox (Tallahassee, FL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book a few months ago and Suzanne made a lot of sense to me. Her diet looked a lot like the South Beach Diet--which my husband and I both love--and lose weight on whenever we can get up enough energy to cook. :)
I have not tried any of her recipes yet and the only exercise I get is walking the dog every day--so can't tell if I would lose weight or not.
I did go in to my regular doctor and he had the lab run all the blood tests for hormones on me and I was pretty low. Also had the Dexscan and I had lost bone in my hip. Although he did not know much about the natural extract hormones--we do have a compounding pharmacy in town--so he sent over the blood tests--and the pharmacist made up the hormones.
The first month--the dose was all the same and too strong--but the second month--he cut back on the overall dose--and rotated the hormones to give me a cycle.
Here has what has happened so far.
My body temperature has stabilized and I feel normal temperature again. Before--I was cold all the time.
My husband tells me that he sees more muscle tone--especially in my face.
I had a small period for a few days--but no PMS or cramps
I feel slightly younger and even bought a pair of high heels and have been wearing them.
I don't seem to be having any negative side effects. About ten years ago when I went through menopause--I tried synthetic hormones for about six months--but went off of them because they made my skin and hair coarse and made me feel really odd.
Suzanne's book explained very carefully how to go about getting the natural hormones, gave names and addresses of specialists, and told you how to get them if you had a supportive general doctor or compounding pharmacy in the area.
I was not even aware that this was available before I read her book.
Not many folks can afford to go to top of the line specialists and learn how to get and use these hormones--but obviously Suzanne Somers has the time and money--and she certainly has got good results. I think this book is a bargain and gives the rest of us that do not have this kind of access to good information a chance without having to spend the thousands of dollars to experiment. I'm thankful that she is sharing this information with us.
Older women get very little real information of value when it comes to aging.
I'm even inspired to try and exercise more and go back on the South Beach Diet--if I could lose ten pounds before Christmas--I could look really good for my children when they come home for the holidays. They are pleased when I make the effort. :)
A Secret Life Of Banjo
Banjo Dreamin' Suwannee Nights
Walkin' That Banjo Home
Vintage Banjo

70 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For Somers, Bioidentical Hormones are the Answer, April 23, 2005

By	Diana F. Von Behren "reneofc" (Kenner, LA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Although Somersizing seems to be nothing more than a more mainstream version of the ten-year old New Orleans based Sugarbusters program and France's popular Montignac Method - I use the adjective "mainstream" only because in terms of sheer volume (this is the fifth Somersizing book, not including paperbacks solely dedicated to testimonials and favorite recipes of devotees of the diet) and television exposure, Ms Somers certainly and admirably seems to know how to harness and utilize the power of the media to inform the public of the choices available within her dieting empire. Making free usage of her Somersizing fan base to procure dozens of testimonials replete with before and after photos, and very cleverly incorporating them in a chapter dedicated just to allowing her public to speak doesn't hurt either.

That said, this latest volume follows the familiar and successful format of the other books: chatty prose, recipes, cute line drawings of Suzanne Somers-like blondes in various stages of dieting awareness and progression, candid black and white shots of family and friends glossy photographs of attractive Somers groupings partaking of equally attractive and seductive groupings of appetizers, entrees and desserts. As Somers recommends using fresh ingredients, eschews eating high glycemic carbohydrates and forbids the intake of additives, preservatives, corn syrup and trans-fats, I can not fault her overall dieting concept in any way. The three hour hiatus between meals puts the breaks on the desire to snack on anything other than fruit.

Although Somersizing does not eliminate any of the basic food groups, it does promote the idea familiar to all those fans of the Montignac method - that of eating proteins and fats together along with low glycemic vegetables separately from higher glycemic carbohydrates in the form of legumes and whole grains. On this first phase of the diet, there is no limit to amount and I can attest to two facts: your digestive system will be pleased with the lack of bloating and discomfort and you will lose weight. On the second (maintenance) phase, Somers allows some denser carbs to be combined with proteins and fats, but then limits the portion size of the entire meal. Bottom line: eat the way suggested in the latest diets (like Fat Fallacy, Martini Diet, Volumetrics or French Women Don't Get Fat) that advocate eating real food in moderation and you are set.

The difference in this volume is Somers' focus on the aging baby boomer and his/her depletion of youth retaining hormones. If strictly following the Somersizing tenets does not result in weight loss, she claims, the failure is due to an imbalance of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, HGH, etc., and can be measured by either blood or saliva testing. As covered in her other book, "The Sexy Years", Somers tackles the difference between her preferred homones of choice: bioidentical hormones made from soy and wild yam and synthetic hormones prescribed by most doctors and demonized in 2002 Woman's Health Initiative Study and if anything will bring to the forefront that not all medical doctors prescribing synthetic hormones for relief of menopausal symptoms are savvy with regard to alternative compounded pharmaceuticals. Perhaps, if this option is not available to you in your corner of America, thanks to this book and other books about the use of natural hormone replacement, that compound pharmacy may just move into your neighborhood just a little bit faster.

Somers also talks about adrenal burnout (serotonin depletion) and the over-secretion of the stress hormone cortisol with relation to weight gain. Again balancing the diet, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding anti-depressants seems to be the common sense Rx for these issues along with some deep thinking about one's overall purpose in life. In relation to this, Suzanne touches on other dieting FYIs: she will tell you why the low carb lifestyle is not the ultimate answer for long term health, and how to jump off that dieting plateau with suggestions and tips that seem more psychological (isn't it always) than tactical.

Bottom line: if you loved Suzanne Somers other weight control books, you certainly will like this one. Yes, as in the other books, some of the dieting information is redundant - each of the books can stand alone. However, with 100 new recipes, all emphasizing using real foods, you really can't go wrong. There is a chapter dedicated to selling Suzanne's pre-packaged wonders - sauces, rubs, marinades - you name it. Great -- if you want to make an extra purchase, but not obnoxious enough to write off as being overly commercial. Does Suzanne look as great in the flesh as in the beautiful photos in the book? Who knows? The real issue is whether or not you are willing to try synthesized bioidentical hormones or not, especially after reading Suzanne's comments about having a period for the rest of your life. She provides factual grist for your mill-you make the ultimate decision.