Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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)"

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

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.

Suzanne Somers has done it again! This book states what I have been telling my patients for the last 8 years, which is that bio-identical hormones do work. Women feel better, look better and are more able to control their lives. Suzanne's book is very readable, and as usual, Ms. Somers is very honest and exceedingly helpful for the menopausal woman.
Jerrold H. Weinberg, MD. Farmington Hills, Michigan

Not as good as her first book but has some good advise on cortisol control a real issue with both men and women. Especially women starting or going through menopause. I have been a Pharmacist for 30 years. I have seen many diets come and go, and Suzanne recommendation are was I teach my customers every day. Well worth buying. I have purchased 20 book to lend out to my customers so they can learn about themselves.

I was very skeptical at first about starting this diet. This is my first time having to try any kind of diet, I've always been blessed with a high metobolism and could eat anything I've wanted until I hit about 32... and I stacked on about 25 lbs. Anyway, I tried doing it on my own with no results so I decided to give this a try. I've been on it for a week and a half and have already lost 5 lbs. Its all about rethinking your food choices and following the rules stated in the book. Its easy to follow and Suzanne follows everything up with scientific facts and good information. Since I have started eating this way, I have no bloating or gastric distress. It does require a lot more cooking at home and brown bagging lunches but I think its worth it. I find the diet very managable for my hectic lifestyle. Its all food you can find in your grocery stores, it allows you the freedom of choices and you eat what you like. I am not going to lie, I do miss the "funky foods" but I find everyday I crave them less and less. I allow myself to cheat minimally here and there but I don't over do it and I always isolate it so its not mixed with in with my meals. You will lose weight even if you don't excersize like me because I don't have time in my schedule to commit going to the gym everyday or get on my treadmill at home. So if you are looking for a good diet that teaches you how to eat right, become a more creative cook at home and how to feel good about yourself again in a short period of time, this is the diet for you. As with any change in your life, its scary at first but then everyday it gets a little easier. Hope this helps somebody!

After looking through the contents of Suzanne Somers' new book and seeing her on CNBC last night, I can't help but be reminded of the work of Dr. Diana Schwarzbein, author of The Schwarzbein Principle series who has a chapter in Suzanne's last book. I'm pretty sure the medical philosophy is the same. Dr. Schwarzbein, a progressive endocrinologist has been purveying this information about bioidentical hormones, adrenal burn-out, insulin resistance, cortisol levels and saliva testing for years and trains medical practitioners around the country in her work.
I'm pretty sure Dr. Schwarzbein is the source for this "new information". The good news is, the information is getting out! Women can be helped and lead more healthful, balanced lives. But, if you want to expand your resources try Dr. Schwarzbein, too!

As a cancer survivor, but on strong prevention drugs, I really needed this information of alternative health solutions.

As a follower of the Sommersize lifestyle for several months now, I have reaped the rewards of smaller clothing sizes, a better night's sleep, more energy, and confidence in the kitchen. The health benefits of this program have allowed me to free myself of the long lines at the drug store. The recipies alone are worth the purchase of the book even if you are not following the program.

I have all of Suzanne Sommers "Somersize" books. This is my favorite because she includes her theories about balancing your hormones in order to lose weight, especially after 40. Her diet works. Her recipes are excellent, whether you follow her diet plan or not. Go for it!