Customer Reviews

What's Age Got to Do with It?: Living Your Healthiest and Happiest Life

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(43)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

After thoroughly reading this book with as open a mind as I could, I can honestly say I struggled to find good things to say about it. The author claims that her intention in writing it is to help influence other women - average women - to take better care of themselves and be in the best physical shape they can be as they age gracefully. I do not see how the average woman can be inspired by a woman who constantly reminds her readers throughout the book how naturally thin she is; how easy it is for her to exercise; how lucky she is to be able to afford the best of everything. I nearly put the book down when Robin felt the need to point out that the camera adds ten pounds - that she is actually much thinner in person.

It seems to me that the kind of woman most likely to be drawn to this book are truly average women; women who are struggling with their weight; women who cannot afford thousands of dollars on spa treatments; women who don't walk around in Robin's favorite four-to-six inch heels. Robin's list of beauty products and cosmetics that she "simply can't go without" contained very few items that the average woman would even know where to find, yet be able to afford. The average woman looking for inspiration to help her better her life needs advice from, well... an AVERAGE woman.

This book was not for me, only because I struggled to see the good advice behind the author's maddeningly smug personal narrative. I'm sure it was in there somewhere. Was I inspired? No. How can I relate when I never have to worry about Michael Bolton showing up at my door when my hair looks terrible? I do not recommend this book for it's health and beauty advice. If you're a soap opera fan, though - you may be entertained.

I like Robin, and enjoy seeing her when she is on the show. I had high hopes for this book, as I enjoyed her first one. However, this book was a huge disappointment. If you read magazines or watch television at all, you won't get any information here you haven't already heard numerous times. I guess if I had her money, I could afford to look younger the way she does. But for the rest of us, the average women in America, this book was a big waste of money.

I eagerly awaited this book but after reading it am disappointed. What I realized part way through the book is that this book is really about Robin, not about (or necessarily for) the rest of us. While the information is useful it probably would be most useful for younger women looking for ways to stay healthy as they age. The title would need to be revised as I also realized that by the time women might be looking for a book with this title (and presumed subject matter), they have already read much of what is revealed in this book during their 20s, 30s, and 40s, in other books and magazine articles. I saw an advertisement for this book in a magazine and there was not much detail given on the contents; so perhaps I was just expecting something different. Carefully review this book before making the investment in reading it so you won't feel like saying to yourself: "What's this book have to do with it?".

I heard of this book when Ms. McGraw appeared several months ago on the Oprah Winfrey show to talk about her experiences with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. I borrowed the book from the local library, and after reading it, was glad I had not spent money to purchase it. The chapter on bioidentical hormones was a rehash of what she had said on Oprah, that she wasn't willing to just "accept" the diagnosis of menopause and after much research, she decided to start on a protocol of bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic hormones and the antidepressants that so many women take for menopausal symptoms. She also spoke of how she called her family together for a meeting to tell them she was in menopause (I guess the point was to counsel women that it shouldn't be a taboo subject, but it came across as a Robin feeling like the world should revolve around her because she is feeling menopausal).
Her husband's show, the Dr. Phil Show, did an entire program recently on biodientical hormone replacement therapy----while I had high hopes the show would be truly educational on this very important topic, it came across as being a one hour infomercial for the book, and most of the guests were specifically presented as being "saved" by Robin as she took them to her personal BHRT physician. What made me angry is that the Oprah shows totally ignored the issues of financial costs and insurance coverage (or lack thereof) and many women assume that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is something only wealthy women can afford----and the Dr. Phil Show did nothing to clarify those issues, and Robin only made passing mention of the issue in the book. Hundreds of posts to the show's website were filled with angry comments about how Robin is clueless to how real women live and can't afford to run from doctor to doctor looking for answers. If the show wanted to dedicate a whole hour to promoting her book, I wish they had used one of the other chapters, and had the subject of BHRT be covered by doctors and others who really know what they are talking about (without cutting constantly to Robin posing for the cover of the book). Women (of all ages, this is not just a menopausal issue) are suffering tremendously and are being dangerously overmedicated because of hormonal imbalances, and yet this book just seemed to push the "it will stop the aging process and you will look much better" angle of BHRT.

I picked this title up for my wife, who is a fan of Robin's. It's hard to believe Mrs. McGraw when she claims this title is to help average women, when it is written like a self-serving love letter from her own ego. There are few parts that don't feel completely disingenuous, and they tend to be the dry parts of information pretty much everyone already knows (I'm guessing these are the parts her editor added). Overall, I'm sure Robin thinks she sounds like an approachable Christiana Northrup, but comes across like a spoiled elitist. I don't mean to sound bitter; and indeed, I'd gone to this title for inspiration, there just isn't much better to be said for this book.

I've had this book for about 2 1/2 weeks now and am finally getting around to reading it and posting my review. I am one of those people, that when a book is really good (in my opinion), I can't put it down until I've finished with it. This book was not one of those books for me.

I admire Robin McGraw for how well she is doing and the shape she is in at the age of 55, but in the first chapeter when she cites all the experts she worked with - a lot in the "industry" in California, it makes it a little daunting for the rest of us.

The book is broken down with each chapter dealing with a different aspect of a woman's life. Some chapters were more beneficial than others to me. I did find a lot of good information in the chpater on nutrition. As a woman entering menopause and having a daughter on the verge of puberty, I am always looking for ways to improve our eating habits and health through nutrion. What is presented here is doable and not an extreme overhaul of a lifestyle.

The chapter on skin care for me was a little bit much. Due to the fact that the economy is what it is right now, it's difficult for me to justify any sort of spa treatments or high end skin care regimin that she recommends. There are some home remidies that she also spells out, but even those are a little too much work for me.

While I would not have bought this book for myself, I am thankful for the opportunity to read it. It is not a book that you can read cover to cover in just a few days. There is a lot of information to absorb and digest. I would recommend reading it a chapter at a time or even skip around to the chapters that most interest you first, then go back and read the others.

One piece of advice she stresses through out is that as women we don't take care of ourselves and don't know our bodies the way that we should. With that I couldn't agree more. We have to take care of ourselves; mentally, physically, and spiritually, if we are going to be any good to anyone else.

This is a great book with great suggestions. It has made me go back to some of the good habits I have always had but have done less of recently due to a hectic lifestyle. Robin does make a good case in that women need to take the time and care of themselves even when busy with children and spouses. There are many health tips we know but sometimes slack off on when other responsibilities take over. Some of Robins tips on hair, make-up and skin care are wonderful, just not financially possible for a middle class income. The rich look better because they can afford to. And being a breast cancer survivor I had to completely disregard chapter 5. (about balancing hormones).
One of my favorite parts of this book as well as her others are the stories she has about her family and friends. Actual life experiences she has had.
Overall a very enjoyable informative book!

My wife has read more than a few health and wellness books and has been reading this book in detail. I'm more of a skeptic and have been jumping around in the book with a lot of skimming.

She would give it four stars and thinks the advice is relatively solid. The approach is very similar to Suzanne Somer's books - a celebrity takes their personal perspective and experience and combines it with interviews from a select group of professionals to compile a list of guidelines for living, etc. The big difference is that the Somer's books focus on health and healthcare with a big helping of alternative medicine, while McGraw's book is an overall look at what you can do to improve your physical and mental health, with a more mainstream perspective. With chapters dedicated to exercise, make-up, spiritual considerations and of course health care and medicine. it's a well rounded approach.

As long as you keep this in mind with a grain of salt, you won't be too disappointed. This book is "Friendly and helpful advice" and not "The compiled wisdom of professionals" As she indicates in the introduction, the book was a response to all the questions she gets as a celebrity. That said, neither my wife nor I were familiar with her - just with Dr. Phil.

Perhaps that's why I was less generous. Three stars. Maybe I was thinking this book was going to be more rigorous and instead I'm treated to list after list of "Here is how I, Robin McGraw, singlehandedly found a fantastic solution to this age old problem despite the fact that I'm a celebrity and issues like time and money really don't affect me the way they affect you." Ok, so I'm being a little harsh.

Yes, each section ends with an "Answers from the experts" but don't forget that these are her questions and her experts.

I think the best advice the book gives is that women need to prioritize their own overall mental and physical health over that of their family. No matter how much you do for your family, you're a better wife and mother when you're happy and healthy.

If you found this review helpful at all, please let me know!

Fortunately, I got this book from the library which I often do before investing in a book. I took some notes from reading it and was prepared to buy the book UNTIL I used Robin's "recipe" for a morning drink to jump start your metabolism and energize your day. Since I have returned the book I can't tell you what page the "recipe" is on but it is in a highlighted gray box. She says to mix 1 CUP of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 CUP of warm water and 1-2 Tablespoons of concentrated lemon juice. I managed to drink it down but OH MY GOD! It burned in my throat, it burned in my esophagus and it burned in my stomach for hours. I lost count of how many Tums and antacids I used that day. Several days later, determined to better my health and appearance, I thought "OK - I'll start out in smaller proportions and build up to her recommendation." This time I mixed 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar and 1-1/2 cups warms water and just 2-3 drops (not Tablespoons) of lemon juice. This time I gagged it down. OH MY GOD again - It burned just as badly and within minutes I vomited it up so it could burn my stomach, esophagus and throat a second time on the way back up. From that moment on I thought - NO WAY! I don't believe for a second that Robin drinks this.
I went to the Dr. Phil website and e-mailed the situation to Robin under the link "Ask Robin a Question." No response from anyone. Not Robin, not a staff member, no one. One would think they could be courteous enough to say, "Yup, there was a typo that the publisher missed and we are so sorry that this happened to you." One would also think that there should be a published notice on the web from Robin and/or the publisher acknowledging this typo/misprint.
Nothing.
Snooping around the web, I found others who posted this drink as 1-2 TABLESPOONS (NOT 1/2 CUP) of the vinegar to 1 cup of water. Huge difference.
I just wonder if there is this typo, what else is wrong in the book. Why can't someone have the decency to acknowledge the error? With the wrong medical condition, this typo could cause internal bleeding in some people.
I admire Dr. Phil's work and Robin's as well, but there is some "righting of the wrong" that needs to be done in regards to this book.

Robin makes a huge case for taking responsibility for your health and well-being. " . . . it's never too early to become an active manager of your health and well-being." "I also believe in being proactive in health care." " . . . you choose how to live your life and how you approach it. Every day is a choice."
And you know what? She's right!
But here's the rub. In the chapter on Faith, she makes this statement, "almost every night while relaxing in the bath, I thank God for his love and guidance. But when I can, I also try to sit down for a one-on-one conversation with him. Doing this every day is not realistic for me . . . "

WOW! You can list your workout schedule on page 31, but you can't schedule God in for even 10 minutes a day?

Robin . . . I'm truly disappointed. Have you gone completely Hollywood or is that how it always has been?

Maybe you never intended to attract Christian women, but you did. Your appearances on the Women of Faith tour led lots of us to believe that there was a wonderful new Christian woman in Hollywood. I would never judge your heart. That is between you and God. However, Christ DID tell us to look at people's fruits. Based on what you wrote in this book, I don't see you doing outward things to pursue Christ as much as you do a fit body.