Women, Weight and Hormones: A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35 [Hardcover]

Elizabeth Lee Vliet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2001

Hormones. Weight gain. Women's fat-storing bodies vs. men's fat-burning metabolism. What's the difference? Why do women struggle with weight issues so much?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vliet (Screaming to Be Heard: Hormone Connections Women Suspect... and Doctors Still Ignore) is the founder and director of HER Place, which has several medical centers specializing in hormone evaluations for menopausal women. Very detailed and somewhat overwritten for women just interested in losing weight, her second book presents an array of information on hormone found in the body. Vliet explains how estrogen and progesterone levels change and interact at midlife to slow female metabolism, which may lead to weight gain. But, she argues, a combination of hormonal balance, healthy eating, exercise and improved self-esteem can reverse this pattern. Before Vliet gets to the cornerstone of her "meal action plan" (MAP), which will interest many women, the reader must plow through complicated explanations of the biological changes that occur before, during and after menopause. Vliet believes that women should be tested for hormone levels in their 20s and 30s, so that these baseline results can be used to adjust levels at midlife to prevent excessive weight gain. (She advocates hormonal supplements based on individual need.) Based on her daily dietary recommendations of 35% protein, 30% fat and 35% carbohydrates, Vliet provides 14 days of MAP meal plans. Although much of her diet and exercise advice will be helpful to overweight women, her hormonal plan, advocated at HER Place centers, is complex and theoretical.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Why do women seem to have a harder time losing weight than men? Why is it even more difficult as we age? Is losing weight really as simple as eating less and exercising more? Yes and no. Vliet (Screaming To Be Heard), a physician specializing in women's health and preventive and climacteric medicine, here describes the different hormones that affect women before and after menopause. Some estrogens produced before menopause are largely unavailable in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Too much estrone and not enough estradiol or imbalances in progestone, testosterone, and thyroid can result in weight gain, depression, and other difficulties. Vliet discusses the popular HRT drugs and weight-loss programs that fail to target these imbalances or make them worse. After describing the various hormones in detail with case histories, she recommends a battery of blood tests to pinpoint one's chemical profile, a consultation with a doctor (preferably an endocrinologist) to achieve the right balance, and a diet and exercise plan to take advantage of the better physiological climate thus engendered. Although this book is too technical for most lay readers, Vliet's thesis contains a core of good sense that might well benefit motivated readers. For libraries serving an educated clientele. Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: M.Evans & Company (August 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871319322
• ISBN-13: 978-0871319326
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #239,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating information on the endocrine system, August 24, 2002

By 

Kate McMurry "Young Adult Author" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Women, Weight and Hormones: A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35 (Hardcover)

Dr. Vliet is an M.D. and founder and medical director of Her Place: The Women's Center for Health Enhancement and Renewal in Arizona and Texas, a medical practice specializing in comprehensive hormone evaluations for women. She is the author of Screaming to Be Heard: Hormone Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Still Ignore, an additional book on hormone issues which I own and found valuable when I was researching alternatives to HRT. Dr. Vliet is a clear, easy-to-read writer, and her book is well-laid-out and accessible.

The subtitle of this book is "A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35." In it, the author covers the basics of when and why women gain weight from a hormonal perspective. The doctor does an outstanding job explaining how the female reproductive system is one part of the entire, intricate endocrine system, including the adrenals, the thyroid, and the pancreas. She speaks about these important concepts in clear, layperson's terms making them accessible for readers who want much deeper knowledge of their bodies than the average weight-loss book can provide.

The doctor's diet plan is basically the same as that in The Zone by Barry Sears, that is, he says we should eat 30% protein, 40% carbs, 30% fat, and this diet suggests 35% protein, 35% carbs, 30% fat. Interestingly, in Sears' subsequent Soy Zone book, he must have realized that it is a real pain to measure and count grams and ounces of food, and that most people just won't bother with it, because he recommends eye-balling portions. This means that you will basically cover one-third of your plate with soy products, and the other two-thirds with fruits and veggies. Dr. Vliet's method is more complicated than this. She provides meal plans which are supposed to give you an idea of what you will normally eat on her diet. Then, as Weight Watcher's does, she offers "swaps" (exchanges) for the two main food groups in her menu plan, protein and carb. For example, you can swap an apple for a pear in one of her meals. She states that she feels that pretty much all the fat you need will come from your protein foods (that is, be saturated, animal fat).

I applaud her recommending a basic plan of at least 1600 calories per day, wisely pointing out that if a woman goes much below that, her metabolism will crawl to a halt. I believe that many women who want a simple approach to menopausal weight gain will find this book useful. For further reading on diets like hers, I suggest Sears' book, the Eades' Protein Power and even Dr. Atkins (it can be done with lots of veggies for your limited carbs).

64 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Pointed me in the right direction after my hysterectomy", November 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Women, Weight and Hormones: A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35 (Hardcover)

As a fitness instructor for the past 15 years, I have worked with many women and helped them with their struggles with weight management issues. One of the most frequently asked questions I would get is "Do hormones make you fat?". Well, I know that the studies tell us that hormone replacement therapy does not cause weight gain, but many of my clients would like to convince you otherwise. Well, after an unexpected total hysterectomy at age 36, I was asking the same question! I was thrilled to find this book, Women, Weight and Hormones, by Dr. Vliet. She answered so many of the questions I was trying to find answers to for MYSELF! Through the information in the book, I have been able to work with my physician and individualize my HRT. I see a big difference in my energy level now, and have adjusted my eating habits to give me a better balance fuel for the entire day. I am having to deal with issues much sooner than I ever anticipated and issues that I have been working with my middle-aged clients for years. Now, I feel I have a real resource not only for myself but also for my female clients. Thank you Dr. Vliet writing such a wonderful book - it really has helped put me on the right track after my hysterectomy.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS OUTSTANDING!, December 1, 2003

By 

Larisa Meschi (Naperville, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women, Weight and Hormones: A Weight-Loss Plan for Women Over 35 (Hardcover)

I have battled a hormone imbalance for over 20 years. This imbalance does not show up on routine hormone tests - mainly due to the way modern medicine views and tests female hormones. I read this book and was shocked to discover why most of the over-the-counter self remedies (soy, T3, natural progesterone creams, DHEA, etc.) I tried actually made my imbalance WORSE -- some of those treatments could have caused lethal effects when combined with my particular imbalance. This author raises NUMEROUS common sense paradigm shifts in medical thinking regarding diagnosis and treatment options which affect weight and hormones. This one book explained everything I've ever read about hormones and weight in a way that was applicable and useful - not slanted towards the purchase of a product. Basic knowledge vital for female health.