Sustainable Weight Loss is an ambitious weight-loss reference guide, covering a wide range of topics including the psychological aspects of weight loss and the role of hormones, along with the importance of exercise and sound nutrition. Heavily annotated, with extensive endnotes concluding each chapter, this book aims to be “the definitive guide to maintaining a healthy body weight.” In doing so, however, it may provide more information than the average dieter, who is most likely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of weight-loss advice already available, can absorb and put into practice.
The book is divided into three main sections:
- Understanding the Basics, which covers basic physiology, metabolism and the role of genetics
- Consider Your Options, which covers dieting, exercise, and the psychological aspects of weight loss and hormones
- How to Make a Difference, which examines topics like motivation, special populations and goal setting
The author covers an impressive range of material, including the difference between synthetic and bio-identical hormones, and arguments supporting and opposing a link between obesity and depression. And while each section appears thoroughly researched an annotated, it is not immediately apparent how the reader can use and apply most of this information to achieve successful weight loss. This is the purpose of the Sustainable Weight Loss Workbook, which aims to provide a step-wise process for applying the information presented in the book. The workbook is comprised primarily of worksheets and questionnaires, which the reader can use to determine things like daily calorie intake and whether or not he or she requires help from a psychologist, physician, registered dietitian or personal trainer. The information itself is solid and practical, but some readers might find the flowcharts difficult to follow, and some of the information challenging to put into practice.
There is no question that Sustainable Weight Loss and its corresponding workbook were written with the goal of providing individuals with the knowledge they need to finally break through the barriers that have prevented the reader from losing weight in the past. However, if information were all that were required, Americans would not be facing an epidemic of obesity. Instead, Sustainable Weight Loss might best serve as a reference book for health or fitness professionals seeking additional information on topics related to weight loss.
What we liked:
- Heavily researched and annotated information on a wide range of topics related to weight loss
- Useful reference guide for health or fitness professionals seeking information on topics related to weight loss
What we didn’t like:
- Readers may be overwhelmed by the wide scope of information presented and find it challenging to know how to apply the information without the accompanying workbook
- Workbook provides important screens and starting points, but doesn’t provide readers with an easy-to-implement plan for achieving weight loss
May 3, 2012