Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels »

I have read a lot of books on physiology, more specifically hormones and metabolism, written by people with board-certified medical degrees. This book explains almost all of what the others do, plus more recent research, in a much easier to read format with helpful charts and references. I was very surprised a book of this quality could come from a non-degreed personal trainer. I have a new respect for Jillian Michaels for passing along medical researched-based facts (many pages of peer-reviewed medical references in the back if you want to check the sources) and dispelling myths like working out on an empty stomach, and the problems with soy and other substances interacting with hormones. Her own story is very interesting and there is a very thorough section explaining hormones and their interconnecting roles in our health. I’ve already started cleaning out my fridge and cabinets.

Bone Density »

As we age, our bones become more fragile, and in serious cases, often debilitating fractures and breaks can occur. By the age of 90, as many as 32% of women and 17% of men will have sustained a hip fracture, who’s complications often lead to death.

Osteoporosis is also a huge public health threat- especially among women. Of the estimated 10 million Americans that suffer from osteoporosis, 8 million of them are women.

After menopause, the production of estrogen is significantly reduced, slowing the absorption of much needed minerals into the bone, causing them to weaken.

While the role of exercise in prevention and treatment of osteoporosis is not completely understood, it is known that how much physical stress is applied to the bone, determines how strong the bone is. In other words, the more stress you physically apply to the bone (such as lifting weights, or the impact of running and walking on the lower extremities) the stronger the bone becomes. Stronger bones mean less fractures and breaks, as well a lower chance of developing osteoporosis.

Making the Cut By Jillian Michaels »

True to form, Jillian comes through in a manner that is clear, concise, and no-nonsense. I lost 32 pounds utilizing her first book, “Winning by Losing.” I’ve maintained my loss for almost a year, in part, by listening to her weekly radio show. She won my loyalty long ago, because this woman KNOWS HER STUFF! So when I heard about her new book, I decided I was ready to dive back in and go for “the cut.” I’ve lost 5 additional pounds in 8 days. I’m so jazzed — thank you, Jillian!

Breakfast Really Is the Most Important Meal of the Day »

Whether you are in a rush in the morning and don’t have time, or you just aren’t hungry, a lot of people skip breakfast. This is one of the worst things you can do for your metabolism and probably one of the easiest things to fix. Eating in regular intervals triggers you brain to send signals to the rest of the body not to store fat, because you are getting a consistent food supply. Conversely, if you skip breakfast, your body is told to store your food as fat, because it thinks its starving and wants to conserve as much energy as possible.

Are You Slowing Down Your Own Metabolism? »

Calories are fuel for your body. If you don’t give your body enough fuel, it will start to slow down your metabolism to conserve energy because it thinks you’re starving. When your metabolism is in the slowed state, it’s called “starvation mode.”

The second your body starts to run low on energy, your body slows and enters starvation mode. Some days you burn more calories than others- you work out more one day, walked around more often than usual, or perhaps you laid down all day because you were sick. Perhaps you conserved energy (calories) on that day you were sick, but used them up, plus some, on the day you started feeling better. Even though you ate 1700 calories on that day you worked out, you only consumed 500 calories the day you were sick (I’m guessing you ate some bad sushi the night before.) It is still possible for you to enter starvation mode on the day you ate 1700 calories, because you burned 4,000 calories through your BMR and activity