An interesting title which promises this book is different
Don't judge a book by its cover, we are told. But I do and in this case, I am glad I did. Before you even delve into this book, take a moment to read the front cover and I mean read it, then do the same to the back cover. The front cover is subtle, with no celebrities promising you will be skinny if you follow their so-called expert advice. This book is real. It doesn't promise eternal good health as many do.
The book is written by Dr Richard Pile and endorsed by Dr Aseem Malhotra FRCP, so trustworthy credentials. This book is a resource kit to help you to "take control of your physical and mental health, no matter what stage of life you are at.” This quote which you will find on the back cover resonates with me and I will tell you why. Like many women, I fell into a trap thinking that the only way I could lose weight was to join weight-loss clubs. How many of us have handed over our hard-earned money to these cult-like clubs who have in return kept us trapped because their plans haven’t worked and of blaming them, we blame ourselves – we have been ‘naughty and ‘fell off the wagon.’ Then we rejoin and create this never-ending cycle of misery. I was never comfortable with their methods and the recurring thought I had was why do I have to pay to know how to be healthy? Why was it a secret? Until one day, many years down the line and huge amounts spent on rejoining fees and financial penalties for missing a week, I had an epiphany. It was not a secret! I could do this with the right knowledge and skills. And it's here! This book gives you what those clubs don’t and never will. The knowledge and tools to improve your life and take back control – now isn’t that empowering?
Ok, I admit you do need to commit to working at it, but it’s you who is doing it for you.
The book chapters cover topics such as food, sleep, movement and some personal recollections from the doctor.
It is an easy to read book with, chatty conversation writing- style. Medical jargon is kept to a minimum and used only when to explain a concept.
To give this more context, the chapter on sleep is fascinating. Dr Piles discusses why sleep is important – not just for the body’s restorative needs, but also for the fantastic healing powers our brain undergoes when we are asleep.
A bit about the Sleep chapter
Dr Piles begins with a general introduction to his favourite 1980s film, Road House, and quotes his favourite line: ‘I’ll get all the sleep I need when I’m dead”. I like the humour!
He starts the serious stuff with a look at the hormones which trigger the sleep process. Let me reassure you, it is not jargon-heavy, nor does he go into the complicated physiological processes of sleep. Instead, he pinpoints two hormones: melatonin (our wake-up hormone) and adenosine (it’s time to sleep hormone). He provides an example – falling asleep when you are watching tv, or reading a book. Now I know why I nod off every evening! It is my adenosine hormone telling me it is my bedtime!
He covers myths and cleverly dispels them. He discusses what our bodies do when we sleep and it’s interesting. All I can say is that I now have an image of a vacuum cleaner cleaning out the dirt accumulated in my brain from the day’s work. You need to read it to understand it.
He explains the effects on our lives when we don’t sleep or get enough sleep.
I like the stylistic breakdown of information into easy-to-read manageable size chunks, broken down into subtitle and short paragraph: ‘My Prescription for enjoying better quality or quantity of sleep,' where he lists l advice in bullet form. Overall, the advice is common sense, but one or two will surprise you. They are little unknown tidbits of information.
The chapters are short and laid out with subheadings.
Dr Pile quotes from the bible and refers to Jesus. It is not something that bothers me. It will not change my opinion. But I know some readers will be uncomfortable with religious references.
Dr Pile shares stories about his family, especially his son with special needs. I felt a connection as I, too, have a son with special needs. I do not think it is easy to disclose information about your family publicly. I am so pleased he did. Not only it is a lovely personal touch, but it also helps to connect and consolidate his reader base.
It is worth reading and having a go. Read it from start to finish, or dip in and out. The chapters can stand alone.
Overall, I liked it. There are no hidden agendas. The book is arming you with the information and resources to take back control of your life and get healthy. What have you got to lose? in this way, it is as its title suggests: fit for purpose.
The book is written by Dr Richard Pile and endorsed by Dr Aseem Malhotra FRCP, so trustworthy credentials. This book is a resource kit to help you to "take control of your physical and mental health, no matter what stage of life you are at.” This quote which you will find on the back cover resonates with me and I will tell you why. Like many women, I fell into a trap thinking that the only way I could lose weight was to join weight-loss clubs. How many of us have handed over our hard-earned money to these cult-like clubs who have in return kept us trapped because their plans haven’t worked and of blaming them, we blame ourselves – we have been ‘naughty and ‘fell off the wagon.’ Then we rejoin and create this never-ending cycle of misery. I was never comfortable with their methods and the recurring thought I had was why do I have to pay to know how to be healthy? Why was it a secret? Until one day, many years down the line and huge amounts spent on rejoining fees and financial penalties for missing a week, I had an epiphany. It was not a secret! I could do this with the right knowledge and skills. And it's here! This book gives you what those clubs don’t and never will. The knowledge and tools to improve your life and take back control – now isn’t that empowering?
Ok, I admit you do need to commit to working at it, but it’s you who is doing it for you.
The book chapters cover topics such as food, sleep, movement and some personal recollections from the doctor.
It is an easy to read book with, chatty conversation writing- style. Medical jargon is kept to a minimum and used only when to explain a concept.
To give this more context, the chapter on sleep is fascinating. Dr Piles discusses why sleep is important – not just for the body’s restorative needs, but also for the fantastic healing powers our brain undergoes when we are asleep.
A bit about the Sleep chapter
Dr Piles begins with a general introduction to his favourite 1980s film, Road House, and quotes his favourite line: ‘I’ll get all the sleep I need when I’m dead”. I like the humour!
He starts the serious stuff with a look at the hormones which trigger the sleep process. Let me reassure you, it is not jargon-heavy, nor does he go into the complicated physiological processes of sleep. Instead, he pinpoints two hormones: melatonin (our wake-up hormone) and adenosine (it’s time to sleep hormone). He provides an example – falling asleep when you are watching tv, or reading a book. Now I know why I nod off every evening! It is my adenosine hormone telling me it is my bedtime!
He covers myths and cleverly dispels them. He discusses what our bodies do when we sleep and it’s interesting. All I can say is that I now have an image of a vacuum cleaner cleaning out the dirt accumulated in my brain from the day’s work. You need to read it to understand it.
He explains the effects on our lives when we don’t sleep or get enough sleep.
I like the stylistic breakdown of information into easy-to-read manageable size chunks, broken down into subtitle and short paragraph: ‘My Prescription for enjoying better quality or quantity of sleep,' where he lists l advice in bullet form. Overall, the advice is common sense, but one or two will surprise you. They are little unknown tidbits of information.
The chapters are short and laid out with subheadings.
Dr Pile quotes from the bible and refers to Jesus. It is not something that bothers me. It will not change my opinion. But I know some readers will be uncomfortable with religious references.
Dr Pile shares stories about his family, especially his son with special needs. I felt a connection as I, too, have a son with special needs. I do not think it is easy to disclose information about your family publicly. I am so pleased he did. Not only it is a lovely personal touch, but it also helps to connect and consolidate his reader base.
It is worth reading and having a go. Read it from start to finish, or dip in and out. The chapters can stand alone.
Overall, I liked it. There are no hidden agendas. The book is arming you with the information and resources to take back control of your life and get healthy. What have you got to lose? in this way, it is as its title suggests: fit for purpose.