Hit me with your book recommendations for living a healthy life, please!

[Tiredanddistracted]

So, now that Christmas is over, I feel a bit like a person waking up from a coma, if that coma was formed primarily of cheese and cream.

I feel, to put it bluntly, like utter shit. Physically exhausted, achy of joint and wobbly of flesh. I'm practically carrying my stomach over one shoulder when I go up the stairs to bed every night.

To make it clear, this isn't an 'I've overindulged and have a couple of pounds to lose before I get back into my crop top" kind of situation. I'm very overweight and, barring some dips in and out, have been for most of my adult life.

I've done SW and WW and, for reasons I wont get into, would rather not go there again. But I would like some inspiration on being healthier, eating to nourish myself and, possibly, being a little more like a competent adult in other areas of my life too.

If anyone knows of any healthy lifestyle books that focus around this area, please hit me with your recommendations so I can unfuck my health and my life!

Thank you!

Dr Rangan Chatterjee's books are great. Start with the Four Pillar Plan. It's not just about diet but more holistic - sleep, food, movement, relaxation. It really helped me get out of a rut this year. His podcasts are interesting as well (Feel better, live more)

@PatienceOfEngels thank you - yes, I've seen him on a few things and he does also seem lovely!

Chris van Tulleken's ultra processed people is a good book to read to change your mindset about upf.

I also like Dark Matter by James Kinross about the science of the gut microbiome andcwgat to eat to improve it.

Also it is worth listening to all the zoe podcasts if you haven't already.
https://zoe.com/learn/category/podcasts

Another vote for ultra processed people. It has changed our whole families way of eating.

How Not to Die.

Don't beat yourself up! You are not alone! Try to do better in the new year. I will join you!!! Less processed shit (very much less!), more veg, some fruit etc etc, cooking from scratch so you know what you are eating. I really need to start walking again. Not just to the corner shop or bus stop either.

Food for Life by Tim Spector
Feel Better Live More podcasts
Zoe podcasts

Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker

I would also recommend Dr Rangan Chattergee 4 Pillar Plan. It is very gentle and doesn't make huge demands of you. After a lifetime of SW/WW/low carbing, I found this made something click in my brain and stop being so all or nothing and so hard on myself. I set myself a 2 year plan to lose weight and get fit - still doing it. March will be my 2 year mark, and will reset and continue and see where I end up. Good luck.

Fast like a girl

This

I’m following this thread while eating Christmas biscuits and reading fast 800. I’m also searching holidays and how to save money at same time.

10-A-Day the Easy Way by James Wong
10-A-Day

Eating better, by eating more fruit and vegetables, the science behind why it matters and the best ways to optimise your plant food diversity.

You sound just like me!

Following this thread for inspiration . I'm a total yo-yo dieter . Wish I could just follow a healthy plan instead of one extreme or another .

I have downloaded The Four Pillar Plan and UPP. I've started with the Chatterjee one, primarily because he's lovely and makes me feel very unjudged. I'm going on to UPP afterwards- feels like the focus on unprocessed foods will go well the the 4 Pillar Plan with its importance placed on wholefoods, so hopefully they won't contradict each other.

Mind you, I've just boshed down a whole pizza and am now sitting in bed regretting my life choices, so, sadly, I have not been transformed by merely purchasing the books.

I feel motivation is needed. Would anyone like to partake in a kind of 'get your shit together' thread if I start one? Or even just use this existing one for it? Some gentle group support would be great!

Lurking

Lurking too but Fast 800 is a good project to follow for weight off fast which does give great incentive. But I need another venture as I am where you are o.p, 6 shortbread fingers down, I just have a huge sugar addiction :(

they say only eat till your 80% full not 100% - where you feel so stuffed and can’t move full. Once you start in the areas you want to chance you feel better, you look better & then it becomes a little addictive . Go for it OP!

Just started listening to ultra processed people on Spotify

Just One Thing podcast by Michael Mosely is a good one. Easy 10 mins to listen to, although his longer ones over this Christmas period are definitely worth a listen too.

Happy New Year! Hope you are feeling positive this morning!

It’s not a book recommendation, but I have found the Body Coach app to be absolutely worth the money and also really worked.

The Facebook community is supportive, nice and inspiring. And full of many different types of people having good days and bad.

The food is easy, different and filling. The only thing I struggled with at the start was figuring out the protein powder purchases but once you have figured that out it’s really good.

The workouts start easy but effective and you can work up at your own pace. And step down a level if it’s too much!

Just something that made my 2023 a lot more enjoyable and healthier!

Another vote for Ultra Processed People.

I know it's not a book but there's a documentary on iPlayer called How To Live Beyond 100 which is really interesting. It's more about the little things you can do every day.

The case for keto - Gary Taubes
The big fat surprise - Nina Teicholz

I love The Four Pillar Plan, very easy to understand and follow.