Book Review – The Science of Slim

If you are serious about losing weight and keeping it off – you must read The Science of Slim

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Author: Jonathan Bailor

Format: Release date January 2012

With well over fifty pages of references, Jonathan Bailor’s “The Science of Slim”, is exactly that – a thorough scientific evaluation of the data and research collected over decades on what makes our bodies slim and what does not. While steeped in research, this is no dry academic book, but rather an engaging and interesting read exploring how diet myths and the deleterious effects institution of the government’s food pyramid has had on the overall health of our nation. Bailor explains how misinformation in the fifties caused a large shift in our diets away from fat, assuming it is always bad for our health, in favor of grains and sweeteners which cause major inconsistencies in hormone levels throughout the day effecting our metabolism and our bodies fat storing signals.

Hormones, Bailor explains, are the main factor impacting weight gain and weight loss. This is why two different people can eat the same amount of calories and one person will gain weight while another will not. The average American diet basically signals our hormones to essentially have us in fat storing mode almost all of the time.

Bailor also explains the impact of exercise on weight loss and busts some beliefs on what does and does not work. For those doing cardio workouts multiple times per week and adhere to a strict calorie controlling diet yet still find themselves not losing any weight Bailor explains why supported through years of research.

This book not only gives you the information to understand how our bodies work and why what you may have come to believe as truth does not work, but it also provides data and research on what does work. The good news – it doesn’t involve counting calories, points, starving yourself or working out 2 hours per day. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Less, more specific exercise and more frequent correct eating will actually help manage weight goals. You don’t have to believe me. In fact you don’t even have to believe the author. What you should believe is the mounds of research, many including randomized studies, to support his contentions.

There is something to note however. While this book does not require you to be on a diet, it does require you to understand and eat differently both in the proportions of the types of food you eat per meal and how frequently. Essentially you must change your diet.  If you aren’t willing to commit to a change in how you eat this simply will not work.

Overall, a very interesting and well researched book that has the answers if readers are willing to follow it. I will admit that I find it a little hard to believe the exercise routine suggested would work (a couple of videos on the exercise on youtube would also help) but then again if the focus is fat loss versus cardiovascular health then perhaps it does. It seems to me that combing both eccentric exercise and a cardiovascular workout would be appropriate for a healthy lifestyle, but admittedly I have not done the research the author has.

Note: A copy of this work was provided in return for a review.