Goddesses Never Age

by Christiane Northrup

As Christiane Northrup MD shows us in this profoundly empowering book, we have it in us to make growing older an entirely different experience, for both our bodies and our souls. In chapters that blend personal stories and practical exercises with the latest research on health and ageing, Dr Northrup lays out the principles of ageless living, from rejecting processed foods to releasing stuck emotions, from embracing our sensuality to connecting deeply with our Divine Source. Explaining that the state of our health is dictated far more by our beliefs than by our biology, she works to shift our perceptions about getting older and show us what we are entitled to expect from our later years - no matter what our culture tries to teach us to the contrary - including: vibrant good health; a fulfiling sex life; the capacity to love without losing ourselves; the ability to move our bodies with ease and joy; and clarity and authenticity in all our relationships-especially the one we have with ourselves. And she brings it all together in a 14-day Ageless Goddess Programme, offering tools and inspiration for creating a healthful and soulful new way of being at any stage of life.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development, Spirituality, Psychology, Reference

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like having a fabulous conversation with a wise, witty and warm-natured friend. It is packed with information, wisdom, personal anecdotes, and hugely uplifting reminders of the strength of spirit all women have for all of their lives. Having started to feel a bit frumpy lately, I now feel boosted with everything I need to get my life buzzing again, from do-able dietary advice, through permission to have fun, to ways to stay organised and motivated. The only thing I would say is that rather than the word 'secret' in the title, I would say that this prescription is 'essential'for feeling good about yourself, and being full of vitality at any age, and should be known to all! I have Christiane's wonderful book Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom on my bedside table and refer to it often. This book is more conversational in tone as Christiane shares much about her own life with readers. I highly recommend both as essential to every woman's library, (and to any man who wants to understand and cherish women too)!

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in return for a completely unbiased review.

[Mary Karpel-Jergic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this book and in the main I enjoyed reading Northrup's analysis of ageless living. It's so refreshing to consider a positive outlook for women on aging that doesn't focus on either how to look young or deterioration and ill health. She is a practicing doctor of medicine but also embraces a much more holistic rather than traditional western view of medicine. This was certainly part of her attraction to me but I must say that I found some of the positive thinking beliefs a bit difficult to swallow. I also found her religious belief in the 'Divine Beloved' required a suspension of disbelief as I am not religious and struggle with the thought of praying to some unknown something in the universe. On another and final negative note, I found her constant referencing to her own discovery of tango dancing somewhat tiresome at times. That said, I also took a lot away from this book including a more personal positive attitude to ageing. I will do my best not to "let someone else's idea about what 40, or 50, or 60, or any other number means inform how I see myself.

This book is about ageless living, living courageously and helping you to adopt an ageless attitude. Very early on (in the introduction actually) there is the mention of a spiritual dimension which weaves its way throughout the book. Northrup appears to be hugely influenced by Mario Martinez who argues that culture is stronger than genes. This supports the view that our attitude towards getting older is incredibly significant. The problem is, we live in a culture that currently does not value old women and this in turn transmits negative messages that we must then work hard on to ensure that we don't internalise these values.

If you read this book it is likely that you might be a bit like me and instead of buying into the popular but negative images of getting older will prefer to feel at a crossroads, where you can make a decision about what your life will be like in the years to come. If there is a choice in ageing, I know I would rather age with gusto rather than deteriorate, battling my body in order for it to behave. I want my healthspan to match my lifespan.Much of this can be achieved by good lifestyle choices and these are discussed in the book.

This is a scholarly book that refers to research in the field which supports her ideas and provides lots of food for thought.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

More than half-way through I had to give it up. While there is a lot of good information here, there are quite a few points that I found problematic - incomplete information on pelvic floor pain and statements about how we choose our parents and are in-part responsible for that relationship, being two of them. As a therapist who works with complex trauma, telling an individual who was abused by their primary caregivers from infancy on that they chose that and are partially responsible for how they were treated is so damaging.

[Dina London · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shoot me now. Contemplating everything this book says to do to slow the aging made me exhausted. The plethora of suggestions were all very worthy, but you would literally have to devote all day, every day to accomplishing them. In some ways, it felt like a prescription for the idle rich. And, Dr. Northrup's passion for tango was mentioned so many times, I had a good mind to dance my red editor's pen straight through those sections.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.7/5

I read this book only because of the author and because her book 'Women's bodies, Women's wisdom' was good. However, this book was a major disappointment.

This book is nothing original and is a just a sum of all the information, one can gather from health blogs of unqualified white skinny women and law of attraction aficionados.

Though I do strongly believe in holistic health, I did not like the fact on how she went on about women with gynaecological issues had them because of some soul/emotional issues and were cured instantly in her clinic, the moment they dealt with the emotional issues.

There are hardly any proper citations of science except for a couple of studies and all the author does is quote astrology, people like Tosha Silver, Mama Gena and other people like that. In this case, one is better off reading their work because this book is totally unoriginal.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was curious about the book after seeing her on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday show. I wondered what insights she might have to say about the aging process for women, and her "secret prescription for radiance, vitality and well-being". I have to say that it's an exhausting read. All the does and don'ts. Most of us do most of stuff already. I'm bothered by the term Goddess but I guess that a book with strong or resilient women in the title doesn't sound so catchy.
I'll watch her if I happen to catch her on TV, but I won't be buying any more of her books. No " aha" moments here for me.

[Faith Tydings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year and it's always the first book that I read in the new year. I have highlighted, underlined, and taken notes in the margins and I continue to add my own insight to it year after year. I love this book! It sets the tone for the new year and gives me reminders of how I want to treat my body, mind, and soul. This is a must read...over and over again!

[Jeanmarie Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, this was majorly disappointing! Especially after Ms Northups other books. I was so looking forward to it and very let down. I agree with another reader about the authors dancing the tango - it came up at every opportunity, and while it was something special to her, it really didn't have much to do with the rest of us. The other thing that bothered me about this book, was how this was all about the Mama Gina School. If any of you know/follow/have been to Mama Gina's school of womanly arts, you will understand. And in fact, the author was a guest and student there
and 99% of the book is based on that info. Which rather surprised me.
At one point, I even looked at the cover and references to see if this book was actually a collaboration between the author and Mama Gina! There
wasn't' anything new or outstanding about the info the author shared. And alot of it was back to the "celebrity-having-money- to-do-things" that the rest of us could not afford to do. The author obviously has the connections and the money to do things that every day people cannot do. I was let down and glad I only got it from the library.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

No doubt that there were some interesting bits in this book and I do like a holistic approach to health, however, her insistence to not get tested for certain things, not undertake medical procedures etc. really, really got to me after a while. So while some stuff I take on board, like reducing stress, doing more things that bring me joy and sleeping more, other things I simply cannot get on board with. I shall not throw my asthma inhalers away quite yet.

[Tama · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one great "how to" book
i am so working on being a goddesss!

humor, smart advice from a reliable source.....
all kinds of good ideas for seizing the day, being in the present, dealing with healthy foods, activities and thoughts.
a fine reference book and companion going into the spring and the rest of your life.

[Carol Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think Christiane writes for her own gain. I just don't like her writing as she proclaims herself a super doctor, super person, super mom. She needs some humility.

[Dorothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This got returned to the library when I hit the paragraph where she discouraged getting mammograms or pap smears. WTF.

[Jolanta · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝ Svarbiausias ryšys, nuo kurio priklaluso visi kiti santykiai ir kuris visiems jiems duoda toną, yra jūsų santykis su pačia savimi.

[Brandi D'Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are approaching middle age (however you define that, and Ms. Northrup says that you probably shouldn't concretely define that,) this is a wonderful book that prepares you for a positive journey! With plenty of personal stories, Ms. Northrup approaches aging with an extremely upbeat attitude and she casts aside many shadows that western medicine and psychology (our own and the collective) dump on us. She is a huge proponent of the mentality of "body heal thyself." She believes that by simply bringing joy, acceptance, and peace into your life, you will ward off any major health issues. Each chapter talks about bringing joy to your life in different ways or parts of the body. This is a radical way of thinking for many of us. I liked it though and plan on incorporating many of her practices and beliefs into my luggage for my own trip into old age.

I'll leave with this quote of hers, "The body is a marvelous creation designed by the Creator to be in a continual state of regeneration and repair to keep all its systems humming. Cells are constantly replacing themselves with healthy ones. Your body is designed to intervene with the disease process at every point and to prevent, slow down, and reverse this process to restore you to your natural state of health. Your immune system is designed to kick into gear and fight pathogens or germs that enter the system. As you make choices that strengthen your immune system- such as finding things to feel joyful about-it becomes better able to surround, weaken, and kill pathogens."

[Helen W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb reading, I would go as far as saying essential reading for all women, not just those of a certain age, as you can never start these super-positive attitudes too early. This book covers many of the truisms of wellbeing and good (female) health that I've unearthed for myself...and you're unlikely to find a more mainstream or accessible handbook covering them; this actually makes light, even humerous reading and is well worth the grounding that it gives you in looking at your life from every angle and re-jigging some of those age-related attitudes that have held women back for (far) too long. Dr Northrup's writing on the menopause and women's health is something I've respected for some time but with this one she quite literally comes of age and blossoms. Be prepared to launch into a middle-aged reinvention of self and, yes, excitement at what lies ahead after you've read this (having scrubbed all the doom and gloom that our culture feeds us as standare fare); and there are no empty promises here, this is not a health 'program' or anything like that - just a reminder that here, ahead of us, is a long-standing heritage of stepping into our prime, and getting better at everything as we mature gently, that has been culturally stripped off women for far too long and is now ripe to be reclaimed.

[Sharon Gausch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains lots of good info along with lots of questionable advice. I love the idea of embracing and celebrating our womanhood throughout our lives, but for me part of that is understanding that age truly is just a number, why hide your actual age if you are embracing an "ageless" lifestyle? That attitude made her words feel a bit hollow. Additionally, while I appreciated the plethora of suggestions and ideas, I found her insistence that she regularly engages in virtually all of them on a regular basis to strain credibility. Finally, her constant circling back to her love of Argentine tango was ridiculous--we get it, it's sensual, you love it, you're good at it, you've made lots of friends doing it, etc etc etc. Enough already--very cool that you do it but a couple of mentions would have been plenty. Overall I did get a lot out of this book but in my opinion it would have been improved with some fairly heavy editing.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to give this book a better rating than 2 lousy stars, because there is some great information in here about how to age gracefully, or, I guess, not to really "age" at all. Even though this book is definitely geared to women in their 40s, 50s, 60s..etc. I think many of the tips can be adopted by all women. Where she started losing me was with all her talk of the Divine Beloved. It was just a little too much to swallow. And her incessant chatter about her love of tango got old after the 100th mention. I get it. She's excited and loves it. But I feel like her editor should have done a better job there. Overall some good information, but too much emphasis is placed on the Divine Beloved and that really spoiled the book for me.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of good advice in this booK as has been described by other reviewers... but the emphasis on NOT "aging" really got on my nerves. Why not welcome aging and what goes with it? Northrup hides her age altho she celebrates her birthday, but simply sounds coy as she conceals the number of years... (she's younger than I... none of us can "hide" anymore in this electronic age.)
I wish for the magic of a near-death experience for her. If young women find this rude or scary, please find books that will better inform you. They're out there. I think one might be in Northrup's future... she just hasn't met it yet.
Or maybe it's in her latest book which I haven't yet read. Blessings!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate the title of this book, and having read all of Northrup's, I would categorize this as her "lightest" book. If you are already well invested in healthy habits, you already know everything here. Her perspective on how we accept aging myths is the best thing about the book, and did raise my awareness. What is it about the word "goddesses" that I find nauseating? I don't know, to me it sounds patronizing, although I know Northrup certainly doesn't intend it to.

[Sara Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very New Agey and "out there" yet you have to applaud her premise that it is our joy and our connection with ourselves, with God, and others that keeps us young. She gives advice on dietary issues - no sugar or grains, on supplements - lots, and spirituality - pray and forgive. Following all of her advice would be a 14 hour a day job. And do we really want to decline our senior discounts?

[Michele Hauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise, witty and so on the mark about life.

[Nancy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for women my age!

[Shannon L. Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being

By Dr. Christiane Northrup (Author)



A book that should be required reading in a college General Ed. Class! Dr. Christiane Northrup writes from years of experience as an OB/GYN added to years studying Natural Health remedies. This marriage between Western Medicine theories and Eastern Medicine theories is a perfect compliment to each other. Dr. Northrup adds in many anecdotes and personal stories along with data to back up her prescriptive suggestions.

In a society that disparages the elders as weak and unwanted, this book gives us permission to grasp life in our own hands and age how we deem possible. Societal norms do not need to dictate how we age. Societal stereotypes do not have to be emulated as we grow in years. Dr. Northrup gives a wake-up call to everyone that we don't have to be fragile, weak and addicted to Geriatic medications. We do not have to follow the whims of a multi-billion dollar healthcare system that wants us to be guinea pugs for their latest "age-related" prescription. When given a chance the human body in all its wonder can heal itself. Following a healthy lifestyle makes it easier for that body to be in optimal health.

Add in the pressure reserved for women as we grow older and this book truly lets down the proverbial hair to unleash magnificent women at any age. Every woman should be handed this book on her twenty-first birthday, the last birthday to be counted. As the years go by, age is no longer a number, birthday celebrations should be about celebrating that years' accomplishments, not attaining a new number in a countdown towards death.

"What you are changing into is the powerful, luscious, fertile, ageless goddess you were meant to be—an expression of the divine, feminine life force unencumbered by cultural expectations that keep you small, overly cautious, and afraid to upset anybody."(from the Introduction by Dr. Christiane Northrup)

Dr. Northrup is frank about what we should be doing to attain good health and most importantly how we shape our beliefs and thoughts. "Your beliefs and thoughts are wired into your biology. They become your cells, tissues, and organs. There’s no supplement, no diet, no medicine, and no exercise regimen that can compare with the power of your thoughts and beliefs.That’s the very first place you need to look when anything goes wrong with your body."

This book is so full of information, the chapters need to be read over and over again to grasp all of the nuisances. Dr. Northrup writes in a conversational style, as if she were your friend chatting over a cup of tea. She fits in humor at just the right places, admonishes when it's most important and cries with humility from sharing her personal experiences. All in hope to connect with the reader and offer the wisdom she has attained over the years.

A summary of chapters:

Chapter 1 Discusses how the myths of aging are incorrect and outlines how to live ageless and healthy.

Chapter 2 Chronicles how important sustainable pleasure and living joyously is to a life of vitality.

Chapter 3 A different perspective of the concerns woman have of their bodies.

Chapter 4 A continuance of the conversation about peri-menopause and menopause.

Chapter 5 A treatise of how old emotions linger to cause a plethora of diseases and how to release thes grief, anger and shame.

Chapter 6 Reclaiming sexuality beyond the glossy covers of what our society deems is sexy.

Chapter 7 Toxic emotions that interfere with personal relationships and the effects on the body.

Chapter 8 Food and what it really does to our body, emotions and mind.

Chapter 9 Redefines exercise and suggests moving joyously instead.

Chapter 10 A perspective on how we see ourselves in the mirror.

Chapter 11 urges the reader to listen within, and trust what they hear as their body relates what it needs.

Chapter 12 the practical template for the 14-Day Ageless Goddess Program,

Ending with an Appendix of resources recommended throughout the chapters.



Be sure to check your local PBS listings to watch the accompanying program.

Please visit Dr. nice thrips website to learn more about ageless living , her other titles and her speaking schedule: http://www.drnorthrup.com





FTC Disclaimer: I was given an ARC of this title via Net Galley for review purposes only. No other compensation was awarded.

[Maria Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have waited a long time to read this book and had high hopes for it. The digital version was on sale in late 2019 so I grabbed a copy. Ultimately, I was disappointed in the content. Perhaps it was because I have been following D. Northrup’s work for quite a while and none of the information in the book is something I hadn’t heard before, either by her or by someone else in the personal development/diet/exercise/wellness space. I found the chapters on diet and exercise to be especially dull and when I reached the 80% read point, the book started to drag. I don’t believe preaching is her mission but it is hard to not sound that way with this type of genre.

I had hoped she would talk more about the cultural portals to aging that women in our society collectively experience, perhaps starting from birth and moving towards our seventies, eighties, and even nineties with an emphasis on the less obvious but equally impactful ones. I would have liked her to break them down and talk more about how to spot them, giving real world scenarios.

Instead, the book goes on and on about the obvious ways to make ourselves feel younger such as taking dance lessons, getting massages, eating a healthful diet and exercising. Some of her suggestions are sound but others come across as flighty and some require a disposal income which not everyone possesses. Dr. Northrup uses herself as a constant example of how she stays youthful by sharing a number of goods and services, one that comes up several times is an adaptogen used to treat menopausal symptoms sold by her company Amata. Many of the things mentioned will not resonate with everyone. If you are somewhat savvy about this topic, nothing she mentions will sound new. She does go on and on about Argentine Tango which she obviously adores. I wasn’t as put off by this as some of my fellow reviewers but it was over the top. It comes up very often throughout the book as does “Divine Love” and Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Arts.

Some of her messages contradict other people she likes to quote such as Joe Dispenza whose primary message is to get beyond our bodies. Dr. Northrup states that meditation is great but we are meant to live in our bodies to experience life. She then offers an example of an over-meditator whose life is a mess. These contradictions are the heart of Hay House, her publisher and most everyone whose work she draws from is affiliated with Hay House. To me, it is a sign that all of us need to make up our own minds about our beliefs and not rely on any outside source to show us the way. Considering the work of others can be a useful tool but it also has the ability to confuse those who are on the fence or don’t know their own minds. This book adds to that noise.

Finally, I have an issue with her refusal to share her age. It is completely her right however, isn’t this another form of perpetuating ageism?

I can understand not offering up her age unasked but if someone were to ask her outright how old she is, I wonder what her answer would be? The idea of being coy or refusing to answer indicates that the person has an age hang-up. I don’t see it contributing to a healthier societal mindset on aging. How many men, no matter how old, would deflect the age question and not answer it outright? If she is proud of her age then why not reveal it? When I look at Dr. Northrup, I see a woman who is likely in her late sixties/early seventies. To me she looks her age. I don’t associate all her anti-aging suggestions with appearing younger maybe because I don’t view aging in the same way her generation was brought up to do.

Food for thought. Read it and decide for yourself.

BRB Rating: Read It.

[Kathrynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I have read other books by Dr. Northrup and enjoyed them, too, so knew (more or less) what to expect. So glad I read it because it was time for an updated-refresher-get-back-on-track action plan. :-)

This book was the catalyst I needed to get back on track and feel good about it, too! Dr. Northrup shared her medical knowledge and provided excellent explanations, tips, mind-sets and more. She debunks several old medical approaches such as treating high cholesterol, thyroid issues, stiff joints/muscles, the recommended daily allowances versus the optimal daily allowances, optimal brain food vs junk brain food, A1C and the importance of glucose, dementia, Alzheimer, leaky gut, hair and skin health, wrinkles, movement, loving and treating yourself well, letting go of negative people as well as negative self-talk, treating yourself well and so much more.

Some powerful words of wisdom packed in this book and it was easy to read and comprehend. Chapter 12 includes the 14-Day Ageless Goddess Program and it essentially encapsulates the preceding chapters.

Not only is the book full of medical wisdom--for a woman, from a woman--it also includes self-talk on how we are "supposed" to act/dress/behave as a woman of a certain age. I agree. Nonsense! You are as young as you feel.

I was delighted to read that we can become more limber at any age and how to remove the fascia that covers our muscles that restricts our movement.

The author also provides recommended reading, websites and other ideas for additional information on a particular topic.

Dress your age? Women over 40 should wear their hair this way? The author says this is nonsense and I agree.

To look great we have to feel great and to feel great we need to be aware of the garbage that is disguised as food, get moving and stop the negativity (your own Shame as well as allowing others or past emotions to plaque you).

5 Stars from This Reader!

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Goddesses Never Age" felt like a 'light' sequel to "The Wisdom of Menopause" ... While some of what Dr. Northrup had to offer was insightful, I felt like most of it was a fluffy, 'New-age' spinoff of her other, better work. Also her small personal obsessions with the tango and the Mama Gina School, while both very relevant and interesting to her, was not to me, and with her constant referencing to them, I was driven to distraction, as I was with her overuse of the term 'Goddess'.
Having said that, don't not read it, but don't purchase it either. Go visit your local library and borrow a copy, saving your pennies for something you're obsessed about.

[Cinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially listened to this book on Audible after seeing a interview on the Oprah Winfrey Network on Super Soul Sunday with the author. The audible version was read by the author and was so good, I had to have the actual book so I could highlight and take notes. Great to hear this mostly non medical approach to aging from a physician. I look at 'aging' in a whole new way now and there are so many references to books I want to read and websites I want to check out. Do yourself a favor and read this book and gift it to all the women in your life. whether it bed your 70 year old mother or your 30 year old sister and of course all your female freinds

[Liz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started and I liked it, then it started to repeat itself again and again and there were some alarming theories. It is needlessly long, I quit listening with still 10 hours to go on the audio version. The first hours are a very few useful tips, some crazy ideas and a lot of self congratulation about what a marvellous Dr, tango dancer and person she is. I bought Wisdom of Menopause years ago because Oprah had recommended it. I used that more to look things up and haven’t read it cover to cover so I wonder if that is also filled with some of her ideas I disagree with. She an anti-vaxer.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had respect for a previous book by this author but this is a disappointing, so-so book.
I became interested in this book after seeing Christine Northrup give a TV interview. Turns out that was all I needed as that was much more engaging than this text.
She borrows extensively from Dr Mario E. Martinez's work, particularly his excellent The MindBody Code, adding a large dose of pampering fluff. Skipped through the book and went on to my next read.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was intended for women at least 10 years older than me. But I still liked it and got a lot out of it. It was a good mix of practical medical advice, new age self help type advice and a surprising amount of really good relationship advice. I'm going to look back at this for reference and motivation. Good Stuff.