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Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled?: A 3-Step Program to: Beat Hormone Havoc, Restore Thyroid, Adrenal, and Reproductive Balance, and Feel Better Fast!
A hands-on program for restoring thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive balance identifies a link between hormone-related metabolic problems and a range of diseases and disorders, outlining a program for weight loss, bolstering energy, and stress management. By the authors of Thyroid Power.
- GenresHealthNonfiction
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
24 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Richard L. Shames
5 books1 followerRichard graduated Harvard and University of Pennsylvania, did research at the National Institutes of Health with Nobel Prize winner Marshall Nirenberg, and has been in private practice for twenty five years. In addition to his medical office work, he has been a member of the Clinical Faculty of the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, a founding member of the American Holistic Medical Association, a participant in the Carl Menninger Foundation, and a member of Who's Who in California as well as nationally. He has served as Adjunct Faculty at Florida Atlantic University.
Karilee Halo Shames R.N., Ph.D.
Karilee is a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing and a Certified Holistic Nurse with a PhD. in Holistic Studies. She has maintained a private practice in collaboration with Dr. Richard Shames for twenty years, specializing in comprehensive treatment aspects of energy-depletion illnesses."
Karilee Halo Shames R.N., Ph.D.
Karilee is a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing and a Certified Holistic Nurse with a PhD. in Holistic Studies. She has maintained a private practice in collaboration with Dr. Richard Shames for twenty years, specializing in comprehensive treatment aspects of energy-depletion illnesses."
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 27, 2009
Aside from the excellent information, the thing I appreciated most about this book was how easy it was to understand. I confess I was a little intimidated by the idea of talking about the different hormones and how they affect the body as a system. I was nervous that I wouldn't understand what was going on. Quite the opposite, I'm delighted to say. I understood everything they talked about--easily.
If you have problems with your thyroid, adrenals, or reproductive hormones, or if you have been straggling along with excessive weight, or your memory just won't hold onto anything, or you feel stressed out really fast, and your doctor hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong with you---it would be worth giving this book a read.
Now I understand so much more clearly the interplay of my hormones. And, I discovered that even though I know I have hypothyroidism, the glands that have been giving me the most problem lately are my adrenals. As the authors (a husband and wife team) explained the process that leads to adrenal burnout, I found myself seeing last month and this month with sudden clarity and understanding. Yes, I had gone out like a star--a burst of energy to get the spring term ready, and then . . . total burnout. From which I can't seem to recover.
I had been blaming my thyroid out of habit. But as I read and talked about the book with some key people, I realized that actually, I had whomped my adrenals. So, now I am taking steps to help resurrect them. I'm also seeing my entire life with a new understanding. Now I know why I was so exhausted as an adolescent and teen (and at the end of my missionary service), and why I got sick all the time. My adrenals were burned out.
Okay, so what does the book tell you besides how to understand the interplay of the different hormones? Plenty. For each endo-type (thyroid, adrenal, or reproductive), they give detailed information about the recommended diet, exercise, and other elements (including things to avoid and why), along with the supplementation and other therapies you can use to help that particular gland. In the later chapters where they talk about maintenance (rather than "jump starting"), they even address things like flower essences, color therapy, meditation, etc.
Throughout the book, the authors also emphasize over and over again how important it is to take things slowly. Try one thing at a time and see if it helps, and then try the next thing. They also advocate keeping a record of what you're working with and how it's going.
The back of the book has a series of appendices that talk about how to order home tests to determine hormone levels in your body tissue, where to find good supplements, how to talk with your doctor to get the best treatment, how to find good doctors and other therapists, etc.
Again, this is an easy read (I read it in one day), packed with excellent information that will help you get on your way to feeling better.
If you have problems with your thyroid, adrenals, or reproductive hormones, or if you have been straggling along with excessive weight, or your memory just won't hold onto anything, or you feel stressed out really fast, and your doctor hasn't been able to figure out what is wrong with you---it would be worth giving this book a read.
Now I understand so much more clearly the interplay of my hormones. And, I discovered that even though I know I have hypothyroidism, the glands that have been giving me the most problem lately are my adrenals. As the authors (a husband and wife team) explained the process that leads to adrenal burnout, I found myself seeing last month and this month with sudden clarity and understanding. Yes, I had gone out like a star--a burst of energy to get the spring term ready, and then . . . total burnout. From which I can't seem to recover.
I had been blaming my thyroid out of habit. But as I read and talked about the book with some key people, I realized that actually, I had whomped my adrenals. So, now I am taking steps to help resurrect them. I'm also seeing my entire life with a new understanding. Now I know why I was so exhausted as an adolescent and teen (and at the end of my missionary service), and why I got sick all the time. My adrenals were burned out.
Okay, so what does the book tell you besides how to understand the interplay of the different hormones? Plenty. For each endo-type (thyroid, adrenal, or reproductive), they give detailed information about the recommended diet, exercise, and other elements (including things to avoid and why), along with the supplementation and other therapies you can use to help that particular gland. In the later chapters where they talk about maintenance (rather than "jump starting"), they even address things like flower essences, color therapy, meditation, etc.
Throughout the book, the authors also emphasize over and over again how important it is to take things slowly. Try one thing at a time and see if it helps, and then try the next thing. They also advocate keeping a record of what you're working with and how it's going.
The back of the book has a series of appendices that talk about how to order home tests to determine hormone levels in your body tissue, where to find good supplements, how to talk with your doctor to get the best treatment, how to find good doctors and other therapists, etc.
Again, this is an easy read (I read it in one day), packed with excellent information that will help you get on your way to feeling better.
November 22, 2009
I will always be "currently-reading" this book. A wealth of knowledge and information. I would give this book 10 STARS if I could. Everyone should read this book. It pertains to men, women and children. Have you every felt any of the above symptom's? It discusses the importance of three main glands - thyroid, adrenal and reproductive. How the function or dis-function of these glands effects us and in many cases is the underlying issues of what ails us. Being proactive in correcting these imbalances will restore health and well-being. This book has given me greater understanding and knowledge in regards to how I can be proactive in feeling better!!! I bought mine through Walmart.com - about $12.00 s/h included. I am buying this book for Christmas presents.
May 14, 2023
The best thing about it is that it is completely full of suggestions of what could help to work with certain problems. But I found a lot od it quote vague to figure out which thing I should work on. They have quizzes, but they didn't really give results that made sense to me. Perhaps it is better for someone who has a very strong issue with one of the glands.
April 21, 2019
4.5 stars
This book resonated with me a lot.
I took it's advice and lost 20 pound in a four month period, and my ichthyosis vulgaris cleared up. Amazing results. WHO KNEW my thyroid could be effecting so much of my health, and so easy to support and correct!
My only gripe is that sticking to a diet for-ev-er and having no exit strategy for long lasting health is extremely difficult, expensive, and unsustainable for me. That, of course, is not the author's fault by any means.
Everybody is different, so if this endocrine model doesn't work for you, apologies. However, me and my thyroid are happily with this book's advice.
Paleo, 15 minute work outs, and no more brain fog for me <3
This book resonated with me a lot.
I took it's advice and lost 20 pound in a four month period, and my ichthyosis vulgaris cleared up. Amazing results. WHO KNEW my thyroid could be effecting so much of my health, and so easy to support and correct!
My only gripe is that sticking to a diet for-ev-er and having no exit strategy for long lasting health is extremely difficult, expensive, and unsustainable for me. That, of course, is not the author's fault by any means.
Everybody is different, so if this endocrine model doesn't work for you, apologies. However, me and my thyroid are happily with this book's advice.
Paleo, 15 minute work outs, and no more brain fog for me <3
June 19, 2018
Some good information, but I'm not quite ready to sink hundreds of dollars into lab tests that would require me finding a new physician just to order them. Good list of supplements that can help in different area (Thryoid, adrenals, sex hormones). I didn't finish the book, because I don't have lab results to definitively tie me to one area. But it did echo much of the information found in the first book I read (Hashimoto's Protocol) about finding a balance for the numerous issues that I keep having.
May 4, 2018
You might as well try to solve your medical problems by reading the horoscope.
December 14, 2021
A thoroughly-written health guide, and I appreciated the clear layout of the information.
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March 2, 2011I have mixed feelings about this book so far. First, it is very easy to understand. It is written in a clear, concise manner (almost too homey) without dumbing things down. There are a lot of case studies and personal examples which really help clarify things.
On the downside, you really have to get the testing done in order to find the appropriate treatment plan. It costs roughly $260 for the testing and most doctors will tell you you're stupid if you ask for them to do the testing. So it's your own money through a private lab.
Because the recommendations differ based on which system is most out of whack, you sort of need the test results. I was hoping for something that I'd be able to do without spending loads of money.
The self-test revealed that it's inconclusive which of my systems are most messed up! I'll keep reading though and see what I can figure out. I really don't want to feel fat or fuzzy or frazzled!!!!!
Updated March 2011 - I'm shelving this for a while or at least until I decide whether to move forward with the tests or not.
On the downside, you really have to get the testing done in order to find the appropriate treatment plan. It costs roughly $260 for the testing and most doctors will tell you you're stupid if you ask for them to do the testing. So it's your own money through a private lab.
Because the recommendations differ based on which system is most out of whack, you sort of need the test results. I was hoping for something that I'd be able to do without spending loads of money.
The self-test revealed that it's inconclusive which of my systems are most messed up! I'll keep reading though and see what I can figure out. I really don't want to feel fat or fuzzy or frazzled!!!!!
Updated March 2011 - I'm shelving this for a while or at least until I decide whether to move forward with the tests or not.
September 17, 2014
Well-organized chapters. Basic overall information about endocrinology is about the same as the Mary Shomon book, but this book is organized by which type of hormonal balance you may be experiencing (fat, fuzzy, or frazzled?). Particularly, I like the information on alternative testing and resources, and the very concise checklists in the back of each chapter. I was able to read this in an hour after dinner to find what I need to do next. The information on supplements was new to me, and will form the basis of a new shopping list.
If you haven't been diagnosed with thyroid disease, you will find the self-quizzes very helpful. Even though I have worked within a diagnosis for 13 years, I still found the information on the "three legged stool" of hormonal balance to be interesting.
Nothing sexy here, folks, but if you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, read this one.
If you haven't been diagnosed with thyroid disease, you will find the self-quizzes very helpful. Even though I have worked within a diagnosis for 13 years, I still found the information on the "three legged stool" of hormonal balance to be interesting.
Nothing sexy here, folks, but if you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, read this one.
March 13, 2013
I thought this book took a while to get going into the information I wanted to know/learn, but once it did start, I loved this book's explanations, self-tests, and no nonsense guidance on how to help yourself beyond just prescription drugs. Diet, sleep, vitamins, relaxation, etc. I wish my live Dr. would talk to me like this book is written.
I checked this out from the library, but I will be purchasing this one to reference over the years as I continue to mature and blossom :-)
I checked this out from the library, but I will be purchasing this one to reference over the years as I continue to mature and blossom :-)
November 30, 2011
This year has been a crazy one for my poor body! This book is really helpful for knowing what supplements to take to feel better. As a hippie, I'm trying to not have to take too much medication. There is a big push for getting tests done, so once they're done with my PCP, I'll be giving this more attention. I will be buying it for sure.
August 15, 2012
This is a really great book! It helped make sense of hormones, why it is crucial for them to be balanced as well as steps to take in your own health. Also,it provided a great understanding of so many other health issues that are a direct result of an imbalance in our hormones. I would highly recommend this book!
March 7, 2015
Overall I liked this book because it was clearly written with very specific recommendations. I found it a bit repetitive, but if someone isn't reading it straight through (because they identified with one hormonal imbalance most strongly), they probably wouldn't notice that. Definitely recommend.
November 30, 2008
I think my expectations were too high. I thought I'd get a lot more detail about what and how to eat to lose weight. I didn't. Someone else might.
September 2, 2011
I am in the middle and find it very interesting!
July 5, 2012
fantastic book, learned a ton, and the stuff I was told by my Dr. made me feel better to read.
February 26, 2011
great mesh of being MORE scientific than gimmicky, and easy to understand for the average person. title doesn't do the book justice. so glad i picked it up.
July 28, 2012
interesting
February 20, 2013
I thought this is a very informative book on how to take care of your thyroid.
March 19, 2014
This was a thoughtful and helpful book about my Thyroid issues. Had to renew it at the library because I could not process all the info, had to read and reread to take it all in
August 8, 2014
Informative, but also repetitive. I felt like I had to wade through a lot to get the answers I wanted.
July 18, 2015
Great book!
I love the information, helpful and has given me more insight on my hashimotos disease. I am more informed and can take control of my health.
I love the information, helpful and has given me more insight on my hashimotos disease. I am more informed and can take control of my health.
November 13, 2015
I stopped reading it! it was interesting at first then I realized it is not so practical and also the advice given on supplements are too non efficient!
January 16, 2017
This pretty much explains about 90% of my problems - adrenal fatigue
March 27, 2017
Not necessarily "readable" but bursting with tons of great information!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews