Understanding Metabolism: The Truth About Counting Calories, Sustainable Weight Loss, and Metabolic Damage

I needed this book. I've completely lost balance in my nutrition/health, and this book says exactly why it's happened to me and so many other modern dieters....Scott Abel also does offer his own diet advice. I will summarize it as1) 6 out of 7 days a week, he eliminates processed snacks, alcohol, sweets/cakes, sugars, and second helpings. He eats a diet consisting of whole foods (as unprocessed as possible), mainly meat, vegetables, fruits, starches, grains (bread), and whole dairy. On the 7th day, usually Sunday, he eats whatever he wants however much he wants. This is his refeed day which helps to keep his metabolism high. His dietary advice seems to revolve around the idea that added sugar is one of the leading causes of obesity and hormone problems in people today, so he tries to cut it out as often as possible. He does not count calories because if you cut out snacks, alcohol, sweets, sugars, and seconds for most of the week, you should be in a small, barely noticeable deficit anyway.2) Eat food, not too much, mostly plants. (your plate should be 1/3 meat, 2/3s plants starchy or non starchy)3) Unless you are in a physique competition, you really shouldn't need to be counting calories or macros or doing anything extreme. You don't even need that much protein, (1g protein per 1 kg bodyweight is enough).4) the only real deliberate exercise you need is strength training. You don't need cardio (cardio happens when you do fun things like hiking, etc)5) sleep a lot, reduce stress, etc.

Very good and helpful book on metabolism. (I ordered this and Scott Abel’s other book titled about the same subject - “Beyond Metabolism”. I can’t say enough about his books. Well I have a dozen of them this in the top five. You get common sense advice, based on his decades of experience, research, and personal knowledge. You read his books thinking you’re going to get information on just food or just exercise etc. and instead you’re getting such amazing mind, body and spirit encouragement and advice. These books have made a complete difference in my life, of course by me applying information I read. I don’t do this with all books, but with all of Scott’s I always have a marker in hand to highlight items I will refer back to again and again, or want to share with others and find it easily. Scott has not only been in the fitness industry for 40+ years, but has also worked that long with physique competitors, bodybuilders, seriously overweight clients , those with food and body issues etc. He also has a degree in sociology and has done so much counseling, that I have gleaned emotional & mental information that I never expected to get out of a book about metabolism . If you paid 100 bucks for this book, it would still be a bargain. Enjoy!

This book offers a different view on nutrition and diet, an insight on problems that people are encountering, great point of view, all 3 stars are given to that alone.However the crucial part is missing, the solution.While things like "everybody is different individual cases" might be true, this is also exactly where this book fail.Eat more vegetables and each cases need individual solutions? Its not a bad book, not at all, but can't justify in level with a 4 stars.In conclusion, great opening to a problem, but failed to answer. And I find it quite amusing that the book often says metabolism is too complicated but the book title is "understanding metabolism", which also at the end I still have no clue what it is.

I've read around 300 diet and nutrition books. If you promise me health and weight loss, I'll buy your book.I would throw all of those other books out the window for this $.99 gem. I feel like everything may have clicked after reading this book."Let's stop pretending there is a weight loss Santa Claus. He ain't real, folks".Thanks, Scott Abel. You solved my puzzle and I am grateful.

This information contained in this book can prevent a person from making the terrible mistakes of critically damaging their metabolism. It's also a very enjoyable read. The real life stories of people with actual Metabolic Damage was fascinating.---WOW--so important for us to be aware of the dangers of quick weight loss. After reading this book, you will absolutely know if you are in actual Metabolic Damage and you will know exactly what to do to get out of it. I could not put this book down and read it all in one evening. A must-read.

When I read the headline I thought I was going to read 200 pages about the science of metabolism and how it affects the body when one restrict calories. Yes indeed he talks about this but just a chapter or two if I remember. The rest of the book is about trendy diets and their evolution. I’ve read enough about trendy diets and the reason I bought the book is because I have yet understand how metabolism works and what’s the difference between a regular individual trying to maintain or loose weight from a professional fitness guru. They obviously know how to get lean and stay lean is it because they understand metabolism? Still looking....

Firstly, I'm a great fan Scott's work. His works are among the very best fitness books I have read, and I have read tons of them since I am a student of exercise science. What he writes is based on scientific research as well as his own experience from working with clients for several decades, providing very valuable source of information. Things like human psychology, neurology and endocrine system are all taken into account (not just nutrition and exercise science) to explain why diets don't work and giving sound advice on eating habits that will. The only reason, I didn't give this book 5 stars is this - very large part of this book is made of articles previously published on Scott's blog. As a dedicated follower of his work, I would have wished the book contained something more than I had already read. However, if you are new to Scott's approach and if you struggle with weight, dieting and body image, this book is a must.

I found this book less interesting than I thought it would. The book emphasizes that there is no quick fix to weight loss and it is necessary to try to keep your metabolic function in tiptop condition but it didn't go into the "how" of achieving that and indeed seemed to imply that you need to get your weight down before the metabolism can begin to work properly. A bit of a catch 22 that.

Agree with everything, but was surprised he recommends artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Am not convinced. What about Ray Peat, Danny Rody, Matt Stone.....?

Thanks Really Great

Great book and well worth a read. The de-bunking of various diet myths was my favourite part of the book.

This book is absolutely brilliant for anyone interested in weight control. It balances scientific research with an easily digestible style that cuts through the industry dogma and explains away all the misunderstandings out there that pass as credible knowledge. Do yourself a favour and educate yourself.