Rating:  - Bogus claims and a sales pitch
Buy this book and do the EXACT OPPOSITE of what it says! I bought the book, and although I was skeptical, ordered the progesterone cream that the author sells (that should be your first clue!). Luckily, it took several days to arrive, and I did some further research into his claims.
Dr. Randolph paints himself as a rebel who has gone against the establishment to tell the truth. He has gone against the establishment--because there is not a reputable doctor who agrees with him. He says that women gain wait around their middles if they've been on the pill or are starting menopause or are on HRT because of an estrogen imbalance. He does not advise any blood work to verify this. He just says that you need more progesterone and (surprise!) he can sell it to you.
The truth is that progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. Pro-gestation. It causes all the changes that occur during pregnancy, including weight gain in the belly, a slowed metabolism and craving of sugar to acquire calories for the baby, and all sorts of other things. I had all these symptoms. When I reviewed my history with birth control pills, I found that the higher the level of progesterone in the pill, the more weight I gained--despite eating healthy and exercising like a crazy person.
I returned his cream unopened (despite a hefty restocking fee) and switched to a lower progesterone pill. I have slightly worse PMS--because my body no longer believes I'm pregnant--but the extra weight is finally coming off after four years.
As for the women who have reviewed this book and claimed to have lost weight, they are probably right. He lays out a very standard low fat diet that on its own could probably cause weight loss. It's the progesterone claims that are the problem.
My advice is that if you are a young-ish woman on the pill (I can't verify the experience of menopausal women), you should RUN AWAY from this book as fast as you can. You may be absolutely correct that your hormones are causing your weight gain, but I guarantee that the advice in this book will only make it worse.
Rating:  - Belly Fat to Belly Flat
This book has great information on foods and how to feed your body what it needs to help yourself burn fat. Very interesting resource and knowledgable on the hidden weight-gain epidemic of Americans. Lots of great recipes, sample food menus, and suggested products for every day use.
Rating: - Straightfoward Practical Book
Info makes sense and have tried a similar nutrition/eating regime, works well, great that someone has study the affects of hormones and how to harness that in a healthy no chemical way.
Rating: - Worth reading
This book is a quick read and easy to understand. The Doctor gives you a way to help yourself via saliva tests and non-pharmaceutical remedies. I recommend this book.
I have been using the cream for almost a week -- the first few days, I felt some uncomfortable side effects of nausea and migraines but I reduced the amount of cream I use (1/2 tsp) and by the end of 5 days the side effects were much reduced and I feel my body is adjusting well. you can google the side effects of progesterone creams so you can be informed. In just 2-3 days I noticed the intensity of my hot flashes was cut in half which is such a relief!!!
This book has also inspired me to seek out a holistic minded ob/gyn in my area and it has made me realize that my treatment can be gentle and custom tailored to me. For that, I thank the good Doctor Randolph.
The cost of the saliva test is $150, projesterone cream $40 and the phone consult is $100. I have had the phone consultation and I would say you can skip that (very superficial) and spend your money visiting your doctor instead. The nurse on the phone consultation only recommended 2 supplements for me, contrary to what other reviewers have suggested.
Rating: - Don't waste your money!
This is just another diet book that encourages you to spend more money on additonal products. If you are a South Beacher don't bother wasting your money. Any sensible diet will help you lose weight AND diminish your belly (along with many other areas). All the creams and lotions and "potions" suggested to go along with this diet will certainly help you lose. Lose your money!
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