by Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.

I haven't posted much lately that is non-Christopher- and non-jazz-related, mostly because not much else has been on my mind; however, there are a couple of things to catch up on (now that our sleep schedules have settled into something resembling a routine) such as the books I've been reading. Here's a good one to start with--especially since I've actually read it all the way through, unlike most of the books still stacked up on the nightstand.

I heard these guys on the Diane Rehm Show awhile back, so one afternoon when I had finally I decided I was tired of watching my midsection expand, I hopped online and bought this book.

Now, let me just say: there is nothing new in this book. As far as the dieting advice goes, it contains nothing that hasn't been covered in umpteen other books on dieting. There is no gimmick or quick fix that will solve the mid-section issue. The bottom line is: consume fewer calories and exercise. Only a change in lifestyle that includes those two components will be successful to anyone who wants to lose weight (or inches)

The difference with this book is in the science. The authors describe how different kinds of behavior will affect your body's chemistry, either delivering nutrition in a physically satisfying way, or triggering the defense mechanisms that store fat and slow metabolism. The authors deliver this scientific mumbo-jumbo in an clever and engaging fashion, with lots of humorous illustrations and anecdotes. My only real gripe is how over-the-top some of this was. It really got head-clutchingly hokey at times--there were more corny similes here than in the entire Encyclopedia Brown series put together.

So we're going to try it out. All whole grains, only lean meat, no sugars, more fruits and vegetables, blah, blah, blah, oh...and regular exercise.