I just finished reading Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and I highly recommend it to all people who want to maintain health and vitality, especially women.

As women, we often juggle countless roles – caregivers, professionals, mothers, partners, and friends. In this whirlwind of responsibilities, putting our health and well-being on the back burner is easy. But here’s the thing – aging gracefully isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling empowered, strong, and vibrant at every stage of life. And that’s exactly what Dr. Lyon’s book promises to deliver.

A Focus on Muscle, Not Fat

Through her extensive experience in nutritional and geriatric medicine, Dr. Lyon discovered that our focus on body fat and losing weight is all wrong.

She says instead of focusing on fat, we must focus more on maintaining our lean muscle mass.

What struck me most about Forever Strong is the clear science of why we should eat more protein; the best place to get it is from high-quality meats.

If you choose to be vegetarian for lifestyle reasons, you can get a lot of information in this book about how to do it right. But for those people who try to eat less meat because they’ve been told it’s “unhealthy,” then this book will help you see things much differently.

Many of the studies on meat, especially the ones that say red meat is bad for you, did not focus on the quality of meat. Rather, they equated a fast-food hamburger to a high-quality grass-fed beef that you prepare at home.

Dr. Lyon advocates for a muscle-centric approach to health. This involves understanding the critical role of muscle mass in overall metabolic health, longevity, and the aging process. She posits that maintaining and strengthening muscle tissue is key to aging well. And to do so, we need much more complete protein in our diets than we thought before.

She Calls Muscle “The Body’s Largest Endocrine Organ”

Part of the book’s description indicates,

“When we think about muscle, we tend to think about strength or aesthetics, but in reality, muscle accounts for so much more than that. As the body’s largest endocrine organ, muscle actually determines everything about the trajectory of health and aging. Many of the conditions Dr. Lyon’s patients were experiencing were actually symptoms of underdeveloped or unhealthy muscle.”

In addition to practical knowledge and Dr. Lyon’s extensive expertise in nutritional science and functional medicine, this book offers a great blend of science and practical wisdom. She guides you through a journey of understanding your body, its changes, and how you can support it to age with strength and vitality.

Aging is often seen as a decline, a gradual loss of strength and vitality. But Dr. Lyon challenges this narrative and says it doesn’t have to be this way. Her book is a call to action for every woman to embrace aging as a positive, natural process. She offers strategies not about fighting aging but understanding and working with our bodies to stay strong and healthy.

As someone who has always been passionate about wellness and self-care, I found Forever Strong to be a beacon of hope and empowerment. It resonates with my belief that taking care of our bodies is a form of self-respect. This book isn’t just about aging; it’s about living your best life at any age.

Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, Forever Strong is a book that belongs on your shelf. It’s a reminder that aging is not just about the years we’ve lived, but about the life in our years. Dr. Lyon offers not just a strategy but a lifestyle – a lifestyle of strength, vitality, and a deep understanding of our bodies.

Knowledge is power, and Forever Strong is a powerhouse of information. Dr. Lyon dives into the science of muscle health, hormonal balance, and nutritional needs, specifically for women as they age. She breaks down complex concepts into understandable, actionable advice. This book is like having a conversation with a wise friend who knows just what you’re going through.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book for people who want to be healthy, and especially for women who have been trying to lose that 10-20 pounds for ages but nothing seems to work.

So, grab a cup of tea, find your coziest reading nook, and dive into Forever Strong.

As always, I’m excited to hear your thoughts on this book. Share your insights, your stories, and let’s continue to inspire each other.

Happy reading, and here’s to a year of strength and vitality!