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Forever Strong

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Member Reviews

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Forever Strong by Gabrielle Lyon. This is a wellness how-to book about how to age well. She advocates for a particular diet and exercise regimen, very high in protein. I listened and read this one. It definitely had some good sections, but I was hoping for more take aways that would help me on my aging and wellness journey. #foreverstrong #gabriellelyon #agingwell #bookstagram #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #wellnessguide

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Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well" by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a compelling and insightful exploration into the often-overlooked importance of muscle health as the cornerstone of longevity and vitality. Dr. Lyon, the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine®, presents a revolutionary perspective that shifts the focus from the battle against fat to the building of muscle.

The book is structured around the premise that muscle is not just a marker of strength or aesthetics but is integral to our overall health. As the body's largest endocrine organ, muscle influences everything from metabolism to the aging process. Dr. Lyon's observations, drawn from years of clinical practice, reveal that many common health issues are symptoms of underdeveloped or unhealthy muscle.

What makes "Forever Strong" stand out is its accessibility. Dr. Lyon has distilled complex, clinically relevant science into an easy-to-follow program that caters to a wide audience, regardless of age or health background. The book is not just a collection of theories; it is enriched with case studies and practical advice that guide readers on how to implement the Lyon Protocol—a food, fitness, and self-care regimen designed to optimize muscle health.

The narrative is engaging, with Dr. Lyon assuming her readers are intelligent and capable of understanding the science behind her approach. She doesn't just tell you what to do; she explains the 'why' in a manner that empowers you to make informed decisions about your health.

In essence, "Forever Strong" is a testament to Dr. Lyon's life's work and mission. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on aging well. It's a book that doesn't just promise a healthier life but provides the tools to achieve it. Whether you're looking to reboot your metabolism, build strength, or extend your lifespan, this book is a valuable resource that could very well change the way you think about your body and your health.

In conclusion, "Forever Strong" is a must-read for anyone interested in taking control of their health and aging process. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's science-based strategy is a game-changer, offering a path to not just living longer, but living better. It's a book that truly lives up to its name, providing a blueprint for becoming forever strong.

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Dr. Lyon gives straightforward and easy to understand facts about how we are "under-muscled" as a society. Her strategies and tactics on how to best overcome this motivated me to add more protein to my diet, and to up my weights in the gym. Her recipes were delicious and easy to follow, and her workouts were simple to implement. I highly recommend this book to anyone!

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Dr. Lyon's book serves as a compelling manifesto on the pivotal role of muscle-building in enhancing our health. She champions the dual strategy of regular workouts coupled with a protein-rich diet as the cornerstone for boosting muscle mass, which in turn promises increased vitality, improved well-being, and effective weight management.

While much of the content echoed familiar health wisdom, Dr. Lyon's knack for making complex concepts digestible left me enlightened. Her practical calculations acted as a bridge, turning theory into actionable insights. Armed with a plethora of notes, I'm eager to translate these principles from page to practice!

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"Forever Strong" by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a game-changer in how we think about our health. Dr. Lyon, with her deep dive into the science of muscles, metabolism, and mental health, brings something new to the table: the idea that our muscles are much more than just the engine room of our body's physical movements, but central to our overall health and longevity.

Dr. Lyon has a knack for making complex scientific concepts feel approachable. She walks you through the why and how of muscle health affecting everything from our metabolism to our mood, and even how we age. It's not just a book filled with data and studies; it's peppered with stories from real people, making the science relatable and the advice feel personal and actionable.

One thing I especially appreciated was how "Forever Strong" challenges some of the diet and exercise myths we've all heard a million times. Dr. Lyon isn't afraid to push against the grain, advocating for a protein-rich diet and strength training as essentials for a healthier life. It's refreshing to see this backed by solid research rather than just trends.

The book isn't just for fitness buffs or nutrition nerds; it's incredibly accessible, offering clear, practical advice for anyone looking to improve their health. Dr. Lyon guides you on how to make tangible changes in your life, from tweaking your diet to incorporating strength training into your routine, all with the goal of enhancing muscle health.

In short, "Forever Strong" is enlightening, empowering, and a bit of a wake-up call. Whether you're someone who hits the gym regularly or someone who's just starting to think about your health more seriously, Dr. Lyon offers insights and recommendations that could genuinely shift how you approach your health. It's a compelling read that might just change your life—or at the very least, how you think about your muscles and your health.

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I keep hearing about how important building muscle is, especially as we age. As an overweight, out of shape woman in her 40s, this book was the kick in the butt I needed to get started on my journey to better health. Dr. Lyon lays out all you need to know about what to eat, how to move, and some mindset advice too. My only complaint is that the author insists that animal protein is superior to plant based protein. (She is far from the only doctor to do so, unfortunately.) Dr. Lyon does not take into consideration the people like myself who do not eat meat for ethical (or environmental) reasons. There are so many places to get protein from that don’t involve eating animals, I wish she would have focused on those options a little more.

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I have followed and admired Dr. Lyons for the last few years and was excited to read her book. I’ve read several books from well known doctors on longevity and hers is the best. For a layman, she lays out clear foundational steps to living a better life and also focuses on mindset. Highly recommend her approach to wellness and life.

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This book is full of great information. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon does an excellent job of making her case; that the main cause of many of the health problems we suffer from as a society is due to lack of muscle/strength. Her prescription? Exercise that adequately builds muscle, and a nutrient dense diet, which includes high doses of quality (animal) protein. If you are a meat-eater, if you follow Dr. Lyon on social media, and/or if you are looking for ways to get lean, without losing muscle, this would be an excellent resource. If you are vegetarian or vegan, or simply do not enjoy eating high quantities of animal protein, then this is probably not the book for you.

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I loved this book. I like that beyond the protein recommendations how you get your calories is flexible. Planning to implement this way of eating in 2024.

I know old people who can barely walk across the room, and I know old people in their 80s who are running circles around everyone else. I would very much like to be in the latter group. And that is what this book is all about, as it says in the subtitle — aging well. Dr. Lyon says the secret has to do with building muscle and increasing your protein intake. I have been working on implementing her eating plan, and one thing I like about it so far is that there is a lot of freedom. The one thing she is firm on is making sure you get enough protein, which she spells out what that looks like in the book, but there is a lot of flexibility after that. If this is a topic that interests you, I recommend checking out this book.

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I’ve listened to some of Dr.Lyon’s podcasts and was excited to read her book. I really appreciate her focus on protein and strength training for women, especially as we age. There wasn’t a ton of totally new information for me in this book, but it reinforced what I’d been reading and hearing elsewhere and would probably feel pretty revolutionary to women who’ve been taught that cardio alone and low fat whatever is the to key to thriving into middle age and beyond.

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This book was actually really good and had SO much good information but the way it was presented was so boring. I wish there had been more stories or anything besides just info on info on info; especially because the information was SO spot on. If it had been presented a little differently, it would have been PERFECT.

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A great guide for our aging bodies and the importance of muscle.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Thanks, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the Digital Review Copy.

Hubby and I follow a “protein forward” diet regularly and prioritize cardio and weight training, so the premise of this book was an easy sell for me. “Dr. Lyon offers an easy-to-follow food, fitness, and self-care program anchored in evidence and pioneering research that teaches you how to optimize muscle—no matter your age or health background.”

Vegetarians and plant-based proponents beware: Dr. Lyon presents a strong case for animal protein. Her explanation of how advertising and regulation affect assumptions about what food is best for you was fascinating, as was her history of recommended dietary allowances. For example, I didn’t realize processed food is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), while basic agricultural products (e.g., eggs, vegetables, beef) fall under USDA guidelines. Therefore, the standards for processed goods are less restrictive and allow for more creative claims in advertising.

Dr. Lyon also deep-dives into the science behind amino acids, skeletal muscle, and eating to thrive, not just avoid deficiency. She offers meal plans, recipes, recommended blood tests, and workouts. More resources are available on her website.

Overall, I enjoyed the science- and evidence-based explanation for what I am already doing and appreciated the motivation and education.

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Forever Strong, by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, is a must read for everyone who cares about their health, their well being, and their longevity. Everything she discusses in this book is well researched and makes so much sense.

As we age, we start to lose muscle mass. Muscle is the organ of longevity. Having healthy muscle helps us age stronger, with reduced risk of disease, falling, and obesity.

Healthy protein intake along with resistance training can help us keep our muscle mass as we age. Dr. Lyon gives step by step instruction and great recommendations for how to do it.

If more people read this book and follow her advice, we could have a stronger, healthier, less disease ridden aging process, which is so desperately needed in today's world.

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I really like the premise of this book because it emphasizes the need to strengthen your muscular system as opposed to just losing weight. There are tips on how to fit in "muscle magic" moments as well as how to reset our mindset to a growth mindset. There are meal plans and some sample plans for weight training but we don't get this information until near the end of the book after long scientific explanations. While the explanations are important for making the case, I really wanted to see more emphasis on the practical tips and meal plans. On the website, there are about a handful of videos on how to do some of the exercises - stretches and weights.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC and I left this review voluntarily.

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3.5 stars
I enjoyed the explanation of why building muscle will ultimately help you be healthier and promotes longevity. I do struggle with the recommendation of how much protein to eat - 30 grams minimum per meal. I wished there were more recipe/meal plan ideas, or even just a list of things that would contribute to this. I also think I expected a bit more info on the weight training. The first two sections of the book seemed to focus on the science and background, but the third section on taking action was noticeably shorter. Overall, it gave me some ideas, but I don't know that I walked away from reading this with all the info I need to implement the life change.
The book did end with some recipes, which were helpful.

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As someone who has been dieting on and off for the past 25 years, I appreciated Dr. Lyon’s take on health and longevity. She shares a lot of good evidence-based information about why her nutrition recommendations make sense as well as specific how-tos for diet and exercise. I think the focus on muscle growth for aging well rather than simple weight loss is a great idea. I am excited to implement the Lyon Protocol!

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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During our trip to Colorado last year, we encountered many older men and women doing 10+ mile hikes and high-altitude mountain biking. One such lady was staying at our Bed and Breakfast. I was flabbergasted to learn she was 80 years old!  The ability to not only preserve independence at that age but to thrive at such a physical level piqued my interest in the study of longevity. Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a book about longevity that focuses on Lyon's muscle-centric protocol.

First, Dr. Lyon talks about the benefits of increased muscle mass. The information provided is very accessible. I appreciate how well she breaks down the science to make it easier to understand. I also loved the graphics for a quick recap of what was presented.

Not only does she talk about the importance of muscle mass, but she also systematically dissects and rebutts arguments concerning nutrition science and modern-day nutrition. She goes on to discuss the importance of meeting daily protein goals for optimal health.

The book eventually gets to her personally developed Lyon Protocol. It is thorough with information concerning body assessment, the importance of exercise and nutrition, and even gives commonly encountered obstacles and strategies for overcoming them. There is an included 5-day exercise program, meal plans for various goals, and recipes. Overall, this book is a wealth of information!

Read this if you like:
• Nonfiction books about health
• Learning about longevity
• Physiology 

Also shared on Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

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Finally, a book that is complete with lessons to heal your body, a smart way of eating, and encouragement of exercise to optimize your muscles and body composition. Thank you, Dr. Lyons. This book is a winner!!!

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Some of the information in here did not seem like the best advice for everyone (like heavy meat diet and being vegetarian doesn't provide enough protein). I agree that exercise and protein are important but was looking for more guidance about the importance of strength training, especially as you age. Seems like opportunity missed with the title.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

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