Review of The Ultimate Ride (Paperback)

I would assume that most people who buy this book do so because they're looking to self-train themselves and need some guidance on how to do so. That, at least, is the reason I looked into it. Unfortunately, the Ultimate Ride is inadequate for such a purpose.
Carmichael emphasizes that periodization is the best way to organize your training year. However, he gives you no advice on how to actually do this. He tells you its important, but doesn't get into the hows and whys of it. He gives examples of training months (4 total), but offers no insights on planning subsequent months, or on linking months together coherently. He tells you that you should gradually increase "workout stimulus" in a stairstep fashion, but doesn't describe how to actually do it.
This is the biggest problem with Carmichael's book- he tends to tell you that things are important, but doesn't bother describing how to put them into practice. As a cyclist you already KNOW that these things- training principles, cycling techniques, skills, etc.- are important- that's why you bought the book to begin with! What you need to know is HOW to improve them. This is where Carmichael fails.
I suspect this failure is intentional. The reviewer below who likened the book to an infomercial was spot-on. Carmichael is trying to sell his training program, CTS. The reason this book is so spotty is that he wants you to go out and join his program to get the answers and the training that this book leaves you hungry for. This is pretty shoddy business, if you ask me.
I give it two stars because there is a smattering of helpful information, such as nutritional concerns and some good workouts. But much of the book consists of stuff you already know, or is filled with "Ra-ra-you-can-do-it-you're-the-champion-110-percent!!!" pop sports psychology that you could get from any junior high gym class. Extremely disappointing, can't even recommend it for absolute novices.



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Review of Healing Anxiety and Depression (Paperback)

Many books are one-sided arguments for the causes of depression and anxiety. According to these biased books, depressions stems from:
Past child abuse and other negative environment factors
Holding your body in a depressing way - bent down, frowning, etc.
Medical causes
Poor diet, lack of exercise
Isolation
Fill in the blank
But this book is different.
Healing Anxiety and Depression is a refreshing book, for it takes all of the above factors and mixes it into a complete approach to the causes and treatment of anxiety and depression.
Moreover, Daniel Amen, M.D. and his co-author, Lisa C. Routh, M.D. have pioneered the use of a brain imaging technology known as SPECT: Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. This interesting brain scanning method is different than other methods because it allows one to see how certain parts of the brain interact to cause these debilitating conditions. Other
methods of brain imaging only give a surface view of the brain - which is of very little use for psychiatry.
The authors also touch upon how these areas of the brain cause insomnia, suicide and violence as well. They also point out the different causes of anxiety and depression between the genders. They convincingly describe gender differences from social, psychological, and biological perspectives.
In short: they give you the full picture on depression from every possible angle - literally. In between the pages, interspersed among case histories, personal stories, and scientific explanations, you will find actual pictures of the five areas of the brain they have focused on via SPECT technology:
1.)Basal Ganglia
2.)Deep Limbic System
3.)Anterior Cingulate Gyrus
4.)Temporal Lobes
5.)Prefrontal Cortex
Furthermore, the authors have taken these five areas of the brain, and through thousands of their own patients, compiled their findings on how these five areas interact to cause seven variations of depression and anxiety:
1.)Pure Anxiety
2.)Pure Depression
3.)Mixed Anxiety and Depression
4.)Overfocused Anxiety/Depression
5.)Cyclic Anxiety/Depression
6.)Angry Anxiety/Depression
7.)Unfocused Anxiety/Depression
There's only one drawback to this book: the technical terms can be a bit annoying. I constantly flipped back to beginning chapters to refresh my memory on what they were talking about. The medications and dosages - and their variations, are mind-boggling. Ask your doctor about them.
Despite this, the book is worth the extra memory and concentration required to comprehend it.
It's very empowering too: Dr. Amen is a strong advocate for natural supplements, exercise, and deep diaphragmatic breathing. He also gives the reader a simple, flexible, easy-to-follow diet that'll maximize your brain function. More wisely, however, he directs you towards a way of eating that's based not on a one-size-fits-all mentality, but a diet that is focused on your
particular type of anxiety and/or depression.
He also has his own version of cognitive therapy: ANTS (Automatic Negative Thoughts) and ANTeaters, developed by Amen as a child psychiatrist to help make the ideas a bit more concrete for children. Amen's short chapter on the power of thoughts can help you take more responsibility for your own
thinking.
Closing with "32 Strategies to Overcome Anxiety and Depression," along with a chart summarizing "diagnostic and treatment principles," this book will give you the real knowledge you need to manage your life on a whole new level.

Product Description
Dr. Daniel Amen-a pioneer in uncovering the connections between the brain and behavior-presents his revolutionary approach to treating anxiety and depressive disorders. Healing Anxiety and Depression reveals the major anxiety and depression centers of the brain, offers guidelines and diagnostic tools to determine the specific type of anxiety and depression, and provides a comprehensive program for treating each type. Based on new brain science-and featuring treatment plans that include medication, diet, supplements, exercise, and social and therapeutic support-this groundbreaking book will help readers conquer these potentially devastating disorders and change the way they think about anxiety and depression.

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Review of Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track (Paperback)

I never thought I would be able to talk about life without sugar for more
than 3 days. I am in the process of getting rid of sugar from my diet,
and am proud (and SHOCKED) to say that I have been refined sugar-free
for 19 days. My personal record before this was 8 days (a rarity, most
of the time it was 2 or 3 days!)

Truly, honestly, I have Sugar Shock! to thank for helping me finally
kick the habit. In reading about how sugar sets up a subclinical
infammation that can cause so many diseases like cancer, heart disease,
arthritis, diabetes, etc, it really helped me to gain perspective on my
habit. It didn't happen right away, and I had a few binge episodes
after reading this (the last one being the day after Christmas), and
just imagined what was going on inside my body the whole time. That
took the "fun" out of it for me.I thought I would be battling this problem for the rest of my life, but Connie took the struggle out of it for me.THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Product Description
A provocative exposŽ of the negative effects of sugars and simple carbs-and how to break the addiction.

Most readers already know that succumbing to sweets too often can lead to obesity and diabetes.What many don't know, however, is that too many "quickie carbs" can bring on a host of other maladies-such as "brain fog," fatigue, mood swings, heart disease, and even cancer-fromwhich millions may be suffering because of their sugar or carbohydrate habits. Once besieged by 44 seemingly unconnected symptoms, former "sugar addict" Connie Bennett, an experienced journalist, managed to kick sweets and simple carbs in 1998. She improved her health-and uncovered extensive medical research that substantiated her theory: people who eat too many low-caliber culprit carbs could be in sugar shock. Based on the insights of thousands of physicians, nutritionists, researchers, and "sugar sufferers" worldwide, SUGAR SHOCK!(tm) not only addresses how badly sugar affects the body, it demonstrates how everyone can kick the sugar habit.

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Review of Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD (Paperback)

Healing ADD is a landmark book that every counselor, psycholgist, psychiatrist,and pastor will want to have. More importantly if you struggle with ADD or know someone who does this book is a must read. I and the therapists who are associated with me have referred over 600 people in the last four years for SPECT Brain Imaging Scans. As a psychotherapist I have found Dr. Amen's work to be truly a landmark in the field of psychiatry, psychology and medicine in general. "Healing ADD" helps the reader to identify which of the six types of ADD that they have, and then the practical steps to takefor treatment. An alarming number of people are medically mismanaged when it comes to ADD treatment, and the work that Dr. Amen has done through over 10,000 SPECT Brain Imaging Scans has resulted in a system of diagnosis and medication management that brings more precision to the care of the ADD patient.So many of the horror stories and bad press that Ritalin is given are due to inaccurate diagnosis. Ritalin or another stimulant will be prescribed when another system of the brain needs to be treated first before a stimulant is given.The checklists that are provided in Dr.Amen's book will give the reader a guide as to whether the counselor or physcian they are working with is headed in the right direction with the treatment program they design. What is also exciting about this work is how it educates and empowers the lay person to truly be in charge of their care, and be able to ask their therapist, or physcian the needed questions to make sure they are getting the most up to date care and treatment possible. This is a book that the lay person and professional will benefit from. If you are being treated for ADD you might want to purchase a copy for your doctor.
Earl R. Henslin Psy.D., B.C.E.T.S. Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress Diplomate in the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress

Product Description
Using breakthrough diagnostic techniques, Dr. Daniel Amen has discovered that there are six distinct types of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), each requiring a different treatment. With recommendations for prescription drugs, nutraceutical therapy, cognitive reprogramming, parenting and educational strategies, biofeedback, self-hypnosis and more, this revolutionary approach can lead sufferers of ADD to a normal, fully-functional life.

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Review of Maximum Metabolism (Paperback)

I should probably wait until I've lost the rest of my flab before writing this review, but I'm so very pleased with the loss I've already achieved. I've had a weight problem all my life and have successfully lost largeamounts of weight(over 50 lbs.) several times in the past - gained it back,with extra to boot.However, I am now 64 years old and for the past fiveyears have been unable to lose - I stuck with the weight plans that hadworked before but the weight clung to me like glue.I had this book on mybookshelf )among many others) and decided to give it a go.I had dismissedit before because Dr. Giller's program would not allow me too many thingsthat I believed I had to have to enjoy living, such as sandwiches, sweets,coffee, diet colas, etc.I started it six weeks ago and have lost 23 lbsso far - 50 more lbs. to go and I know that I will lose them.This time isdifferent, I absolutely am NOT hungry, I have no cravings for sweets at allwhich is amazing to me.I have not been able to exercise yet due to asevere tendonitis in my knee, but it too is getting better and will start awalking program soon.Honestly this book is not just another diet program- it is THE diet program for those that cannot lose weight on just lowcalories anymore.Dr. Giller not only gives a way to lose weight, butexplains why his program works.I truly feel that this is the way for meand I won't be another fat old woman limping around on overburdened joints. I thank you Dr. Giller.



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