Get Serious Paperback – March 12, 2014

I have NO complaints with this book by Dr. Osborn. I, too, am a physician and a board certified Ob-Gyn. I mention that because much of the training of an Ob-Gyn entails endocrinology, especially in regards to hormones. And in learning hormones, we also have to learn about the male hormones for various reasons, too many to enumerate here, as well as probably too boring for most people.I have also trained with weights for over 40 years. During my younger days, I would help fellow weight lifters who were using steroids, which were common and not illegal at that time. I personally was not using them at that time. I was mainly following liver functions which needed to be watched with the oral medications of that time. The intramuscular injections are not as dangerous (hepato-toxic), since they bypass the liver getting into the blood stream.Then one day, I gave up weight lifting and starting having bouts of depression. This lasted for years and numerous antidepressants which actually made things worse with the weight gain. BUT I never gave up and continued reading. I finally got off all antidepressants and felt the same.THEN I came across an article written in the late 1950's which extolled the use of testosterone with depression in older male. A later article showed that NO oral antidepressant has ever come close to relieving the depression as testosterone replacement. I got my testosterone checked and it was on the very low side of normal. I found a doctor who would prescribe testosterone for me and I have never regretted that day.My depression finally resolved and I finally lost the 70 pounds that I had gained on antidepressants. It took years.I am currently a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine which has very accurate information on its website both for the practitioner and the patient.Enough with my background. This book is very well written and entertaining. I think that Dr. Olsen, whom I have never met, has simplified the information where a lay-person with no medical background would have no trouble understanding it, if of a average intelligence even with no medical background. He goes through exercises and suggestions including diet and nutrients that are helpful. As for the hormone replacement, one size does not fit all and follow up has to be obtained. I recently switched to his work out plan which does include "cardio".I am very pleased with the book in all facets, and feel that if you are interested in a life worth living as you get older (such as I have done), you should invest in this book and consider getting evaluated by an anti-aging specialist and receiving hormone replacement.

I would consider myself very healthy, active, and well informed in the health and wellness space. This is the first book (and blog and e- newsletter) that really ties all the information, and just as importantly, misinformation together in one source. It will give you an in depth guide to diet, exercise and lifestyle choices, from an authority that truly understands human physiology. There are many books and experts out there, but few like Dr.Brett Osborn who can transfer his experience and knowledge from a medical perspective to help dramatically impact your every day life. Additionally, any program can help someone see short-term results, especially from a very aesthetic level, but his book is much more than that. It contains the information will help you build a proper foundation for your body so that you can be strong, avoid life plaguing injuries and measure your results from the inside out. Not just how it looks in front of the mirror or at the beach. All you need to do is follow his simple programs on what to do, and even more importantly, what not to do and spend your time and energy on. This is one of the biggest "aha" lessons of the book. It will help you make the mental shift from time and variety of exercises to quality and intensity of movements. Achieve more, with greater focus, not more time, more money, and more of the same. You will never look at the gym setting the same again, and you will begin to see why so many people spend so much time doing the same thing, day after day, year after year, and getting very small incremental results if any. This book is a must read whether you are a man or women, concerned with having more energy and stamina, loosing fat, gaining muscle, preventing injury, rehabilitating an injury, or just want to feel healthier. And it's for anyone and everyone who truly wants to change their mind and body,and have quantum leap results.

Good read for someone new on their nutritional journey. For someone who doesn’t think genetics plays a part in obesity the author sure looks like he has good genetics - or is that TRT we’re looking at. In the next version of the book ditch the scrubs. Scrubs are dirty. All good. Buy the book.

There are now a lot of books out there now that approach health and fitness in a way that rebels against the Common Wisdom. This one is different in that Osborn is both a serious medical doctor (neurosurgeon) as well as an incredibly fit man. He has the experience and credentials to really get into the science and technical aspects of human biology, physiology and health that many others cannot. This is not an easy read, but it is not a technical manual either. If you have more than a passing interest in the science behind health and fitness, this is an excellent book. He covers a range of areas: genetics, diet, hormones, strength training, the nerve system and brain, among others.Some of the fairly unusual features of this book include:-- his focus on brain and neurological health, areas in which he has serious professional expertise.-- some unusual positions on certain dietary and supplement areas. If you are used to reading from the "red pill" side of health and fitness, many other books take positions almost becomes predictable after a while. Osborn, in a sense, rebels against both the mainstream wisdom as well as certain things that have become "received wisdom" on the alternative. Some examples are his approach to saturated fat and carbs as well as, most interestingly to me, his view of statins.Their is a fair amount of repetition and it could have been a shorter book without loss of information, and his style can be overly self-confident which grates sometimes. But overall, an excellent interesting read, particularly if you are looking for something a bit more technical and a bit less predictable than many of the recent books that have attended the paleo / primal / HIIT revolution.