Thursday 8 February 2018

The 4 Pillar Plan by Dr Rangan Chatterjee. Book review.

Hello. I'm getting stuck into this book which the library kindly reserved for me. I don't usually reserve books, because I will read almost anything I might remotely be interested in, and there is plenty of choice so I don't need to pay 35p. However, I knew this book was going to be popular so I thought I'd better get my request in quick before the queue got too long.   
Some of you will have seen the Doctor in the House programmes, Channel 4 I think, Dr Chatterjee goes into people's homes and sorts out their medical problems. He follows them day to day, looking at their lifestyle, watching what they eat, how do they exercise, or not, and and advising them on a whole new lifestyle plan. I have seen some of these on yooootoooob, and I am a big fan.

The book is divided into four main chapters, Relax, Eat, Move, and Sleep, each divided into sub chapters describing each plan in detail, prioritizing the four pillars of our lives. To pick out a few of the key points. Relax - keep a gratitude journal and practice stillness daily. Eat - unprocess your diet and retrain your taste buds. Move - walk more and high intensity interval training. Sleep - create a bedtime routine and manage your commotion.

Dr Chatterjee passionately believes that the right lifestyle and nutrition can actually improve our well being and reverse our health problems, and make chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression disappear.

The book is well laid out, clear concise writing, good size print so you don't have to squint, and he has a very down to earth approach to his work. He nails the real nittygritty of what a healthy diet should be, how much better you feel after regular exercise, and how important it is to get enough sleep and relaxation time.

Although a lot of what he says I already put into practice, but I can always learn more. I am a little bit naughty in that I don't switch my computer off until just before I go to bed, but hey ho, I do drop off straight away and I do sleep well and I'm always refreshed to get up in the morning. Oh, and he says have one screen free day a week. Sorry Doctor, I am only screen free when I am away from the house, that's if I don't take my netbook away with me, oooops. I will have to work on that.

See if your library has it, I think it's a book which everyone should read, not just read but to study and make notes. Don't take my word for it, check the
234 reviews on Amazon.

For more information on the book and how you can live a long and healthier life,
go to his web site.  No, this isn't a sponsored post, it's just something I believe in, and I have to give the book back.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

28 comments:

  1. His programmes are really interesting. I think I'll try and get hold of this book. He makes it all sound so simple - which in fact it is! (I did sometimes feel sorry for him though when he slept the night in a few of the houses he visited - some families didn't seem to make him very comfortable - but he just got on with it!!)

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  2. As I get older, I am amazed at how others view me - people always think i’m so much younger than I am. Luck? No! I eat fresh home cooked meals, I go out for jaunts where I am and do exercise every day I make my own entertainment. I do have some chronic diseases - osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia and that does limit me to some extent but because I follow my principles on a daily basis I still do pretty good. I’ll look for his book. Natalie

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  3. Ilona - would you tell us some things you do in the evenings to occupy your time without a TV please? Just watched your latest video and amazed you've had no TV for 20+ years so would love to know what you do instead. Thank you.

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    1. Hi. I read, online and books from the library. I consider my computer is my library, I can find out anything by gooogling. I watch yoootooob videos, read forums and blogs, join in conversations on forums. Research subjects I want to learn about. Sometimes watch a programme on itv or channel 4 catch up, but there isn't much I want to see.

      I sew, machine and hand sewing, crochet, arts and crafts, painting, I like working with my hands. My living room is my workshop. Table and desk at one end with sewing machine and computer. Table at the other end with crafting and sewing bits and bobs, I move from one to the other. Easy chair if I want to read a book.

      At the moment I have three arty projects on the go, I move from one to the other, depending on how the mood takes me. A lot of my art and craft work involves thinking about what to do next, because I make it up I don't have a pattern to follow.

      Oh, and I spend a lot of time thinking up ideas for my blog, composing the text, checking spelling and grammar, taking photo's and editing them. My brain never switches off.

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    2. I know you borrow books from the library, but did you know you can borrow them online? Any device (tablet, phone, netbooks, PC) that can download the library app can be used as an e-reader. It's really great, I'd highly recommend it to anyone in the UK. Karen

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    3. I knew about that Karen. The books I borrow are all non fiction or autobiographies. I read them for reference, very rarely read them all the way through. I don't want to spend any more time looking at a screen, I prefer the printed version.

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    4. Fair enough 😀


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  4. You look very academic there, Ilona!

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  5. Funny enough, last night I treated my husband to a talk event with meal for his birthday and one of the speakers was Dr Chatterjee. We had time to talk to him in person, he's a very pleasant man. One of the gifts I got my husband was the book, signed and personalised. He's loving it!

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  6. Thanks for the book review! From your answer to Anonymous above, it sounds like you are quite the reader. Maybe you should try your hand at writing your own book.:-)

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    1. I have tried in the past, but didn't stick with it. I have enough writing to do here. Or maybe I should stop blogging and concentrate on the book.

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    2. Nooooooo -please don't stop blogging.I wonder if all your advice from here could be compiled into a book x

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  7. If it wasnt for my Hubby and grandkids,i wouldnt have a television.Although i do watch Corrie that my hubby saves for me and to be honest,that would be the only thing i would miss,lol.I am very much like you...always looking for ideas and things to do....although im not that keen on housework,lol.To be honest,I dont know if i would read that book..I dont have much faith in doctors...well where i live anyway.I keep away from them as much as i can.But thats a lovely photo of you reading!!,and your art behind you looks amazing too!,Debi,xx

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    1. Doctor Rangan is not like ordinary doctors who dish out the pills. He believes that good food is medicine, which, alongside exercise and mindfulness, and sleep, will cure a lot of ills.

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    2. Hi Ilona,Im going to make a point of watching him online tonight.Now that i know that, it sounds like its more my sort of thing.Ive got a book,that ive had for about 30 years called The Swiss Nature doctor which is on those lines aswell.I got it wrong,thinking he was like an ordinary doctor!Debi,xx

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  8. I like the sound of him Ilona.I've just had a look at him online thanks.I think you mentioned him before x

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    1. Yes I have mentioned him before, he talks a lot of sense, and doesn't blind you with science.

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  9. Omg you look 45 sitting there on that lovely settee - so relaxed - I’m going to look him up online now - never heard of him - thanks for the information xx

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    1. OMG, flattery will get you everywhere, ha ha. I am at my worst at the moment, need a hair cut.

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  10. This sounds like a great book. I'll have to see if it is available here in the US. I'll also look him up on YouTube. A book in the same vein that I enjoyed from my local library is The Longevity Plan by Dr. John Day and Jane Ann Day. They hit some of the same points and it is very readable. I don't know if you can get it in the UK, but US readers might check it out if Dr. Chatterjee's book isn't available at the library. (I have no financial interest in the book--I just liked it a lot.)

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    1. Hi. He does talks, and is on yoootooob. There is a very good Ted Talk.

      Thank you for the book recommendation.

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  11. Thanks to you, I saw an episode of the television show a couple of years ago. I'll see if his book is available in the US. Thanks.

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  12. That book sounds right up my alley, Ilona. I hope to track it down on my travels. PS - love the poppy picture behind you! Susan - www.blissfulbreaths.com

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  13. Thanks for the reply, Meanqueen - WOW. Proves my Dad's theory: when I said I didn't have enough time he used to say "If you want more time in your day, switch the TV off". So inspirational (both of you!!).

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  14. Miss Queen love you work on all levels. I'm from the US. I'm one of your biggest fans. I look forward to everything you do. What a wonderful life you have. Thank for sharing it with all of us.

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  15. Oh how I wish I had Dr Chatterjee as my Doctor, I would go every week!! I have watched all the shows on youtube as I live in Canada, I'm now hooked on him and his approach to lifestyle as well as you Ilona. Did my 2 mile walk today and bought some fennel for a salad, ordered the Vitamix blender for soups etc, every little helps to eat well.My mum died at 75 from cancer so I'm trying to do my bit.

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  16. From correcting bad posture to practicing mindfulness to remembering to drink more water throughout your day, Elephant App sends randomly timed reminders to your phone or smartwatch. Why? Because if you want to create a healthy new habit, you need to make practicing it a regular routine. Elephant is the reminder app that does this.
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