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Summary
On episode 411 of 40+ Fitness, Coach Allan counts down his 10 favorite health and fitness books from four years and 243 guest interviews on the show, plus a bonus cookbook pick.
He walks through each book, why it made the list, and which episode to revisit for the full conversation with the author, covering everything from set-point physiology and insulin regulation to epigenetics and food quality.
Links
- https://40plusfitness.com
Key Takeaways
- Set Point by Jonathan Bailor (episode 363) explains why weight loss plateaus happen. Allan points to it as the go-to resource for understanding your body’s set point physiology and what it actually takes to shift it.
- Bigger Leaner Stronger by Michael Matthews (episode 382) earns its spot through constant revision. Matthews rewrites the book for new science rather than just publishing sequels, which Allan calls the top educational resource for building strength and getting leaner.
- The Seven Systems Plan by Dr. Pat Luce (episode 359) argues health can’t be fixed one symptom at a time. Luce’s holistic framework looks at seven interacting body systems and optimizes them together, since Allan notes his clinic clients have lost significant weight using that approach.
- Dirty Genes by Dr. Ben Lynch (episode 327) reframes genetics as changeable, not fixed. The book explains the epigenetics behind chronic disease and gives readers concrete steps to “clean up” gene expression through lifestyle choices.
- Couch to Active by Lynn Lindberg (episode 374) targets people starting from zero. Lindberg’s approach helps completely sedentary people build activity gradually, and Allan stresses how much a small daily increase in movement can do for overall health.
- The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung (episode 77) reframed how Allan thinks about fat storage. Fung’s core argument is that insulin regulation, not just calories, drives whether the body holds on to fat, and Allan calls it one of the books that shaped his whole approach to health and fitness.
- The Inflammation Spectrum by Dr. Will Cole (episode 413, releasing two weeks later) covers both food and non-food causes of inflammation. Allan flags it as a must-listen for anyone dealing with chronic aches, fatigue, or other inflammatory symptoms.
- Smart Fat by Dr. Johnny Bowden (episode 338) makes the case that fat isn’t the enemy. Bowden breaks down why certain fats got demonized for decades and shows that the real issue is choosing the right fats, not avoiding fat altogether.
- Food Sanity by Dr. David Friedman (episode 311) tops the list. Allan liked Friedman’s DIG method enough that he included part of it in his own book, The Wellness Roadmap, calling it a simple, practical way to cut through conflicting food advice.
Another Episode You May Enjoy
Episode 420 – Cannabis and CBD for health and wellness with Aliza Sherman and Dr. Junella Chin