Posted by Jennifer (the student) on September 15, 2012

8 weeks to Optimum Health by Dr Andrew Weil is a step-by-step plan for improving health in a natural way. The author is a Harvard trained medical doctor and a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine.

What I like most about this book is that it is a simple week-by-week plan. It is about changing behavior and making small consistent changes in the way you live.

For each week there is an outline of simple tasks to complete. These tasks are organized by projects, diet, supplements, exercise and mental/spiritual.

Here is a sample of the tasks for each week:

Week 1

• Clear out unhealthy food from your pantry and fridge
• Eat broccoli twice a week
• Walk 10 minutes, 5 days

Week 2

• Eat one soybean product
• Drink green tea
• Eat more whole grains

Week 3

• Buy organic fruits and vegetables
• Take vitamin E
• Add stretching to your exercise routine

Week 4

• Add garlic to your diet
• Increase walking to 25 minutes, 5 days
• Examine your sleep habits

Week 5

• Add ginger to your diet
• Try a one-day “fruit-fast”
• Use a steam bath or sauna for 20 minutes

Week 6

• Add leafy greens to your diet
• Visit an art museum
• Try a one-day juice fast

Week 7

• Increase walk to 40 minutes, 5 days
• Volunteer
• Reconnect with an old friend

Week 8

• Increase walk to 45 minutes, 5 days
• Continue with dietary changes

I think most changes would be easy to incorporate and be beneficial for most everyone. If you were looking to make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle, I would recommend reading this book.

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