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A review by jorsie
I'm So Effing Tired: A Proven Plan to Beat Burnout, Boost Your Energy, and Reclaim Your Life by Amy Shah
4.0
I bought this book when I was, in fact, so effing tired. I'm no longer tired, but I read the book, anyway. I was diagnosed with PCOS by my OB-GYN in October 2020. I chose to work with a naturopathic doctor to address the root causes of my PCOS because I didn't want to go back on the pill. Dr. Amy Shah's book isn't directly about PCOS, but her treatment plan (dietary and lifestyle changes) are the exact same ones to treat PCOS: get 7–9 hours of sleep per night, try intermittent fasting, cut sugar and alcohol, eat more fiber to balance gut health, and limit high intensity workouts to lower cortisol levels.
I appreciate Dr. Shah's background as a medical doctor. Her explanation of hormones, including what they are and how they work, is very clear, concise, and easy to understand. Her chapters on adrenal fatigue, inflammation, and gut health were helpful. I will reread and reference them in the future.
While this complaint isn't exclusive to Dr. Shah, I'm going to write about it here: What none of these women's health books seem to understand or acknowledge is how much privilege is required to undertake these diet and lifestyle changes. I already eat a mostly organic, gluten-free, and dairy-light diet, and I can barely keep up with the grocery bill. Following any PCOS-adjacent treatment plan to a T is incredibly costly and time-consuming. You have to sacrifice a lot in life, including time with family and friends and pets, to achieve results in weeks. Hormone imbalances can take months, if not years, to correct, yet women's health writers insist on weeks. Dr. Shah knocks shift work in this book, as if folks can quit their jobs and create their own working hours to accommodate their adrenal fatigue. Our capitalist society has created unhealthy mental and physical health conditions, yet there are healthier ways to address it than "follow my treatment plan by liking and subscribing below."
I appreciate Dr. Shah's background as a medical doctor. Her explanation of hormones, including what they are and how they work, is very clear, concise, and easy to understand. Her chapters on adrenal fatigue, inflammation, and gut health were helpful. I will reread and reference them in the future.
While this complaint isn't exclusive to Dr. Shah, I'm going to write about it here: What none of these women's health books seem to understand or acknowledge is how much privilege is required to undertake these diet and lifestyle changes. I already eat a mostly organic, gluten-free, and dairy-light diet, and I can barely keep up with the grocery bill. Following any PCOS-adjacent treatment plan to a T is incredibly costly and time-consuming. You have to sacrifice a lot in life, including time with family and friends and pets, to achieve results in weeks. Hormone imbalances can take months, if not years, to correct, yet women's health writers insist on weeks. Dr. Shah knocks shift work in this book, as if folks can quit their jobs and create their own working hours to accommodate their adrenal fatigue. Our capitalist society has created unhealthy mental and physical health conditions, yet there are healthier ways to address it than "follow my treatment plan by liking and subscribing below."