Hello again!
I just recently posted an interview with “Ultimate You” author and celebrity trainer Joe Dowdell. Well, I managed to snag an interview with his co-author, Dr. Brooke Kalanick! Dr. Brooke is a Naturopathic doctor who specializes in fat loss. “Ultimate You” is a comprehensive 4-phase fat loss program designed specifically for women. I asked her to weigh in on some questions and the book, the program, and what makes it so unique.

"Every time you eat, you have the choice to tell your body to burn fat or to store fat" Dr. Brooke
1) What exactly is a Naturopathic Doctor and what advantage does this perspective provided when addressing weight loss?
Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person and look for the underlying cause of the issue, we don’t just treat symptoms. We can prescribe drugs, but also understand how to use herbs, supplements, and I also practice acupuncture. “Ultimate You” is not about a quick fix; it’s about treating the body as a whole and staying healthy and beautiful for good!
2) What makes “Ultimate You” different than all the other diet and exercise books out there?
The book has a longer time frame; we show women how to lose that fat and keep it off over the long haul. The book has 4-phases, and each phase provides:
- lifestyle information
- strength training exercises
- a cardio program
- Hormonal nutrition information.
There are also questionnaires in each section for self-diagnosis; “Ultimate You” is more like a manual for your body. And we provide both “Optimal Options” (the ideal actions, foods, behaviors) and “Allowable Options” (non ideal but still acceptable behaviors and foods). So someone can go at their own pace, make gradual but sustainable change, and then go back and build on their success by doing the program again using the “Optimal Options”.
3) Why is it so hard for so many people to STAY in shape and KEEP the weight off?
There is a lot of psychology involved when it comes to choosing a healthy lifestyle. Many of my fat loss patients are dealing with a lot of guilt. Often, they will make a poor food choice, feel bad about it, and get so upset about it that they give up completely on making healthy decisions for the rest of the day. The key is self correction – don’t let one little thing turn into several bad decisions and derail you. Own the choice to go off plan and get right back on track.
4) Hormones seem to regulate almost everything that happens in the body. How can people take control of their hormones? Why are there so many people with their hormones out of whack?
Hormones are the body’s messenger system, among their many functions they tell your body when to store fat and when to burn fat. Unfortunately, there is increasing evidence that people hormonal balance is being throw off by environmental toxins, stuff like Xenoestrogens in water and plastics. But you do not have to be a slave to your hormones!
Every time you eat, you have the choice to tell your body to store fat or burn fat. Calories matter, but where those calories come from matters more. Foods with a high Glycemic index create a big surge of Insulin, which tells your body to store fat, so by avoiding them, and the environmental toxins, you can take control of your hormones and stay at your ideal weight for good.
5) What are some of the key questions most people who want to lose weight should be asking themselves, but are not?
Are you actually willing to change, and if so, what are you willing to give up? And what are your reasons that will make it all worth the effort to change?
Pick up your copy of “Ultimate You” here: “Ultimate You: A 4-Phase Total Body Makeover for Women Who Want Maximum Results
Thanks for reading the blog! Feel free to post your questions or comments below, thanks! Until next time, train smart!
Jonathan Angelilli has worked as a full time trainer for over 9 years, has completed 10 certifications, and is currently the Training Director of Dynamic Results, an upscale lifestyle consultation service in NYC. He works hard to match up luxury buildings, private gyms, concierge companies, and corporations with a personalized team of empowering health and fitness professionals.