Mary Ann Bauman, MD

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Good medicine for all of us!, August 25, 2006

Reviewer:

Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Erika K. Oliver for Reader Views (8/06)

Why isn't my doctor this cool? Dr. Mary Ann Bauman's book "Fight Fatigue" transcends the usual advice on fighting fatigue as she addresses the core energy drainers: poor self esteem, approval seeking, choices and personal boundaries. She does discuss the importance of diet and exercise but more importantly, identifies the root causes of fatigue. Sharing six steps to identify, understand and change our energy draining behavior, Dr. Bauman gives a practical approach to maximizing our energy.

In Chapter 1, the author hits the nail on the head when she says, "We run the risk of becoming obsessive people-pleasers who constantly require the approval of others - at the risk of our own physical and mental well-being." (p.29) After learning the second step to maximizing your energy, Dr. Bauman discusses the importance of our choices in creating balance, which is just as important, she says, as the amount of things we accomplish each day and the number of hours we sleep. Another gem is telling the truth that we many not want to do something that we need to do to restore our energy but "you just have to do it." (p. 121) I think the author is speaking to me when she says, " By setting reasonable limits or boundaries on what we demand of ourselves and what we allow others to demand from us, we free ourselves from the energy-depleting effects of unreasonable expectations." (p.158)

Throughout the book the author provides examples and stories from her medical practice and personal life that help the reader understand how to incorporate the strategies into their life to maximize energy. My favorite is when she assumed that her family would not support her going for a run when she took a break from unpacking after a recent move. She almost resented them for asking if she was going for a run until she assessed the validity of her interpretation. It turned out that they did not express any negative feelings about her run and didn't even seem to notice she was gone! Her mental and physical energy were enhanced instead of depleted because she challenged an assumption.

This book is for everyone. If you are stressed and need a beginning place, pick up this book. If you have a healthy lifestyle but sometimes feel overwhelmed and tired, "Fight Fatigue" is a perfect read. In the final chapter, the author summarizes the six steps, which creates an easy reference tool for those who want to fight fatigue and maximize their energy on a permanent basis. This book is good medicine for all of us!

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Encouragement & Information, March 31, 2006

Reviewer:

Shirley P Johnson "Author/Reviewer - Florida" (USA) - See all my reviews

Immediately I was drawn into this work when I read that the number one reason women seek medical help is fatigue. I could attest that in my case it was true. Inside of this outstanding work Dr. Bauman identifies many of the culprits that are stealing our energy. Think you know what they are? Think again!
I was shocked at how simple and yet how complex these thieves were; I would have never imagined, but here before me on the pages of this book they demanded my attention. You will be amazed at how you are being robbed of energy without even knowing it is happening.
The author does not leave you hanging with just the reasons why you are depleted of energy but she gives us six steps to maximize our energy. Now wait, they aren't hard to follow and will take very little of your time. I liked that.
This work is written from a woman who knows, besides being a doctor, she also has experienced the same strain on her energy resources as other women have. That was comforting.
There is so much information and insight in this work it would be impossible
to give it justice in one short review; however one of my favorite sections was the one on the mind-body connection and the effect it has on our well-being. Fascinating to say the least.
All in all this is one book every woman will want to have. Besides being a work packed full of knowledge; it is a real moral booster and when you are done with the read you know you are not alone in your struggle against fatigue. You will have a better understanding of what is depleting you of your energy and what to do about it. There is hope for a better tomorrow and this work will give you a helping hand to achieve that goal. Well done, recommended!

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Fight Fatigue, March 17, 2006

Reviewer:

Mary Simmons "simmonsmry" (Wroxeter, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

Whether it is work, family life or social time, there never seem to be enough hours in the day to satisfy everyone and also meet our personal needs. We are constantly being pulled in several directions at once, expending our energy until there seems to be nothing left over for ourselves.
If you identify with this, you should pick up a copy of Dr. Mary Ann Bauman's self-help book, `Fight Fatigue: Six Simple Steps to Maximize Your Energy.'
Bauman outlines six ways to replenish energy levels by understanding the mind-body connection.
The author starts by saying people who are exhausted should begin their journey to good health by consulting their physician and making sure there is nothing physically wrong with them. If a medical reason is not evident, Bauman says the fatigue usually stems from emotional distress.
The first step in recovering an energy balance is identifying draining encounters in your life. Once this becomes a daily habit you are ready to evaluate these incidents and challenge the assumptions that led up to the episode. Next, you must break down the barriers you have erected in your life. This step includes making exercise a priority three to four times a week. When you have accomplished this, you must explore and experiment with the positive and negative encounters that affect your energy levels. The last step in Bauman's formula is setting appropriate boundaries by using common sense to identify and eliminate some of your personal energy thieves.
Bauman leads her readers through these steps with plenty of examples from her own life as well as the lives of her friends and patients. Each anecdote examines an aspect of one of the steps, showing practical ways in which the steps have been put into practise.
Although Bauman is an MD, she does not use convoluted medical jargon to make her point. The book is written in a relatable style with plenty of the aforementioned anecdotes.
She says fatigue is the number one reason why most women seek medical advice and she chose to write this book because she has heard the lament of tired women countless times during her 25 years practising medicine.
Bauman also says most women are so busy nurturing the people in their lives that they don't take the time to take care of themselves. She is a proponent of the personal reward system, saying we should do something for ourselves at least once a week, using that time to rejuvenate our spirits.
In the spirit of that advice, take the time to read through this relatively short book and form the habit of following the simple steps it sets out. As Bauman says, it will not only increase your energy level but will also improve your focus, your personal relationships and help maintain the energy you already have.

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