January 17, 2003

Tami Anastasia, M.A., author of "Toward A Magnificent Self," has a message for all those who just can’t seem to start exercising, resume exercising, or stay focused on exercising. In other words, the message is for practically everyone.

The purpose of the book is to help readers break through "the exercise roadblocks"—that sometimes seem insurmountable—with new ways to motivate readers to exercise and set achievable goals through an exercise mindset.

Billed on the book cover as "the exercise book for every body," the book is aimed at making exercise a habit, regardless of age, shape, or fitness level.

Tami grew up in the fitness business. It was her father, John P. Anastasia, who created the Anastasia athletic clubs in California—his first in 1965—and it is to him the book is dedicated.

It was Tami who whipped herself into shape from a plump young woman by exercising regularly and systematically, and it was Tami who became addicted to exercise and who was warned by her doctor, when she weighed only 95 pounds and was no longer menstruating, that he would hospitalize her if she lost even one more pound. Perhaps addicted isn’t the right word: emotionally dependent is perhaps more precise, but however her condition is described, her doctor told her by overexercising she was putting her health in jeopardy.

But then a period of total abstinence from exercise followed, and she became heavy again. Each day she would tell herself she would start exercising in moderation, and the day would pass. Through all these phases she was haunted by guilt and shame. Eventually she came to understand that her obsession with exercising had been about getting people to like and admire her. When the realization dawned that feeling good about herself was up to her, not others, she found the right road to health and fitness.

But it was still a long road back. She noticed on some days she loved to exercise and on others the idea was repellent. She began to keep a diary on what motivated her, and she learned that she had to accept herself from within. That seems like a big jump, and it didn’t happen suddenly.

The book deals with the lessons she learned as she went along, and how she grew to be as fit as she is today—trim and firm, strong and energized.

The author has been a counselor and advanced fitness trainer for 14 years at her own exercise facility in Los Gatos–TAMS (Toward A Magnificent Self) Wellness Studio.

The 212-page trade paperback retails for $13.99 and is available at The Thunderbird Bookshop, Carmel, Bay Books in Monterey, and Bookworks in Pacific Grove.