August/September 2003

If you’re looking for a different kind of fitness book, one that deals with the emotional side of exercise as well as the physiological aspects, you should take a look at Toward a Magnificent Self.

The book deals with mental and physical barriers people meet when struggling to make exercise a part of their daily routine. Are you exercising just to garner compliments or attention from other people? Do you set expectations too high for yourself and then feel crushed when you once again don’t meet those tough goals? Does a negative body image prevent you from enjoying the fun of physical activity? Toward a Magnificent Self dives into these issues where other health and fitness books sometimes fall short.

Questions are spattered throughout the book helping to point out underlying issues that could be the root cause of your fitness and health woes. Self esteem, negative body image, exercise addictions and negative attitude are addressed and means of dealing with them are skillfully offered.

One of my favorite points that Ms. Anastasia shows us is that the fantasy of a perfect body bringing about lifetime happiness is a dangerous illusion. Perhaps you should be rethinking your exercise motivation, embarking on a journey of exercising to feel better, not just to look better.

The book is a refreshing break from reps, sets, calorie counting and six packs.

The lessons learned and written about come from both personal experience and her education. All-in-all this is a positive and practical book worth reading and sharing.