A few weeks ago I posted about how I am no longer making excuses. A big inspiration for my revelation is from receiving the book The No More Excuses Diet by Maria Kang. I am sure you have heard of her, right? The inspirational picture of her with her three boys went viral last year!
Before you roll your eyes and close out of this post thinking you have no desire to read about a fitness book…hear me out. This is more than a fitness book, it is a lifestyle book. Maria shares her story about how she struggled with her weight and how hard she worked to get where she is all while balancing real life. Her approach isn’t mind blowing, but sometimes you need to hear what you already know. She sets up a program and a three step cycle of nutrition and fitness that you can follow for the rest of your life. I hate that the word “diet” is in the title, because it is so much more than a “diet.”
The program includes three phases that you can repeat over and over in achieving your goals. The phases are SPEED, STRIVE and SCORE. The book includes illustrated work out pictures, several different charts and a real plan to achieve any goal…whether it is losing weight, running a 5K, etc. I appreciate Maria’s fresh approach to the whole topic. She has lots of great tips and encourages you every step of the way without filling your head with useless fluff.
My favorite section of the book is chapter 7. It talks about 80% of your efforts, food. She breaks down a macro-nutrients plan explaining why you should be getting a certain amount of protein/carbs/fat. She puts portions in terms you can understand and suggests some ideal daily meal plans.
I highly suggest this book if you are looking for motivation to make a change in your life.
You can read more about the book and author here.
Disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. All opinions are my own.
I am linking up with Stephanie and Jana for the Show Us Your Books link up! Read any good books lately?
25 Comments
I’m not usually down with fitness books, but seeing her after having those three kids –well, I’ll probably need it in a few months,
This sounds awesome! I like things that are more geared towards a lifestyle change as opposed to the typical “diet” where people just try to deprive themselves short term. I know working towards a lifestyle change is what made the difference for me!
This is a fitness book I can get on board with. My food is the struggle- I’m motivated to work out, but my food always needs work! Thank you for the suggestion!
this sounds super interesting. i would definitely read this as it seems to be more ‘normal’ and an actual lifestyle rather than a ‘deprive yourself of all these things and you’ll lose weight!’ lol.
i remember how much controversy she caused by angry women who slandered her for ‘showing off’ but she was actually speaking the truth. the point she was making was that you have to make time to live a healthy life – eat well and exercise – despite what is going on. she has 3 kids/family yet she managed to lose all her weight and get fit/healthy and holy crap, women got mad. i totally agree with her though – every time you say ‘i don’t have time’ yet find yourself doing other things like surfing, sitting/watching tv, lying down etc – that’s time that could be spent working out or doing something other than being sedentary.
anyway, great post. i’m going to check out her site.
I was pretty happy with what I was doing for a while – making small, sustainable changes, but now I’m starting to get frustrated. I feel like I’ve done so much and I’m still having issues with my blood pressure going up. I might have to give this a read just to get some new ideas, because the one thing I can’t seem to quit is snacking and sugar. I’ll exercise and eat 3 healthy, balanced meals every day and then binge on ice cream or some other junk, and evidently that last thing is enough to negate the positives of the other 2.
Can I ditto Kathy’s comment? She is Fitness Jesus after all.
I’m glad this book was great for you – it truly is a lifestyle!
Yea, I didn’t knock her when that photo went viral. She wasn’t trying to shame anyone but just saying that if she can do it, anyone can do it. You just gotta put in the effort. I know that. I’ll have to give her book a read!
Fitness & lifestyle books are my favorite, I’m very interested in this. Being someone that already tracks macros & workouts regularly, I still find motivation through stuff like this. I’m always wanting more knowledge & tips to keep me on track. I remember that photo and I remember thinking good for her! 🙂
I feel like I should read this book but if I’m being honest, it’s probably at the bottom of the list for me. I’ve definitely been struggling with achieving my goals lately but I don’t glean the kind of inspiration from these kinds of books that I should.
Another ditto to Kathy’s post, I couldn’t agree more! This looks like a fabulous book, definitely inspiring to say the least 🙂
Oh thank you for this review! I definitely want to check it out!
Oh, awesome! I didn’t realize she had a book out but definitely gonna try to get copy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love that you said sometimes you need to read/hear things you already know! it’s the truth – I’ll have to check it out! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I’m usually not for fitness books, but I like that this one includes photos and talks about how important what you eat is.
http://mimiandchichi.com/
I want to read this book for the meal plan ideas alone! I seriously admire her! It really does take a lifestyle change, which I’m slowwwly working on. Haha!
I follow this chick on FB and Instagram – she truly is a real mom and an inspiration to all women.
GITTERDUN AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!
I soooo need this as motivation. My diet sucks, and my lack of ambition to work out sucks more 🙂 I so need her meal plans!!!
Yes! I haven’t read too much from her but I do like her approach: no. excuses. Period! If you want to be fit and healthy, you have to make efforts to be fit and healthy. If you want to make excuses, go right ahead, but they won’t get you anywhere. The truth is everyone is busy, and everyone always has something else they could be doing aside from meal prepping or grocery shopping or running or working out. But it’s a choice, and everyone has the same ability to make choices that benefit their health. Sure, some people have less time during the week and need to be more efficient on the weekends, or whatever other hurdles there are. The point is, we all have them. And the only difference is do you overcome the hurdles or do you fall back on them as excuses?
I’m glad and super proud you’re taking this approach. Good luck!
The book sounds interesting. My problem is I like to eat junk food.
I definitely remember her and when her story went viral! I even wrote a blog post about it. I really want to check out this book! Keep going, you’re doing great!
Glad you found it full of helpful info. I remember the controversy she caused but I agree a little about what she said, it is all about what you find time and what you really want. You will find a way if it means enough to you.
This sounds like such a great book! I love when books make me rethink my life!
So glad you found this book so inspirational! I do think sometimes you just need things spelled out for you in a new way, even if you logically KNOW what you should be doing. You just need to be kicked into a different mindset.
I like that it is a lifestyle book and not a fitness book. I wish reading it would make me look like her on the cover!!