Ryan DeJonghe - The Avid Reader

I did it! Reading FIT-BOTTOMED GIRLS (FBG) felt like a boy (me) sneaking into an All Girls, “No Boys Allowed” club. Thankfully, they welcomed me with open arms, giving me the reassurance and guidance I needed, even as a yucky boy.

At first, this book felt like it would be a liberating experience: throwing out the food journal, singing power ballads, and burning my bra. Okay, not so much that last one. But that’s the whole vibe here: be cool, enjoy life. As they say, “Being an FBG is all about putting the fun in fitness and having a sense of adventure when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.” Their writing reflects that fun.

I’ve had some personal success with last year’s EAT MOVE SLEEP, and again with this year’s THE DIET FIX. I’m organized, have my journal, and have been seeing results in a reasonably stress-free way. When I started reading FBG’s advice about throwing out the journal—I got very nervous. Jittery. Panicky. Here’s a spoiler alert: the journal is still a good thing. The idea of FBG is not to be tied-down, but they also show that journaling and planning ahead really do work.

I like the wholeness of this book. First step: cut the drama. Now that the drama is out of the way, focus on food and fitness. But it’s more than that. The FBGs march into territories like being nice to each other, helping out, loving yourself, meditation, sleep, and other stuff like that. In other words: being healthy IS about eating and exercising, but it is also much more than that.

Each chapter covers an independent topic and then concludes with several 10-minute ideas to implement those strategies. Often these ideas are called “plateau busters”, which are clever ways to mix things up—because who wants to be stale? Every chapter also has a journaling idea (you know, write about it). And here’s what satisfies my freaky need for footnotes: at the back of the book there are a plethora of follow-up resources for each chapter…with weblinks! I’m a sick puppy, I know.

In the end, I don’t have to give up my beloved food journal and other ideas that are working for me, but what I do have is some new ideas to complete the whole package. With the FBGs, I’ve learned, “no matter what activity you want to do, do it with a whole lot of self-love.” Boys included.

Oh, and if the authors happen to read this, you ladies aren’t the only ones that channel your inner Paula Abdul in the living room.

Oh, and post script thingy thingy, that part about running like Phoebe was hilarious. I love that FRIENDS episode.

I’m not sure how many post scripts or thingies I’m at, but a final thank you goes to Harmony and Random House for sending me this book to review. Cheers!