Immerse Yourself in the Journey - Recommended Reads, Listens, and Follows
Embarking on a health journey requires more than just pumping iron and counting calories; it's about educating yourself, staying motivated, and building sustainable habits. There's more to the phrase "You are what you eat" -- I believe "You are what/who you surround yourself with." Digesting content from books, podcasts, and even the right social media outlets can not only increase your knowledge about your own health, but also keep your motivation and discipline pumping at high levels. The recommendations below are by no means exhaustive and are in no particular order -- in fact, they're entirely subjective. Each recommendation below has inspired and educated me, and I hope you enjoy them, too:
Books:
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear: Delve into the science of habit formation and discover practical strategies to build positive habits and break detrimental ones. Clear's book is a game-changer for anyone looking to create lasting changes in their fitness and nutrition routines.
"The Resistance Training Revolution" by Sal Di Stefano: Backed by evidence-based training principles, this book offers a framework for using strength training to burn body fat and age-proof your body.
"Muscle for Life: Get Lean, Strong, and Healthy at Any Age!" by Mike Matthews: An exercise and nutrition book that will guide you on how to eat and exercise to lose pounds of fat and gain muscle definition and strength.
"Fit at Any Age: It's Never Too Late" by Susan Niebergall: Susan shares her own fitness journey and includes a "how to" section on how to lose weight through creating modest nutrition guidelines, plus strength building workouts.
"Eat Smarter" by Shawn Stevenson: Breaks down the science of food and explains how changing what you eat can transform your life by affecting your ability to make money, sleep better, maintain relationships, and be happier.
Podcasts:
"American Glutton": Ethan Suplee (an actor you'll recognize from My Name Is Earl, American History X and more) has gained and lost over 500 pounds in his lifetime and as he says, he "has a very complicated relationship with food." He shares personal stories and brings on expert and celebrity guests to share their insights on fitness and nutrition.
"Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth": Hosted by fitness experts Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, and Justin Andrews, Mind Pump covers a variety of fitness and nutrition topics. The hosts bring humor and real-world experience to discussions, making complex subjects more accessible.
"EmPowered Radio": Emma Montgomery hosts this podcast that makes nutrition information really easy to understand in a short format that's easy to digest, with relevant and relatable topics.
"Mind Over Macros": Mike Millner is a fitness and nutrition coach and he shares content with a "no BS" approach that's easy to understand and also offers the "tough love" approach by sharing things we sometimes need to hear.
"The Key Nutrition Podcast": Host Brad Jensen brings on experts to share about specific and often science-based nutrition information. This is a great listen if you're looking to dive further into the world of nutrition and go a little deeper than just the hacks and tips.
Instagram Creators:
@syattfitness: Jordan Syatt shares funny videos that are entertaining as well as informative about fitness and nutrition.
@ericafitlove: Erica Lugo is a former trainer on The Biggest Loser, but she's come a long way in recognizing the downfalls of extreme dieting. She's also going through perimenopause and shares openly about her experiences.
@theflexibledietinglifestyle: Zach Rocheleau shares macro-friendly savory and sweet recipes and shows how to make everyday foods more macro-friendly.
@biolayne: Layne Norton is a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and debunks nutrition myths using scientific research.
@foodsciencebabe: Chemical engineer and food scientist evaluates trending videos online about nutrition and debunks the myths.
@flexandfuelcoach: Follow me! I share food inspiration, resources, hacks, and motivation.
In conclusion, these recommended resources offer a wealth of information and motivation for your fitness and nutrition journey. Whether you prefer to absorb knowledge through reading, listening, or scrolling, these picks will empower you to make informed choices, cultivate healthy habits, and achieve your wellness goals. Happy learning and lifting!
