I got asked recently what I’ve been doing differently that has made such a change in my results this past year especially. And to be honest I’ve been doing all the same things. But hands down the most pivotal change I made to my health and fitness regimen was doing the inner work I have been afraid to face my entire life. There were four books in particular that I read this past year that not only gave a jump start to my healing journey but have also changed my life forever. These books have helped heal my relationship with myself, with food and my self-sabotage mentality.
1️⃣ “You Can Drop It” by Ilana Muhlstein – The SIMPLEST meal plan of all time but that’s not even the best part you guys. The entire concept completely switched my brain and my ability to not just tackle intuitive eating but to master it. And coming from someone who has struggled with eating disorders her entire life this step forward for me was HUGE! It was the first time that I didn’t use a “diet” or “meal plan” to cause harm to my body. This book gave me true #foodfreedom.
2️⃣ “Never Binge Again” by Glenn Livingston Ph.D. – With the blunt and sometimes harsh wording it’s was a TOUGH read. I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. But I remember feeling the same way when I started to read the next book I mention below too. After forcing myself to finish the book, come to find out it was just fear trying to hold me back from hearing a message I REALLY REALLY needed to hear. I was letting food control ME and it should always be the other way around.
3️⃣ “Quit Like A Woman” by Holly Whitaker – Whether you are a drinker or not this book is must read for ALL. It really makes you think about just how obsessed our culture truly is with alcohol. Holly’s no B.S. approach was/is hard to digest. But so are all messages we truly need to hear. Her transparency and truthfulness made the story relatable AF! I go back through chapters in this one depending on what’s going on in my life at the moment to keep me fiercely focused. It has a crap ton of takeaways and “Ah ha!” moments that really make ya think. It is one that I will continue to re-read throughout my life.
4️⃣ “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD – (I have this one on Audible) EVERYONE should read/listen to this book. Period. Its reach is far beyond just the parent-child relationship and can be applied to ALL relationships. Read it for yourself. Read it for your parents. Or simply read it to have more empathy and understanding of others.
