So many unexpected life changes, now maybe a pivot to a new definition of health is needed

It’s no secret that 2020 was off the charts in challenges, to put it mildly. If you are like many that typically gear up to buy their annual memberships to gyms come January, you may be rethinking the decision.  This year, as you already know, gyms, along with many other establishments were subject to many sporadic closures, and now an almost total lockdown and the worst of the pandemic (hopefully) hits through the end of the year.

One bright spot: as a result of the restrictions, many of us were forced to find new and creative ways in order to get our fitness on.  

As we turn to a new year, it’s likely that a new perspective toward health, fitness and diet has become paramount, and demands a re-thinking of what our real goals should be coming off a terribly difficult year and searching for a better 2021.

Beauty and the beast are worthy goals, 2 B sure, but health and true strength are forever

Striving for that ripped, skinny, almost photoshopped physic, counting calories with restrictive diets may no longer be the end-all be-all and automatic go-to that it once appeared to be. Perhaps adding a renewed focus on health and resilience is a more appropriate path going forward.

Exercising and eating for strength, working towards performance and promoting restoration, prevention and optimal nutrition appear to be the best new trends for health and wellness.  

We have curated a list of realistic and smart-wellness centered books to jumpstart or continue on a path towards a better 2021. 

Feel-Good Fitness: Fun Workout Challenges to Inspire Your Fitness Streak

Feel-Good Fitness from pro runner Alysia Montaño offers a year of fun and fresh fitness challenges that will build your strength and endurance. Alysia’s fitness challenges will make you smile while you sweat because Alysia’s not your typical fitness trainer. She’s a mom of two who knows real workouts don’t require a pricey gym membership.

With Alysia’s practical workout program, you can get fit in 30-60 minutes a day while tackling achievable fitness challenges. Each challenge takes on a different goal over 3-4 weeks, which means you’ll achieve new fitness with every new program and never get bored–all while building confidence. Click here to see “Feel-Good Fitness” and help Independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.

Stretching to Stay Young: Simple Workouts to Keep You Flexible, Energized, and Pain Free

Increase your flexibility, strengthen your body, and stretch your youth. Our bodies were designed for movement, but as we age, our joints and muscles become tighter. Stretching is a gentle, simple activity that anyone can do to alleviate aches and pains, as well as improve range of motion and flexibility.

This book guides you step-by-step through each stretch, arming you with the confidence you need to progress into deeper levels of stretching for enhanced flexibility, reduced pain, decreased stiffness, and better quality of life for years to come. No matter your age or level of activity, this guide will help you ease into the wonders of stretching, to reduce stiffness and feel your best. Click here to see “Stretching to Stay Young” and help independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.

The One-Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter

Finally, the solution to the #1 reason we don’t exercise: time. Everyone has one minute. A decade ago, Martin Gibala was a young researcher in the field of exercise physiology–with little time to exercise. That critical point in his career launched a passion for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), allowing him to stay in shape with just a few minutes of hard effort. It also prompted Gibala to conduct experiments that helped launch the exploding science of ultralow-volume exercise.

Now that he’s the worldwide guru of the science of time-efficient workouts, Gibala’s first book answers the ultimate question: How low can you go? Including the eight best basic interval workouts as well as four microworkouts customized for individual needs and preferences (you may not quite want to go all out every time), The One-Minute Workout solves the number-one reason we don’t exercise: lack of time. Because everyone has one minute. Click here to see “The One Minute Workout” and help independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.

Training for a Healthy Life: A Daily Food and Fitness Journal

Set Yourself Up for Better Health!Open this fitness journal and start your journey to a healthy new you! This easy-to-use book will help you record your everyday stats in order to solidify healthy eating and exercise habits. Whether your goal is losing weight, exercising more, or changing your self-care routines, this handy journal will keep you on track as you set out on a healthy new path. 

Training for a Healthy Life features easy ways to: Record important daily stats. Write down your weight, what you ate, how much you exercised, and how well you took care of yourself every day. Review your progress. Weekly check-ins help you chart your progress and adjust your habits moving forward. Track your goals. Set your goals as you start your journey, record daily goals, and evaluate your success at the end of the book. Click to see “Training for a Healthy Life” and help independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.

The Fitness Chef: Eat What You Like & Lose Weight for Life – The Infographic Guide to the Only Diet That Works

Discover how to lose weight for good. No gimmicks, no rules, no tough exercise regime. Just a straightforward, proven science-based method. Graeme Tomlinson, a.k.a. The Fitness Chef, has amassed over 600,000 instagram followers thanks to his myth-busting health-and-diet infographics. In this digestible infographic guide, you will discover: how to lose weight and keep it off forever and why you don’t need a complicated new diet, slimming-club rules or a personal trainer.

Empower yourself to make informed food choices and be inspired by Graeme’s 70 easy, lower-calorie versions of popular foods – including curries, fry ups and even fish and chips.ou can still eat your favourite biscuits and enjoy carbs, fats and sugar. After reading this book you will be able to make informed food choices for the rest of your life and succeed at any weight-loss goal. Click to see “Eat What you Like” and help independent bookstores. Also available on Amazon.

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