Review: Change We Can Believe In
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 9, 2012
We are who we eat. This cliche is hackneyed and trite, but oh-so-true.I have never been one to necessarily be anal about what I eat. I have generally been conscientious of my caloric intake but have never had the impetus to be physically fit---until in recent years, when low thyroid activity and my abiding love for sweets began to give me a bit of a paunch. (I also attribute my weight gain to the onset of middle age, but I need to be very careful to not delve into personal excuses and rationalization here.) With apologies to President Obama, the title is reflective of how important it is to effect personal change---and is also indicative of how challenging it is to truly see said change through.Stephen Williams, in "Fitness: Achieve Your Dream Body," explains the importance of maintaining a fit, healthy body by participating in activities that will make people change their current habits so as to assist them in living a healthier lifestyle. He offers several good suggestions that are not particularly overwhelming for the beginner, yet are appropriate enough to be able to set realistic, attainable goals that will build self-confidence and discipline towards achieving a healthier mode of living.Williams stresses that "health is the key to a longer life" (ch. 1). He proceeds to provide the reader with the impetus for personal change by highlighting good health via exercise, sensible eating, and avoiding unnecessary weight loss that could jeopardize one's life. He questions the validity and effectiveness of diet pills, and counters their claims for good health by pointing out that workouts and healthy eating have been around for a long time and that the cost factor is low to nil for beginning a solid fitness program. Additionally, he associates a healthy lifestyle in "Fitness" with living like a star---by eating smart and thinking smart based upon sound, intelligent choices related to your health, your life will improve to the point where you may not even remember what things were like before you made the choice to better yourself.It should be noted that staying healthy is not necessarily entirely about staying physically fit. Good physical health is very important, but so, too, are the emotional, social, and mental aspects of the human dimension. Combining all of these into your daily routine will go a long way towards improving yourself and your outlook on life.Knowing that my earthly, corporeal body is the only one I own, I have become more conscientious about how I take care of myself. I recently began seeing a dietician, and in a couple of weeks I will be getting both a dental and physical check-up. In certain aspects, "Fitness" has provided momentum for me to continue to improve myself to the best of my ability, and for that I thank the author.One of the greatest inspirations for wanting to have a healthier lifestyle has been my father. He is 72, walks two miles every day, takes vitamins, watches what he eats, and maintains a calm demeanor in almost all situations. He had heart surgery almost 14 years ago (he had a valve replaced) and has been extremely cognizant of how his subsequent lifestyle has impacted his health. As a consequence, he has been able to add several more years to his life expectancy."Fitness" is an enjoyable read and is just one more book written by Williams that contributes to the overall betterment of his readers.