Author: Hanne Blank
Publisher: Ten Speed Press (2012)
This unique exercise guide is big on attitude, giving plus-size women the motivation and information they need to move their bodies and improve their health. A certified personal trainer who provides candid insight into the stigma endured by overweight people, the author addresses societal pressure, body image and other issues with wit and originality. Her perspective on key matters such as "30 things to love about exercise (none of which have to do with your weight, your size, or what you look like)"and "finding and creating fat-friendly space to move" is refreshingly valuable. Blank is often frank, using expletives to make her point at times, yet her sarcasm succeeds in cutting to the heart of the matter.
Although only a small portion of the book focuses on nutrition, the author's recommendations are built on solid ground — discouraging "notional food rules" and instead advocating "nourishing your body properly for an active and engaged life."
She supports eating a variety of foods providing essential nutrients, paying attention to how different foods make you feel and consulting a nutritionist. The resource guide offers suggestions for books, blogs and and DVDs as well as sources for plus-size exercise clothing and other helpful products.
Bottom Line: While geared toward overweight women, this entertaining, engaging and empowering book is applicable to anyone who has struggled with the varied challenges to being more active.
