Book Recommendations for staying motivated

[lavabelle]

I love to read...probably a bit too much since I struggle to stay at a healthy weight this last decade, but the written word really is a delight I plan on enjoying even if I have to run marathons to enjoy my stationary hobby 🙂

I would love to get some recommendations from this community on books that have inspired you, shocked you, made you think or re-think what you thought was truth...put it out there. I'd love to check it out.

Here are some of my favorites:

"Mile Markers: The 26.2 most important reasons why women run" by Kristin Armstrong

"Finding Ultra: Rejecting middle age, becoming one of the fittest men, and discovering myself" by Rich Roll

I just recently finished and recommend

"Change or Die" by Alan Deutschman

"The Hacker's Diet" by John Walker

Enjoy!

[GershonSurge]

Perhaps, you would like this one.

Becoming Odyssa: Adventures on the Appalachian Trail
by Jennifer Pharr Davis
Link: http://a.co/i4iMLOW  

Here is another one:

Footpath My **ahem**!: And Other Keen Observations Made by a Middle-Aged Woman Hiking the Appalachian Trail
by Terry Croteau
Link: http://a.co/bEGbGDA

[Baltoscott]

Diet Cults by Matt Fitzgerald

Lean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss by Georgie Fear

Mini Habits for Weight Loss by Stephen Guise.

An oldie but goodie ... The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

[lavabelle]

@GershonSurge I'm halfway through "Becoming Odyssa" Thank you so much for these recommendations, these inspirational stories are definitely some of my favorite to read. I love it when people challenge themselves and the status quo...it makes me want to get out there and join them 🙂

Thanks again!!!

[GershonSurge]

@lavabelle,

Be sure to read the description before you buy this book. Ruth Heidreich was 47 years old in 1982 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Well, she beat the cancer and won gold medals in over 1,000 ironman triathlons and marathons. She is still running strong.

A Race for Life: A Diet and Exercise Program for Superfitness and Reversing the Aging Process
by Ruth Heidrich
Link: http://a.co/0wPIRme

[Daves_Not_Here]

Hi @lavabelle -- great topic and thanks for starting it!

You have already mentioned Change Or Die .  For those who haven't read it, the title is misleading/provocative  -- the author provides evidence that when given a choice to change behavior to avoid certain death, most choose death -- change is that hard.  He then goes on to demonstrate how people who have made lasting change have done it.  He gives the 3 R's formula for change:  Repetition of a new behavior prior to the mind's acceptance of it, Relationships with others who already live the desired change, and Reframing of thinking and attitudes that follow (not lead) the repetitive action.  In other words, actions before thoughts and words.

Another recommendation that many thought leaders cite as the most life-changing book they have read is The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle.  It is available in audiobook format in the author's voice.  I recommend audio as the text is fairly dense, and it's easy to miss nuances if you are a speed-skimmer like me.

[lavabelle]

@GershonSurge I finished "Becoming Odyssa" What a great read. My sister does ultra marathons and I saw so much of her in Jennifer Davis. Thanks for the recommendation, I truly enjoyed it 🙂 This recommendation has led me to read other books on the Appalachian Trail, such a great trail, and this was my first time hearing about it. I live in Western Canada and I wish we have a 2000 miles trail I could walk near here. I've been really toying with the idea of doing an extended walk, and the Camino de Santiago in Europe keeps coming to my mind 🙂 but the Apalachian Trail would be much closer 🙂 We have really wonderful hiking here too, but nothing beyond 200km really...that I know of. I also think walking across Canada would be pretty awesome... which is about 5000 km 🙂 My sister traveled the world to do her ultra marathons...Costa Rica sounds kind of nice...

I also read Ruth story "A Race for Life" and I have concluded she is definitely one person I would love to meet. She sounds like such an interesting person. I read you also cured an incurable disease with your diet...I'm fascinated!!

@Baltoscott I am waiting for your recommendation to become available at my library, looking forward to reading them 🙂 thanks again for making recommendations.

@Daves_Not_Here I am currently digesting "The power of Now"... I can see how impactful a book like this would be...I've finished reading it, but I keep going back to some of the sections and digging deeper...thanks a million for this suggestion. It has been on my to read list for a while, glad I was able to get it done 🙂

[Esya]

@Daves_Not_Here

I read this quote at work yesterday and it is so apt for your post:

"It is easier to 'act' yourself into a new way of thinking, than to 'think' yourself into a new way of acting."

[AngelaLifman]

Yes, I also really liked the book "Becoming an Odyssa".

[BobbyMilligan]

I agree, I also read this book, though a long time ago. I think it will need to be re-read in the near future. I'll start soon. Now I'm just finishing Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. I really like it, especially the plot. I even wrote a small essay on the topic. With this of mice and men essay I figured out the hidden meanings of the book. And my work turned out great. If you want to read it, please contact me, I will be glad.

[LionLady]

"Younger Next Year" or "Younger Next Year for Women" by Harry S. Lodge, MD and Chris Crowley. When I decided I needed to take charge of my health and fitness, reading the second book got me on track and feeling awesome. Written in basic relatable English, not med speak. 

[TysonBarkman]

good job, thx

[evanmurray]

Books are the really one of the best source of knowledge, learning and even to stay motivated as you have said in about conversation. I think the role of books in the formation and development of a child's personality in the modern world should not be underestimated. Your personal parental example of a person who reads books at home will probably be the most powerful motivation for a child to love reading. Also, our teachers strongly advise parents to read books even via online sources i.e kitabnagri(.)pk together at home with children - this establishes a strong emotional bond in the family, forms a trusting and creative atmosphere and, perhaps, is the best in terms of the value of spending time with the child. Anyways, may be someone will not agree with me but everyone has its own views. Thanks for sharing the nice piece of stuff with us.

[DavideFitbit]

Excellent topic, and great recommendations everyone! 

Thank you for sharing that @evanmurray, I've always tried to teach my nephew the importance of reading and it has worked out great. He loves reading and he's only 10 years old. He reads more than me now. 😅