Hit me with your book recommendations for living a healthy life, please!

[Tiredanddistracted]

So, now that Christmas is over, I feel a bit like a person waking up from a coma, if that coma was formed primarily of cheese and cream.

I feel, to put it bluntly, like utter shit. Physically exhausted, achy of joint and wobbly of flesh. I'm practically carrying my stomach over one shoulder when I go up the stairs to bed every night.

To make it clear, this isn't an 'I've overindulged and have a couple of pounds to lose before I get back into my crop top" kind of situation. I'm very overweight and, barring some dips in and out, have been for most of my adult life.

I've done SW and WW and, for reasons I wont get into, would rather not go there again. But I would like some inspiration on being healthier, eating to nourish myself and, possibly, being a little more like a competent adult in other areas of my life too.

If anyone knows of any healthy lifestyle books that focus around this area, please hit me with your recommendations so I can unfuck my health and my life!

Thank you!

I was just going to recommend the documentary on Netflix about the Blue zones (not sure if this is the same as the live to 100 series?). It’s all about wellbeing and living a good, happy, connected life - not about getting a six pack etc. Really interesting and all about sustainable changes. Dan Buettner is the journalist behind the programme - he does a 7 day reset plan online that you can buy or there are lots of free resources too.

I came on to suggest Just One Things by Michael Mosley but see someone's already done so. I'm reading the book and have also downloaded the podcasts. Lots of small changes, explained simply, that can be incorporated into daily life to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. Definitely worth a look.

If you are looking for new, healthy recipes is can recommend the Dr's Kitchen Books. thedoctorskitchen.com/

There are 5 things you need to live a healthy lifestyle.

1. Eat a varied healthy diet. You don't need a book to tell you what healthy food is. You're an adult so you know.

2. Take regular exercise. Choose something that YOU enjoy. Never mind what other people are doing. I'm a trail runner but have a friend who aided a three stone weight loss with hula-hooping. It doesn't matter, just move.

3. Get plenty of sleep. Nothing to add.

4. Drink water. You don't need to tote a giant water bottle about with you all day or be running for a pee every half hour, like people seem to do. Just make sure you're hydrated.

5. This is a biggy and the tallest order of all. Avoid stress or find a way to decompress. I tend to go for a run. Other people take a bath. Stress is a major factor in ailing physical and mental health.

You don't need a guide book just trust yourself. It's conviction and willpower you want, not someone else's plan for £14.99.

I lost a great deal of weight and got fit without a single diet guru or product. I did it because I wanted to and like you, I knew what I had to do. Good luck. xx

Is this a book title or a bizarre insult?! 😂

Atomic habits by James Clear. Not about a healthy lifestyle specifically but about creating new habits and getting rid of old ones that don't serve you. Easy to read and potentially life changing

Built to Move is brilliant if you're feeling a bit creaky and want to do something about it.

Anything by Dr Megan Rossi. All her books are based on the scientific research she has personally conducted (unlike many other nutrition/health gurus, who are leap-frogging off other people's work, and often misinterpreting it). Her books are very easy to read, and contain simple strategies, and recipes.

I really need this thread. I've ordered a wellness journal to try and instill some good habits and erase old ones. Some podcasts will be good too.

Great thread, I'm a big reader and in need of serious inspiration so will look up some of these and welcome any other suggestions!

Just One Thing ebook is only 99p today on the Google Play bookstore

Waiting for atomic habits from the library. I completely changed my eating this year and now need to get organised and stop putting everyday simple tasks on the perpetual long finger. Something that is really true for food and everything else is : discipline gives you freedom.it will feel so good to be rid of the crap. Promise. Best of luck OP.

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you so much for all of the recommendations and the advice too - some of it really resonated with me.

I'm reading the 4 Pillar Plan at the moment- I do agree with the PP who made the very valid point that I already know what to do, but there's something about a book that seems to motivate me. Something psychological that a cleverer person than me could probably explain. However, most of the advice slots in nicely with what I already knew, so I guess it all works out.

I'm going to eat/drink/live for health and trust that the weight will hopefully go along with it. God knows, prescriptive diets aren't working for me. I've been on a diet for most of my adult life and I'm fat and knackered, basically.

I'm going the whole food route, avoiding ultra processed stuff for the most part. Also keeping a lid on sugar. I think, knowing my tendency to go hard and then putter out, I'm aiming for manageable, reasonable choices.

Today I made wholemeal soda bread, which I love doing and haven't done for over a year. I had a couple of slices with mozzarella, rocket, tomato and basil and some olive oil drizzled on top. Hardly low in calories but lovely and I feel like I've done something nice for myself. For dinner, I'm doing a kind of Persian salmon thing - my favourite cuisine and, again, I've not made anything from it for years. I don't know why!

Drinking water, no sweeteners in my tea, nice long walk with the dog earlier. Feeling good!

If nobody minds, I might update this from time to time to keep myself accountable. Feel free to do the same, if youre in the same boat as me right now.

Thanks again, all!

Sounds like a great start @Tiredanddistracted !

I used to sneak to McDonalds for my treat lunches on my days off when everyone else was at work. Now I will buys something special but healthy, like garlic prawns on some homemade bread or make an italian chicken pesto salad. My DH has started copying me now and having a steak sandwich instead of a frozen pizza on his days off.

Good luck on sticking with it. I find journalling also helps me stay on track and think about my choices.

😂
Fast like a girl is a book @coffeeisthebest

Good luck to you all.

I’ve lost about a stone by sleeping better, eating a bit better and working out how to de stress. My exercise has stayed the same.
It’s taken over a year. I plan to continue…

Sounds like a good start OP. I may have a look at that book .

Great start OP! You are absolutely right to make this about health and feeling good rather than about weight.