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Embracing Diabetes
Type One Determination is a memoir and self-help book written to help those with Type 1 Diabetes understand their bodies better and help them gain control over their health. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I grew up in a rigid healthcare system and I found a way to thrive outside of it with personalized knowledge and stepping up my self-sufficiency game. Diabetes is a unique disease that can change how a person feels about their body and their future overnight. I had a rough start diagnosed as a kid with big responsibilities weighed down by a bad attitude. My experiences are a testament to what we face but also what we are capable of because of our daily challenges. By embracing diabetes, I found the missing ingredients that drove me to take ownership over my life. In the book, I provide tips and tools that can open up the possibilities for people living with diabetes, their families, and inspire diabetes professionals to become more effective educators.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Nutrition and exercise are complex subjects in diabetes and I wanted to master a method of action to improve my health. Along the way, I realized that if I didn’t change my attitude and thinking to an optimistic mindset, I would be stuck in the unhealthy cycle that I was in. I needed to find who I was under the stigma and unmotivating advice that didn’t fit, and start making better decisions. Diabetes runs deep emotionally, requiring extra mental and spiritual care. These factors became important in my self-discovery and crucial elements to uplift.
What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
The realization that I had to become the person I needed most when I was a teen is how I became a fitness instructor and diabetes educator. Even then, I’m not sure my angry young self would listen to this positive older me! If I was willing to listen, operative words could’ve helped me channel my frustration into a positive direction. I did not want to hear that someday, everything would be okay; I needed encouragement to believe that I could be more than a kid with diabetes and feel confident that an intelligent warrior woman was inside of me.
Another idea: “Ride your bike hard. NOW!” Might have worked.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
Through nutrition, exercise, and attitude, life with diabetes can be upgraded far beyond the historic perception of a sad diagnosis. It is up to us to choose a path of perseverance through knowledge, courage, and ironlike determination.
Author Links: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website
—M. Jennifer Abuzzahab MD, pediatric endocrinologist
There are over 460 million people on the planet living with diabetes. Many of us are diagnosed young and raised within a rigid healthcare system based on blood tests, food rules, and fear.
A life of pokes and injections is no walk in the park but growing up knowing almost nothing about taking care of yourself is the ultimate puncture wound.
In a world filled with countless temptations, what do you do when you feel hopeless, when no one is listening, or when the act of improving your health seems impossible?
You do the only thing left that doesn’t require a prescription:
You take over.
In this book, Lauren Plunkett offers a revolutionary look from her perspective of a patient, certified diabetes care & education specialist, and registered dietitian.
Inside this book, find:
strategies for becoming more self-sufficient as a person living with type 1 diabetes
tools for healing physically and mentally through strategic nutrition
methods for exercising safely and confidently
and reference articles and digital resources to take hands-on action
By embracing the challenges of diabetes as individuals, we become commanders of our health.
Through the interactive science of blood sugar, insulin, nutrition, and exercise, we acquire lifelong skills to become our best and brightest advocates.
Part memoir, part science-based adventure in nutrition and exercise, Type One Determination tells the story of the author’s life with T1D and how she grew up to become a fiery example of drawing strength from disease.
Addicted to Health
In her book Addicted to Health: Going with God to Break Free from a Health-Obsessed Culture, Victoria P. Davis preaches about healthy eating and healthy living in a different way. The author talks about societal norms, dieting, good health fused with faith and belief in God. The content in this book is far from the usual health advice that we read about every day. Victoria P. Davis shares proven ways in which readers can lead a healthy and fulfilling life.
Victoria P. Davis invites readers into her world, and shares her wins, challenges and the battles she has fought. She uses examples from her interactions with family and friends to show how God has been faithful to her and why it is possible to beat every challenge in life if you have faith. For someone that battled and won the fight with Tourette’s Syndrome, skin issues, and hormonal imbalances among other things, Victoria P. Davis sure is an inspiration to many. Her life is a true testament to the fact that nothing is impossible if you are determined.
One thing stands out in this inspirational self-help book; it is how she writes about the various topics and blends mini-topics in every chapter. Addicted to Health has three parts, each covering crucial topics that are somehow related. The first part of the book covers topics on health addiction, health obsession and different views on health. In the second part of the book, Victoria P. Davis tells her story and gets personal. There is a lot to learn just by reading stories of people that have gone through challenges that not many openly talk about. Victoria P. Davis’s writing style shows her compassion for others and their unique situations. When reading about steps to freedom and leading others to freedom, one can realize that the author is a kind soul that does not mind helping those in need.
Addicted to Health will restore your faith in humanity even as you work on your healthy living. The author’s words will also help you live righteously. The text in the book is well written and arranged in a meaningful and easy to follow manner.
Pages: 139 | ASIN : B096L68VL9
Information That Will Actually Help
Beat Your Weight Beat Your Fat provides guidance and actionable advice readers can use to lose weight, live healthy, and keep the weight off. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The health, fitness and dieting world is a mess. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry that’s dominated by false promises and quackery wrapped around slick marketing, prose, and/or desirable figures and looks in order to tempt the desperate to part with their money.
Sadly, it works really well at lining people’s coffers, but I’ve grown so tired and annoyed at it all and I just felt utterly compelled to give people information that will actually help and that will last.
I appreciated all the great realistic advice you provided in the book. What are the first steps someone can take on their weight loss journey?
Stop looking for magic.
Realise that there is no quick fix that lasts long term, so commit to change and the long haul.
Nurture your tenacity.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about weight loss?
I think the biggest misconception is that you can implement something temporarily in order to achieve your desired condition indefinitely. You can’t. You must change. And you must change in a way that’s agreeable to you so it stays permanent.
This is book two in your Body & Soul Series. What can readers expect in book three?
Exercise is what’s planned for book three. Beat Your Weight briefly touches on some of the reasons as to why exercise is good for us, but it doesn’t cover how. Book three will fill that gap with both the theory and practice.
Author Website: LifeGroup.life
There are so many weight loss books, diets, and plans now that disguise this fact, inventing new ways to wrap this basic fact up in a disguise in order to sell us something that looks shiny and new. But very little is new. It’s simply food group restriction (which results in a calorie restriction), and this commonality between diets of restricting food groups works for losing fat, but there’s a problem. And that problem is that the restricted food group can often be something that we like. So, sometime later, either after we achieve our chosen weight or when we’ve got tired of the restriction, we start eating the food group again. This, inevitably, results in us relapsing on our goals, gaining back fat and becoming overweight and obese again because we never actually learned how to fix the problem in the first place. We then often enter the yo-yo dieting phase where we go from one diet to the next in the hope that this one be the golden chalice and have the keys to the kingdom. Sadly, many of us end up stuck, confused, even resigned, only just managing the will to jump on the next hype train that tells us that losing fat can be easy.
Losing fat is never going to be easy though, nor is it going to be permanent if we keep jumping from one diet to the next due to not fully getting on-board with it. We don’t want to be doing stuff like this. We want to find a method that aligns with us, because finding a method that we like and can therefore stick to for good is how our fat problems remain fixed for good.
Keeping the Weight Off
The What IF? Diet Plan takes readers through your dieting journey and how intermittent fasting changed your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I love this question because my book was born from the anger I felt towards the health/diet industry AND the freedom I experienced when I discovered intermittent fasting (IF) and began questioning my beliefs about health. For most of my life I struggled to lose weight by following guidance from popular coaches and health professionals, but could never stick to the regimes they touted. When I finally did manage to lose 100 pounds at one point, I was miserable because I was obsessed with food, exercise, and keeping the weight off. Once I had three kids and a full-time career in my mid-thirties, I gained the weight back and felt I just had to accept it – which wasn’t the case.
I felt that it was important to write this book because I know what it’s like to feel frustrated and confused about what, when, and how much to eat. I know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in my own skin. And to be successful in every aspect of my life except my eating habits and weight issues.
I felt it was important because I know how lonely and maddening this can all be, and I wanted to do my small part to let others know that they are not alone and they are not crazy!
What do you feel is a common misconception people have about dieting?
A common misconception people have about dieting is that it is not supposed to be restrictive, expensive, or difficult. Plus, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to diet. In fact, the earliest meaning of the word diet was “way of living,” which means a diet should be something that comes to us naturally and fits in with our personal lifestyle.
What is the first step someone can take to start their weight loss journey?
I believe that limiting the timeframe in which you eat to a 12-hour daily window is a good first step for beginners. This small shift can help you be more cognizant of when you’re eating and to pay attention to your hunger cues. It also allows you to reap some of the benefits of fasting, since your body should be getting a break from digesting food for the 12-hours you are not eating.
I also recommend that people stop focusing on the scale when losing weight. Although this may seem counterintuitive, the number on the scale is actually a horrible predictor of our health and can sabotage our efforts. Instead, focus on implementing small, doable healthy changes that fit in with your personal lifestyle every few weeks, and weight loss will follow.
I appreciated all the tips in this book because they felt achievable. What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I am so glad that you felt my tips were achievable because that’s exactly what I hope that readers take away from my book. I want them to realize that living a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t be an endeavor. It is possible to charge of our health and lose weight without sacrificing ourselves in the process.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
I’ve struggled with weight and hunger issues ever since childhood and always thought there was something wrong with me, or I had a “slow metabolism,” or I was just “big-boned.”
Turns out my body was completely normal and responding to learned eating habits, making it impossible to hear my body’s natural hunger cues. Once I started questioning my beliefs around food, body image, and culture, my world shifted!
I stopped obsessing over food, quit going to the gym, gained mental clarity, had more energy, and lost 50 pounds in the process.
Join me as I take you through my personal journey of weight gain, fad dieting, poor body image, and how discovering intermittent fasting changed my life exponentially! You will also learn:
– Why you feel hungry all the time, even after you’ve just eaten
– The simple process you can use to adapt intermittent fasting into your own lifestyle without sacrificing your personal values
– Tools you can use to shift your thinking and make your personal goals more attainable
– Tips for making intermittent fasting even easier
So, if you’re ready to take control of your health and get off the dieting hamster wheel, read my story and make The What IF? Diet Plan work for you.
The What IF? Diet Plan
![The What IF? Diet Plan: Transform your body and mind through intermittent fasting by [Alexis Cano]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/417vnR6+FNL.jpg)
I enjoyed reading Alexis Cano’s The What IF? Diet Plan: Transform your body and mind through intermittent fasting’ because not only was she talking to mothers, but to everyone who at some point has had an issue with their body. The motherhood experiences shared in the book were interesting to read and made one understand just how much of a struggle weight issue is for women who both have or do not have kids. Reading this book is one amazing experience that gets one carried away with the stories.
The author starts the book by explaining to readers what The What IF? Diet Plan is and I liked this discussion as it gives the reader an idea of what Alexis Cano will talk about in the book. Alexis Cano’s personal history with food, her weight journey, and how she tried intermittent fasting was eye opening. Through her experiences, one learns that no matter how hard things are, it does not hurt to try. Everyone’s experience with food is different and in her book, Alexis advises everyone to first understand their bodies before jumping on any diet plan. By knowing what your body can take or reject, you are in a better place of choosing what you can consume and knowing what portions to eat.
There are several important topics covered in the book. Some topics that had me intrigued were about why restricting calories does not work, the power of hormones, how different meals like breakfast, lunch, and supper work in the body, and tuning one’s fasting. Know what science says about the intake of water when thirsty versus intake of soda? The author has a full discussion lined with facts. The author also talks about myths and weight experiences that people pass around as facts. Reading this book makes you see that there is a lot of misinformation out there about food and weight issues. The author talks to people that want to either add or shed some weight.
I appreciate the author for not only talking about the body but also touching on the mind. Mental health is as important as physical health. Whatever we consume affects both the mind and the body. Alexis Cano is a brilliant author. She has a way with words and can easily convince one to adapt to a new, healthier lifestyle. The author also provides health tips and explains how best to adapt to a unique diet. What I like most about Alexis Cano’s writing is that the discussions in the book felt grounded in reality and felt achievable. She does not sugarcoat anything and tells it as it is. She gives bitter truths and openly talks about eating habits that are harmful to the body. Reading this book will not only help you achieve your desired body, but will also have you work on your goals while being in a better state of mind.
Pages: 129 | ASIN: B08K4RM5RJ
Physical Fitness: XBX 12-Minute Plan for Women
Physical Fitness XBX 12-Minute Plan for Women is a short book that provides an exercise program for women who are over 20. Each age group has a suggested length they should spend on each workout. Useful information on reasons why someone should be fit, weight control, and how exercising can change how you feel physically are also provided. In addition to tips, there are also charts that provide which exercises a woman needs to complete and how many for how long. There is also a useful chart to fill out goals and progress.
This book was a quick and interesting read. One of my favorite parts of the book was that it gave pointers on how to exercise by not exerting oneself and taking it slowly. Another part I loved was that they cautioned people, who may not be able to exercise, to consult with their doctor. It is important to note this because not everyone is on the same health or abilities level. Exercise should not hurt, and people should stretch beforehand as well as take it slow. That is why the author suggests a certain amount of days on each workout as well as not trying to get all the exercises done in the amount of time if you struggle with it in the beginning. I think it is great to tell people to slowly build up their workout routine rather than trying to rush and possibly harm themselves. While it seems like there are a lot of exercises to do in a short amount of time, the book does state to do them at your own pace and continue to work toward the goal. Do not get overwhelmed or be intimidated. It is important to not hurt or strain yourself.
I also like that there are charts to show you what exercises to do, how long to do them, and how many to do. The chart was a little confusing at first but easily understood with the explanation. The pictures in the book are very useful. Not many people, myself included, would know what some of the exercises were. Additionally, with each increase in the charts, new steps are added to the exercises. The illustrations show exactly how the exercise should be completed and really help with any confusion. Finally, if you have a physical copy of the book, it gives you spaces to write goals and where you are. So if you have a specific goal to meet weight wise, you can write it in the book.
There were a couple of things I would have liked to see. For instance, the author mentions how research indicates certain aspects of health and exercise, but it would give it more credibility with references. The book mentioned healthy eating, as such, I think it would have been better to include more detail on this topic. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who would be interested in looking to help with their sedentary lifestyle.
Pages: 100 | ISBN: 1910843008
Gain Weight… Lose Your Mate
![Gain Weightâ¦Lose Your Mate by [Turner, Carl]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41CH8DOp61L._SY346_.jpg)
Life happens. We all know this and generally don’t have to be reminded of this truth. Along with the rigors of work, family, and relationships come changes in metabolism and eating habits. Women seem to bear the brunt of these changes with weight gain following the transition into marriage and motherhood. Make no mistake about it, women are well aware of the changes their bodies undergo, and they are hyper aware of the impact their weight gain has on relationships and their overall health. Whether women work to lose weight or not, they don’t need reminding that their bodies are changing in ways they may not necessarily like.
Carl Turner’s Gain Weight…Lose Your Mate examines the tendency of women to gain weight and focus less on maintaining the size they were upon entering the relationship with their mate or spouse. Turner spends a significant amount of time examining men’s awe regarding their girlfriends’ and wives’ seeming unwillingness to lose weight following childbirth. Though I understand some of the reasoning Turner sets forth, he focuses rather relentlessly on the desire men have to see their wives lose the baby weight.
Another aspect of Turner’s writing lies in the fact that he relates men’s feelings to the physical appearance of their wives and girlfriends. According to the author, there is a certain level of happiness most men feel as a direct result of their wives’ physical appearance, and that level of happiness is negatively impacted by their choices not to pursue exercise and healthier eating habits.
Peppered throughout Turner’s book are scenarios and examples of couples coping with the woman’s weight gain. Turner presents these situations in order to better illustrate his point but succeeds only in making men look more and self-centered. In once such scenario, Turner introduces a brief scene in which one man tells his wife that he will leave his wife alone with their children if she keeps her weight as is and doesn’t find a way to drop the extra weight she gained after having the two children. Sharing this story would have been effective had Turner used it to explain the selfishness behind the man’s comments. However, Turner goes on to explain that men don’t care what their mates eat as long as their weight/appearance is not negatively affected in their opinions.
Turner does include research-based measures and manages to warn readers of the consequences of obesity and the ensuing health conditions which result from overeating and failing to exercise regularly.
Turner’s writing style is straightforward and polished. Overall, I am mortified by the tone taken by the author and feel the writing lacks solid advice to rectify an issue rather than pointing out that there is a problem. His point of view is well crafted and easily understood.
Pages: 140 | ASIN: B079K5D4FY
He’s Obsessed With Her
Randi Perrin Author Interview
Char is an intriguing character that I felt I could relate to. What were some driving ideals behind her character?
I strive to make my characters believable. That’s why none of my characters are without flaws. I’ve written characters with depression, characters with insecurity issues, snarky characters, and even whiny over-dramatic characters, but when it came to Char, her flaws were my own. Every character I write has a little bit of me in them. Char, however, has a lot of me in her. It wasn’t intentional, but it worked. Everyone seems to relate to Char. It not only makes me feel good as an author, but also as a person to know that so many people can relate to my own personal struggles as well.
I felt like the book did a good job of exploring self esteem issues. What were some themes that were important for you to write about?
As I mentioned earlier, Char’s very much me. Char’s self-esteem issues are my own. As someone who has struggled with weight my entire life, I also wanted to make that part of Char’s struggle as well. In early drafts, I had her intentionally losing weight. But I changed it because it didn’t feel right for her story. She needed to learn to be comfortable in her own body, as opposed to transforming her body to meet societal ideals. As Char says at the end, “she is not every girl,” so I felt it necessary to make sure she remained true to that through it all. I also wanted to breathe some fresh air into the idea of a relationship where he adores her for who she is as opposed to her having to evolve into some “ideal woman” to win his affection. He’s obsessed with her for who she is, not who she should become, and I felt that was a reminder we all need.
What is the next book that you are writing and when will it be available?
Well, you never know when I might sneak something out. You just have to follow my social media for that. However, I can tell you that my next scheduled release is a romantic comedy entitled All the Wrong Places that will be out in summer 2019. It was so much fun to write. It’s not as deep as Anticipating Temptation, nor was it written to be. It was just meant to be fun. It’ll be the perfect beach read.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Instagram
![Anticipating Temptation by [Perrin, Randi]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51wMTrOL1oL.jpg)
Char Brown is overweight and underappreciated. But at least she has a boyfriend and a job she enjoys.
Wait, scratch that. He just broke up with her. Over text. And told her to lose weight.
Overly self-conscious about herself and a classic introvert, Char isn’t sure what she’s got going for her anymore.
But Darryl Drummond sure does, and he’s insistent that she’s worth more than she thinks. The only thing he likes more than wine is Char, and he’s not going to relent until she notices. He’s a shrewd businessman and he didn’t get that way on hoping things worked in his favor.
Armed with a magazine column and a newfound appreciation for wine, love, and herself, can she recover from the bruises her ex left behind? Or will she be destined to live in the shadows of her own failures for good?
LITERARY TITAN 