FitLit: Get Happy Edition
March 3, 2010 by Jenn
Regular workouts are essential to the FBGs keeping their upbeat, light-hearted tone and easy-going attitude. But all of us have struggled with feelings of insecurity, a lack of confidence and even sadness from time to time. We’re human after all! Although it’s unrealistic to try to be happy all the time (sometimes you just need a good cry, dammit!), we recently were sent these two get-happy books. Read on for our two emotional cents.
Add More ~ing to Your Life
This “Hip Guide to Happiness” instantly got our attention because, at first, I thought Whitney Port was on the cover, and The City is a serious guilty pleasure for me. Then I realized that it wasn’t my dear little Whitney; it was the author, Gabrielle Bernstein. And she was happily standing on a skateboard, in a little dress, looking totally peaceful on a busy NYC street. I immediately wanted to know what this “~ing” business was about.
A mix of urban and hippity-dippity, this modern, young and chic self-help book is both fascinating and inspiring. From her own personal experience, Bernstein created the “~ing Equation,” a 30-day repetition of physical activity, positive affirmations and creative visualization that turn negative thought patterns into constructive change. From releasing romantic illusions to stretching beyond your ego (I told you it was hippity-dippity!), getting your ~ing on can help you in a number of ways. For example, I started using it to find more balance in my life, quiet mind chatter and stop the insane desire to be perfect. And it’s working. This book gets one huge stamp of FBG approval!
The Serotonin Power Diet
Now here’s a book carb lovers will be able to get behind: The Serotonin Power Diet. This “diet” is all about harnessing the power of carbs to activate the production of serotonin, the appetite-suppressing, feel-good chemical. And we’re not just talking fruit and veggie carbs, either. The list of recommended snack carbs includes tempting but not too tempting items such as whole wheat English muffins, fat-free Fig Newtons, fat-free hot chocolate and granola bars. Two doctors—one PhD, one MD—put together their brain power and years of research to come up with this plan, which emphasizes that carbs are actually essential to weight-loss.
Making the food-mood connection, the doctors discuss how incorporating carbs can combat weight gain. They specifically tackle weight gain caused by the use of antidepressants, but it’s clear that this “diet” can be used by anyone who has struggled with emotional eating. My favorite quote? “Neither of us has ever encountered a client who claimed that hunger caused her or him to gain weight. And no one has ever told us that he or she stopped a diet because of unbearable hunger.” The real problem? When you keep eating after you’re full.
The Serotonin Power Diet includes a list of foods to keep handy in your kitchen, helpful FAQs at the end of chapters, and numerous strategies to combat emotional eating, including real-life scenarios and how to cope. Tons of recipes and snack ideas that fit the diet are also included, along with a strong push for exercise. If you’ve ever struggled with weight gain that you think is directly linked to your mood and emotional eating, this one’s worth a read!
In the wise words of The Partridge Family, c’mon get happy! —Jenn & Erin
I would love to read to Serotonin Diet. I suffer with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression and take anti depressants. I’m currently 9 months pregnant and terrified of what the post partum world holds for me- but I’m already looking forward to getting rid of the baby weight! Maybe I can kill 2 birds with one stone here…If I don’t win- I’ll be out buying it soon! Thanks! Love the blog as always!
I am very interested in the Serotonin Diet book. I have been working on a healthier lifestyle and losing weight for the past four months and something new always shakes things up. I struggle with emotional issues regarding my family, so if food can level out my levels of hormones, etc., that’s a definite plus!
Thanks!
Christie
The Serotonin Diet sounds amazing. I’ve become more conscious of food as more than simply a source of nutrition or way to “get full”, and have been looking into it in relation to hormones and mood. I’d love to become further educated, it sounds very informative. Thanks!
Much as I’m suspicious of diet books, it’s hard to argue with one that wants to make you happy!
As a self-proclaimed carb lover (and Atkins diet hater) and a vegetarian, lots of my favorite foods are carbohydrates. I am so interested in learning the best kinds of carbs to eat, and how to incorporate them into my busy and stressful student life. For years I struggled with emotional eating, but now that I am a vegetarian I feel like I am starting the journey to focus on WHAT I put in to my body instead of just the act of getting it there. This book sounds like the perfect tool to help me out and increase my awareness! I promise it would be much loved in my household.
I would love to read this book! I’m currently on antidepressants and have also gained some weight over the year that I’ve been taking them. I have been wondering if its related…so I think this book would be helpful!
So glad to know SOMEONE out there isn’t giving carbs (especially breads!) a bad wrap! The first change I made when giving myself a nutrition makeover was swapping refined carbs for whole-grain options. Incorporating more fresh produce, with the right balance of protein and carbs into my daily nutrition plan, coupled with help of a personal trainer, I’ve lost 50 pounds in 13 months – and NEVER gave up my bread items
Wow…what a change…would love to read how carbs is a good thing in weight management!!!
I would LOVE to win this book. Just this past December I was diagnosed with Anxiety/Panic attacks. The docs wanted to put me on meds because I was unable to control the panic episodes…it literally felt like I was dieing…melting into the floor, full out heart attack, unable to breathe, everything spinning, etc. They perscribed me with a 20 mg tablet of an antidepression medication (which is what they give for anxiety as well). The meds were way too mood altering and they made me feel strange. Instead I overhauled my life completely.
I began taking Vitiman D3 suppiments, walking my dog every single day, eating healthy, and exercising 5 days a week. Since January 1st I have lost a total of 21 lbs. and I am anxiety free. The release of serotonian has enabled me to live my life without major panic attacks and without relying on medication for daily function. I would love to read this and find out what else I can do to improve my life from here on out.
I still have about 20 to 30 lbs. to lose.
I am pretty sure I am a prototype for what it means to be an emotional eater! I was already looking into ordering this book when I noticed the giveaway. In other words, please, please, please, pick me!
I have always been an emotional eater. I am now aware of it, and can sometimes avoid it, but it creeps back in when I’m at my most vulnerable. I would love to read this book to find out how to change my diet to help me get things under control, and possibly get off my anti-depressant meds (that I KNOW have caused weight gain!).
I would love to read the -ing book!!
I take 5HTP which is suppose to improve your serotonin levels. Works for me.
I’m a big Judith Wurtman fan. I think I’ve tried all the non-med fixes to get happier, but never in an organized way. I just refuse to take meds for happiness! Love to read this book! Thanks!
I love the idea of getting happier through diet and fitness. I think I keep looking for happiness in the wrong places, like sugar and chick flicks
Would love to win the book and learn more!
I would love to win this book.. I have Fibromyalgia and that causes some major depression. Thanks!
I really could use this book, I want to deal with the depression without drugs. I’ve been dealing with anxiety attacks and was put on very low doses of meds, but the less meds the better. They help somethings, but cause other side effects, and who needs more side effects?
And…I’m an offical PartridgeHead (sorry Jimmy Buffett!) so any time you tell me to \Come On, Get Happy\ it’s going to get my attention! ;o)
Would love to check this book out. I am always willing to try out new diets!!
I’d love to try this diet book! Sounds good.
I would love to read this book. I am interested in a healthy diet that actually promotes carbs! I’ve worked 2 years to get and stay healthy and this would be an interesting read.
Me! Me! I want! No, I NEED!