Book of the Month: Fit & Firm Forever

If you've ever wanted to improve your health and fitness but lacked motivation to carry it through, I'd like to let you know about Fit & Firm Forever, a new book by Walkley Award-winning health writer, Paula Goodyer.

If you read any newspaper in Australia, you're probably familiar with Paula's pertinent articles and her hugely popular blog with The Age; Chew on This.

Paula has written several newspaper articles about my research and I'm always impressed with the way she not only gets the scientific facts in her stories straight, she also writes about them in the context of broader public health recommendations. Whereas many newspaper health stories portray conflicting messages that can leave you feeling confused and de-motivated, Paula's perky articles leave you with a sense of clarity and purpose.

So when I learned that Paula had a new book, I was keen to read it. Little did I know that Fit & Firm Forever would change my whole attitude towards exercise, as you'll read in my feature article below.

If you're ready to be your physical best through menopause and beyond, then Paula's book is a must-read. You'll get all the facts, no fads, and a realistic and motivating plan that will send you running for your gym shoes.

In Fit & Firm Forever you will find:

• New scientific insight into how physical activity can delay biological ageing.

• Why physical activity will improve your appearance more effectively than any moisturizer on the market or any brand of expensive clothes. In times of economic uncertainty, I find this very comforting.

• The scientific basis for why not exercising is simply not an option at the age of 45+. The way Paula presents this eye-opening information is both scary and motivating.

• The 30-second acid test that will tell you if you really need to shape up. When I did this test, the results shocked me to the core and contributed to my finally taking action.

• A vivid example of a wealthy woman in her 70s struggling with the accumulated effects of lack of exercise. This telling tale remains emblazoned in my mind and pushes me to do things I normally wouldn't.

• A step-by-step guide on what to expect when you start exercising to increase your strength, suppleness and stamina, including the reassuring fact that you may not like it in the beginning, and that's OK.

• Positive encouragement that will inspire you to enjoy a wide variety of wholesome foods.

• Recipes for to-die-for salad dressings that will have you begging for more salad.

To order your copy of my Book of the Month Fit & Firm Forever, click here.