Now that we’re one month into the new year, I thought it would be a great idea for everyone to take inventory of their progress toward their health and fitness New Year’s Resolutions. Some of you may feel like your motivation is waning, and your enthusiasm is wearing off.

So, over the next couple of weeks, I am going to be sharing a few book recommendations with you, that may help get you back on track toward your goals to achieve a new you, or just keep you informed on how best to achieve a healthy lifestyle. 

With Valentine’s Day approaching, let’s think books over chocolate when thinking of what to get your mom, sister, best friend, or even yourself! Okay, maybe a small box of chocolates, because we are women, and I certainly can’t preach what I am not willing to practice! A girl needs some chocolate now and then! (Especially after her team loses the Super Bowl, but I’ll save “Chocolate As An Antidepressant” for another article.)

Today, I’m highly recommending Randy Jackson’s book Body With Soul. Randy is the famous music producer and American Idol judge who, despite all his fame and fortune, still struggled with obesity and diabetes before getting gastric bypass surgery to help him lose weight.

The best thing about this book is the message he based the title on. He doesn’t separate the body from a person’s inner self. He stresses the importance of doing the emotional work of learning the “why” behind your overeating and then incorporating what you learn into any diet plan you choose, and not solely relying on a gastric surgery to cure the weight problem. 

He truly seems to understand the incredible struggle it is for many people to lose weight and is not promoting a fad diet, but rather a change in mindset and dietary lifestyle.

Randy has not lost touch with the reality of living with weight issues as an average person without the financial resources he has, and he draws on his Southern roots and upbringing to relate his lifelong struggle with weight to others’ family cultures and economic constraints where eating and exercise habits are concerned. He is especially interested in confronting the problem of childhood obesity.

I’m always impressed by celebrities who have more money than they could spend in a lifetime, but who still take the time to help others benefit from what they have learned. Sure, Randy is making money on the book, but the guy isn’t hurting for cash, and he probably could have made twice the amount by producing one more song or record with a great singer. Instead, he takes the time to write a book to share his knowledge to help others who are going through a struggle he completely understands, and that spirit of caring truly comes across in the book.  

Even for those without a true weight problem, this is an interesting and educational read!