Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes
by Tom Rath
narrated by Tom Rath
Missionday, 2013
4 hours and 36 minutes
source: purchased (during audible's latest BOGO sale)
Publisher's summary:
From the author of StrengthsFinder 2.0, How Full Is Your Bucket?, Strengths Based Leadership, and Wellbeing comes a beautifully produced audiobook and accompanying online application that will improve your health for years to come. While Tom's bestsellers on strengths and well-being have inspired more than 5 million people in the last decade, Eat Move Sleep reveals his greatest passion and expertise. Quietly managing a serious illness for more than 20 years, Tom has assembled a wide range of information on the impact of eating, moving, and sleeping.
Written and narrated by Tom Rath in his classic conversational style, Eat Move Sleep features the most proven and practical ideas from his research. Eat Move Sleep will help you make good decisions automatic -- in all three of these interconnected areas. With every bite you take, you will make better choices. You will move a lot more than you do today. And you will sleep better than you have in years. More than an audiobook, Eat Move Sleep is a new way to live.
My thoughts:
Our life spans are determined by the sum of our habits, and Tom Rath believes most of us can live to ninety or beyond. The author is not a doctor or medical professional, but rather a researcher and patient determined to share the information he has gathered.
We've all heard it before: You need to make healthy food choices, exercise, and get enough sleep. But when you take that advice to heart and really try to make some changes, the process can seem overwhelming. Where do you begin?
This little book does not offer much new information to anyone already tuned into these topics, but it does offer readers a variety of quick and easy measures to make your overall lifestyle healthier. Set up as a 30 day challenge, the idea is to read a short chapter each day and implement one of the specific challenge ideas presented.
Some challenges are simple (leave serving dishes in the kitchen rather than bringing them to the table), some require a little thinking (each morning, plan ahead to add activity to your daily routine), and others require a bit more effort (aim for 10,000 steps every day or 70,000 per week). This last challenge has convinced me I need a fitbit - if you want to increase activity, it's important to measure how much you move.
Though meant to be read over the course of a month, I listening to the whole book in just a couple of days (while walking). Without a doubt, its primary value is motivation.
You can get more information, view the entire 30 days of challenges, and access other helpful tools at Eat Move Sleep.
A note on audio production:
The author may not be the greatest narrator, but he knows his stuff.
Bottom line:
A great motivational resource that is worth listening to a second time.
My rating:
Thanks for your review JoAnn. This books sounds like a great one to have. I definitely need motivational pushes from time to time. This is also one I think I would enjoy listening to rather than reading.
ReplyDeletePat - Everyone can use a little motivation!
DeleteI still struggle with the exercise bit...Sounds like a good motivational book.
ReplyDeleteHarvee
Book Dilettante
Harvee - It really helps you think about a healthier lifestyle.
DeleteDo I ever need this! But why do I have to leave my serving dishes in the kitchen? I like my serving dishes!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, it's a portion control thing. It's not a pretty dishes thing. Never mind! :)
DeleteAudrey - I love my serving dishes, too.... just need to use them only once per meal though ;-)
DeleteI love books like this that give you common sense ideas and a kick in the butt. I'll have to see if my library has it.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn - Most of the tools are on the website, so you can take a look there even if your library doesn't have the book.
DeleteI find that I need to read these types of books one or twice a year to remind me why I am trying to make changes. Even if it is covered territory, if it inspires or encourages, it is worth reading. Sleep is the one I need to work on most. Followed closely by food, stress, and exercise. It's a never-ending battle :)
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye - And the battle is ongoing for me, too...
DeleteI like having a book like this to read a bit from each night--I need motivating sometimes and good ideas to try out. I am a big fan of RunKeeper. Setting a monthly walking goal has proved invaluable for getting fitter and staying on track. I am competitive enough that I can't bear to not meet my monthly walking goal.
ReplyDeleteJaneGS - I'm going to check out RunKeeper. Thanks!
DeleteTom is The Big Guy's cousin!
ReplyDeleteLisa - No way!! Very cool.
DeleteI might give this book a listen. It's nice to have a source of motivation when you really need it.
ReplyDeleteVasilly - I'll take motivation anywhere I can find it!
DeleteRath's books are very popular in Nebraska. He was born in Lincoln and is a senior advisor to Gallup, which is located here, as well. Strength Finders sells like hotcakes in our store and this new book is doing very well, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a fitbit, but my Nano records my steps. I need to wear it during the day at work since I'm sure I'm close to 10,000 steps/day. During the holidays, I was hitting 14,000 steps! I don't feel to guilty when I go home and sit for the rest of the evening. Too worn out to go for a walk for exercise! ;)
Les - So Rath is a local hero. Did you see in the comment above that he's Lisa's husband's cousin? I have no idea how many steps I take each day, but I'll bet there's an iPhone app to tell me ;-)
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