Fresh Start Fitness

There are some books, movies, and TV shows that have influenced my fitness journey. Let me know yours in the comments!

1. “The Biggest Loser” (season 20). I get why this show is controversial and I’m not saying it hasn’t made mistakes. But in season twenty, I saw a more consorted effort to include mental health coaching, nutrition coaching, and a kinder approach to physical training. I loved watching one of the trainers, Erica Lugo, who was formerly 320 pounds and experienced her own weight loss transformation before joining the show. Her story stayed in the back of my mind even before I started thinking about pursuing weight loss or a career in fitness.

2. “Brittany Runs a Marathon” (movie) is based on a true story: a young woman living in NYC is not taking care of her physical health or mental health. She does not value herself in relationships. After a doctor tells her she needs to lose weight to be healthy, she puts on her Converse high-top All-Stars and runs half a block in her pajama pants. The movie shows her progression inside and out as she trains for the New York City marathon.

3. “Spirit of the Marathon” is a documentary showing six runners as they train for the Chicago marathon. They are motivated by different reasons, with differing backgrounds and abilities, but all training for the same race.

4. “Marathon Woman” by Katherine Switzer. She was the first woman to register and run an official marathon and faced incredible adversity as she blazed the trail for women in sports. Did you know that women were previously not permitted to run marathons for fear that their uterus would fall out?

5. “Fitness Stuff for Normal People” (podcast). For the most part, podcasts do not hold my attention. But this one was entertaining as well as informative and kept me interested in learning the science behind various fitness trends and myths.

6. “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson. This book changed my life. Manson convinced me that facing adversity in my life is good for me and ultimately makes me a better, happier person. Plus, I’m immature and thought it was a real good time to read the “F” word on a page 50 million times. Truly life-changing philosophy, talented writing, and highly entertaining.

7. “The Athlete Inside” by Sue Reynolds. Amazing, beautiful, inspiring story about a 60-year-old obese grandmother losing two hundred pounds and transforming herself into an elite triathlete.

8. “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle. Girl-power vibes to inspire you to live your best life, for YOU. Good one for moms who struggle with motherhood as martyrdom.