I’m continuing to review “The Safe and Smart Internet Weight Loss Edge” book from Barbara Ling. Chapter 5 takes a look at exercise. Personally, I’ve been struggling to get enough exercise all my life. I never really enjoyed it, and I think a lot of that was looking at it like it was “work”. Don’t get me wrong, you need to put out energy to get the rewards, but it can be fun, and once you’re in the right state of mind, it stops becoming a chore.

One of the things that Barbara hits on is that exercise can be more of a mind game than anything. It’s true, when you change how you look at something, you’ll perceive it differently.

One reward I didn’t expect to get out of exercising was a new found pride. When I finish a good workout, I’m proud and my confidence soars. I truly didn’t expect that, but it happened quickly, and I still get that benefit everytime I go to the trainer!

In Chapter 5’s “Exercise, Smexercise” the author discusses how you can start slowly and still reap the benefits. Look, if I’m 100 pounds overweight, and I can exercise, you can too. I get a little stronger each day, and can do a little more. It takes time, but it doesn’t mean those slow starts aren’t going to help me. I look back to where I started a few months ago, and the progress is amazing.

She also suggests trying to walk inside, if you aren’t ready to walk outside. This is a true story, a few years ago I used to run. Do you know how I started? I did figure 8’s around my sofa and dining room until I got a treadmill. That’s right, your’s truly ran around my house, because I didn’t want to be in public doing it. I worked up to eventually running 40+ minutes on the treadmill. I stopped running after an illness sidelined me.

There are videos of all kinds, belly dancing, walking in place, tae-bo, and so many more. Find something that interests you and start moving! She also discusses strength training which is my favorite part of working out right now. I love doing strength-training! Who knew?

Try something new, and read about Barbara’s experience of being a 42 year old woman in a room full of kids at a karate center she joined!

Chapter 5 is the last “regular chapter” but there are still 70+ pages to this book full of resources, information and more. I’ll tell you more about them in my next post!

Chapter 4 of Fab Fit Mom’s e-book, “The Safe and Smart Weight Loss Edge” talks more about planning. It talks about finding the solution for you; customizing a plan you can stick to.  One of the first steps is not to set a time line. I can get behind this in a big way.

Honestly, I put so much pressure on myself, and once I let go of the time table, and gave myself the “gift of time”, the time to let me body work at it’s own pace, I lifted a lot of invisible weight off my shoulders. I didn’t expect to see results the “next day”, but knew that if I worked hard, and continue to work hard, the results will come…and they are. It also goes on to talk about making a commitment to yourself.

Barbara suggests joining communities for support, and offers a few for you, that she believes in.

One of the things discussed is looking at what’s important TO YOU, what will help you stick with a plan. Barbara found a formula that helped her. She knew she enjoyed soup, so that had to be a staple for her to stick with her plan. Maybe you are a big salad eater, or you love chicken, or you wouldn’t be satisfied without eggs in your plan.

This is all about working with things you like, and formulating a personalized, custom plan. What can you stick with long term. If somebody said you had to eat radishes forever, and you hate radishes, that isn’t working. See what I mean? If you happen to love carrots, than you’ll want to be sure to add those to your personal plan. Lightbulb moment, eh? Yes, choose things you enjoy, and you’ll stick with it longer.

I’m currently reading and reviewing Fab Fit Mom’s “The Safe and Smart Weight Loss Edge” e-book. Feel free to check out the previous 3 posts to learn about the earlier chapters and other information.

Chapter 3 talks about charting your path and lifestyle changes. She also gets into research and talks about infomercials. In the Infomercial section, I can’t wait to jump into a bunch of those links.  I love that there are rating sites, because I’m one of those who falls hook, line and sinker for some of those! Look, use common sense…and if you aren’t sure, check out reviews. That’s one of the best thing about the internet, all the reviews you can read! Real people, telling you real opinions. That’s something I love, because I research almost everything before I buy!

Barbara also shows you how to break down searching for something. For the newbie, this is valuable information. I’ve been online for ages and know how to search quickly and easily, but my mom on the other hand would find this kind of information super. It shows her how to find what she’s looking for.

On the topic of blogs, she mentions reading targeted blogs. I agree, reading other people’s success, struggles and more, helps me understand my own journey, as well as connect to others who are in similar situations. It’s a great community (bloggers) and a great way to network. Be sure to comment and let people know you stopped by!

It’s a simply tip, but one I agree with, “take notes”. Let’s face it, you’re going to come across a ton of information on your research, and if you want to remember those gems you pick up along the way, grab a notepad and start jotting!

Next she goes into your Basal Metabolic Rate along with other nutrition tidbits. She’s linked you to some good resources, since it isn’t her area of expertise. Again, I like how she’ll offer you resources so you can read more if you choose.

The Safe and Smart Weight Loss Edge, found over at FabFitMom.com is an e-book written by Barbara Ling. It comes packaged with some bonuses as well, so be sure to read the other pieces of the review. In fact, I’ll create a category for it, so it’s easier to find all the pieces together. Okay, now that that’s done I’m ready to take on Chapter 2.

In the topic of Legit Sources, it talks about no quick fixes, it also focuses on reminding you to there are legitimate sources to help you, and not to rely on those who are trying to sell you the quick fix dream. Don’t buy into someone else’s words, just because they are pretty. Be realistic, and use your head, do your research!

Let me ask you something, how badly do you want it? How badly do you want to be healthy and look and feel better. I used to use the expression, “I want it so badly I can taste it!” Of course, then I’d open a bag of chocolate chip cookies and taste them instead. See, saying it and meaning it are two different things. Chapter 2 looks at your desire to make a change. It wasn’t until I realized I had no “out”, and there were not going to be any easy answers. I could be fat for the next 40 years, or I could be fit. When I desperately and passionately realized my desire was to be healthier and meant it, I made change.

That’s where motivation comes in, and it’s the next topic in the Fab Fit Mom’s book “Safe and Smart Weight Loss Edge”. Let’s face it, without motivation, we wouldn’t budge. What is your true motivation?

You also have to look at your support system, and Barbara covers that topic as well. She also includes a massive list of resources that are great for support.

Journals are something I love. I’m a writer by heart, and blog all over the web. As you see, I blog here to journal my goals, changes, and struggles. Getting the words out lets you not only share your story and be encouraged, but also lets you see where you are emotionally. When I’m having a tough time, I can scroll through my journal and read some of the benefits I’ve gained. It puts things in perspective for me. What will it do for you? Again, she lists resources, so you can both read other journals, as well as write your own.

A very important topic that’s covered is when your support system changes. It’s a realistic look at what can happen, and will help you stay better prepared if the situation should occur.

The “Clever Helpers” section is gold. Read it, appreciate it, and keep reading. As for Sweetleaf, I’ve got to try that!

The Safe and Smart Internet Weight Loss Edge e-book, found at FabFitMom.com speaks to people, not by the voice of a textbook author, but by the voice of someone who has been there. She’s someone who took the time to find something that made a difference in her life. Barbara Ling, author of this e-book, along with the website FabFitMom.com is taking us on a journey with her, and filling you with information along the way.

It’s about learning to make a customized plan that will work for you, and offers you a tool kit to make it easier. There’s even a tutorial that is included near the end of the book. In the “Before You Begin” section, I love the statement about choosing to succeed. Barbara talks about “choosing not to have time for the gym” before she started her quest to a healthier lifestyle. I know that well. I know how many excuses I’ve made. I have to be honest, I didn’t want to put the time, work and effort into it. I was tired! I’m finally choosing to succeed, and choosing to make time for the gym, and I’m finally succeeding. There’s much more to the equation though, so let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

You must read “A Reason is Worth a Thousand Words”. I shook my head agreeing, yeah, I get it. I know…a reason. It’s like diabetes, or as she brings up, smoking…we know the answers, we just put off what we “need” to do. We don’t feel like it, or we have a reason, or an excuse. You need a reason, a true reason, a reason that speaks to you…a reason that will help you finally make that change. She uses an expression that I live by…basically, it comes down to perception. Whether we’re talking diet or exercise, how we perceive things can make a huge difference.

A simple phrase…”I can Do this!” You’ve seen me write that on this blog. When I feel at my end, working out hard, and I have a few more reps to do, I tell myself, “I can do this!” and I do. I have to believe in myself, and you have to believe in yourself.

The more I’m reading of this e-book “The Smart and Safe Internet Weight Loss Edge”, the more I’m realizing it came to me at the exact moment I needed it to. Barbara Ling contacted me, and she has no idea who I am. She read one of my blogs, not my FriedWiki.com blog, but a local blog…we happen to live in the same state is all. She asked me if I could look at her book, and I said, sure! Here’s where I realize things happen for a reason. In this first chapter, there are two things that just struck me STRONGLY. The first was the “I can DO this!” It’s my mantra when I’m feeling worn at the gym. It’s the simple phrase that reminds me I’m strong. But the second part is that she spoke of “Project ME”….she has no idea I’m in the process of writing a book called “Project Deb”. I kid you not. My trainer knows about it, and my family, but not one other person…and it’s called “Project Deb”, because I don’t have a title yet. It’s the “while I’m doing it title”…and here I am reading about “Project Me” in this book. I’m telling you, things happen for a reason. I can’t wait to keep reading this book, because I all ready feel good things about it.

“The Safe and Smart Internet Weight Loss Edge” speaks to you in conversational tone, and is like a friend gently talking to you while you read it. Pssst, I can do it…I made it through a Disney vacation, and watched my eating the entire time! That’s a first, but “I can DO it” has been with me as well. I’m looking forward to reading more! I’ll be moving on to chapter 2 shortly. I do have an appointment at the gym today, so if I don’t post it this afternoon, look for it this evening.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the “Me Filter” Barbara speaks of…”Is this applicable to me?” Let’s face it, we’re all individuals and we have to do what works best for us, or we won’t make the changes that stick. I love how she has spaces for you to work along with the book. She asks a question, and you can fill in your answers. It really allows you to see what aspects are important to you.

This treasure, “Nothing had changed, except to the way I chose to react to the situation” is classic Deb think as well. My friends who know me will agree. I’m a big believer that we get to “choose how we react to things”…I first picked this up from listening to a Dr. Wayne Dyer cassette ages ago, “Choosing Your Own Greatness”, so for me to see it in this first fabulous chapter, I know I’ll continue to enjoy reading. Let’s face it, Barabra Ling has her head on straight and is looking at reality, not some made up fantasy, and THAT is a bonus for anyone reading her book.

Here’s the best part, as she wraps up the chapter, she lists resources, and notes for the chapter. Websites she may have mentioned are now all grouped together for you, and a quick outline of points to remember are together.

The shunning the scale, well, you know on while I was away with my son, I had hubby hide my scale, I’m learning! The “Things to Expect Section” I really enjoyed.

I genuinely enjoyed reading up to page 32 (page 41 in my Adobe reader if you count all the other stuff!), and look forward to taking on the rest. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to keep reading.

With a 5 star rating from Inc. Magazine for her “The Internet Recruiting Edge”, to her appearance on Sally Jessy Raphael on her experiences with “The Contractor from Hell”, Barbara Ling has covered a lot of topics. In fact, she was one of the highlighted people on the Microsoft Site as a “Small Business Success Story”.

Now she shares her knowledge on weight loss and details her own personal journey as she lost over 40 pounds! She doesn’t just write, she’s a motivational speaker too! She’s spoken for companies including Continental Airlines, Campbell’s Soup, along with many others. Wait, there’s more…she’s also been featured in New Jersey Magazine, The Wall Street Journey, Family Magazine, and many others. As you see, when Barbara Ling has something to say, people are listening!

I’ve got the opportunity to look at her weight loss e-book, Fab Fit Mom, and will be going over it here.

Let me just say, the e-book alone is 179 pages! This is no 15 page e-book. Secondly, there are bonuses included, like the Fat Loss Q and A, along with a Special Issue Report. Lots of material to dive into, so let me start with the bonuses.

In the 6 page Special Issue Report written by a trainer, it discusses things such as “Do you have to be convinced to eat?” It looks at different responses, and really makes you stop to think of your own response. The comments about when you go to a personal trainer, boy did they hit home! That’s me, and I finally went. It was a last resort thing, though it’s turning out to be a blessing in disguise. Either way, reading this makes me want to keep reading more. The reasons, I had to laugh, because I’m one of those, “I’m different, I have a thyroid problem”….yeah, and I take meds to even it out. Stop making excuses! I finally did, and it’s working!

The next bonus is a Fat Loss Q and A about a book by Leigh Peele. I like that the bonuses are included along with Barbara Ling’s book. They’re a nice compliment. It covers topics like weighing food, great foods when you’re trying to lose fat, cravings, cooking and more. It’s the transcript of a Q and A session. Great questions and great answers make this a must read.

Holy Cow! The index takes you up to page 8, let me tell you why…there’s tons of information! I was surfing through the index alone, and the book covers not only diet and exercise, but motivation, tips, information, and planning, along with things to expect. It looks like this will be a meaty book, and I’m ready to take it on chapter by chapter. If you’d like to follow along, you’ll be able to find the breakdown chapter by chapter here, or see a full review when I’m finished reading it over at Surviving NJ at SurvivingNJ.com/blog. I’ll be breaking it down here first though.