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I think we have a tendency to look for quick fixes,
easy solutions to long-term problems.
When I kept
getting asked by the public and the press alike- "how
can you still do it at your age?"-people wanted a quick
answer. So when I tried to answer this in one sentence,
just about each time that one sentence was different. I
realized at that point that I would have to put this
stuff in a book for many different reasons. One was very
selfish -the next time someone asks me that question I
can just say "read the book!"
Second, I realized
that I knew more about health and fitness than I
thought.
Third, - there is no quick fix or easy way
out, but I can make it palatable-pun intended!
Fourth - and best of all- I knew I could help a lot
of people get healthy and get more out of their lives
and then they could help others do the same. Kind of a
pay it forward thing (great movie, btw).
So I went
ahead.
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my then-publicist of over 20 years, Linda Dozoretz
(who has retired this year) had been telling me
for years that I should do a fitness book, but I
kept putting her off. But the fans just would not
let me go. So I decided to go for it- first I
needed a literary agent. After shopping around for
a while, all I found out was what they would be
taking from me as a commission and I could not
figure out what they would do for the book or me.
So I told Jeremy, my regular agent "it's your baby
- go for it". Jeremy then found Rodale - they
really know their stuff when it comes to health
and fitness. I did not have to explain to them why
something worked when it came to health. Then we
found Maggie Robinson who had extensive experience
writing health and fitness books and who we knew
would be ideal for putting my words and stories
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So that
was the basic evolution. As it turns out when I
was writing the book-while still playing full time
in 2005, I was working with Lisa Austin, a
personal trainer. Lisa then helped me with the
exercise portion of the book and will keep working
with me on our regular tips and exercises to
support the workout that is already in the book
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I think the key to a successful transformation from
an out of shape individual to a finely tuned one is
this-
You have to want to change, first of all. The
change needs to come from the inside so that eventually
the outside will be healthy too.
And it needs to be
fun. The book will get you started and this website can
keep you going indefinitely.
So if you are not happy
with the state of your energy (need coffee to stay
energized), the way you look (flabby, overweight, no
tone) or even feel kind of empty inside-get the book.
And give me feedback. What works, what doesn't,
anything I should have talked about that would be
relevant to most people etc. Most of all have
fun!!!!
Shape Your Self: Now Available in Paperback at Amazon.com
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"I have made it easy for
you to do all the exercises in my book - check out my
fitness equipment packages by Spri that contain
everything you need to get started."
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MARTINA'S RED LENTIL
SALAD
1 cup dried red lentils
1/2 cup
pearled barley
1/2 cup dried chickpeas
1
cup grape tomatoes
1 cup pea pods, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black
pepper to taste |
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Place the lentils, barley, and
chickpeas in a large bowl with enough water to
cover generously and soak overnight. Drain and
transfer to a large salad bowl. Add the
tomatoes, pea pods, and cilantro. Add the oil,
salt, and pepper and toss. (You can add other
raw vegetables as desired. I like sun-dried
tomatoes, corn, avocado, and baby corn.)
Makes 4 servings
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Following is an excerpt
from my book - actually the first couple of pages
. . . enjoy!
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The ball
doesn't know how old I am.
There I
was, running sprints on the track at a local
high school to improve my speed on the tennis
court. Nearby, a group of 14-year-old boys
watched me go through drill after drill. One of
the boys spoke up, "Whose mom is that? She's
really cool." Well, I don't know how "cool" I
looked, and I'm not a mom, except to 15
purebreds and mutts (dogs, of course!). But I do
know that I can outrun many women who are half
my age, still play tennis competitively, and do
all the other sports I love: basketball, hockey,
and skiing, to name a few. I'm not ashamed to
admit it: I do feel young.
As I approach
that milestone of 50, I've been asked hundreds
of times, "Why can you still move the way you
do? How do you stay in such good shape? What's
your secret?" My "secret" has been a combination
of things. I follow a healthy, delicious diet. I
pay attention when little aches and pains pop
up, and I take care of them. I work out and play
lots of different sports. I take time off from
my workouts. Along with all that, there's hard
work, a little common sense, and some genetic
luck thrown in for good measure. My formula,
lifestyle, philosophy, or whatever else you want
to call it has evolved from more than 30 years
of trial and error, fortunately more successful
trial than error. I've worked with
nutritionists, trainers, coaches, doctors,
osteopaths, chiropractors, homeopaths, and
kinesiologists.
You name it, I have
probably tried it! I've taken the best of what
they've taught me and made it work for me.
Through my many years of experimentation and
application, I've found what I believe is the
best way to get in the shape of your life,
inside and out.
Does this involve a
strict diet of nothing but rabbit food? No.
Hours and hours of working out? Again, no. How
about quick fixes for breaking bad habits?
Fugeddaboudit! What it does involve is a series
of small, gradual changes-put into a
step-by-step strategy- that I know you can do
without ever feeling deprived or getting
frustrated. When followed, these strategies will
give you more energy, a body that works-and
looks-a lot better, fitness you can see and
feel, and an inner shift that will make good
health a permanent part of your life. This is
neither a fad nor an overnight program. It's a
way of life-one that helps you achieve balance
in your life, with the physical, mental, and
emotional all working in harmony. It's how I've
achieved the shape of my life.
Let me
ask you some questions to start you thinking:
Does it matter to you if you're overweight?
That you feel lousy, day in and day out?
That you're dragging yourself around, not being
able to do what you want to do? That your
quality of life isn't as good as it should be?
For some people, obviously, it doesn't matter.
But I believe that if you're reading this book,
it does matter to you. One of my mantras is: If
it matters, you don't mind it. So if it matters
to you to get in the shape of your life-and I
hope that's your aim-then you won't mind the
small lifestyle changes or tiny sacrifices it
takes to get there. Hey, I don't necessarily
like running those sprints or taking the time to
stretch after a workout, but I know it's
necessary to get better, to get in better shape,
to get to the ball-so I can win that match! I
like getting the most out of my body because it
helps me get the most out of my life.
This book is all about victory-yours! I
promise if you stay with me through every word,
taking what you learn and applying what you
need, you'll begin to look good and feel better,
physically and mentally. You'll dig within
yourself, unearth your inner strength, and
achieve championship levels in every area of
your life. | |
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