Well to the Core: A Realistic, Guilt-Free Approach to Getting Fit and Feeling Good for a Lifetime

by Robin Long

You deserve to feel good―not just in your body, but in your whole being.

Robin Long, certified Pilates instructor and founder of Lindywell, is on a mission to help you reclaim your health, your fitness, and your body. In Well to the Core , join Robin on a journey toward holistic health and It is possible to break free from constant stress about what you’re eating, how you’re exercising, or how much weight you need to lose in order to really start living. This is where true wellness begins. Let Robin Long show you the way in Well to the Core .

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Fitness

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin Long, Pilates instructor and founder of Lindywell, describes what it means to be truly well in her book. I’ve been a member of Lindywell since 2018, so I’m familiar with Robin’s teachings, and this book is more of what I’ve come to expect from her. This book teaches the grace over guilt mindset, the value of short workouts, and that health is about more than weight. There are some Pilates workouts, breathing exercises, and reflection prompts throughout. There are also several pictures in the book, so the actual reading is relatively short. While short, the anecdotes, advice, and health concepts in the book are practical and to the point, and all claims made are cited in a notes section. While this information is not new to me as a loyal follower of Robin, I hope this book exposes more people to her health approach, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking into what it really means to be healthy.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bonnie]

If you are a Lindywell member and have completed the workouts and attended the workshops, this is a refresher course on their mission. The mottos of Grace over Guilt, Progress over Perfection, importance of play and breath as seasons of life change

[Chelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed hearing a lot of what I have already learned from being a Lindywell member reiterated. It truly is a new way of thinking about health and wellness.

I was slightly disappointed that there didn’t seem to be more detail on how to reframe your mindset so that you are more likely to keep your new habits. It was great as it’s own chapter, but would have been great to have as a part of each chapter or as the conclusion.

Still so excited to have a beautiful book by Robin Long that has great reminders and mental and physical exercises to keep myself healthy!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered Robin’s podcast, The Balanced Life, a while ago and really appreciate her mindset around fitness and nutrition. When I saw she was coming out with a book, I was excited to read it!

I appreciate her approach to fitness and staying healthy. I really like that she focuses on taking care of your body because of how it makes you feel rather than focusing solely on changing how you look.
She doesn’t give you a list of strict, rigid rules to follow but instead gives you flexible guidelines on ways to take care of yourself. She emphases the importance of exercise and healthy eating but she also stresses the importance of rest and balance.
Her book gives lots of practical advice on living a healthy lifestyle. She keeps it simple and doable which I really like!
She is also relatable! She wrote this book like a friend giving tips. She is honest about how she isn’t perfect in her health journey but struggles like the rest of us which I really appreciated!

In conclusion, I enjoyed Well to the Core! Robin covers a lot of topics ranging from eating nutritious meals to getting enough sleep to unplugging from your phone. While not a lot of the information was new to me since I have been listening to her podcast for a while, I did enjoy her book and was inspired by it as I think many other women will be. I would recommend to any women who are looking for a book with a balanced approach to living a healthy lifestyle!

*Thank you to the author for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions are my own.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly helpful in trying to lose the baby weight. I've put so much pressure on myself to lose it in a certain time frame, then I would get so stressed, that I would give up.

This book was full of eye opening advice that made perfect sense. I am so glad I read it and can apply it to my life.

I would recommend this to anybody who struggles with their health or weight.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own*

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rounded up to five stars.
This book is a short overview of many facets of personal well being and health. It is an easy introduction to reframing personal wellness away from the grind of “no pain, no gain” that dominated fitness messaging for decades. Robin Long shares her personal health journey along with wisdom and insights she’s learned from being in the health and fitness business for over a decade. Her approach is grounded in “grace over guilt” and small steps. I found this to be a great audiobook to listen to while walking or cleaning.

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well to the Core: A Realistic, Guilt-Free Approach to Getting Fit and Feeling Good for a Lifetime by Robin Long is a good blueprint if you want to get healthier. I have read a lot of books on this topic and they all tend to be similar. This books takes a unique holistic approach, looking at overall health in a balanced, reasonable way. While the author definitely recommends Pilates, this is not the sole message of this book. This is a book to read again and again to maintain overall health and balance. I highly recommend it! I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well to the Core was a good read. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. My favorite chapter was probably the one on unplugging - it was motivating and something I want to get better at doing. I liked the examples of a morning routine. Most of the stuff in this book I had heard of before, but it was good to get a refresher/most details on the benefits of sunlight in the morning, being outside, etc. A good read!

[Monica Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, and know I’ll come back and read it again! The chapters on ReFrame, Choose and Rest especially! Very good insights that are helpful for women in all phases of life.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a member of Robin Long's Lindywell Online Pilates Tutoring for about three years now - (formerly The Balanced Life).

But please don't stop reading this review because you now think that I am some Pilates officiando, keen and fit and totally committed.

In fact, every year I struggle with my conscience as to whether, as a pensioner on a very modest pension, I can really justify signing up for another twelve months and, even having made the decision, I then go for long (and I do mean LONG) periods when I don't visit my 'mat' - life happens and I probably just haven't built that daily / twice weekly / whatever suits you, routine of Pilates etc into mine for it to survive the ever increasing family disasters that seem to have come my way over the past couple of years.

The reason why I keep my relationship with Robin and Lindywell going? 'Grace Over Guilt' - the mantra of Robin and her team and their whole approach to health; and this is a book and a movement about health, not working hard to ensure one is super slim / super fit / super toned, not starving oneself of treats or company or all those things which nourish one's body and soul, but making small changes over time to encourage and cultivate 'wellness'.

I'll let Robin take it from here - "Being well and living life to the fullest goes far beyond the size of our jeans, the shape of our thighs, or the number on the scale. True wellness includes both the body and the mind, affecting everything from our ability to move through life with energy and strength to our emotional well-being and our overall life satisfaction.
The way we feel impacts our relationships, our creativity, and our ability to pursue goals and engage in the activities we enjoy. When we break free from outdated, restrictive habits from the past and embrace a holistic approach to wellness, we're able to remain grounded, connect our bodies and our minds, discover our true strength, breathe more deeply, and stand up taller."

This is a feel good book - remember, grace over guilt - in oh so many ways, it is about gently suggesting ways in which you can live out your best life, the one that is best for you - your circumstances, your body and your heart. In addition, it is a beautiful book, lovely to hold, well laid out, calming colour scheme and lovely, uplifting pictures all the way through, including some testimonies from members of the Lindywell App about their approach to life. (Don't be overwhelmed by how gorgeous Robin looks in the photos, this really isn't about achieving society's image of what is beautiful and Robin herself would say how she still battles with hang ups about her thighs)

It would actually make a lovely present for a loved one who has become disillusioned with all the advice and pressure from our modern world to 'conform' to 'look right', because it is gentle and encouraging and in no way dictatorial - no food plans to follow, no regime to adhere to.

If I list the ten components which Robin suggests for one's wellness, you will see how gentle and realistic it all is: Reframe / Move / Nourish / Listen / Unplug / Connect / Rest / Breathe / Play / Choose.

I am beginning to sound like I am banging a drum here which, funnily enough, goes against the whole ethos of this book!

Suffice it to say, I really bought the book to support Robin, whose Pilates routines and breathwork exercises I have been following online but, on reading it, I still managed to find encouragement and inspiration. My granddaughter isn't too much younger than Robin's youngest, but her advice spans all ages and stages of a woman's life.

Give it a try.

[Readbooks16 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Robin for years and done Pilates with her and she is just an incredible person. I knew she’d write a valuable and wonderful book. This book is great for giving you a way to look at your health and you Mr body in a way that doesn’t lead to shame or guilt. It’s about understand your body and what helps you to feel best. I loved it and love Robin.

[Julianne Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Robin and am a member of the Lindywell Pilates community because it’s uplifting and sustainable. If you are looking to be a healthier version of yourself, I recommend listening to this book and joining.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Well to the Core, Robin Long explored how you can reclaim your health and live healthier on your journey to wellness. She is a certified Pilates instructor and founder of Lindywell. In the book, she shared how a moment changed her entire life. She recalls how when she was eight years old and hanging out with her best friend. They were playing and dressing up like they were twins. Her friend’s dad made a comment about how much smaller their daughter’s legs were compared to hers. She remembers going to cry under their pinball machine. This caused her to begin to recognize how her thighs were bigger than most of her friends. She also remembers one of her past boyfriends referring to her chin as like Jay Leno. She admitted to how she would try different diets and trends to try and work off all the food she ate. This in part as to why she wrote this book to help woman to achieve wellness and to lose the guilt and shame. It is divided up into ten core components. These included: reframe, move, breathe, play, unplug, just to name a few.




She explored how she begins each Pilates class with a few deep breaths and how we can try and become one with our bodies. Mind and body connection can help us to have lower blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and have an increased level of dopamine. She described Pilates as a system of exercises meant for physical health and conditioning. It isn’t seen as related to a spiritual practice. She focuses on the importance of core strength, spine, flexibility, balance, alignment, and much more.



One of my favorite chapters discussed steps to changing our inner dialogue. This first step is to become aware of what we are thinking about and are they helping us to become who we want to be. We also need to listen how we talk to ourselves. She enclosed some helpful questions we can journal and reflect on. She deliberated what we can do when we miss a workout and how we can literally flip the switch and give ourselves compassion.



I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is wanting to try Pilates and obtain an overall new healthier living lifestyle. There are tons of helpful habits and suggestions to get us more centered and balanced in life. I enjoyed how she included a helpful meal and snacks examples to have a balance between protein and fat such as an apple and almond butter. I also appreciated the info on staying hydrated. I also liked the recipe ideas enclosed such as the one pan chicken fajitas with mango salsa. I can’t wait to try some of these recipe ideas.




"I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.”

[Capt. Hornblower Of His Majesty’s Navy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well to the Core
A Realistic, Guilt-Free Approach to Getting Fit and Feeling Good for a Lifetime
By Robin Long

What’s On The Menu 🍽️
A review of total health and wellness covering a range of considerations.

Most Salient Points 🥦
1. I liked the author’s “Reframes”: 1) avoid the ‘all or nothing’ mentality; 2) choose grace over guilt; 3) every little bit counts.
2. “Forest bathing”, barefoot “grounding” (what I call getting terra-mins), and other mental hacks to get yourself outdoors, along with the reminders of all its health benefits.

Other Morsels 🍓
1. Having a walking and Pilates routine for workouts is a perfectly acceptable way to get fit.
2. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you.
3. Praises to a mind-body healing book “The Body Keeps the Score”, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
4. “When the “I” is replaced with “we”, even “Illness” becomes “Wellness”.”
5. I really appreciated her mentioning “honoring the Sabbath” as a way to give your body periodic rest.

Dis-palatability 🤢
1. Nothing felt revelatory. Granted, I’ve read a lot of health sciences books. But the content felt like a review of other health and wellness nonfictions than a pivotal or seminal work.
2. The book came up with a “Pilates” search term, yet besides a few quotes, there were scant few actual Pilates-oriented narration.
3. The author’s recommendations to be “Well to the Core” involve 10 actions or verbs that are not intuitive in and of themselves, such as item #10: “Choose”. If the author could have taken the time to develop an acronym or reduce her salient points to an actionable list, it might’ve been more effective and attractive.

Final Thoughts 🤔
Read as a guy who’s interested in learning more about Pilates and other auxiliary health habits. However, aside from the author being a Pilates instructor, there contained no actual practical information regarding the practice of Pilates. Furthermore, all of the information presented in this book can be found in any other “healthy lifestyle” book. Similarly, the author’s “core principles” felt meandering and underdeveloped. Finally, the author’s final message to the reader was so grandiose as to be trite: “If you can change yourself, you can change the world!”

2 Stars ⭐️

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t what I was expecting or hoped for, but it will be helpful for its target audience. I expected it to give me tools for getting fit and healthy (or more so, since I’m already fairly fit and healthy). The author is a Pilates instructor and the founder of a wellness app and community, after all, and that’s literally in the subtitle.

In reality, it’s far more a self help book. There are a couple of pages that you can scan to access a couple of workouts, but it’s primarily about changing the way you talk to yourself and adopting self care habits and healthier choices. There are ten sections and they are things like breathe, connect, nourish, rest and play.

There is a lot of talk about making time for yourself as a mother and stopping negative self talk about your body. It really seems designed for young, middle class mothers. Long is a mom to four very young children and there’s a lot of her personal experience here, as a mother and as a young woman. I definitely prefer it to books like Girl, Wash Your Face as she’s infinitely more down to earth and encouraging, but at the end of the day this is the same advice we get literally everywhere these days. It is good advice, but may not offer you much you don’t already know. On the other hand, some of us might need to hear it again and this does it well.

I read a temporary review copy of this book via NetGalley.

[Amanda Cash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this author and her down to earth style and warmth. That being said, there isn’t much new information here if you are familiar with the health/fitness/wellness space that she is in. There is a certain amount of privilege assumed here (to be fair, she acknowledges this towards the beginning, but then doesn’t really do anything to change this in her writing, or address those whose lives may not look the same as hers).

This was pretty much all standard info out there for anyone who has been even remotely interested in women’s health and wellness. Unplug from devices, stop worrying about the number on the scale, move and nourish your body properly, get enough rest. I did appreciate her chapters on connection (with others) and play, which aren’t talked about as much as the rest. It’s obvious she would promote Pilates (that’s her claim to fame) but there are many other valid forms of exercise and she really ONLY promotes Pilates as the superior form of exercise. (Yoga for example provides the same benefits she describes, yet there is no mention of yoga here at all.)

To sum up: good not great. Not earth-shattering for the vast majority of her audience.

[Christine Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having Robin Long on Instagram, her new book is making every other ad, or so it seems. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Long for the preview in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the book. It reads more as a story, a mom to mom, talking about her experiences and what works for her physically and mentally. As I was reading this on a Kindle, there were times when it was stated "follow the QR code for xyz", and I did not have a QR code (which is fine). As a young mom with four children (twins too!), she is very busy.
I'd say this book is better for someone NOT looking for "follow this diet/eat this/only do these exercises". An enjoyable read, some things to ponder for the reader (ways of thinking, small steps, etc...)

[Linda Mayhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Robin Long on the internet when I "went home" to work because of COVID in 2020. I really enjoyed her gentle and encouraging videos as a moment to take a break from my desk! Plus, this provided a great way for me to exercise at home. ***So glad I read Well to the Core by Robin. It gave me so much insight into her own journey of health & fitness. Very real and raw at times but uplifting and encouraging too. Packed with so much helpful information and great short exercise. Get a copy of this book, you will be glad you did!
Thank you, Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishing, for making this available to read!!

[Alyssa Dahlberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-written and has good and useful information. However, I found that the information shared in this book contributed nothing new to the conversation about health and wellness. The concepts are common and simplistic, so this is a great read for those that may just be looking for helpful reminders and encouragement. This may also be a good read for those interested in incorporating Pilates into their movement practice since the author is a Pilates instructor. Overall, this was not a bad read, but it was also not a groundbreaking read.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin has been my Pilates instructor through The Balanced Life/Lindywell since 2020. It was so fun reading her book and gaining a better understanding of her wellness approach. I truly appreciate her whole-person, non-superficial, grace over guilt approach and love that this book broke it down into digestible bites that makes sense. She also incorporated a lot of interesting research throughout. She is very intentional with every workout in her program and each chapter in this book. She’s inspired me over the years to love moving my body and feel the results.

[Rhonda D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great refresher on healthy living. I have followed Robin Long for awhile now, reading many of her book recommendations. So much of this did not feel new but I still really appreciate her perspective. Grace over guilt and progress over perfection.

There is a heavy "Pilates is great for...." message in here (she is a Pilates instructor and owner of an online Pilates/wellness business). So it may be frustrating for someone not interested in Pilates or Lindywell. (I personally love it but that's like preaching to the choir!)

[Kim Kiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Long does not disappoint. Her vision for health and life is common sense and straightforward yet somehow still needed to be said. I’ve been a member of her online Pilates community for four years and highly recommend her program. Did I learn anything new that I hadn’t already learned as a Lindywell member? Not really. But it was nice to reinforce what I’ve already learned and be able to take notes. Great job, Robin!

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin is an expert in her craft. I have been doing pilates with Robin through her app for years and was only too pleased when she announced she was writing a book. If you are interested in how to look at your health holistically and healthily this is the book for you. As Robin says, Grace over Guilt!

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for anyone - but especially those who are sick of the impossible diet fads or ‘get skinny quick’ gimmicks. Her approach to whole-health is doable and balanced without all the empty promises and strict rules, and she makes a balanced healthy life seem possible AND fun! Her prose is readable and relatable. Definitely worth a read!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

“We aren’t just bodies to fix; we are souls to be nurtured.”

I’m a big fan of Robin. I have been a paid member of her Pilates community since it started so I have seen most of her advice to live a healthy and happy life before. I like that it is all included and that each chapter as “put it into practice” summaries at the end with simple ways to incorporate each aspect.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simple and to the point with great tips of where to get started. I enjoyed the book references as well as the quotes. I couldn’t get the audio book links for the workouts to work. I enjoyed it and her Pilates workouts that I have done in the past. Grace over guilt is my new motto!

[Lissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifting my thinking & self-talk

As I've aged, I've been working on ways to shift my thinking about my body. This book is a great resource to help me on that journey! Hearing Robin read the audiobook makes it even more powerful
:)

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those looking to find a different path from the traditional diet culture and all or nothing workouts. This book puts in writing all that Lindywell is about. I loved reading more about the 10 aspects of whole body wellness.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

While this holds good information, there is nothing new in this book. My biggest issue is that Pilates is used as the primary measure for fitness (yes she's a Pilates instructor) rather than as one of the many options. Just not worth the read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy read that encompasses all of Robin's Lindywell principals. As a Lindywell member for the past 6 years nothing in this book was earth shatteringly new, but it was nice to have all the principles organized and in one place for a quick reminder/reset of the purpose for Robin's program.