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Strong Is the New Skinny: How to Eat, Live, and Move to Maximize Your Power
LEANER, STRONGER, FITTER…FASTER
Sick and tired of hearing what’s wrong with you and your body? You’re not alone. It’s time for a new conversation—and a new plan for treating, feeding, and moving your body in ways that build on your strengths inside and out. Strong is sexy. Strong is powerful. Strong is achievable.
With STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY you can say goodbye to body-bashing and physical faultfinding, and instead learn to embrace, not just how it looks, but what your body can do—from pushups to pull ups and box jumps to rope climbs, nothing is out of your reach. Strong Is the New Skinny offers a reality-based diet, lifestyle, and fitness program (the “SINS” plan, for short) so you can:
• Maximize your potential, as well as your energy, vitality, and power.
• Train your brain—develop resilience and mental fortitude in every area of your life.
• Add muscle, increase speed, and enhance flexibility.
• Strengthen your arms, back, core, and legs—and crank up the challenge when you’re ready for the next level.
• Torch fat with Strong Moves: a series of heart-healthy H.I.I.T. workouts that take as little as 10 minutes.
• Kick-start your Get-Fit, Get-Fierce plan with the Strong Seven—7 days of 7 power foods.
Whether you’re just getting started or training for a challenging physical event, this book gives you all the tools you need to become leaner, fitter, and stronger: nutritionally, physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
GO HARD OR GO HOME…
Sick and tired of hearing what’s wrong with you and your body? You’re not alone. It’s time for a new conversation—and a new plan for treating, feeding, and moving your body in ways that build on your strengths inside and out. Strong is sexy. Strong is powerful. Strong is achievable.
With STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY you can say goodbye to body-bashing and physical faultfinding, and instead learn to embrace, not just how it looks, but what your body can do—from pushups to pull ups and box jumps to rope climbs, nothing is out of your reach. Strong Is the New Skinny offers a reality-based diet, lifestyle, and fitness program (the “SINS” plan, for short) so you can:
• Maximize your potential, as well as your energy, vitality, and power.
• Train your brain—develop resilience and mental fortitude in every area of your life.
• Add muscle, increase speed, and enhance flexibility.
• Strengthen your arms, back, core, and legs—and crank up the challenge when you’re ready for the next level.
• Torch fat with Strong Moves: a series of heart-healthy H.I.I.T. workouts that take as little as 10 minutes.
• Kick-start your Get-Fit, Get-Fierce plan with the Strong Seven—7 days of 7 power foods.
Whether you’re just getting started or training for a challenging physical event, this book gives you all the tools you need to become leaner, fitter, and stronger: nutritionally, physically, psychologically, and emotionally.
GO HARD OR GO HOME…
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
39 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 1, 2015
I've read a few diet books in my day. When I was in the military I really got into being aware of not only what I do to but also what I put into my body. Diets can be just as crazy as drinking a ton of soda though (Pepsi, you kill me but you're so yummy!). So, what's a gal to do?
The Skinny!
Strong is the New Skinny is one of those books that starts slow but has a ton of information. Not only is it about eating correctly but also about exercising and lifting weights. There's also a self assessment that helps you to determine exactly where you are at with fitness. I have to admit I did not like this at all since I am way behind where I thought I would be! But it did help me to open my eyes and to be honest with myself.
The Meals:
Week one was a detox week but not as crazy as some of the detox weeks I've read about. The meals are doable but also sound yummy. I also just recently bought a small bag of hemp seeds which I have to say, I am really excited about! If I can find them in this little town, they can be found anywhere!
Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Make a shake with 1 cup of chopped spinach leaves; half a handful of fresh parsley; 1 cup of kefir or greek yogurt; 1/2 cup of pitted tart cherries, blackberries, or raspberries; 1 tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds; a dash of coconut water (for extra flavor); and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, then drink up!
Snack: A cup of tea and an apple
Lunch: A giant salad with lots of different greens (as much as you'd like), 1 cup of cooked lentils or edamame, 1 cup of chapped apple or jicama, a sprinkling of chia or hemp seeds, and a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and olive oil.
Snack: A cup of tea and 1 cup of tart cherries or blackberries mixed with 1 cup of plain greek yogurt or kefir.
Dinner: 4 to 6 ounces of baked, broiled, or grilled salmon or lake trout, 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa or amaranth, 1 to 2 cups of kale or swiss chard sauteed in a tablespoon of olive oil with some chopped or minced garlic.
By week four the meals aren't quite as intense since you've detoxified your body. The are still very healthy but a bit easier. For instance lunch could be:
A bowl of white-bean soup, half a sandwich (turkey on rye bread with lettuce, tomato, and mustard), jicama chunks on the side.
Pretty much a normal lunch for anyone. For me I would have to cut out the soda for the lunch and add more fruit. That's not that much of a change really. I think the detoxifying weeks are the hardest to get through but with a menu like what is put forward here, it really isn't that hard.
The Exercises:
Amazingly, in this not overly huge book there are a ton of different exercises! There are exercises with and without weights, stretches, and HIIT's. I just recently got into doing HIIT's. It's High- Intensity Interval Training. Basically you take a few exercises and kick your own behind for a full minute or two and then rest for a minute, and then do it over again! These HIIT's are 10, 20, and 30 minutes. These are amazing for getting your heart rate up and to keep the guess work out this book has the order to do the exercises and HOW to do the exercises!
In short:
This has a little of everything for everyone. From the beginner, or someone like me that has some knowledge but needs to know how to put all of this together! It's for everyone.
The Skinny!
Strong is the New Skinny is one of those books that starts slow but has a ton of information. Not only is it about eating correctly but also about exercising and lifting weights. There's also a self assessment that helps you to determine exactly where you are at with fitness. I have to admit I did not like this at all since I am way behind where I thought I would be! But it did help me to open my eyes and to be honest with myself.
The Meals:
Week one was a detox week but not as crazy as some of the detox weeks I've read about. The meals are doable but also sound yummy. I also just recently bought a small bag of hemp seeds which I have to say, I am really excited about! If I can find them in this little town, they can be found anywhere!
Sample Menu:
Breakfast: Make a shake with 1 cup of chopped spinach leaves; half a handful of fresh parsley; 1 cup of kefir or greek yogurt; 1/2 cup of pitted tart cherries, blackberries, or raspberries; 1 tablespoon of chia or hemp seeds; a dash of coconut water (for extra flavor); and a handful of ice cubes. Blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, then drink up!
Snack: A cup of tea and an apple
Lunch: A giant salad with lots of different greens (as much as you'd like), 1 cup of cooked lentils or edamame, 1 cup of chapped apple or jicama, a sprinkling of chia or hemp seeds, and a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and olive oil.
Snack: A cup of tea and 1 cup of tart cherries or blackberries mixed with 1 cup of plain greek yogurt or kefir.
Dinner: 4 to 6 ounces of baked, broiled, or grilled salmon or lake trout, 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa or amaranth, 1 to 2 cups of kale or swiss chard sauteed in a tablespoon of olive oil with some chopped or minced garlic.
By week four the meals aren't quite as intense since you've detoxified your body. The are still very healthy but a bit easier. For instance lunch could be:
A bowl of white-bean soup, half a sandwich (turkey on rye bread with lettuce, tomato, and mustard), jicama chunks on the side.
Pretty much a normal lunch for anyone. For me I would have to cut out the soda for the lunch and add more fruit. That's not that much of a change really. I think the detoxifying weeks are the hardest to get through but with a menu like what is put forward here, it really isn't that hard.
The Exercises:
Amazingly, in this not overly huge book there are a ton of different exercises! There are exercises with and without weights, stretches, and HIIT's. I just recently got into doing HIIT's. It's High- Intensity Interval Training. Basically you take a few exercises and kick your own behind for a full minute or two and then rest for a minute, and then do it over again! These HIIT's are 10, 20, and 30 minutes. These are amazing for getting your heart rate up and to keep the guess work out this book has the order to do the exercises and HOW to do the exercises!
In short:
This has a little of everything for everyone. From the beginner, or someone like me that has some knowledge but needs to know how to put all of this together! It's for everyone.
December 14, 2017
Interesting read. Good, solid exercises. The get-fierce diet is limited to 7 power foods and unlimited greens for 1 week, which is quite startling to me. Not for me, thank you. Guess I am not fierce enough....
May 8, 2017
I read this book because I am interested in incorporating weights for weight loss. I like the fitness part of this books, but the nutrition part of the book is very restrictive, especially for the jumpstart part. The author states at the beginning about the importance of eating well, but then restricts the diet to a handful of items. She also states that it is important to lose weight slowly instead of expecting fast results from fad diets, and I know the restrictive diet would help with rapid weight loss, but I'm looking to do this the hard way - with the right kind of diet and a variety of exercise. As a beginner, the exercises in the book are confusing, even with the photographs.
May 25, 2024
Another library book- nutrition portion seems very restrictive. I was looking for more info on strength training, which this had, but I wish they had more diagrams for each exercise.
November 7, 2014
“Strong is the New Skinny,” Jennifer Cohen’s motivational, instructional and experience-based book is a powerful and practical guide for women looking to lead a healthy life. She covers the gamut, from mindset, lifestyle, nutrition, and of course, exercises.
This book is a far cry from some of the other books I’ve reviewed. I reflected on what made me pick it up, and besides the impressively strong female body on the side, I was honestly compelled by the title. I didn’t expect that I would learn new exercises or nutrition programs, although I was sure these would be discussed; what I hoped to learn was how to cultivate the mindset of being strong is more important than being skinny. I had seen a similar mantra on a billboard advertising “The Rush” memberships, and the mindset appeals to me.
To do what we love, what the Lord would have us do, to take care of others, to create and work hard – all of these take strength and stamina. And so I devoured this book in two days, wondering if there was a secret.
Of course – as you would have guessed – there is no secret. It’s about developing a lifestyle of habits, and that takes time, discipline and dedication, and a little self-forgiveness, too.
If I had to describe the tone of this book, I’d say imagine you’ve worked with a physical trainer for years: she’s beautiful and fit, she knows what you’re capable of, and she’s also dished the gossip with you here and there, while never forgetting to get down to business. The down-to-earth book that Cohen and Stacey Colino have created is that trainer for you.
I particularly appreciated how this book was structured. You start out getting the right mindset; although I’d heard many of these mental exercises and attitudinal statements before, gathering them together in that friendly but firm way solidified them all in my mind.
The book shares specific scientifically-proven exercises in the following fashion: your back, arms, core, then legs. This was revolutionary for me, as all of my dabbling in sports has never really given me a firm foundation for my back, which is essential. This book spoke to me in a new way for that section especially.
I found myself wishing that the exercise section, while giving plenty of variety, had more images. Some of these exercises were new to me, and there was an image for only some of the exercises. I probably will go on to YouTube to view how some of these are done. It would be a great idea for the publisher to include a digital component along with this book, complete with how-to videos to demonstrate the appropriate way to accomplish some of these exercises.
This book would be especially meaningful for someone who needs some motivation to continue their fitness and healthy nutrition journey. For the women who need to change their mindset of measuring themselves by their scale and begin measuring themselves in strength. I recommend this book as a comprehensive, readable and thoughtfully-created guide to refocus on physical and mental strength, not society’s skinniness.
I received this book free from Blogging for Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
This book is a far cry from some of the other books I’ve reviewed. I reflected on what made me pick it up, and besides the impressively strong female body on the side, I was honestly compelled by the title. I didn’t expect that I would learn new exercises or nutrition programs, although I was sure these would be discussed; what I hoped to learn was how to cultivate the mindset of being strong is more important than being skinny. I had seen a similar mantra on a billboard advertising “The Rush” memberships, and the mindset appeals to me.
To do what we love, what the Lord would have us do, to take care of others, to create and work hard – all of these take strength and stamina. And so I devoured this book in two days, wondering if there was a secret.
Of course – as you would have guessed – there is no secret. It’s about developing a lifestyle of habits, and that takes time, discipline and dedication, and a little self-forgiveness, too.
If I had to describe the tone of this book, I’d say imagine you’ve worked with a physical trainer for years: she’s beautiful and fit, she knows what you’re capable of, and she’s also dished the gossip with you here and there, while never forgetting to get down to business. The down-to-earth book that Cohen and Stacey Colino have created is that trainer for you.
I particularly appreciated how this book was structured. You start out getting the right mindset; although I’d heard many of these mental exercises and attitudinal statements before, gathering them together in that friendly but firm way solidified them all in my mind.
The book shares specific scientifically-proven exercises in the following fashion: your back, arms, core, then legs. This was revolutionary for me, as all of my dabbling in sports has never really given me a firm foundation for my back, which is essential. This book spoke to me in a new way for that section especially.
I found myself wishing that the exercise section, while giving plenty of variety, had more images. Some of these exercises were new to me, and there was an image for only some of the exercises. I probably will go on to YouTube to view how some of these are done. It would be a great idea for the publisher to include a digital component along with this book, complete with how-to videos to demonstrate the appropriate way to accomplish some of these exercises.
This book would be especially meaningful for someone who needs some motivation to continue their fitness and healthy nutrition journey. For the women who need to change their mindset of measuring themselves by their scale and begin measuring themselves in strength. I recommend this book as a comprehensive, readable and thoughtfully-created guide to refocus on physical and mental strength, not society’s skinniness.
I received this book free from Blogging for Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
January 1, 2015
This is a great book for both beginners and those already on the journey toward a leaner, stronger, fitter and faster transformation. Strong Is the New Skinny is written by Jennifer Cohen and Stacey Colino, and it will put you on the path toward building your strengths - inside and out - by treating, feeding and moving your body. This book will teach you how to eat, live, and move to maximize your power.
The foreward of the book is written by David Kirchhoff, who is the former CEO of Weight Watchers and bestselling author of Weight Loss Boss.
Included in this book is reality-based diets, lifestyles and fitness programs to help you achieve:
•Maximize your potential, as well as your energy, vitality, and power.
•Train your brain—develop resilience and mental fortitude in every area of your life.
•Add muscle, increase speed, and enhance flexibility.
•Strengthen your arms, back, core, and legs—and crank up the challenge when you’re ready for the next level.
•Torch fat with Strong Moves: a series of heart-healthy H.I.I.T. workouts that take as little as 10 minutes.
•Kick-start your Get-Fit, Get-Fierce plan with the Strong Seven—7 days of 7 power foods.
I love the “Go Hard or Go Home” attitude of this book. The first half of the book lays the ground work needed to get started on the right foot. There are charts and multiple answer tests helping you know where you are starting out. There's plenty of information about cardio condition, upper body strength, lower body strength, flexibility in the hamstrings and lower back.
The second half of the book contains instructions for the best workout moves along with great pictures and good explanation. Some of the workout moves are fairly easy and things you have seen before while others are more difficult and not the standard workouts you've seen. Added to the workout moves are warm ups and a circuit workout. She describes ways to keep your workouts from turning stale.
There is plenty more going on in this book - I'll be reading through it again but taking notes this time!
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
The foreward of the book is written by David Kirchhoff, who is the former CEO of Weight Watchers and bestselling author of Weight Loss Boss.
Included in this book is reality-based diets, lifestyles and fitness programs to help you achieve:
•Maximize your potential, as well as your energy, vitality, and power.
•Train your brain—develop resilience and mental fortitude in every area of your life.
•Add muscle, increase speed, and enhance flexibility.
•Strengthen your arms, back, core, and legs—and crank up the challenge when you’re ready for the next level.
•Torch fat with Strong Moves: a series of heart-healthy H.I.I.T. workouts that take as little as 10 minutes.
•Kick-start your Get-Fit, Get-Fierce plan with the Strong Seven—7 days of 7 power foods.
I love the “Go Hard or Go Home” attitude of this book. The first half of the book lays the ground work needed to get started on the right foot. There are charts and multiple answer tests helping you know where you are starting out. There's plenty of information about cardio condition, upper body strength, lower body strength, flexibility in the hamstrings and lower back.
The second half of the book contains instructions for the best workout moves along with great pictures and good explanation. Some of the workout moves are fairly easy and things you have seen before while others are more difficult and not the standard workouts you've seen. Added to the workout moves are warm ups and a circuit workout. She describes ways to keep your workouts from turning stale.
There is plenty more going on in this book - I'll be reading through it again but taking notes this time!
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
February 25, 2015
I really enjoyed the beginning of the book and all the helpful information about changing your mentality to get fit. This is probably the part of the book that I will re-read as needed on my weight loss journey. I am about 70 pounds overweight and technically obese. I have been working out for a few years and I have gotten a lot stronger in that time, but I haven't really lost any weight. I was hoping this book would help me do that.
No such luck. Other than getting stronger mentally to deal with changing the way I eat, this book did not deliver. The diet is missing significant pieces of information, like numbers of portions of carbs, fat, and protein. The diet examples are inconsistent with the protein recommendations, so no help there.
The workout descriptions are confusing sometimes and they have few pictures. Luckily you can look up most of the exercise names and find pics online, but you would hope they would already be in the book. For most of the exercises, there are no modifications listed. For an obese person, someone with joint problems, or someone who is weak and new to exercising, modifications are necessary to progress to the level of doing the exercises properly. For a better strength training progression, check out Body by You The You Are Your Own Gym Guide to Total Women's Fitness which has pictures and descriptions and gives you a step by step guide to progress through various exercises.
The exercises also don't indicate which muscle groups you are working. My biggest problem with the exercise routines is that exercises are listed that are not in the book. It was like the exercise sections of the book were not proofread.
Overall, I am glad I didn't buy this book and I would not recommend it to anyone as an exercise (or nutrition) guide. There are much better books out there.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
No such luck. Other than getting stronger mentally to deal with changing the way I eat, this book did not deliver. The diet is missing significant pieces of information, like numbers of portions of carbs, fat, and protein. The diet examples are inconsistent with the protein recommendations, so no help there.
The workout descriptions are confusing sometimes and they have few pictures. Luckily you can look up most of the exercise names and find pics online, but you would hope they would already be in the book. For most of the exercises, there are no modifications listed. For an obese person, someone with joint problems, or someone who is weak and new to exercising, modifications are necessary to progress to the level of doing the exercises properly. For a better strength training progression, check out Body by You The You Are Your Own Gym Guide to Total Women's Fitness which has pictures and descriptions and gives you a step by step guide to progress through various exercises.
The exercises also don't indicate which muscle groups you are working. My biggest problem with the exercise routines is that exercises are listed that are not in the book. It was like the exercise sections of the book were not proofread.
Overall, I am glad I didn't buy this book and I would not recommend it to anyone as an exercise (or nutrition) guide. There are much better books out there.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.
November 11, 2014
Strong Is the New Skinny: How to Eat, Live and Move to Maximize Your Power is a wonderfully helpful book that does much in the way of educating, motivating and empowering individuals to get healthy and fit. Written with easy-to-understand language, it speaks clearly and precisely about everything from nutrition and lifestyle choices to internal strength and fitness programming.
I really liked the simplicity of this book. It was straight forward and as honest as a gut punch. I also loved the included pictures, workout plans, and assessments.
This book was well-rounded and stayed true to its indicated intent. I have no doubts that it will prove to be a tremendous resource to all those who invest in reading it.
I definitely plan on suggesting this title to my fitness clientele.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: B/I Level
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher in exchange for an honest critique. I was not required or expected to submit a positive review. The words I have expressed are my own.
I really liked the simplicity of this book. It was straight forward and as honest as a gut punch. I also loved the included pictures, workout plans, and assessments.
This book was well-rounded and stayed true to its indicated intent. I have no doubts that it will prove to be a tremendous resource to all those who invest in reading it.
I definitely plan on suggesting this title to my fitness clientele.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Status: B/I Level
A complimentary copy of this title was made available by the publisher in exchange for an honest critique. I was not required or expected to submit a positive review. The words I have expressed are my own.
March 21, 2015
The framework for this book is right on. It's about confidence and functional strength and healthy attitudes, not trying to turn into a stick or attract men. (If your only reason for working out or dieting is to get male attention, you're doing it wrong.) It's refreshing to see a book pushing women to do the right things for the right reasons. You'll get solid information here on food and fitness.
My complaints are: basically no mention is made of how to adapt the given diet advice for vegetarians, and the exercise instructions would have benefited from a LOT more demonstration photographs.
My complaints are: basically no mention is made of how to adapt the given diet advice for vegetarians, and the exercise instructions would have benefited from a LOT more demonstration photographs.
November 28, 2014
Great workouts, lots of solid information, and a nice attitude that focuses more on overall strength and health than on losing weight. A nice switch from the usual weight loss book.
Time richly spent.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this review are my own.
Time richly spent.
*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this review are my own.
September 16, 2015
Comprehensive, practical and a must-read. The explanations for each exercise are spot on - and the photos are terrific. The nutritional info is also easy to follow and practical but not boring. This book will be part of my permanent collection. Highly recommend!
February 6, 2015
Black and white - kind of boring to look at, but I'm already doing most of these moves. If I wasn't it would have been hard to figure out what she was talking about.
Read
May 13, 2015Not ready for this.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews