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Strong: Over 80 Exercises and 40 Recipes For Achieving A Fit, Healthy and Balanced Body
Ditch the fad diets. Step away from the treadmill. There's another way to get results, and it's all about balance.
Being in great shape doesn't mean depriving yourself or running your body into the ground. In STRONG, personal trainer and Instagram star Zanna Van Dijk busts these myths and reveals her no-fail formula for a powerful, lean physique and lasting health and happiness.
STRONG gives you all the motivation and practical tools you need to get started on your fitness journey. Zanna's inspiring and achievable approach to eating well and training effectively features a comprehensive guide to lifting weights, detailed workout routines, sustainable nutrition tips and simple principles of health and wellness. After you've worked up a sweat, her mouthwatering, easy recipes prove that nourishing food isn't just fuel - it can be absolutely delicious and bursting with flavour too.
Make your body STRONG. Move it. Nourish it. Thrive.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 29, 2016
8 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 8, 2017
I ummed and ahhed over getting this book for a while - it was only £5.99 on Amazon, but at the same time I hadn't been watching Zanna Van Dijk on YouTube for very long, and wasn't sure if the book would actually be useful or better than any of the other YouTuber fitness books out there. It was only after I got to have a quick flip through of the physical book in Waterstones one day that I decided to try it out - and I am so happy I bought this!
Honestly, this is one of the best health and fitness books that I have ever encountered, particularly of the YouTuber variety. Zanna's book is PERFECT if you are a beginner in the health and fitness game - I'm not a complete beginner, having followed numerous fitness YouTubers for a few years now, but Zanna's book was absolutely perfect for me in terms of making practical changes in my life.
She talks about both fitness and nutrition, in very approachable and interesting ways. She encourages you to read more about areas that interest you and continuously expand your knowledge, and advocates healthy lifestyle changes that will last a lifetime, rather than quick-fix fads. She teaches you how to build a personal exercise plan from the ground up, how to truly read food labels and make healthier choices when out shopping, and has tips and tricks for pretty much every health/fitness area in your life. And the recipes - I actually read through them all, reading this book from cover to cover, and I couldn't believe how simple and tasty they all sounded! Rarely do I think about almost every single recipe in a book 'I could make that', but in this one I did. I've already made two smoothies from the recipe, and am eager to try out a variety of different breakfasts/lunches/dinners/sweet treats from the book. They all have fairly minimal ingredients that are simple and not expensive, and things that I could truly see both my partner and I enjoying as regular meals! And a couple of healthier cocktail recipes in there to boot - she's my kind of girl!
Overall I am so happy that I bought this book - as I've been reading it, I've been implementing a food diary (as suggested) on My Fitness Pal, which I haven't used in a while, and I've never felt so positive about how I'm eating, and excited to try new things. And I've also upped my exercise this week in a way that doesn't feel like a chore! Thanks to this book, I think I'm truly onto something.
Honestly, this is one of the best health and fitness books that I have ever encountered, particularly of the YouTuber variety. Zanna's book is PERFECT if you are a beginner in the health and fitness game - I'm not a complete beginner, having followed numerous fitness YouTubers for a few years now, but Zanna's book was absolutely perfect for me in terms of making practical changes in my life.
She talks about both fitness and nutrition, in very approachable and interesting ways. She encourages you to read more about areas that interest you and continuously expand your knowledge, and advocates healthy lifestyle changes that will last a lifetime, rather than quick-fix fads. She teaches you how to build a personal exercise plan from the ground up, how to truly read food labels and make healthier choices when out shopping, and has tips and tricks for pretty much every health/fitness area in your life. And the recipes - I actually read through them all, reading this book from cover to cover, and I couldn't believe how simple and tasty they all sounded! Rarely do I think about almost every single recipe in a book 'I could make that', but in this one I did. I've already made two smoothies from the recipe, and am eager to try out a variety of different breakfasts/lunches/dinners/sweet treats from the book. They all have fairly minimal ingredients that are simple and not expensive, and things that I could truly see both my partner and I enjoying as regular meals! And a couple of healthier cocktail recipes in there to boot - she's my kind of girl!
Overall I am so happy that I bought this book - as I've been reading it, I've been implementing a food diary (as suggested) on My Fitness Pal, which I haven't used in a while, and I've never felt so positive about how I'm eating, and excited to try new things. And I've also upped my exercise this week in a way that doesn't feel like a chore! Thanks to this book, I think I'm truly onto something.
February 6, 2017
This was a wonderful fitness/health/cookery book with some great workouts and delicious recipes! I love Zanna's approach to health - it's balanced and backed up with facts and knowledge. The recipes cater for various dietary choices which as a vegetarian I was pleased to see! There's a lot of really useful information in here, a long with some great kick butt inspiration, and I'd highly recommend it if you're starting out on your fitness journey and are looking for advice and inspiration, or if one of your new years resolutions was to lead a healthier lifestyle - this book has everything you need!
April 7, 2019
Zanna Van Dijk is an fitness and health youtuber/ instagrammer based in London who I check in with now and again. I found out about this book from one of her youtube videos. It's a good starter guide for anyone looking to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
She has a great philosophy in staying away from fad/ crash diets or going full force into an unmaintainable diet/ exercise regime. She advocates for balance in workouts and food with room for treats. The book is divided into 3 sections- move, nourish and thrive to help someone achieve their own personal healthy lifestyle. It includes workout ideas, pictures and instructions of some gym moves (very helpful), simple recipes, useful information and advice as a whole.
I easily flicked through this book and appreciate her down to earth, positive and encouraging voice to this topic of health and fitness. Worth a read.
She has a great philosophy in staying away from fad/ crash diets or going full force into an unmaintainable diet/ exercise regime. She advocates for balance in workouts and food with room for treats. The book is divided into 3 sections- move, nourish and thrive to help someone achieve their own personal healthy lifestyle. It includes workout ideas, pictures and instructions of some gym moves (very helpful), simple recipes, useful information and advice as a whole.
I easily flicked through this book and appreciate her down to earth, positive and encouraging voice to this topic of health and fitness. Worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
I follow Zanna on Instagram and she's such a positive voice. That's reflected in this workout/recipe book. It's for beginners - if you already have the very basics of nutrition down (Macros etc) then you don't need the food section. But he workout section is very informative and is something you would continue to refer back to as you get better at working out.
April 11, 2021
Read this if you need a kick up the arse and want to get back into healthy eating and fitness after a miserable year in lockdown! I loved Zanna's chatty and friendly tone and the book is beautifully laid out with lots of photos, inspirational quotes and easy to follow chapters. It has a great selection of exercises, nutritional info and healthy recipes.
September 25, 2018
Amazing book. Hepls you to understand the real value of food and exercise..!!!
March 15, 2022
Super useful and the recipes are delicious. Also her tips are wonderful and easy to remember and actually apply to your daily routine.
January 26, 2021
I was after a read to inform me more on resistance training for women and this seemed to just do the job! I would say this is more for exercise advice rather than a recipe book (they look nice but the portions look small!). I will be using this shortly to make my own training plan whilst at home.
February 7, 2017
Really enjoyed reading Zanna's thoughts and tips on fitness and health and leading a balanced life. I feel like especially in today's time people tend to not have enough time to really take care of themselves. Which is why I think that STRONG is a very good addition to everyone's bookshelf.
Head over to my blog to see my full review and my take on her frittata :) https://unwrappeddreams.wordpress.com...
Head over to my blog to see my full review and my take on her frittata :) https://unwrappeddreams.wordpress.com...
February 5, 2017
Wow! This book! I have read a lot of health/fitness books in my time but this one beats them all out the window. Packed with tonnes of information, this really is a game changer. AND FINALLY - a health book with recipes that are not filled with faff. Cheap and easy to make and soooo yummy! A really motivational book, that encourages strength and growing stronger. Will be flicking through this again and again. Ready to take on the world!! Let's go!!
September 9, 2017
The best project you'll ever work on is you. Your mind will quit 100 times before your body ever does.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews