Feel Like It: Makeover Your Motivation to Move

by Kelly Doell

BREAK UP WITH FAILING FITNESS

What’s your relationship with physical activity? Are you single and still searching for love? Do you keep returning to your “ex” hoping things will change? Or are you feeling lost, unsure what your “type” is in the first place?

Dr. Kelly Doell creatively uses unique lessons from the fitness field, classic health research, and a splash of insightful wisdom from unconventional sources to help you transform your motivation to move. Using evidence-based tips and strategies, Feel Like It will help you to:

• stop relying on willpower so often;
• define your unique “Mighty Motive” for more fulfilling fitness;
• harden your loyalty with new mental skills and drills;
• inject more purpose into your fitness journey;
• sustain an active lifestyle long enough to get the benefits experts rave about.

If you’re tired of wasting your time, money, and energy on programs, memberships, and equipment that you eventually neglect, this book is for you.

200 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Merry Bones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was written after my second time reading the book (I was lucky enough to get to originally read it during the beta reading stage) and it was great to connect with it again. The focus of the book is fitness motivation, which is something I personally have struggled with for years. And reading it at the start of a new year is about as timely as it gets. The author’s unique take on our relationship with fitness, figuring out what truly motivates us, finding what activities we get the most out of and pursuing those in a sustainable manner (rather than quickly burning out on those activities that we trudge through because we think we should or to appease those around us), is compelling and thought-provoking. And even though fitness is the primary focus, I think the guidance provided can be applied to so many other areas of our lives: self-care, being true to yourself, enjoyment over quantifiable results, compassion; all of which we could all use more of.

Although the author goes into the psychology of what holds us back when it comes to fitness, it’s all presented in a very accessible way. None of the usual advice about how you can improve in order to fit the system here; instead, it’s all about how you can find the thing that fits you. Highly recommended; in fact, I’ll probably make this an annual read at the start of each year to get excited all over again.

[JAMES GALIPEAU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great testament to finding and doing what works. I really appreciate the level of detail the author uses to help explain why being motivated to get fit is such a challenge, despite knowing all the benefits it offers us. The focus on fitness as a relationship - complete with its ups and downs - uses a simple and familiar language to describe what is often a complex and frustrating series of starts and stops on the road to becoming more active. Finally! A book that encourages self-discovery over rigid rule-following as a path to better health.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Feel Like It on a recommendation expecting another fluff fitness book about goals and self-discipline and cliche stuff but found the opposite. In fact, the author criticizes goal setting (what blasphemy!). Personally, I tthink he nails the problem (my problem) by calling it the pain pendulum. That chapter hooked me. But then he gives simple mental strategies backed by research to overcome it. All of this in the name of strengthening your relationship with exercising, the core concept of the book. There's some really inspiring stories that'll make you rethink your approach to getting fit too. I liked that style of writing. I have a hunch I'll read again the next time I flounder with my fitness.

[Moi Nege · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be able to review Kelly's work during the beta stage and it is highly recommendable as it targets the psyche. This is great for those who need that elusive motivation in actualizing their fitness goals.

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleasantly surprised by this book and it came at the right time for me. The title lured me and the read was refreshing if not self-reflecting.
You won't find many fitness books that don't drone on about pushing limits and setting goals. This book preaches that we need to build a more positive relationship with our bodies and exercise in order to stick to it long-term. This relationship concept is really the key message and one that clicked for me as did some of the questions it asks. Overall its an easy read and the chapters are fairly short but purposeful. I especially loved the chapter about being a fitness widow, something i felt after my knee injury.

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd say this book might not be for everyone because it's really targeted for people who struggle to stick to a fitness routine, but I will also say that I'd recommend everyone to read it because it is unique. It's a well-rounded analysis of the psychology of sticking to exercising.

I loved this line in the first chapter line:... "In the bigger picture, dropout is merely a symptom. To address it, we need to innovate -not with fancier gadgetry- but by creating stronger bonds with the act of moving and supporting this relationship with more attractive fitness atmospheres. Without this alliance between act and atmosphere, we will continue to succumb to the forces opposing us."

Great little book.