Balance Is Bullshit: A Realistic Approach to Integrating Healthier Habits into Your Life

by Alicia McKenzie, Regina Shklovsky (Illustrations)

Alicia McKenzie—athlete, personal trainer, businessperson, wife, and mother of five—knows all too well how hard it can be to balance the stresses and pressures of daily life. She developed this 12-week program to help you schedule your time more efficiently while continuing to achieve your goals. Each week closes with an attainable practice as small as making your bed or as big as walking a mile every day for a month.

Balance Is Bullsh*t includes

Learn how to move your body, develop your mind, manage your money, and give back to your community to revitalize your everyday wellness and overall happiness.

And that’s no bullshit.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2022

About the author

Alicia McKenzie is an author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to evidence-based wellness and personal growth. As the founder of Lift Like A Mother™, she creates content that empowers women to integrate health, family, and ambition without compromise. A former USAW and CrossFit athlete turned wellness coach and real estate investor, Alicia shares research-backed insights through her writing, podcasting, and speaking engagements.

Her debut children’s book, These ABCs Belong to Me, introduces a fresh take on social-emotional learning, helping kids redefine commonly misunderstood words in a positive and empowering way. A mother of five, she is passionate about shaping stronger mindsets for future generations. Alicia lives in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, children, and two dogs.

Reviews

[Gulhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book in a local independent bookstore while traveling and bought it.

Pros:
- I like the 12 categories ( Start small, Optimizing Routines and Sleep hygiene, Movement, Hydration, Eating with intention, Bluezones, Mindful nutrition, Maintaining motivation, Gratitude, Slowing down, Financial knowledge, Intentional Spending)
- I really really like the idea of adding one habit per week
- The quotes are good, the book is colorful and fun

Cons:
- It was hard for me to relate to the author because she comes across as a super woman who simply does it all. Wakes up at 5 am, manages her own business, has 5 kids and has intentional family time with them, cooks homemade meals, works out everyday, volunteers…) Don’t get me wrong, I am super happy for her and I really think it is awesome. I also appreciate the recipe to get there (start small, add one thing every week) but at times it still sounded to me a bit like a child-free person giving parenting advice, like “just do it”.
- The planner pages were a bit too much for me but maybe others can use them.

Overall I still give 5 stars because I enjoyed the read and I found the “focus on one habit for week” idea worth it all. For a while I wanted to meditate everyday, stretch everyday, practice piano everyday and a few other things but could never get to do them all. Starting with one thing per week helped to make progress!

[Travis Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person who hates reading, I can't put this book down! I have struggled with finding balance in my life for as long as I can remember. Some call it adult ADD. I focus and give one topic my all, then I see something shiny and new and then I give that my all...until something else catches my eye, and so on and so forth. From fitness, finances, home repairs or even relationships. But Alicia breaks things down to the most simplistic aspects of everyday issues and how to add healthy habits to stop overthinking and let go of the stress and weight that holds you down. Each task has personalized charts and planners for you to customize your daily routines and planning, since each person’s issues are different. This book gives you the tools to strengthen your foundation, so the four pillars support you in building your healthiest and happiest version of yourself.

[Kelly Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balance Is Bullsht* strips away the fantasy of perfect equilibrium and replaces it with something far more useful: honesty. Alicia McKenzie emerges as the book’s defining force, offering a grounded, no-nonsense perspective shaped by lived experience as an athlete, entrepreneur, and mother of five.

What makes this book stand out is its practicality. The 12-week structure and incremental weekly practices ranging from simple daily resets to sustained habit changes make wellness feel achievable rather than aspirational. McKenzie’s voice is direct but encouraging, challenging readers to redefine success through consistency rather than perfection.

With its blend of physical movement, mindset, financial awareness, and community engagement, this book is well positioned to resonate with readers seeking realistic, sustainable approaches to personal growth and everyday wellness.

[Ixiana H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this book.
As a nutrition professional, entrepreneur, mom of 3, and author I highly recommend this guide to healthier living. Alicia's approach is simple, relatable, and powerful. This book is full of insightful tips, organizational tools, inspiration, and it is beautiful to look at. Whether you are beginning your wellness journey or are well on your way make sure to pick a copy of Balance is Bullshit, you can thank me for it later :)

[Alaina Meissbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Balance is as the title states, though I found this book well balanced as I worked through each section. The building of topic on topic and planners were structured in a way that made it helpful and not a chore. Even while transition from summer travel and activities to a full school and fall activity schedule. The resources at the end are a great addition and I can’t wait to share this book with other parents looking for supportive tools.

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The format was confusing and the content immediately made me feel like shit. “Just do the thing! Plan to do it and do it! It’s ok, it’s a small thing!” Ok, but HOW? What small thing? And how do you stop that voice in your head that says it’s not enough?

Maybe some folks will like this book, but I don’t think it’s neurodivergent-friendly in the slightest.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encouragement and a plan of action to make life changes. McKenzie offers examples from her own an others' lives to start reader though processes. She takes us through small steps that can lead to larger changes. Suggestions and plans for all areas of life.