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Simple Steps: 10 Weeks to Getting Control of Your Life: Health, Weight, Home, Spirit
The bills are piling up... The kids need a ride to practice... And you're eating on the run. Thankfully, there are Simple Steps to make a woman feel calm again. Many women crave a sense of order and control, but have no idea how to attain it-and find themselves overwhelmed with a thousand daily details. Now, the women who established the popular Simple Steps program show readers how to calm and simplify their life in just ten weeks. Each week, women will learn a new Simple Step for addressing key areas in their weight, health, home, and spirit. And before they know it, they'll be breathing easier...and living better than ever before.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2003
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84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 2, 2019
I read this book years ago and I really liked the basic premise: Take big goals, chop them up into little pieces, and try to incorporate tiny new habits every week.
Those little habits, linked together over time, become big changes and help you to achieve big and overwhelming goals.
I bought a new copy of this to refresh myself with the plan.
Week one is...Drink more water. Walk 20 minutes/day. Clean out one drawer/cabinet/closet per week. Save $2/day.
The decluttering approach is fabulous. Instead of being totally overwhelmed by the state of your messy house, just pick one drawer to clean. All those little cleaning/decluttering projects add up.
This approach is great for everything, not just cleaning and weight loss. I also find it helpful when writing a book. Instead of thinking--OMG I HAVE TO WRITE 80,000 WORDS!--just focus on one chapter at a time. Or even one scene at a time. That's a better mental place to be.
Not all of these will be applicable for each person, but you can pick and choose the ones that help.
Those little habits, linked together over time, become big changes and help you to achieve big and overwhelming goals.
I bought a new copy of this to refresh myself with the plan.
Week one is...Drink more water. Walk 20 minutes/day. Clean out one drawer/cabinet/closet per week. Save $2/day.
The decluttering approach is fabulous. Instead of being totally overwhelmed by the state of your messy house, just pick one drawer to clean. All those little cleaning/decluttering projects add up.
This approach is great for everything, not just cleaning and weight loss. I also find it helpful when writing a book. Instead of thinking--OMG I HAVE TO WRITE 80,000 WORDS!--just focus on one chapter at a time. Or even one scene at a time. That's a better mental place to be.
Not all of these will be applicable for each person, but you can pick and choose the ones that help.
February 10, 2018
Keep in mind this is from 2003. Most of the advice is now common sense or outdated. This was before smartphones that now have calendars, food tracking or exercise apps. Nothing new learned but it was good to have a few reminders that it's ok to take time for yourself. It really is amazing how much better you feel when you take time to give yourself a facial, delegate small chores to other people and have a "me" day on your day off at least once a month instead of running errands and cleaning.
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October 1, 2013Many women crave a sense of order and control, but have no idea how to attain it-and find themselves overwhelmed with a thousand daily details. Now, the women who established the popular Simple Steps program show readers how to calm and simplify their life in just ten weeks. Each week, women will learn a new Simple Step for addressing key areas in their lives: weight, health, home, and spirit. And before they know it, they'll be breathing easier...and living better than ever before.
January 4, 2018
Blah blah blah--did not like the chirpy, cutesy tone and use of buzzwords and phrases (like "the new you"), nor did it have any new ideas. Worst of all, the authors use such knowledgeable sources as Self magazine to prop up their often doubtful claims.
May 17, 2021
Some chapters recommended some very good tips, while others seemed quite outdated (which, to be fair, the book was written ages ago). Overall, enjoyable and a calming reminder how much the little things in life can drain our mental energy if left untended.
May 17, 2017
This book was a life changer for me! The steps are so easy that you don't feel overwhelmed by doing them.
January 12, 2018
This was an interesting book to listen to. Unwittingly, I have been doing many of these steps already. I will try to work on incorporating some of the others.
February 23, 2019
The steps are all good, positive things we should all do! I just think they are crammed together. Luckily, I already do many of them, so I guess I’m on the right track.
January 21, 2017
Clearing out my "self help" collection so gave this one another read. Structurally, there are similarities to The Happiness Project in that you take one "simple step" each week and add to it. There's a rough theme to each week aligned with a flower and then four individual actions related to health, nutrition, cleaning, and life organization. There's a strong focus on working with a group to support your changes which explains why it's an Oprah book.
This is definitely a book for the stereotypical suburban soccer mom. There's a lot of talk about talking walks around your neighborhood, keeping a food journal, and taking nice baths. There are some interesting tips here, but if you're looking for a deep dive into any one issue, you're not going to get that here. Specifically, if you're suffering from any severe disorganization or health concerns, I don't think this is the book for you. It's fine, just overall a basic approach for women who essentially have it together but need a tune-up.
Here are few of the passages I found of interest.
"Two of the most powerful tools around are the pen and paper, states Jeffrey Wilbert, Ph.D., author of Fattitudes: Beat Self-Defeat and Win your War with Weight. According to Wilbert, research studies have shown that those most likely to lose weight and keep it off use a technique called self-monitoring. Self-monitoring is keeping track of you--tuning in to your thoughts, feelings, goals, and strategies. You chart your own progress and reward yourself for successes. Wilbert suggests that monitoring includes what you eat as well as why you eat. Identifying issues and feelings that trigger overeating is important."
"The average desk worker has thirty-six hours of work typically piled on or around his or her desk and wastes about two hours per week looking for things in, on, and around desks, according to Daniel Stamp, founder of Priority Management Systems, a Washington training services specializing in executive productivity. The real message behind these statistics is that when information piles up, people lose the ability to sort it all out."
Baths to try:
Relaxing - 1 cup Epsom salts, 3 drops lavender oil
Creamy Milk - 1/2 cup of milk under running water, wrap a sliced orange in cheesecloth and squeeze under running water to release oil; add a few drops of vanilla
Detox - 1 cup baking soda, done for 10 consecutive days for 20 minutes
"Why do we need to fix things around the house? Completing achievable repair or improvement projects simply makes us feel better; it makes us feel like we've accomplished something. Sometimes it's the little things that we keep putting off, such as replacing a lightbulb or fixing a leak, that drains our energy. Accomplishing quick fix-it projects such as sewing tht loose button or setting the clock on the microwave makes us feel good."
This is definitely a book for the stereotypical suburban soccer mom. There's a lot of talk about talking walks around your neighborhood, keeping a food journal, and taking nice baths. There are some interesting tips here, but if you're looking for a deep dive into any one issue, you're not going to get that here. Specifically, if you're suffering from any severe disorganization or health concerns, I don't think this is the book for you. It's fine, just overall a basic approach for women who essentially have it together but need a tune-up.
Here are few of the passages I found of interest.
"Two of the most powerful tools around are the pen and paper, states Jeffrey Wilbert, Ph.D., author of Fattitudes: Beat Self-Defeat and Win your War with Weight. According to Wilbert, research studies have shown that those most likely to lose weight and keep it off use a technique called self-monitoring. Self-monitoring is keeping track of you--tuning in to your thoughts, feelings, goals, and strategies. You chart your own progress and reward yourself for successes. Wilbert suggests that monitoring includes what you eat as well as why you eat. Identifying issues and feelings that trigger overeating is important."
"The average desk worker has thirty-six hours of work typically piled on or around his or her desk and wastes about two hours per week looking for things in, on, and around desks, according to Daniel Stamp, founder of Priority Management Systems, a Washington training services specializing in executive productivity. The real message behind these statistics is that when information piles up, people lose the ability to sort it all out."
Baths to try:
Relaxing - 1 cup Epsom salts, 3 drops lavender oil
Creamy Milk - 1/2 cup of milk under running water, wrap a sliced orange in cheesecloth and squeeze under running water to release oil; add a few drops of vanilla
Detox - 1 cup baking soda, done for 10 consecutive days for 20 minutes
"Why do we need to fix things around the house? Completing achievable repair or improvement projects simply makes us feel better; it makes us feel like we've accomplished something. Sometimes it's the little things that we keep putting off, such as replacing a lightbulb or fixing a leak, that drains our energy. Accomplishing quick fix-it projects such as sewing tht loose button or setting the clock on the microwave makes us feel good."
February 24, 2017
Among all the self-help book that I have read...I think some of the suggestion in the book are too simple, or rather they are common sense. There are some interesting information indeed, but overall I do not think this book is worth reading.
March 8, 2008
I've been reading this book, week by week, since New Years. My mom got it for me because I have a tendency to be really stressed out much of the time, and she thought this might help. While I realize that not all of the steps in this book will work for everyone (example: it tells you to walk 20 minutes a day, but I already run 30 minutes a day, so I didn't add the extra walking), I did find a lot of value in many of the suggestions. Even simple things (like setting up a weekly laundry system, or making your bed everyday) can make a difference in helping you feel like you're more in-control of your life.
I'd suggest reading through this book, trying to incorporate the steps that pertain to you, and seeing the difference. There are great tips on health, weight, home, and spirit throughout the book. A great read especially if you feel that you are in a personal "rut" as far as organization, fitness, etc.
I'd suggest reading through this book, trying to incorporate the steps that pertain to you, and seeing the difference. There are great tips on health, weight, home, and spirit throughout the book. A great read especially if you feel that you are in a personal "rut" as far as organization, fitness, etc.
July 28, 2012
First off, I really enjoyed this! I listened to this on audio - it gave me the overwhelming burning desire to deep clean my house... lol Honestly, I really enjoyed it. I really liked the breakdown of each step, the chit-chat about each of them and the realness of it all. I highly recommend. I am going to buy the book for sure! I think that listening to it was great, but really to implement each step owning the book is necessary. Highly Recommend!
August 24, 2009
i read this book on and off...It has alot of valid points and good explanations.
March 24, 2011
Many of these steps make common sense and I was already doing them, but some of them are good ideas to consider.
Want to read
October 2, 2011Can't wait to start this book tomorrow!!!
December 27, 2011
Some good stuff here.
I'll stick to FlyLady for my new years resolution, but I will incorporate some of these weekly.
I'll stick to FlyLady for my new years resolution, but I will incorporate some of these weekly.
January 15, 2021
Great for anyone who feels their life is out of balance and needs to lean into slowly integrate healthy habits for an all-around well-being.
November 22, 2017
This book presents a ten-week plan to get all aspects of your life in order.
July 1, 2013
Another disappointment. I could hardly finish it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews