Get Energy!: Empower Your Body, Love Your Life

by Denise Austin

With busy schedules, demanding careers, and little time, many of us battle just to stay awake. But energy is something that is in our control, even when time is short. Now 50 years young, fitness guru Denise Austin shows readers how to super-charge their lives, using her innovative lifestyle plan. She eats the right foods at the right time of day. She uses the power of stretching and breathing to feed her body with energy-enhancing oxygen. She uses mini-workouts to get energy even on her busiest days--and now you can too!

Denise shows how simple changes can add up to increased energy levels throughout the day. From the foods they consume to the way they sit in their chairs, readers won't believe how Denise's quick and easy plan will dramatically increase their energy levels. In as little as a week, results will be radiant skin, more restful sleep, and a sharper mind...so follow Denise Austin and prepare for a fitness wake-up call!

Genres: Self Help, Health, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2011

About the author

A native of San Pedro, California, Denise started gymnastics at the age of 12 and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona, graduating in 1979 with an exercise physiology degree. She began her career teaching aerobic exercise classes in the Los Angeles area and went on to cohost the The Jack LaLanne Show, in 1981. (Denise considers Jack LaLanne one of her role models, and she is delighted to still speak regularly with the 94-year-old fitness legend.)

During more than 25 years promoting health and fitness, Denise has created 82 workout videos or DVDs. Her enormous number of sales led to her 2003 induction into the Video Hall of Fame.

Denise has been married for 25 years to Jeff Austin, a sports attorney and brother of tennis champ Tracy Austin. They share a home with their two teenage daughters, Kelly and Katie.

Connect with her on:
Facebook

Follow:
@DeniseAustin_ on Twitter

Reviews

[Farrah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book earlier in December but I decided to crack open the pages in the new year after I’d thought about things I wanted to focus on for 2011. It’s a good thing I did because it actually helped me pinpoint on some areas I needed to work more on and apparently, if I do, I’ll have more energy and feel more balanced in my life.

When I first opted to review this book I thought it would just be about diet and exercise but in truth it was more than that. Get Energy! reminds us of all the places our energy is being lost and gives us ways to get more energy and more balanced in life both mentally and physically. I found that there were many things taking away my energy on nearly a daily basis. And of course, I and some great tips I could and should be incorporating into my daily life.

So I suppose you’re wondering what my takeaways were from Austin’s Get Energy! book were, huh?

Well…I plan to drink more (not alcohol silly…), laugh more, stretch more, meditate more, play more, relax more, and of course get a more physically active. Hmmm…2011 is bound to a fun year!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Denise Austin—she is so peppy. In this book, written essentially for women, she gives checklists of things that may be zapping your energy along with suggestions to revamp your lifestyle, attitude, and relationships. She goes beyond the obvious things like diet and activity, and stresses the health benefits of laughter, gratitude, a positive attitude, balance, etc.

I lost interest somewhat at the end, where she includes worksheets and a 14-day plan, with a redundant daily checklist. I like the idea of change but not necessarily the implementation of it. Still, it was a good reminder of little things I can work on. The exercises included at the end of the book are simple and enticing.

I can’t help but wonder if there is anyone who actually eats “one cup” of air-popped popcorn for a snack. I’m a popcorn-aholic, and that is about as appealing to me as a rice cake or a cup of Styrofoam packing peanuts.

[Dani (The Pluviophile Writer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the fact that this wasn't a diet or an excercise book but rather how to make more time for yourself and find more energy to get things done and do the things you want to do in this busy crazy world!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a diet or exercise book.

It does have 'suggested' meals written here or there and it does have some basic stretches and exercises in the back to help you move and therefore feel like you have some more energy.

You get little snippets of the privileged life when she talks about writing her book for an hour or two and then being able to go off for a 15+ minute break to stretch and do whatever before going back to it. I don't know a lot of people who get 15 minutes every hour to take a break from work. I get maybe a 30 minute lunch break and only get a coffee break once in a blue moon, even though I am supposed to get one. But all in all she keeps it reasonable.

Is it revolutionary? No. Is it filled with positivity? Hell yes, it could be viewed as almost nauseatingly so by some.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I read was good but I never finished it.

[Angelc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the author made some really good points and she had a great positive attitude. The book was set up with an intro and then a quiz to determine what aspects of your life are energy-deprived. Then you can flip to specific chapters to learn how to get energy in the areas of life that you need it most.

The tips and tricks aren't physically hard, but it's hard to make lifestyle changes. The workout moves and stretches aren't difficult either, they are things that people most levels of fitness can do. I like her ideas for mini stretches throughout the day, and yes, she shows you how to do them. her meal and snack ideas are simple and do-able. No foods you've never heard of, three hour prep times, or complicated recipes. The great thing about the book is that everything is do-able. It's not a heard core diet or work out book.

Austin feels that if we're always running around, working, and doing chores and we never take even a few minutes for ourselves, our energy is always going to be zapped. I love that she tells us to take time out for joy. Whether it's talking to friends, taking a walk, or ice cream with your kids, we all need to treat ourselves to recharge our energy.

Sometimes, the book becomes a little repetitive, almost like she had to fill a certain number of pages. But the basic ideas are great. Even if I only take a few this way from the book and try to implement them, I think I will see an improvement in my energy level.

Overall, great advice delivered with a positive attitude and kindness.



ARC sent by publisher in exchange for honest review

reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this is NOT a diet or exercise book. Yes, there are diet and exercise suggestions through out the book, but they are helpful hints and some lifestyle changes that can help towards that first step of taking action. Get Energy is all about figuring out what is blocking you from taking action and overcoming the hardest thing: taking that first step. I love that this makes it easy to do one little thing at a time that can make a difference in your daily life. Austin doesn't make you feel bad that you have bad habits, she tries to make you understand how each little thing can help you change for the better.

The book is broken down into bite size bits that are easy to digest and actually accomplish. Although I doubt I will ever look anything like Denise Austin, it is comforting to know that she has the same issues and problems that most women around 50 have and that at this time in our lives, our bodies are changing. I have tried several of the suggestions in this book when I am feeling out of sorts and they really do help. Even getting up and walking around the block can help change your outlook on life. Everyone needs this book and it will help your New Year's resolutions so much easier!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so grateful to have received this book through the First Reads Program! I have definitely been feeling tired and unmotivated recently and this book has really helped me to identify problem areas in my life.

I loved the chapter on stretching. After I finished reading it, I put it into effect and have been stretching for at least 15 minutes in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Not only has that helped me feel more awake and active, but it has also helped me feel more relaxed during the day.

I also really liked the 14 day pep plan. It gives you little things to do throughout the day that will improve how you feel each day! These activities are not hard to do and don't take up a lot of time, so they are perfect for any busy person who thinks they don't have enough hours in a day to give themselves a bit of happiness.

Overall this book is a great guide to how you should be living your life. Enjoying each moment, taking a bit of time out of your day for yourself, getting some exercise, eating well, etc. I would recommend this to anyone who needs an energizing change in their life.

A great book for the new year!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my book review blog Rundpinne.....
"I chose to review Get Energy! by Denise Austin because it is not a diet book. Rather at age 50, Denise Austin gives readers a glimpse into her life and how she manages to have so much energy. Austin speaks about the various things that can drain one of their energy and small, easy, and do-able ways to regain energy from drinking more water to eating enough food. Austin does offer some stretches to wake one up, but does not preach about hours of exercise or starvation diets, rather offers the reader a realistic approach to aging gracefully, reducing stress, and gaining more energy regardless of one’s age. Austin offers a workbook type section for the reader to use for 14 days to help boost energy and reduce stress along with brief workout sections to gain energy. The book is written in a warm and inviting manner as though Austin is in the reader’s living room having a casual discussion about how to find more time in one’s day and how to reduce stress. I highly recommend Get Energy! to anyone who feels they could use a little bit more energy in their day, regardless of age." JH/Rundpinne/2011

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book as a first reads win on GRs. I've always admired the high level of energy and level of fitness that Denise Austin has so I was interested in how she maintains this energy. I would say that most of the information in this book is not new but she does a nice job of organizing it and presenting it, making it more accessible. It is a good review of what we should be eating/drinking, doing, and feeling. Being rather active and health-conscious myself already, I didn't really walk away with anything new but for someone needing to make big changes in their life, I would say this is a great book to help start those changes. That is why I gave it a 4 star rating. But again, if you are already health-conscious, you probably already know most of what is in this book but it is a good review, and reminder, of what we should be doing.

[Rhonda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book though a First Reads giveaway, but (ironically perhaps) I didn't have the energy to spare to open and give it a read until recently. Once I did, I couldn't actually finish it. Don't get me wrong, this book will be very useful to someone; it has a lot of practical suggestions people can impliment to improve their lives and increase their energy levels. It's also got a very upbeat tone and lots of stuff that could be inspiring for other readers. Readers who aren't me. I think Ms. Austin is a little too perky for me, personally, and many of her suggestions just wouldn't fit into my life. So overall? Probably it's a good book, it's just not for me.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Reads: This is a self-help guide to getting more energy. If you're already a fan of Denise Austin, as I am, you are already familiar with her overly upbeat nature. This book is very readable, written as if she is talking directly to you and giving you a pep talk with each sentence.
In this book you will find Denise's plan to give you an energy makeover. There's a quiz to address what is zapping your energy, subsequent chapters to address those areas, a worksheet to reclaim your energy, a 14-day plan to gain more energy (including health snack recipes) and exercises - both stretches for morning, noon and night and exercises to give you energy and a workout.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It's not a diet book. It's not an exercize manual. It's more of a lifestyle- and attitude- coaching book. I almost passed it by until I realized it was written by THE Denise Austin, long-time fitness star. Her expertise and wisdom in her field is relevant, and she's able to break down long-range or big goals into small steps that anyone can handle. I really like Get Energy!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little worried this would be just another exercise book, but I really enjoyed it! Although there are a few simple exercises in it, the book is more about how to improve your life, not just in a physical way, but also in emotional/spiritual ways. I found the checklists to be very helpful tools in figuring out in what ways I needed to improve my life in order to be healthier all-around. I really would recommend this book!

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a nice book, jam-packed with useful tips and new ways of approaching common problems. My only complaint is that it is heavily directed at married homeowner church-going women with children who have day jobs. That demographic doesn't constitute even a slim majority of the people who could pick up and/or benefit from this book.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am supposed to greatly reduce caffeine so I found this book helpful. She has a very energetic style that makes things seem possible.

I was not aware of how tired women could get from perimenopause.

Part of my five stars is that Denise Austin and I are about the same age and I liked the fact that she said her house is one of the things that she lets go in her busy schedule.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I received this as a free copy, I have to say the book is well worth it's list price. Easily applicable to anyone's daily life this is a must read as far as I'm concerned. I've already purcahsed several sa gifts.

[Lesley Albers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As always Denise has a positive attitude that shines through in her book. Denise shares her knowledge on having more energy through out your day. She touched on meditation, positive attidudes and healthy eating and exercise. Great book!

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from Good Reads giveaways just in time for the New Year. I think we could all use some extra dose of energy though I've had a few of her workout videos and her enthusiasm can be nauseating at times.

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice read with little tidbits of how to energize your life and also great reminders to live life to the fullest and make the most of it. You only have one life to live and it is up to you to decide how you want to spend each day equaling up to a lifetime. Nice reminder.

[Tiffany 🎀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was pretty good. I have to say it wasn't really what I expected though. she does offer some helpful tips though.

[Douglas Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally (correctly used) changed my life!!

[Carmen Shea Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of helpful info and hints about how to be a more energetic, positive person. I use this as a reference book to look back on sometimes. It has several good recipes in it as well.

[Rena]

Thank you. I just won this book through First Reads. Looking forward to reading it.