Customer Reviews

Fit and Female: The Perfect Fitness and Nutrition Game Plan for Your Unique Body Type

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If you are looking for a book that will tell you what to eat and how to exercise in order to get a super-muscular body, or a super-thin model-type body, then look elsewhere. This is not a book about diet and exercise, but about learning to accept and take care of your body, no matter the shape and size. That said, there are exercises designed for each body type, as well as nutrition and eating advice.

Now we have all heard the message that we should love our body, no matter what, and certainly there are lots of books out there with the same message. So what makes Geralyn's book different from all the rest? It's because she's lived through the same struggles as the average woman. When a genetically-blessed woman tells you that you should accept your body, you probably think "Yeah, it's easy for her to say because she has the perfect body." And consequently, we never really listen to the message and reflect on what it means. However, coming from Geralyn, the message hits home because she has suffered the same weight issues as many of us. I was able to relate to Geralyn's message, because her struggles really mimicked my own. I've struggled to accept myself almost my entire life, and despite being an avid runner and very healthy, I still have a hard time with self-acceptance. Knowing that Geralyn was able to overcome her issues and find self-love and self-acceptance is a real inspiration. I think if someone had told me these things many years ago, it would have saved me a lot of suffering.

You may think that the motivational part of the book is too long, but I think Geralyn is on to something. Unless you can first accept your body the way it is now, no matter how much you exercise and diet, it is unlikely that you will be happy with your body no matter how fit and/or thin you may become.

Turning to the exercise portion of the book, you first have to determine your unique body type (e.g. ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph, and apple or pear). Of course, hardly anyone fits neatly into one category, but chances are you are predominantly one type. Once you know what "type" you are, Geralyn recommends certain cardio and strength training exercises, which are supposed to be optimal for your type. Recognizing that fitness has to fit a woman's schedule, she also tells you how many repetitions and sets you need to do, based on the amount of time you have (bare minimum, ideal, and gung-ho). Now, I've been running for over 5 years and have consistently strength trained, so when I saw the strength training exercises Geralyn recommended, I didn't think I'd derive much benefit. Boy, was I wrong! I did the gung-ho workout (most repetitions and sets) and my muscles hurt for TWO straight days!

In terms of eating, Geralyn teaches you to have a healthy relation with food. She cautions against mindless eating, urges proper nutrition, and details eating tips for each body type. Again, what makes her message powerful (because who hasn't already heard about the dangers of mindless eating?) is that she has gone through this herself.

To conclude, I highly recommend this book. Whether you are struggling with your body image, are just beginning to make the decision to love your body, or already wholly accept yourself (and kudos to you if you do!), you should read this book. It is truly enjoyable, powerful, and liberating. Keep in mind that changing your self-perception does not happen overnight, especially if you've had a negative image about yourself for many years (or your whole life, in my case). But with this book and the right attitude, you can begin the journey to a happier, and healthier, you.

I read through the introduction of her book so fast that my eyes couldn't keep up with me. I couldn't wait for the next line to know more about this real life story laced with struggles and successes alike.

Her understanding yet no nonsense approach takes all the guess work out of confusing exercise facts and myths. She walks you through topics like body image, genetics and all the stuff in between that "the never taught us in school".

There is a neat little quiz that helps you define your body type. Then, workouts and nutritional plans for each specific type i.e. Ecto-Apple or Meso-Pear.

Jam Packed with motivation and inspiration; it's a real sense of "touch down". A relief from the crazy world wind of unhealthy fad diets, magic pills and empty promises that bombard us every day.

I have already benefited from the many little tips she offers that can be implemented into daily life.

I think if you're someone who is trying to lose weight or get healthy and fit, it's essential to do your research. We can count fat grams or carbs all we like, but that's not the entire story. This is an easy to read book that gives you insight into your individual body type, and how best to work with what God gave you for weight-loss success. The only thing that I don't like is that you will have to go elsewhere for really good, results-oriented exercise plans, but this gives a good start.

Fit+Female was surpisingly a book with some substance to it. When I bought it I expected a run-of-the-mill book with pictures of workouts and guidlines for a diet. Although it does contain all of these things, the book outlines specific diets and excersise plans for each of the six body types. Coopersmith explains how to find which type you are, as well as including a quiz. I felt like I was reading a magazine with my friends not trying to get in shape. The fitness plans are straightforward. The diet plans are sound as well, and instead of just giving foods to eat, Coopersmith tells why you should eat them and how you should make healthy choices outside her meal plans.
The best thing I thought about the book was that it went beyond the superficial. Coopersmith not only writes about fitness and nutrition, but goes in depth about body issues and self-confidence. She explains that you should love your body for what it is, and as long as it is a healthy body, that is what matters. Coopersmith writes that the ideal shouldn't be the emaciated, stick-figure models, but strong, healthy women. This is a really important message. Fit+Female goes beyond just a fitness book, and I would highly recommend it to any woman.

What I like:
The author helps you figure out which of the 6 body types you are via a Quiz. It's a combo of being either an Apple or Pear, and being one of (Meso, Endo, or Ecto). I was amazed when I read the description of my body type and how 'true' her description rang.

She then recommends a regiment of Cardio and Weight exercises (with pictures for each exercise) for your body type. there's a range of 'how often' and 'how hard' you work out based on your own fitness level, time, etc...

Then the books goes into the diet portion, explaining very Factually and realistically what you need to do to lose weight, what to eat (food groups wise) for each body type.

I like that this is very concise and tailored to your body type, so it's fast and easy to digest!! Leaving you more time to actually workout!

I have been a personal trainer for over 12 years and have finally found the perfect book for all my female clients. Never before have I read such a motivating yet humorous book that is both concise and informative. If you follow Geralyn's plan for your body type you will be assured success. Fit and Female is the Holiday gift all of my clients will be getting this year(g). I can't wait for her next book. Great stuff.

As a trainer, one of the hurdles that I deal with when I am working with female clients is the unrealistic expectations they have when starting a fitness program. When I read Fit and Female, I knew Geralyn identified with what a lot of women struggle with; body image. Having been through the same experiences as so many women, she is really able to capture the female reader's trust. I have given the book to all of my female clients, and it has been an inspiration to all of them. It has helped to change their mindset, and to rethink goals. The Introduction and First Chapter alone are worth the price of admission. Get this book for someone you love.

I never thought a fitness book could be so entertaining.This book has great advice and it is given in a very humerous way. I have three daughters and my oldest is a teenager, I think this book will really help her get on the right path. So many kids today have eating disorders, take diet pills and do not want to excercise. This book shows you how to eat and excercise for the type of body you have. I enjoyed it alot. I recommend it for people who are frustrated with their bodies and want to get healthy.

Six months ago, I picked up us this book and finished it one day. It was exactly what I needed to read to help me with where I was in my life back in January: STUCK (with my weight struggles). I never had to worry about my weight until I hit my 30's; however, after giving birth to two little girls and my metabolism slowing down on me, my reality hit hard with an excess of 20 lbs that I didn't know how to handle. Today, I'm 15 lbs lighter with a health body fat percentage, and I happily write this review to give credit to where credit is due. I love this book. It totally speaks to me, and I highly recommend it to ALL women. I read it through once and then had to go back and highlight all the good stuff (so my friends won't miss it as they pass the book along). Fit and Female is a fun and easy read that changed my point of view and my thoughts about the results I was expecting see in my body. Thank you, Geralyn Coopersmith, for writing a book with a women in mind. Thank you for sharing your inspirational story with me and debunking the crazy myths of unhealthy fad diets and empty promises that bombard us every day. But most importantly, thank you for the mental clarity I now have about my self image ~ I embrace my Meso-Pear shape (big muscular legs and all)!

I could write a lengthy review detailing all the wonderfulness that this book is, but I'll spare you.

Instead I'll summarize: Fit and Female touches upon the media's impact on how women perceive themselves, physically, and why we need to ignore it. Coopersmith then holds your hand as she talks you through some of the myths that abound regarding female fitness and guides you to a fitness plan with the goal to make you the best YOU, you can be.

I believe this book should be required reading for ALL young women -- the younger the better. Time to take back our bodies!