Shape Your Self: My 6-Step Diet and Fitness Plan to Achieve the Best Shape of Your Life (Hardcover)

by Martina Navratilova (Author) "I once had a coach, Mike Estep, who challenged a lot of the patterns that I had picked up in my first decade on the..." (more)
Key Phrases: light cardiovascular activity, whole grain dinner roll, cise mat, Core Lower-body, Czech Republic, Chris Evert (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Tennis legend Navratilova has won 20 Wimbledon titles and 58 Grand Slam titles, and at age 46, became the oldest Grand Slam winner ever. Now 49, she competes in tennis matches, skis, and plays hockey and basketball. It's no surprise, then, that she's always being asked, "How do you stay in such good shape? What's your secret?" The answers lie in a food and fitness plan that explores six areas of mind and body fitness, from thinking like an athlete (dream big, set high goals, push yourself, bounce back from defeat) to choosing organic foods (Navratilova is enamored of juicing; she provides recipes for fruit-and-vegetable drinks and meals in a 28-day plan). The book's exercise section includes photos of the author demonstrating workout moves and a list of "exercise toys" that keep fitness routines fun. It's fascinating (and motivating) to get the inside scoop on how an elite athlete trains—and struggles like the rest of us. Navratilova's coaching approach, characterized by supportive, encouraging exhortations ("Look at ability, not age" and "You are the benchmark of your own success"), will give struggling readers encouragement. (Apr.)
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Product Description
Known for her superb conditioning, Martina Navratilova is a marvel of fitness. She easily outruns many women who are half her age, still plays tennis competitively, and engages in all the other sports she loves: basketball, hockey, skiing, and more. Everywhere she goes, people ask her: Why can you still move the way you do? How do you stay in such good shape? What+s your secret?In The Shape of Your Life, this amazing athlete shares through personal anecdotes the simple strategies, tips, and small lifestyle changes that will enable anyone to tune up their body, mind, and spirit. In her 6-step program readers discover:¥ tips on achieving the focus and mental ability of star athletes ¥ advice on creating an environment-emotionally and physically-that supports readers+ health and personal goals¥ a healthy food plan with delicious recipes-emphasizing natural foods, including raw foods and juices-that help the body release toxins, drop extra pounds, and feel more vibrant and youthful¥ fun, unique, cutting-edge exercises that can be done anywhere and will make readers appreciate the power, strength, and beauty of the body¥ novel ways to recharge and energize mind and bodyAbove all, Martina offers smart, doable techniques so readers can achieve championship levels in every area of their lives.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (March 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594862826
• ISBN-13: 978-1594862823
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,867 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational but reasonable, July 5, 2006

By	Sherry Jacobs "Editor" (Cypress, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this book to be very informative, inspirational, and do-able. Basically, you have to be open-minded to change with respect to diet and lifestyle. But nothing in this book requires drastic change, extreme work-outs, or pressure. On the contrary, Martina encourages readers to gradually adopt changes to your diet and physical activity levels for improved health and fitness. What inspired me to buy this book, as opposed to other work-out books, is Martina, herself. I am 46 years old and have struggled with being out of shape, feeling run down, and basically wanting a better and more healthier lifestyle for myself for awhile now. Martina is living proof that at any age you are never too old to feel better and to be the best you can be. I figure if she can do, so can I. Thanks Martina.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic competitor who's still in great shape :-), April 1, 2006

By	Little Miss Cutey (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

I love tennis and always have, so I can appreciate the champion that Martina is. Her career is choc-full of trophies from so many victories - a feet that is impossible to achieve if you aren't in shape. Some players today may not put the gym work into the behind-the-scenes aspect of their careers and therefore will not have the staying power or stamina to pull of matches like Martina. For this reason, I trust what she says in her new book. It's interesting to see all the work that goes on after they leave the court and it's a constant process. Not only do they have to workout and lift weights, but they need to be so mindful of their diets. Here are all Martina's 'secrets' on how she has made her career last so long - when so many of her peers have long ago retired. She is a funny lady and she uses some of her humour to make this interesting and not like a big lecture. Their are recipes and exercise do's and don'ts that she does and the information is so helpful because it comes from someone you know you can trust. She knows what she's talking about and I highly recommend this to absolutely everyone whether you need to get in shape or not - we can all become a little healthier as a result. Great book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buying my second copy, one for my workout studio, one for the kitchen!, November 27, 2006

By	Rebecca L. Burns - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very effective book for living a healthy and fit life. Martina did a great job with this. The functional exercises that she includes are well-researched and state of the art. I enjoy them and I think they are more effective than what one finds in other books and fitness magazines. Great job, Martina!

I am a former triathlete and was getting stale with my normal weight and cardio routine. Her exercises are great and seem to be working very well for me. The recipes are also wonderful and a great way to get out of my old rut.

This is probably the best food and fitness book I have ever purchased, and I have bought a lot of them.