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5 Minutes for Books – Part 1 – “Mind Over Body”

June 25, 2007 by Guest Contributor

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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5M4Bsidebar.jpgToday is a double feature here at 5 Minutes for Books. We have separated the reviews into two posts however, so that you can enter your comments separately. (Both of the reviews include contests.) To read the second review, click here or scroll down. We announce the winners from last week’s book giveaway at the end of the second review.

Mind Over Body: The Key to Lasting Weight Loss is All in Your Head

This review is authored by regular contributor Jennifer Donovan, book lover and mother of two of book lovers, who blogs at Snapshot.

Mind Over Body: The Key to Lasting Weight Loss is All in Your Head by Nordine Zouareg does not tell you how to get that summer beach body. No, he focuses on helping you decide what will really motivate you to lifelong health and fitness, whether the obstacles are due to being overweight, under-fit, or overstressed, or negative thought patterns.

In the pages that follow, I will lead you on your own journey, so that you too can arrive at a place where your mind and emotions are driving your desire to lose weight and become fit on both a conscious and a subconscious level. You will be using your mind to direct your body and working toward fitness from the inside out. As a result, I can promise you that you will become thin, trim, fit, and as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside (page 6).

Nordine Zouareg, the professional fitness coach at the world-renowned Miraval Life in Balance Spa and author of the book, answered three of my questions concerning getting fit:

I doubt I’m the first person to say that I don’t enjoy exercise–primarily finding and making time for it. Is the secret just finding something I really enjoy doing, or is there another way to fit exercise into a busy mom’s schedule?

What really inspired my clients to both finding the time to exercise and finding what they truly enjoyed doing, is getting to know why they wanted to be fit and healthy. They’ve connected to their “true core desire” which emanates from the inner you. Once you can see and feel the YOU you want to become, nothing and no one will stop you from achieving your goals. You must first see it in the screen of your mind. Always think of the end result rather than the work it takes to get there.


This was one of the overriding principles in the book–finding your core desire and visualizing the new you. Some of you might be concerned as I was initially that the teachings regarding this might be overly spiritual in nature, but I honestly did not find that to be the case. Most of us acknowledge a spiritual aspect to our personality. I know the God of the Bible, and I know that He has changed me from the inside out, so why not consider the spiritual element in regards to fitness and weight loss, which is nothing more than a self-control issue at heart?

I love to eat healthy foods, and I’ve been successful with losing weight and maintaining weight loss when I focus on eating lots of whole grains and fruits and vegetables without worrying about counting calories. But I also overeat, and I love eating ice cream and fried foods, too. Is the key to eliminate those food for which I’m not controlling my intake, or is balance possible when I’m trying to reenter a healthy lifestyle?

You can eat a balance diet and still have a “cheat” day every couple of weeks, it’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you don’t have more than one cheat day every couple of weeks.

This was one of the theories introduced in the book that helped me believe that Nordine really understood what it was like to be an overworked executive or a mom with too little time for ourselves. In fact, early on in the book, he helps you understand the difference between being “interested” in fitness and “committed” to it. The book is written in an encouraging tone, but is not overly judgmental or pushy. He knows that each person must decide for herself when she is ready to make this change of attitude.

The title of the book really resonated with me because I know that the times when I’ve gotten serious about exercise and a healthy diet have definitely gone hand in hand with a certain mindset. The surprising thing is that I haven’t been motivated when I was thinking, “I’m so fat and out of shape that I have to do something.” It was when I felt better about myself (regardless of what I actually looked like), that I had the motivation to do better. How do we get over the obstacle of thinking that we are never going to be successful?

You must accept any situation you are currently going through for what it is, and then visualize a better one. You must BECOME successful first in your mind. What you see on the outside is merely a manifestation of what you have created in your mind.


On page 14 of the book, he also gives scientific evidence about the power of the subconscious and its part in forming new habits:

Your subconscious mind accounts for 83% of your brain mass and is responsible for 98% of your perceptions and behaviors, including habits and beliefs, memory, personality, and self-image. It accepts as true every thought or image you send it.

In addition to extensive reasons why you must change your thinking in order to effectively lose weight and get healthy, further chapters provide a general weight loss plan and fitness plan.

The publisher has provided three copies of this book that can be shipped to the U.S. or to Canada. If you’d like to win, leave a comment below.

Now how about a little girl talk? Share your biggest obstacle to getting fit or healthy if you don’t mind (c’mon, I did!).

And remember to click here or scroll down to read the second review of today’s 5 Minute for Books. (Leave your comments separately though, since both reviews include contests.)

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5 Minutes for Books – Part 2 – Non-Fiction from National Geographic
Trying To Get Caught Up…

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41 Comments

  1. Joe says

    August 17, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    we need keep mind in lossing weight and mind in muscle.

    Reply
  2. oman says

    September 11, 2007 at 2:22 am

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    Reply
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    Reply
  5. Cmommy says

    June 30, 2007 at 9:59 pm

    Is it to late to add my name?

    Reply
  6. April says

    June 30, 2007 at 3:53 pm

    My biggest obstacle is boredom. When my hands are not busy constantly , even for 1 or 2 minutes I eat. I am slowly fixing this , it is a struggle every day. Please add my name!

    Reply
  7. Cheri says

    June 30, 2007 at 3:17 pm

    Add my name in there too!

    Right now – right now at this very time – my biggest obstacle to gteting fit is the heat. It’s a very humid 80 degrees by 8 am. Air conditioning is expenisve! Who wants to exercise in those conditions?

    Reply
  8. Trista says

    June 27, 2007 at 12:29 am

    BOY DO I NEED THIS MOTIVATION! I’m in!

    Reply
  9. BeachMama says

    June 26, 2007 at 2:39 pm

    Count me in!

    My biggest obstacle is emotional eating. My family has a habit of feeding each other when emotions are riding rough. Have a bad day? Eat. Having a wonderful day? Celebrate with Food. Everything evolves around food. I have done it before but feel the need to get past this again. This book could be the thing to remind me what my original motivation to be lighter and healthier was.

    Reply
  10. Ashley Nichole Navarre says

    June 26, 2007 at 1:58 pm

    Count me in! At the moment, my obstacle is having the oomf. Knocking on 8 months pregnant in the Louisiana heat is not getting me moving at all. And with an 18 month old that constantly wants her mommy to “play,” the last thing i feel like doing is hauling myself to a gym in between all of her energy. I’m trying, though!!!!

    Reply
  11. Kim says

    June 26, 2007 at 1:25 pm

    Sounds like a great book and I would love to win it!!

    Reply
  12. Karla Meachem (Empowering Christian Women) says

    June 26, 2007 at 11:49 am

    My BIGGEST obstacle…I have more than one! I live in chronic pain, so each day is different. Add to that an addiction to chocolate, coffee & Coke…and a lack of commitment. There’s the TRUTH.

    I loved this part of the article “I know the God of the Bible, and I know that He has changed me from the inside out, so why not consider the spiritual element in regards to fitness and weight loss, which is nothing more than a self-control issue at heart?”

    POWERFUL! I am keeping that quote and applying it to my weight loss success!

    Thank you!

    Reply
  13. Overwhelmed With Joy! says

    June 26, 2007 at 9:36 am

    Let’s see, my biggest obstacle is exercising. I hate to exercise. I do much better trying to eat healthier but I know that’s not enough.

    Please enter me for this book giveaway. I’d love to win!

    Reply
  14. devildogwife says

    June 26, 2007 at 8:55 am

    Sign me up please!

    Reply
  15. YoungMommy says

    June 25, 2007 at 10:13 pm

    My biggest obstacle to staying fit, like so many other moms to many, is definitely TIME… I guess I should make it more of a priority!
    Enter me, please. 🙂

    Reply
  16. blondeblogger says

    June 25, 2007 at 9:49 pm

    Wow! I could REALLY use this book! Please enter me. Thanks!

    Reply
  17. melody says

    June 25, 2007 at 8:56 pm

    Honestly, I’m pretty good at keeping up my exercise routine. BUT, I’m human and the times I fall short are simply because my mind decides I’m tired, the world isn’t treating me fairly, I’ll die one day anyway, yada yada yada…and such foolishness.

    I’d love this book.

    Reply
  18. Montserrat says

    June 25, 2007 at 7:26 pm

    Time is probably the biggest obstacle for me. That and my love, um, I mean obsession, with chocolate. Though I don’t think I’m too terribly overweight, I’d like to gain control and lose 15 pounds now rather than 50 pounds later.

    Reply
  19. Janne says

    June 25, 2007 at 6:56 pm

    My biggest obstacle is being too lazy to exercise regularly.

    Reply
  20. Caryn says

    June 25, 2007 at 5:50 pm

    Would love to win!!!!

    Reply
  21. Myrna says

    June 25, 2007 at 5:50 pm

    Sounds wonderful. Enter me too!

    Reply
  22. leah belle says

    June 25, 2007 at 5:47 pm

    I want in!

    Reply
  23. Ruth :) says

    June 25, 2007 at 5:17 pm

    What a great resource!!! I’m in!

    Reply
  24. laughing mommy says

    June 25, 2007 at 4:34 pm

    Count me in! Thanks!

    Reply
  25. Heather (Heather's reality show) says

    June 25, 2007 at 4:31 pm

    I’m in on this one for sure!

    Reply
  26. Karen (mommy of three) says

    June 25, 2007 at 2:03 pm

    Count me in!

    Reply
  27. Michele says

    June 25, 2007 at 1:21 pm

    My obstacle is motivation…it is so easy to give into to convenice and not be motivated enough to stick to a plan. I need to read this book!

    Thanks for the review

    Reply
  28. Laura says

    June 25, 2007 at 1:03 pm

    Hey Jennifer! My obstacle is definitely POTATO CHIPS!!! I love them and must stop eating them….bad…very bad!!! I totally need this book 🙂

    Thanks for the review!!!

    Laura

    Reply
  29. Carey says

    June 25, 2007 at 12:13 pm

    I would love to read this book. My obtsocle is time, i dont make time.

    Reply
  30. Aimee says

    June 25, 2007 at 11:55 am

    I haven’t heard of this book before, but it does seem like a sound principal. Obviously if your mind and heart aren’t in the game, or if you don’t understand what your goal is, it’s going to be so much harder to accomplish anything. Why would weight loss be any different?

    Reply
  31. Cathy says

    June 25, 2007 at 11:26 am

    Sounds like an interesting read…I definitely need some motivation.

    Reply
  32. CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela says

    June 25, 2007 at 10:32 am

    Just like Amy K above, my biggest obstacle is TIME. With a 2 and 4 year old, it is tough for me time. And then all I want to do is read. I’m going to the gym 2 x a week now though. A step in the right direction. Now if I could just find shorts that don’t ride up in the middle when I run!

    Reply
  33. Dawn says

    June 25, 2007 at 10:13 am

    This sounds like a great book, and I could really use it.

    Reply
  34. Amy K says

    June 25, 2007 at 9:26 am

    I would instantly say my greatest challenge is time. With two toddlers at home, that’s the excuse I give myself. But I think there must be something more to it. The part about motivation intrigues me because I KNOW I should eat better and exercise (and lose about 50 lbs.) but I can’t figure out how to get my mind in the right place.

    Reply
  35. Brooke says

    June 25, 2007 at 9:19 am

    I am in dire need of discipline and motivation.

    Reply
  36. Gretchen says

    June 25, 2007 at 8:19 am

    Ugh…deciding to be disciplined is the hardest part, isn’t it?!

    Reply
  37. Mama Zen says

    June 25, 2007 at 8:18 am

    Oh, I need it too!

    Reply
  38. Liz says

    June 25, 2007 at 8:13 am

    Sounds like a very thought-provoking book and something I want to consider before I get much older.

    Reply
  39. Wendy says

    June 25, 2007 at 8:06 am

    Sounds like a great book!

    Reply
  40. Laura says

    June 25, 2007 at 7:58 am

    When I hit 35 I should have gotten a book like this…never too late : )

    Reply
  41. Amberly says

    June 25, 2007 at 7:37 am

    Would love to read this! And need it too!

    Reply

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