This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
If we are going to take care of our families, we need to be sure we are taking care of ourselves. These two books can help insure that you are feeling your best. You can enter to win a copy of either of these books at the bottom of the post.
In Lean Mommy, Lisa Druxman encourages and instructs the new mom about ways to get fit after pregnancy and stay fit. I related so well to the introduction, in which the author said that she had her best lesson in personal health while she was pregnant. Like Ms. Druxman, I paid close attention to my nutrition and activity to best feed the baby and manage my weight gain as well. It should be no less important for us to focus on our health while we are raising them after pregnancy.
The author presents 10 Common Post-Pregnancy Challenges–what your new body faces and what you can do about it. Conquering negative body image and having the proper motivation is another helpful section. The majority of the book is devoted to the Lean Mommy plan (Stroller Strides), which are exercises that you can do with your baby using only a few simple props. Each exercise is described, giving technique tips when the user might encounter difficulties, and there is a picture of each as well. You can also find out more about the Stroller Strides program on their website.
Two chapters on nutrition round out this comprehensive guide for new moms. Super foods and foods to avoid are included in handy charts, and there is no diet plan given that every person must follow.
This is a common-sense guide that would be helpful to any new mom, whether she’s having her first child or her fourth.
Hormones, Health and Happiness
This book was a surprisingly easy read. I was expecting boring statistics and long medical terms (even if the information rang true), but Steven Hotze has written a very easy-to-understand book about the problems that plague so many women. There is no doubt that women must deal with hormones. It starts in puberty, continues with every monthly cycle, goes totally wack-o during pregnancy and for years afterwards, and then menopause comes along. Hormones affect us. What Steven Hotze has found is a link to hormonal imbalances to other conditions such as allergies, yeast, fatigue, weight gain, and so much more. By properly evaluating your hormone levels (which is not as simple as the blood test that many doctors do), and then supplementing with bioidentical hormones, these symptoms alleviate or disappear. In other chapters, vitamins and a proper diet are addressed when needed to treat certain conditions as well. Hormones, Health and Happiness makes sense, and empowers each woman to continue seeking help until her symptoms are gone, as opposed to many doctors who will dismiss your concern about these problems that most women are just supposed to deal with. Chapter One begins:
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Are you weary of doctors who won’t listen to you, don’t understand you, and offer only prescription drugs as the solution to your health problems?
Are you frustrated with being told that your blood tests are normal and there is nothing wrong with you?
There is an appendix in the book that helps you self-identify certain conditions, but there is also a link on his website. If you find yourself in any of these areas, this would definitely be an eye-opening read for you.
We have three copies of each of these books that can ship to either the U.S. or Canada. Please leave a comment and tell which book that you would like (if you are interested in both of them, please list your first choice). Check next week’s column for more giveaways and recommendations and to see if you have won. Scroll down to the next post for last week’s winners.
Bonnie says
Hormones, Health & Happiness, please. I have PCOS so I would love this book.
Angela says
give me lean mom please!
Jennifer says
Lean Mommy please !
Christelle says
Hormones, Health and Happiness
Amy says
Please enter me for Lean Mommy!!! Heaven know I need help there!! 🙂 Thanks!!
Doreen says
Lean Mommy please!! 🙂
Chelsey Grange says
I would love both books but because I have to choose, I would pick the hormone book. Both would be very useful.
Jill says
Would love the hormone book. It would be useful I’m sure.
Fruitbearer says
Please enter me in your giveaway for the Hormones, Health, and Happiness book. Thanks!
Jenn says
I sooooooo need the hormone book right about now!
Karla Meachem (Empowering Christian Women) says
Hormones, Health & Happiness
😉
Callista says
I would love the hormones one! I have PPD so this would be an interesting read.
Donna says
Ugh! How do I choose when they both look great? I guess I’d pick Lean Mommy, although I’d really be happy with either.
TheAngelForever says
Both books look really amazing for women. If I had to pick one I think Lean Mommy is probably best as I just had my second son three months ago.
Pam says
I could really use the book on hormones. I thought my menopause had passed, but now I’m getting the hot flashes again.
Mama Zen says
I’ve been told that I need the book about hormones!
Linda K says
Ever since one doctor used hormones to treat me when I was in my 20’s, things have gone downhill. I am going to look on Steven Hotze website to see if there is info for me.
I keep telling doctors that the chronic fatigue, weird cycles and some of the depression are related to hormones, but they don’t listen.
Now, at 51, I get to look ateven MORE hormone related issues with no hope of getting doctors to listen.
Linda K
Sarah says
Hormones, Health and Happiness: this is a book of a “must-read” for all women. I think it is more of a struggle than we let on. I would like to have this book.
Brittany says
I’m very interested in that Lean Mommy book!!!
Emily says
I would love to win a copy of these
Em
Dale Ann Cubbage says
I really need the Hormones, Health & Happiness book. I am currently suffering from serious hormone issues. I have been taking prozac for the last 4 years, and tried paxil for two months. Both made me so sleepy I could not function. I have quit taking these meds as of about 3 weeks ago, and I’m in the middle of “aftermath” of taking these kinds of chemicals into your body. I know the Lord has freedom for me, and I hope this book will help me do my part in getting FREE!
Thanks for your consideration. You guys do a wonderful job with your site.
Dale Ann Cubbage
Tami says
Hormones, Health and Happiness
Thanks!!
Sandy says
Please enter me in the Hormones book……..I need it. It’s 4:45am and I up wide awake and can’t sleep, pretty much due to those crazy hormones!!!!
Ashley Rutherford says
I like both, but the Hormones, Health and Happiness would be my first choice.
Montserrat says
The Lean Mommy book sounds like the information is wonderful and a big “DOH!” We do need to take just as much care of our bodies after having a baby as we did while we were pregnant.
Amanda says
lean mommy please
Jeanine Baechtold says
Gosh they BOTH sound wonderful, although I think the hormone book is my first choice.
Monkey Giggles says
I could really use this….just ask my hubby!!!
Taowyn says
Both are good books but I think the Lean Mommy would be my cup of tea.
Beth says
Oh my- I need that hormone book!!
Carrie says
I would like the Hormones book. I am 32 and feel my hormones changing. I never ever experienced PMS symptoms until recently. I am still nursing my 4th child though which probably helps my hormones, but I would be really interested in what that book has to say!
Stephanie says
Hormones, Health, & Happiness!!
EPM says
Please count me in on the Hormones, Health and Happiness book!
Sarah says
Please enter me into the Hormones, Health and Happiness drawing. Thanks!
Laura says
Lean Mommy….so wanting to be that right now at 7 weeks Post Partum!
Jennifer M. says
I’d choose Hormones, Health and Happiness. It’s something I deal with often.
Kristine says
I’d love to get ahold of the Hormones, Health and Happiness book!
Kilikina says
If I win I’d like the lean mommy book…
Debbie in NNY says
Please add me to the drawing for the Hormones, Health and Happiness book.
Thanks!
Tessa says
I would love Hormones Health and Happiness. Maybe give a little insight to myself.
BeachMama says
I could so use both of these books as I am due to give birth any day. I will say that Lean Mommy would be my first choice and Hormones, Health and Happiness would be my second.
Thanks!
Ginny says
I’d love to win Hormones, Health and Happiness
Caryn says
I just had a baby 8 weeks ago and am having the worst time getting the weight off! I’d love to read Lean Mommyl
Myrna says
As I am in menopause, I think Hormones, Health and Happiness would be a great read! My second choice would be Lean Mommy!
Kim says
Enter me please.. the hormones book..
Sarah says
My hormones are driving me insane! I need that book. 🙂
Naomi says
I would love to win Lean Mommy… I need help!
Cole's Mama says
I’d love Lean Mommy!
Amy says
I would be interested in both but the Hormones, Health and Happiness would be my first choice.
~Amy
Jessica says
I would love either one, the Lean one for me though, but the hormone one would be just what a friend of mine has been looking for.
Shera says
I could really use these books! The post-baby hormones and weight issues are surprisingly different after twins.
Jill says
I would love Lean Mommy please!
Jenny says
I would love to have Lean Mommy. It would be a great read while getting back in shape after the baby.
Noralee says
I would like the book Lean Mommy to give to my daughter. Thanks for the offer!
lisa says
I could really use the Lean Mommy book—I just had my second son last week and need to shed those pounds! thanks
Richelle F says
Either one looks great. Lean Mommy would be my first choice.
Sarah says
ooh, both books sound so helpful that I can’t pick which one I want. So, I guess if I win, you’ll have to pick one for me!
tammy b says
i NEED the hormone book!
JessicaB says
Hormones, Health, and Happiness Please
Dawn says
Please include me in the drawing for Hormones, Health and Happiness as it sounds awesome!!
[email protected]
Sara says
Goodness they both sound so great it’s hard to pick a first choice but since I have to I’ll go with the Lean Mommy (that which I am not!).
tanyetta says
The: Hormones, Health and Happiness Book Please! Thank you 🙂
gloria needs Hormones, Health and Happiness says
Hormones, Health and Happiness this would be a great book for me because i am always feeling blue and never happy if i am happy it only last a short while. Please pick me to be the winner (hey it never hurts to ask):O)have a great day.
Michele says
Please enter me for lean mommy.
corinne says
Count me in for the hormone book! Thanks for the review.
Tiffany M says
Hormones would be my first choice.The other one looks interesting too
Jodi says
oops forgot which book, the Hormones, Health and Happiness
Jodi says
I could so use this book! Sign me up!
Tiffany says
Lean Mommy…thanks.
Stacey says
I would love the hormone book! I so believe in bioidentical hormones!
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
The Lean Mommy book sounds great. Please count me in. Thanks!
Heather (Heather's reality show) says
I would like the lean mommy book. thanks.
jenna says
Hormones – hands down.
Jill (CDPJ) says
I would love a copy of Lean Mommy! Thanks!
Karen says
I would love Hormones, Health, and Happiness…this sounds JUST like my last Dr appt! Thanks:-)
Kasie says
Please include me for the Hormones, Health and Happiness book. After 2 Kiddos, my hormones have never been the same!
:)Smiles!
Laura says
I’m interested in both, but the Lean Mommy would be my first choice.
After seven children, I have some pounds to lose and have begung trying to lose them. My youngest is 10 months and although I didn’t gain but 10 pounds during that pregnancy.
I have lost 10 pounds so far and I hope to get back to my ideal weight of 140. I have a long ways to go.
Briggie says
I’d like the hormone book – sounds right up my alley right now…
Debi says
Please count me for the hormones book. Thanks!
mama k says
I’d love both! But Lean Mommy would be my first choice. 🙂
Ashley says
since i’m due to give birth in two days, both of these would work for me. If i had to choose, i guess lean mommy.
Melinda says
I think I would like the hormone book please. Thank you.
Melinda
Cory says
Sounds like Hormones, Health and Happiness is exactly what I need. I am entering the menopause cycle of life and would find information like that extremely valuable right about now. Thank you for all you do here.
Mikki says
I would LOVE a chance to read the Hormone and Happiness book. For about a year now I’ve been going to doctors only to hear “well, we’re not sure what the problem is.”
Thanks again for these great giveaways!
Tracy says
I would love the book on hormones.
oh amanda says
I’ve seen the stroller Strides classes at my local park. I’d love to have that book!
Michelle says
I would be interested in the book Hormones, Health and Happiness.
Christina says
I could REALLY use the book about hormones…..this is all sooo new to me !!!
Bev says
I would like to win Hormones, Health and Happiness!
bree says
Hormones, Health and Happiness sounds perfect for me. Thanks for the contest!
Joanne says
Count me in for Lean Mommy please. My son is 1 and I’m trying to slim down and lose weight I gained after my son started eating solids and nursing less.
Elaine says
I would love to check out the Hormone book as well. Since the birth of my 3rd child 4.5 years ago I just can’t seem to get back into my ‘groove’ and am searching for an end to my headaches, fatigue and emotional rollercoaster ride! Thanks for highlighting this book, and I love your site, great job!
Jill H. says
Hormones Health anf Happiness for me please…just the quote sounds so familiar!
Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry says
I so need the Hormone book! Thanks for a very relevant giveaway!
melody is slurping life says
Please include me for Hormones, Health and Happiness. Thanks.
Kelly says
I would love the book about hormones. It is something I am always struggling with.