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5 Minutes for Books–Two Books to Help You Take Care of Yourself

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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.

Reader Interactions


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97 Comments

  7. I would love both books but because I have to choose, I would pick the hormone book. Both would be very useful.

    Reply

  13. 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.

    Reply

  14. 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.

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  15. I could really use the book on hormones. I thought my menopause had passed, but now I’m getting the hot flashes again.

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  17. 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

    Reply

  18. 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.

    Reply

  21. 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

    Reply

  23. 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!!!!

    Reply

  25. 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.

    Reply

  31. 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!

    Reply

  41. 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!

    Reply

  43. 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

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  44. As I am in menopause, I think Hormones, Health and Happiness would be a great read! My second choice would be Lean Mommy!

    Reply

  50. 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.

    Reply

  51. I could really use these books! The post-baby hormones and weight issues are surprisingly different after twins.

    Reply

  57. 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!

    Reply

  61. 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!).

    Reply

  63. 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.

    Reply

  76. Please include me for the Hormones, Health and Happiness book. After 2 Kiddos, my hormones have never been the same!
    :)Smiles!

    Reply

  77. 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.

    Reply

  81. 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.

    Reply

  83. 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.

    Reply

  84. 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!

    Reply

  91. 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.

    Reply

  92. 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!

    Reply