Healthy Healing: A Guide to Working Out Grief Using the Power of Exercise and Endorphins

by Michelle Steinke-Baumgard

Overview

Instead of helping in the aftermath of loss, many of the books and strategies meant to guide us through grief only add to the sadness. No one understands the need for a new approach more than Michelle Steinke-Baumgard, who lost her husband in a tragic plane accident and became a widow overnight. In the darkest moment of her life, the mother of two young children found solace and hope in the unlikeliest of places: exercise. She recorded her journey in her blog, One Fit Widow, and soon had a huge community of devoted followers. Now, Michelle offers her revolutionary solution to grief to everyone struggling with their own loss.

Healthy Healing addresses the physical, mental, and emotional effects of grief in a way that no other book in the category has ever done, offering a 12-week plan that empowers you to work through loss by using the power of exercise and endorphins, and rediscovering happiness by strengthening body, mind and spirit through fitness. And the benefits don’t end there: Exercise helps with poor sleep—a common side effect of trauma—and proper nutrition boosts immunity and fuels you through a busy, stressful time. Michelle dispels common myths about grief and replaces them with relatable advice and actionable inspiration, including:

• Starting with baby steps such as taking a walk or being in nature
• Learning to be comfortable with alone time and rediscovering your strength
• Pairing your exact circumstances with the right form of exercise, whether it’s gentle yoga to release trapped sadness or intense kickboxing to work through anger
• Embracing community and surrounding yourself with support

This book is an exercise plan, nutrition guide, and, most importantly, a compassionate companion during the most difficult time in your life. With Healthy Healing, you’ll learn how to channel your pain into something productive—and use tragedy as a catalyst for inspired change.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062656032
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/24/2017
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	320,461
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Michelle Steinke-Baumgard is a mother, remarried widow, IFPA Certified Personal Trainer, and IFPA Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist. As cofounder of the online community One Fit Widow, along with My 1 FitLife and Live the List Nonprofit, she's campaigning to change the way people look at life, fitness, family struggles, and living with tragedy

Table of Contents

Message to the Reader ix

How to Use This Book xiii

Introduction: My Story, Your Story 1

Part 1 Moving Forward

Chapter 1 Myths About Grief 13

Chapter 2 Your Grief on Endorphins 27

Chapter 3 Exercise 45

Chapter 4 Nutrition 67

Chapter 5 Getting Started 91

Part 2 The Healthy Healing Program

Week 1 Time Management 105

Week 2 Guilt 125

Week 3 Nature and Quiet Time 137

Week 4 Comparison 151

Week 5 Rest 165

Week 6 A New Normal 171

Week 7 Community 179

Week 8 Numbing the Pain 185

Week 9 Planning for the Future 197

Week 10 Leading by Example 207

Week 11 Living in the Moment 221

Week 12 Honoring the Person You Lost 231

Conclusion: Moving Forward Every Day 241

Healthy Healing Shopping List 245

Healthy Healing Recipes and Easy Meals 251

Acknowledgments 261

Resources 265

Notes 273

Index 279

Editorial Reviews

If you are even remotely considering changing your lifestyle, and/or are struggling with grief, pick up this book. Not only will your body thank you, but in times of loss, your heart and soul will thank you.

Girl Well Read

Healthy Healing gives life to the notion that there can be beauty in the places that feel broken...get moving to a healthier life of hope and healing...become a living legacy in a way that really honors our loved ones.”

Bonnie Carroll

Practical, relatable, and life-affirming, Healthy Healing is a valuable resource for any grieving person. Michelle has not only found her own path through unthinkable tragedy, but she has created a roadmap for people facing any of life’s challenges.

Michele Neff Hernandez

Healthy Healing will not only guide you through your grief—it will literally save your life. It is about time we have a book that doesn’t leave the body behind after loss.” 

Christina Rasmussen

I have never seen the road to ‘everything is going to be okay’ more clearly than in the pages of this book. It’s not just a call to action. It’s a call to life. Steinke takes your hand from page one and doesn’t let it go.

Laura Munson

Michelle is a living example of her wise guidance on the power of endorphins and exercise to heal and empower your journey. May it propel you on your walk into a bright, renewed future full of unlimited possibility. Life changing from the inside out!” 

Carolyn Moor

I have never seen the road to ‘everything is going to be okay’ more clearly than in the pages of this book. It’s not just a call to action. It’s a call to life. Steinke takes your hand from page one and doesn’t let it go.” %COMM_CONTRIB%Laura Munson