Energy Is Everything: Mindset, Nutrition and Exercise for the best version of you

This first book from personal trainer Mike Macdonald is his unique take on his individual philosophy for a healthy and happy existence.Where this books differs from others in the genre is that Mike combines a deep knowledge of the prevaling science in fitness and nutrition, together with a understanding of how to apply this practically on an everyday basis and to translate it into a language which all readers can understand and more importantly, incorporate into their busy lives to achieve the best results.I would recommend this book to those fed up with trying unsuccessfully to follow the latest extreme diet or exercise fads and instead want something which is clear, easy to follow and focuses on the fundamental things that actually matter most to ensure you achieve the 'best version of you'!

Before going further, I have to admit to a counter-interest in reading this book; I live in same city as the author, am studying much the same course as he did and I intend running a business very much along the same lines as AKR Conditioning after I graduate. I also hope to write a book (or several) on health and fitness related topics so reading this book was very much a case of ‘checking out the competition’ and seeing if it is any good. It is, damn it.The health and fitness world is full of people who really don’t know very much but make a big noise about the latest idea, whatever that may be. A complex subject is over-simplified and polarised into camps who advocate one diet or exercise method over another and, conversely (and illogically), it is also over-complicated by these same ‘gurus’ who say you have to follow strict routines of eating and exercising whereas the reality for most people to be healthier and fitter is quite straight forward; get a range of exercise and eat healthy food (but not too much of it). Simples, right?Mike MacDonald does something rare in the fitness world, tying in fitness training, nutrition and mental well-being, and does it well. He doesn’t advocate extremes of anything but does ask you to consider how each and every action you take or thought you have ties into one another to lead you towards being a happier and healthier person. I have a passion for everything related to health and fitness and I hate, with a passion, books and websites which make claims without evidence to back them up. So it is really refreshing to read a book written by someone who is clearly well informed about the subject and who is backed up by evidence rather than opinion. He presents the information clearly and simply but does not dumb it down in any way. And for those who want to delve a little deeper he has a comprehensive list of sources for you to check out.If you have been reading about such subjects for a while, don’t expect to learn many (maybe, any) astounding new facts but you can expect to have your existing knowledge broadened and tied into the fascinatingly complex web that is the human organism. But if you are just starting your journey towards improved health and fitness then there are few better places to start than reading this book. It will not provide you with all the answers (nor does it try to) but it will set you on the right path and prompt you to ask questions that you might not have considered before. By taking on board the messages this book contains you should be in a better place to get the most from the enormous amounts of information available about exercise, diet and mental well-being. And, if you decide to get a personal trainer, you can evaluate them on how well they meet the general guidelines outlined in the book and if they don’t measure up, get a better one. Like Mike. Or me perhaps…[NB. I do not know the author nor have I received any training from him so my evaluation of his abilities are purely through his words, either via his web presence or this book.]

So many people trundle through their lives feeling lethargic and instead of looking at how to permanently improve their energy levels, they will just opt for quick fixes without looking at the bigger picture. This book, however, looks holistically at the issue of energy, demonstrating that you need to nourish your mind as well as your body in order to achieve consistently good energy levels.The book is segmented into three: Mindset, Nutrition and Exercise. After reading the book, it seems very logical that Mindset (something I tend to overlook) is at the start because if your mindset is negative, how can you expect positive outcomes in any aspect of your life? This section was very interesting and it has certainly helped me change the way I think - previously I hadn't quite grasped the detrimental effect negative thinking has on you physically as well as emotionally.In the Nutrition section the book didn't just look at the food we eat but also the behaviours surrounding this such as cravings, binging, emotional attachments to food etc and there were many aspects to which I, and probably most people, could relate. The approach taken by the author was honest and knowing he had experienced many of these problems also made the information and advice more authentic.I found the section on Exercise to be very informative with scientific facts laid out in a reader-friendly manner, showing, amongst other things, that too much exercise is as detrimental as no movement and that exercise does not need to mean spending hours on a cardio machine at the gym.Not only was there plenty of helpful information but there were also practical suggestions on how to attain energy, from taking control of your thoughts and breaking negative habits (Mindset) to how we can be more mindful of what we are eating and how to eat it (Nutrition) to how to get the most out of exercising (Exercise). I also particularly liked that there was plenty of relevant quotations and that the book was well referenced but yet it was easy to understand and not full of scientific jargon.If you ever find yourself inexplicably lacking in energy, I would highly recommend this book because after all, energy is everything.