Strong Is the New Beautiful

August 1, 2016
Highly decorated Alpine skier Vonn, in her debut book, imparts accessible and adaptable diet and fitness truths distilled from years of training. She emphasizes getting strong over losing weight, and eating right over eating less. For street cred, Vonn goes over her own challenges with dieting, unhealthy eating, body image insecurities, and almost career-ending injuries, and for added heft cites research studies. Beauty and self-acceptance at any shape are hallmarks of her thinking. Devoid of calorie counting and strict regimentation, the book’s adaptable approach relies on a few dietary principles: eat “clean, healthy, balanced, and whole”; reduce processed foods and refined sugar; and splurge in moderation. Vonn shares her favorite foods and simple recipes, which are measurement-free and minimal in preparation instructions, all with an air of inviting readers to find what works best for them. In the same vein, she urges people to find exercises they enjoy, explaining how she relies on cycling in place of running—which she detests—as her main aerobic activity. A list of “my 65 favorite get-strong exercises” rounds out the book, most requiring no more than free weights or a yoga ball. Vonn has created an inspiring narrative, along with a seductive means of getting healthy and fit.

November 15, 2016

Olympic alpine ski racer Vonn has tried nearly "every exercise diet there is" and here passes on lessons she has learned. Aimed at people of all shapes and sizes, her book emphasizes becoming strong, not losing weight. Strength brings many benefits, including increased self-confidence, elevated mood, and empowerment. Most importantly, strong is synonymous with healthy, and getting healthy means eating lean and clean. The book's first half provides a five-step plan to help readers give up processed and refined foods along with a one-week eating challenge, and Vonn's favorite meals. The second half is dedicated to fitness; Vonn shares tips on making exercise a habit, provides reasons to strength train, and concludes with 65 exercises and circuits, each demonstrated with photographs and instructions. All can be done in a living room or at the gym. VERDICT While engaging readers with stories of her own successes and failures, Vonn presents a regimen that's authentic, accessible, and inspiring.--Pauline Theriault, Multnomah Cty. Lib., Portland, OR

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