Head First, Health Fast

Head First, Health Fast

The smart approach to outwitting body issues and achieving sustainable health.

Head First, Health Fast is a groundbreaking approach that encourages us to change our mindset and emotions when it comes to body image and nutrition from a highly credible author.

Diets don't work. If they did, 63 percent of Australians wouldn't be overweight or obese. This groundbreaking book from psychologist Leanne Hall shows you how to come off the dieting hamster wheel and take a psychologically savvy approach to body image, nutrition and wellness, by using your head first and learning how to take control of your weight, and your health.

Every diet book makes a promise: follow this plan and you will lose weight. But research has shown that diets don't work, if they did, obesity in Australia would not be at a record high. So why is this?

- Why do so many start diet and exercise programs, only to discard them, or not even bother anymore, so disappointing are the results?
- Why do so many really struggle to lose weight, even when they follow a plan?
- Why do we have such a problematic relationship to food?

In Head First, Health Fast, psychologist Leanne Hall uses her extensive experience assessing weight, body-image, eating, mood and anxiety disorders, as well as her expertise as a nutritionist and personal trainer, to take you on a journey through your own psychology when it comes to your health, your personal relationship to food, and your approach to exercise. Leanne Hall offers a holistic alternative to traditional and restrictive one-size-fits-all weight loss programs. In part one, using quizzes, exercises and q and a's you will learn how to:
- Analyse how well you know yourself
- Make the link between your mood and your eating and exercise habits
- Develop your own goals, using evidence-based information about mental health, nutrition and fitness
- Understand the science of weight-loss and the delicate interplay between hormones, metabolism and genetics.
- Stay motivated using a range of self-nurturance and mindfulness techniques
- Troubleshoot issues and obstacles, before they take hold

In part 2 you will learn how to put this into practice with meal, exercise and organisational plans so you are set up for success. By the end of this journey you will understand how to value your mind, body and health, and have developed a way to sustain weight loss and positive body image.

Head First, Health Fast is the culmination of many years of clinical experience and expertise helping clients reach a place of health and contentment. It encapsulates the idea that by using your head first – developing self-awareness and integrating this with knowledge and skills – you can achieve sustainable health faster. It's also empowering, which is what the book is about, empowering readers with the knowledge and skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle. By learning how to use your Head First, REAL long-term sustainable Health can be achieved so much faster.

Leanne Hall is an experienced integrative clinical psychologist with a focus on prevention, self-care and sustainable health. She specialises in body image and eating disorders. She is also a qualified nutrition coach and personal trainer. Leanne has a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and qualifications in Nutrition and Fitness. Leanne has appeared on Channel 10's The Living Room and Studio 10 as a Mind and Body expert. Leanne's platform also exists on the conference circuit; she was an academic at the University of Sydney, and writes monthly for Open Colleges. Leanne is a body image expert on a new makeover show for E Channel, due to air late 2016, and is a member of the Lifestyle Suite marketing platform. She lives in Sydney.

Head First, Health Fast

Harlequin
Author: Leanne Hall
RRP: $32.99

 

Interview with Leanne Hall

Question: Why did you write Head First, Health Fast?

Leanne Hall: After working one on one with clients for over 15 years I wanted to find a way I could reach more people. My approach to sustainable health is evidence based and takes into account the stories and struggles of hundreds of clients. Although the book was influenced by clients with mental health issues (eating disorders, depression and anxiety), the book is not necessarily written for a clinical population (although anyone who has experienced a mental health issue will certainly find it helpful). Instead, it is written for anyone who has or is struggling with issues related to body image and/or weight.


Question: What is the 'smart approach' to outwitting the body of health issues?

Leanne Hall: It's smart because it's about using your HEAD FIRST. Reflecting on your personality and beliefs and using self-awareness and evidence based knowledge to develop your own approach to sustainable health as opposed to taking something developed and written by someone else.


Question: How does psychology play a part in our diets?

Leanne Hall: If you're not in the 'right" headspace, and begin a 'diet" from a negative mindset (e.g, extreme body dissatisfaction, self-punishment, unrealistic ideas of 'happiness", inability to cope with negative emotions), then our mind will nearly always find a way to sabotage our behaviour. Alternatively, if you start with self-awareness, knowledge and a belief that you ARE enough as you are, then you are much more able to develop something that is realistic and sustainable.

Vanilla Coconut Spelt Pancakes

My kids love these pancakes ... and so does hubby! This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tablespoons coconut oil (softened)
11⁄2 cups almond milk (or milk of your choice) 2 cups wholemeal spelt flour
1⁄4 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 tablespoon macadamia oil

Method
Put all the wet ingredients into a bowl and whisk to combine.
Place the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add wet ingredients. Mix to combine. Don't worry if there are a few small lumps, it's likely to be the coconut oil as it cools.
Heat the macadamia oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place one- quarter of a cup of the mixture into the pan and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Once the bubbles burst, flip the pancake and cook for a minute on the other side. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
Serve with maple syrup (the real stuff) and chopped fruit and Greek yoghurt.


Interview by Brooke Hunter

 

 

Head First, Health Fast
Harlequin
Author: Leanne Hall
RRP: $32.99