Available:*
Library | Material Type | Shelf Number | Child Count | Shelf Location | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Midlands | New Book | XX(1181907.1) | 1 | On-order | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... South | New Book | XX(1181907.2) | 1 | On-order | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
A manual for activism that begins with our most powerful asset -- our bodies
Even as a wave of renewed feminism swells, too many women continue to starve, stuff, overwork, or neglect our bodies in pursuit of paper-thin ideals. "Fitness" has been co-opted by the beauty industry. We associate it with appearance when we should associate it with power.
Grounded in advocacy with a rowdy, accessible spirit, Physical Disobedience asserts that denigrating our bodies is, in practice, an act of submission to inequality. But when we strengthen ourselves -- taking broad command of our individual physicality -- we reclaim our authority and build stamina for the literal work of activism: the protests, community service, and emotional resilience it takes to face the news and stay engaged.
Physical Disobedience introduces a breathtaking new perspective on wellness by encouraging nonviolence toward our bodies, revitalizing them through diet and exercise, fashion and social media, alternative therapies, music, and motherhood. The goal is no longer to keep our bodies in check. The goal is to ignite them, to set them free, and have a mighty fine time doing it.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this spirited mixture of fitness guide and self-help, personal trainer Coomer (Lightness of Body and Mind) argues that women can better fight injustice by keeping strong and fit, asserting that "taking care of our bodies is a form of political action." Coomer shares her own experiences with body image; as a teen and college student she despised her body; her belief that at 155 pounds she was overweight resulted in an eating disorder, which involved bingeing and purging several times a day. Her struggle with body image led her to become a personal trainer, both to make peace with her own body and to help others learn that "skinny doesn't make for happy." Although Coomer covers a number of topics (e.g., beauty, alternative therapies, motherhood), one of her most compelling "rants" addresses the fashion industry. She encourages women to find their own style, based on clothing that makes them feel good. Likewise, food is not the enemy. Diet, she claims, should be based on healthy choices (not deprivation), and exercise on the goal of moving, enjoyment, and finding strength. Coomer ends with a useful appendix of charitable and social justice organizations, aptly capping off her unique and "unruly" manual for improving both oneself and the world. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Coomer is a personal trainer and self-proclaimed diet abolitionist whose goal is to empower women and set them free from their negative thoughts about themselves and their bodies. Here she addresses such topics as fitness, food, alternative therapies, and motherhood, all woven in with themes of modern feminism and gender equality. Coomer's prose is inspiring and refreshing as she asserts that we need to listen to our bodies and minds and work with them, not against them. Although she is a personal trainer, Coomer doesn't live to exercise. On the contrary, she believes that pushing your body to its breaking point is not always the right choice, and it is perfectly fine for a run to turn into a stroll through the park. Health and wellness are hot topics, but something special sets Physical Disobedience apart from other self-help books. This self-help titles presents thought-provoking ideas and goals that are realistic for the average woman, and it challenges readers to reflect on their self-perceptions. For women looking to embrace their bodies and live a balanced life, Coomer's "unruly" guide is a great place to start.--Patricia Smith Copyright 2018 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Despite the new wave of feminism and the #MeToo protests, women are still strongly connected to traditional patterns of behavior and body-image stereotypes. Coomer, a licensed personal trainer, offers another option for women who want to make changes in their lives, pointing to the importance of diet, exercise, rest, and stress reduction, but not providing specific plans for implementation. Instead, the author tells women to explore all the available options and choose those that will work for them. No need to go to the gym if one does not enjoy it, just take a walk; get exercise doing housework or gardening, or participate in an appealing sport. Eat whatever is enjoyable in moderation, but avoid excess sugar, fat, and processed foods. Wear comfortable clothes and hair styles and don't worry about fashion. Get a good night's sleep and do something relaxing so that there is energy for community service, activism, or whatever will help improve the world. Caveat for libraries: fill-in-the-blank workbook pages are included in each chapter. -VERDICT A self-help book for those who want to chart their own path. An optional purchase.-Barbara Bibel, formerly Oakland P.L. © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.