The Healthy Deviant: A Rule Breaker's Guide to Being Healthy in an Unhealthy World

It is such a relief to read a book that explains why it is JUST SO HARD to keep up with the pace of life these days, and take the blame away from you for feeling run-down, not enough and exhausted mentally and physically when you do try to keep up with the average Joe. I have been following this author for years via her refreshing podcast and her magazine, and was excited to read the book when it came out, but wondered if all of the information would have been covered and whether it would feel like the same old news that you hear all of the time. Not only was I wrong, but Pilar Gerasimo has managed to write this book in such an easy reading, fun way, that it isn't just accessible for the self-proclaimed wellness geeks like me, but also for those who are unaware of the madness of society that we live in, and those who are just beginning down the path to getting healthier. I loved this book so much that I immediately thought of two friends who would love it and ordered the book for them too. They both LOVE it and call me or text me daily with some insight they learned from each chapter. After that I decided to get the kindle version for myself so that I can pass on my hard copy to another deserving soul. WELL DONE Pilar! For a first time author, this book is eloquent without being pretentious, self-help without being dry, and such a fun read while at the same time being informative and practical. I find myself highlighting or underlining things on every single page, and quoting it to many people. LOVE IT.

If you are looking for more of the same from "health and wellness" professionals, you won't find it here. I want to reach out to those of you that read the lowest and highest ratings, because the criticism I'm seeing for this book does not speak to the spirit of what it is all about. You won't find a quick and easy fix to lose 10 lbs. and decrease belly fat, because it bucks the entire system that is telling us that's the only thing you need to do to look good and be healthy. Honestly, the fact that the author encourages you to pick up this book, read it in any way you wish: front-to-back, back-to-front, little bits at a time or by searching a topic from the index, is indicative that this is not a forceful and perscribed program. It is an invitation to explore ourselves and how we have been and are currently operating - and the effects that every aspect of our lives have on our health. It is science-based, thorough, digestible and brilliant.Admittedly, I would find myself questioning what she said or having a counter-point, and then a few sentences later, you would not only acknowledge that as common thought , but address the social phenomena around it, describe the deep scientific research behind it, and present a simple but profound solution to overcome it. That, in itself, is potentially the most impactful part of this revolution: shedding light on our common human experiences. Now we, the non-experts, have a way to identify the many facets of the unhealthy reality we have found ourselves in, name it and see it for what it is which is so freeing. As an individual that has had varied relationships with eating, exercise and my emotional health, I appreciate so much that her work addresses a full spectrum. It is truly a book for everyone, wherever we are in our journey. People with any background, medical condition, health status, motivation or lack thereof, can read this and have their eyes opened. I can identify with being over-obsessed and breaking myself, and also being life-threateningly sick and scared of what other people will think. There is a gentle lifting up of our chins from a shameful place that occurs in these pages, and it is incredibly transformative. If you couldn't tell by now....HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I got a lot out of this book. Pilar really takes the reader by the hand to take some non-onerous and non-threatening baby steps to make life better, which then lead organically to taking more significant actions. I’m an avid reader of personal development books, though I rarely do the exercises in them. But I did all the exercises in The Healthy Deviant, about five months ago. I was happy to see I was already doing many of the things that were recommended. I ended up adding (or returning to) a daily practice that has proved invaluable and that has stuck with me ever since. It started with the advice to begin the first three minutes (or more) of the day mindfully and technology-free. I now start the first one to two hours of every day with no radio, TV, computer, or phone. It helps my entire day to launch the day from my own agenda, on my own terms, and in my own words. This was my key takeaway, but there were more. Each reader will find their own – and possibly many – golden nuggets in this book that click. Big thumbs up for The Healthy Deviant!

It’s one of those books with so much information that it’s overwhelming. It’s taken me so long to finish it….I’m still not done. This is surely one of those books that delivers data, so if you like that then it will be an easy read. Great information if you can get past the immersive level of detail, past and present, societal challenges to get to the core.

I love this book! The cover is fun and inviting. The book itself has a nice weight and page feel. The pages are wonderfully illustrated and it is easy to read. But the content....oh the content is AMAZING!!!! Seriously everyone should read this book, it's weird and funny and edgy. It won't make you feel bad about your current health or shame you for not having six pack abs! Healthy people, unhealthy people, big/little, old/young...it just doesn't matter who you are, you are sure to learn something valuable from this book. Healthy living is hard in our unhealthy world and The Healthy Deviant book will help you understand why and give you tools to help yourself! If you have been fighting to be healthy and still feel stuck, if you are not healthy but want to get that way, if you are a human living on this unhealthy planet; get this book and start reading. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain! Happy reading.

Food for thought.

A call to action for people who are fed up of being told that being unhealthy, having a set of symptoms, chronic illnesses is the new "normal". Being a health coach myself, it really drives me crazy to think that we have been brainwashed in a way to think that the health issues that we are facing today is somehow ok. Read this book to learn what you can do to change this one step at a time