I LOVED reading Fitness Junkie: A Novel by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza for last month’s Athletic Bookworms pick. It was such a departure from the nonfiction we’ve been reading, and also from the fitness-is-next-to-godliness vibe that we can sometimes fall into.
Click to grab it: Fitness Junkie: A Novel
The book follows one high-powered woman’s fitness journey in a seriously hilarious satirical look at the wellness scene, especially in city centers and with the ‘wellness elite’ (you know the type: “No one wore makeup, but their haircuts cost more than four hundred dollars.”). While it’s just a super fun fictional read, there were a few lines that I loved about busyness, burnout, coming to terms with body image, and not being swept away by EVERY freaking trend in wellness.
A few fave lines that, despite being uttered by fictional characters, are hella inspiring for me:
- After wearing her busyness like a shield for so long, it was strange to admit she had all the time in the world.
- “Burnout is a real thing, love. I get it. The Internet is frying our brains. I only allow myself online for an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. And can I tell you a secret?” … “I get just as much accomplished as the days I used to spend staring into the abyss of my laptop. You’re not alone. Everyone I know who takes time off ends up with grand intentions to write the great American novel or take a yoga teacher training class, but most of them just binge-watch Netflix or get pregnant.”
- There’s nothing sexier than someone who is content with herself and trying every single day to be better and improve on her own terms.
- “I have friends who look at my Instagram and then say things to me like, ‘You have the most perfect life.’ I’m the first one to tell you that the way someone’s life looks on Insta is bullshit. Real life doesn’t come with filters. We are often comparing ourselves to other women who may be younger or more fit than we are. The problem is that every year as we get older we have a larger group to compare ourselves to. Stop comparing. Acknowledge other people’s greatness and you will be more powerful and centered. Others will notice and embrace your confidence. There’s nothing sexier than someone who is content with herself and trying every single day to be better and improve on her own terms.”
Catch up and get on board with this month’s book or one of our past reads!
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