cover image Shape Yourself: My 6-Step Diet and Fitness Plan to Achieve the Best Shape of Your Life

Shape Yourself: My 6-Step Diet and Fitness Plan to Achieve the Best Shape of Your Life

Martina Navratilova, . . Rodale, $27.95 (232pp) ISBN 978-1-59486-282-3

Tennis legend Navratilova has won 20 Wimbledon titles and 58 Grand Slam titles, and at age 46, became the oldest Grand Slam winner ever. Now 49, she competes in tennis matches, skis, and plays hockey and basketball. It's no surprise, then, that she's always being asked, "How do you stay in such good shape? What's your secret?" The answers lie in a food and fitness plan that explores six areas of mind and body fitness, from thinking like an athlete (dream big, set high goals, push yourself, bounce back from defeat) to choosing organic foods (Navratilova is enamored of juicing; she provides recipes for fruit-and-vegetable drinks and meals in a 28-day plan). The book's exercise section includes photos of the author demonstrating workout moves and a list of "exercise toys" that keep fitness routines fun. It's fascinating (and motivating) to get the inside scoop on how an elite athlete trains—and struggles like the rest of us. Navratilova's coaching approach, characterized by supportive, encouraging exhortations ("Look at ability, not age" and "You are the benchmark of your own success"), will give struggling readers encouragement. (Apr.)