Can you tell us more about your book, Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over Forty? What is it about?
ANSWER: Healthy Body for Life is a comprehensive guide to health and fitness, especially directed to women over 40 and their particular health concerns. The book teaches and encourages women to embrace a healthy lifestyle – to invest in themselves now so as to fully enjoy life, and the years to come. It is written in an easy-to-read format, supported by inspiring stories from women successfully facing the aging process.
Can you tell us about some of the essential principles of health and fitness that the reader will learn about in the book?
ANSWER: The principles presented in Healthy Body for Life will help readers dramatically improve their physical and emotional well-being. These are some of the topics covered in the book:
· how to remain optimistic about the years to come
· effective ways to prepare yourself for wellness
· how to meet the nutritional needs for women over 40
· advice about how to stay fit, including an illustrated body-weight workout and a stretching routine
· strategies to help you cope with hormonal changes
· tips to help you achieve restorative and rejuvenating sleep
· simple techniques to reduce the stress in your life
I know the title of the book is very specific, but could women younger than 40 or perhaps men gain any benefit from reading Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over Forty?
ANSWER: Absolutely! My Amazon reviews indicate that men are indeed reading my book. I find this very encouraging. The teachings of this book are basic principles that men would greatly benefit from as well. And the section on hormone management can help them gain greater insight into what their spouse may be experiencing. Younger women are also engaging with the book reporting that it is helping them prepare now and be in a healthier state as they enter their 40's.
How is your book different from other health books?
ANSWER: The book lays out the information in a clear and concise manner. It is written like one girlfriend talking to another – giving her advice, encouragement and easy-to-implement strategies.
What encouraged you to write this book?
ANSWER: That’s a great question. This book comes from a place deep inside – a place of passion. A passion for being as healthy as I can be, a passion for being as fit as I can be, a passion for healthy aging. And last but not least, a passion to share what I know because I want all women to experience a healthy body…for life!
What guidance would you offer to someone who is new to the world of wellness?
ANSWER: If you have the desire to make changes in your life, it’s important to remember to start small. It’s far too easy to become overwhelmed and give up. It happens all too often, and then we revert back to our default ways that don’t contribute to improved health. If for you it means being aware of how much water you drink in a day and increasing that by one cup for now. Then congratulations, you have just taken your first step. Maybe it’s deciding that you will begin by walking 15 minutes a day. Excellent! Start now then build upon that. Results will follow and that will motivate you to continue. Step by step guidance is provided in the book.
Outside of writing, what else do you aspire to do?
ANSWER: Writing is just one of the tools I use to reach out to women. I love speaking to large audiences of women. To see that look in their eyes when they feel inspired by something I say, that’s just so rewarding.
What sorts of books do you enjoy reading and why?
ANSWER: I am big into self-development books. I am currently reading Talk Like Ted – The 9 Public Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds, by Carmine Gallo, because I strive to improve as a motivational speaker. Another great book I picked up at an airport bookstore is Jack Canfield’s, The Success Principles – How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. Just growing in all areas of my life excites me. And that’s why I never pick up a novel. I enjoy expanding my knowledge and the feeling of being inspired by other authors.
Can you tell us a little bit about your personal life?
ANSWER: I am a happily married woman. We have been married for over 36 years. We have 6 grown children – one daughter and five sons. We are also the proud grandparents of 5 lovely grandchildren. I receive a lot of support from my family, for which I am extremely grateful. My husband has always championed my dreams. I could not have written Healthy Body for Life without his constant encouragement.
What do you do for fun and recreation?
ANSWER: My husband and I absolutely LOVE the mountains. We are very fortunate to live just an hour from the Rockies here in Alberta, Canada. On Saturdays, you can find us hiking up some mountain and taking in the beautiful vistas. There is something so very magical about being in nature. I always return home feeling revitalized and ready for the week ahead.
Besides hiking, what do you do for fitness?
ANSWER: Are you ready? I lift heavy things! At the ripe old age of 46, I took on the world of competitive bodybuilding. I know! Crazy, right? I have since competed 13 times across Canada and the United States. I came first in a couple of competitions in my second year and earned my Pro Card. I was now classed as a professional bodybuilder! I eventually went on to compete at a World Championship taking home the first-place prize…at age 51, competing against younger athletes. Although I am retired from competition, I still train 5 days a week and include hiking on the weekends. I continue to train and push myself because I want to live a healthy, happy, fulfilling life well into my 90’s and beyond.
Now I’m curious about your nutrition.
ANSWER: Our metabolism has a tendency to slow down with age. I like to keep my furnace burning bright by providing my body with healthy fuel at regular intervals throughout the day (every 3 to 4 hours). If I want to train hard and be able to recover well, I need to be mindful to eat wholesome foods right through the week, with a break on the weekend where I will allow myself some pizza and ice cream, for example. Vegetables and fruit, chicken and fish, yams and brown rice are just some of the foods I eat on a regular basis. It almost doesn’t matter how much exercise you do if you just go home and eat unhealthy foods. There is a saying among bodybuilders, “It’s 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.” That’s how important nutrition is!
Where can our readers find out more about you? Do you have a website or a way to be contacted?
If you had one last thing you could tell our readers, what would it be?
ANSWER: You have one body. Respect it and give it the love and care it deserves, and it will serve you well into your 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Ask yourself this question, “How am I going to live differently from this day forward?” Then pick up my book, Healthy Body for Life, and start making the changes that will bring you one step closer to wellness. And remember that health is a journey. Begin today!
Where can our readers pick up a copy of your book?
ANSWER: It is available globally through all online retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore, Kobo, Nook, and Kindle. And of course, if you wish to receive a signed copy, visit my website at www.CarlaHampshire.com.
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About the Author
My interest in nutrition, health and fitness began when I stepped into a gym for the first time in my late 30s. My trainer encouraged me to go to the library and start reading everything I could on nutrition and bodybuilding. The more I learned, the more I wanted to participate in the sport of bodybuilding.
At the age of 46, I became a competitive bodybuilder. I competed until my early 50s earning the title of Professional International Bodybuilder — a first place honour.
Through my sport, I gained a great respect for what I was able to achieve at my age with the right nutrition and fitness program. I wanted to encourage women to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
I returned to school so that I could have the education to add to my life experience. I became a certified personal trainer and earned a diploma in holistic health and nutrition. I was now equipped to bring my book to life!
My book, Healthy Body for Life, is a guide to help women achieve health and well-being in their 40s and beyond, offering tips and encouragement on topics such as nutrition, exercise, dealing with changing hormones, improved sleep, stress management and more.
Bio
Carla Hampshire is a Holistic Nutritional Consultant, Motivational Speaker and Author of Healthy Body for Life – A Guide for Women Over 40.
In her youth, her fitness endeavors revolved around classical ballet and cross country running.
It wasn’t until much later in life that she fell in love with the sport of bodybuilding.
She started competing at the age of 46, earning her Pro Card in her second year, and capping off her Professional Bodybuilding career with a first-place finish at a World Championship at 51.
As a role model for women's health and fitness, she was invited to write for fitness magazines on topics of interest to women over 40.
Carla continues to encourage and empower women to embrace a healthy, happy and fulfilling life through her book and inspirational speeches.
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Follow Carla online here:
They are self righteous, critical, and out for blood, the naysayers that Jesus warned about who hated him will hate you too. In this spiritual self improvement book on confronting the critics, inspirational speaker and author Nicholl McGuire provides wisdom on discerning whether you have a friend or foe in your circle. She shares personal perspective based on biblical scriptures about foes and gives specific details about the people you might encounter such as: the double-minded, fool, rebel, and tempter. There is much advice in this guide on how to deal with confrontation, not just with those of faith, but unbelieving relatives and friends. The certified Sunday School teacher covers a variety of topics to encourage you to not only face your foe but the issues that keep one emotionally and mentally bound to them as well.
