My Foot is Too Big for the Glass
Slipper: Gabrielle
Reece
On an
ordinary Saturday morning, I was beyond excited when this new book arrived on
my doorstep. My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper: A Guide to the Less than
Perfect Life is the second nonfiction book by volleyball icon, fitness
expert, and devoted mother, friend, and wife: Gabrielle Reece. The author also wrote an earlier book called Big Girl in the Middle, which I count as
a favorite for inspiration on cultivating a hard work ethic with regard to lifestyle
and fitness. On a side note, Ms. Reece
is married to surfing legend, Laird Hamilton, a fitness guru and proponent of
healthy living. In my Northern Virginia hometown, I may have the local library
record for the amount of times I have checked out his book, Force of Nature, which is sort of the
key to his amazing philosophy on life, fitness/ exercise tips, and a glimpse
into his healthy vibe.
Being a lucky book blogger, I was able to read
My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper
the day before its mainstream media release. (Note: I collect books the way
many women collect shoes!) First of all,
I love the self depreciating and cheeky title which drew me in with its humor
and honesty. I proceeded to read the
book in the span of two days and it scored off the charts on my meter of
“unputdownable.” I meant to review the
book the next day but due to a full-time teaching career, motherhood, and
graduate studies – the review would have to wait. The book has so many positive messages and
wonderful advice for the modern wife and mother. My favorite theme is that of
exercise. Ms. Reece is a preacher to my own cause and core philosophy that
to feel good and be productive in life, some sort of exercise is imperative
every day. Reece writes, “Regular
exercise is the secret to everything” (61) and “Its not only the natural cure
for depression, but also deals out all those great endorphins, the world’s best
high, natural or otherwise” (61). As a
runner, yoga enthusiast, and a lover of sports in general (mind you, this
evolved later in life for me), this is one of the most important themes of this
illuminating book. I could spend volumes
ruminating on the life changing and hugely beneficial aspects of exercise and
getting out in nature on a daily basis. Studies show us that even a thirty minute
daily walk can have enormous health benefits!
Reece shares
a lot of personal anecdotes on marriage, childrearing, and the value of female
friendship. Unfortunately, the mainstream media glommed on to one sentence she
mentioned on keeping equilibrium in a relationship with ones husband by
sometimes being “submissive.” I hardly
remember this portion of the book and it’s unfortunate that this became the
spotlight topic in her interviews. As a
reader of the author’s earlier piece and being a huge fan of her husband’s
book, I feel that their main message is too keep life natural, simple, filled
with activity, and time spent on family.
Ms. Reece is not trying to sell a gimmick but kindly shares the intricacies
of both the highs and lows of a lifestyle that works. I loved this book (even though I was
disappointed the author has only one vice: chocolate). Overall, this is a fabulous book by a women
who does not pretend to have it all and is brave enough to put her personal
life choices out for the masses to chew on. Five big stars to My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper!
You will be wiser, more motivated, and possibly healthier and thinner for
reading this fantastic book.
Make sure to read another favorite by Laird Hamilton: Inspiration on ocean life and surfing.
http://lairdhamilton.com/
http://lairdhamilton.com/
