Modern Take on Timeless Habits: A Review of 'Holistically Fit'
“Do it because you love yourself and you strive for constant improvement. Don’t do it because you hate yourself and want to get out of an undesired situation”
I started this book with high hopes, eager for it to be the catalyst that finally transforms me from an occasional yogi to a full-time fitness influencer. Unfortunately, this did not happen, but I learnt along the way that this was okay. One of the concepts I took from this was that practice and patience are the true takeaways.
Holistically Fit: Conquering Physical, Mental, and Emotional Habits to Build a New and Better You by Jose Villablanca is split into four main sections: habits, physical fitness, emotional fitness, and mental fitness. It kicks off with an introduction and wraps up with a conclusion and a little about the team behind it. Even though it’s broken down into these different areas, the whole thing felt like it could have been squeezed into one long format piece. Each part, even with its own title, mostly circles back to the idea of habits—how they’re the backbone of everything we do, whether it's hitting the gym, managing stress, or keeping a positive mindset. In the end, it all comes back to setting goals, breaking bad habits, and, surprisingly, a big nod towards journaling as a way to stay on track.
As a strong advocate for journaling, I wholeheartedly agree with its value. Journaling not only keeps us aligned with our goals but also empowers us to confront our fears. By putting thoughts to paper, we give form to our ideas, transforming them from abstract to tangible. However, the book’s presentation of these ideas was disappointingly disjointed. It often felt like an afterthought, as if the author had repeatedly inserted missing points into various sections, resulting in a scattered narrative.
The book also suffered from noticeable editorial issues, including spelling mistakes and repetitive sentences. While these errors were not severe, they disrupted the reading experience, particularly in a book that emphasises consistency and focus. Such lapses pulled me out of the flow, leaving me to question whether I had misread something when, in reality, it was an editorial oversight.
There are practical tips within the pages, such as advice on natural remedies for ailments, stress, and sleep issues. I found these bits of information useful and wrote many of them down in my journal. I liked how the book included useful advice without coming across as preachy. I think there is value in allowing people to feel like they are humans who exist within many aspects. Often, fitness and health information is confrontational, which this book was not.
Thus, in conclusion, while the book was not without its flaws, it offered some value. The repetitive nature of the content is a common trait in non-fiction, particularly in books that aim to instil certain ideas. Although it can become tedious, this repetition can also be effective in reinforcing key concepts. However, there was little in the book that felt truly groundbreaking; its principles could easily have been gleaned from older works on habit formation. That said, I found the book to be engaging enough that for people seeking a modern rebrand of older ideas, this might be perfect. And that is exactly what books are supposed to be, accessible.