A New BMI: Why Body Mind Intelligence matters more than Body Mass Index (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780692528358)

Peggy Norwood Stella, M.A. knows the diet and fitness industry from the inside-out. After 30 years as an exercise professional promoting weight loss as the path to health, she now knows a better way and is offering her insights in her latest book: A New BMI - Why Body Mind Intelligence Matters More than Body Mass Index. She herself observed the struggles of many desperate "dieters" while serving as fitness director for the most prominent residential weight loss programs in the world, including Duke Diet and Fitness Center, Pritikin Longevity Center and Structure House. When weight loss "success" started looking like an eating disorder and the majority of the "losers" regained, she started questioning her own role in perpetuating a diet mentality that seemed to do more harm than good. Realizing that there was far more to achieving health than focusing upon body weight, she created the concept of A New BMI. Peggy's current mission is to educate, enlighten and inspire change from the current attitudes and beliefs about body and health, and to move towards a greater awareness of how the mind influences the body. Based upon her own observations and experiences working in the diet and fitness industry, she realizes the futility of focusing upon the scale as a measure of success. She knows the consequences of disconnecting from the body. She encourages two simple actions that make the greatest overall difference in creating health and well-being: Moving the body and quieting the mind. Taking a mindful approach to moving the body helps the client engage with the body and enhances Body Mind Intelligence. As an innovator in fitness education, she believes that a strong, positive relationship with the body will enhance quality of life and she encourages participation in activities such as dance, yoga and hiking in the woods. She is also certified in Equine Interactive Coaching and finds horses are the perfect teachers of connection with the body and with one's authentic self. Her company's name, Equessence LLC, reflects that connection.