If Richard Simmons and Rob Wolff had a baby, does he have a podcast?

January 19, 2015 8:53 AM

What are some interesting health-related audiobooks and podcasts I can listen to that will help keep me motivated to develop a healthier lifestyle?

I am a classic lazy turd. I dislike exercise and the effort it takes to eat healthy. There are a number of reasons why this cannot continue.

I feel like what I need is to be "into" a healthy lifestyle more. Like I need it to be my thing. (Well, one of my things anyway.) I would like to have some audiobooks and podcasts to listen to that are interesting and motivating on the topics of healthy eating, exercise and other healthy habits (I imagine there are some?)

The plan is to listen while walking or riding an exercise bike at the gym; and perhaps also while driving to work, cleaning the house or doing mindless tasks at work.

Difficulty 1: I am never going to be a hard-core anything. Veganism, juicing, paleo, Crossfit, none of the currently popular lifestyle stuff that I've come across is likely to be what I'm looking for. A general good-foods-moderate-exercise approach is more my speed (like Weight Watchers, for example. But not Weight Watchers.) What are some podcasts, audiobooks etc. along those lines? (I'm not looking for suggestions to join WW, in case that wasn't clear.)

Difficulty 2: I don't have a lot of patience for podcasts or books that drag.

So what can I listen to that will both inform and motivate my quest for better health? Any other tips for becoming a person who actually enjoys "taking care of themselves"?

posted by Serene Empress Dork to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Best answer: I'm always surprised by how much I like the The Jillian Michaels Show. She's hard core about a few things, but overall the podcast is more funny than intense. I've gotten some good ideas from it as well. She is not at all like her Biggest Loser persona on the show. You can find it on iTunes.
posted by JuliaKM at 9:06 AM on January 19, 2015 [1 favorite]

I enjoyed Salt Sugar Fat on audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick. It's not exactly a health and fitness book, but it examines the rise of the processed food industry in a way that helped me re-shape the way I think about food.

Seconding The Jillian Michaels Show (and Janice!).
posted by lakemarie at 11:32 AM on January 19, 2015 [1 favorite]

Joe Rogan is not specifically about health but it touches on it often in a very motivating way.

Barbell Shrugged is a great crossfit/fitness one.

Overeaters Anonymous publishes speakers as podcasts.

I assume you realize Robb Wolf has one? Jimmy Moore has the most popular low-carb one.
posted by callmejay at 12:20 PM on January 19, 2015 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Yes, I realize Rob Wolff has one. Too much paleo for me though.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 12:23 PM on January 19, 2015

Response by poster: Jillian Michaels seems promising. I listened to part of a recent episode and laughed out loud more than once.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 7:33 AM on January 21, 2015

Try Angelo Coppola's Latest in Paleo. I know it sounds like it will be too paleo, but it's one of the most open-minded, thought-provoking health and lifestyle podcasts I've ever heard. It's not dogmatic at all. In fact, Angelo himself has strayed fairly far from orthodox paleo in his own eating and discusses why he's made the changes he has. The podcast has a nice mix of health-related news stories, clips of TED talks, interviews, etc. I can't recommend highly enough!
posted by Barnifer at 12:37 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]