"Wear Your Life Well" by Marilu Henner: A Review

When I received my copy of Marilu Henner's "Wear Your Life Well", I was excited. I have been an admirer of this amazing woman for decades. I can remember, not long after "Taxi" left the air, seeing Marilu on a talk show. The discussion turned to sex, as it usually does when you have a gorgeous, sexy woman on the stage, and I was struck with how candid she was with her own sexuality.

I thought, "This is a woman who has something special".  I figured she would take that strong, intelligent, viewpoint on to become  a multiple Emmy winner who moved on to films and Oscars.

Who knew that what she had was an attitude and exuberance that parlayed itself into multiple self-help books, starting with "By All Means, Keep on Moving" to "Wear Your Life Well".

I readily admit, I have not read the earlier books, but I did enjoy her 2005 TV series "Shape Up Your Life".

This book did not disappoint. Marilu writes in the same upbeat, positive way in which she talks. Not only did I find it informative, and helpful, but extremely entertaining as well. Never does she become "preachy" or negative.

The book is broken into eleven chapters, each tackling a different area of concern.

In the introduction, she relates a story of having lunch with a colleague and noticing a woman in the restaurant who looked miserable. The woman was well dressed, coifed, and fit, but looked as if she despised her life. The point Marilu makes is, that one can be as poised, fashionable, and beautiful as possible, but if your outlook is negative, that is what perception of you will be.

It was this encounter that lead to this book, and how to wear your life well. Wearing you life well all hinges on how you perceive yourself. If you feel good inside, it will show on the outside. The introduction has been published here on Gather"

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977298985

Marilu writes that eating can be  one of the most self sabotaging acts we can do to ourselves. Her diet is meat, dairy and refined sugar free. The book offers suggestions as to how to successfully adapt this way of eating without feeling cheated, and how we feel physically more alert, and vital when we eat a close to vegan diet.

I have tried a few of the recipes in the "Booty Camp Blitz"
chapter, and each was a success. Yes, my fellow foodies, there are RECIPES in this book!  I have to admit, I had never heard of "Sucanat" pure dried cane sugar juice, before this book, but I am going to try it soon. Our little grocery here in Johnstown does not carry anything more exotic than Turbanado, which is similar.

Marilu writes about feeling comfortable in your own skin, which many of us simply do not. Not only do we dislike certain areas of our lives, but we unconsciously take steps to ensure we stay that way. This book offers good advice for changing that. Taking chances, trying new things, stepping out of our comfort zones are but a few of the ways she suggests.

I personally, have long been a cheerleader for feeling confident about myself. When my husband died seven years ago, I had the worst self esteem imaginable. After twenty some years of being told daily that I was worthless, ugly, fat, and lazy, some it is bound to stick. I was not "wearing my life well".

Luckily, after he died, I met two people who led me to believe in myself. One was a sweet man named Tommy, who gave me the confidence to start believing in myself, and the other was my dear Bill, who loves me like I never thought possible, warts and all.  I am eternally grateful to them both. 

Since starting this book, Bill and I have started going vegan a few days a week. Granted, it has only been this past week, but we both admit we feel physically better after eating a veggie laden meal, than meat based fare. I am not saying we will give up meat altogether, but we are giving a healthier lifestyle a more conscientious shot.