Get a makeover, library-style

So here it is, May, already. And just how many of your New Year’s

resolutions have you kept? Probably none. But don’t be so hard on

yourself. Your “makeover” can begin today. Just run (or walk briskly)

down to one of the Newport Beach Public Libraries where you’ll find

several new titles to help you reach all of your personal goals.

Almost everyone starts the New Year planning to lose weight and

start some kind of a regular exercise program. “Escape Your Weight:

How to Win at Weight-Loss” by top fitness expert Edward Jackowski

offers a choice of eating and exercise plans to get you back on

track.

If you would rather monitor your diet carefully than do a lot of

exercise, you should follow the Limited Approach.

But if you’d prefer to exercise more and not have to watch your

diet so closely, go with the Dynamic Approach. And if you’re willing

to make moderate changes in your diet and exercise 3-5 days a week,

you are a perfect candidate for the Balanced Approach.

Sometimes diet and exercise can only accomplish so much, however.

If you’ve been considering plastic surgery or some of the newer

technological advances like Botox, you’ll want to read “Change Your

Looks, Change Your Life” by Michelle Copeland.

The pros and cons of various cosmetic procedures are carefully

explained and illustrated by before-and-after pictures.

Copeland offers advice on making wise plastic surgery decisions,

finding a competent plastic surgeon, and choosing from various

“lunchtime fixes” such as light-laser treatments and collagen

injections.

OK, so maybe your appearance or fitness regimen may not be where

you need improvement. Perhaps your personal relationships could use

some tweaking. Pia Mellody’s “The Intimacy Factor: The Ground Rules

for Overcoming the Obstacles to Truth, Respect, and Lasting Love”

gives practical guidelines on how to effectively communicate with

loved ones.

Drawing from her experience as a certified addiction counselor,

Mellody explains how to build healthy physical, emotional and

intellectual boundaries that will foster intimacy and boost

self-esteem.

If feeling nervous or ill at ease is preventing you from facing

new challenges, be sure to pick up “The Monster in the Cave: How to

Face Your Fear and Anxiety and Live Your Life” by David Mellinger and

Steven Jay Lynn. The authors present a straightforward approach to

confront and help calm fears, panic attacks and phobias.

This user-friendly guide reviews the most current treatments

available, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and selective

serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, antidepressants.

Achieving success and true contentment can be elusive no matter

how hard you strive to reach your goals. “Just Enough: Tools for

Creating Success in Your Work and Life” by Laura Nash and Howard

Stevenson provides insights into dealing with the complex pressures

of today’s workplace environment. The authors maintain that the four

categories of professional and personal life that provide the most

fulfillment are happiness, achievement, significance and legacy.

This well-researched book offers real solutions to finding

meaningful satisfaction in the key areas of your life.

Perhaps you are at a crossroads in your life and are yearning to

make some significant changes. If you need the motivation to reinvent

yourself, check out “Second Acts: Creating the Life You Really Want,

Building the Career You Truly Desire” by Stephen M. Pollan and Mark

Levine. No matter how old you are or what stage of life you’ve

reached, this guide offers practical advice on how to pursue your

dreams so that they become realities. Many of us place self-imposed

barriers and limitations on what we think we can accomplish. This

book tells you how to overcome these obstacles so you can create the

life you’ve always wanted.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Tamara Henn. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newport beachlibrary.org. For more information on the

Central Library or any of the branch locations, please contact the

Newport Beach Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.