Book Reviews and More: Sly Moves by: Sylvester Stallone

Sunday 30 July 2006

Sly Moves by: Sylvester Stallone

Sly Moves
Sylvester Stallone
Harper Collins - Browse Inside
ISBN 0060737875

This is a great book for someone wanting to lose weight, a Rocky enthusiast, or just someone who wants to change up his or her workout routines. Rumours about his book appeared about 18 months before its release, when Stallone launched his supplement company Instone Nutrition. I know that I for one was waiting with anticipation.

It has a nice easy reading style and is full of personal stories and photos. It is part a chronicle of Stallone’s career, and part fitness book. The four sections are:

Part 1 Sly on Sly
Part 2 Shaping Up With Sly Moves
Part 3 The Sly Moves Eating Plan
Part 4 Sly Moves in Action

One of the greatest strengths of this book is that it recognizes that fitness for men and for women is different. It has recommended exercises for men and others for women. It also realizes that to make change, it will take real work and effort. Stallone states: “Locked inside each of us is the person we want to be. Others might not recognize it yet, but I'm telling you, it's in there. The passion shouldn't die before we do. Even against ridiculous odds, what propels you forward and separates you from the rest? P.R.I.D.E., which stands for perseverance, responsibility, integrity, determination, and excitement. If you have these five elements in your life, you can accomplish almost anything.” p. 201. With effort and time, results will be visible.

Like Bill Phillips in his book Body For Life says: "It's Very Important to understand the difference between dreams and goals. Dreams are things we wish for--things you enjoy thinking about but don't really know when they'll happen. Goals, on the other hand, are specific things you have decided you need to accomplish within a clearly defined period of time." Stallone’s techniques will help you to make your dreams become goals and the goals to become reality.

Stallone has tips for life. First written for his daughter, he shares them with us in the 4th section of the book. They are:
“Sly's Top Ten Tips for Life
10. Believe it! Truly, it can be done and it will.
9. Every day - every few hours - see your vision materializing.
8. Don't discuss your dreams. Pursue them!
7. If other people can steal your ideal, most likely they will.
(Reviewer’s note: not so fond of this one)
6. Don't be afraid of embarrassment while pursuing your goal.
It's all part of being committed.
5. Being naive is business and understanding human
nature is a recipe for disaster.
4. Study people's success stories hard. Study their failures even harder.
3. Enthusiasm is like a wonderful disease - keep spreading it
until everyone's infected.
2. Only choose a goal that - if you had to - you'd gladly pursue for free.
In order to achieve success, you've got to follow your passion.