David Lyons - Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis: Achieve Your Peak Physical Wellness While Working with Limited Mobility

Achieve Your Peak Physical Wellness While Working with Limited Mobility

DAVID LYONS

FOUNDER OF MS FITNESS CHALLENGE

WITH JACOB SLOANE, M.D., PH.D.

NEUROLOGIST AT BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER

I cannot express enough the importance of the love and encouragement of my parents, Simon and Shirley, who taught me from childhood the meaning of hard work, dedication, and integrity, as they demonstrated all of those traits. They never looked at me as disabled when MS became part of my life, but, instead, told me this was an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to overcome any obstacle put in my path. I am honored to be their son. I pray that in my lifes story, I come close to that as a role model to my children, Dean, Anna, Deric, Kalie, Christian, and Kara. I am proud of each of you.

And at the end of each day and the beginning of the next, I have been blessed with the most amazing, loving, and forgiving wife in Kendra, who has stood by my side through the difficulties MS has presented in our lives. She is amazing in her support of my goals no matter how difficult they are and despite the stress they impart. She is lovingin her immense heart for me and her patience of the bodybuilding lifestyle I have immersed her in. She is forgivingin her unconditional, unwavering love through the roller coaster of physical symptoms and emotional tension MS brings into our lives. Kendra is the love of my life, and this life and this book, above all, are dedicated to her.

I have been blessed with a gracious God, in Jesus Christ, who has never let me down despite my shortcomings. It is His acceptance and love despite my imperfections, His mercy in my faults, and His grace undeserving that have given me the confidence to take on an incurable disease head on. And it is His strength in this battle that has empowered me from victory to victory.

2 TIMOTHY 4:17

I have known David Lyons for some time now, and I have seen how much his mottonever quitmakes all the difference in his journey battling multiple sclerosis (MS).

I have been involved in the health and fitness industry, in one way or another, for many years. I have seen many fitness programs, fad diets, quick-results exercise regimens, and hundreds of ways the experts have hit the market with their systems. What I have never seen is a program, such as the OptimalBody HD Training System, the basis for Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis.

I have personally worked with and consulted numerous individuals in the fitness industry who bring their methods to the marketplace, but the OptimalBody HD Training System is the first all-inclusive system for the millions of people who suffer through life with disabilities, challenges, and roadblocks to getting, and staying, in shape.

David has delivered an easy-to-follow program for this much-needed population. I cannot think of a better expert to bring this program to life than a man who lives these challenges every day. Despite his battle against MS, my friend David has beaten the odds and inspired millions of people worldwide with his resilience to prevent an incurable disease from controlling his life. He has worked with people across the globethanks to his charity, the MS Fitness Challengeto help them achieve their fitness goals in spite of MS. Now, with this book, he is able to reach a multitude of people who want to get in and stay in shape by overcoming the obstacles they face.

It is likely that most of us will face our own trials in life that we need to push past. None of us is spared hardship and challenges. Its how we view these challenges that will either make us or break us. I wasnt always as successful as I am today. I worked hard, I endured hardship, and I fought my way here. I struggled through lifes tests. I do not have a disease, as David does, nor do I have physical limitations, but I understand what it means to take a negative situation and turn it into a positive force in my life. This is exactly what David helps everyone do with the OptimalBody HD Training System. Through Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis, he helps navigate you through the hard bumps and barriers that prevent many from succeeding in living their healthiest life.

Davids approach to life and fitness is an encouragement to all that there is hope and a plan to assist and support you toward the lifestyle you want.

Davids approach to life and fitness is an encouragement to all that there is hope and a plan to assist and support you toward the lifestyle you want. You can have a new life of strength, empowerment, and control through Davids philosophy and methodology. You now have a blueprint to follow as you take command of your body.

As I watched David receive the Health Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award from Arnold Schwarzenegger, the greatest bodybuilder of all time, I knew my friend had conquered what he was told would defeat him. And now, he will help you do the same. There are two words that come to mind when I think of David and the OptimalBody HD Training System: Never quit!

Daymond John

There are many options to choose from when it comes to fitness programs that speak to the general populationpeople who want to get fit and transform their bodies. But where does that leave those of us challenged by an obstacle, such as a chronic disease, disability, or even a mental block or fear, but wanting to take the proper steps to live a healthy lifestyle?

The fitness market you see in infomercials and magazines sells beach bodies and ripped abs to people who are already in pretty good shape or are desparate for results, who will eagerly jump onto the next great workout craze. The rest of us, those facing real challenges and needing the most help and direction, are generally overlooked.

After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I knew I needed to come to grips with having an incurable disease that wanted to destroy my nervous system and defeat me. However, I was also determined not to let it beat me. I started to envision myself fighting against it. Because I couldnt find any fitness programs tailored to the specific needs of a person with multiple sclerosis, or any physical limitations for that matter, my training partner, Darren Barnes, and I decided to create that program. After seeing the extraordinary results from my own fitness journey, I decided it was time to share my philosophy with my community of peers, those of us with some form of disability that we need to conquer each day.

Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis is a step-by-step instructional, educational, and comprehensive guide that, instead of setting unrealistic goals filled with hype, offers realistic advice to achieve a lifestyle of fitness and health despite your limitations.

This is not just a fitness book. In on nutrition, registered dietitian Monica Pelle joins me to offer her expert advice on the foods and meal plans that bring optimal health and nutrition, especially when managing a chronic condition.