Sofi Fahrman - Strong and Sexy: Exercise, Food, and Motivation for a Healthy, Beach-Ready Body

INTERVIEWS WITH PERSONAL TRAINERS WERE DONE ORIGINALLY FOR AFTON BLADET, SOFI'S MODE. PT TIPS AND CERTAIN OTHER PORTIONS OF THE TEXT WERE PUBLISHED PREVIOUSLY IN SOFI'S MODE BUT HAVE BEEN REWORKED FOR THIS BOOK.

COPYRIGHT 2012 BY SOFI FAHRMAN AND JULIA FORS AND NORSTEDTS, STOCKHOLM

ENGLISH TRANSLATION 2015 BY SKYHORSE PUBLISHING

FIRST PUBLISHED BY NORSTEDTS, SWEDEN IN 2012 AS BODYLICIOUS BY SOFI FARHMAN AND JULIA FORS. PUBLISHED BY AGREEMENT WITH NORSTEDTS AGENCY.

EXPERT REVIEW FOR FITNESS PROGRAMS: SARA CLAESSON

HAIR AND MAKEUP: SARA ERIKSSON

DESIGN: FRIDA AXI OF FRIDA STHLM. AB

COVER: FRIDA AXI OF FRIDA STHLM. AB, PHOTO: JOHNNY WOHLIN

BODY PHOTOS: FREDRIK STREIFFERT, ,
SUSANNE KINDT,

SHUTTERSTOCK, ; OTHERS FROM PRIVATE SOURCES

PRINTING: FLTH & HSSLER, VRNAMO

SKYHORSE EDITION EDITED BY AMY LI

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ISBN: 978-1-62914-411-5

EBOOK ISBN: 978-1-63220-137-9

PRINTED IN CHINA

SOFI FAHRMAN & JULIA FORS

STRONG AND SEXY

EXERCISE, FOOD, AND MOTIVATION FOR
A HEALTHY BEACH-READY BODY

PHOTOS: SUSANNE KINDT AND FREDRIK STREIFFERT
Translated by Cory Klingsporn

Skyhorse Publishing

CONTENTS

My new fitness goal? Become good at surfing.

Why a fitness book? Ive often been asked this question since I started this project. There are, of course, people who know more than I when it comes to exercise (and fashion, for that matter), but I would like to give you my views, my insights, and my inspiration.

Id like to present healthy ideals and show you how to think right about food and exercise without diets and finger-pointing. You cant just eat however much you want of whatever you want (except cucumbers, maybe), but I dont want to be the kind of person who lives to count calories. Snore. Youve got to think smart instead, by following the dont eat more than you actually need rule and others that can help you get into a healthy cycle of food and exercise. Do you, like me, live a hectic life and want tips for smart, healthy snacks; exercises for your booty that really work; upbeat exercise music; and motivation collected all into one place? Then this book is for you.

Ive never been one for trying all the latest trendy diets, and I think thats whats kept me from messing up my metabolism. Sure, good genes help, but Ive always had a healthy attitude toward food and included exercise in my everyday routine. And by exercise, I mean routines that get me to sweat and give me resultsIm no Pilates girl. Just like I love traveling to new places, I also love testing out new workouts, and I love the feeling of sweat drops running down my temples.

I started my active life at Dalnhallen in Liding with a pair of uncomfortable ice skates on my feet. Seven years later, I landed my first double Salchow and shortly thereafter switched to basketball and boys instead. I was a point guard and loved to shoot three-pointers and set up games. I still have my basketball, which now sits in my apartment in New York; when I get a break from my work, I like to head down to the nearest court and dribble for a while. Another thing thats always been close to my heart is skiing. During my last year of high school, I studied to become a ski instructor so that I could work for a season in the Alps after taking my final exams. And now Im also engaged to a man who lives in the worlds best ski resort, Verbier, so loose snow and steep hills are never too far away. Throughout the last ten years Ive tried everything from mountain climbing to pole dancing to waterskiing and running. Variation is what keeps me satisfied.

Kate Moss coined the expression nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. I think it would be best to replace skinny with strong. After all, if theres anything thats a must for me, its feeling strong. In my work Im exposed to stress and pressures every day, and I dont think I could manage my hectic lifestyle if my body wasnt strong. I need energy in order to be able to give energy in my writing and in front of the camera.

I wrote this book together with my colleague, Julia Fors, who is a health and beauty writer. We have, throughout the years, met the worlds best trainersfrom the guy who whips Victorias Secret girls into shape so well that they look photoshopped to the girl whos the secret behind Madonnas well-developed biceps. In this book, weve collected all the insider tips weve come across and mixed them with our own personal mottos and secrets.

I would like to be able to look back on my life and be proud of the things that Ive done rather than be disappointed about the things that I didnt get to do. That applies to exercise just as much as it does to my outlook on life as a whole. Its never too late to begin a new way of thinking and living.

Enjoy!

1. How many times a week do you run, and for how long?

My goal is three times a week; the distance varies from four to eight kilometers, depending on the day. I dont like to put pressure on myself by deciding how far Im going to run in advance. Doing that makes it all too easy to end up disappointed if I dont have the energy for it. Instead, I use an app on my iPhone to keep track of my pace. I increase my pace on the way home and never push myself too hard in the beginning. Something else I always do is really give 110 percent those last hundred meters so I can have a positive experience and finish when I reach the endknowing that I had that extra 10 percent to give.