PortWatch
Wake up and change
Port woman aims to inspire others to reclaim their lives
Many people have that pivotal moment in their lives when they decide it's time to make a change or take a bold step.
For Newburyport's Alice Greene, it came about six years ago after dealing with numerous health issues. She had put on a lot of weight in a short amount of time because her career as president of a high-tech industry analyst firm had become the focus of her life.
"In 2002, I had a wake-up call and decided that enough was enough. I had to start taking care of myself, or soon, it'd be too late," she said. "It wasn't about losing weight — it was creating a way of getting fit and healthy to create a better lifestyle."
It took two years of "baby steps" to lose the weight and keep it off, Greene said.
"My story shows that even after 40, you can get back into shape and take care of yourself," she said, "even if you have a pretty busy lifestyle."
Greene, who has since become a healthy lifestyle coach, is one of 50 businesswomen and coaches who share their story in a new book, "Wake Up Women: Be Happy, Healthy & Wealthy." Proceeds from local sales of the book will support the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center of Newburyport and the YWCA Greater Newburyport.
A former board member of the YWCA, Greene said given the tough economy, both agencies need the financial assistance.
"This book really represents the mission of these two organizations — empowering women and helping them take care of themselves, reclaim themselves and do things that support their well-being," she said. "I thought it was a really good fit to represent them."
The book is an extension of the best-selling "Wake Up ... Live the Life You Love" series launched by Steven and Lee Beard. The books have been garnering attention, being featured at the 2008 Emmy Awards and spotted in the hands of the stars of "Dancing with the Stars," "CSI" and other TV shows.
The women in the book all share the challenges faced and insights gained on their path to success, and offer guidance for others who are ready to create a healthier lifestyle.
"'Wake Up Women' tells stories of 50 women all over the country who woke up and had a defining moment that changed their lives," Greene said. "Each woman shares her transforming experiences and offers 'a-ha' insights for other women to create their own successes. That's the whole point — it's really meant to inspire other women with insight and guidance into how they can reclaim themselves."
Three years after her defining moment and finding a passion for creating a happier and healthier lifestyle, Greene decided to become a lifestyle coach. She described it as a profound shift in her life.
"I didn't like exercise at all, but I learned that you can fit fitness and healthier eating into your lifestyle without it being such an awful process," she said. "I learned that not only can I do this, I even enjoy it."
A second installment, called "Wake Up Women: Be Happier, Healthier and Wealthier," is in the works. Greene is also working on her first solely authored book, "Inspired to Feel Good: Making Healthy and Fit Choices You Never Want to Stop," due out next spring.
"It's about changing your perspective and mind set about food and fitness to create a healthy lifestyle that's so enjoyable that it's easy to stick with in the long term," Greene said.
"Wake Up Women" is available in 20 shops and salons across Newburyport and Amesbury during the month of December. The benefits are two-fold, she said, people can get a jump on their New Year's resolutions while supporting two local organizations.
"It's really very heartwarming," Greene said. "I've been reading other stories, which are inspiring, thought-provoking, and, in some cases, amusing. It's about sharing wisdom and experience that other women have, women who have triumphed to have a richer, deeper life."
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"Wake Up Women" is available for $14.95 at Aurora Boutique, Bountiful Baskets by the Sea, Carry Out Café and Catering, Clothes Encounters MillWalk Collection, Face to Face, Gentry's Consignment, Glow Personalized Skin Care, Greetings by the Dozen, Interlocks Salon & Day Spa, Jabberwocky Bookshop, Native Sun, Pandora's Box, Pure Bliss, Shanti Salon, Studio Salon, The Book Rack, Valerie's Gallery, Windsor & Davis Homestyles, Wishbasket and the YWCA Greater Newburyport. For more, visit www.feelyourpersonalbest.com.
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