Who in their right mind says they love their muffin top figure? Someone who is obviously happy with who they are in their own skin, and that someone is Lisa-Jo Baker. Lisa-Jo has written a book called “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Good On You”. 

The lowdown on the book (courtesy of Amazon)

In these intimate reflections on midlife, Lisa-Jo invites us to get a good look at our middles and gives us permission to embrace them—beyond what the media, the mirror, or the magazines say. Through gutsy, beautiful storytelling, she admits out loud what most of us are thinking about marriage, parenting, the bathroom scale, and how badly we all want to buy those matching Magnolia Market mugs.

Her delicious stories come from not being afraid of who she is, because Lisa-Jo knows that the middle might be the best part of the love story of life, kids, faith, doubt, marriage, failure, wonder, and the muffin top—and that these are all good things. She’s not asking you to seize the day, just to make sure you actually see it for all its wildly ordinary glory.

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When I heard someone was happy with the way they looked, including the muffin top thing, I just had to read this book. I would be lying if I said I loved my figure, especially after having five kids (my body is a little bit squidgy around the middle!)

I had to find out what her secret was.

My expectations were set a little awry. I was hoping to find a book that gave a “how-to” guide on coping with mid-life. Living in the thick of it all, I wanted to be revitalised.  This is NOT one of those books! I’m so pleased it wasn’t as I always fail on the first hurdle of trying to make myself better.

Lisa-Jo has helped me to realise I don’t need to make myself better. I just need to love myself more. 

@lisajobaker has helped me to realise I don’t need to make myself better. I just need to love myself more.  Click To Tweet

Through her well-crafted stories, Baker has helped me to look at myself “through the sparkling, wild and wonderful eyes of my children”. All 5 of them!  

I have hated my muffin top figure so much because it reminds me of the figure I no longer have. My children often comment though on how much they love my squishy belly. Why? Because it’s a reminder to them that I carried each and every one of them into this world.

How can I forget such a privilege?

Lisa-Jo has helped me to realise I should not be ashamed of my figure. A figure which has housed each of my children safely into this world. More importantly, my squishy body still continues to hold each and every single one of them safely. 

Lisa-Jo writes with emotion and you will find yourself being drawn alongside her saying in your mind, “Yes, me too!” You won’t feel like you are coping with your middle on your own anymore. 

She writes with such love about how proud she is of her children. I found myself feeling proud along side her with my own children. Every time she cheered her children on, I could feel myself cheering inside willing my own children on. 

The heart touching moments Lisa-Jo revealed in her words brought tears to my eyes. Moments that made her look up and realise her children were turning out just right. 

Isn’t that every parents dream?

I also felt the warm love of her friendships in my own living room. It left me feeling wanting of my own friendships to be like that. 

I recommend this book to anyone who feels they are needing some reassurances on how well they are coping in their middle. You may even find, as you read, you will look at what you’re in the middle of right now in your own life and apply some of what Lisa-Jo has tried out. It’s a bit like a good friend giving you a little bit of friendly advice. 

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 “The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Good On You” by Lisa-Jo Baker is available to buy now through Amazon. 

Disclaimer: I was given an advanced readers copy of this book and all opinions are my own.