When Diana Anderson was asked by her high school tennis coach to improve her backhand she never thought it would lead to writing a fitness book years later in college.
Anderson, a Radio, Television and Film senior, co-wrote “Miss University: A Girl’s Guide to Fitness, Beauty and Confidence” with her fitness trainer Michael Prince and the book is set to be published in October by Anomalos Publishing. The book is targeted at women from high school to college age who want to make fitness a part of their daily lives.
Anderson believes today’s culture creates an atmosphere where women are obsessed with self-image and it is imperative that women have a healthy grasp on the importance of working out and eating healthy.
“People ask me if I’m afraid to get bulky from lifting weights,” says Anderson. “Weight lifting is directly linked to losing inches and not necessarily pounds, but you are tightening and toning, which gives you more energy.”
Anderson, a native of Tyler, Texas, started working out as a high school junior while playing varsity tennis and recently got her certification in personal training.
“I had a one-handed backhand, so my coach recommended working out to strengthen my back and shoulders so I could make my serve harder,” she says. “That’s when I joined a gym and met my trainer who co-wrote the book with me.”
Prince, who lives in Tyler and is the owner of 360 Fitness, helped Anderson put the book together over the course of three years. Because Anderson lives four hours away from her co-author the pair had to rely on spring breaks and summer vacations to write the book.
“I have always been into writing since I was little; I have done fiction writing, poetry and plays,” says Anderson. “However, my mom was the inspiration for the book.
“I thought that [writing this book] was a shot in the dark but she kept bringing it up and really had confidence in me. I was able to sit down day after day to write and actually see the book come together.”
Anderson and Prince found a publisher after posting a synopsis of the book on www.christianmanuscriptsubmissions.com, a Christian Web site that seeks new talent. The authors finally decided on Anomalos to publish their fitness book.
“‘Miss University’ is about fitness from a Godly perspective,” says Anderson. “The book has six chapters, including meal plans, workouts for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.”
Anderson believes that anyone can write a book as long as they have a passion for it.
“I like writing and [although] fitness is not related to my field, it is a part of my life,” she says.
“Miss University: A Girl’s Guide to Fitness, Beauty and Confidence” is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and will available on Oct. 1.
