Cameron Diaz's 'The Body Book' is not what you think

Cameron Diaz's 'The Body Book': Before you judge this book by its cover, take a look inside 'The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body.' Cameron Diaz helps everyday women find something to love about their bodies.

While Cameron Diaz would look amazing wearing a potato sack and no makeup, her new work “The Body Book” gives us an excuse to tighten up our body of parenting lessons by teaching kids about the phrase “Never judge a book by its cover.”

Seeing the headlines with “Cameron Diaz” and “body book” all in a row like tin soldiers, I became instantly Grinchy, assuming it was going to be yet another vapid, ghost-written, Hollywood faux-fitness money maker.

I figured I would end up writing about Diaz betraying the character lesson taught by her Shrek character, Fiona, to not seek a perfect outside, but love and accept both your inner and outer ogre.

I was wrong to make that assumption. Not being perfect is actually what Ms. Diaz’s book turns out to be about.

I unfortunately didn’t learn this by being open-minded about her book, as I would tell my kids to be.

Instead, I watched the three-minute video of Diaz interviewing subjects and snapping photos, seeking to wallow in what I presumed to be a perfection-fest by a blond string bean born with great genetics.

I saw Diaz being very authentic with a diverse group of 40 women, snapping the photos herself in a low-key, almost slumber party-style candor for a body-mind nutrition and healthy movement book.

When my 10-year-old son Quin asked me just now what my topic for today’s blog is, I said, “It’s about Mom not taking her own advice.”

To which Quin replied, “That should be a good one. Let me know when it posts so I can show the other guys (his three brothers).”

While I was wrong, the media could have given me a shot at forming a better opinion had they used the full title of Diaz’s book in the headlines or subheadings.

The full title of her book is “The Body Book: The Law of Hunger, the Science of Strength, and Other Ways to Love Your Amazing Body.” Ah-hah!

According to Amazon.com’s book description: “Grounded in science and informed by real life, ‘The Body Book’ offers a comprehensive overview of the human body and mind, from the cellular level up.… Cameron also explains the essential role of movement, the importance of muscle and bone strength, and why we need to sweat a little every day.”

I am one of many moms who have given up on conventional diet and exercise as age 50 looms large in my front window.

Because of my own fitness and dieting experiences through the years, with all of their ups and downs, I am more open to Diaz’s forgiving observations to compliment my knowledge and efforts.

So, another lesson to pass on to kids is that we are never too old to learn, change, and improve our body, mind, and spirit.

The final lesson I got from all this is that Diaz is right, we do need to “sweat a little every day,” just not over being perfect in front of a mirror or our kids.