Vitesse Press

Heidi Hill wrote Fit Family after talking with dozens of moms and dads, interviewing many experts, and learning through trial and error what worked with her two kids.  The book is filled with practical advice, both from the author and athletic parents from across the U.S., and is delivered in a parent-to-parent style that is fun to read.  Experts’ advice affirms and enriches the sections on nutrition, cycling, hiking, and swimming.  The book includes chapters on nutrition, hiking, biking, running, cross-country skiing, swimming, dance and yoga, and strength training and stretching.

“Too often I hear of parents who ‘used to’ exercise but no longer can find the time for it with young kids, or maybe when they try, it doesn’t go well, and they think it is not going to work for their family,” writes Hill in the first chapter. “But, as you will hear, time and again, from parents quoted in this book, with some planning and the right attitude, you can stay fit while introducing your children to healthy habits and the fun of exercise. That’s certainly been my experience.”

Here’s the deal:  List price is $17.95 -- it’s available here as a pdf download for $9.95.   Want one?  Here’s where to order.

Many reviewers have praised Fit Family and we’ve given them their own page here.  You can lean more about Heidi Hill here and link up to her neat blog here.  An excerpt on XC skiing is here.

Fit Family has got some awards and we expect a few more.  The best rewards are coming from satisfied parents, who love the book, share it with their friends (come on, make them order too!), and get out their and exercise with their kids.

“... thanks to Hill’s book, I have some handy new tips on what to look for in gear, as well as how to bundle the babes up safely and how to give kids stepping stones toward sports, such as breath control for swimming and trail’s-end rambles for hiking. Compared with wrestling the young ’uns into the gym every day, those outdoor options are a breath of fresh air.”
Sarah Tuff in Seven Days -- January 2009

"... As a foundation for building a healthy family, the book is an incredibly comprehensive resource when it comes to each activity it covers: hiking, biking, running, cross-country skiing, swimming, dance and yoga, and strength training and stretching .... an accessible, well-organized guide that gives equipment advice and practical checklists for successful family adventures .... no other book on the market is available for this purpose..."
marathon mama -- November 2008

"...Fit Family is a must for any parents who want to keep their family happy and healthy." Midwest Book Review -- November 2008

"Heidi Hill wants to help you make fitness a family affair..." Concord Monitor -- November 2008

 "This engaging, easy-to-read book provides many ideas on how to have fun exercising with young children. It offers tips for parents on preparing for and scheduling activities, and has personal stories from active parents on what worked for them. Expert advice on equipment, specific activities, nutrition, and strength training and stretching for busy parents is included. This book makes a nice gift for soon-to-be or new active parents." Shape Up America! Newsletter - October 2008
Shape Up America!, founded in 1994 by Dr. C. Everett Koop, Shape Up America! is a not-for-profit organization committed to raising awareness of obesity as a health issue and to providing responsible information on healthy weight management

"Some people take a break from fitness when they become parents. Their cross-country skis and bicycles sit in the garage and their running shoes go on a shelf until their children reach school age.
Not Heidi Hill of Waterbury..."  Stowe Reporter -- October 2008

 " ... If you're struggling with how to get you and your young family out the door, even if it's just for a walk in the park, you'll be interested in Fit Family. The book is full of encouragement and a reminder that with young children being flexible is the key. Whether you're a marathon runner or someone who just likes to get out and cross country ski on the weekends, you'll find the book helpful...."
Hardwick Gazette -- October 2008

 "Look no farther for the perfect guide to family pursuits in our state — or anywhere. This is a gem. Far more than a how-to book, (though chock full of excellent "how-to") or a tour guide, or a play-with-the-kids cheer, this attractive volume thoroughly presents a wide variety of family-friendly activities such as hiking, biking, paddling, skiing (both Alpine and Nordic), camping, and swimming — not just dragging the kids along, but involving them in the effort and the fun......" Times Argus & Rutland Herald (VT) -- September 2008

“Exercise and nutrition are important factors in today’s world. Heidi Hill’s Fit Family is a commonsense guide to reach these goals”
— Dr. Deborah Richter, Family Practice Physician, Cambridge, VT

“Fit Family covers a wide variety of ways for families with young children to keep fit and have fun. My hope is that this book will inspire more families to incorporate fitness in their lives, starting when their children are infants or toddlers.”
— Dr. Susan Lynch, Pediatrician, Concord, NH 

You can now download a pdf of Canoe Racing here for $9.95

 Canoe Racing has been a staple of nearly every canoe racer for the last 12 years.   It is now revised with updated photos and advice.  

This book is packed with advice on technique, equipment, and racing tactics, Canoe Racing is the "bible" of marathon and downriver canoe racing. Both newcomers and experts will enjoy this thorough guide. Illustrated with action shots from across North America, it is designed for runners, cyclists, and skiers looking for a new sport; for recreational canoeists who may want to try a new sport; and for canoe racers who want to learn more about the subtleties of racing.

 Review
You'll enjoy the clear, enthusiastic writing and expert advice. This is an inexhaustible classic." -- Canoe News Editor -- May 2004

Review
'Read Canoe Racing,’ was the advice I got from all my racing friends when I got into canoe racing just a few years ago. So I bought a copy. Not only is it the perfect book for anyone interested in getting into marathon or downriver canoe racing, but it is a perpetual reference for racers who want to get more competitive. You’ll enjoy the clear, enthusiastic writing and expert advice. And like me - like all racers that own a copy - you’ll find yourself going back to sections again and again. This is an inexhaustible classic.  Gareth Stevens, Editor, Canoe News 

 Now available as an ebook for $9.95.

One of the key balancing acts pregnant women face is how to stay active and fit, before and after the baby.  Fit & Pregnant -- The Pregnant Woman's Guide To Exercise, has helped thousands of women do just that.  This book will help you understand the tremendous changes your body is experiencing and how you can continue to safely exercise before, during, and after your pregnancy. Through professional advice based on years of experience,  nurse-midwife Joan Butler lays out a common-sense road map for expectant moms.  Dozens of mothers share their “here’s what worked for me” stories throughout the new edition of our most popular book.

• physical activity may affect your ability to get pregnant,

• your body changes over the next nine months,

• your baby is affected by the exercise you do,

• exercise needs to be modified during pregnancy,

• other mothers stayed fit during their pregnancies.