Review of Shape Training (Paperback)

This book gives a blow by blow account of what you need to do to build a tight firm physique. First you determine your body shape. Then it recommends exercises to best achieve your objectives. Though many of theexercises are suited for gym equipment, at home modifications are alsooffered. The book offers a complete section on nutrition with recipes. Italso gives sample menu plans andsuggestions for Shape training duringpregnancy. I really enjoy the book. However, I did find a few of therecipes somewhat tasteless and I would have liked a few more modificationson the workouts for the at home exerciser. Other than than its well worththe price.

Product Description
A positive new trend in exercise for women is taking holdworldwide. It's known simply as "fitness" and describes a look thatcomes from training for shape, tone, definition, and cardiovascularconditioning--not for muscular development, as bodybuildersdo. Leading the way is Shape Training, a remarkably effectiveprogram that promises noticeable results in one month and a completebody makeover in just eight weeks. Customized by body type, ShapeTraining guides you through a routine that concentrates on areasyou need to work on--including hips, upper arms, abs, and legs--whilepromoting an overall improvement in your fitness level andendurance. In fact, after just three months on the program, you canexpect to increase fat loss and have a lean muscle gain of up to fivepounds; you also can expect to:

• Increase your strength byas much as 60 percent
• Improve your cardiovascular efficiency
• Increase your rate of metabolism
• Reverse some of the physicalsigns of aging

Shape Training is the definitive systemfor conquering figureflaws once and for all and developing a firmer,more proportionate shape in just a matter of weeks. Robert Kertnedy,a leading authority on exercise and fitness, is the author of morethan 30 top-selling books, including Pumping Up,Built! The NewBodybuilding for Everyone, and Reps. In addition, he is thepublisher of MuscleMag International magazine. MaggieGreenwood-Robinson is one of the country's best-known fitnessauthors. She has coauthored many popular books on fitness andnutrition, including Lean Bodies, Lean Bodies Total Fitness, 50Workout Secrets, and (with Robert Kennedy) Built! The NewBodybuilding for Everyone.

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Review of Total Body Transformation: A 3-Month Personal Fitness Prescription For a Strong, Lean Body and a Calmer Mind (Paperback)

Mr. Ilg will get you in shape physically and mentally, guaranteed.
I approached his book from a reformed weightlifter/runner to now a yogi/runner's perspective.
First the yoga information:
Many modern and not-so modern yogis claim that yoga is all anyone needs as far as exercise, but I completely disagree.Despite their attention to bandhas, tai chi like connecting movements, and yoga breathing, I don't think yoga alone is a cardiovascular workout.Moreover, I don't feel that the combination of low plank, high plank, crow, and handstands is enough to develop upper body strength.If you look at most yogis (no offense, please) such as Steve Ross (Inhale on Oxygen 6 a.m. weekdays), Bikram Choudury, and others, they don't look very strong.The best in this area to me has been Baron Baptiste (he of the ubiquitous bandana) and his attention to "functional strength."
Fortunately, Mr. Ilg politely calls the yogi community out on this subject and carefully illustrates the need to "strength train" in addition to yoga.
His High Performance Yoga (trademarked I believe) still uses these poses, but as a complement to the work in the gym.Also, his yoga routine is functional not fancy, incorporating all the sun salutations and warrior poses, as well spinal twists, backbends, forward bends, and inversions.Maybe most importantly he introduced me to a pose not found in many yoga books and not on Yoga Journal's website pose section:the yoga squat (this should be called the Ilg squat).It's a fantastic pose.
As for Mr. Ilg's strength training advice:solid and proven.He limits between set rest to 30 seconds and does power movements such as squats, stiff-legged deadlifts, benches, military presses, etc.No high rep,"shaping movements" fluff here.
His cardio advice is also great.No "just gardening is cardio" or park your car in a farther spot blather, but rather a discussion on the necessity of hard training such as bicycling, running, and more.
Mr. Ilg gets very, very, very deep into the meditation and spiritual"stuff."He loses me here, but that is my weakness.Hopefully, you will be able to embrace this important area.
Another area Mr. Ilg recommends that I could not survive:media fasting.I'm sorry, but I have to read the Journal/Times daily or I feel lost.If you can do this, your journey will be more advanced than mine.He doesn't say you have to do it daily, of course.
Nutritionally, I can't personally see eliminating meat & dairy without some heavy protein supplementation.If I'm training two-three hours daily (Mr. Ilg's recommendation), I don't see how a diet high in fiber and natural foods other than meat and dairy can provide enough protein.He may be right; it's just not for me.
Please, if you are considering getting "fit" realize that cardio, strength training, or yoga alone will NOT be enough individually.You have to combine all three (throw in meditation if you can and of course nutrition).Based on those proven facts, please welcome Coach Ilg into your life.You will save a lot of money purchasing this one book, instead of several for strength training, cardio, and the often incomplete yoga books.You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading.

P.S.Attentive readers may note that I previously reviewed this tome.I used some unfortunate and inappropriate words at the time.I apologize to Mr. Ilg and the Amazon community for that.Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa.

Updated 11.25.05.For some reason when you Yahoo, Google, A9 yoga squat this review comes up, so I want to add a little bit more information.
I still don't understand why more yoga tomes don't discuss the yoga squat, so I want reemphasize how much I appreciate Mr.Ilg's contribution.I do the yoga squat at least 10 times a day (always at least a minute).When I get two minutes during work I do it followed by a one minute forward bend.The yoga squat seems to put my whole body back into line and it unleashes an "energy flow".Also, during my reqularly scheduled two daily workouts, I do yoga squats holding a 25 or 35 pound plate for 2-3 minutes.It deepens the pose and feels fantastic.Everyone should do the yoga squat (knee pain sufferers excluded, although it may help actually).

Update 12.6.06.I just wanted to add another item to the Ilg Squat/yoga squat.The great Steve Ross on his fantastic yoga show Inhale(Oxygen M-F 6 a.m. EST) showed a version of the yoga squat designed to deepen the pose.He just set his feet very wide apart and squatted down.Turning your toes out may help some people.It felt awesome.

Again, big thanks to Mr. Ilg to paying attention to this incredibly important asana.



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Review of The INTENSE Trainer Program (Paperback)

This book delivers exactly what it says it does. This program is best for those that need to lose 15-20 pounds very quickly. I dont recommend the diet portion for life, but the self-discipline exercises are perfect for life. This program can make you lose up to 20 pounds in two weeks if followed exactly as it is prescribed. I highly recommend this book!!!!!

Product Description
If you're not able to stick with a diet, how will you ever receive intense results? Nationally certified personal trainer Shane Chattin asked himself this question when he had difficulty maintaining his own diet. His answer is The Intense Trainer Program, a thirty-day fat-loss program that targets the ability to strengthen self-discipline.

Chattin contends that self-discipline is the only element that prevents you from having your dream body. You have the ability to tap into this hidden power right now. It's entirely up to you to decide whether you're willing to take back the control once and for all.

The Intense Trainer Program takes you through each step required to strengthen self-discipline, as well as dramatically enhance your physique. When you have the ability to control your own actions, your life will radiate with confidence and certainty. This program is a must for anyone that has struggled to maintain a healthy, toned body. The results you receive over the next thirty-days will last a lifetime!



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Review of Dare to Lose (Paperback)

Obesity is slowly killing millions of Americans, while leaving millions of others on the sidelines of life.Dr. Lieberman has crafted a superb book of safe, simple, scientific principles to quickly and permanently lose weight.DARE TO LOSE describes clever "tricks"for rapid weight loss that include nutrition supplements to maximize fat burning, special exercise routines that turn the body into a 24/7 fat burning furnace, all coupled with invaluable detoxification, mental pointers, and a tasty diet to reduce fat stores.If you really want to lose weight, then this is the last weight loss book you will ever need-because it works.
Patrick Quillin, PhD,RD,CNS, (4nutrition.com) Director of Nutrition, Cancer Treatment Centers of America,

Product Description
Dare to Lose is an empowering, innovative approach to weight loss that can help anyone transform their bodies and rev up their metabolism to keep weight off forever. In her trademark no-nonsense style, Shari Lieberman candidly challenges women to get serious and commit to her lifelong weight-loss program, geared to their individual needs.

Lieberman explains the importance of metabolism in weight loss, pointing out the factors that slow down metabolism-such as stress, yo-yo and crash dieting, and sedentary lifestyles-and ways to counteract them. Her four-step program includes eliminating stress and toxins from the body; following sound nutrition guidelines; engaging in fat-burning, muscle-building exercise; and taking nutritional supplements that help boost metabolism for quick yet lasting results.

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Review of Natural Bodybuilding (Paperback)

I use to bodybuild years ago and was discouraged by the drug use that was obviously there.After ten years I'm thinking about doing something I never quite accomplished; enter a show.I have a lot of books on the subject and I've read a lot through the years.I was so happy to see a book that was all about natural bodybuilding but I was still very skeptical.I've heard and read the term, "natural" from a lot of people but few have delivered.This book is clear and to the point and provides useful comparisons on the differences of natural bodybuilders to drug users.It explains how you have different limits than someone that uses enhancers.
I have a few books that I refer to whenever I'm trying to come up with a new program or if I just want to refresh my memory.When I read a book like this I will highlight certain key points.Things that I know will be good to look at when I go through the book again as a reference.This book is now filled with my highlights.
The paper quality is nice, which also makes for a good ref. book.

This book will be my guide for accomplishing my goal of a show.

Great book for any BodyBuilder!


Product Description
Get better and bigger results than you ever thought possible without using illicit or unhealthy drugs. Natural Bodybuilding provides the best training and nutrition prescription available for gaining mass and defining muscles the healthy way.
Detailed programs and workouts, specific techniques for particular lifts, proven dietary guidelines, a weeklong precompetition plan, and true inspirational success stories will help you reach your potential. See what great results you can achieve without incurring the expense and physical toll of a chemically crafted body.
IRONMAN columnist and champion natural bodybuilder John Hansen covers every facet, from the gym to the training table to the competitive stage. Get bigger the right way, with Natural Bodybuilding.

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Review of From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself into a Weapon of Mass Reduction (Paperback)

I actually met Carole Carson and THEN read her book.Believe me, seeing the "after" first had a great impact on me.I never could have imagined the "before" Carole. She went from a pleasantly round grandmotherly type to a toned, energetic, athletic and strikingly attractive woman who looks like she could take on the world! Oh, did I mention that I met her on a tennis court in the Hawaiian Islands?My group was so impressed with her play, confidence and effervesence. Imagine my surprise when I read her book. After only a few chapters, I decided, "I want that!"Her ideas are easy to implement and I love hearing, "Are you thinner--you look great!"Better yet, I have new-found energy and confidence. Her story can be your story.You'll laugh out loud as you read how an entire town jumps on board as Carole motivates them to healthy living.

Product Description
This guide chronicles how one woman's very public journey to lose weight mushroomed into a community quest to get fit. At the age of 60, Carole Carson broke the taboo of speaking about obesity whenshe openly admitted her shame and guilt about being fat and out of shape on the front page of the local newspaper. As she recounted her transformation from butterball to butterfly in a weekly newspaper column, she gradually inspired more than 1,000 people in her Northern California community to join her. People who had struggled with weight loss and fitness suddenly found that when they joined with their friends and neighbors they could accomplish together what they could not do by themselves. They learned a completely new way of living anddiscovered that getting fit was fun and in the process lost the equivalent of a school bus! Through the guide's seven-step process, among other practical strategies and resources, readers will find a framework for duplicating the Nevada County Meltdown's successes in their respective communities-their congregation, their office,their friends and family-realizing the power of partnership and revitalizing their ties with each other.

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Review of KISS Guide to Weight Loss (Paperback)

This book packed with information for those not only seeking to lose weight, but those wanting to create a healthier lifestyle. There are twenty chapters divided into six sections.The reader is expected to get a notebook and complete the various assignments given throughout the book.Topics covered in the book include everything from "Why lose weight?" to "The ABC's of Nutrition", "Living with your diet" and "Diet Troubleshooting". But the focus isn't just on food. There are several chapters dedicated to exercise and various other topics, like finding support and meal planning.
This is not a book for anyone looking to lose weight fast.It's geared for those who are willing to take their time, take a good look at themselves, their habits, their lifestyle, and consciously make changes in their life to create healthier living.The journal assignments are interesting.One, for example, is to write your hopes-and your fears-about losing weight.You may not think there are fears holding you back but once you start writing, it's interesting what comes forward.
Although the book may be a bit more expensive than other weight loss books, it can easily serve as a lifelong guide to keeping balance.It's full of pictures and illustrations that keep the reader entertained.The only bad thing is - well, it can't do the work for you, and that's a real bummer!

Product Description
Kiss the competition goodbye!
Find surefire ways to slim down with DK's KISS Guide to Weight Loss. Discover the right plan for you and how you can best achieve your goals. Learn the basics of good nutrition and healthy eating. Work out your attitude towards food and how you can modify eating habits. Plan your daily calorie intake on your personal chart. Discover how losing weight will improve your physical health and mental well-being. Keep a diary so you can track your eating and exercise habits and set realistic goals.
The Keep It Simple Series is the new standard in how-to books! Written by leading experts, each book includes full-color photographs and illustrations throughout, making these the first and only truly accessible guides for beginners. The KISS format is designed to help readers build confidence from the start, and learn gradually and thoroughly to the very last page. Much more than introductions to various subjects, these inspiring and innovative books are the ones that readers can trust!

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Review of The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess (Hardcover)

"Lift like a man, look like a Goddess" says the book. But is it true?I believe it is, and this book is right on the money. It is cleanly divided into three parts.

The first part discusses the similarities between men's and women's bodies as it pertains to weight lifting- and why they should train the same. I agree with the book on this point entirely.While women's muscles won't get as big as a man's from lifting weights, the stimulus to make a woman's muscle bigger and stronger is identical to that of a man's- overload the muscle with progressively heavier weights.

Part two, "You aren't what you don't eat", is the eating/diet section of the book. A lot of wisdom is also packed in here as the book gives the reader a lot of basic nutrition info, such as calorie needs, protein intake, etc. The reader is also introduced to the four "Ironclad Rules" which include: you must eat breakfast, you must eat a total of 5 meals and snacks a day, you must have a post-workout recovery shake on the days you lift, and you must have more calories on workout days than the other days.Meal plans are nicely laid out for the reader in this section as well.

Lastly comes part three, "Resistance is vital." Of course this is the section that discusses the workout routines and the exercises. Without going into details, you work out 2-3 times a week, and the workouts are divided in 7 stages (each with a certain goal) which roughly give you 6 months worth of workouts- which I might add, are all highly detailed in the book. Pictures of warm-up exercises and the resistance exercises are included and very easy to follow. Weight lifting exercises are nothing crazy, with a lot of them being sensible, basic exercises such as squats, deadlifts, and various presses.

As a trainer, I found this to be a very sensible weight lifting book for women. Yes it does invovlve some work, but then again that is the only way to make a muscle stronger, whether you're a man or a woman- which is the whole point of the book. Based on a lot of sound science, I give it two thumbs up for a very helpful, effective, and "doable" book. Also recommend Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for readers who have a shoulder problem that interferes with their training.

Product Description
If you believe what most women's magazines tell you, muscles can be "shaped," "toned," and "sculpted" with nothing more than a little dumbbell that weighs less than a can of peas. But muscles aren't modeling clay, and the only way to transform them is to strengthen them. The New Rules of Lifting for Women is for the woman who's ready to throw down the "Barbie" weights and start a strength and conditioning program that will give her the body of her dreams.

The book puts to rest the shop-worn notion that women who train with heavy weights will bulk up. Nonsense! Women simply don't have enough testosterone to pack on muscle like a bodybuilder. Here's the truth: lifting weights not only makes you stronger, it also makes you leaner. In fact, most women would have to run twice as long to receive the same fat-burning benefits as weight lifters.

A better workout in less time may sound too good to be true, but champion trainer Alwyn Cosgrove creates six months' worth of workouts that will build strength, burn fat, and rev up the metabolism. His total body workouts target all the major muscle groups, and each exercise is accompanied by clear black- and-white photographs that illustrate proper technique and form.

A nutrition plan is another key feature of the book. To gain strength you have to feed muscle, and nutritionist CassandraForsythe has designed a regimen to achieve this goal. She strongly recommends small, frequent meals and offers meal plans, along with fifty recipes, to satisfy women's special needs through breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The New Rules of Lifting for Women will become the standard for smart women who take their fitness goals seriously.

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Review of Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness (Paperback)

Poorly organized and difficult to read. The new edition adds more pages but no new information -- if anything, it's worse than the original. If you are looking to improve your performance, this book leaves a lot to be desired.

Product Description
·A new chapter on balance includes exercises for improving athletic performance as well as balance tips for seniors
·Includes the latest information on strengthening the lower back, preventing back injuries, and what to do if you have a back problem
·A new take-to-the-gym aerobic exercise calendar and chart
Learn key aerobic and strength training concepts to design and improve your exercise program with the updated edition of Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness. Written by a team of sports fitness experts, this book explores how each region of the body works and describes convention and functional exercises to improve your fitness and activity performance.
With new information on everything from exercising with tendonitis to footwear and orthotics, people of all fitness levels will find something to help them to the next level.

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Review of The OC Diet Revolution: Revealing the Mystery of Weight Loss (Paperback)

This book is excellent. Not only does chazz dispel all the myths of diet fads and old wives tales, he brings weight loss back to the basics. The book explains clearly how losing weight consists of three components: Aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, and caloric intake.
I use to fall for all those fad diets and never see any results, after reading this book it was as though a light bulb went off. I highly recommend it.


Product Description
Do you want to lose weight and keep it off? Are you fed up with the outright lies of the diet industry and fitness gurus? Galvanized by their deceptions, author Chazz Weaver not only tells you the truth in his new book The OC Diet Revolution, he lives it. Chazz has been conducting extensive research in the areas of health and fitness for over 25 years, and at the age of 50 he has a health and fitness level that surpasses many 20- and 30-year-olds today. The OC Diet Revolution explains how to develop a framework for your individual needs so you can achieve the results you want without giving up the foods you love.

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Review of Get Stronger, Feel Younger: The Cardio and Diet-Free Plan to Firm Up and Lose Fat (Hardcover)

Dr. Wayne Westcott is an icon in the fitness business. He's forgotten more than most people writing health books will ever know. A previous reviewer's concerns about a few of Westcott's exercises being potentially dangerous for the spine would suggest that person did not actually read this book, or has some kind of agenda.

The book is marketed toward women---they buy the most fitness books---butbefore even purchasing "Get Stronger, Feel Younger", I e-mailed Westcott to ask if the program works just as well for men. He cared enough to reply and said the program is used by, and designed, for both men and women.

The fitness program makes a well-researched case that the single best thing you can do for long term weight control is strength training. Westcott and Gary Reinl explain in great detail that when you lift weights the right way, you burn calories during and after the session, and then increase your metabolism 24/7 which creates a deficit and fights off fat and aging.

The authors also believe the best way to achieve maximum results while still finding time for the rest of your life is to do one set to muscle failure. Beginners exercise for 20 minutes 2 or 3 times a week, advanced for 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. That's really it.

The programs can be done at a fitness facility (recommended), a Bowflex or similar home gym, or with dumbbells and rubber tubing with a flat weight bench. The plans are laid out with great pictures and meticulous instruction. You will have no doubt what you're supposed to do.

There is also a section on sensible nutrition which does not include calorie or gram counting, nor does it go low calorie the way Jim Karas' diets do. The obligatory recipes are also included.

I love this book. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. I have only a few minor gripes. Besides being silly that the book is marketed solely toward women, I would like to have seen a variety of programs to fight off boredom and keep muscles guessing moving forward. A flexibility routine and more on cardio for cardiovascular health would also be welcome. To be fair, the book completely delivers on its title: "Get Stronger, Feel Younger: The Cardio and Diet-Free Plan to Firm Up and Lose Fat." It doesn't try to be all things to all people.

Product Description




As women age, their metabolisms slow, and over a 20-year period, the average woman packs on about 30 pounds of fat. So, in order to lose weight, women turn to diet plans that not only restrict calorie consumption, but also are very difficult to maintain.


Now, with Get Stronger, Feel Younger, you can shed the fat that you've accumulated over the years, while regaining and maintaining a healthier body composition and a faster metabolism-without depriving yourself of the foods you love.


Acclaimed fitness experts Dr. Wayne Westcott and Gary Reinl present their proven strength training program that has helped over 3,000 research participants shed fat, regain atrophied muscle, and experience dramatic increases in resting metabolic rate. Using cutting-edge exercises and brief high intensity workouts, in as little as 10 weeks you can experience a 15-pound improvement in body composition and physical appearance: up to 12 pounds of fat loss, 3 pounds of new muscle, and a 6 percent increase in resting metabolic rate.


There are two programs: the Standard Strength Training Program, which requires only 20 minutes for completion in 2 days a week, and the Advanced Strength-Training Program, which requires 30 minutes 3 days a week. Dr. Westcott and Reinl also provide a natural nutrition plan that not only may enhance your results, but also is realistic and easy to follow. They explain how using brief high-intensity workouts and strength training can transform your body-as well as help prevent diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoperosis, low back pain, arthritis, and several types of cancer.



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Review of ACSM Fitness Book - 3rd (Paperback)

If you want to get in shape, but have no idea how to do so and are too embarrassed to go to a gym, then this book is for you.
The book begins by having the reader take a self-assessment test wich is composed of a1-mile walk/run, push-ups, and toe touch.Don't feel bad if you can't doany of the above, the book covers that situation.From there, in auser-friendly, color-coded format, the book helps you design a program thatfits your needs.
I bought the book thinking it would help me design aweight-training program for myself.It isn't that advanced.All of theresistance training it contains can be performed sith just your body weightand some common household items (such as water bottles).
For a completenovice, this is where to begin.If, like me, you're a little moreadvanced, but want help in setting up a weight-lifting program, then Irecommend Weight Training Steps to Success by Baechle and Groves.

Product Description
Start where you are-then go wherever your goals take you! The fitness experts from the American College of Sports Medicine have put together a comprehensive plan for developing a personal fitness program and sticking with it.
ACSM Fitness Book includes a simple and scientifically proven fitness test to determine your starting point and monitor your ongoing progress. The book includes step-by-step instructions; sample programs; and insights on nutrition, weight control, motivation, and overcoming setbacks.
Whether your objective is to improve cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, or overall body condition, the ACSM Fitness Book is the one book you need for the tools-and the motivation-to put your personal program on track.

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Review of 12-Minute Total-Body Workout (Paperback)

This was a fast,very easy to understand and follow book. The workout program is effective and great for any person who is interested in an at home weight lifting program but has neither the time nor thedesire todecipher a book to get an individual program started.I especially likedhow each chapter represented a day of the week and the workout for the day. Thethings to keep in mind were also helpful.

Product Description
The author of the bestselling Now or Never offers readers a total fitness program that tightens, tones and shapes the entire body in only 12 minutes a day, without the use of expensive gym equipment.

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Review of The Equation: The 5-Step Formula for Weight-Loss and Lifelong Fitness (Mass Market Paperback)

Anyone who expends more than a brain cell planning a "smart" meal is labelled a dieter in our society. It's a poor use of the term, and this is one of the first books I have ever read that puts that simple knowledge to practical use. For this is not about "dieting", but rather an easy to learn method for making smart choices in the nutrition category.
Dan Isaacson smartly emphasizes the importance of CHANGE, as opposed to elimination in "The Equation". Eating, he recognizes, is as much a habit as a necessity, and working through the habit mentality to develop more healthy practices is the goal of his program. Stressing the appropriateness of burning off the calories consumed through exercise is also part of Isaacson's "equation" (as is consumption of large amounts of water), so this plan is more program than simply a diet plan.
There are a few factors that take this book a level above most eating plans. One is Isaacson's style of writing, which I found very uplifting and empowering. You feel he genuinely wants you to succeed.Second, Isaacson's methods and lessons on the "change" topic are applicable to any area of life, not simply eating. There are some very intelligent tips for making positive change sprinkled throughout this book.
This is NOT a lose 10-in-10 program, so if you are looking for a fast fix, it's best to avoid this book (it's also best to avoid lose 10-in-10 programs, but you allready know that). If you are looking for a smart method to improve eating patterns, and coonsequently improve esteem and lifestyle, this book is a wise first step.



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Review of Fit for Eternal Life (Paperback)

Though I love reading and books dearly, few books capture a spirit or goal in my own life as closely as this book does. For years now I have been struggling to achieve an inner and outer balance in my life - balance between mind, body and spirit. In attempting to do so, I have tried various tools, and methods, and strategies. Yet inevitably I find myself off kilter. Now this book seems to be a resource that will help to achieve that balance.

The main reason for that is the person that Dr. Kevin Vost is. He has been a lifelong enthusiast of both academic learning and of physical fitness. He has written and published extensively in the realm of physical fitness and in cognitive and memory mechanics. Dr. Vost does not just write about these topics he also practices them, which makes him an authority not just theoretically but also practically. Dr. Vost has done graduate work and post- graduate work academically and he also has competed in power lifting.

The book flows nicely from topic to topic. It is designed to help you find balance in your life - to be neither a gym rat, nor a book worm, but to have the best of both worlds. It combines wisdom from classical authors down to current competitive athletes. He states: "Intensity and duration of effort, you see, are inversely proportional. How's that? A well-known saying in HIT circles is that 'you can train hard, or you can train long, but you can't do both.' The more demanding the exercise, the shorter the time you're able to sustain it. The harder you work, the sooner you must stop. We all know this from experience. And the kind of exercise that maximizes physical strength is not only intense but also brief." He will teach you to get more results from less time in the gym, and thus have more time for family, friends, leisure and your favorite 'books'.

Each chapter begins with a set of quotes - one spiritual and the other from the classics. Dr. Vost draws from a very wide range of sources to support his arguments, with examples from Pope Pius XII, Aristotle, Seneca, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hesiod, Mike Mentzer and many more. These motivational and inspirational quotes help to draw you into the material. Robert Wolff in his book Bodybuilding 101 states: "There is nothing so constant as change. Meet it. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Learn from it. The one thing you can be absolutely sure of in your life is change. It's the only thing that never changes. The law of nature is that you either grow or you die; there's no in-between. So, what have you chosen so far? Are you growing in every area of your life? Hey, it's not enough to be growing and looking great just because you work out. That's only a small part of your life. What about your emotions, spiritual life, family, friends, career, hobbies? Are they growing as your body does? Become a complete person and not an in-shape and great-looking version of an incomplete person. There's way more to life than just working out. Go with the flow and embrace changes in all areas of your life. The change will do you good." This book will help you to achieve that lasting change and growth. It will help you develop physically, and through that, develop all areas of your life. Or as a different philosopher Montaigne declared:
"To strengthen the mind you must harden the muscles." Vost will give you the tools to work both. He will teach you how to Pump Iron and to Pump Ions!Pumping IonsBodybuilding 101 : Everything You Need to Know to Get the Body You WantMemorize the Faith! (and Most Anything Else): Using the Methods of the Great Catholic Medieval Memory Masters

Product Description
Is your spirit faithful but your flesh flabby? Has your Temple of theHoly Spirit begun to creak and crumble? Then let Fit for Eternal Lifeshow you how to build it up again.Most any workout book can help you bulk up or slim down, but only herewill you find a truly Christian approach to physical fitness. As psychologist and bodybuilder Kevin Vost (author of Memorize the Faith! ) explains, God's command to Be perfect applies not only to the moral life, but to the physical life too: for the stronger, more enduring, and more beautiful we make our bodies, the better we imitate Christ in whom perfect strength, endurance, and beauty were incarnated.And it doesn t take a lot of time or fancy equipment to do it! Dr. Vost explains the basic principles of strength training and cardio fitness in a way you can understand (even if you haven t been in a gym for years or ever), and then helps you build an effective, personalized workout program that can be performed in aslittle as twenty minutes per week. That will leave you lots of time (and more energy) to be an active parent, spouse, and disciple. Fit for Eternal Life also gives you:Sane and simple dietary tips that don t make youswallow supplements or count carbsWays to make your workouts an opportunity topractice prayer, meditation, and meritorious sufferingFitness wisdom from classical philosophers,athletic popes, and even St. Thomas Aquinas!More advanced information and techniques, for when you re ready to progress beyond the basics

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Review of Essential Arms: An Intense 6-Week Program (Paperback)

I have read a few body-building books and think this one, along with the other books in the same series (chest, legs, abs, etc), are the best to date.
One reason for this is the insistence upon good form. Like a lot of people, I have in the past gotten carried away with adding more weight and not paying attention to
form. This is still a temptation but the message on good form presented in this book is finally starting to stick. I especially was impressed by his argument for paying
attention to the negative part of the exercise.
Another STRONG point of the book is that it provides you with lots of routines. After finishing the books 6 week course,
you are supplied with an additional 4 or 5 good routines for future use. As the author states, it is important to change routines often, so that your muscles do not get too
used to a given exercise (and you dont get bored). However,
I am very lazy about putting together routines and tend to stick to one. Thanks to this book this is no longer a problem, because it does it for me; I now have complete
sets of routines that I can follow and am beginning to see important gains as a result.
The book also does a good job of covering the basics of good nutrition, rest and, for all of you gym rats who would ignore it,
aerobics (ever see those pudgy cro-magnon loking guys in the gym who claim their bloated tummies are muscle)!!!! He doesn't cover supplements though and that is
understandable given the controversy and hype surrounding so many of them.

Product Description
Want rock-hard biceps? Start doing squats!

Think we're kidding? Think again. In easy-to-follow, step-by-step format, best-selling fitness author Kurt Brungardt unveils some surprising new ways to build bulging, world-class arms. Brungardt draws on the latest in biophysical and nutritional research to present you with a 6-week plan that targets your arms while still giving you a challenging total-body workout. Whether you're a beginner or already halfway to Schwarzenegger-dom, Brungardt will have you popping veins in no time.

YOU'LL LEARN:

* How to schedule your meals and workouts
* The secret to really isolating your arms in exercises
* Routines that result in bigger muscles, not tired ones
* How to put your own male hormones to work for you
* A stretching program that will always keep you limber


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Review of Don't Get Duped : A Consumer's Guide to Health and Fitness (Paperback)

If you're into fitness, this book is a must.It provides a wonderful assessment of diet supplements, herbal supplements, weight loss systems, exercise machines, and other health and fitness industry boondoggles.Dr. Forness takes on the advertising and other claims including those in fine print of each of these aspects of the health and fitness industry.He has a wonderful sense of humor that he uses to great effect to devastate the claims of all of those newspaper ads, late night infomercials, and other attempts to make you part with your money in the pursuit of the perfect body.If you are thinking about buying any exercise machine or device from ab-crunchers to exercise machines READ THIS BOOK FIRST.This is probably the first book to take on the billion dollar fitness industry that seems to have gotten a free ride from consumers and consumer watch dogs in the past few years.It's not only a helpful book but it's funny and entertaining at the same time.



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Review of The No-Beach, No-Zone, No-Nonsense Weight-Loss Plan: A Pocket Guide to What Works (Paperback)

No-nonsense style, very concise (except for various calculation examples, which might be good, as math literacy is alien concept for most).

About myself: 12 years ago I was 160 lbs. (I am 5'9"). Once I hit 230 lbs a few weeks back, I got myself a stack of books, including this one, to avoid previous failures (210 lbs to 190 lbs 2 years ago and gaining it all back and some more).

Jim Johnson's advice was instrumental in setting up my diet and stopping systemic overeating. So now I am under 218 lbs and feeling great on 1500 calories a day. Even more importantly, now I know there is no quick fix - one has to change a lifestyle. It is all about patience, perseverance and will to treat your body right.

The only suggestion: to count calories use software, not paper. I use FitDay.com - it's free.

Product Description
Created for the dieter who would rather follow science than the latest fad or celebrity, this book synthesizes years of research to present one dependable weight loss plan that really works. Using a combination of consistently proven diet and exercise strategies that require no special props or aids, readers are shown reliable ways to get weight off and keep it off. Information on calculating calorie needs, determining BMI (body mass index), and working out percentages of fats, carbs, and proteins in a diet are offered. The author leaves nothing to hypothesis, giving the truth about cellulite and how to tell when one's weight is a health risk. Fact is better than fiction where successful weight-loss is concerned and this book delivers all the scientific findings concisely in a convenient format.

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Review of Reversing Diabetes: Reduce or Even Eliminate Your Dependence on Insulin or Oral Drugs (Paperback)

I was diagnosed with diabetes and was prescribed Glucophage starting at 500mg, then it went to 1000mg by the time I read the book the doctor wanted me to take 2000mg.Well, I read the book and let me tell you,my glucoselevel is totally normal today.My problem was high fat and protein dietwithout exercise.I picked up a recum bike started exercising and alsostarted a diet of high fiber and low fat as recommended in the book. Amonth later my fasting glucose levels where consistently below the 126considered to be normal.The scientific evidence presented and "theback pains I was suffering with the Glucophage" convinced me to make alifestyle change.I am now medicine free and pain free.I find that Ihave more energy than the people around me.I lead a more active,enjoyable life thanks to this book.I strongly recommended this book forany person who has been recently diagnosed with non-insulin dependent type2 diabetes.



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Review of The Ultimate Workout Log: An Exercise Diary for Everyone (Spiral-bound)

I just joined a gym and I'm really out of shape.This book really answered a lot of my questions about beginning an exercise program.It has a log where I can record the cardio exercises I did and the strengthtraining (including weight lifted, sets and reps).There is also a placefor nutrition notes.The layout is very straight forward and will allow meto track my progress over six months.On Mondays, I write my personalgoals for the week and on Sunday, I write a weekly wrap-up, which reallyholds me accountable for those goals.This book really helps me to keeptrack of my progress in a concrete way.I highly recommend it.



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