Editorial Review

If positive thinking alone could strip weight off people, anyone reading this latest tome from the perpetually perky Denise Austin would be thin. Good vibes leap from the page, whether she's describing her own attitude toward life ("Happiness is a choice that is available to anyone") or simply introducing exercise information ("Burn the Fat!" "Build the Muscle!" "Get Flexible!").Read more

Reviews (14)

those last ten pounds

My first copy is worn out -- coming back for a second
We started this program 6-10-00 and lost 38 lbs at low point of 3-10-01.As of 12-08-01, I have given back 7 lbs but am still down 31 lbs.This program works. It works, and it's Healthy
My wife came to me and asked me to help her get in shape. Being a workout fanatic most of my life, helping her with the exercise part was easy. But the eating part was tougher. I eat healthy but don't have any set receipes or methodology; so I bought Denise's book and followed it religously for the first three to four weeks, doing all the shopping, cooking etc. She lost more than 12 lbs, looks wonderful and really has liked the food. We still use the book has a guide but mix in receipes from other sources like Cooking Light magazine etc., but we maintain Denise's daily intake of calories (about 1500) and fat -- about 25 percent -- for my wife. Denise is so upbeat, sensible and fun to read and watch. Besides being beautiful, she is full of common sense about eating and exercise. If you want sensible, good food -- not "diet" food, buy this book and follow it. It works. Thanks, Denise. You're the best. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diets - General    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Recipes    7. Reducing diets    8. Weight Loss    9. Health & Fitness / Diets   

Reviews (8)

adequate, but not inspirational
The journal is adequate, though not great. It is simple to use, but leaves out some food groups likeprotien and dairy. It also assumes that everyone drinks alcoholic beverages.

Great Journal w/ or w/ out the Program
I bought this when I was reading Get With the Program but it is actually a great journal.
Buy the author's photo and an empty notebook for $14.95
If you live in a rural community, away from major bookstores, and happen to mail order these deceitful publications, you will be disappointed as hell. Many of these paranoid fitness gurus prey on unwary consumers who seek help to better their life. In this empty notebook, Bob Greene does not shy from sticking his photo on the front cover in order to impress you with his beautiful green eyes, for the price of $14.95.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Healthy Living    5. Reference    6. Weight Loss    7. Health & Fitness / General    8. Popular medicine    9. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

"Fat-free & Fit" Not Intended for the Serious Bodybuilder
Cory Everson paints a very different picture of herself in her book "Fat-free & Fit" than one might expect from a six-time Ms. Olympia winner.Instead of the hardcore routines and attitudes I was expected (and actually hoping for), this book reveals that Cory has mellowed considerably since those fighting early years of bodybuilding, and now has become much softer--in shape as well as personality.Cory reveals that much of her activity within the sport of bodybuilding was greatly reactionary, that her fear of failure pushed her beyond all positive limits.She claims that she was physically ignorant during that time period and that she ignored what her body was trying to tell her.
A Great Nutritional Guide
Not long ago I wrote an E-mail to a major women's bodybuilder on an Internet website who offered nutritional advice.I am glad my query was not answered since I found a much more economical way to receive the most updated information on healthy dieting along with plenty of accompanying information on exercise in Cory Everson's fine book.Cory's dieting tips come from the latest information from the Food and Drug Administration along with the top think tanks in the health field worldwide.As for her exercise tips, I found the weight training information highly valuable since I am into that form of activity.She stresses a practical approach to both dieting and exercise, and the tips are beneficial to anyone concerned about staying fit at whatever age or level of activity, from the professional athlete to people exercising to maintain good health.I liked the fact that Cory's book was devoid of the kind of radical, pie in the sky, results promised instantly approach to diet taken by some authors in recent years.The accent remains on the practical at all stages.Cory tells her readers frankly that results will come only when motivated people are willing to exert effort to help themselves by following sensible approaches. Very disappointed!!!
I got this book from the library.The more I looked through it the more disappointed I was. This seems more like a porno book than a book on exercise. I was totally disguisted with the revealing/distasteful picturesof Cory Everson and also the male model that posed with her. I will neverpick up a book by her again.I want to know how to get fit,but having tolook at porn pictures while doing it is not worth it!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aerobics    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet/Nutrition    4. Exercise    5. Exercise for women    6. Health & Fitness    7. Healthy Living    8. Nutrition    9. Physical fitness for women    10. Women    11. Fitness & diet   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. General    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Self-Help   

Editorial Review

Bob Greene is best known as Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer and coauthor of their bestselling Read more

Reviews (9)

You CAN make the connection!
Thats what this book should have been titled!I disagree.It's not just the same as make the connection.I found Make the connection just plain ole' diet info.Great info, but nothing new.This book's section on motivation was astounding!What an eye opener for someone who has struggled with the mental part of making the decision to finally change my life.This book is definately something to pick up for anyone who has had it with diets.There's so much more to it!Life changing!

a perfect completion to "Make the connection"
It is true that the steps towards weight loss are no different than in "Make the connection". But I think this book complements the first one perfectly. For the chapters on motivation alone, this book is worth buying. It explains the motivation issues of certain typres of people and why it can be damaging to your self-esteem to attempt dieting when you are not ready in your mind. This book also helped me to stay motivated whenever I had a low, and to keep going. I haven't regretted for one second that I bought this book.

I disagree with the bad reviews....
Like the others, I read MTC several times.Yes, if you just want instruction on the 10 steps, you don't need this book.However, if you've tried tofollow them but just can seem to stick to the program, this bookis for you.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diets - Better Health    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Physical Fitness    7. Weight Loss    8. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (3)

Good bodybuilding book for women
I came across this book at a used book store and love it. It is one of the best pure women bodybuilding books for females available. The ultimate for women
My wife has several workout books but as she states, "not one matches Arnold's".This book not only covers subjects like what to eat, it also goes into great detail on what workouts work what muscles.Great book!

Good, but old
If you keep your perspective in check, this is an excellent resource.Good, basic advice.I was struggling training my girlfriend (I am advanced, she a beginner), and this book made it much easier to convince her that I wasn't crazy with my training advice.It is a simple and clear book, pretty basic, but I am a big believer that 90% of the results come from the basic stuff, and the last 10% is for when you hit sticking points, or reach an advanced level.But the book is getting on in age these days; still, don't let that disuade you if you can pick up a copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Exercise for women    4. Nutrition    5. Weight lifting    6. Women    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (4)

Original and dynamite
I now own a lot of resistance training books of various sorts - using dumb-bells, or the thera-band.This book is unique, the only one I found using large rubber bands (I didn't even know such things existed). I had hesitated to buy this book because of the reviewers who said the rubber bands were harsh in thier hands.When I got the book and tried the exercises I found there was absolutely no discomfort from using the bands without gloves, that was a relief.In addition, I LOVE the exercises, they somehow get at muscles in a different way than other methods.The exercises are well explained and the photographs make it easy to see exactly how to do each one.This book is among my favorites.I did not want to use the order form for new bands at the back of the book because I was afraid prices might have gone up or something since the book was published, so I did a web search on SPRI Rubber Band and found a site called LeighCrews.com, or DynaLife (it's connected somehow) where you can buy rubber bands of different widths for more or less resistance. (Hint:if you buy 20 instead of 1, the price per unit goes down drastically.)Overall, this is a great book and a great method for getting in shape and staying in shape.

the best exercise book I've seen
Simple, easy to follow, this book outlines some great at-home workouts.I was especially impressed with the "chair" exercises, important for me at this moment since I have a broken foot. Nice package; Nice workout; But Rough Bands
I got this book to extend my rubber resistance training. It's the only book on the topic I found at Amazon at the time. I was interested in the book but when it came and I saw the 2 small blue rubber bands attached, I was happy that it was an inclusive package. You didn't have to go out to buy the exercise equipment now that you had the book. I tried out much of the exercises and they do feel good. However, the rubber band feels harsh in my hand after a while and I have to do the exercises with my exercise gloves so I don't burn or chafe... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Athletic Training And Conditioning    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Exercise    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Isometric exercise    8. Physical fitness    9. Exercise & workout books    10. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Subjects:  1. Aerobics    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Exercise    5. Health & Fitness    6. Pilates method    7. Reading materials    8. Spanish language    9. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction   

Reviews (1)

This book really shines with it's postnatal exercise program
The book includes exercises for the entire 9 months of pregnancy plus a 5-month postnatal exercise plan.The exercises in this book are easily done at home with minimal equipment (some exercises require light handweights.)There are plenty of photos (though not every exercise has aphoto) and good explanations on how to do each exercise.I found theexercises challenging, but not too difficult to do.The prenatal exercisesare good, but this book's strong point is the postnatal exercise section. You are virtually guaranteed to get your body back if you follow the plan!The book does a lot of name-dropping and tellsabout various celebritiesand their experiences trying to keep fit during pregnancy.It's supposedto be encouraging, but I found it kind of annoying. This book is strictlyabout exercise.There are not a lot of pregnancy tips like you find inDenise Austin's pregnancy exercise book or physiological information (seeEssential Exercises for the Childbearing Year). If your'e serious aboutgetting back in shape after baby, then this book is worth seriousconsideration. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise for pregnant women    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Gynecology & Obstetrics    5. Health/Fitness    6. Medical    7. Physical fitness for women    8. Postnatal care    9. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Childbirth    10. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Pregnancy    11. Exercise & workout books    12. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (22)

A Lifetime Change
I was skeptical when I first picked up this book years ago because I knew that weight loss and healthy living were lifestyle choices, not short-term diet plans.I was pleased to see that Denise Austin agreed with me.Her book outlines exactly what to do for 21 days, but she says this is just to get you going.Permanent health means permanent changes.Her plan moves you into these changes slowly and with lots of encouraging words.It is sensible.If you are looking for a way to "jump start" yourself toward healthier changes for life, this is a great place to start!

Pretty Good Diet Book
I read a lot of diet books; this book impressed me a little more than most. The diet plan gives you a pretty good outline of how you should be eating and exercising for 21 days. If you are one of those people like me who like to have a plan mapped out for you this might be a book you would like. great
I absolutely LOVE Denise Austin.Her workouts are ones that I actually can't wait to do.I've got some of her daily workouts from Lifetime on Tape.She is just so bubbly and energetic.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diets - Better Health    4. Diets - Weight Loss    5. Exercise    6. Health    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Physical fitness    10. Weight loss    11. Fitness & diet    12. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Editorial Review

Billy Blanks wasn't always the master martial artist and superbuff fitness celebrity we know from his Read more

Reviews (11)

Not worthy of the hype...
Though Tae Bo's hype died out years ago, I decided to give this book a read and see what this 'revolutionary' training regimen could offer me.
Excellent!
Great. motivational. Helpful.Not just about physical excercise but about defining and creating "will" that moves you toward success in all aspects of your life.

Fantastic; you must try Tae Bo!
Tae Bo will change your life. It certainly has changed mine. I am in better shape at nearly 40 than any time in my life. I find Billyinspirational and totally balanced in his advice (This is from a physician who is fed up of the rubbish out there!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Tae-Bo (Trademark)    5. Exercise & workout books    6. Health & Fitness / Exercise    7. Oriental martial arts   

Subjects:  1. Bodybuilding    2. Bodybuilding for women    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Exercise    5. Exercise For Women    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Massage & Reflexotherapy    9. Reference   

Reviews (9)

Excellent and well-written
This book is an excellent resource. It gives you many variations of exercises as well as a variety of exercises for your total body. Denise writes in a positive and motivating up-beat style. She includes photos of start and finish exercises for each exercise. My only complaint is that a start position for one exercise starts on one page of the book and the finish position is on the next page so you have to flip the page to view (but this is only for some of the exercises pictured; Denise manages to put the start-finish positions of most exercises on the same page).

If You Buy Only One Exercise Book, Make It This One!
Versatile, convenient, informative, and easily understood.These are the four adjectives I would use to descibe this wonderful book.We are all educated people, we know that we need 3-4 days of cardiovascular work (walking, jogging, step aerobics, what have you) at 20-30 minutes a pop to help with fat loss.However, if you are thinking that just cardiovascular exercise will do it, you're wrong.You need to strength train your muscles, and this book is the bible for it.If you want long, lean muscles, buy this book.Having lower back pain?Wait for the pain to subside, get the dr.'s okay, and then buy this book.There are back strengthening exercises in here for all of us Linda-Carter-Wannabees (a.k.a. Wonder Woman) who conquer college, career, marriage and children.You need this book to feel better, look better, and gain that confidence you had when you were 16 in the dance recital.You need this book if you are a beginner, an intermediate exerciser, or an 'ol pro.People have mentioned that this book is detailed....that's an understatement.This book gives you explicit information on breathing during exercises, proper form, and the speed at which to execute the exercises.Yes, it's that good.Just as others have mentioned, Denise Austin's heart is in the right place.However, during her videos (of which I own at least 10), she may do 16 repetitions on the left leg, and then quickly change to the right leg.On the right leg, however, she may only do 12 repetitions!That annoys me, thus, I tend to shy away from the videos these days.However, with the book, YOU control the repetitions. You don't have to pause and rewind...you don't have to wait for cues that won't come, and finally, you don't have to deal with beats and rhythms (Denise has a hard time following those, too). So, on a final note, I give this book the ultimate praise.Run to your nearest book store and purchase it, or buy it right here, right now!

I absolutely love this book!
I have been using this book off and on for over 2 years now.I keep going back to this book when I need to lose weight and tone-up.The exercises are easy to follow and can be as challenging or low-intensity as you make it.I have trouble following other exercise books/videos and really recommend this to anyone who wants to lose weight and tone-up different areas of their body.Of course to lose weight you have to add aerobic exercise (fast walking/other) as she stresses in this book.I recommend this book for any age, but I'm 40 and find this book one of the easiest to follow and the best, so far, for me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diets - Better Health    4. Exercise    5. Exercise for women    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health and hygiene    8. Health/Fitness    9. Healthy Living    10. Reducing exercises    11. Women    12. Exercise & workout books    13. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness    2. Health/Fitness    3. Healthy Living   

Subjects:  1. Audio - Exercise / Health    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Exercise    5. Physical fitness    6. Walking   

Reviews (5)

Exceptional
This is an exceptional tool for back pain sufferers.Very well written in plain english with a great workout and streches in an easily explained format...well worth the investment.

FANTASTIC BOOK!!!
Anyone suffering with back pain will find this book incredibly helpful.

FANTASTIC BOOK!!!
Anyone suffering with back pain will find this book incredibly helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. General    3. Surgery - General   

Editorial Review

This is a 10-week beginner's program and training log for women. It'sdesigned to improve muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and bodycomposition, and to allow you to keep track of every repetition of every exercise. Eachweek on the program features new exercises and focuses on a different aspect ofnutrition--fat, protein, water, vitamins. The program is well-organized, clearlyoutlined, and easy to follow. Best of all, unlike the authors of other eponymous fitnessbooks, Kathy Smith doesn't get in your face on every page; she seems to havepresumed you've picked up the book because you want to get in shape first andbecause she's Kathy Smith second. Good choice, good book. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Good review for someone who doesn't know where to start.
After seeing so many great reviews of this book here, I borrowed it from the library.The book is a 10-week plan to improved fitness and is more geared to women.Each week, Kathy focuses on one nutrition concept and one body part--for example, Week 1 is "Fat and Abs."After a few pages describing the concepts for the week, there are a series of worksheets to help you keep track of your exercise and eating for that week.This format continues for all 10 weeks, which means that the bulk of the book is made up of the worksheets rather than actual information.At the end of the book, Kathy has included sections on stretches and toning exercises for the entire body.Both sections are nice illustrated with pictures of Kathy performing the moves, and each move is described in detail. Pick and choose what you like
While I wouldn't call this book an unqualified success for me, it's definitely one of my most valued resources for fitness for the strength training aspect alone. The title of this book is not an exaggeration
I struggled for a long time trying to lose weight. Once I got this book, I realized that although I was exercising and eating a decent amount of calories, I was eating WAY too much fat. I cut back to the requisite amount for my height and frame, and voila!, I started losing weight immediately. I've lost almost 20 pounds in the last 11 months, and I feel much more knowledgeable and in control now that I'm armed with the information I learned from this book. I always recommend it to people I know who are trying to lose weight. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Nutrition    7. Physical fitness    8. Reducing    9. Weight loss    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (10)

Not a diet book, more of a spritual uplifter.
I have all of Kathy Smith's books, most of her work out tapes and all but one DVD. I found this book to be refreshing. It is an autobiography of sorts, you really get to know Kathy in this book, and it is woven into the life commitment she is pushing for in this book, "Getting better all the time". So many diets these days are focused on a quick-fix sollution, such as my personal favorite, "loose 10lbs. in 48 hours with the Hollywood diet". In this book Kathy drives home the fact that successful dieting and fitness aren't about quick-fixes, but choices and life changes which require learning how to change in a healthy way. She is careful to recognize that we all have different dietary needs (carbohydrates, protiens, and fats), and she is diplomatic in sugguesting which diet is right for you (you know you better than Kathy knows you). I found it to be a very fun read, I must admit that I didn't take away as much as I did in "Lift weights to loose weight", but this is a more familiar subject to me. I found it reasuring to find my philosophies supported here, when usually my friends think that I have an eating disorder because I pay SO much attention to learning about what goes into my body, while they are popping diet pills, or experiencing ketosis. I like that Kathy bluntly tackled two topics that most avoid, first that everyone has an excuse for not living healthy (What's Yours?) and second, she identifies that there are different levels of eating ranging from out of control to eating by the rules, to optimal eating. I think everyone can put themself somewhere in these five levels and use it as a tool to impove their diets. The best part of the whole book though is the recipes. I have tried many of these recipes and a few have made it onto my regular menu at home. I am happy to say that even my husband, Mr. Pizza and Burgers, likes them enough to desire them again, even after I told him it was good for him. I keep the book handy, especially for the recipes. It is a good way to learn to cook more healthy without sacrificing satisfaction and flavor.

My least favorite Kathy Smith book
If you're a Kathy Smith fan, this book is for you. It's more like a family memory book than a fitness book: FILLED with anecdotes and photos of Kathy biking in France, Kathy at her daughter's birthday party, Kathy traveling with her husband, Kathy posing, Kathy on magazine covers from years past. There are more of these type of photos in the book than there are of her doing the few exercises at the end (after the photos of her video covers and before the ones of her tape covers). Great for fitness newbies!
We all know we "should" exercise, yet have many excuses why we don't, and Kathy Smith provides excellent advice on how to overcome those barriers and achieve good health and balance in our lives.The focus of the book is feeling better, not looking better, and how we can become empowered by living a healthy life.Smith is not a great writer and her message could have been delivered more eloquently or with more power, but her easy-to-follow ideas come through nonetheless.Great for someone trying to get fit! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Exercise for women    5. General    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health and hygiene    8. Health/Fitness    9. Healthy Living    10. Physical fitness    11. Physical fitness for women    12. Women    13. Health & Fitness / General   

Editorial Review

Denise Austin, popular television fitness celebrity and exercise-video leader, is also the mother of two little girls. She stayed in shape through her pregnancies, keeping meticulous records of how she did it, and she wants you to understand that you can, too. Read more

Reviews (3)

Somewhat dated info, not for those who already exercise
This book has two good points: it's written in Denise's usual friendly and motivating tone, which will be encouraging to the mom-to-be; and it contains several good recipes.
Great read!!
This book got me through my first pregnancy and now that I'm in the beginning stages of my second pregnancy, I've already reread it.I was never a "fan" of Denise Austin and never used her workout tapes or watched her on TV, but I became a fan after reading this book.I am planning on buying her pregnancy workout video to compliment the book this time since I enjoyed her book during my first pregnancy.I by no mean am a fitness guru and haven't ever been in fantastic shape, but the excersizes in this book were easy to read and to follow.I enjoyed the recipes and also loved all the other information she throws in about pregnancy.I highly recommend!

Want to keep in shape during pregnancy?
For those mothers-to-be who wish to keep in shape during pregnancy, Denise Austin will motivate you.This informative book presented with Denise's friendly enthusiasm is an excellent companion to her Pregnancy Plus Workoutvideotape.In Denise Austin's Ultimate Pregnancy Book, Denise presentsexercises suited to each trimester of pregnancy, sample menu plans, recipesinterspersed with pregnancy Q & A.She also includes a Shape Up AfterBaby chapter.I've sampled some of her recipes and am currently followingher exercises.Whether or not you are a Denise Austin fan, you will findthis book helpful and perhaps you too will find her enthusiam contagious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise for pregnant women    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Gynecology & Obstetrics    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health and hygiene    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Nutrition    10. Nutritional aspects    11. Physical Fitness    12. Pregnancy    13. Pregnancy & Childbirth    14. Pregnant women    15. Health & Fitness / Exercise    16. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    17. Health    18. Fitness