[.uk] The 30-Minute Fitness Solution : A Four-Step Plan For ... (ISBN 0674004795)

Amazon.com Review:
Regardless of her age or current physical condition, a woman can improve her physical and mental health by planning and sticking to a workable fitness program. According to the 1996 Surgeon General's Report, 30 minutes of daily moderate exercise plus two (again, moderate) sessions of muscle strengthening exercises each week will do the trick. Common sense? Absolutely. Unfortunately, many women believe they have neither the time nor the tools to follow this plan. As of 2001, 80 percent of all illness, disability, and death among women in the United States still results from heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes--each of which is associated with physical inactivity and poor diet. The 30-Minute Fitness Solution aims to teach the inactive female how to find time for herself, set reasonable fitness goals, reach them, and improve her well-being using four simple steps: planning, proceeding, recording, and rewarding. Written by Harvard Medical School Professor of Medicine JoAnn Manson, M.D., and fitness specialist Patricia Amend, this primer seems best suited for the mature, beginning exerciser (who'd rather not own a book titled Fitness for Dummies). Early chapters help readers develop a snapshot of their current physical condition, and explain the short- and long-term benefits associated with exercise. Plenty of charts, work pages, questionnaires, and illustrations help readers tailor activities to their own lifestyle, monitor their progress, and build on their success. Sample weekly workout plans, a no-surprises chapter on nutrition (eat less sugar, more vegetables and fruit), and a fact lover's chapter titled "The Scientific Case for Physical Activity" nicely uphold this book's valuable mantra: moderation, consistency, no excuses. --Liane Thomas

Finally a fitness book that is realistic!:
I just read The 30-Minute Fitness Solution and was truly impressed. It is the first fitness book that provides realistic steps for health and wellness. Rather than preach an all or nothing approach, the book stresses the small steps we can fit into our days and weeks to boost our bodies and our minds. I am a busy person and if I think anything will be a burden, I run from it. In reading the approaches suggested by Ms. Amend and Dr. Manson, I feel like I actually can fit fitness into my life without much of an effort or sacrifice. That's a big lesson for me. In fact, I was so inspired by the book I joined a fitness club and find it to be highly pleasurable. The book also speaks to readers in a way that is motivating not condescending or scolding. The authors well understand that sometimes we slip on our exercise regimes, and they don't give us slack about it. Rather they provide steps for how to get back on track on our own schedule. All in all this is one of the best books I've read on fitness.

Practical and Encouraging:
This book's friendly, fluid writing style made it very easy and enjoyable to read. Each time I picked it up, I kept reading much longer than I'd intended to. (The medical documentation gave me confidence in the recommendations but didn't intrude on the wonderful conversational style.) Although I've read several articles and books on fitness, this book gave me enough new, practical information and "sisterly" encouragement to motivate me to resume my walking program. AND this is the first source that explained the importance of strength training and flexibility exercises in a way that has motivated me to start doing both. The recommended routines are easy to do and require few "props." Most important, I think, is the authors' caution not to expect to see weight loss right away and to focus on the many other physical and psychological benefits of fitness. It's occuring to me as I write this that I should give this book as a gift to my two daughters-in-law and to at least two friends...

A Complete Guide for Healthy Lifestyle Change:
As a Fitness Director having overseen hundreds of Personal Trainers who have trained literally thousands of women looking for answers to their fitness questions, I find this book extremely useful in helping my team address the needs of our female clientele. Woman have many needs that are often overlooked and The 30-Minute Fitness Solution hits on all of the vital points a lady must have to plan, implement, and continue a healthy, results oriented fitness program. From setting goals, to planning your steps to meet those goals, this book guides you every step of the way. Every client I have recommended read this book, has experienced successes they never thought possible until they followed the insight found within its pages. The language is casual yet scientifically based which makes for an enjoyable and extremely credible reading experience. I would recommend this book to any woman who is trying to make a committment to a healthier and leaner life and body. The 30-Minute Fitness Solution is a must-read book for the lady who is serious about finding the answers to all of her fitness questions and who is tired of the exhausting misinformation that clouds our judgement today.