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Rating: 
Summary: A good, honest book but...
Review: ...a little disappointing. For women who are 50+, very obese, or who have never done any serious exercise before, this book is very good. If you're moderately active or fit, though, it's probably too basic for you already. While the information on diet is valuable for women (without any of the hype or junk science found in many books targeted toward men), the exercise program is very, very basic and is unlikely to challenge advanced beginners and beyond. Even as a beginner, if you follow it regularly, you may find yourself outgrowing it quickly. I'd recommend borrowing this book from a friend or from your library, and definitely read the nutrition information. But for exercise, I'd suggest one of the books by Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent ("Fitness for Dummies" or "Weight Training for Dummies") instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing New
Review: I did not like this book. It was just more of the same information that has been in countless books about self-help.
The pictures to show the exercises are not helpful at all.
There is a drawing and not much more. If you have never read a
book that tells women they need to eat better and exercise more
then this book is for you. If you have heard this all before
then buy a book that gives you more for your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Chock full of Great Health Informaton
Review: I read this book after my doctor recommended it for the second time. I was at a point of desparation as far as my health and weight loss were concerned. The book starts out giving documentation for a healthy lifestyle as well as specific test groups who used the program and succeeded. By the time I got to the chapters dealing with food and exercise, I was quite motivated to begin the program. The weight exercises are so simple that almost anyone can do them. I made my own versions of the food and exercise charts, and began my logs 3 1/2 months ago. I have dropped about 30 lbs and continue to be motivated to get strong. I am now using 8 and 10 lb weights and have added additional exercises to my routine as well as regular aerobic exercise. My focus has changed from losing weight to getting strong. I also am encouraged that the food chart is a positive tool. I am "filling up" the categories on the chart instead of feeling like "I can't have any more to eat." I use the chart loosely, because I want the changes I have made to be permanent. This book is full of practical advice, from how to "eye" portion amounts, to low-fat, low-calorie recipes, to what vitamins you should be using to supplement your food intake. I began the program in the "extremely overweight" category, but I look forward to qualifying for the "slim" category before I am done!
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!!!
Review: I was at my wits end. Fat and getting fatter, then I ran across this book. The exercises are easy, simple, and they work. There are daily exercise, 7, that get you focused onto your muscles, a weight management dietary plan, as well as great suggestions for dealing with various challenges. A year later, and I am working with a personal trainer, and Fat women do get slim!!
Rating:
Summary: Outstandingly sensible, balanced and scientifically grounded
Review: If you're a fitness freak or on a stable weight you are happy with, find another book. This one isn't for you. Ditto if you are looking for super fast weight gain or have a penchant for fad diets. Ditto if you are looking for a full-on gung-ho weights program. BUT! If you are struggling to lose weight, have ever lost weight and bounced back up again, are happy with your weight but not your shape, have tried all the diets, or even haven't tried them, or don't know where to start - then this is the book for you.... regardless of age (or even gender!). Dr Nelson's book focuses on strength training as a fundamental element of healthy weight loss, particularly for its role in maintaining bone density (and toning!) - as opposed to the diet/aerobic exercise route which can lead to loss of bone density and/or loss of muscle (rather than fat). That said, she also covers the role of good nutrition (focusing on the long term, not the faddish) and aerobic exercise. The result is not "dieting" as such, but healthier living. If you want to lose 30lbs in 3 months this isn't the book to read - but if you want to lose 30lbs steadily and KEEP IT OFF, then dive in. Generally I would say the focus is on inches, tone and well-being rather than pounds anyway. The discussion of studies, science etc could have been heavy, but wasn't - it was very readable and even extremely motivating. It meant everything in the book made sense, which for me, made it easier to take on the recommendations of this book as a lifestyle not a fad. The exercises are very easy, but if you are just starting out, that's not a bad thing - better than throwing you in with stuff you can't do, and they will give you plenty to build on. This book will give you a great, balanced foundation to a healthier lifestyle. There's plenty of checks along the way to keep you on track and getting results - have you chosen a good goal weight (and do you need one?), are you working out at the right intensity, are you eating well, are there warning signs that you are coming off the rails? You're also supported with checks to track your exercise and eating - backed by research showing that those who keep track, stay on track and get better results.
Rating:
Summary: Not for athletes, but a good place to start
Review: This book is written for those who are sedentary to at most
moderately active, and want to change their behavior so as to
accomplish long-term weight loss. It is a good motivator for
getting started with strength training and keeping track of
what you eat. It is definitely not intended for athletes,
but rather the 75% of American women (so it says) that don't
get regular exercise 3 days per week. The strength training part focuses on 6 exercises, most of
which usedumbbells. This is not a whole lot, but for the
intended audience it is helpful in keeping the program from
being overwhelming. For more intense exercise, you will have
to look elsewhere. There are a few illustrations; it would be
better if they showed the exercises step-by-step, but the
written directions are acceptable and it's easy enough to
figure things out by just trying it. One nice touch is that
a variety of people are shown doing the exercises -- they
don't all look like young fitness instructors. This section
also explains the importance of strength training for
strengthening bones, raising basal metabolism, and making
other exercise easier. The book discusses a variety of different aerobic exercises,
but points out that the most important thing is to find
something convenient enough that you can do it several times
a week, and to make sure it's intense enough to get results
-- it describes how to tell when this is happening. The food plan part is probably the most complex and largest
section, but it is based just on the food pyramid. It's
nothing new, but it provides a good way of keeping track of
how balanced your diet really is. This food plan allows 25%
fat, which is probably going to feel low to anyone who's been
eating a Western diet and not thought about fat much. If you want a short-term diet, this is not the book for you.
If you're not active and want to change, this is a very
useful book. If you already do strength training, it seems
likely that you're already doing much of what this book says,
so try to borrow it and have a look before you decide to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Not for athletes, but a good place to start
Review: This book is written for those who are sedentary to at most
moderately active, and want to change their behavior so as to
accomplish long-term weight loss. It is a good motivator for
getting started with strength training and keeping track of
what you eat. It is definitely not intended for athletes,
but rather the 75% of American women (so it says) that don't
get regular exercise 3 days per week. The strength training part focuses on 6 exercises, most of
which usedumbbells. This is not a whole lot, but for the
intended audience it is helpful in keeping the program from
being overwhelming. For more intense exercise, you will have
to look elsewhere. There are a few illustrations; it would be
better if they showed the exercises step-by-step, but the
written directions are acceptable and it's easy enough to
figure things out by just trying it. One nice touch is that
a variety of people are shown doing the exercises -- they
don't all look like young fitness instructors. This section
also explains the importance of strength training for
strengthening bones, raising basal metabolism, and making
other exercise easier. The book discusses a variety of different aerobic exercises,
but points out that the most important thing is to find
something convenient enough that you can do it several times
a week, and to make sure it's intense enough to get results
-- it describes how to tell when this is happening. The food plan part is probably the most complex and largest
section, but it is based just on the food pyramid. It's
nothing new, but it provides a good way of keeping track of
how balanced your diet really is. This food plan allows 25%
fat, which is probably going to feel low to anyone who's been
eating a Western diet and not thought about fat much. If you want a short-term diet, this is not the book for you.
If you're not active and want to change, this is a very
useful book. If you already do strength training, it seems
likely that you're already doing much of what this book says,
so try to borrow it and have a look before you decide to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Down to Earth Fitness
Review: This is a great book for anyone wanting to lose weight and/or feel stronger and healthier. The plan is not fancy or elaborate. The book is an easy, enjoyable read. Regardless of how much you want to lose, this book is for you. Strength training is a major key to increasing your metabolism, so if this is something you've left out of your fitness routine, this book can help you lose those last few stubborn pounds. I also think it's written with sensitivity to people who are very overweight. She lets you determine the amount of calories you take in and she teaches you the basics of nutrition, helping you add variety to balance out your diet and fiber to help you feel full. She also stresses the benefit of slow weight loss--only 1-2 pounds a week, which is much healthier, easier to stick with, and less likely to be gained back after you're finished. This is a book about changing your whole attitude about health and fitness and about changing your habits for the rest of your life. I think it's really beneficial. Personally I would give it five stars. The reason I gave it four is because it is pretty basic information. There was nothing in the book that I hadn't heard before or didn't already know. I really did, however, like how plainly it was stated and how easy the plan is to follow.
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