30-Day Method

Publisher's Summary. Did you know muscles get bored, just like people do? And did you also know that there's a 9 out of 10 chance that you're working the wrong muscles when you exercise? With TRACY ANDERSON'S 30-DAY METHOD you don't have to worry--her unique workout will help you drop the weight and shrink your body in just 30 days.

Based on ten years of scientific research and experience getting not just herself, but A-list stars and everyday people, red carpet ready, Anderson has developed a unique 30-day diet and workout routine that reshapes the body and defies genetics to tone the muscles and drop the pounds. While most people incorrectly target their major muscle groups, like the bicep or hamstring, the focus should be on the smaller accessory muscles that can create a long, lean, balanced look--instead of bulked up look. Anderson's program is composed of a groundbreaking three-tiered approach, including a mat workout and cardio routine targeting the all-important accessory muscles, and an exclusive 30-day meal plan, complete with dozens of delicious recipes.

This comprehensive kick-start program is unlike any other workout on the market and it leaves no chance for anything but terrific, fast results!

Review. Given the choice between a leisurely jog through the park on a crisp, sunny, fall day and staying in bed with the latest biography and a venti skim latte, I will choose the book and coffee every time. Moreover, I am a carboholic: pasta, bread, cakes, and cookies, I love them all! Yes, I am a true couch potato. I say this not to brag, but to acknowledge what I am. I know my personal preferences are not a winning combination for long term health and fitness. And I want to change --- really I do. So when the opportunity came along to review Tracy Anderson’s 30-Day Method I jumped on it.

Tracy Anderson, a personal trainer to celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Cox, has written a plan for getting in shape in a month’s time. According to Anderson:

“The Method works for everyone, hands down. So what’ll you find in my book is my 30-Day Method: a complete program with a cardio routine, plus new mat exercise sequences every ten days to keep your accessory muscles focused and at attention. You’ll lose the fat and tone your muscles. And once you add in the 30-Day eating plan, you’ll really see results!

With statements like that my interest was definitely piqued. I also liked that the 30-Day Method has lots of pictures of the muscle toning exercises; a cardio companion dvd for the dance aerobics, and a detailed meal plan (one for meat eaters and the other for vegetarians, but both unfortunately lack calorie counts). This all sounded very promising, but also a little intimidating too. While I wanted to ease into making healthier eating choices and incorporate a sustainable exercise plan into my life, the 30-Day Method is all or nothing – there is no room for deviations. As Anderson declares, it is her way or the highway. For me, I am looking for a long term plan that I can grow with and maintain. If, however, you are willing to commit completely to Anderson’s program, or at a higher level of fitness than I am, I have no doubt that you will see results.

The 30-Day Method is an intensive, detailed plan for getting into shape!




Review copy provided courtesy of the publisher.

Denise's Daily Dozen

Publisher's Summary. From Denise Austin comes the perfect health book for anyone who wants to live better but just can't seem to find the time. Much more than just another excercise book, Denise's Daily Dozen covers a whole range of health and diet related concepts yet manages it all in a no-stress, time-conscious program of 12's. At it's core, this book contains the minimum daily requirements to keep the reader flexible, strong and trim. Organized simply into seven chapters, which equal the seven days of the week, it covers a full week in daily allotments. Each day will have it's own focus from Monday being "fat burning day" to Sunday's "recharge and rejuvenate."

Denise has created a total body program, including a 7-day balanced meal plan that includes healthy recipes, and a workout that encompasses 12 exercises done in 12 minutes each day. Everyone can take just 12 minutes, at whatever time of the day works for them, and turn it over to these simple and fun exercises. Cardio, toning, yoga and breathing exercises...they're all here but in a way the maximizes effect while minimizing time.

Beyond a dozen exercises for each day of the week this book will include many other of Denises dozens for each day.

Review. Losing weight, getting in shape, and being healthier overall, are common New Year’s resolutions. Helping you to keep those resolutions is Denise Austin in her new book Denise’s Daily Dozen. Denise Austin, a 52 year old (can you believe it!) fitness trainer with nearly thirty years experience, is a personal inspiration of what a healthy diet and regular exercise can do for you.

Denise’s Daily Dozen is comprised of a Fitness Plan and an Eating Plan. The Fitness Plan includes a workout with three essential elements: “cardiovascular, toning, and flexibility in twelve easy moves you do for twelve minutes a day.” Like most fitness trainers, however, Denise acknowledges that you should ultimately work up to thirty minutes a day. Still, according to Denise, on your busiest days the twelve minutes are enough. In addition to the Daily Dozen workouts, Denise prescribes twelve miles of cardio exercise weekly. Walking counts as fulfilling this requirement. The Eating Plan is basically a 1200 calorie a day meal plan that includes three servings each of veggies, fruits, and proteins with two of healthy grains and one of a healthy fat.

While much of the information, limit calories to around 1200 a day and perform 30 minutes of cardio day, is not new, it is put together in a user friendly format. With lots of pictures of the exercises and specific instructions (exercises and meal plans) for each day of the week, it is easy to follow. I also enjoyed the real life stories from women who lost weight following Denise’s plan. Also helpful is the chapter “Twelve Meals You Can Make in About Twelve Minutes” because who isn’t pressed for time? And lastly the weekly shopping lists promote quick and efficient shopping in that dieter’s temptation den known as the grocery store.

Denise’s Daily Dozen is a great do-it- yourself resource for losing weight the healthy way!



Publisher: Center Street (January 5, 2010), 336 pages.
Advance Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the Publisher.