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*****= An all-time favorite
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= Above average
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***Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover
An Accelerated Program of Exercise and Nutrition
for Maximum Results in Minimum Time
by Bob Greene
Reviewed January 10, 2005.
Simon & Schuster, New York, 2004. 262 pages.
Available at Sembach Library (MCN 613.7 GRE).
Over the years, I’ve reviewed a few different exercise books. Pain Free and Pain Free for Women did convince me
that I should get moving, but the program they suggested took a large amount
of time, and didn’t really seem to affect my headaches. Next I tried
Slow Burn, and though that book
only asked for a good chunk of time once a week, the workout it suggested
wiped me out. And after my Mom's heart attack, I found myself wondering
whether only focusing on strength training could really do any good if I want
to avoid heart disease.
The one workout that I did with any consistency was 8 Minutes in the Morning. As you can
tell, my biggest gripe with exercise is how much time it takes. 8 minutes
in the morning isn’t too bad. The only problem with this program was
that I couldn’t see any results. I still get out of breath quickly
when we climb a hill to a castle, and I still find myself slowly but surely
gaining weight.
So when Bob Greene’s new book came in, I thought I’d take it home and
look it over. The program he presents is a 12-week “boot camp” program
to get some results in a minimal amount of time. His plan includes
6 times a week aerobic exercise, 6 times a week “functional exercises” of
stretches and crunches, and 3 times a week strength-training exercises.
The drawback? This program takes a good amount of time, and more time
the more fit you become.
I don’t need to lose a whole lot of weight, though I wouldn’t at all mind
losing some, so I’m not fully committed to the program. What I do like
about the program is that it has a good variety of exercises that should
lead to a much better level of fitness.
I’m not fully committed to the program, so I doubt that I will carry it
out for 12 weeks. However, reading the book has motivated me to step
up my exercise level. I figure that even if I do these exercises a
little less often than what is recommended, they can have some benefit.
I’ve had 40 years to be lazy. Maybe if I start exercising now, I won’t
have to try to exercise to undo damage when I’m 60.
If you’re looking to lose a good amount of weight, I think that this program
would provide a healthy way to approach that goal. He doesn’t present
a diet, only five principles for healthy eating. He also explains several
of the most popular diet plans out there, so the reader can decide which
one is best for you, if you feel a diet is needed. Even if you’re not
looking to lose a lot of weight, but want to become more fit, this program
is a good way to start off toward that goal.
Copyright © 2005 Sondra Eklund.
All rights reserved.
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Reviews by Sondra Eklund