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The No Sweat Exercise Plan (Harvard Medical School Guides) |
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| Author: Harvey Simon Published: 2006-12-19 |
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List price: $16.95 Our price: $11.53 |
Usually ships in 24 hours As of: January 07th, 2009 04:23:32 AM |
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Customer comments on this selection. The best exercise adviser of allWhy do I consider this work to contain the best exercise- advice at all? The answer is because the advice it gives does not require 'exercising' as a special block of time taken in a gym, or with some special instrument. It thinks of exercise as a possible extension of everyday life- activity. We can do much exercise simply by increasing the pace at which we walk, or by lifting a few cans in the proper way each day for a few minutes. Whether we are gardening, housecleaning, shopping, mowing the lawn, climbing stairs, washing the car, playing with children , we can benefit physically by increasing the level of our activity. We can no matter, it seems , where we are, and almost in whatever we are doing, find a way to excercise a bit more, to get ourselves moving physically in a better way. And these little bits of motion are not insignificant but can add up to better health. As Judy Siegel writes in the 'Jerusalem Post' "The latest scientific studies shows conclusively that people can get the full health benefits of exercise with only slight modifications to their daily routines." Simon also in this work provides a more thorough analysis of different kinds of exercise, and specific steps for improving functioning of different areas of the body. This work would seem to have something for everyone who cares about improving their health. Most highly recommended. imely and Important--also InterestingRecent news headlines said that a low fat diet does not prevent heart attacks, breast cancer, or colon cancer. I looked them up in The No Sweat Exercise Plan and found that exercise can help prevent all 3, along with many other problems. It's one example of all the important information in the book, and it's presented in a very lively and interesting way. Best of all, the book is very practical and specific. It tells you what, when , and how to exercise. It also helps you figure out which exercises you can skip because you don't really need them. I enjoyed reading the book and I'll keep it handy for reference. I recommend it very highly. A very helpful guideI thought I knew a lot about exercise, so I bought this book mainly for the great drawings and instructions on stretching and weight training. But it turns out that what I didn't know about exercise could fill a book--this book, in fact. The most startling fact is that I can exercise for as little as 10 minutes at a time and still slim down, and that I don't have to join a health club to be healthy. I've already started a "stair strider" group at work--we have a chart over the printer and we'll give a little "top flight" prize out each week. It's all good fun, but I'm convinced it will also be good for us. I'm also looking forward to spending more time reading over the healthy diet chapter. I think it will also be very useful, but it will take a little more time to get into that side of things. In my opinion , the book is important and enlightening. If you don't agree, no sweat.  For Optimal Health, Just Keep on Movin'Despite the 230+ page format, author and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, Harvey B. Simon's premise in "The No Sweat Exercise Plan: Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Live Longer" takes a page out of lifetime exercise guru Jack LaLanne's recipe for a healthy and long life. The idea, so simple that it really isn't necessary to spend $21.95 on the book, can be summed up albeit it gratuitously with the catch phrase, "Keep on Truckin'" So sorry, Harvey. Okay. Now you might have the inclination to want to `read all about it' and Dr. Simon does provide a semi-interesting format immersed in enough medical no-how to satisfy all those out there who have a need for those special credentials that validate information as `expert testimony.' Keep in mind that Simon as a medical doctor demands the requisite tests that the medical community deems `preventative medicine' and he elaborately explains the dangers of certain body signals like BMI, hypertension, high cholesterol, HDL levels etc. to help the reader to understand just how exercise as a panacean solution in general helps to slow the aging process. Mainly, Simon debunks the need for heavy-duty sweat-inducing aerobics and prescribes a European lifestyle without the saturated high fat cheeses, (although he uses strictly American examples) of moving about rather than relying on the couch potato contrivances and conveniences of modern life. Simply said, Simon advocates four types of exercise where what he calls CME---cardo-metabolic exercise---wins as hands down most important. Using an elaborate point system he rates any exercise that elevates your heart rate and stokes up your metabolism, suggesting that around 1000 points a week should maintain good health for those without special needs. He sites 2000 points a week for those who may seriously want to lose weight. Typically, one would receive 200 points for jogging at the rate of 12 minutes per mile for 30 minutes as opposed to 165 points for 30 minutes of golfing while carrying your own clubs. Whether or not you sweat or not, Simon says is not the issue. Moving around (walking) for sustained periods of time on a daily basis remains paramount to insure good health. In his No Sweat Basic Pyramid, Dr, S suggests that good eating with an eye on nutrition provides the fuel the body needs to sustain itself---here the standard approach of watching calories in a 15% protein - 25% to 35% fat - 50% to 60% carbohydrate breakdown, avoiding sugars, trans-fats and processed foods maintains optimal vitamin and mineral intake. Following a substantial CME block on the pyramid, the three other types of exercise gain the spotlight, beginning with strength training as a separate component then a shared block of flexibility and balance training. Simon details all four types of exercise with actual diagrammed routines, establishing what he preaches as an undeniable "no brainer." Anyone who has been keeping active for years already knows what it takes the bulk of the book to say. I repeat, `just keep moving----use weight bearing exercise to keep up your muscle mass, stretching to keep your body limber and balance to prevent falling. At the pinnacle of the No Sweat pyramid, Simon places preventative medicine and hoists a flag atop to alert one to the perils of too much stress in modern life. No real new news here, however Simon does take out the time to help you construct a `my-pyramid' of your own to help you realize your personal health goal and spends a few extra chapters explaining some of the common complaints people may initially have about adding a daily exercise regime to their life. For those who have perspired routinely in gyms and in the outdoors for over the last 25 years, he lists the types of sweaty exercise machines one can utilize to maximize the burn. Bottom line: if your thing is to read about what you already know and have heard about for years, check this tome out of the library and get down and dirty with expert medical information about the whys and wherewithal-s pertaining to what you are already doing to maintain your health. If you haven't started yet - shame on you---this book can provide some grist for your exercise mill and set you on the right path for the future. With that in mind, I can only recommend this book to those who have been living under a rock for the last 30+ years----everyone else need not spend the going rate to vindicate their own common sense. "No Sweat"-- an exercise plan for all agesWhat a relief to know I don't have to be a serious athlete in order to stay healthy! Having recently been laid up from back surgery, (which my wife is sure was brought on by shoveling last winter's heavy snows), I wanted to resume an active life and keep my heart healthy, without re-injuring myself. This book prescribes a very congenial life style which can do that for me. In addition to cardio and strengthening exercises, it has useful chapters on stretching and balance. While these may be less important for young people, they seem particularly relevant for people who, like myself, are getting on in years. "No Sweat" is written in a very engaging style and is a pleasure to read. D.L., Meredith, New Hampshire |
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