Customer Reviews

The Active Woman's Health and Fitness Handbook

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This is such a well-organized, easy to read resource. It has helped me understand my best diet, fitness program, and health strategies. It also is helping me stay active through pregnancy. I am buying it as a gift for all my friends!

As a psychologist specializing in professional athletics, I am continually astonished by the rampant number of misconceptions regarding women's health issues - especially those relating to fitness and exercise (both recreational and professional). With this book, clearly written for both the consumer while detailed enough for the practitioner, Dr. Nadya Swedan, MD has definitively established herself as a leader in the field of woman's health and fitness. BRAVO!

I exercise regularly (average of six days per week), and I was looking for a general reference manual that would supply information on a variety of topics such as nutrition, anatomy, and injuries. Happily, this book, designed specfically with women in mind, fit the bill perfectly; author Nadya Swedan provides details on virtually everything the average active woman needs to know. She begins by offering an overview of the body's major internal systems, focusing in particular on how problems in any of these areas might impact exercise. She imparts similar information on stress/emotional health and nutritional health; regarding the latter, she presents very basic guidelines for maintaining a healthy diet and coping with weight/body image concerns.

In the second half of the book, Swedan concentrates on anatomy, breaking down the major musculoskelatal areas of the body (Neck; Shoulder; Elbow, Wrist, and Hand; Back and Abdomen; Pelvis, Hip, and Thigh; Kneel; Leg, Ankle, Foot). For each of these areas, she reviews the muscles involved, discusses common pains and injuries, and provides information on evaluation and treatment. Finally, she ends each section with a series of simple, clearly illustrated exercises designed both to strengthen the area and to prevent/rehab injuries to the area. So far, I have found this part of the book to be particularly valuable, and I frequently refer back to it when questions arise.

The final part of this book is intended to help maximize your workout and fitness performance. Here, Swedan addresses general exercise problems and injuries (ie, not limited to an individual muscle group), discusses fueling/refueling for exercise, and finally, tackles more specific issues such as pregnancy fitness and sports-specific problems. Throughout the book, Swedan has a underlying focus on self-empowerment, encouraging women to be strong, confident, healthy, and happy. Her positive, optimistic attitude lends an authentic, caring quality to her writing, making her message all that much more effective. I am extremely happy with my purchase of this book, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to other active women like myself.

I bought this book when I went to see Dr. Swedan for a back injury. I picked up the book while sitting in the examination room waiting for her. It was instantly such an interesting book that I asked if I could buy one. I've had the book for a few years and it's a great user's manual of sorts whenever a malady presents itself. The exercises are useful both when you are addressing a specific issue and just for general strength-building. She even describes how many of the exercises can be accomplished on machines in the gym. Many of the exercises are so simple- I did a few sets of one of the knee strengthening exercises at a boring work meeting under the cover of the conference room table. Ordering one now for my mother.

It is very sincere, Honest, very usefull, easy to read and informative