The Complete Guide to Walking, New and Revised: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Walking Magazine) [Paperback]

Mark Fenton (Author)

Book Description

Series: Walking Magazine | Publication Date: March 18, 2008

All you need to get fit is your own two feet--and a copy of Mark Fenton's classic Walking book, now fully revised.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Fenton's Walking Magazine The Complete Guide To Walking

 

"Mark Fenton strides right past all the fad-and-gimmick fitness books with practical, no-nonsense advice to help people of all ages, sizes and shapes start and stick with exercise."--Miriam E. Nelson, PhD., Director of the Center for Physical Fitness, Tufts University School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and author of Strong Women, Strong Bones

 

"Mark Fenton is the master at helping people get the most from walking. His new book provides a highly motivating, step-by-step plan to take you as far as you want to go--from beginner to race-walk marathoner. Even I gained a wealth of new insights about the science and practical application of walking for better fitness." --Kathy Smith, author of Kathy Smith's Lift Weights to Lose Weight

 

"Having competed in walking races all around the world, it took having a baby and adding a couple of notches to my belt for me to realize the full value of Mark Fenton's structured approach to developing and maintaining a healthy daily walking program." --Carl Schueler, four-time Olympic race-walker

 

From the Back Cover

Take one year to change your life - forever!

 

WORKING OUT HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER

 

All that’s needed to get fit is a pair of walking shoes and a copy of Mark Fenton’s invaluable handbook. In this new and completely revised edition, Fenton speaks to modern concerns, such as preventing and controlling serious health conditions, motivating families to walk together, finding the best walking spots nationwide, and using new technology to get fit faster and more safely.

Much more than a “how-to” exercise book, The Complete Guide to Walking is an interactive and inspirational resource that can make the difference for millions of Americans who struggle with weight loss, health and dietary concerns, stress, and chronic fatigue. The author offers dozens of realistic solutions to help you overcome your individual barriers to regular daily activity. As a coach of beginners and world-class athletes alike, Fenton promises that he can transform virtually anyone from couch potato to athlete in less than one year with this straightforward, motivational, and enjoyable prescription to a healthier life.

 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; Revised edition (March 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592289894
• ISBN-13: 978-1592289899
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,570 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Walking

More About the Author

Mark Fenton, the nation's foremost expert on walking, offers realistic solutions to help readers get off the couch and start living healthier lifestyles. He lives in Scituate, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost no changes from 1st Edition, but still the best guide out there, July 13, 2008

By 

Ellie Z "Ellie" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Walking, New and Revised: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Walking Magazine) (Paperback)

This comprehensive, approachable guide to all things walking is conversational in tone and gives a wealth of information about walking without being dry. The focus here is on fitness and health, not weight loss per se, which is refreshing. My favorite quote from the book is: "In an ideal world... our greatest concern about our bodies would simply be wringing the most life out of them. We'd want the longest, healthiest, most energetic, active adventurous lives our bodies could offer."

I checked out the first edition of this book from the library and did a page-by page comparison to see what had changed. There are exactly the same number of pages as the first edition and only the title of one subchapter has changed. Some of the resources in back have been updated, but that info could be found for free with a google search. The introduction has been re-written and the author's bio on the back cover has been updated (he has since left Walking Magazine and has appeared in the movie Super Size Me). Other than these updates, there is almost NO change here from the first edition.

Bottom line: this book is the best comprehensive guide to walking for fitness and health, but no need to buy this one if you already have the first edition.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book that you will refer to and use for years, October 14, 2008

By 

Lynda Lippin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Walking, New and Revised: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Walking Magazine) (Paperback)

This is my review that was mistakenly published as "A Kid's Review"!!??

As a recognized health and fitness expert, I am often asked about what I consider to be the best form of exercise, especially for new exercisers. And while I extoll the benefits of Pilates I also realize that for many people even having to buy a mat or learn a new way of moving is too complex.

So I usually recommend walking. It's cheap (and can even save you money on gas, taxi, or public transportation), easy, requires no special equipment other than a pair of good shoes, can be done anywhere (inside, outside, rain or shine), and helps your stamina, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and bone density. Really, there isn't much more you can ask for in an exercise!

Mark Fenton has been called "America's reigning guru of walking" for good reason. One, his style is approachable and easy to read and understand; two, he has all the scientific data to back up his claims about walking; three, he offers many different walking programs from basic to hills to racewalking. No matter what your fitness level you can open this book and find the perfect starting point for your walking program and then follow your progression every week.

But this book is not just about walking. Fenton manages to slip in some core strengthening, some light weight work, and other exercise activities that will help you get even stronger and more flexible as you continue walking. He also offers diet and nutrition strategies and discusses the role of walking in weight loss, diabetes control, heart health, cancer prevention, and emotional well being. Throughout he offers inspirational real life stories from walkers of all ages and backgrounds, such as diabetic Carol Thompson, 69 year old Mel Smagorinsky, commuter Kristen Trebeche, and rookie marathoner Amy Dawson.

From how to pick out a good pair of walking shoes (and why running shoes are not a good option) to how to buy a good treadmill, from the best walking baby strollers to the most comfortable yet functional backpacks, from heart rate monitors to pedometers, from how to burn more calories to how to stretch after your walk, this book answers every possible question and concern you may have about walking and fitness.

If you want to start a walking program at any age or fitness level The Complete Guide to Walking is a must-have book that you will refer to and use for years. Buy it, use it, and help make the world a healthier happier walking friendly place!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! Only fitness and nutrition book you'll need, May 27, 2008

By 

Judith (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Walking, New and Revised: For Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness (Walking Magazine) (Paperback)

I bought this updated version because I was so impressed with it after reading a copy of the previous version from the library. It is terrific! The author writes in a clear, converstational tone, gives specific advice and explains his rationale re: everything from what type of shoes to buy to short, simple, effective workout routines to complement walking. The book is designed to help you start slowly and increase walking time, then distance, over a 52-week period. It even has a schedule for those who are just beginning. There's a bit of good guidance on nutrition, too. Everything you need to know and do to get fit again, all in one book.