Fit and Female: The Perfect Fitness and Nutrition Game Plan for Your Unique Body Type [Kindle Edition]

Geralyn Coopersmith (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Coopersmith, resident fitness instructor on the Fine Living Channel's Simplify Your Life, has devised a fitness and nutrition plan to accommodate the needs of women of all shapes and sizes. Observing that "fitness is not one size fits all," Coopersmith divides her approach to address six basic body shapes: the endo-pear, endo-apple, meso-pear, meso-apple, ecto-pear and ecto-apple. Each shape, she claims, requires a customized workout and eating plan, though all incorporate components of a cardio workout, muscular fitness segment and flexibility training. For instance, the already slim ecto pear focuses on shaping muscles while maintaining weight and should not overdo aerobic exercise, while the bulkier meso-apple needs to zero in on cardio work to trim the waist and abs. Illustrated exercises are provided for each body type. Noting that "fitness must fit into a busy woman's life," Coopersmith modifies each sequence, offering a "bare minimum," "ideal" and "gung-ho" work out. While Coopersmith's methods are individualized, her message to all women is to give up their notion of a "Barbie body," work with what they have, steer clear of fad diets and eat healthfully. Perky and friendly, Coopersmith offers an accessible plan and outlook that many women will warm up to. (Aug.)
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Review

Coopersmith, resident fitness instructor on the Fine Living Channel's Simplify Your Life, has devised a fitness and nutrition plan to accommodate the needs of women of all shapes and sizes. Observing that "fitness is not one size fits all," Coopersmith divides her approach to address six basic body shapes: the endo-pear, endo-apple, meso-pear, meso-apple, ecto-pear and ecto-apple. Each shape, she claims, requires a customized workout and eating plan, though all incorporate components of a cardio workout, muscular fitness segment and flexibility training. For instance, the already slim ecto pear focuses on shaping muscles while maintaining weight and should not overdo aerobic exercise, while the bulkier meso-apple needs to zero in on cardio work to trim the waist and abs. Illustrated exercises are provided for each body type. Noting that "fitness must fit into a busy woman's life," Coopersmith modifies each sequence, offering a "bare minimum," "ideal" and "gung-ho" work out. While Coopersmith's methods are individualized, her message to all women is to give up their notion of a "Barbie body," work with what they have, steer clear of fad diets and eat healthfully. Perky and friendly, Coopersmith offers an accessible plan and outlook that many women will warm up to. (Aug.) (Publishers Weekly, May 22, 2006)

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 3311 KB
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 1 edition (August 4, 2006)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000PY4106
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,111 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any woman, August 13, 2006

By 

Sunita (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fit and Female: The Perfect Fitness and Nutrition Game Plan for Your Unique Body Type (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book that will tell you what to eat and how to exercise in order to get a super-muscular body, or a super-thin model-type body, then look elsewhere. This is not a book about diet and exercise, but about learning to accept and take care of your body, no matter the shape and size. That said, there are exercises designed for each body type, as well as nutrition and eating advice.

Now we have all heard the message that we should love our body, no matter what, and certainly there are lots of books out there with the same message. So what makes Geralyn's book different from all the rest? It's because she's lived through the same struggles as the average woman. When a genetically-blessed woman tells you that you should accept your body, you probably think "Yeah, it's easy for her to say because she has the perfect body." And consequently, we never really listen to the message and reflect on what it means. However, coming from Geralyn, the message hits home because she has suffered the same weight issues as many of us. I was able to relate to Geralyn's message, because her struggles really mimicked my own. I've struggled to accept myself almost my entire life, and despite being an avid runner and very healthy, I still have a hard time with self-acceptance. Knowing that Geralyn was able to overcome her issues and find self-love and self-acceptance is a real inspiration. I think if someone had told me these things many years ago, it would have saved me a lot of suffering.

You may think that the motivational part of the book is too long, but I think Geralyn is on to something. Unless you can first accept your body the way it is now, no matter how much you exercise and diet, it is unlikely that you will be happy with your body no matter how fit and/or thin you may become.

Turning to the exercise portion of the book, you first have to determine your unique body type (e.g. ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph, and apple or pear). Of course, hardly anyone fits neatly into one category, but chances are you are predominantly one type. Once you know what "type" you are, Geralyn recommends certain cardio and strength training exercises, which are supposed to be optimal for your type. Recognizing that fitness has to fit a woman's schedule, she also tells you how many repetitions and sets you need to do, based on the amount of time you have (bare minimum, ideal, and gung-ho). Now, I've been running for over 5 years and have consistently strength trained, so when I saw the strength training exercises Geralyn recommended, I didn't think I'd derive much benefit. Boy, was I wrong! I did the gung-ho workout (most repetitions and sets) and my muscles hurt for TWO straight days!

In terms of eating, Geralyn teaches you to have a healthy relation with food. She cautions against mindless eating, urges proper nutrition, and details eating tips for each body type. Again, what makes her message powerful (because who hasn't already heard about the dangers of mindless eating?) is that she has gone through this herself.

To conclude, I highly recommend this book. Whether you are struggling with your body image, are just beginning to make the decision to love your body, or already wholly accept yourself (and kudos to you if you do!), you should read this book. It is truly enjoyable, powerful, and liberating. Keep in mind that changing your self-perception does not happen overnight, especially if you've had a negative image about yourself for many years (or your whole life, in my case). But with this book and the right attitude, you can begin the journey to a happier, and healthier, you.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great information for women!, August 17, 2006

By 

dancer "dancer" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fit and Female: The Perfect Fitness and Nutrition Game Plan for Your Unique Body Type (Paperback)

I read through the introduction of her book so fast that my eyes couldn't keep up with me. I couldn't wait for the next line to know more about this real life story laced with struggles and successes alike.

Her understanding yet no nonsense approach takes all the guess work out of confusing exercise facts and myths. She walks you through topics like body image, genetics and all the stuff in between that "the never taught us in school".

There is a neat little quiz that helps you define your body type. Then, workouts and nutritional plans for each specific type i.e. Ecto-Apple or Meso-Pear.

Jam Packed with motivation and inspiration; it's a real sense of "touch down". A relief from the crazy world wind of unhealthy fad diets, magic pills and empty promises that bombard us every day.

I have already benefited from the many little tips she offers that can be implemented into daily life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read!, January 18, 2009

By 

Dasaya Cates "Author of the dramatic suspense... (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fit and Female: The Perfect Fitness and Nutrition Game Plan for Your Unique Body Type (Paperback)

I think if you're someone who is trying to lose weight or get healthy and fit, it's essential to do your research. We can count fat grams or carbs all we like, but that's not the entire story. This is an easy to read book that gives you insight into your individual body type, and how best to work with what God gave you for weight-loss success. The only thing that I don't like is that you will have to go elsewhere for really good, results-oriented exercise plans, but this gives a good start.