Kathy Smith's Fitness Makeover: A 10-Week Guide to Exercise and Nutrition That Will Change Your Life (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author) "So let's get going!..." (more)
Key Phrases: medium dumbbells, toning routine, fat grams, Inner Thigh Pull, Standing Side Lift, The Setup (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is a 10-week beginner's program and training log for women. It's designed to improve muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and body composition, and to allow you to keep track of every repetition of every exercise. Each week on the program features new exercises and focuses on a different aspect of nutrition--fat, protein, water, vitamins. The program is well-organized, clearly outlined, and easy to follow. Best of all, unlike the authors of other eponymous fitness books, Kathy Smith doesn't get in your face on every page; she seems to have presumed you've picked up the book because you want to get in shape first and because she's Kathy Smith second. Good choice, good book.

Product Description

A leading fitness expert offers a ten-week plan for a total-body makeover, using a sensible diet plan and a different exercise routine for each week that is designed to improve cardiovascular health, reduce weight, and sculpt a slimmer body.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446670499
• ISBN-13: 978-0446670494
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #852,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best of the best!, July 2, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Spring Arbor, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

I am a registered nurse and certified aerobics instructor. Kathy Smith's Fitness Makeover is one of the best resources I have found for use in classes aimed at giving sedentary adults a jumpstart into the world of fitness. As always, her advice is medically sound - avoiding the extremes that seem so popular today. Small steps are truly the only way to make lasting behavioral changes.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pick and choose what you like, April 26, 2002

By	Lori Freeman "rosaphile" (Milford, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I wouldn't call this book an unqualified success for me, it's definitely one of my most valued resources for fitness for the strength training aspect alone.

I have several books on strength training for women, but this one is definitely my favorite. Each week of the ten calls for a slightly different set of 12 toning exercises. Every week Kathy emphasizes a particular body part/muscle group - for example, abs, back, or shoulders - and there may be several exercises that week for that particular body part. Each week also includes exercises that work just about every major part of your body. By doing the full ten-week cycle, you'll have worked each muscle group pretty well, and there is plenty of room for improvement by adding weights, sets and/or repetitions.

There are clear black-and-white photographs demonstrating how to perform the exercises. All you need are three sets of dumbbells to start with (e.g., 3 lb., 5 lb. and 8 lb.), a chair, and a firm pillow. The calf exercise calls for a step (like those used in aerobic step programs), but if you have stairs in your home that will work fine, too.

The other aspects of the book - nutrition and diet advice, stretching, etc. - round out the information and give you a complete basis for fitness, although I don't focus on cutting out total fat grams as much as Kathy suggests. I've come to believe that keeping track of total calories, combined with striving to meet the USDA's food pyramid diet guidelines, is best, with fat being given secondary consideration. But that's just me.

The logs are handy and would be great if you just want to treat it like a ten-week "course curriculum," but I have been logging my food and exercise independently of the book and just using the book as a reference. Still, even though I'm not using the logs or adhering strictly to the ten-week program, I find this book invaluable for my basic strength training routine.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have!, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

I recently had my first baby and found myself struggling to lose my "baby fat". I wanted a program that was easy to follow, uplifting, and effective...I found the solution in this book! I am only in week four of the program, but already friends and family have started to notice a change, not only in my appearance but also in my attitude toward eating and fitness. I have learned a great deal from Kathy and would recommend this book to anyone!