Kathy Smith's Getting Better All the Time: Shape Up, Eat Smart, Feel Great! [Paperback]

Kathy Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Reveals seven keys to success with a step-by-step program.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Mere exercise is passe; one now follows a total diet/exercise/attitude program. Here, two fitness mavens offer their respective plans. Smith, known for her WalkFit program, aims to establish "optimal" eating habits by outlining a food plan for three different body types, although she is rather vague on the distinctions. Menus and recipes emphasize a proper balance among carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The accompanying exercise regimen consists of aerobics, weight training, and stretching. Walsh is a top New York City aerobics instructor and personal trainer whose DIVA (Determination, Integrity, Vitality, and Aspiration) plan aims at building self-esteem along with strength. Walsh concentrates primarily on exercise, also covering aerobics, weights, and stretches, with sets of activities linked to ascending "progressions." No specific menus or recipes are provided; instead, attitudes about food are explored as individual awareness develops. Either of these books would be suitable for libraries needing to update their fitness collections.?Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, Ohio
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In a well-organized diet and exercise guide, fitness guru Smith encourages readers to "create your own miracle" by adopting sensible eating habits and a consistent exercise program. Smith presents nutrition guidelines before offering three eating plans that address different needs (e.g., for foods higher in carbohydrates or for more low-fat meals), and she includes recipes for many of the suggested dishes. She concludes with illustrated directions for strength and flexibility exercises and with further exercise advice. Sue-Ellen Beauregard --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446674532
• ISBN-13: 978-0446674539
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,327,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most motivating fitness and nutrition book I've read!, July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Kathy Smith's Getting Better All the Time: Shape Up, Eat Smart, Feel Great! (Paperback)

Kathy Smith is definitely my role model! I borrowed this book from the library and HAD to buy it! She offers common sense advice on becoming a healthy and fit person. This book motivated me to exercise not just for weight loss, but for all of the other benefits that exercising gives you in ALL aspects of life! I have more energy, confidence, and am a much happier person. I'm proud to say I LOOK FORWARD TO EXERCISING every day after work! I will never crash diet again. WE HAVE TO EAT to keep our metabolisms high and to give our bodies the nutrients it needs. Buy this book - you'll be glad you did!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars My least favorite Kathy Smith book, May 1, 2001

By 

TheCafeWriter (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Kathy Smith's Getting Better All the Time: Shape Up, Eat Smart, Feel Great! (Paperback)

If you're a Kathy Smith fan, this book is for you. It's more like a family memory book than a fitness book: FILLED with anecdotes and photos of Kathy biking in France, Kathy at her daughter's birthday party, Kathy traveling with her husband, Kathy posing, Kathy on magazine covers from years past. There are more of these type of photos in the book than there are of her doing the few exercises at the end (after the photos of her video covers and before the ones of her tape covers).

Her seven-point plan is very general and nothing new. "Find a passion for exercise," she says, with no suggestions for how a new exerciser might go about it. If most readers could do that, they wouldn't need a book.

She offers 3 meal plans, but doesn't go into much detail about which ones you're suited for. What does "for people who do carbohydrates well" really mean to the average person, and how could they tell? There's very little about portion sizes or calorie recommendations for these meal plans, either.

And WORST of all, exercise is given little more than a passing nod, with a small handful of basic weight training exercises at the very end. And no modifications for when your strength and fitness progress.

For a long-time fitness guru like her, this is disappointing. It's a lot of pages for the little you can get from it. I'd recommend "Strong Women Stay Slim" instead. It gives you what you need without all the autobiography.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sifting through diet gimmicks and presenting the facts!, June 3, 2000

By 

Margaret - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kathy Smith's Getting Better All the Time: Shape Up, Eat Smart, Feel Great! (Paperback)

Kathy Smith is certianly one of my favorites when it comes to handing out common sense advice on an often perplexing subject. I have read two of her books and I am not disappointed by this one in the least. She is clear and concise on how different foods work to fuel the body. It is discussed in detail why certain people may not have success on a particular diet. You must find the one that your body responds to the best. I enjoy her positive approach on getting healthy and staying

in shape. While some may call it syrupy sweet at times, I think that they're just jealous. When she wrote this book she was 45, she looks great and she works at it! She mentions frequently that she has down falls like the rest of us. It humanizes her and makes her much easier to relate to. Great job on this one, keep up the good work Kathy!