Strong Women Stay Slim [Paperback]

Miriam Nelson (Author), Sarah Wernick (Author), Steven Raichlen (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 1, 1999

From the bestselling authors of Strong Women Stay Young, an exciting, medically sound program to help you boost your metabolism and melt away fat!

Scientific research has shown that strength training increases metabolism--a key to permanent weight loss--by as much as 15 percent. In fact, a Tufts University study comparing women on identical diet plans found that the strength-training group lost 44 percent more fat than the diet-only group.

Strong Women Stay Slim has everything you need to shape up and feel great--no matter what your age or fitness level:

Fully illustrated exercises especially designed for weight loss
Up-to-the-minute information about weight, appetite, nutrition, and fitness--explaining why this program works
A hunger-free food plan, including menus and delicious recipes from award-winning cookbook author Steven Raichlen
Progress logs and extra guidance for the first ten weeks
Motivational secrets...and more

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From the bestselling author of Strong Women Stay Young comes a metabolism-boosting plan that's completely hype-free. The basis of this book is simple: because muscle is metabolically active and fat is not, when you increase your muscle mass, you're able to burn more calories, even when at rest. The author, an assistant professor at Tufts University's prestigious School of Nutrition Science and Policy, has shown that of a group of women who followed a special weight-loss diet, those who also did weight-training exercises lost 44 percent more fat than the other women and increased their overall metabolic rates by up to 15 percent.

Nelson's plan is especially effective for women looking to drop postpregnancy weight. The book includes tests to determine your fitness level, injury-preventing stretches, dumbbell exercises that give quick results, progress charts, and pages of suggested menus and recipes that include handy shopping lists. The plan's goal is to increase muscle strength, not bulk, and it's geared toward first-time exercisers and those who lose motivation easily. For those who are skeptical of weight-loss books, rest assured that this one won't disappoint. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Nelson's Strong Women Stay Young (LJ 1/97) demonstrated how a weight-training program can prevent or reduce the balance problems and osteoporosis that are sometimes considered a "normal" part of aging. Here she shows how a simple program of weight training, aerobics, and sensible eating can improve one's figure without necessarily resulting in weight loss per se. The usual diet plans often result in a loss of lean muscle tissue and bone density; pounds are lost, but so is muscle tone and bone strength, while the actual amount of fat remains the same, causing potential health problems in several areas. Nelson's program, which avoids these problems, has multiple benefits and is easy to follow. Menus and recipes are included. Highly recommended.
-?Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553379453
• ISBN-13: 978-0553379457
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So far and BY far, the best "diet"/exercise book I've used. June 24, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

As a nearly life-long dieter and minimal exerciser, I can't tell you how impressed I am with the results I've got from using this book, compared with others I've tried. I'd followed Strong Women Stay Young (which I also highly recommend for us 50-plussers) for about 10 weeks, so maybe that gave me a head start, at least in terms of getting me into a consistent exercising regime, but the food plan in SWSS is what really got me losing weight & trimming down in size. I've lost 3 kg/6.6 pounds, gone from tight slacks/jeans in Australian size 14 (U.S. 16, I think), to where my Aussie size 12s are too big - in about 10-12 weeks. I'm rarely hungry and have stopped craving or being satisfied with junk food. The book is enjoyable to read, the authors' credentials seem impeccable, and the food plan is nutritionally sound and so wonderfully flexible that even to say I'm on a diet feels somehow dishonest. With its "no-fad," "no frills" approach, SWSS has made me really believe I'll never be fat/flabby/weak again. I reckon Dr Nelson & colleagues have given me the tools to stay slim/toned/strong for a long time to come.

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstandingly sensible, balanced and scientifically grounded December 16, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

If you're a fitness freak or on a stable weight you are happy with, find another book. This one isn't for you. Ditto if you are looking for super fast weight gain or have a penchant for fad diets. Ditto if you are looking for a full-on gung-ho weights program.

BUT!

If you are struggling to lose weight, have ever lost weight and bounced back up again, are happy with your weight but not your shape, have tried all the diets, or even haven't tried them, or don't know where to start - then this is the book for you.... regardless of age (or even gender!).

Dr Nelson's book focuses on strength training as a fundamental element of healthy weight loss, particularly for its role in maintaining bone density (and toning!) - as opposed to the diet/aerobic exercise route which can lead to loss of bone density and/or loss of muscle (rather than fat). That said, she also covers the role of good nutrition (focusing on the long term, not the faddish) and aerobic exercise.

The result is not "dieting" as such, but healthier living. If you want to lose 30lbs in 3 months this isn't the book to read - but if you want to lose 30lbs steadily and KEEP IT OFF, then dive in. Generally I would say the focus is on inches, tone and well-being rather than pounds anyway.

The discussion of studies, science etc could have been heavy, but wasn't - it was very readable and even extremely motivating. It meant everything in the book made sense, which for me, made it easier to take on the recommendations of this book as a lifestyle not a fad.

The exercises are very easy, but if you are just starting out, that's not a bad thing - better than throwing you in with stuff you can't do, and they will give you plenty to build on. This book will give you a great, balanced foundation to a healthier lifestyle.

There's plenty of checks along the way to keep you on track and getting results - have you chosen a good goal weight (and do you need one?), are you working out at the right intensity, are you eating well, are there warning signs that you are coming off the rails?

You're also supported with checks to track your exercise and eating - backed by research showing that those who keep track, stay on track and get better results.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Down to Earth Fitness August 3, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a great book for anyone wanting to lose weight and/or feel stronger and healthier. The plan is not fancy or elaborate. The book is an easy, enjoyable read. Regardless of how much you want to lose, this book is for you. Strength training is a major key to increasing your metabolism, so if this is something you've left out of your fitness routine, this book can help you lose those last few stubborn pounds. I also think it's written with sensitivity to people who are very overweight. She lets you determine the amount of calories you take in and she teaches you the basics of nutrition, helping you add variety to balance out your diet and fiber to help you feel full.

She also stresses the benefit of slow weight loss--only 1-2 pounds a week, which is much healthier, easier to stick with, and less likely to be gained back after you're finished.

This is a book about changing your whole attitude about health and fitness and about changing your habits for the rest of your life. I think it's really beneficial. Personally I would give it five stars. The reason I gave it four is because it is pretty basic information. There was nothing in the book that I hadn't heard before or didn't already know. I really did, however, like how plainly it was stated and how easy the plan is to follow.