Short Takes: Ten Diet & Fitness Guides

Featuring Books by Michael Aziz, David Colbert & Julie Hadden

By Susan B. Hagloch, Dover, OH -- Library Journal, 12/3/2009 8:23:00 AM

It wouldn't be the holidays without an excess of diet-and-fitness guides. This year's grouping leans heavily toward the diet end of things. Although exercises are included in some of the titles, the emphasis is on a well-balanced variety of nonprocessed foods. Any of them would make a worthwhile purchase, depending on reader preference. Don't miss our addendum.

Aziz, Michael, M.D. The Perfect 10 Diet: The Breakthrough Diet Solution; 10 Key Hormones You Must Balance To Melt Away the Pounds and Stay Healthy for Life. Cumberland House. Jan. 2010. 320p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-58182-704-0. $24.99. HEALTH
Aziz (St. Vincent's Hosp., New York) portrays himself as being something of a maverick in diet circles because he doesn't condemn fats. His plan calls for 40 percent carbohydrates, 20 percent protein, and a whopping 40 percent fat. Only complex, unrefined carbs and natural, unrefined fats—mainly plant-based monounsaturated fats like olive, avocado, and fish oils—are acceptable, of course. Unprocessed food is what creates the optimum hormone balance naturally. Although Aziz makes his plan sound a little more complicated than it really is, it's a good one for most readers who want to improve their nutritional intake and lose a reasonable amount of weight.

Brazier, Brendan. Thrive Fitness: The Vegan-Based Training Program for Maximum Strength, Health and Fitness. Da Capo Lifelong. Jan. 2010. 272p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-0-7382-1362-0. pap. $15.95. HEALTH
In this companion to his vegan nutrition guide, Thrive, Brazier, a professional Ironman triathlete, aims his program at serious athletes rather than couch potatoes who want to get into better shape. He provides a six-week workout plan, including illustrated strength-building exercises and an exercise log. Essential for vegans who want to get on the fast track to athletic fitness.

Colbert, David, M.D., with Terry Reed. The High School Reunion Diet: Lose 20 Years in 30 Days. S. & S. Jan. 2010. 208p. bibliog. index. ISBN 978-1-4391-8255-0. $23. HEALTH
Like Aziz, Colbert (New York Dermatology Group) forbids prepackaged foods, including soft drinks (read: also sugar-free energy drinks and flavored bottled water). He concentrates on low-glycemic-index foods such as oatmeal, beans, cruciferous vegetables, unflavored yogurt, lean meats, and lots of fish. His explanation of how modern foods have sabotaged our health is fascinating. Did you know that even fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables are less nutritious now than they were 50 years ago? Exceptionally informative and easy to understand, this title will appeal to anyone who is looking for a quick fix that won’t undermine his or her health, as so many speedy weight-loss plans do.

Fernstrom, Madelyn. The Real You Diet: Your Personal Program for Lasting Weight Loss. Wiley. Dec. 2009. 256p. ISBN 978-0-470-37180-0. $24.95. HEALTH
Fernstrom, the diet and nutrition editor for the Today show, urges readers to examine behavioral patterns and how they help or hurt one’s eating habits. Her behavioral/eating/activity/medical nexus—what she calls the BEAM box—provides a framework for self-analysis. The strongest sections offer thorough explanations of how some medications and surgery may help, if approached sensibly. With a few recipes and a brief list of toning exercises. Best for dieters who are comfortable with self-analysis.

Gittleman, Ann Louise. Fat Flush for Life: The Year-Round Super Detox Plan To Boost Your Metabolism and Keep the Weight Off Permanently. Da Capo Lifelong. Jan. 2010. 288p. illus. ISBN 978-0-7382-1366-8. $22.95. HEALTH
Another entry in Gittleman’s "Fat Flush" series, this also propagates the idea of purging the liver and other organs of toxins like plastics and pesticides. These unnatural burdens on our systems, the author argues, make us eat too much in an attempt to compensate for the damage. The previous seven titles have explored her thesis quite thoroughly; the latest provides details oriented to the four seasons of the year. Even die-hard fans will likely find the material here redundant.

Hadden, Julie. Fat Chance: Losing the Weight, Gaining My Worth. Guideposts Bks. Dec. 2009. 272p. illus. ISBN 978-0-8249-4788-0. $22. HEALTH
A contributor to Guideposts magazine, Hadden came in second on season four of The Biggest Loser TV show. Here, she describes the experience briefly, emphasizing her realization that she is not the worthless person she had believed herself to be. Hadden also speaks movingly of her deepening religious convictions without being dogmatic. Readers, of course, have no way of replicating her terrifying weight-loss regimen, but that's not the point. Those who have tried and failed many times at slimming down will find her insights refreshing and empowering.

McRobert, Stuart & Bradley Cailor. Weight-Loss Salvation: How Real People Lose Weight and Keep It Off, and How You Will, Too. Cardinal Pubs. Group. Jan. 2010. 480p. illus. index. ISBN 978-9963-9163-7-5. $24.95. HEALTH
Using the theory that knowledge is power, health journalists McRobert and Cailor explore how people have succeeded at getting off the diet roller coaster. They summarize the current thinking on exercise and nutrition and condense it all into a plan that, simplified, says eat properly and move more. The personal stories are touching and provide a level of confidence from which the reader can launch his/her own program. Well done, with lots of basic information, but not as succinct as Colbert.

Morgan, Anu. Get Real About Weight Loss. Personal Development Pub. Dec. 2009. 275p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-9755914-2-0. pap. $14.95. HEALTH
Morgan, a certified personal trainer, presents the most exercise-intensive title of this year’s crop of books, except for the niche market vegan work by Brazier. She suggests specific weight-training and flexibility exercises designed to tone and strengthen the body while increasing metabolism. In addition, she provides a comprehensive diet plan, with lists of recommended and forbidden foods. This is a good basic title that delivers the goods although without much razzle-dazzle.

Pasternak, Harley with Laura Moser. The 5-Factor World Diet. Ballantine. Jan. 2010. 304p. ISBN 978-0-345-51109-6. $25. HEALTH
Pasternak’s five earlier "5-Factor Diet" titles recommend eating five meals per day that contain five main ingredients and take about five minutes to prepare. It’s a gimmick but based on sound principles. This title is notable primarily for its unusually good recipes, taken from ten countries whose residents are thinner and live longer than Americans. Along with the expected Japanese and Indian recipes are some from Italy, France, and Spain; all prove that your meals need not be boring and repetitive. This will doubtless be in demand, and deservedly so.

Phillips, Cynthia & others. 100 Ways To Supercharge Your Metabolism: Get Your Body To Burn More Fat and Calories—Safely, Easily, and Effectively. Fair Winds Pr. Dec. 2009. 240p. illus. index. ISBN 978-1-59233-395-0. $19.99. HEALTH
This beautifully illustrated book by scientist Phillips, health writer Shana Priwer, and health consultant Pierre Manfroy presents brief explanations of a wide variety of ways to boost metabolism without making drastic lifestyle changes. Drinking home-brewed green tea instead of a can of soda won’t remold one's figure, but it will add antioxidants to the body and, according to one study, increase fat breakdown. Some of the scientific evidence quoted may be a tad exaggerated, but none of these tips can do readers any harm and, in the aggregate, will probably boost general health a bit.

Addendum

• Austen, Denise. Denise's Daily Dozen: The Easy, Everyday Program To Lose Up to 12 Pounds in Two Weeks. Center Street. Jan. 2010. c.324p. illus. 978-1-59995-244-4. $16.99.
• Bender, Sierra with Jeff Migdow, M.D. Goddess to the Core: An Inspirational Workout To Maximize Your Fitness, Beauty & Power. Llewellyn. Jan. 2010. 336p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-7387-1503-2. pap. $21.95.
• Challem, Jack. The Inflammation Syndrome: Your Nutrition Plan for Great Health, Weight Loss, and Pain-Free Living. rev. ed. Wiley. Feb. 2010. c.272p. ISBN 978-0-470-44085-8. pap. $14.95.
• Collins, Elise Marie. An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods: A Shopper's Reference. Conari Pr. Jan. 2010. ISBN 978-1-57324-419-0. pap. $12.95.
• Frankel, Bethenny. The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life. Fireside: S. & S. Jan. 2010. c.286p. ISBN 978-1-4165-9799-5. pap. $16.
• Glassman, Keri. The O₂ Diet: The Cutting-Edge Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Thin and Beautiful. Rodale. Jan. 2010. 256p. ISBN 978-1-60529-518-3. $26.99.
• Jakubowicz, Daniela, M.D. The Big Breakfast Diet: Eat Big Before 9 a.m., and Lose Big for Life. Workman. Jan. 2010. c.224p. photogs. ISBN 978-0-7611-5493-8. pap. $11.95.
• Lieberman, Dave & Anahad O'Connor. The 10 Things You Need To Eat: And More Than 100 Easy and Delicious Ways To Prepare Them. Morrow. Jan. 2010. 288p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-06-178027-1. pap. $19.99.
• The Mayo Clinic Diet: Eat Well. Enjoy Life. Lose Weight. Good Bks. Jan. 2010. 256p. illus. ISBN 978-1-56148-676-2. $25.99.
• Sakoutis, Zoe & Erica Huss. The 3-Day Cleanse: Drink Fresh Juice, Eat Real Food, and Get Back into Your Skinny Jeans. Wellness Central. Mar. 2010. 240p. ISBN 978-0-446-54571-6. pap. $15.99.
• Sasse, Kent, M.D. Life-Changing Weight Loss. 360 Pub., dist. by National Bk. Network. Jan. 2010. 288p. illus. ISBN 978-1-934727-23-2. pap. $22.95.
• Varrieur, Doug. Fat to Skinny Fast and Easy! Sterling. Jan. 2010. 188p. illus. ISBN 978-1-4027-7133-0. $16.95.