She then goes on to describe a number of "alternative" fitness strategies as if
they were something spurned by the fitness industry. I don't know where Ms.
Jordan works out, but most of the fitness clubs in my area offer many of these
"alternatives" - tae chi, yoga, spinning (cycling), and various dancing options.
Other of her "alternatives", such as orienteering and rock climbing, have been
readily available through other sources for years. In any event, I find it
difficult to believe that anyone would be surprised to know that walking,
hiking, biking, dancing and yoga are good for you. Do you really need to buy a
book to learn this?
Finally, she lists her views on a variety of "quick fixes" from estrogen
replacement therapy to liposuction. She provides little basis for her opinions -
often simply saying that she's done the research and finds this product good or
bad. Without telling the reader the nature of the research on each product, we
are left to trust her expertise rather than being able to decide for ourselves.
I'd recommend that you skip the book, use common sense exercising when and how
works best for you(ask for a brochure or pamphlet from your health care provider
if you feel confused by some of the conflicting hype generated by the media),
and look into the many interesting and challenging exercise options offered by
health clubs, the Y, your employer (increasingly), university extension
programs, and city parks departments. As for "quick fixes", check them out at a
reputable site on the internet or with your health care provider.
If you still feel you need something to guide and motivate you, I recommend
Walking It Off - The Workbook. Using a workbook format and a gradual approach,
the book helps you to find your motivation and to identify the barriers to
success. Although walking has been my preferred method of exercise for years, I
found this book to be a good refresher. A supportive and informative diet book
which also focuses on incorporating physical activity into daily life is Dr.
Ornish's Eat More, Weigh Less .The Fitness Instinct: The Revolutionary New
Approach to Healthy Exercise That Is Fun, Natural, and No-Sweat
Glistening hard-bodies strut their stuff on magazine covers, billboards, and
television shows," writes Peg Jordan. "Every time we stare, our shoulders slump,
our bellies feel soft, and we grow a little more disappointed, thinking that
fitness is something that's beyond our reach. What a mess." (Of course we don't
realize that the gorgeous photo of that fitness celebrity is the result of
$1,000 worth of airbrushing.) Jordan, respected fitness expert and editor of
American Fitness magazine, set out to discover why 80 percent of us don't
exercise and what works to get us moving. Jordan interviewed 400 formerly
inactive people who had become active. She also studied both current research
and movement styles of ancient cultures. In The Fitness Instinct, she puts it
all together with an innovative, 11-step method to get you exercising and loving
it. The point is not to force yourself to do the trendy exercise of the day or
join the flashy gym downtown--in fact, not to force yourself at all--but rather
to "tap into your seventh sense--your natural instinct for movement--which, once
awakened, will guide your every stretch, run, jump, dance, pushup, and crunch"
and help you develop your own, personalized program of "holistic fitness." A
tall order, but Jordan delivers what others only promise. Your movement choices
have to match your personality, for example, and she shows you how to figure out
whether you're a racer, stroller, dancer, or trekker, and then which kinds of
movement and times of day are best for you. Besides the big picture of finding
the exerciser within you, Jordan addresses how to avoid being scammed by product
promises, myths, and quick fixes. --Joan Price
The editor and founder of American Fitness magazine excoriates what she calls
"the fitness cartel"Agyms, the media and the sports apparel industry. Jordan,
admitting to her own part in the conspiracy, shares amusing anecdotes of phony
endorsements, hard-bodied aerobics instructors and thousand-dollar airbrushing.
She begins by giving the reader a personality test (the Enneagram) to determine
his or her fitness type. Jordan's cornerstone program is based on brief periods
of activity throughout the day, which amounts to not much more than an
elaborated "take the stairs" approach. She offers her views on everything from
yoga, stretching, tai chi and relaxation techniques to running, biking and
hiking. While none of this is really new, she does effectively embrace the now
mainstream mind/body connection, inspiring people to work out in their dreams
and get to know their bodies. Her steam runs out tward the end with a
perfunctory review of supplements such as carnitine and ephedra and an
endorsement of liposuction. Yet the book offers many options that may lead
frustrated aerobaholics to more fulfilling paths. 5-city author tour; QPB and
BOMC alternates. (Oct.)
Discover your fitness instinct
Stretching in the morning sun, dancing to a favourite song, strolling through
the neighbourhood park, chasing a giggling child. These are the movements of a
happy, healthy life. And these are the movements that your body craves and
needs, says fitness expert PEG JORDAN in her new book The Fitness Instinct.
STRETCHING in the morning sun. Dancing to a favourite song. Strolling through
the neighbourhood park. Chasing a giggling child. These are the movements of a
happy, healthy life. And these are the movements that your body craves and
needs.
After four years of research and interviews with over 1,800 people, I have found
that there really is a "fitness instinct" that can be awakened, no matter how
sedentary your lifestyle. I have written all about it in my new book, The
Fitness Instinct: The Revolutionary New Approach To Healthy Exercise That Is
Fun, Natural And No Sweat (Rodale Reach, October 1999).
If you have been turned off by the way exercise has been taught for decades,
then it is time to put aside workouts that have all the appeal of a forced
labour camp. I wrote this book for the eight out of ten individuals who simply
have not embraced the fit life because they find aerobic classes impossible and
most exercises too boring. I also wrote it for all those who have been scared
off, intimidated, overwhelmed or confused by the high- science approach to
fitness. The Fitness Instinct has been claimed by professional societies as "the
most significant breakthrough in fitness theory in decades" because it
represents a whole new way to get the exercise you need. Let me walk you through
some of the steps outlined in the book:
Get to know yourself
There are four distinct fitness personalities: racers, strollers, dancers and
trekkers. Each one is suited for a particular type of movement. In my book, you
can take a short quiz to discover your type. The problem with the old
one-size-fits-all type of exercise recommendation was that it did not match an
individual's inborn preferences.
Racers like to take the lead and meet challenges head on. They work hard and
play hard, but can be very competitive and bore easily. They prefer a challenge,
so a game of cricket or racquetball is ideal. So is training for a fun run or
marathon.
Dancers are spontaneous, warm, engaging and entertaining. They detest routines
and require variety and creativity in their workouts. This means something
different everyday - inline- skating, kayaking, dancing, ballet and yoga are all
fine. The key is to avoid routine. Strollers are supportive, loyal, trustworthy
and good-natured. They tend to put everybody else first, and have the most
difficult time scheduling any self-care or fitness activities for themselves.
They prefer the social comfort of a few friends on a long walk-and-talk, rather
than the intimidating atmosphere of many health clubs. They can take classes as
long as they are with a buddy.
Trekkers are local, analytical and highly reliable. They focus on the details
with accuracy and have consistent follow-through and completion skills. Trekkers
tend to be the people who can actually buy a piece of equipment, such as
dumbbells, a cycle or treadmill, and use it on a daily basis. They like keeping
track of their progress and prefer working out alone.
Learn the truth
Unrealistic expectations may be the biggest barrier to adopting lasting health
habits. Not doing enough. Not achieving that body. Distorted perceptions
fostered by a celebrity-obsessed media, fashion and beauty industries that run
women (and some men) ragged, chipping away at self-esteem and throwing up
monstrous obstacles to integrating a healthy lifestyle. Unhook from unrealistic
messages and images, and you will do what is best for yourself.
Listen to your body
It is talking to you. You have five senses - taste, touch, smell, sight and
hearing, and a sixth sense - your gut instinct or intuition. Well, now it is
time to learn about your seventh sense - your movement or fitness instinct. This
is your body's urge to stretch, jump, run, roll, squat, dance, skip, invert and
so on, but it gets suppressed as we go from sitting still in a school room to
sitting still at work, in front of a computer, or in front of a television.
Modern life is sadly a progressive stage for moving less and less, and growing
more and more deconditioned and chubby. There are numerous, fun ways to reawaken
your seventh sense, your fitness instinct, and increase your daily calorie burn,
endurance and flexibility.
Let time move you
Are you a morning person, bounding out of bed full of energy and life? Or are
you a night owl, staying up late, ready to start projects at midnight? It makes
a difference. Because of circadian rhythms, your body responds differently to
movement at different times of the day. This is a natural process, but many
times we ignore it and try to power through it. Knowing when your own natural
energy peaks occur throughout the day will help you take advantage of that time
for exercise. Trying to exercise when the bio-rhythmic cycle is in a slump can
lead to chronic exhaustion.
Find your hidden motivation
I have had people tell me that they need more motivation in order to exercise.
But I point out that they are always motivated to do something - whether it is
watching TV or reading a book, or chatting with a friend. The way to harness
energy for exercise is to tap into your prevailing motivation and couple it with
a fitness endeavour.
I call this finding your core desire, a genuine passion that can make you
accomplish just about any task, including fitness. Once you learn your core
desire, no task will seem insurmountable. The core desires include social,
aesthetic, political, economic, theoretical and methodical.
The most important finding in my book is that you can learn to activate an
internal switch - the energising charge that will help you bypass all of the old
excuses for not exercising. You can learn to enjoy guilt-free, pleasurable
techniques that are simple, direct, life saving, accessible and either free or
affordable. Embracing the fit life is not a matter of willpower or genetic luck.
It is your birthright. Helping you find the activities that are suited to your
personality is my passion. Even if you have started and stopped a dozen times
before, do not give up. This time, I promise, you will find a way to integrate
stretching, strengthening and aerobic movements more naturally into your day.
The Fitness Instinct is available on the Internet at www.amazon.com or
www.barnesandnoble.com.
The Fitness Instinct: The Revolutionary
New Approach To Healthy Exercise
That Is Fun, Natural And No Sweat,
Peg Jordan, Rodale Reach, $23.95.
THE NEW, REVOLUTIONARY, NO-EXERCISE DIET
It seemed to me that it would be easy. With my NEW, REVOLUTIONARY,
NO-EXERCISE DIET, losing weight would be no sweat ®. Well, it didn't start out
that way. See my weight chart.
But, I remained committed to the principles of the NEW, REVOLUTIONARY
NO-EXERCISE DIET. I have discovered it takes some time to adapt to it. But, it
just requires commitment and dedication and belief in the system. The principles
are sound. And as I and others are now achieving outstanding results, it is
certain more than ever that: losing weight will be no sweat! ®
The NEW, REVOLUTIONARY, NO-EXERCISE DIET will be the wave of the future. Hang up
your running shoes! Cancel your health club subscription! Lose weight the most
healthy way ... without exercising!!
On the pages that follow, you will be introduced to the exciting new principles
of the NEW, REVOLUTIONARY, NO-EXERCISE DIET.
You will be able to track the progress which I and others are making in
following the diet. In particular, see pages 3 and 5 for contemporaneous diary
and weight chart entries, showing my personal results. Reports of others'
results will be published as time permits and as progress reports are received. |
