Fitness celebrity and former gymnast Denise Austin always took care of her body. "In my 20s, however, I was more concerned with looking good in a bikini," she admits. "These days I'm focused on feeling good and staying healthy--and if I can still get away with wearing a bikini, that's a bonus!" Writing at age 43, she reminds us that 40 certainly isn't the end of the road--in fact, we probably have another 40 years or more to look forward to.
In Fit and Fabulous After 40, Austin shows us how to "turn back the clock" with exercise (aerobic, stretching, balance, and strength training), diet, health, beauty, and a positive outlook. She challenges us to set a weekly goal in each area for four weeks and provides sample programs in all areas. Photographs illustrate a good selection of strength-training, yoga, and Pilates-inspired exercises, and she provides a workout log to keep you on track.
Her dietary suggestions emphasize a balance of 50 to 55 percent complex carbohydrates, 20 to 25 percent protein, and 25 percent fat, keeping portions moderate and including lots of fruits and vegetables. She describes 10 "nutritional powerhouses" that have been shown to have anti-aging benefits, such as soy, blueberries, oatmeal, and flaxseed, with tips for including more of these in your diet. She also describes 10 "age accelerators" that you'd be wise to avoid, such as breakfast "desserts," fatty meats, creamy salad dressings, and stick margarine. She includes dozens of helpful (and sometimes entertaining) tips, such as "Don't go [to a fast-food restaurant] when you're hungry--you'll order fries." A meal plan with sample recipes makes her suggestions easy to follow.
Her health tips include 6 "body-sense strategies," 10 "must-have medical tests," breathing exercises, and instructions for how to do Kegels (exercises for the pelvic-floor muscles that help prevent incontinence and improve sexual response). She also offers skin, hair, and nail tips. If you think of Denise Austin as just a perky exercise leader, you'll be thoroughly impressed by the amount of helpful, sensible information in Fit and Fabulous. --Joan Price
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