Denise's Daily Dozen: The Easy, Every Day Program to Lose Up to 12 Pounds in 2 Weeks

I've always liked Denise Austin's positve and outgoing attitude. Working out to her shows and videos is like working out with a motivating friend rather than an harassing drill sergeant! When I was offered the chance to review her new book, DENISE'S DAILY DOZEN, I was really excited.

As I expected, this book is written in Denise's friendly, upbeat style. She keeps things simple and doable. The plan is comprised of a set of 12 exercises that can easily be done at home. She doesn't require any fancy equipment - just the occasional use of a set of small hand weights. The routines are different for each day of the week; each day you get a total body workout and, over the course of a week, there is enough variety that you don't get bored. One show more of the best parts? Each daily routine can be completed in about 12 minutes! Who can't find 12 minutes a day to exercise?! O.K., so you are supposed to devote more than 12 minutes - Denise would like you to also walk about 12 miles a week. Still, we're not talking about a huge time commitment or financial investment.

DENISE'S DAILY DOZEN also includes separate sections with additional ballet-inspired barre exercises and moves that target the abs. She's added a small section of "tension tamers" that can be done at your desk, and a handful of moves called "fidget-cisers" that you can toss into your day while you're around the house - watching T.V., talking on the phone, or waiting for the toast to pop up.

Another great thing about this book are the daily menu plans and recipes sprinkled throughout. They are all healthful, easy, and mouth-watering. So far, I've tried and liked the Asian Lettuce Wraps, Veggie Quesadilla and Greek Bean Salad. If you're more adventurous than I am, you can try the Fish Tacos (made with mahi mahi). Denise's eating plan is sensible and well-balanced. Nothing is off-limits, but everything in moderation.

I also really enjoyed reading the success stories -- there's nothing like hearing from someone who has successfully worked a program to show that it can be done by the average person.

I highly recommend DENISE'S DAILY DOZEN for anyone who would like to get started on a fitness plan. (Of course, you should check with your doctor first.) Denise offers easy exercises, sensible advice, and plenty of encouragement and motivation. If you've been wondering how to get yourself started, this is the book for you! show less

As with any book, there are good and bad aspects to this one. I "applied" to review this book because I have a number of Denise Austin exercise books and have found them to be easy to read and follow. I have terrible coordination and apparently no physical common sense, because I can barely follow an exercise video or coach. I have trouble mimicking poses in other exercise books. That said, I have no problem with the large majority of Austin's photos and explanations. I believe her guides are very user friendly, and this one is no exception!

I also appreciate that she adds little FYI tidbits, personal stories and advice on healthy eating, as well as recipes. These topics do not go in depth, but are easily accessible and helpful for the show more average diet newbie. This isn't one long, boring book. Instead, there is a variety of formats to keep one's attention.

Now for the downsides... I felt that this guide was a little too specific and regimental. Denise lays out exactly what you should eat and what exercises you should do on each day of the week. I like a little more flexibility than that. I can understand that she is suggesting specific exercises for specific days because you need variety in an overall workout plan and you don't want to work the same muscles every day; however, I would like options in case a specific move doesn't work for me. I also don't really want to follow her meal plan.

For me specifically, I will use this book to pick and choose which exercises I'd like to do rather than following her exact plan.

So in a nutshell: Her exercise instructions and photos are extremely helpful and easy to follow. Her tone is encouraging and inspiring. Her eating tips are helpful. BUT there isn't really much room to mix it up unless you don't follow her plan and instead just use the exercises on their own. show less

I'm still working on this review, because I don't think you can properly write a review of an exercise plan until you've actually tried the plan. I haven't really used her meal plans. For one thing - diet book meal plans are never very economically feasible when you're on a tight budget and live with just one other person. It's slightly amazing to me that if you followed the diet recommendations of most diet books I've read, you'd buy about ten times more food than I do now. But I have been drinking a lot more water as a result of this book.

There's a handy little chart for each day, where you track how healthily you've eaten (not too bad so far - never enough fruits and veggies, though), how much water you've been drinking (only seem show more to be able to manage about five cups, not 8, but it's surprising what a dent that's made in my Diet Coke addiction), whether you've done the specific exercises she's outlined for the day (so far, so good), and how much of your 12 mile walking goal you've met (not much - 12 miles?! Is she insane? Who in the world has time to walk 12 miles per week? And do half an hour's worth of other exercise. I'm sure if I devoted my entire life to exercise, I'd be really fit. But there are other things I'd like to do too - play games with my daughter, read other books, play on the internet, do housework - well, maybe not LIKE - but it's necessary - and also watch the rest of last year's season of Lost...- gripping as usual, but ultimately frustrating - and thus my favorite show continues to be like many romantic relationships - something you can't help but get caught up in that continues to stop just short of paying off.)

But back to the book. Just with my slipshod following of Denise's plan, I do feel very energetic these days. I find Denise a little overly perky. And a little too inclined to repeatedly recommend her other products. But diet/exercise books - well, that is what they are there for. Everyone knows how to get fit. Don't eat chocolate, and do a lot more exercise. It's just helpful every now and then to have a new voice telling you that. And Denise does a fine job. She seems genuinely nice, and interested in her subject. This is a fine example of its genre. I recommend it. But I'll let you know for sure in two and a half more weeks. show less

If you’re anything like me, to even begin to focus on the concept of dieting takes a great deal of motivation, and incentives galore. Both, of which, I’m happy to say, I found in Denise Austin’s book, Denise’s Daily Dozen.

I loved the section on Twelve Favorite Fidget-cisers, and you will too. Reading this section changed how I viewed my own kitchen. WOW, who knew I had my own private workout gym! It’s fun, it’s easy, and most importantly, it’s doable for us ordinary people without health spa memberships.

The FAQ section is also outstanding, in that it actually answered the questions that came readily to my mind.
Illustrated exercises, practical recipes with ingredients easily found in my grocery store, tips, lots of lists show more and boxes with motivational notes, make this health and fitness book a great buy.

Who would have thought that exercising 12 little minutes a day using 12 simple moves could produce results? And no, I’m not going to demonstrate those for you, Denise Austin does that beautifully in her book.

Teaser Snippets:

Here are a few titles on the zillion little boxes with priceless tips!
“Get Your Groove On; Zip Up Your Abs; Watch Out For White Knuckles, Suck It Up; and Divide and Conquer. show less

As with any book, there are good and bad aspects to this one. I "applied" to review this book because I have a number of Denise Austin exercise books and have found them to be easy to read and follow. I have terrible coordination and apparently no physical common sense, because I can barely follow an exercise video or coach. I have trouble mimicking poses in other exercise books. That said, I have no problem with the large majority of Austin's photos and explanations. I believe her guides are very user friendly, and this one is no exception!

I also appreciate that she adds little FYI tidbits, personal stories and advice on healthy eating, as well as recipes. These topics do not go in depth, but are easily accessible and helpful for the show more average diet newbie. This isn't one long, boring book. Instead, there is a variety of formats to keep one's attention.

Now for the downsides... I felt that this guide was a little too specific and regimental. Denise lays out exactly what you should eat and what exercises you should do on each day of the week. I like a little more flexibility than that. I can understand that she is suggesting specific exercises for specific days because you need variety in an overall workout plan and you don't want to work the same muscles every day; however, I would like options in case a specific move doesn't work for me. I also don't really want to follow her meal plan.

For me specifically, I will use this book to pick and choose which exercises I'd like to do rather than following her exact plan.

So in a nutshell: Her exercise instructions and photos are extremely helpful and easy to follow. Her tone is encouraging and inspiring. Her eating tips are helpful. BUT there isn't really much room to mix it up unless you don't follow her plan and instead just use the exercises on their own. show less

Denise is so very encouraging, and this book is hugely motivational. I loved how she constantly encourages you to believe in yourself.

You’re given 12 daily 12-minute exercises you can do for each day of the week, as well as daily meal plans based around healthy eating (lots of fruits, veggies & whole grains). The exercises don’t seem too crazy, so anyone could probably do them with a little practice.

My favorite parts of this book were the 12 “Fidget-cizers” (moves you can do to stretch & strengthen while in the kitchen, etc), and the success stories.

While I’ve never before done any of Denise’s workout videos, I’m certainly inspired to seek one out and give it a try! And, for the record, I was stunned to find out that show more Denise is over 50 yrs old! She sooooo doesn’t look like it! Guess that just goes to show what living such a healthy lifestyle can do for you — and that’s all the more motivating!

Recommended.

Rated: B+

Just a side note: Much as there were pictures of the “Daily Dozen” exercise moves in the book (along with instructions on how to do each move), it would’ve been nice to see a copy of Denise’s “Get Fit Daily Dozen” DVD included in the back of the book. I have trouble following exercises that are shown in books. show less

This early reviewer book couldn't have come at a better time since I had just done what many people did, resolved to lose weight in the upcoming year.

The book is arranged in a logical format including exercises for each day of the week so all you do is turn to that day to figure out what your routine should be. There are tons of black and white illustrations which is helpful and most of the exercises are fairly simple. I'm not sure 12 minutes is enough time though until you have the routine memorized.

Not only do you have exercises for each day, but you also have menu ideas as well. Most of them sound a little too healthy for me though.

I have two complaints about the book overall.

One, most people do not plan to exercise EVERY day so the show more goals Denise promises probably won't happen.

Two, the book will not stay open unless you break the binding so it is impossible to do the exercises without holding the book and it is impossible to do the exercises while holding the book so you're stuck. A spiral binding is what this book needs. show less