Fitness Books

This is a superbly written book. This is one of the best "how-to's" I've ever read, and I write those kinds of books myself.

This is by far the best book that I have read on any life transforming physical exercise including other books on this subject, as well as books on yoga and tai chi. The author writes simply and masterfully. He promises an easy to learn, easy to do "exercise", and delivers. This book has none of the New Age psycho-babble that mucks up so many other books on the subject.

When Qi Gong developed in China for more than 20 years, Chinese people finally find Falun Gong is the most effective. So there are more than 100 million Chinese people practice Falun Gong before the government's persecution.

But western society seems still enjoy the low level Qi Gongs.

Why not directly start from high level Falun Gong? It is not difficult. When you try, you will know.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Learn from the best".

Many of us want very much to do spiritual and physical exercises but never seem to find the time. This practice can be learned quickly from this most excellent book and takes only six minutes. I've been using the book for three months and have felt an increase in energy level, both physical and spiritual, already.

The author has written a clear & practical book, with compact and understandable information about Qi Gong in general plus some nice information about what it has done for him personally.
It has good instructions and a lot of black and white photos which are easy to follow.
I found the excercise sequence very simple to do. It is relaxing and indeed takes less then 10 minutes to perform.
I think this book is a great start for beginners. Anyone can do these excercises.
If you're interested in other, longer and more intensive Qi Gong forms, I'd like to recommend the book 'The Swimming Dragon: A Chinese Way to Fitness, Beautiful Skin, Weightloss and High Energy' by T.K. Shih.

This book provided the information I was looking for on Raja Yoga. Vivekananda's words are a pleasure to read. It has a nice commentary on Patanjali's yoga sutra. The book has a pronunciation guide page and the glossary was quite useful for me as well. As a result of reading this book I purchased Vivekananda's complete works.

Wow! What a treat! Swami Vivekananda has created a classic on Raja-Yoga that is head and shoulders above any that I have read in my 20 years of studying and practicing Advaita Vedanta. This is a great manual for those just beginning their investigation into the wisdom of Vedanta as well as very useful for those who have been practicing for years. Indeed, I would recommend this book as the starting place for any would-be practitioner. Swami speaks straight and clear and his advice is immediately understood and usable. This manual will be at my side for the rest of my life!

You can't go wrong with any book by Vivekananda. Not only was he a great scholar, he was a saint and mystic who had personally experienced the things he taught. This book gives an extremely clear description of Raja Yoga from both a practical and philosophical standpoint. The first half explains the philosophical concepts of Hinduism regarding the relationships between mind, matter, and spirit. The second half of the book walks you through the ancient Yoga Sutras.

Raja Yoga is the King of Yogas.
This book really enables you to understand how your mind processes information and how to conquer your own nature to exercise free will.
The author Swami Vivekananda was both an enlightened soul and an elequent speaker. His words are powerfull!

Each soul is potentially divine. Break free of attachment through controlling the gentle ripples of your mind's peace.

Thanks and praise

-Oracle

Brenda Watson has done the research on colon health and Renew Your Life is one of the basic keys to balanced health. Her step-by-step program along with her H.O.P.E. formula is an important basic beginning to getting your body back to a healthy state, or at least, to a state of balance where you can then concentrate on "fine tuning." I don't agree that you need all of her products, but I do agree that detoxing the colon, liver, kidneys, etc. is an unfortuneate necessity in our society.

Rayna Gangi, author, "Forget The Cures, Find The Cause."

This book is the most comprehensive guide to digestive health available today. It covers digestive problems, weight control, detoxification diets, and cleansing programs in great detail, with specific remedies for particular digestive problems. Renew Your Life provides the in-depth solutions that Dr. Brenda Watson outlined in her PBS seminars, including lists of the symptoms each digestive problem commonly creates. Although most people resort to this level of medical education after feeling pain, this resource is a great value for anyone who wants to find out what to eat, what to avoid eating, and how to restore and maintain healthy balance to their digestive tract, and by doing that, restoring good mood, high energy, and robust health.

This book helps you understand vitamins, dietary supplements, how the digestive system works, weight control, detoxification and more!

A must have book for your health. Don't hesitate to purchase this book. It is filled with valuable information that can help you with your eating habits and understand supplements and vitamins. I would recommend buying two, one for your friend, because once they start reading it, they don't want to give it up.

Wow. This book is chock full of great information on how our digestive system works, why it is so essential to our everyday life and what we can do to keep it running smoothly.

I feel so much better after following her suggestions. I have given the book to others to borrow.

This book is easy to read, has good illustrations, symptom descriptions, and suggestions for diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

I found this to be the best book as far as having pictures to show how to do stretches and on good typing technique.

Other books I would recommend are:

`The Repetitive Strain Handbook by Robert M Simon, MD and Ruth Aleskovsky'.

`The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies'

`Living Better Every Patient's Guide to Living with Illness by Carol j. Langenfeld'.

This book is the single most useful collection of practical RSI information I've found. Highly recommended for anyone trying to figure out how to stop hurting themselves when they're working. I have bought four copies for friends.

"Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User's Guide" by Pascarelli is a good introduction for those who know nothing about RSI. Even a cursory search of the Internet will turn up several references to this book as the classic on the subject. It describes what RSI is, what the risk factors are, how to evaluate your physician in terms of his or her RSI awareness, how to treat RSI symptoms, and it offers tips on workstation configuration, typing and mouse technique, monitor settings, and daily living. If you think you have RSI and your first instinct is to go out and buy yourself a wrist wrest and a splint, stop and read this book first, it explains why these amateurish attempts at self treatment are a bad idea. I was disappointed that the book didn't offer more specific advice for actually treating RSI, though I understand that would have been difficult given the large number of causes and manifestations of the disorder. The book claims on the front cover to contain a "seven point program for treatment", but most of the advice for treatment itself consists of "go see a doctor". This is frustrating given the book's repeated claim that most doctors know nothing about RSI or don't even believe in it in the first place. Another thing that really annoyed me was the book's assertion that employers are largely responsible for RSI. The basic message was: "RSI isn't your fault. It's just another example of how `the Man' exploits you in a thankless and mindless job." In my case, my RSI was caused by my own obsessive work habits. The book does list "Driven Behavior" as a risk factor for RSI, but it gets only a perfunctory mention. Another negative is that the book focuses on tendonitis-type RSI, whereas my problem was clearly nerve-related (numbness, weakness, and lack of coordination in hands, forearms, and upper arms). The book that really nailed my problem on the head, and that I recommend as a supplement to this one if your RSI is caused by obsessive computer use, was "It's Not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!", by Damany, who worked under Pascarelli treating patients for many years.

After years of extreme pain caused by ...poor working conditions ..., I ended up disabled. I found this book four years later. In that time, I had seen two M.D.'s, three chiropracters and two orthopedic surgeons. I was diagnosed as having a pinched nerve.

After reading this book, I made an appointment with Dr. Pascarelli. I was the last new patient he took before retiring.

He diagnosed me as having thoracic outlet syndrome, and wrote up a script of physical therapy treatment for me, which I took back to Ohio and showed to the doctor's here. I still live in constant pain because of permanent muscle damage in my upper back because this wasn't diagnosed sooner, but at least the pain is bearable. I also have problems using my arms and hands. But, today I'm partially disabled instead of totally disabled.

Maybe, if one of the doctor's that had examined me before had Dr. Pascarelli's knowledge, I wouldn't be living in pain today. Or, if I had the knowledge this book provides....

If you use a computer, read this book and follow the advice. You don't have to end up living in pain.

I've been "lowcarbing" since January 2006 and was given The New Diet Revolution by Atkins. I had success, however, I JUST found out that some medication I was placed on two months after starting LC was a culprit in not only stalling my weight, but gaining 6 pounds. My situation had no bearing on the Atkins plan as I still follow it.

I stumbled upon this book about 4 months ago in a drug store--way before reading any reviews. The writer is credible, the writing style is not over the top on medical terminology. Once you start reading it, it is hard to put down.

Ms. Richard states the facts concerning each plan.

Anyone who is even considering a low carb lifestyle (this is not a "diet") should really read this book BEFORE they start any plan. Although I started lowcarbing before knowing about this book, I believe it would help even a current lowcarber in the event that they may need to make adjustments with whatever method they are using.

The book is very inexpensive and worth much more than it's price. It is a very good, down-to-earth, factual, non-overwhelming read.

I highly recommend this book as your first choice, OR your first read if you own other books.

Ms. Richard made it so much easier for me in this round of low-carb dieting. She compares and contrasts all the low-carb plans knowledgeably and usefully. She helped me see how I could approach my low-carb diet plan in a way that is tailored to me alone without feeling that I had fallen off the low-carb wagon. She helped me to re-establish my priorities and I can now offer good advice to my dieting friends, thanks to her. Wish I could sell my copy since it's not available, but I'm afraid I'll be sharing it with my friends for months (if not years) to come. Well worth the price.

I have been low carbing for about 2 months and I was having mixed results before I read this book. The first chapter that compares all the different plans helped me select a plan that was much better for me than the one I was on originally. This book also helped me discover 2 important things that I was doing that slowed my weight loss. The combination of choosing another plan and tossing out my stallers, my weight loss sped up a great deal. Absolutely worth the $7.00 I paid for it.

So many people have written such nice things about this book that I feel compelled to write a negative review. But I can't. This book was very useful. If you are thinking of starting a low carb diet but are not sure which one, start by reading this book. It compares the various diets in an unbiased, down-to-Earth way. For me, the most important part of this book was the chapter which discussed the various factors which can cause the low carb diet to suddenly stop working for no clear reason. Many of the causes of slowing weight loss are not obvious. This book will likely help you find the cause of your slowed weight loss and help you get back on track. And on top of that, the book is so cheap. You are hurting yourself if you don't add this book to your low carb arsenal.

If you are a lo-carb convert and are looking for a way to make this way of eating a lifestyle, I highly recommend you read this book. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing stalls in weight loss, many of which are subtle but can pose a barrier to success. Before reading this book I had the big picture. Now I have the find points and can see that Lo-carb is not just about losing weight but gaining health.

I found Judith Wurtman's book The Serotinin Power Diet to be the only book that deals with what I consider, really counts: Hunger control.
Through their year's of research at MIT they have learned what triggers binging and hunger and teaches you what to eat, before attending social events etc. It teaches you how to control you appetite so you can go into any situation and control yourself and not overeat. So you loose weight easily.
I don't follow her diet I just follow her concept and principles as to how to feed myself for not being hungry, particularly when I have social events.
Being at home it is easy to follow any plan; it the going out with friends etc that makes it difficult. But that's the key; She has taught me how not to be hungry.
I have lost 15 pounds in a little less than three months and I am on my way to normalize my body weight and speciallly, lower my glucose.
First time something works for me.
R Hirst
Miami Fla

I do not understand...I thought when you go on an anti-depressant it was suppose to help balance your unbalanced hormones and chemicals? I thought it was suppose to give us more serotonin, not less?? I was first put on an antidepressant when a doctor told me it would help give me energy (I was not depressed, I had a long battle with mono and still had fevers and fatigue). I gained about 60 pounds, did not get any energy, felt "odd", not quite myself. It was not fun. Eventually went off the pills for a few years. Then started having anxiety and not feeling very good (blood work showed my hormones were really unbalanced, had me in "post-menopausal" in some areas, even though I was only 30 yrs. old and still menstruating, but just my hormones in general seemed all out of whack),so I was put back on another antidepressant. I thought these meds were suppose to help us feel better, more calm, less stressed, sleep better, put us in balance, etc. Why do they seem to do little other than cause major weight gain? I am considering buying this book. If you follow the diet, does it help you more than antidepressants? Anyone gone off their antidepressants after following the diet for a while? (I'm not talking about those with bi-polar and major depression for whom the meds have truly helped and been benefical, but for anyone who has had doctors pop them on antidepressants when you weren't really depressed?).

I ran across the Serotonin Diet recently in a magazine article. The magazine gave a Cliff's Note version of the "pure carb" snacking concept. I at first dismissed this concept, me being a Low Carb convert. But, I have always struggled with binge eating. Even after losing 60# recently (low carb dieting) I was still not in control. Although I have maintained my weight loss it is a constant binge then diet cycle. I live in constant fear that I will lose the battle. I read this article on the second day of a 2-day binge. The next day I was resolved to be good on my diet to recover from the bingeing I had been doing. In the afternoon (my binges always hit in the afternoon and/or evenings) I could feel a binge coming on (uncontrollable urge to go get something "bad" out of the work vending machine). I remembered the article I had read and instead I bought a bag of Rold gold pretzels and ate those. I was astounded at how it filled me up and took the binge urge away - nothing has ever worked like this before in my life!! Absolutely amazing. The following day I again had the binge urge and again I bought the pretzels and again another binge was averted. It seems as though it takes time for these urges to go away (maybe they never do) but I now have a tool for fighting back other then willpower (which has never worked on binge urges)

I have just ordered the book and hope to learn more about how to make this a lifestyle and never have to worry about binging again.

This is fabulous. I find myself feeling much healthier by following the simple steps and regulated snacking. It really shocked me the difference this diet (now a lifestyle) made in my life. I feel better, my body functions better and in conjunction with yoga, the overall quality of my life has improved.

We've all done it- eating a whole bag of potato chips or more cookies than we'd like to admit when trying to deal with stress, anxiety, fatigue, or sadness. The thing is that it works. After eating that comfort food, we feel like we can face the world once again. So food becomes a refuge and the scale reflects it.

Then, along comes the Atkins diet. No carbs. Truthfully, how long did it take you to cheat during your first bout of PMS? Even when you were being "good", how bad were the carb cravings?

The Serotonin Power Diet makes carbs permissible once again, in moderation and at the right times. One small carbohydrate filled snack, eaten about an hour before a meal can actually reduce your appetite allowing you to eat appropriate portions of healthy foods without cravings or feeling like you are actually on a diet.

Unlike many diets, I can see The Serotonin Power Diet actually fitting into my everyday lifestyle. Craving carbs during PMS or when I'm tired often derails my nutritional efforts. Having a small snack seems to alleviate that feeling that I've failed in my efforts and relieves my cravings.

This book is truly informative and helpful. Reading it has empowered me to take steps to be able to live with the frighteneing diagnosis of heart failure. The suggestions given are practical and helpful. By reading the book, I was able to find support groups on line--most helpful. I heartily (pun intended!) recommend it for anyone who has been diagnosed with heart failure.

I bought this for my wife who has postpartum cardiomyopathy so we could really understand what the cardiologist was saying and doing. Prior to reading it we had been concerned that our cardiologist wasn't engaging us in many "standard" heart failure treatments that we had researched which might improve her daily quality of life. This book really helped my wife and I understand all the CHF jargon and, most importantly, what the heart meds do and how they are supposed to work in the body. Because of this book and other research we have engaged another cardiologist for a second opinion and learned that there are indeed other treatments and therapies available to us. Net Net - this book helps you engage in knowledgeable conversations with your doctor which is key to your survival and successful treatment.
4 stars only because I wish the author had expounded more on some of the topics.

I have been researching several pieces of literature and books regarding CHF.
This book was my first choice. I was not disappointed. The book was in pristine
condition and it was exactly what I was looking for. I was extremely pleased.

We learned a lot of useful information about medications and treatments, and what was happening to my husband's body. It gave him some hope when he needed it.

This book is an excellent resource for those suffering from heart failure or families trying to understand this disease. I highly recommend it for a resource if not reading it in its entirity. Chapter 11 on foods and salt intake is especially helpful if one has the determination to follow good advice! Success With Heart Failure: Help and Hope for Those Coping With Congestive Heart FailureThe book is so inexpensive that seems foolish not to buy it as a resource!

The clearest, most concise and most useful guide for living with and dealing with Bipolar Disorder we have found. For people with bipolar illness, their family and friends, this is a tool that helps all understand, deal and move on toward a full life.

Supporters of Julie Fast will find this book as easy to read, understand and follow as her other books and materials. Being a survivor of bipolar disorder myself, I appreciated the way she lays out a comprehensive plan of lifestyle changes, behavioral changes, asking for help, and using the 4-step treatment plan in everyday life. I like the way she keeps things interesting by using shaded areas, charts, conversations, people's stories, checklists, fill-in-the-blank response interactive sections, etc. to keep you involved in the process. I also like the charts and journal pages at the end. This book is not only a good resource for survivors of bipolar disorder, but also for supporters.

this would be the book i'd first give to someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder. but i find it really has to be done slowly. it is completely comprehensive and covers everything i would want someone working on their healing to know, even the things i might forget. but when i work on the part about my depression or anxiety thoughts and speach, i get scared because i feel like i am going back there into those moods. that's what i dont like, which must mean it is a good book. it is incredibly practical. no "this is what mania means" without any help for working to prevent it. i wish i could give up sugar because i know it causes mood swings, but the rest i was able to do! i know the "bipolar conversation" section that scares me to write has been of immense help for my loved ones. i hate when they try to be all rational when i am unable to hear any of it and just KNOW my paranoia or rage or suicidal feelings are "true" but they keep talking as if i can be talked out of them! so yes, the scary part may be the most important for me. it also gave me an idea that never crossed my mind - to tell my therapist what i will sound like if i am in a bipolar state and how she should not try to help me deal with the symptoms in a talk setting, but go straight for the "what do we need to do to get you back to yourself?" conversation. i wasted years in therapy coming in depressed and trying meaningless, worthless talks about how to cheer me up when it wasn't me that was depressed about my life, it was depression talking. it really is a wonderful book, i guess i am just scared to look at the way i am when in an episode.

This book is very well laid out and very helpful. Its a great book for newbies to the bipolar world and a good concise book for those of us who have done alot of reading. The four step plan is pretty common sense and touched on in other ways in different books. But it is nice to have it all in one book.

As a mental health professional who specializes in the management and treatment of persons with bipolar spectrum disorders, I find this to be the most informative and helpful book on the subject. I keep copies available in my office to make sure my clients have a copy in hand when they begin treatment with me. Fast's personal insight and well developed coping skills make this the best resource for those recently diagnosed or who have been struggling for years to find ways to live with this disorder. Fast/Preston help to bring "order" out of disorder in a well organized and easy to read book. Families and friends find this book user friendly and the best source of answers to many questions. It is a must read not only for those challenged with bipolar disorder but also for those who live with, work with or seek a greater sensitivity for someone trying to take charge of their lives. Thanks for providing such a user friendly text which provides hope and help in all the areas which need attention. Vilda S. Brannen, MS, LPC, NCC

I purchased the book before attending a workshop where author was a keynote speaker. It was right on. I found so much valuable information in the book have sent it to two other people. I await both of their replies to the book, but it is an excellent reference book.

As I've been doing lately, I received this book as a prelude to interviewing author Deborah King, Ph.D. It's a fascinating look at her journey to healing as well as that of many others. I love true stories where one shows the steps they've taken on their own path and how they've transformed and empowered themselves, leaving much of their past behind.

What I really love about this book is Deborah's willingness to reveal herself. In one chapter she states: "I expanded my specialty practice. Opposing counsel and even judges were not immune to my charms. But it was my clients, those men of means and influence who came to me for legal help, who were my personal favorites. Never could I resist a man in need, and many a client who walked through my office door reeked of need. Every one of them reminded me of Daddy. They came for advice, but I gave them much, much more."

Many women today still use this imbalance of "power" to play that game, using another's weakness for one's own gain. Dr. King recognized the imbalance and shares with us her healing.

This is a very powerful book; easy to read and understand. I recommend it.

Revvell
http://podcast.TheBookCrawler.com

Thank you Deborah King for having the courage to share your experience, love and knowledge. The body speaks what the heart cannot and this book speaks to that fact. Mis-diagnosed with RA at the age of 30 I was catapulted into learning more about the wisdom my body holds. Truth Heals is a must read for healers, therapists and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of our amazing ability to heal ourselves!

Deborah King has written a mind and heart opening book that will appeal to all who are interested in healing themselves. Since all illness, injury and disease is caused by issues in your tissues, Deborah explains not only how we get sick but also how we can heal by living our truth. This book is enthralling as we watch Deborah go through her own awakening and then healing her childhood damage. In addition, it helps us to realize where we store negative energy in our body, how it can make us sick and then how by releasing it, we can heal. I recommend this book highly to all of my clients in addition to Deborah's workshops. Life changing material!

So often we hear and speak about "healing" when what we are really hungry for is congruence. Deborah King does a beautiful job of demonstrating just what that means and showing us how being truly and deeply honest with yourself can open the door to a greater sense of aliveness and joy. This book will open your eyes to the many ways we steal our own peace of mind with little white, and even big gnarly green & red lies. Deborah has great compassion and insight into our human condition and writes in a way that allows the reader to apply these insights to his or her own unique situation. A quick and interesting read that will appeal both to the novice spiritual seeker and the seasoned adept.

I purchased this book for my 83-year-old mother, recently diagnosed with Crohn's. While the recipes are practical and easy to use, the clear discussion of the symptoms and implications of the diesease, and the tips on how to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how to improve nutrient absorption, etc. are very helpful. It includes a discussion about the various types of treatments with drugs, diet, and surgery with all of the pros and cons of each. Highly recommended for families of patient as well as for patient.

This book is very helpful and can give good information even if you have IBS, suggesting foods to eat, foods to avoid and giving information that doctors aren't helpful about. My personal non-medical opinion: if you have been checked out by doctors and they think you have IBD or IBS or even don't know the answer to your problems, try this book. The nutritional information is helpful.

When my mother was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I found this book extremely helpful. Not only does the author have ulcerative colitis herself, but she shares her knowledge as a professional. Recipes, rationale for what to eat and what not to eat; recommendations for nutritional supplements and specific vitamins are found within the pages of this informative book. This is a wonderful resource for anyone who has been diagnosed with or is caring for someone with IBD. I refer to this book almost daily!

This book is definitively the best book on the subject of IBD and I have read several. The reason I gave this book 5 stars is because it explains everything you need to know in plain english and in a smooth order. I especially like the part on foods that hurt and foods that heal. How easy can it get. The recepies are outstanding and in keeping with ingredients that IBD sufferers need to stick to. An excellent read, not too lengthy on useless information like other books. If you just want to know what to eat with IBD then read this book. Highly recommended.

I have found this the best resource thus far on IBD. My favorite part is that there are recipes to try not just suggestions of foods to eat. She also lists the vitamins that each meal contains. All the recipes are very simple- no more than 6-8 ingredients. These recipes are great and I have made almost all of them. I am having a lot of fun cooking and my family is eating very well. I also like how she lists foods that heal and foods that hurt. My son was diagnosed with UC 5 years ago and I have been looking for something like this. My prayers were finally answered.