Drop dead healthy - A.J. Jacobs

Running like a girl - Alexandra Heminsley

Running like a girl: notes on learning to run - Heminsley, Alexandra

Summary: "In her twenties, Alexandra Heminsley spent more time drinking white wine than she did in pursuit of athletic excellence. When she decided to take up running in her thirties, she had high hopes for a blissful runner's high and immediate physical transformation. After eating three slices of toast with honey and spending ninety minutes on iTunes creating the perfect playlist, she hit the streets--and failed miserably. The stories of her first runs turn the common notion that we are all "born to run" on its head--and exposes the truth about starting to run: it can be brutal. Running Like a Girl tells the story of getting beyond the brutal part, how Alexandra makes running a part of her life, and reaps the rewards: not just the obvious things, like weight loss, health, and glowing skin, but self-confidence and immeasurable daily pleasure, along with a new closeness to her father--a marathon runner--and her brother, with whom she ultimately runs her first marathon"-- Provided by publisher.

Booklist Reviews
Heminsley did not run. Not ever. There was perhaps a shuffle here or there when absolutely necessary, but voluntarily putting on shoes and pounding the pavement? Absolutely not. Until one day, following a terrible breakup, Heminsley began to walk, and before long, with the encouragement of her family, simple walking morphed into running and then into competing in marathons. It's not all medals and smiles at the finish line, though, as Heminsley humorously tackles the many thorny issues new runners encounter, from chafing to proper sports-bra fit to injury recovery to restroom emergencies. In this account of one woman's transition from nonrunner to runner, the most important change that takes place is not losing weight or developing a more-fit physique, but rather the mental transition Heminsley makes to believing she is a runner. This is an amusing and inspiring account, sure to provide the gentle push a newbie runner needs. Helpful tips for first-time runners are appended. Copyright 2013 Booklist Reviews.

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Pilates' return to life through contrology - Joseph Pilates

Pilates' return to life through contrology - Joseph Pilates

Summary: "Pilates' Return to Life Through Contrology contains the authorized, legal, edited, and original Library of Congress version of Joseph H. Pilates' and William J. Miller's first complete fitness writings. It details the exercises, poses, and instructions fundamental to the matwork developed by Joseph and Clara Pilates. Based on his concepts of a balanced body and mind, and drawn from the approach espoused by the early Greeks, these are the exercises that continue to sustain a worldwide revolution in fitness strategies and exercise techniques. Joseph Pilates has been nothing short of revolutionary in his impact on the world of fitness and exercise. Readers will learn and view the original 34 exercises that Pilates taught to his students, many of whom have become exercise gurus in their own right. These carefully designed exercises constitute the results of decades of scientific study and research into the variety of physical ills that upset the balance of body and mind."--www.Amazon.com.

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The pilates powerhouse - Mari Winsor

The pilates powerhouse - Winsor, Mari

Summary: A conditioning regimen used by professional dancers for years blends Yoga with Nautilus to build strength, flexibility, and coordination in just a few weeks. - (Baker & Taylor)


Library Journal Reviews
Winsor, a former professional dancer who has taught numerous movie stars and professional athletes the Pilates method of body conditioning, has written a manual that will appeal to a wide audience. It addresses the needs of beginning, intermediate, and advanced users in a concise format that includes step-by-step instructions and more than 100 black-and-white photos. The Pilates method is effective because of the use of resistance, which can be increased through the use of an array of specially designed exercise machines. Winsor confines herself to discussing the Pilates mat routine, in which exercises are performed on a mat or floor, using only controlled movement to create resistance. This approach allows her to provide an excellent overview of the Pilates philosophy and methods. Following the exercises, Winsor (herself an asthma sufferer) suggests Pilates breathing techniques for asthmatics and those with neck and back injuries but emphasizes the neccessity of consulting a physician first. Finally, she tells readers how to find a qualified instructor. Recommended for all basic fitness collections as a great introduction. Those who want a more comprehensive treatment would do better with Sean Gallagher's The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning (LJ 6/1/99).AXimena Chrisagis, Wright State Univ. Libs., Dayton, OH Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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Stretching - Bob Anderson

Stretching -Anderson, Bob

Summary: This is the book that people tell their friends about, that trainers recommend for virtually every sport and activity, and that medical professionals recommend to people just starting to get back in shape. Stretching first appeared in 1980 as a new generation of Americans became committed to running, cycling, aerobic training, and workouts in the gym - which all seem commonplace now. It features: more than 20 new stretching routines, including those for sports enthusiasts; travelers, children, gardeners, and people in wheelchairs; an abbreviated version of each routine for people in a hurry; new information on the stretching vs. warming up controversy; and new and improved drawings.- (Perseus Publishing)

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