The Fitness Factor: Every Woman's Key to a Lifetime of Health and Well-Being

Among all the fitness book I've read I think this is the best. It makes sense of everything and it's a complete guide to how a woman's body works. Must buy!!!!

I knew it was time to think about adding to my exercise routine when my daughter started playing with my developing triceps wattle. I've hiked and biked regularly for many years, but it clearly wasn't giving me whole-body fitness, and wasn't enough to counteract the effects of moving through middle age. So when I saw this book reviewed and strongly recommended in the New York Times, I thought I'd give it a try.It definitely was a good choice. The most important things I have gotten from this book are: (1) Motivation. Callahan stresses that, as with housework (my little addition here), doing *something*, however little, is always better than doing *nothing*. This mindset helps overcome the 'all-or-nothing' perfectionist attitude that if you're going to exercise, you must go all out and learn everything there is to know about it before even starting, which inevitably leads to procrastination and excuses. Callahan gets an A+ in motivating her readers and patients to just get on with it, and to stick to a regular program.(2) Method. I wanted to know where to start, and what to concentrate on. Callahan focuses on the needs of women in various situations (e.g. more or less athletic to start out with), particularly as we grow older. She recommends specific exercises for flexibility, strength, and endurance training, all of which are important in an effective fitness program. Clear and attractive line drawings are a big aid in picking up the how-to quickly. There is also lots of useful information on equipment, clothing, and shoes.(3) Benefits of exercise. The author explains clearly why fitness is important not just for weight loss, firmness or improved appearance, though these are welcome benefits as well, but for a healthy heart, dense bones (exercise can help prevent osteoporosis), and to maintain strength for things like being able to get out of a chair when you're older.(4) Dealing with injury. Several chapters are devoted to how to avoid atheletic injury, and how to deal with it if you do get injured. This includes important warnings like not to keep exercising when you feel pain, and not to leave an ice compress on too long.(5) Diet. Callahan talks a lot about diet, though there was less that was new here for me, since I already try hard to follow a healthy diet, and am a vegetarian cookbook junkie. But I appreciated her comment on how overdoing vegetarianism can be unhealthy if it limits one's food choices too much.Callahan cites anecdotally several case histories of her patients, which add interest to the point she's making, and help make the connection with real-life needs and situations of real people.In her closing chapter, Callahan reminds the reader of how a woman's attitude towards health and exercise can set the tone for better fitness for the whole family, just by example. Kids definitely are more likely to do what you do rather than what you say.This book was very carefully produced; I found no typos, and only a bit of repetition at th

The Fitness Factor's appeal is in its use as a tool for the development of a personal health and wellness plan. Having the book is like having your own personal trainer, one who is knowledgeble as well as motivating. It is based on sound eating and exercise principals and provides insight and ideas for its readers.

"The Fitness Factor" should be a bible for women of all ages. "It is never too late to start" is Dr. Callahan's message. She details concrete and gradual steps, free from fads and quick fixes, to follow in order to achieve realistic goals. Dr. Callahan gives hope and encouragement, especially to older women and those who have never made fitness an important part of their life.

For years I have combed the fitness section looking for a book to meet my needs. Finally that book is here! Callahan does a great job of giving information from the novice to the athlete training for an event. This is your chance to find out what the minimum amount of excercise is and what needs to be done in order to lose weight. Get a copy for yourself and a friend.